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Central Assembly

September 5, 2021 | Dr. Jim Bradford | 2 Corinthians: Gritty Spirituality - Don't Lose Heart

September 5, 2021 | Dr. Jim Bradford | 2 Corinthians: Gritty Spirituality - Don't Lose Heart

September 5, 2021 | Dr. Jim Bradford | 2 Corinthians: Gritty Spirituality - Don't Lose Heart

Locations & Times

Central Assembly

1301 N Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802, USA

Sunday 9:00 AM

Sunday 10:45 AM

WE DON'T LOSE HEART BECAUSE . . .

Our battle is spiritual, not personal
Our battle is spiritual, not personal

--- We don't need to take opposition and setbacks personally
--- We get to keep leaning on the work of the Holy Spirit
It's OK to be frail
Bryan Wilkerson, "Unbreakable?"
“The church was never meant to be a china cabinet, where precious pieces could be safely stowed out of harm's way. The church was meant to be a working kitchen, where well-worn pots are filled again and again to dispense their life-giving contents to a thirsty world.”
2 Corinthians 7:b
. . . this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
It's OK to be frail

--- The pressure is not on us to be impressive
--- God's greatness makes our insecurities irrelevant
Giving up is not an option
Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
“I would say, ‘Dad, you say I’m no genius. I won’t argue with that. You know plenty of people who are smarter than I am.’ I can imagine his head nodding in sober agreement."

“But let me tell you something. I’m going to grow up to love my work as much as you love yours. I won’t just have a job; I’ll have a calling. I’ll challenge myself every day. When I get knocked down, I’ll get back up. I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I’ll strive to be the grittiest.”

“And if he was still listening: ‘In the long run, Dad, grit may matter more than talent.’”
Hebrews 12:1b-2
1…And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We have an eternal perspective . . .
Leigh Stein, New York Times
“There is a chasm between the vast scope of our needs and what influencers can provide. We’re looking for guidance in the wrong places…I have hardly prayed to God since I was a teenager, but the pandemic has cracked open inside me a profound yearning for reverence, humility and awe.”