Text: 2 Corinthians 4: 8 – 9 : ” We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Theme: Get back on your feet…the fight is not over yet!
Introduction:
- On the night of 27th April 2013, boxers Sergio Martinez fought Martin Murray for the world middleweight title.
- The fight was scheduled to last 12 rounds.
- During the course of the fight Martinez was knocked down in the 8th round, but managed to stagger to his feet. [e]
- He was knocked down again in the 10th round [e]
- One of the boxing commentators seating next to the ring said that Martinez was finished [e]
- But once again, he managed to get to his feet [e]
- Nobody expected him to win [e]
- Time was almost up [e]
- Only 2 rounds remained [e]
- But he got back to his feet because was not yet over [e]
- And in the last 2 rounds he fought the fight of his life and won [e]
- Why? Because he got back to his feet [e]
- He didn’t stay down [e]
- He refused to accept that he had been destined for defeat [e]
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- On April 17th, 1909, one of the longest fights in boxing history took place.
- It was held in Paris.
- Boxers Joe Jeanette and Sam McVey fought each other for the WBO heavyweight title.
- The lasted 49 rounds [e]
- Joe Jeanette was knocked down a total of 27 times during the course of the fight.
- Yet each time, he got to his feet. [e]
- In the 19th round, he was knocked down 5 times [e]
- Everyone thought he was finished [e]
- Yet he got back to his feet every time and made it through the most difficult round of his boxing career [e]
- Finally, in the 49th round, McVey could fight no more and Joe Jeanette was declared the winner and the WBO heavyweight champion of the world [e]
- Boxer, Joe Jeanette refused to stay down on the canvas every time he was knocked out [e]
- He refused to accept that he was destined for defeat [e]
- 2015 has been a trying and difficult year for everyone [e]
- I heard many accounts of how this year has brought challenges:
• Family problems [e]
• Work problems [e]
• Health issues [e]
• Problems with children [e]
• Financial difficulties [e]
- But the year is not over yet [e]
- 2015 may have started off and been bad [e]
- But there are still a few days left [e]
- Let’s not stay down…let’s get to our feet [e]
1. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed
- What an appropriate scripture for our experiences this year [e]
- It’s one thing to have pressure in this life [e]
- But the Bible so aptly describes it…
- We are HARD pressed [e]
- The adjective “hard” indicates that that the devil didn’t just attack you mildly [e]
- But he put an extreme effort in his attempts to destroy you [e]
- When the enemy attacks…
- When problems come, it’s not just 1 or 2…
- But the Bible says it comes from “every side” [e]
- This also tells us that the enemy attacks us numerous times [e]
- Have you ever noticed that it’s been a year of “one-after-another” [e]
- “Every side” also indicates that sometimes we don’t know where to turn to…because it’s on every side [e]
- But with every attack of satan comes the assurance of God…
- “…but not crushed,…” [e]
- This tells us that no matter what the enemy throws at us, we will not be destroyed [e]
- This is a promise of God [e]
2. We are perplexed, but not in despair
- “Perplexed” means confused [e]
- Sometimes we cannot explain why we have to go through difficult times [e]
- We are doing what God wants of us [e]
- We are faithful [e]
- We read the Word and pray [e]
- We attend church [e]
- We are involved in the kingdom [e]
- Let me clear this up…it is because of the reasons that the enemy attacks us [e]
- So that we may get discouraged and give up [e]
- Many time we are “perplexed” (confused), because it’s only happen to us [e]
- No one else [e]
- Not the sinner nor the unfaithful [e]
- But in these time, the Word of God is clear…
- We are not in despair [e]
- That is why the child of God can smile in times of difficulty [e]
- Because we never lose hope because God is still control in all circumstances (good and bad)
- Romans 8:28 says “ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
3. We are persecuted, but not abandoned
- “Persecution” comes from people [e]
- In 2015, I have seen people trying to destroy others [e]
- I heard the gossip [e]
- I have heard the slander [e]
- I have heard about the negative words that have been spoken [e]
- I have heard the curses that have been uttered [e]
- But you what, God has also heard [e]
- Let me say that “no weapon formed against you shall prosper”
- God will never abandon you [e]
- A few weeks ago, there was a massive landslide in China
- Thousands of buildings and homes were covered under mud
- Rescuers dug tirelessly to find survivors
- One 19 year old boy was found over 60 hours after being covered by the landslide
- Why? Because the rescuers never abandoned their efforts even after they knew it was way past the time of finding survivors [e]
- God will never abandon you [e]
- Even at this late hour of 2015, he can dig you out of any mess [e]
4. We are struck down, but not destroyed
- We may have endured a difficult year this year [e]
- But turn to the person next to you and tell them: “I am still here!”
- You see God has brought you thus far [e]
- Yes, we have been struck down many times
- But we have not been destroyed by satan [e]
- Because the God of Heaven and earth preserves us [e]
Conclusion
- Boxers Sergio Martinez and Joe Jeanette were knocked down many times [e]
- Yet they both went on to the glory of victory [e]
- In the sport of boxing, one of the most important persons at the ring is the corner man [e]
- The man who shouts encouragement and instructions at the boxer as he fights [e]
- The man who gives him nourishment and fluid during the break between rounds [e]
- The man who stops the blood from flowing when the boxer is cut [e]
- Martinez and Jeanette both had amazing corner men [e]
- In this life, Jesus is in our corner [e]
- And as long as He is in our corner, we may beat up [e]
- We may get knocked down [e]
- We may get bloody and broken [e]
- But we will never lose [e]
- We have just a few days of 2015 left
- The fight of 2015 has battered and banged us [e]
- But get back to your feet because the fight is not yet over and victory is at hand [e]
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I thank you that I can come to you in Jesus Name. I declare the Lordship of Jesus over my life. I know that this year was trying and difficult, but I thank you that it is not yet over.
As 2015 comes to a close, I pray that I may rise with You in power. I take authority over all the difficulties, problems and sicknesses of 2015 and I make this declaration over them:
• Let every problem and difficulty be gone in Jesus Name.
• I declare an end to family problems and I declare peace and prosperity and happiness in my home and family. I call back to order every wayward child and spouse.
• I declare an end to difficulties in finding gainful employment. Let opportunities for work come my way. I pray for promotion and blessing at my work place despite the current negative economic outlook for this land.
• I declare an end to all sicknesses and health problems for me and my family in Jesus Name. I pray for good, sound health and for a body that will not become reliant on constant medication.
• I declare an end to all my financial difficulties in Jesus Name. I pray for an abundance of money to come my way in Jesus Name. give me sound financial sense and wisdom that I may learn have to save, how to prosper and how to honour the Kingdom of God with my tithes and offering and in giving to the poor.
I make this declarations in Jesus Name….Amen!
