God will renew us day by day, but It is easy to forget when the trouble starts. 

2 Corinthians 4:16 (AV)
16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

A) The Surrounding  Struggle

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 AV

⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Troubled on every side

2 Thessalonians 2:2 AV

² That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

B) The Supernatural Resolve

2 Corinthians 4:1 AV

¹ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 Corinthians 4:16 AV

¹⁶ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Twice he said “we faint not”

•     Troubled, yet not distressed

•     Perplexed but not in despair

•     Persecuted but not forsaken

•     cast down but not destroyed

C) The Spiritual Renewal

Renewed Day By Day

The world will wear you out if you allow it to

•     media

•     social media

•     coronavirus

How were they able to be renewed every day?

Four things that Paul drew his strength from:

1. The Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:1–2 AV

¹ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

² But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Every Christian has been given a ministry

•     To handle the word of God properly

•     to reconcile people back to the Lord

2 Corinthians 5:16–21 AV

¹⁶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2. The Message

2 Corinthians 4:3–7 AV

³ But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

⁴ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

⁵ For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

⁶ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Life changing message

•     Message has to be shared

•     we Can’t afford to quit

•     Even though the world thinks it’s foolish

1 Corinthians 1:18 AV

¹⁸ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

•     We need to shine the light

3. The Praise of the Many

2 Corinthians 4:15 AV

¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Redound: To rise or swell, as waves

Thanks of the many

•     we have no idea how many the many even is

•     We have no idea how many lives we have impacted

•     Tract Distribution

•     Door Knocking

•     Faithful Attendance

•     Faithfulness to the Bible

•     Missionary support etc

Psalm 126:6 AV

⁶ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

It starts with a seed!

Joel 3:14 AV

¹⁴ Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

4. The right Perspective

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 AV

¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

with the proper perspective even

•     Being beaten with rods

•     stoned

•     three shipwrecks

•     perils of

•     waters

•     robbers

•     countrymen

•     heathen

•     city

•     wilderness

•     sea

•     false brethren

•     wariness painfulness

•     hunger and thirst

•     cold and nakedness

all seem as a “light affliction”

Quit looking at what’s going on today

Look at what the Lord has planned for you instead

Jeremiah 29:11–12 AV

¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

¹² Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Psalm 73:13–17 AV

¹³ Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

¹⁴ For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

¹⁵ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

¹⁶ When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

God will renew us day by day

If we can remember these things

It is easy to forget when the trouble starts

But we cannot faint if we will keep our eyes on these four things!

maybe you have gotten distracted by focusing on the moment:

and allowed the persecution and trouble to rob you of your

•    joy
• excitement
• vision