2
CORINTHIANS 4:8-9
Pastor
Rick Jackson
I. WHO GETS
DISCOURAGED?
1. Lost people get discouraged [Ephesians 2:12]
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from
the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having
no hope, and without God in the world:
2. God's people get discouraged [2 Thessalonians 2:2]
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither
by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is
at hand.
3. God's servants get discouraged (Elijah, Jonah,
Jeremiah) Isaiah 37:3
And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a
day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to
the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
Perhaps the question would be better asked, "Who
doesn't get discouraged?" Because all people get discouraged.
II. HOW DOES
DISCOURAGEMENT COME?
1. It comes from others [Deuteronomy 1:28]
Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our
heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great
and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims
there.
It may be the failure of others, or the influence of others,
or any number of things through people!
2. It comes continuously [2 Cor. 4:8]
In our text when Paul says, "We are troubled on every
side" he is referring to being thronged or crowded in by our troubles. The
root word even has to do with a rut being worn in because it's the same thing
over and over.
3. It comes confusingly [2 Cor. 4:8]
In our text when Paul says, "we are perplexed," it
means to be at a loss mentally, unable to figure it out. We won't always know
why!
4. It comes caustically "persecuted" [2
Cor. 4:9]
5. It comes powerfully "we are cast down" [2
Cor. 4:9]
6. It comes deservedly [Lamentations 1:18]
The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his
commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow:
7. It comes through circumstances [Numbers 21:4]
And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea,
to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged
because of the way.
The difficulties may be financial, physical, mental,
occupationally, through family troubles, etc.
III. WHAT CAN WE DO
IN THE HOUR OF DISCOURAGEMENT?
Many turn back. The Bible says in Psalm 78:9 The children of
Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
Don't turn back. Come back.
1. COME BACK TO GOD [Isaiah 44:22]
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions,
and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the
people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved,
every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in
the LORD his God.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith
in God.
2. COME BACK TO CHRIST [John 14:1]
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe
also in me.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
3. COME BACK TO THE WORD OF GOD [Matthew 7:24-25, 2
Cor. 4:8-9]
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And
the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
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Yes "We are troubled on every side, yet not
distressed;" Our troubles may come at us from all directions, but we
cannot be hemmed in... we are free in Christ!
Yes, "we are perplexed, but not in despair" We may
not know what to do but we know He knows what to do! We may not even know how
to pray but "...the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the
saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose. " Rm. 8:26-28
Yes, we may be "Persecuted, but not forsaken;" We
are not left behind in a bad place. He is with us! Hebrews 13:5 "... for
he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Yes, praise God, we may be "cast down, but not
destroyed;" Someone said, "knocked down but not knocked out!"
When God is on your side no-one can destroy you!
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are
not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both
soul and body in hell.
We may even deserve it. But I Jn. 1:9 is still in the Book!
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
