Don’t Lose Heart (Part 1)

Do Not Lose Heart

Dr. Ronald K. Powell

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Introduction

Heb 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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.

Heb 12:2  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 12:3  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

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• Do Not Lose Heart
• Men grow weary over many things (Prov. 25:17).
  • Neighbors
  • Marriage
  • Children
  • Job

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• Proverbs 25:17English Standard Version (ESV)¹⁷ Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
• Proverbs 25:17Amplified Bible (AMP) ¹⁷ Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house,
  Or he will become tired of you and hate you.
• Proverbs 25:17Living Bible (TLB) ¹⁷ Don’t visit your neighbor too often, or you will outwear your welcome!

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• James 1:2-4
• Jas 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
• Jas 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
• Jas 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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John 16:33  “I have told you these things,

so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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Satan wants us to lose heart

• Rob our zeal and fervor
• Destroy our diligence

Drain our hope and joy

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Do Not Lose Heart (Three Areas)

1. In Prayer
2. In Ministry
3. In Doing Good

• Parables on Prayer
• Luke 18:1-8Amplified Bible (AMP)
• 18 Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and had no respect for man. 3 There was a [desperate] widow in that city and she kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice and legal protection from my adversary.’ 4 For a time he would not; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will give her justice and legal protection; otherwise by continually coming she [will be an intolerable annoyance and she] will wear me out.’” 6 Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says! 7 And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf? 8 I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?”

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Do not Lose Heart in Prayer

God answers prayers (Matt. 6:5-8).

Matthew 6:5-8Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁵ “Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

⁷ “And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

In time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).

Hebrews 4:14-16Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁴ Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

For our benefit (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

2 Corinthians 12:7-10Amplified Bible (AMP)

A Thorn in the Flesh

⁷ Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! ⁸ Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; ⁹ but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. ¹⁰ So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].

Righteous man (James 5:16-18).

James 5:16-18Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed ^[a]intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].

According to His will (1 John 5:14-15).

1 John 5:14-15Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁴ This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that ^[a]if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him.

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Do Not Lose Heart in Ministry

Ministry of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:1-12).

2 Corinthians 3:1-12Amplified Bible (AMP) Ministers of a New Covenant

3 Are we starting to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some [false teachers], letters of recommendation to you or from you? [No!] ² You are our letter [of recommendation], written in our hearts, recognized and read by everyone. ³ You show that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

⁴ Such is the confidence and steadfast reliance and absolute trust that we have through Christ toward God. ⁵ Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God. ⁶ He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by revealing sin and demanding obedience], but the Spirit gives life.

⁷ Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones [the covenant of the Law which led to death because of sin], came with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, [a brilliance] that was fading, ⁸ how will the ministry of the Spirit [the new covenant which allows us to be Spirit-filled] fail to be even more glorious and splendid? ⁹ For if the ministry that brings condemnation [the old covenant, the Law] has glory, how much more does glory overflow in the ministry that brings righteousness [the new covenant which declares believers free of guilt and sets them apart for God’s special purpose]! ¹⁰ Indeed, what had glory [the Law], in this case no longer has glory because of the glory that surpasses it [the gospel]. ¹¹ For if that [Law] which fades away came with glory, how much more must that [gospel] which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!

¹² Since we have such a [glorious] hope and confident expectation, we speak with great courage,

Greatest message ever (1 Tim. 1:11).

1 Timothy 1:11Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹¹ according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

Handle it properly (2 Cor. 4:1-4).

2 Corinthians 4:1-4Amplified Bible (AMP)

Paul’s Apostolic Ministry

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. ² But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; ⁴ among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Do Not Lose Hope in Ministry

Persevere in persecution (2 Cor. 4:7-18).

• It is treasure that others need.
• We will meet resistance.
• Our life may be threatened.
• We should be compelled to speak.
• We must look beyond the immediate.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁷ But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. ⁸ We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; ⁹ hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. ¹² So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you.

¹³ Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” We also believe, therefore we also speak, ¹⁴ knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us [along] with you in His presence. ¹⁵ For all [these] things are for your sake, so that as [God’s remarkable, undeserved] grace reaches to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of [our great] God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! ¹⁸ So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.

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Do Not Lose Heart in Ministry

Even when others are in tribulation

(Ephesians 3:8-12).

• Their persecutions.
• Doing it for you, others, and the Lord.

Ephesians 3:8-12Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁸ To me, [though I am] the very least of all the saints (God’s people), this grace [which is undeserved] was graciously given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the good news of the incomprehensible riches of Christ [that spiritual wealth which no one can fully understand], ⁹ and to make plain [to everyone] the plan of the mystery [regarding the uniting of believing Jews and Gentiles into one body] which [until now] was kept hidden through the ages in [the mind of] God who created all things. ¹⁰ So now through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God [in all its countless aspects] might now be made known [revealing the mystery] to the [angelic] rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This is in accordance with [the terms of] the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him [that is, our faith gives us sufficient courage to freely and openly approach God through Christ].

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Do Not Lose Heart in Doing Good

Individual responsibilities (Gal. 6:1-6).

Galatians 6:1-6Amplified Bible (AMP)

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. ² Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself. ⁴ But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable ^[a]without comparing himself to another. ⁵ For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].

⁶ The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support].

Reap what you sow (Gal. 6:7-8).

Galatians 6:7-8Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Do not give up (Gal. 6:9-10).

Galatians 6:9-10Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁹ Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. ¹⁰ So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

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Do Not Lose Heart in Doing Good

Be benevolent (2 Thess. 3:6-13).

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁶ Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live in accordance with the tradition and teaching that ^[a]you have received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined or inappropriate manner when we were with you [we were never idle or lazy, nor did we avoid our duties], ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day [to pay our own way] so that we would not be a financial burden on any of you [for our support]; ⁹ not because we do not have a right to such support, but [we provided our own financial support] to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. ¹⁰ For even while we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is ^[b]not to eat, either. ¹¹ Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business]. ¹² Now such people we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work quietly and earn their own food and other necessities [supporting themselves instead of depending on the hospitality of others]. ¹³ And as for [the rest of] you, ^[c]believers, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].

• Some unworthy.
• Others still worthy.
  • Down trodden.

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• 1Cor 15:58
• 1Cor 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

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• Closing Looking Ahead
• Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
• Rev 21:2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
• Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
• Rev 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
• Closing Looking Ahead
• Rev 22:3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
• Rev 22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
• Rev 22:5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

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• Closing Looking Ahead
• Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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.
• Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.