{"id":3463,"date":"2015-08-31T00:12:20","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T07:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3463"},"modified":"2015-08-31T00:12:20","modified_gmt":"2015-08-31T07:12:20","slug":"831-do-not-lose-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/08\/31\/831-do-not-lose-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"8\/31: Do Not Lose Heart (\u8bd7104:31-35 \u6797\u540e4:1-18 \u5f251:1-4:13 )"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u8bd7104:31-35 \u6797\u540e4:1-18 \u5f251:1-4:13<\/h2>\n<h2>Do Not Lose Heart<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<p>Do you ever get discouraged? Do you sometimes feel \u2018Is this all worthwhile? Are we actually getting anywhere?\u2019 Are you ever tempted to \u2018lose heart\u2019? If you are, you are not alone. Paul was almost certainly tempted himself to lose heart, and he wrote to other Christians who were also tempted to do so.<\/p>\n<p>Yet Paul wrote, \u2018We do not lose heart\u2019 (2 Corinthians 4:1,16). \u2018We do not throw up our hands and walk off the job\u2019 (v.1, MSG). Why not? Paul explains that it is because in Jesus we have received a \u2018treasure\u2019 (v.7). The treasure is the message of Jesus. It is because the message that Paul has to proclaim is so amazing that he starts and ends by saying, \u2018Therefore\u2026 we do not lose heart\u2019 (vv.1,16).<\/p>\n<p>Yet the treasure is inward and unseen. Paul describes it as being in \u2018jars of clay\u2019 (v.7). Our culture emphasises the outward and the seen. The media is dominated by money, possessions, houses, cars, food, physical beauty and outward success. The Bible is very different. It stresses the importance of the inward and unseen aspects of our character: the thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that determine our outward behaviour.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>1. Inward and unseen thoughts<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm%20104:31-35&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">Psalm 104:31-35<\/a>If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate! All you need to do is change what you think about and you will be practicing Christian meditation.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Meditation\u2019 (v.34) means what we think about, what we allow our mind to dwell on. Our actions and our words are vital. But it is not just our actions and words that can please the Lord or not; it is our inward and unseen <em>meditation <\/em>as well.<\/p>\n<p>The psalmist praises God for the entire created universe. He says, \u2018I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live\u2019 (v.33). Then, he prays, \u2018May my <em>meditation <\/em>be pleasing to him\u2019 (v.34).<\/p>\n<p>What does this mean practically? Philippians 4:8 has some good advice: \u2018Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable \u2013 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy \u2013 <em>think<\/em> about such things.\u2019<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lord, help me to win the battle of the mind. May my meditation be pleasing to you as I rejoice in the Lord.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>2. Inward and unseen treasure<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20Corinthians%204:1-18&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">2 Corinthians 4:1-18<\/a>We have the most powerful message in the world. Faith in Jesus is utterly transformational, both now and into <em>eternity<\/em>. \u2018We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence\u2019 (v.14).<\/p>\n<p>We are all \u2018jars of clay\u2019 (v.7). Inside is the \u2018treasure\u2019 (v.7), which is inward and \u2018unseen\u2019 (v.18). The treasure is the message of Jesus. It is given to them by the mercy of God (v.1).<\/p>\n<p>This life is not the end, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is <em>eternal<\/em>: \u2018The things we can\u2019t see now will last forever\u2019 (v.18, MSG).<\/p>\n<p>Secularisation has led to the world \u2013 and now even the church \u2013 forgetting about \u2018eternity\u2019. We focus on, and value, the things we can see and handle. \u2018<em>Eternity<\/em>\u2019 is a vital part of the message.<\/p>\n<p>In proclaiming the message about Jesus there are four things to which we must say \u2018No\u2019.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No secrecy<br \/>\n\u2018We have renounced <em>secret<\/em>\u2026 ways\u2019 (v.2). \u2018We refuse to wear masks\u2019 (v.2a, MSG). There needs to be openness in everything we do: \u2018We keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display\u2019 (v.2b, MSG).<\/li>\n<li>No shame<br \/>\n\u2018We have renounced\u2026 <em>shameful <\/em>ways\u2019 (v.2). We should not do anything that, if discovered, we might be ashamed about.<\/li>\n<li>No deception<br \/>\n\u2018We do not use <em>deception<\/em>\u2019 (v.2). \u2018We don\u2019t manoeuvre and manipulate behind the scenes\u2019 (v.2, MSG).<\/li>\n<li>No distortion<br \/>\n\u2018Nor do we <em>distort <\/em>the word of God\u2019 (v.2). \u2018We don\u2019t twist God\u2019s word to suit ourselves\u2019 (v.2, MSG). We must not change the message to make it more acceptable. On the contrary, Paul writes that he sets forth the truth \u2018plainly\u2019 (v.2).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Because the gospel is unseen and inward, not everyone sees it. \u2018It is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has <em>blinded <\/em>the minds of unbelievers, so that<em> they cannot see<\/em> the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God\u2019 (vv.3\u20134). I was like that. I heard the message, but I simply could not make head or tail of it.<\/p>\n<p>It is only when God shines his light into our hearts that we can see \u2018the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ\u2019 (v.6).<\/p>\n<p>The message is all about Jesus: \u2018Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we\u2019ll ever get\u2019 (v.4, MSG). \u2018Remember, our message is not about ourselves; we\u2019re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master\u2019 (v.5, MSG).<\/p>\n<p>We, the servants of Jesus, are jars of clay containing the world\u2019s greatest treasure. Paul does not want people looking at the jars. He wants them to look at the treasure. God has deliberately put the treasure in jars of clay: \u2018We carry this precious message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That\u2019s to prevent anyone from confusing God\u2019s incomparable power with us\u2019 (v.7, MSG).<\/p>\n<p>Although the jars are wasting away, \u2018on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace\u2019 (v.16, MSG). We are \u2018hard pressed\u2019 by financial and other pressures, and perplexed by things that happen to us. We are criticised and \u2018persecuted\u2019 and at times \u2018struck down\u2019 (vv.8\u20139).<\/p>\n<p>But \u2018our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all\u2019 (vv.16\u201317). \u2018These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us\u2019 (v.17, MSG).<\/p>\n<p>\u2018So,\u2019 Paul writes, \u2018we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but <em>what is unseen is eternal<\/em>\u2019 (v.18). As Father Raniero Cantalamessa writes, \u2018A new standard of measurement has been introduced that makes crosses and trials seem light and momentary: <em>Eternity<\/em>.\u2019<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lord, thank you that you have given us this amazing treasure in Jesus. Help me to fix my eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<h2>3. Inward and unseen power<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"inline-reading\" href=\"http:\/\/classic.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Micah%201:1-4:13&amp;version=NIV&amp;interface=print\" target=\"_blank\">Micah 1:1-4:13<\/a>You can be greatly used by God. We are all jars of clay \u2013 ordinary, common, everyday people. Yet, you can be used mightily by God. Have a big vision for your life because you are full of the power of the Spirit of the Lord.<\/p>\n<p>What the prophet Micah says can be true for us all, \u2018As for me,<em> I am filled with power<\/em>, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might\u2019 (3:8a). His power comes from the inward and unseen work of the Holy Spirit in his life.<\/p>\n<p>Micah speaks out against injustice with great power. He championed the cause of the underprivileged. As in the case of Jonah, Micah\u2019s warnings were heeded and disaster was avoided (see Jeremiah 26:18 and following).<\/p>\n<p>Micah speaks out against injustice and greed. Like most sin, it starts with inward and unseen plans: \u2018Woe to those who <em>plan iniquity<\/em>, to those who <em>plot evil<\/em> on their beds!\u2019 (Micah 2:1a).<\/p>\n<p>They sow thoughts and reap actions. \u2018They covet fields and grab them, find homes and take them. They bully the neighbour and his family, see people only for what they can get out of them\u2019 (vv.1b\u20132). (This is an extraordinarily accurate description of what we would now describe as \u2018land grabbing\u2019.)<\/p>\n<p>Micah\u2019s words are particularly aimed at the \u2018leaders\u2019 (3:1a). \u2018Should you not know justice, you who hate good and love evil\u2019 (vv.1b\u20132a). He accuses them of treating the people like animals (vv.2\u20133). He warns them that if they treat the poor unjustly, God will not hear their prayers (v.4).<\/p>\n<p>Money seems to have been at the root of the injustice. As so often, it is greed that leads to injustice:<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Judges sell verdicts to the highest bidder,<br \/>\npriests mass-market their teaching,<br \/>\nprophets preach for high fees,<br \/>\nAll the while posturing and pretending<br \/>\ndependence on God\u2019 (v.11, MSG).<\/p>\n<p>One day God will put things right. God \u2018will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes\u2019 (v.3). There will be peace. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more\u2019 (v.3b). There will also be justice. There will be a fair dispersal of land: \u2018Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig-tree\u2019 (v.4a).<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately what matters is the <em>inward <\/em>and <em>unseen thoughts of God<\/em>, \u2018But they do not know<em> the thoughts of the Lord<\/em>; they do not understand <em>his plan<\/em>\u2019 (v.12).<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Lord, thank you that one day you will right all wrongs and bring everlasting peace. In the meantime, may I be like Micah \u2018filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might\u2019 (3:8).<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"bioy-body\">Pippa Adds<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bioy-body\">\n<p><strong>2 Corinthians 4:7<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2018We have this treasure in jars of clay.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m very conscious of being a \u2018jar of clay\u2019. And my particular jar is getting rather old, chipped and cracked!<\/p>\n<p>I may be flawed, but God&#8217;s \u2018all-surpassing power\u2019 still lives in me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u8bd7104:31-35 \u6797\u540e4:1-18 \u5f251:1-4:13 Do <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/08\/31\/831-do-not-lose-heart\/\" title=\"8\/31: Do Not Lose Heart (\u8bd7104:31-35 \u6797\u540e4:1-18 \u5f251:1-4:13 )\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":148,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bibleinoneyear"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3463"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3463\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3464,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3463\/revisions\/3464"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}