UNCONQUERABLE-IV—2Corinthians 4:1-18
Attention:
Undaunted/Unintimidated/Immovable
No Stairs For You!
An older lady lived on the third floor of a boardinghouse with no elevator. Unfortunately one day she broke her leg.
Knowing her housing situation, as the doctor put a cast on the leg, he sternly sternly warned her not to climb any stairs.
Several months later, she’s back in the doctor’s office & her cast is removed.
“Can I climb stairs now?” asked the little old lady.
“Yes you can,” he replied. “Your leg is as strong as ever!”
“Thank goodness!” she said. “I’m so tired of shinnying up & down that drainpipe!”
Despite her setbacks the woman remained undaunted...Unconquerable!
Need:
You & I & all of God’s people, saved by grace thru faith in the Lord Christ Jesus, are UNCONQUERABLE!
Beginning with :7 we’ve found that ‘A disposition for being & remaining unconquerable’ shines thru...
1. GOD’s MERCY(:1)
2. Thru PERSONAL MANIFESTATION Of TRUTH(:2)
3. Thru OPENNESS To The GOSPEL(:3-4)Personal Choice
4. Thru THANKFULNESS(:5-6)
5. The CONTAINER Of FAITH(:7)
6. PRACTICALITIES Of FAITH(:8-11)
7. PERSONAL SURRENDER, CAUSING LIFE To WORK In OTHERS
(:12-13)
8. MUTUAL THANKSGIVING(:14-15)
9—A disposition for being & remaining unconquerable shines thru...
An EXPANDED PERSPECTIVE(:16-18)
Explanation:(:16-18)
:16—“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
As a result of all the assurances that God has blessed us with, God’s people are indeed unconquerable & undefeatable! Thus they “do not lose heart”(cf.-:1).
“Though” the “outward man” of God’s people is is in a continual state of “perishing”, the truth is that “the inward man” is in a continual state of “renewal.” For the child of God that is devoted wholeheartedly to Him, no “day” passes by without some aspect, if not all, of “the inward man’s” “renewal.”
Isa. 40:28-31—“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint & be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run & not be weary, They shall walk & not faint.””
Rom. 12:1-2—“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good & acceptable & perfect will of God.”
Php. 4:13—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“Therefore/For Which Cause/"Wherefore”—dio—Conjunction—1) Wherefore, on account of. Strong—Through which thing, i.e. consequently.?From—dia—a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; Through(in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)—&—ov, h, o—probably a primary word(or perhaps a form of the article o, h, to); the relative(sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, Who, which, what, that.
“Do Not”—ou, OR before a vowel--ouk, OR before an aspirate--ouc—Particle—1) No, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer. Strong—a primary word; the absolute negative[compare mh] adverb; No or not.
“Lose Heart/Faint”(See :1)—ekkakew ek-kak-eh'-o OR--egkakew eng-kak-eh’-o—Lit = ‘from bad nature/constitution’—Verb—1) To be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted. Strong—To be weak(or bad), i.e. by implication--To fail(in heart). Used 6X.?From—ek OR--ex—1) Out of, from, by, away from. Strong—a primary preposition denoting origin--From, out(of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote).—&—kakov—1) Of a bad nature; 2) Of a mode of thinking, feeling, acting—2a) Base, wrong, wicked; 3) Troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful. Kakov frequently means evil rather negatively, referring to the absence of the qualities which constitute a person or thing what it should be or what it claims to be. It is a general antithesis to agayov. Strong—apparently a primary word; Worthless(intrinsically, such), i.e. subjectively--Depraved, or objectively--Injurious.
“But”—alla—Conjunction—1) But—1a) Nevertheless, notwithstanding, 1b) An objection, 1c) An exception, 1d) A restriction, 1e) Nay, rather, yea, moreover, 1f) Forms a transition to the cardinal matter. Strong—neuter plural of allov[else, i.e. different]; properly--Other things, i.e. adverbially--Contrariwise(in many relations). RWP—Perhaps, "nevertheless," in spite of the difference just noted.
“Even/Indeed”—kai—Conjunction—1) And, also, even, indeed, but. Strong—apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative & sometimes also a cumulative force; And, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection(or composition) with other particles or small words.
“Though/If”—ei—Conjunction—1) If, whether. Strong—If, whether, that, etc.; a primary particle of conditionality.
“Our”—hmwn—Personal Pronoun 1st Genitive Plural—1) Our, we, us. Strong—genitive case plural of egw[first person pronoun “I”]; Of(or from) us.
“Outward”—exw—Adverb—1) Without, out of doors. Strong—Out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively.
“Man”(See :2)—anyrwpov—Noun Nominative Sing. Masc.—1) A human being, whether male or female—1a) generically--To include all human individuals, 1b) To distinguish man from beings of a different order—1b1) Of animals & plants, 1b2) Of from God & Christ, 1b3) Of the angels, 1c) With the added notion of weakness, by which man is led into a mistake or prompted to sin, 1d) With the adjunct notion of contempt or disdainful pity, 1e) With reference to two fold nature of man, body & soul, 1f) With reference to the two fold nature of man, the corrupt & the truly Christian man, conformed to the nature of God, 1g) With reference to sex, a male; 2) indefinitely--Someone, a man, one; 3) in the plural--People; 4) Joined with other words, merchantman. Strong—Man-faced, i.e. A human being.?From—anhr—a primary word; A man(properly as an individual male).—&—wq(the countenance; from optanomai[to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable]).
“Perishing/Decaying/Wasting Away/Brought To Decay”(See :3—apollumi)—diafyeirw—Perfect Passive Indicative 3rd Sing.—1) To change for the worse, to corrupt—1a) Of minds, morals; 2) To destroy, ruin—2a) To consume—2a1) Of bodily vigor & strength, 2a2) Of the worm or moth that eats provisions, clothing, etc., 2b) To destroy, to kill. Strong—To rot thoroughly, i.e. by implication--To ruin;(passively--Decay utterly, figuratively--Pervert). Used 6X.?From—dia—Through, With, In, Throughout, During, By, the means of; The ground or reason by which something is or is not done; On account of, Therefore. Strong—a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; Through(in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional).—&—fyeirw—properly--To shrivel or wither, i.e. To spoil(by any process) or generally--To ruin(especially figuratively, by moral influences, to deprave).
“Inward”—eswyen—Adverb—1) From within; 2) Within, that which is within, the inside—2a) your soul. Strong—From inside; also used as equivalent to esw(inside). Used 14X.
“Renewed”—anakainow—Verb—1) To cause to grow up, new, to make new—1a) New strength & vigor is given to one, 1b) To be changed into a new kind of life as opposed to the former corrupt state. Strong—To renovate. Used 2X--2Cor. 4:16; Col. 3:10.?From—ana—a primary preposition & adverb; properly--Up; but by extension, used distributively--Severally, or locally--At(etc.).—&—kainov—New(especially in freshness; while neov/newterov is properly so with respect to age).
“Day”2X—hmera—Noun Fem.—1) The day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise & sunset, as distinguished from & contrasted with the night—1a) In the daytime, 1b) metaph.,--“The day” is regarded as the time for abstaining from indulgence, vice, crime, because acts of the sort are perpetrated at night & in darkness; 2) Of the civil day, or the space of twenty four hours(thus including the night)—2a) Eastern usage of this term differs from our western usage. Any part of a day is counted as a whole day, hence the expression "three days & three nights" does not mean literally three whole days, but at least one whole day plus part of two other days. Strong—feminine (with wra[hour] implied) of a derivative of hmai(to sit; akin to the base of edraiov[sedentary, immovable]) meaning--Tame, i.e. Gentle; Day, i.e. literally--The time space between dawn & dark, or the whole 24 hours(but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively--A period(always defined more or less clearly by the context).; 3) of the last day of this present age, the day Christ will return from heaven, raise the dead, hold the final judgment, & perfect his kingdom; 4) Used of time in general, i.e. The days of his life.
“By”—kai—
:17—“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding & eternal weight of glory.”
“For our light affliction”
In the grand scheme of God’s gracious provision, all of the numerous trials(cf.-Js. 1:2-4) which “afflict” the blood-bought Christian, are considered by them to be “light.” Any “affliction”/pressure(yliqiv) placed upon the believer because of their trust in Jesus, is in actuality a comparatively “light” thing to bear up under.
This perspective of “lightness” or ‘ease’ is particularly apparent in two opposing scenarios:
1) The believer’s “affliction”/pressure is “light” when compared to the ultimate reality of those who choose to refuse Jesus. The burden placed upon the child of God is indeed “light” as Christ has said, & is no real ‘burden’ at all(Mat. 11:28-30).
Mat. 11:28-30—Jesus said,—““Come to Me, all you who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you & learn from Me, for I am gentle & lowly in heart, & you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy & My burden is light[elafrov].””
2)The believer’s “affliction”/pressure is “light” when compared to the ultimate reality of their future in heaven, with the God who loves them so deeply(Jer. 31:3). “But for a moment”
Deut. 7:7-8—“The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, & because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, & redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”
Deut. 10:14-15—“Indeed heaven & the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; & He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day.”.....Today, by faith in Messiah/Christ!
Mal. 1:2-4—“I have loved you,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains & his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.” Even though Edom has said, “We have been impoverished, But we will return & build the desolate places,” Thus says the LORD of hosts: “They may build, but I will throw down; They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, And the people against whom the LORD will have indignation forever.”
Rom. 9:13-16—“As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, & I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.”
•He shows mercy thru Jacob, thru Jesus!
“Working for us a far more exceeding & eternal weight of glory.”
For the believer, “affliction” faced thru commitment to Jesus is more like a soft breeze, which attempts to push us over, aside or down! As Paul has said previously in :8-9—“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--”
Js. 1:2-4—“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect & complete, lacking nothing.”
When compared to the unimaginable extent of eternity, any “affliction” the saint suffers in the body(:10-12) is actually only instantaneous(“light”). Thus any real tribulation/pressure(“affliction”) becomes freeingly tolerable.
And thru such liberty, the believer’s “light affliction” power-plays against any “weight” that is NOT “eternal.” The “glory” that will be revealed in us in eternity puts human effort in this present earthly life to shame(Rom. 8:18).
Rom. 8:16-18—“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, & if children, then heirs--heirs of God & joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Acts 20:18-24—“And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears & trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, & taught you publicly & from house to house, testifying to Jews, & also to Greeks, repentance toward God & faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains & tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, & the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
2Thess. 2:13-14—“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit & belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“For”—gar—Conjunction—1) For. Strong—a primary particle; properly--Assigning a reason(used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles).
“Light”—elafrov—Adj.—1) Light in weight, quick, agile. Strong—Light, i.e. Easy. Used 2X--Mat. 11:30; 2Cor. 4:17.?Probably akin to—elaunw—To push(as wind, oars, or demonic power).—& the base of—elasswn or elattwn—Smaller(in size, quantity, age or quality). Comparative of the same as elacistov—Least(in size, amount, dignity, etc.).
“Affliction/Troubles/Tribulation”—yliqiv—Noun Fem.—1) A pressing, pressing together, pressure; 2) metaph.--Oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits. Ylipsiv according to its derivation means pressure. In its figurative sense it is that which presses upon the spirit, affliction. Strong—Pressure(literally or figuratively).
“But For A Moment/Momentary”—parautika—Adverb—1) For the moment. Strong—At the very instant, i.e. Momentary. Used 1X.?From—para—1) From, of at, by, besides, near. Strong—properly--Near; i.e. (with genitive case)--From beside(literally or figuratively), (with dative case)--At(or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case)--To the proximity with(local especially)--Beyond or opposed to, or causal--On account of.—&—autov—1) Himself, herself, themselves, itself; 2) He, she, it; 3) The same. Strong—the reflexive pronoun--Self, used(alone or in the comparative eautou) of the third person , & (with the proper personal pronoun)of the other persons.
“Which”—Added for English clarity.
“Working”—katergazomai—1) To perform, accomplish, achieve; 2) To work out i.e. To do that from which something results—2a) of things: Bring about, result in; 3) To fashion i.e. Render one fit for a thing. Strong—Do work fully, i.e. Accomplish; by implication--To finish, fashion. Used 24X.?From—kata—1) Down from, through out; 2) According to, toward, along.—&—ergazomai—1) To work, labor, do work; 2) To trade, to make gains by trading, "do business”; 3) To do, work out; 4) To work for, earn by working, to acquire. Strong—middle voice from ergon; To toil(as a task, occupation, etc.), by implication--Effect, be engaged in or with, etc..
“Us”—hmin—Personal Pronoun 1st Dative Plural—1) Us, we, our. Strong—dative case plural of egw[emphatic “I”]; To(or for, with, by) us.
“Far More Exceeding/Far Beyond All Comparison”(See :7)—kay uperbolhn eiv uperbolhn—Lit = ‘according to superiority into superiority’——kata—1) Down from, through out; 2) According to, toward, along. Strong—a primary particle; Down(in place or time), in varied relations(according to the case [genitive case, dative case or accusative case] with which it is joined).—+—“Exceeding”—uperbolhn—Lit=‘Throw beyond’—Noun Accusative Sing. Fem.—1) A throwing beyond; 2) metaph.—2a) Superiority, excellence, pre-eminence, 2b) Beyond measure, exceedingly, preeminently, 2c) Beyond all measure. Strong—A throwing beyond others, i.e. figuratively--Supereminence; adverbially(with eiv or kata)--Pre-eminently. Used 8X.—English=‘Hyperbole’—“extravagant exaggeration not meant to be taken literally.”—+—eiv—1) Into, unto, to, towards, for, among. Strong—a primary preposition; To or Into(indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or figuratively--Purpose(result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.
“Eternal”(See :18)—aiwniov—Adj.—1) Without beginning & end, that which always has been & always will be; 2) Without beginning; 3) Without end, never to cease, everlasting. Aiwniov gives prominence to the immeasurableness of eternity. Strong—Perpetual(also used of past time, or past & future as well).
“Weight”—barov—Noun Accusative Sing. Neuter—1) Heaviness, weight, burden, trouble. Barov refers to weight, & may be oppressive; it is a load in so far as it is heavy. Strong—probably from the same as basiv(through the notion of going down; compare bayov); Weight; in the N.T. only figuratively--A load, abundance, authority. Used 6X.
“Glory”(See :4, 6, 15)—doxa—Noun Genitive Sing. Fem.—1)Opinion, judgment, view; 2) Opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone—2a) in the NT--Always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honor, & glory; 3) Splendor, brightness—3a) Of the moon, sun, stars, 3b) Magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace, 3c) Majesty—3c1) A thing belonging to God—3c1a) The kingly majesty which belongs to him as supreme ruler, majesty in the sense of the absolute perfection of the deity, 3c2) A thing belonging to Christ—3c2a) The kingly majesty of the Messiah, 3c2b) The absolutely perfect inward or personal excellency of Christ; the majesty, 3c3) Of the angels—3c3a) As apparent in their exterior brightness; 4) A most glorious condition, most exalted state—4a) Of that condition with God the Father in heaven to which Christ was raised after he had achieved his work on earth, 4b) The glorious condition of blessedness into which is appointed & promised that true Christians shall enter after their Savior's return from heaven. Strong—Glory(as very apparent), in a wide application(literal or figurative, objective or subjective).?English=‘Dox-ology’?From the base of—dokew—a prolonged form of a primary verb, dokw(used only in an alternate in certain tenses; compare the base of deiknuw[To show]) of the same meaning; To think; by implication--To seem(truthfully or uncertainly).
:18—“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
That eternal weight(:17) or reality of being a participant in the glory God offers(:17), is experienced only—when we fix our mind’s eye(“look at”) upon those “things which are unseen.”
Those “unseen” “things” are “eternal.”...And because of that fact, they carry a continually eternal significance that overshadows & overwhelms any & everything of creation, that attempts to confront those who trust in God thru Christ.
That is why increasing knowledge is vital to Christian growth.
Col. 1:9-12—“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, & to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom & spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work & increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience & longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
Eph. 4:11-13—“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, & some pastors & teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith & of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;”
“We”—hmwn—Personal Pronoun 1st Genitive Plural—1) Our, we, us. Strong—genitive case plural of egw[first person pronoun “I”]; Of(or from) us.
“Not”3X—mh—Particle—1) No, not lest. Strong—a primary particle of qualified negation(whereas ou, ouk, ouc expresses an absolute denial); adverbially--Not, conjunctionally--Lest; also(as an interrogative implying a negative answer[whereas ou expects an affirmative one])--Whether.
“Look At/Considering/Fix Our Eyes”—skopew—Verb—1) To look at, observe, contemplate; 2) To mark; 3) To fix one's eyes upon, direct one's attention to, any one; 4) To look to, take heed to thyself. Skopew is more pointed than blepw, often meaning “to scrutinize, observe.” When the physical sense recedes it denotes, “to fix one’s (mind's)eye on”, “direct one's attention to” a thing in order to get it, or owing to interest in it, or a duty towards it. Strong—To take aim at(spy), i.e. figuratively--Regard. Used 6X.?English = ‘Scope’
“Things”2X—o,—OR—feminine--h, —OR—neuter--to—Definite Article Accusative Plural Neuter—1) This, that, these, etc. Strong—the definite article; The(sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
“Things”2X—o,—OR—feminine--h, —OR—neuter--to—Definite Article Nominative Plural Neuter—1) This, that, these, etc. Strong—the definite article; The(sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
“Seen”4X—blepw—Verb—1) To see, discern, of the bodily eye—1a) with the bodily eye: To be possessed of sight, have the power of seeing, 1b) Perceive by the use of the eyes: to see, look descry, 1c) To turn the eyes to anything: to look at, look upon, gaze at, 1d) To perceive by the senses, to feel, 1e) To discover by use, to know by experience; 2) metaph.--To see with the mind's eye—2a) To have(the power of) understanding, 2b) To discern mentally, observe, perceive, discover, understand, 2c) To turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing, to consider, contemplate, to look at, to weigh carefully, examine; 3) in a geographical sense of places, mountains, buildings, etc.--Turning towards any quarter, as it were, facing it. Oraw gives prominence to the discerning mind, blepw to the particular mood or point. When the physical side recedes, oraw denotes perception in general(as resulting principally from vision), the prominence being in the mental element. Blepw on the other hand, when the physical side recedes, gets a purely outward sense. Skopew is more pointed than blepw, often meaning "to scrutinize, observe”. Strong—a primary verb; To look at(literally or figuratively).
“But”—alla—Conjunction—1) But—1a) Nevertheless, notwithstanding, 1b) An objection, 1c) An exception, 1d) A restriction, 1e) Nay, rather, yea, moreover, 1f) Forms a transition to the cardinal matter. Strong—neuter plural of allov[else, i.e. different]; properly--Other things, i.e. adverbially--Contrariwise(in many relations). RWP—Perhaps, "nevertheless," in spite of the difference just noted.
“For”—gar—Conjunction—1) For. Strong—a primary particle; properly--Assigning a reason(used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles).
“Temporary”—proskairov—Adj.—1) For a season; 2) Enduring only for a while; 3) Temporary. Strong—For the occasion only, i.e. Temporary. Used 4X--Mat. 13:21; Mk. 4:17; 2Cor. 4:18; Heb. 11:25.?From—prov—1) To the advantage of; 2) At, near, by; 3) To, towards, with, with regard to. Strong—Forward to, i.e. Toward; By the side of, i.e. Near to.—&—Kairov—A definitely limited portion of time with the added notion of suitableness. Strong—An occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.
“But”—de—Conjunction—1) But, moreover, and, etc.. Strong—a primary particle(adversative or continuative); But, and, etc..
“Eternal”(See :17)—aiwniov—Adj.—1) Without beginning & end, that which always has been & always will be; 2) Without beginning; 3) Without end, never to cease, everlasting. Aiwniov gives prominence to the immeasurableness of eternity. Strong—Perpetual(also used of past time, or past & future as well).
Argumentation:
Rom. 5:1-5—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, & rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; & perseverance, character; & character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Rom. 5:17-19—“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace & of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
2Pet. 3:13-14—“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens & a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot & blameless;”
Acts 9:1-6; 20-22—“Then Saul, still breathing threats & murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest & asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, & suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, & heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling & astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise & go into the city, & you will be told what you must do.”.....“Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, & said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, & has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, & confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.”
2Kgs. 6:12-17—“And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” So he said, “Go & see where he is, that I may send & get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” Therefore he sent horses & chariots & a great army there, & they came by night & surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early & went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses & chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, & said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, & he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses & chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
Illustration:
Every year people die from burning charcoal to heat their residence/Burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, & poisonous gas/According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year nearly 20 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning after burning charcoal in a confined space/Being knowledgable that burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide, keeps a person safe in a cold situation, that might otherwise prove deadly/EXPANDED PERSPECTIVE
*Yes, charcoal can provide heat, BUT an Expanded Perspective tells us that we must have adequate ventilation to experience it’s benefits!
Application:
?Thru our EXPANDED PERSPECTIVE, does Thanksgiving Abound so that God is glorified in yourself & others?
?Do you have a disposition for remaining UNCONQUERABLE?
?Do you have an unambiguous identification with those who are UNCONQUERABLE?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
“I'm glad my leg has mended, I’m so tired of shinnying up & down that drainpipe!”
Rom. 8:35-39—“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” :37—Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.— For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Action:
A disposition for being & remaining unconquerable shines thru...
9. An EXPANDED PERSPECTIVE(:16-18)
1. GOD’s MERCY(:1)
2. Thru PERSONAL MANIFESTATION Of TRUTH(:2)
3. Thru OPENNESS To The GOSPEL(:3-4)Personal Choice
4. Thru THANKFULNESS(:5-6)
5. The CONTAINER Of FAITH(:7)
6. PRACTICALITIES Of FAITH(:8-11)
7. PERSONAL SURRENDER, CAUSING LIFE To WORK In OTHERS
(:12-13)
8. MUTUAL THANKSGIVING(:14-15)
Presented 03/15/2020pm to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave.(SE Ave A)
Carrabelle, FL 32322
