Not to Lose Heart

Not to Lose Heart!

January 31, 2010

Introduction

For a topic this morning, I’ve chosen this thought: “Not to lose heart.” It’s an interesting statement from at least two points of view. One is just the nature of the subject, and the other is the fact that it is an expression found most in the New King James Version and the New American Standard Versions of the Bible. The New King James Version uses the expression five times, while the New American Standard Version uses the expression four times. We will look at these verses as well as one or two others that are clearly related to losing heart.

Body

I. The expression is found first the gospels.

(Luke 18:1 NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

A. The word translated “not to lose heart,” or one similar to it, occurs six times in the New Testament.

ekkakeoô : 1) to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted

(Luke 18:1 NIV) Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

(Luke 18:1 KJV) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

B. Why does it matter if we lose heart, or give up, or faint?

1. The promises are to those who endure.

(Mat 10:22 NKJV) "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

2. More details are given in Revelation.

(Rev 2:10 NKJV) "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

3. Demas turned back.

(2 Tim 4:10 NKJV) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica;

II. What about the problem of being “utterly spiritless”?

A. Jesus wrote to churches that were having a problem of being “spiritless” to some extent.

1. The church at Ephesus.

(Rev 2:4-5 NKJV) "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. {5} "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

2. The church at Sardis.

(Rev 3:1 NKJV) "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

3. There was the church at Laodicea.

(Rev 3:14-16 NKJV) "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: {15} "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. {16} "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

B. Being spiritless is a big problem.

Someone else turned in this statement: Zeal: (Our church compaired to others that seem more on fire for Christ) Why does it seem we sit on our hands?

III. “Are we there yet?”

I really like the SBC ad that raises the question, “Are we there yet?” I like it for the two parts of the ad. One is the remembering how often we asked the question when we were kids and traveling. The second is that SBC is still searching. We too are on a journey. No, we aren’t there yet. The problem is one of hanging on without giving up or losing heart.

A. That’s why we have cheerleaders at ball games.

1. I know of no cheerleaders for the 100 yard, or 100 meter dash.

a. It’s all over pretty quick.

b. The race would be over before the cheer was finished.

2. The Christian life is much longer – it’s a lifetime.

B. So who are the cheerleaders for the Christian life?

1. Jesus is our first cheerleader.

(Luke 18:1-8 NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, {2} saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. {3} "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' {4} "And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, {5} 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'" {6} Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. {7} "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? {8} "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

2. Paul is a cheerleader – an encourager.

a. Keep on even though we are getting old and dying.

(2 Cor 4:16-18 NKJV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. {17} For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, {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.

b. Keep on doing good, and don’t give up.

(Gal 6:9 NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

3. The Hebrew writer is an encourager.

(Heb 12:1-4 NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, {2} looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. {3} For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. {4} You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

4. We, like Barnabas, need to be people of encouragement.

Conclusion

I. The problem of losing heart is very real.

II. Just dragging across the finish line is not what Jesus had in mind.

III. May we look to the great men of faith for encouragement.

IV. May we pray for ourselves and for each other.

V. May we be people of encouragement as run the Christian race together.

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