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Century Christian
Church 1301 Tamarack Road, Owensboro, KY 42301, (270) 684-0286, Pastor: Rev. Jim Westmoreland |
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Do Not Lose Heart We've all faced things in our lives that were hard. Sometimes, we have been in situations where we try and try but we just can't please our boss, our spouse, our parents, our children or anyone else. When that happens, we feel discouraged, angry, maybe even depressed. We may begin to think, why try? What good does it do? I seem to only make matters worse. That's when we are about to lose heart! There is Good News! We don't have to lose heart! Paul struggled often. We can learn from what he did. We can apply his teaching. We, too, can persevere and not lose heart! In our scripture tonight, Paul tells us that he was afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed or driven to despair. He says that he was persecuted but not forsaken, that he was struck down, but not destroyed. Paul gives us three reasons why he did not lose heart. First, he tells us in v. 1 that he doesn't lose heart because it is by God's mercy that he is doing his ministry. For Paul service and ministry was a privilege. God allows him to go through all that he does so that he can serve God. Second, in v. 15 Paul tells us that everything that he has experienced is for our sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God. He doesn't lose heart because we are benefitted and God is glorified. And third, he doesn't lose heart, v.16 because his inner nature is being renewed day by day. The key to not losing heart is God renewing our inner nature. We respond differently when we are renewed and when we have not been renewed. When our inner nature is being renewed, the thought of God's mercy is and love is Awesome. It empowers us to see service and ministry as a privilege. When our inner nature is not renewed, we don't see any purpose, much less privilege in going through hard times. When our inner nature is being renewed, we are willing to suffer and give our lives for the sake of others. When our inner nature is not being renewed, we are looking after "my sake", and we are only tuned in to station WIFM (What's in It For Me). Paul did not lose heart because his inner nature was being renewed! As the persecution of Jews increased during World War II, Austrian psychologist Victor Frankl had the opportunity to go to America and avoid the imminent threat of suffering. His parents were thrilled for him, but he struggled with the question: Should I leave my parents behind in Gestapo-controlled Austria? He asked God to give him a hint from heaven. One day Victor's father, who knew nothing of his son's inner turmoil, brought him a piece of marble taken from a bombed out synagogue. It contained a small bit of writing that Victor recognized as being from the fourth commandment: Honor your father and mother. This was the hint he had been looking for; Frankl decided to stay. It was a decision not without a price; he and his family were arrested and imprisoned. His parents died in concentration camps, and he himself spent years in Auschwitz. But he survived, and as a result he was able to provide strength and encouragement to millions through his writings--most notably his book "Man's Search for Meaning." During this time, a German theologian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer had the opportunity to take a teaching post in America. He, too, struggled with the decision. Ultimately, he declined the offer, choosing to stay in Germany because he felt an obligation to be with his own countrymen during the time of national crisis. Bonhoeffer was eventually arrested and sent to a concentration camp, where he died shortly before the war ended. Both men had the opportunity to leave. They could have lost heart. Both made the decision to stay--and both paid a price for their choice. Sometimes, our best decision is to stay! Greener pastures may be calling us elsewhere, but our true calling is right where we are. Staying doesn't often result in glory and honor. In fact, it's more likely to result in suffering and hardship. And, yet, it is in choosing to stay that we most often do the most good. The Apostle Paul wrote... Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1) The race marked out for us. Many of us struggle with the question: How do I know whether it's time to stay or time to go? How do I know if this is the race "marked out" for me? The answer to that question can often be found in the answer to another: Are you running to avoid pain, or running to gain the prize? If your reason for wanting to go is simply to avoid something unpleasant, that might be a hint that God is calling you to stay. But, unless you get your inner nature renewed, you will lose heart and want to drop out, slack off, or sit back and watch others. In the race marked out for you, there will be times when you must take a bold step of faith into the unknown. And there will be times when you must take an even bolder step of faith into the known. I believe that God calls us to stay . . . in defiance of the call to comfort . . . and in the face of certain struggle. Are you struggling with a stay-or-go decision? Ask yourself: have I lost heart? Which choice takes me closer to the prize? If you need a hint from heaven, God will provide one; just be ready to take an obedient next step in the race marked out for you. When we find ourselves struggling because life is hard, or not fair, we may be headed straight for a pity-party, for self-justification for some rebellious behavior, or for depression and some serious discouragement and loss of heart. Remember, 1) we need our inner selves renewed first and foremost, 2) when we are renewed, we serve because it is a privilege, even though the times are hard, and 3) when we are renewed, we are willing to serve, not for our sakes, but for the sake of others and the glory of God. Amen. |
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