2. WE DO NOT LOSE HEART

3. 2Co 4:1 ¶Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

4. Having what ministry? 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2Cor. 3:4-6, ESV ministers of a new covenant

5. 7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end… 2Cor. 3:7

6. For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel Hebrews 8:8-10

7. after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Hebrews 8:10-13

8. Luk 22:19-20 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

9. Having what ministry? 7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 2Cor. 3:7-8, ESV ministers of a new covenant ministry of the Spirit

10. WHY a ministry of the Spirit? 1Corinthians 2:9-10, revealed by… Acts 5:32, Spirit bore witness to… Ephesians 1:15-19, enlightened by… Ephesians 4:30, sealed by…

11. Having what ministry? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 2Cor. 3:8, ESV ministers of a new covenant ministry of the Spirit ministry of righteousness

12. Righteousness defined; Acting in accord with divine will or law, Being free from sin

13. Having what ministry? ministers of a new covenant ministry of the Spirit ministry of righteousness The ministry of available forgiveness in the blood of Christ, revealed by the Spirit, resulting in righteousness

14. 2Co 4:1 ¶Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

15. We rejoice… Matthew 5:12, …in persecution (Acts 5:41) Luke 10:20, …that names are written in heaven John 16:22, …that Jesus lives Romans 5:2, …in hope of the glory of God Romans 5:3, …in suffering that produces endur. Romans 5:11, …in reconciliation 2 Cor. 13:11, …in fellowship/brotherhood/family Philippians 4:1, …in the Lord, always 1 Peter 1:6, …in your inheritance even if grieved here for a while

16. 2Co 4:1 ¶Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2Co 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God

17. 2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

18. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2Cor. 4:3-5, ESV

19. Jhn 1:4-5 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

20. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2Cor. 4:7, ESV 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 2Cor. 3:4-5

21. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2Cor. 4:7, ESV “surpassing power” defined; Literally, to throw beyond Figuratively, beyond all measure

22. 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. 2Cor. 4:8-10

23. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 2Cor. 4:13-14 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2Cor. 4:15

24. 2Co 4:16 ¶So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.2Co 4:16 2Co 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison2Co 4:17 2Co 4:18 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.2Co 4:18