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We do not lose heart

Text: 2 Corinthians 4
10 August 2008

(I) APPRECIATING THE MINISTRY OF THE NEW COVENANT

1. We have been given the ministry of the New Covenant

2. We have every reason to rejoice and glory in this ministry

a) There is the involvement of the Spirit of God

b) There is enablement from God

c) It is a ministry that is even more glorious than that of Moses

(II) THE CHALLENGES OF THE NEW COVENANT MINISTRY

1. A challenge from the god of this age

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

a) He will actively resist the preaching of the Gospel

b) He will cause people to be spiritually blind

2. A challenge from false teachers

“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully…” 2 Corinthians 4:2

a) Hidden things of shame

b) Craftiness

c) Deceitful handling of the Word of God

3. Tough circumstances of life and ministry

“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

a) Hard pressed

b) Perplexed

c) Persecuted

d) Struck down

(III) A POWERFUL STANCE ADOPTED

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart” 2 Corinthians 4:1

1. Taking a powerful stance

2. Description of this stance

a) We do not lose heart

b) We have the excellent power of God ( 2 Corinthians 4:7 )

c) We are not crushed ( 2 Corinthians 4:8 )

d) We are not in despair ( 2 Corinthians 4:8 )

e) We are not forsaken ( 2 Corinthians 4:9 )

f) We are not destroyed ( 2 Corinthians 4:9 )