Endurance

Endurance Romans 15.1-13 Paul the apostle used imagery of the Olympic Games in his writings. He describes the Christian life as a marathon. Running this race requires perseverance and endurance. The beginning of a race and the end of a race are very exciting. I remember hearing the official say, “Runners take your mark, set” and then the gun would go off. The gun would be fired again as the race entered its final lap, then came the finish line. The most important part of the race was in the middle. Endurance was the key to running long distance. Great starts did not guarantee great finishes. I saw many races where there was a great start and the end the runner was nowhere near the front. I even had a race the coach pulled me out of at Hofstra. I began in first place and ended in last. If we finished too strong the Coach would say, “You didn’t run hard enough. You had too much left over.” The key to long distance running, to this race we are in, is endurance. Endurance is the key to successfully following Christ. Jesus said that whoever endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24.13 The beginning of walking with Jesus is exciting. We must guard against losing our first love. The end is glorious. The long haul requires perseverance and endurance. In Luke 21. 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Hebrews 12.1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing 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. 3 Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. A key to endurance is not growing weary and losing heart. Coach filled our minds with positive thoughts when we practiced. Growing weary and losing heart are closely related. So many have fallen away. So many have dropped out of the race. Some are becoming weary in doing good. Some are losing heart. We used to sing, “Though no one join me, still I will follow.” We are being sifted today. God is cleansing His Church. He is doing a work that is beyond our comprehension or understanding. God is trimming back His church. The Spirit is saying to the Church in America today, “Wake up! Strengthen what remains...” Revelation 3:2 I encourage you this day to: * Stand Firm * Let nothing move you * Fix your eyes upon Jesus * Fight the good fight of the faith * Finish well * Long to hear those words, “Well, done good and faithful servant.” Endurance... * Endurance Produces Hope. v.4 Endurance= Steadfastness, constancy In the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. A stedfast constancy in the things of life produces hope. Blessed is the man who keeps his oath even when it hurts. Psalm 15.4 James 1. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the LORD has promised to those who love Him.” Hope= joyful expectation of eternal salvation We need hope today. The world needs hope today. Hope that is rooted in Christ and God’s plan for the last days. Many are living in hopelessness. Endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you as sons. I believe all too often we pray for deliverance when we should be saying, “Teach me, LORD.” Look at the example of Jesus in Hebrews. Hebrews 5.7-8 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One Who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. Learning is part of endurance. It is in the long haul life lessons are taught. Hebrews 12. 3 Consider (think over, ponder) Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. * God Gives Endurance v.5 gives= supply or furnish Too many believers are looking to other sources than the LORD Himself to be their strength. Strength= safety, protection, refuge, stronghold, harbor We need to look to Him. We need to look to His Word. He is the strength of our lives. Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” I John 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in Him. * We Are Called To Overflow With Hope John 7.37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Rivers of Living Water gushing from within us. Hope is in that river! People we touch ought to be filled with Hope. They don’t need just our sympathy. They need Christ. We overflow with hope by staying in the Word of God and being filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, May the God Who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus may the God of hope fill you with great joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15.5, 13