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"Therefore we do not lose heart."

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:16

A CONSISTENTLY STRONG SPIRIT

Not many people are strong and resilient enough to say that they do not lose heart. The Apostle Paul was one of the few who carried on serving God despite tough adverse circumstances.

“Therefore we do not lose heart.
Even though our outward man is perishing,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 4:16

1. “Therefore we do not lose heart”

a) This was the second time Paul wrote about not losing heart (2 Corinthians 4:1).

b) There were reasons why Paul was able to adopt this strong approach to life and ministry.

c) Some of the reasons may be found in the earlier part of this Epistle:

i) God was their Comforter 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

ii) Their trust in God 2 Corinthians 1:9-10

iii) The Spirit of God in their hearts 2 Corinthians 1:22

iv) Their sufficiency came from God 2 Corinthians 3:6

v) The life of Jesus was manifested 2 Corinthians 4:11

vi) There was a strong spirit of faith 2 Corinthians 4:13

2. “Even though our outward man is perishing”

a) The ministry for the Lord took a heavy toll.

b) The outward man was perishing.

i) Age

ii) Suffering

iii) Stress and strain of life and ministry

3. “Yet the inward man is being renewed day by day”

a) The human being is made up of two parts:

i) The outward man (the external physical body)

ii) The inward man (the human soul/ spirit)

b) The outward man will indeed perish in the process of time.

c) But the inward man will not perish.

i) It can be renewed (revived)

ii) On a day to day basis.

iii) This was an added reason why Paul never lost heart!