Slow fade or slipping away (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Gary McManus, 07/17/2022Part of the Life With Jesus is Better series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
July 17, 2022 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Fear; American Christians are afraid.
The Bible does not directly address
THOSE fears. God DOES care. (1 Peter 5:7)
The Bible directly addresses the fear of
people turning away from God.
(Joshua 22:16, Isaiah 59:13, Jeremiah 50:6, Hosea 11:7)
We return to this topic:
1. It IS a concern mentioned in the Bible.
2. The question of “losing faith” is addressed on millions
of web pages.
There have been recent books:
William Lobdell, Pastor Stephanie Page, Amy Mercer,
Charles Morris, William C. Mills, Brian Rush McDonald.
NONES are increasing in America.
Jesus—especially is concerned for us, Matthew 10:16.
Remember the Apostles’ advice:
1 Timothy 4:16 and Galatians 6:1, 2 John 1:8.
Other versions:
Consider William Lobdell's journey of faith—and doubt.
He wrote: “. . .but as deeply as I miss my faith, as hard as
I try to keep it, my head cannot command my gut. . .
I just didn’t believe in God anymore. . .”
TO whom might we look?
The Apostle Paul: 2 Corinthians 12:7
Paul knew Jesus’ words about faith healing a person,
Mark 5:34, Mark 10:52.
[Go ahead and check out Acts 28:8 and James 5:16]
Are you prepared to say that the Apostle Paul did
not have enough faith and so was not healed?
Paul’s enemies were prepared to say that.
Epilepsy? Maybe.
Signs of God’s wrath? Demon possession?
THE messenger of the Gospel to the Gentiles,
Not healed? Not relieved? Paul’s faith in doubt?
Paul’s character in question?
Consider faithful Christians who have suffered horribly.
Consider Corrie ten Boom. . .
--concerned for her captors
--concerned for camp guards
--concerned for fellow inmates
(See Isaiah 9:2)
Pastor listened to Jesus, Luke 8:50.
Consider Jonah, Job, Elijah and Paul.
Feeling God’s absence is sometimes God’s way
of being present. Jesus knew it: “My God, why have
You forsaken me.” It’s a feeling. And, it is the Bible, Psalm 22.
Jesus taught us to pray, “lead us not into temptation.”
We may pray more and/or we may pray harder.
Where is the love? God’s love?
(See John 14:1, John 15:9)
Even when Jesus was in Gethsemane?
The Apostle Paul:
”love endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7)
God loved us first. (1 John 4:10)
If faith is weak or if anyone feels the evil one near or
if all seems dark, we may either run from God or we
may run toward God (in Christ Jesus) Amen.
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