FAINT? I SHOULD SAY NOT!

2 CORINTHIANS 4                                    

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Ekkakeo is found 6 times in the N.T. in our King James Version.

5 of the 6 times the Holy Spirit had Paul use the term and once his friend Luke, the beloved physician used it. Translated “faint” 4 times and “weary” twice it boils down to the Lord telling us not to give up.

These negative phrases are  positive admonitions He gives us to keep going. Keep on keeping on. Strive for mastery. Press toward the mark. Go right down the line!

This is not just some empty platitudes with no reasoning behind them. This is no “Keep a stiff upper lip ol’ chap!” “Be warmed and filled.” “Man up bucko!” No, no. This has solid reasoning to go with it.

 

I. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED MERCY – FAINT NOT! [v. 1-7]

 

1. We See! [v. 1-4]

 

2. We Know! [v. 5-6]

 

3. We Have! [v. 7, Luke 18:1]

 

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

 

II. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST – FAINT NOT! [v. 8-14]

 

1. Manifest the Lord! [v. 8-11]

 

2. Manifest the Book! [v. 12-13]

 

3. Manifest the Spirit! [v.14, Rm. 8:11, Eph. 5:18]

 

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

 

III. IF YOU WANT TO GLORIFY GOD – FAINT NOT! [v. 15-18]

 

1. From Grace to Glory [v. 15, 2 Corinthians 12:9] Grace is coupled with glory more then 10 times in the Bible.

 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

 

2. For Weighty Glory [v. 16-17, Ephesians 3:13]

 

Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

 

3. For Eternal Glory [v. 17-18, Galatians 6:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:13]

 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.