Sermon 2 Corinthians Wounded Hearts Introduction

We feel like Charlie Brown in a sad, but typical, exchange with Lucy…. God releases the curse to drive us to our knees and to see our need for a savior, but our tendency is to Flee, Fight, and Hide. We feel like Charlie Brown in a sad, but typical, exchange with Lucy….

CULTIVATE AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE – Look to Christ BE AMBITIOUS TO PLEASE THE LORD – Long to please Christ

WE ARE CONSTRAINED BY THE LOVE OF Christ – Live out of love for Christ. BOAST IN WEAKNESS TO KNOW THE POWER OF Christ – Lean on Christ

CULTIVATE AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE – Look to Christ 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 EVERYTING looks different when viewed from the eternity.

[7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. [8] We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [10] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

[16] So we do not lose heart [16] So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16- 18 ESV)

EVERYTING looks different when viewed from the eternity.

BE AMBITIOUS TO PLEASE THE LORD – Long to please Christ 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

[6] So we are always of good courage [6] So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, [7] for we walk by faith, not by sight. [8] Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. [9] So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:6-10 ESV)

WE ARE CONSTRAINED BY THE LOVE OF Christ – Live out of love for Christ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

14] For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; [15] and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV)

BOAST IN WEAKNESS TO KNOW THE POWER OF Christ – Lean on Christ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

[7] So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

[10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)

LESSONS FROM A BARBIE® DOLL

Have you ever given God an opportunity to use you in a difficult time Have you ever given God an opportunity to use you in a difficult time? What was the result? Do you believe that God can use the wound for your own growth in Christ likeness?

God can heal our wounds because Jesus was wounded for us. He took the ultimate wound that we deserved. He took the full weight of the curse – death – so that we can have life.

The Cracked Pot

The ABC’s of coming to faith – A - Admit that you’re weak and need grace and strength – That means there is GOOD NEWS FOR YOU   B- Believe that Jesus is the only savior who can heal your heart. C- confess to God that you want to trust Jesus as your savior and Lord