In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n Everyone has the desire to be accepted by others.

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n Everyone has the desire to be accepted by others. n The message we preach goes against the majority of the world. (Mt 7:13-14)

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. {14} “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n Even our example will be a threat to others. (John 16:1-4)

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n (John 16:1-4 NKJV) “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. {2} “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. {3} “And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n {4} “But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.”

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n There will be those in the church who give in to these pressures but at the same time stay within the church. (Phil 3:18-19)

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n (Philippians 3:18-19 NKJV) “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: {19} whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who set their mind on earthly things.”

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n The most hurtful things will happen within the church. (2 Tim 4:14-15; Gal 2:4-5)

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n (Galatians 2:4-5 NKJV) “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), {5} to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n (2 Timothy 4:14-15 NKJV) “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. {15} You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.”

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n There is also the discouragement of seeing those who never grow or even fall away. (2 Cor 11:28)

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n (2 Corinthians 11:28 NKJV) “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n Still in all of these things there is a way to keep a strong heart.

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n Still in all of these things there is a way to keep a strong heart. n Paul wanted the Corinthians not to be discouraged in the midst of these things. (2 Cor 1:3-5)

In the Christian life there are plenty of opportunities to quit. n (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NKJV) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. {5} For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (2 Corinthians 4:1-6 NKJV) “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. {2} But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n {3} But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, {4} 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. {5} For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n {6} For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n Sometimes it seems that the truth is at a disadvantage!

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n Sometimes it seems that the truth is at a disadvantage! n The weapons of error seem to "get results".

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n Sometimes it seems that the truth is at a disadvantage! n The weapons of error seem to "get results". n A wise man will examine those "results" carefully.

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n If you use falsehood to teach, what will you produce in the life of the one taught? (1 Cor 3:12-13)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (1 Corinthians 3:12-13 NKJV) “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, {13} each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n How many "fads" have come and gone?

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n How many "fads" have come and gone? n The mercy of God will want to give to others what they have received!

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n How many "fads" have come and gone? n The mercy of God will want to give to others what they have received! n It is God's grace and God's word, not man's! (Acts 20:32)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (Acts 20:32 NKJV) “”So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n The work of God will often take time to work in the heart. (Lk 14:33)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (Luke 14:33 NKJV) “”So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n How does one handle the word deceitfully?

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n How does one handle the word deceitfully? n How do you reach a blind man? (V4)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n Some think that we should appeal to them with the wisdom of the world. (Jn 15:18-21; 1 Cor 1:31-2:5)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (John 15:18-21 NKJV) “”If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. {19} “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n {20} “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. {21} “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (1 Corinthians 1:31 NKJV) “that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.””

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV) “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. {2} For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. {3} I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n {4} And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, {5} that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n Those who use the deceit of the world are not servants of Christ. (2 Cor 10:3-5)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV) “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. {4} For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, {5} casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n There are some who will not receive the gospel of Christ. (Jn 3:19-21)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (John 3:19-21 NKJV) “”And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. {20} “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. {21} “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.””

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n What does the world like? Great Men, Great Speakers, A Show of Wealth and Numbers.

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n What does the world like? Great Men, Great Speakers, A Show of Wealth and Numbers. n Our goal is to preach Christ and put men in the background. (V5-6)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n What does the world like? Great Men, Great Speakers, A Show of Wealth and Numbers. n Our goal is to preach Christ and put men in the background. (V5-6) n The light in our hearts is the knowledge of God. (1 Cor 15:34; Col 1:10; Note 2 Cor 10:5)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (1 Corinthians 15:34 NKJV) “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (Colossians 1:10 NKJV) “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n It is this knowledge of God's character that is the foundation of our own character. (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18)

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (Romans 8:29 NKJV) “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV) “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

The Mercy of God will not Hide the Truth (V1-6) n What happens when our emphasis is off?

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n (2 Corinthians 4:7-12 NKJV) “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. {8} We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; {9} persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n {10} always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. {11} For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. {12} So then death is working in us, but life in you.”

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n Some may be concerned about the suffering of the apostles who are delivering God's message!

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n Some may be concerned about the suffering of the apostles who are delivering God's message! n Paul wanted the Corinthians to see as God sees. What is a man? "An earthen vessel"!

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n Some may be concerned about the suffering of the apostles who are delivering God's message! n Paul wanted the Corinthians to see as God sees. What is a man? "An earthen vessel"! n Our glory should come in being used in this life rather than seeking glory.

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n Some may be concerned about the suffering of the apostles who are delivering God's message! n Paul wanted the Corinthians to see as God sees. What is a man? "An earthen vessel"! n Our glory should come in being used in this life rather than seeking glory. n Our glory will come in the next life. (2 Tim 2:20-21)

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n (2 Timothy 2:20-21 NKJV) “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. {21} Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n When we seek to glorify a man or a church building, what does this do? (Ex. What kind of frame do you use for a priceless picture?)

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n When we seek to glorify a man or a church building, what does this do? (Ex. What kind of frame do you use for a priceless picture?) n The Christian life is a series of paradoxes!

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n When we seek to glorify a man or a church building, what does this do? (Ex. What kind of frame do you use for a priceless picture?) n The Christian life is a series of paradoxes! n To the world we seem one way, but to the man of faith we are another. The world will never understand this. (1 Cor 2:13-14)

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n (1 Corinthians 2:13-14 NKJV) “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. {14} But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n Consider each of the trails the Christian will endure: "Hard pressed on every side", "perplexed", "persecuted", "struck down". What does God do? He will allow us: not to be "crushed", "not in despair", "not forsaken", "not destroyed".

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n Consider each of the trails the Christian will endure: "Hard pressed on every side", "perplexed", "persecuted", "struck down". What does God do? He will allow us: not to be "crushed", "not in despair", "not forsaken", "not destroyed". n Why does God let this happen? So that God may be glorified! (10-12)

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n When we suffer there is the best time to show what Jesus means to us. (1 Pet 2:11-13)

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n (1 Peter 2:11-13 NKJV) “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, {12} having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. {13} Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,”

God's Purpose of our lives is to Glorify Jesus. (V7-12) n Do you really want to glorify God?

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n (2 Corinthians 4:13-18 NKJV) “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, {14} knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n {15} For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. {16} Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. {17} For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n {18} while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n Why can we have confidence in eternal life?

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n Why can we have confidence in eternal life? n God demonstrated His power in the resurrection of Jesus. (Rom 1:3-4)

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n (Romans 1:3-4 NKJV) “concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, {4} and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n This powerful evidence can produce faith in any who will honestly hear.

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n This powerful evidence can produce faith in any who will honestly hear. n What happens when we really believe?

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n We see the unseen. (Heb 11:27)

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n (Hebrews 11:27 NKJV) “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n We are thankful (v15)

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n We are thankful (v15) n How does the mind of faith work? (V16-18)

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n We are thankful (v15) n How does the mind of faith work? (V16-18) n What do you see?

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n In what are you “being renewed?”

The Resurrection of Jesus Causes us to see the Unseen. (V13-18) n In what are you “being renewed?” n God has made powerful provisions that we "do not lose heart"