090826
We Do Not Lose Heart
Tim Franklin
Introduction:
· 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. NKJV
· Spirit of Divination that we talked of Sunday can cause the church/believers to get discouraged, depressed,
· Why will I not lose heart?
1. Because I Received Mercy
A. I have a ministry because I received mercy
i. Because I received mercy I also received a ministry. Paul did not get this by degree of man. He received it a consequence of divine mercy.
ii. Paul is and has acknowledged that he is unworthy, guilty, condemned, and hopeless 1 Tim 1:15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, NKJV
iii. I got what I did not deserve.
a. Ro 5:8 God demonstrated love while I was a sinner/an enemy of the cross.
(i) Wages is what I deserved.
(ii) Gift is what received.
b. I do not lose heart because I know what I have been saved from!
B. Ministry of the Spirit 3:8
i. Spirit vs law. Law showed us sin. Law came from God and it was glorious in what it did but how much more the Spirit.
ii. The Law brought death but the Spirit brings life.
C. Ministry of Righteousness 3:9
i. Condemnation vs. righteousness
ii. The law brought condemnation-it was glorious in that it pointed us to God and caused us to be humbled before Him but righteousness brought life.
iii. Righteousness bringing life far exceeds that which condemns.
2. Because of whose I am
A. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 'I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty." NKJV
B. I am a temple-a place where a god resides.
i. God lives in me. God in me the hope of Glory! Col. 1:27
ii. God walks with me
iii. He has declared that those He lives in and walks with are His people.
C. He is relational
i. I will be a Father to you
a. Ps 68:5A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. NKJV
b. A father protects, provides, encourages, instructs, loves, intertwines his heart with his children.
ii. You shall be my sons and daughters
a. After getting baptized in the Spirit and beginning to understand the prophetic one of my most favorite words is when someone prophesies “My son!”
2. Because my Future is Bright
A. I have seen the word and my faith is stirred!
i. Ps.116 I believed therefore I spoke. I was reading Herman’s confession of faith before studying the Word. A portion leaped off the page today. It said, “…your word is integrity itself, steadfast, sure, eternal and I trust my life to it’s provisions.
B. He who raised Jesus will also raise me. 4:14
i. Chapter five is all about the resurrection and immortality.
ii. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. NKJV
Conclusion:
· Why do I not lose heart?
o Because I have received mercy.
o Because I have a Father.
o Because I have a bright future.
| 
