God is the ultimate encourager in suffering...

The last few weeks for my wife and I have been difficult, and challenging. Two weeks ago my mom broke her hip, and my wife has done alot of extra work to make sure she was properly taken care of. This week I came home on monday to my Dog’s eye being bloody and having discharge only to find out on Friday that he will probably have to have it removed on Monday. I also had an interview at FBC peidmont for a youth pastor position, and I believe it went really well, but we will see if the Lord wants me there.

But on Friday Night and Saturday I was just spent, I didnt have the desire to do anything or know what I even wanted to talk about today, and Megan said why dont you speak about encouragement. When she said that I was reminded of the text I sent you all earlier this week, and was reminded that God is the ultimate encourager.... even when trails come we are reminded of eternity. So 4 weeks ago I spoke a little bit on the comfort of God, then last time it was the greatness of our God and this week the encouragement we get from God.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18 SPEAKS TO THE TRIALS OF PAULS MINISTRY, and why we dont have the same trials Paul has we can learn from various trials he has, and apply those to his life. While this whole section is worthy of study. Today due to time I just want to focus on verse 16-18…

Christians should not lose heart even though their bodies will waste away…

On Friday I turn 30 and I can tell that my body is not the same as it once was. I use to just be able to go go go, and now I often do something like move furniture or go play disc golf and I notice I am a little sore. This stuff use to never happen to me I could go workout in the morning , go to school, to play sports until dark and still have energy to go to work overnight, but now I cant. Also like I mentioned when I started my mom broke her hip, and my dog will probability lose his eye, and while these things happen we cant lose heart because of the mercy of God. While the examples I just listed are unique to me we all have the same problem Paul had and that he was wasting away. Pauls wasting away wasn't just because he was getting older he was physically beaten, and worked very hard. Which added to the natural result of fallen humanity which is death. But still he had the reminder to not lose heart. Why was this (1) his divine commission as a minister of a new and superior covenant we are in that new convenant (4:1), (2) the prospect of sharing Christ’s triumphant resurrection from the dead (4:14), and (3) his immediate task of promoting the Corinthians’ spiritual welfare and the glory of God (4:15).

Are their any situations currently that are causing you to lose heart?

Christians should not lose heart because we are being renewed day by day.

Ephesians 3:14-20… teaches us how he renews us.

How does the Lord renew you?

Christians should not lose heart because the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us ( Romans 8:18 )

Macarthur said Paul understood the the greater the suffering, the greater would be his eternal glory. 1 Peter 4:13-19

The NIV Application Commentary: 2 Corinthians Paul’s Confident Boldness in Light of the Resurrection (4:16–18)

In view of the future glory he anticipates inheriting, Paul no longer focuses on the visible, temporary things of the present, that is, the suffering and adversity of the evil age in which he still lives (cf. Rom. 8:24–25). Instead, Paul’s focus is on the unseen things to come, that is, on his growing, Spirit-empowered participation in the image of God, culminating in his final transformation into God’s likeness as manifest in Christ (cf. 3:18; 4:4, 6).

What are some ways we can begin incorporating more eternal thoughts in our everyday lives?

The NIV Application Commentary: 2 Corinthians Paul’s Confident Boldness in Light of the Resurrection (4:16–18)

This is Paul’s response to God’s presence in his life. The power of God that sustains Paul in his weakness (4:7–12) causes him to remain confident in his proclamation (4:13) and in his suffering for the sake of others (4:16). All that God has done and is doing through the adversities of his life (4:1–15) leads him to focus on all that God will do (4:16–18), which in turn gives him confidence to endure the daily consequences of sin (4:1–15). This is the cycle of faith.