1. Losing
Your
Soul
Matt. 16:26

2. Losing
Your
Faith
Luke 22:32

3. Losing
Your Courage
2 Cor. 4:1

4. 2 Corinthians 4:1
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
“We do not become discouraged” (NET)
“We never give up” (NLT)

5. Losing Your Courage
The Meaning

6. The Meaning The Concept Grow weary (cf. Gal. 6:9)
Discouraged (Eph. 3:13 –NCV)
On verge of giving up (Williams trans of 2 Cor. 4:1, 16; Gal. 6:9; Luke 18:1)
BDAG: “lose enthusiasm, be discouraged”
Logos sense: “disheartened… lose spirit”
“The word implies the maintenance of a holy courage (1 Cor. 16:13) and perseverance (2 Thess. 3:13).” (Pulpit)
“The word here used (ἐκκακοῦμεν) means, properly, to turn out a coward; to lose one’s courage; then to be faint-hearted, to faint, to despond, in view of trial, difficulty, &c.—Robinson” (Barnes)

7. The Meaning The Concept The Effect Loss of zeal / enthusiasm
Less courage to do what you know is right – when hard to do!
Tired / frustrated as press on against contrary winds
Yet not lost their faith or unfaithful (cf. 1 Thess. 5:14)
“The verb does not mean, ‘to give in to evil.’” (Lenski)
“Many start well but tire sooner or later, especially when exertion becomes hard.” (Lenski)
Danger of giving up

8. Losing Your Courage
The Meaning
The Cause

9. The Cause Feeling of failure (context of 2 Cor. 4:1)
“’We faint not’ = ‘we are not discouraged.’ This is said in view of the apparent failure of this ministry because so many reject the gospel which it brings (v. 3, 4).” (Lenski)
Times we feel that we are spinning our wheels

10. The Cause Feeling of failure (context of 2 Cor. 4:1)
Physical challenge (2 Cor. 4:16)
Contrary winds (2 Cor. 4:16)
Tire because not seeing immediate benefit (Gal. 6:9)
Fear – afraid of being attached to a religion that exposes one to pain (cf. Eph. 3:13)
Pessimism (cf. Eph. 3:13 – Paul in prison)

11. Losing Your Courage
The Meaning
The Cause
The Preventative

12. The Preventative Understand mercy and the ministry (2 Cor. 4:1)
Focus on the spiritual and eternity (2 Cor. 4:16)
Realize we will reap (Gal. 6:9)
Consider the access we have to God (Eph. 3:12-13)

13. Losing Your Courage
The Meaning
The Cause
The Preventative