I'm Down But I'm Not Out

Intro

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Down—But Not out! (2 Corinthians 1:1–11)

“You seem to imagine that I have no ups and downs, but just a level and lofty stretch of spiritual attainment with unbroken joy and equanimity. By no means! I am often perfectly wretched and everything appears most murky.”

Dr. John Henry Jowett

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Down—But Not out! (2 Corinthians 1:1–11)

“I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: Down—But Not out! (2 Corinthians 1:1–11)

Discouragement is no respecter of persons. In fact, discouragement seems to attack the successful far more than the unsuccessful; for the higher we climb, the farther down we can fall

When I was a kid there was a book called Alexander, and the Terrible, Horrible, No good very bad day....give book description....

2020

Figuratively speaking this year 2020 has been nothing short of a torrential downpour, a never ending hurricane, a tornado leaving nothing but broken homes and buildings behind. For some or most 2020 has been a year not to remember but one to forget. I don’t know about you but I’ve seen things in 2020 I thought I’d never see, I’ve heard things in 2020 I thought I’d never hear, I’ve said things in 2020 I thought I’d never say, I’ve experienced things in 2020 I thought I’d never experience, I’ve felt some ways in 2020 I thought I’d never feel, I’ve heard some things in 2020 I thought I’d never hear, and ultimately these things knocked me down. Come on I know I’m not the only you, but those of you sitting right in front of me have seen some things in 2020.....ad lib....

Paul writes this letter to the church of Corinth to essentially ease their troubled mind about his sufferings and theirs. He writes to encourage and uplift. He writes to them about his struggles in Achaia

And so to Paul starts this letter off with Praise

Chapter 1- Earlier in his writings Paul praises God for what He’s done in the past. Later on in his writings, Paul praises God for what He’s going to do in the future, but here, Paul is Praising Him for what he’s doing now

In other words, I know I got laid off in 2020 but I’m still here

Chapter 2- Transitions to Forgiveness, and Reaffirmation, forgive, comfort and confirm

Chapter 3- False Prophets - Everyone that’s Preaching ain’t preaching Christ

God’s Mercy

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,

Because we have mercy don’t lose heart.

What ministry? The ministry of Christ..

Mercy-God withholding us the things we do deserve

Paul says since we have the ministry of Mercy, we do not lose heart.

God’s Message

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

Vessel=God’s people

Treasure=God’s message

Question-Why would God put something so valuable, in something that’s easily breakable?

Clay is fragile. Its a whole process behind it, that requires pressure, patience, time, focus, attention. And in the end although its beautiful and useful, its very fragile and easily breakable.

Answer- Because it proves how strong He is...

Afflicted-applied pressure

Distressed- no room to maneuver

Perplexed-without a way of passage

Cast Down-suggests temporary defeat

God has specifically shaped you, made you, and molded you. He has created you in such a way that can withhold the bumps and bruises of life. But every time you get hit, every time you get bruised, every time you get persecuted......God gets the glory....

I KNOW.....GOD YOU GET THE GLORY

God’s Master Plan

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

These sufferings and valleys were meant for us to go through.

But We are assured Victory. Not only on this side. But Beyond The Grave.

The Cross!!!!!

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.