EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
Gospel offers encouragement
to heavy-hearted
___
2 Corinthians 4:1-12,14-15
___By Mark Bumpus
___First Baptist Church,
___Mineral Wells
___Southwestern Seminary professor Jimmie Nelson stated the pitfalls of ministry as three M's: money, morals and morale. He believes morale, or discouragement, is the greatest enemy of ministers.
___An old fable about the devil states that he put all his tools up for sale except for one. The tool held back was the most worn and named "discouragement." "With it, I can pry my way into the soul of any man." Discouragement is a pitfall for laymen, as 
well. However, Paul says, "We do not lose heart" (2 Corinthians 4:1).
___ Reason for encouragement (2 Corinthians 4:1). Paul did not give up, because he knew he was involved in the greatest endeavor in the world--the Christian gospel ("this ministry") (v.1). People's lives had been changed for eternity (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
___ Living with integrity (2 Corinthians 4:2). Discouragement is prevented partially by living with a good conscience before men and God (v.2). Three ways Paul maintained a good conscience: (1) No involvement in secret, shameful things (v.2a); (2) No ulterior motives (v.2b); and (3) No watering down or adding to the gospel (v.2c) to curry favor (2 Timothy 4:3).
___Paul maintained his integrity. The higher scrutiny of God's opinion was more important than men's opinion. His life was an open book. He did his business in the open.
___Paul gives further reasons for encouragement. There is:
___ Light for darkness (2 Corinthians 4:3-6). Jesus had met Paul on the Damascus Road and had "shone" (v.6) into his heart for salvation. Though Satan blinds the minds of the unbelieving (v.4) and brings darkness to those "who are perishing" (v.3), God can break through with the light of Christ (v.6) if we will preach Jesus Christ as Lord and not be distracted by inferior issues (v.5). Those "perishing" (v.3) may yet believe if presented the gospel.
___ Perseverance for trials (2 Cor-inthians 4:7-11). We are as fragile as the famous clay pots of Corinth, yet God's indwelling power enables us to persevere. Paul uses four couplets (vs. 8-9) to describe perseverance amid trials. Brian Harbour quotes a persecuted Korean Christian who explained how he withstood such trials, "We are like nails. The harder you hit us the deeper we go."
___ Resurrection for death (2 Corinthians 4:12,14-15). The resurrection of Jesus is no myth. More than 500 eyewitnesses could attest (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Paul was confident that God who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise those who believe in Jesus (v.14). This encouraging news was "spreading to more and more people" (v.15). Are you spreading it?
___Winston Churchill returned to his boyhood school of Harrow on Oct. 29, 1941. He was engaged in the titanic struggle against Hitler and German Nazism. A key to his tenacity is heard in his speech, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. ... We have only to persevere to conquer."
___Paul said much the same. From a Christian standpoint, keep on keeping on. "Do not lose heart!"
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