DISCOURAGEMENTSDISCOURAGEMENTS

Jeremiah 9:1-11Jeremiah 9:1-11

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Dull MindsDull Minds

• The writer of Hebrews was hindered in his The writer of Hebrews was hindered in his efforts to teach some because they were efforts to teach some because they were "dull of hearing" (Hebrews 5:11-14)."dull of hearing" (Hebrews 5:11-14).

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Dull MindsDull Minds• People often failed to comprehend what Jesus People often failed to comprehend what Jesus

said said (see John 7:33-36; 8:21-27;38-43; John (see John 7:33-36; 8:21-27;38-43; John 10:24; Matthew 13:10-16; John 9:3).10:24; Matthew 13:10-16; John 9:3).

• His most dedicated followers sometimes His most dedicated followers sometimes missed the point missed the point (Matthew 15:10-20;16:21-23).(Matthew 15:10-20;16:21-23).– To them he raised such questions as: To them he raised such questions as: "Are ye "Are ye

also yet without understanding?" also yet without understanding?" andand "Having "Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?"and do ye not remember?" (Matthew 15:16; Mk. (Matthew 15:16; Mk. 8:17).8:17).

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Closed MindsClosed Minds Paul foretold that Paul foretold that "the time will come when "the time will come when

they will not endure sound doctrine; but they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires" accordance to their own desires" (2 Timothy 4:3, NASV).(2 Timothy 4:3, NASV).

There were those who would take His There were those who would take His loaves and fishes, but not His teaching loaves and fishes, but not His teaching (John 6:24-69).(John 6:24-69).

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Closed MindsClosed Minds Others put their personal desires ahead of Others put their personal desires ahead of

the truth He taught the truth He taught (John 11:47-50; 12:9-(John 11:47-50; 12:9-11).11).

When He would not serve their purpose and When He would not serve their purpose and teach what they wanted to hear they closed teach what they wanted to hear they closed their eyes and hardened their hearts, their eyes and hardened their hearts, "lest "lest at anytime they should see with eyes, and at anytime they should see with eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Matthew 15:1-13).and I should heal them" (Matthew 15:1-13).

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OppositionOpposition

Jesus faced “Jesus faced “successful”successful” opposition. opposition.

1.1. Many sought to destroy his influence by Many sought to destroy his influence by perversions, misrepresentations and lies.perversions, misrepresentations and lies.Took counselTook counsel. . (Matthew 12:14; 22:15; (Matthew 12:14; 22:15; 26:59-61; cf. John 2:19-21).26:59-61; cf. John 2:19-21).

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OppositionOpposition

2.2. They tried to destroy His reputation. They tried to destroy His reputation. (John (John 10:20: Matthew 11:16-19).10:20: Matthew 11:16-19).

3. They misrepresented His teaching. 3. They misrepresented His teaching. (Luke (Luke 23:1-2: John 19:1223:1-2: John 19:12

a. What he really taught. a. What he really taught. cf. Matthew cf. Matthew 22:15-22; John 18:36).22:15-22; John 18:36).

4.4. Accused Him of violating the Sabbath. Accused Him of violating the Sabbath. (Luke 6:6-11; 13:11-17; John 5:1-16; (Luke 6:6-11; 13:11-17; John 5:1-16; Matthew 9:32-34).Matthew 9:32-34).

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Antagonistic EnvironmentAntagonistic Environment

Gentile world. Gentile world. Romans 1:18-32Romans 1:18-32 (Ephesians 2:1-3, 11,12; 4:17-19; and 1 (Ephesians 2:1-3, 11,12; 4:17-19; and 1 Peter 4:1-5; cf. 1 Corinthians)Peter 4:1-5; cf. 1 Corinthians)

Jewish world. Jewish world. (See Romans 2:1-3; 3:23).(See Romans 2:1-3; 3:23).Ignorance.Ignorance.Politics.Politics.Hypocrisy.Hypocrisy.

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Waning InterestWaning Interest

Some believed for a while … Some believed for a while … Luke 8:13; Luke 8:13; Hebrews 3:12-14Hebrews 3:12-14

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What Did Jesus Do?What Did Jesus Do?

Jesus did not give up.Jesus did not give up. Jesus kept working.Jesus kept working. Jesus always prayed.Jesus always prayed.

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What Did Jesus Do?What Did Jesus Do?

Matthew 14:23 “And after he had sent the Matthew 14:23 “And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone.”there alone.”

Luke 5:16 “But he withdrew himself in the Luke 5:16 “But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed.”deserts, and prayed.”

Luke 6:12 “And it came to pass in these days, Luke 6:12 “And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God.”he continued all night in prayer to God.”

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““Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

““And let us not be weary in well doing: for And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).not” (Galatians 6:9).

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