What to do When Burdened Beyond our Strenth

What to Do when Burdened Beyond Our Strength
2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Introduction (1:8):
a. “The Last Straw” was briefly popular as a board game (1966).
b. FOLLOW IN THE STEPS OF JESUS! (1 Pt. 2:21)
c. We are wise to imitate Paul AS HE IMITATED CHRIST.
(1 Cor. 9:27; 1 Tim. 4:7-9; 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Heb. 6:12; 3 Jn. 1:11;
1 Thess. 2:14; Phil. 4:9)
d. Consider Paul and his troubles in Asia: 1 Cor. 1:8.
We ought to follow Paul’s example for insight into how to respond when we “are so utterly burdened beyond our strength.” HIS EXAMPLE KEEPS US CHRIST-CENTERED. (Phil. 1:27-30 and 3:7-11)

I. BLESS the God of All Comfort (1:3-7).
(Job 1:20-21; 2:9-10; 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:7-12; 11:22-29; James 5:9-11)

II. RELY on the God Who Raises the Dead (1:9-10).
(JESUS AND THE O. T. FATHERS DID: Ps. 16: esp. 9-11; 22: esp. 3-5, 9-21; 31:5; 68:20; Lk. 23:46) (cf. Gen. 22; Job 19:25-27; Jn. 11:1-44, esp. 4, 11, 14, 15, 23-26 and 40-44; Heb. 11:17-19)

III. THANK the God Whose Gifts Often Come through Helpers in Prayer (1:11) (Phil. 1:19; Philem. 22; James 1:16-18)

Conclusion (1:11):
The LORD’S many miraculous deliverances from death in our lives are based on the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ’s atoning death and ought to be the occasion of many persons (faces) giving thanks to God in corporate worship (Ps.22:22-31; 68:19-20; Phil. 4:10-20).

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phil. 4:13