INVOCATION:

 

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

This week's Sermon - We Do Not Become Discouraged (Faint Not) - 2 Corinthians 4:1 - Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

1. Twice in the chapter in which our text is found Paul makes the statement “we faint not” - 2 Corinthians 4:1 - Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; - 2 Corinthians 4:16 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

a. The phrase “faint not” means to “be discouraged”

b. If anyone ought to have been discouraged as a Christian, it should have been Paul

1) Consider some of the things he suffered - cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 - Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

2) And yet note what he says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  -- I.e., Paul says “we faint not”!

 

2. However, it is not uncommon for Christians today to “faint not” or to become discouraged:

a. This is both strange and sad

b. Strange, because we do not experience near the hardships Paul did

c. Sad, because as Paul wrote in - Galatians 6:9b - for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

3. In this lesson, I want us to examine various aspects of “losing heart”:

a. We shall consider some signs of losing heart

b. And identify reasons people lose heart

c. And then identify Paul’s secret to not losing heart

 

I. SIGNS OF “FAINT NOT”

 

A. LACK OF PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER (NOT SO VISIBLE TO OTHERS):

 

1. Christ equated fervent prayer with not becoming discouraged - cf. Luke 18:1 - And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

 

2. Most often, the first sign of losing heart is being haphazard in our prayer life

 

3. In contrast, a strong Christian life is characterized by fervent prayer

a. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” - Ephesians 6:18

b. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” - Colossians 4:2

c. “Pray without ceasing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

d. “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” - 1 Timothy 2:8

 

B. GROWING WEARY IN DOING GOOD (VISIBLE TO OTHERS):

 

1. Paul equated this with losing heart in Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

2. Some examples of growing weary in doing good:

a. Neglecting opportunities to help others in need - Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1) Such as visiting the sick and afflicted

2) Such as telling others of the gospel of Christ

b. Forsaking the assembling of ourselves together - Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1) Which in itself is designed to encourage others?

2) And encourage ourselves as well!

 

[Both of these are clear symptoms that one is losing heart. But when there is peace to be found in prayer and joy to be found in doing good, what would cause some people to be discouraged and “lose heart”...?]

 

II. REASONS SOME “FAINT NOT”

 

A. ONE ANSWER: TRIBULATIONS...!

 

1. This is alluded to in Paul’s remarks to the Ephesians - Ephesians 3:13 - Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

a. He was concerned that they not lose heart over HIS tribulations

b. If such was possible over his troubles, how much more over their own!

 

2. Jesus warned in His parable of “The Sower” that some would be affected this way - Matthew 13:3-7 - And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

 

3. Tribulations can take different forms:

a. Both Paul and Christ had reference to those peculiar to Christians

1) Ridicule, ostracism, even physical abuse by those of the world

2) Sometimes even from those we least expect it...brethren who sin against us

-- Many Christians have “faint not” being discouraged in these ways

b. But there are also tribulations common to all men

1) Sickness and death

2) Frustrations at job and home

-- These also take their toll

 

B. ANOTHER REASON: LAWLESSNESS...!

 

1. Jesus said this would happen in - Matthew 24:12 - And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 

2. “Lawlessness” is lack of respect for God in both:

a. Attitude (toward God’s word)

b. Obedience (in doing God’s will)

 

3. Such “lawlessness” is infectious

a. For when many people demonstrate a lack of respect for God’s Will ...

b. ...it discourages the faithful and even encourages them to unfaithfulness - cf. 1 Corinthians 15:33 - Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

 

4. I suspect that today:

a. More Christians are “becoming discouraged” because of lawlessness rather than tribulations

b. Because in our country:

1) Most severe forms of tribulations are forbidden

2) The most severe forms of lawlessness are practiced and even encouraged!

 

[Yet Paul stands before us as an example of one who despite the worst of tribulations, and living in the most lawless of cultures could still say “we faint not”! What was Paul’s secret? For the answer we must look at the context in which his statement is found...]

 

III. SECRETS TO NOT “FAINT NOT”

 

A. APPRECIATE THE GLORIOUS NATURE OF OUR MINISTRY...

 

1. Paul refers to the relationship of this ministry and not becoming discouraged in - 2 Corinthians 4:1 - Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

 

2. “Therefore” refers to the previous chapter, in which Paul contrasted the New Covenant with the Old - 2 Corinthians 3:5-18 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

3. Compare the Old with the New:

 

The OLD Covenant The NEW Covenant

a. Of the letter vs. Of the Spirit (6)

b. Kills vs. Gives life (6)

c. Glorious vs. More glorious (7-11)

d. Ministry of condemnation vs. Ministry of righteousness (9)

e. Ministry passing away vs. Ministry which remains (11)

f. Ministry with a veil vs. Ministry which is unveiled (12-17)

g. Ministry which hardens hearts vs. Ministry which gives liberty (14-17)

h. Transformed one vs. Transforms all (18)

 

4. The glory of the New is seen to be even greater when we remember what is said about the value of the Old! - cf. Psalms 19:7-11 - The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

a. If this is true with what David had in his day (only part of the OT)...

b. ...then consider what must be true when we have the completed OT and NT!

 

5. It is in view of such a wonderful ministry that prompted Paul to say “since we have this ministry, as we have mercy, we do not lose heart.”

 

-- Do we really appreciate the nature of the ministry we have in Christ? It would help us not to “lose heart”!

 

B. REALIZE THE POWER OF CHRIST WHEN WE ARE WEAK:

 

1. Paul is referring to this when he makes the statement again in 2 Corinthians 4:16 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

 

2. As we have seen, Paul suffered greatly for Christ - cf. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

 

3. But he saw it as opportunities for God’s power through Christ to be shown - cf. 2 Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. - 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 - Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

 

4. This was a lesson Christ taught Paul, when he struggled over his “thorn in the flesh” - cf. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

a. When we are weak, that is an opportunity to depend upon the Lord for strength!

b. So infirmities and tribulations can be occasions to rejoice, not despair!

 

-- Have we learned this lesson? It would help us not to “faint not”!

 

C. LOOK AT THINGS NOT SEEN:

 

1. This is what renewed Paul inwardly day by day (i.e., enabled him not to “become discouraged”) - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

2. Things “not seen” refer to:

a. The “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”

b. Which makes our affliction:

1) Light

2) Momentary, temporary

c. This “glory” is further described in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 - For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

 

3. Looking at things “unseen” renewed Paul daily!

 

-- Do we let such a hope of glory renew us? Or do we lose heart because we never take the time to dwell an such things?

 

CONCLUSION:

 

1. In closing, read with me what Paul wrote to the Galatians: - Galatians 6:7-9 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

2. Hopefully, we will not grow weary and “faint not” in our service to the Lord

a. But if you ever find ourselves growing weary...

b. Review what Paul wrote in 2 Co 3-5, where you will find the secrets to not “become discouraged”

 

We spoke briefly of the glorious nature of the ministry we have in Christ, a ministry of in which we all can be transformed. Have you begun this “transformation” process with your obedience to the gospel of Christ?... - cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. - Galatians 3:26-27 - For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Ephesians 6:23 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.