Perseverance

…the art of never giving up

• Perseverance: a remaining under; patient endurance (Vine). Steadfastness, constancy (Thayer).

• The seed that fell on good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble & good heart, keep it & bear fruit with patience - perseverance (Luke 8:15).

• Christian graces: add to your faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance , godliness, brotherly kindness, love (2 Pet 1:6).

• Heb 10:3636 For you have need of endurance (same in Gk.) so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

• Heb 12:112 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, & the sin which so easily ensnares us, & let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

• 1 Peter 2:2020 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently (perseverance, endurance)?

• 1 Peter 2:2020 ….“But when you do good & suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”

• Rom 5:3-43 …we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 & perseverance, character; & character, hope (eternal life with God).

a worthwhile goal

• Matt 16:2626 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, & loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul (life)?

a worthwhile goal

• A homeland (Heb 11:14)

• A better, heavenly country (11:16)

• A city prepared by God (11:8-10, 16)

• A place of rest (Heb 4:8-10)

• The view inside (Heb 12:22-24)

a worthwhile goal

• 2 Cor 4:1717 For our light & momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (NIV)

a guaranteed goal

• Heb 6:17-1817 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

a guaranteed goal

• 1 Peter 1:3-4Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible & undefiled & that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

a guaranteed goal

• Rom 5:3-53 …we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; & character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

a way to reach the goal

• John 1:5151 And He said to him (Nathaniel), “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, & the angels of God ascending & descending upon the Son of Man

a way to reach the goal

• Heb 2:1010 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things & by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (pioneer) of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

a way to reach the goal

• Heb 6:19-2019 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure & steadfast, & which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

a way to reach the goal

• Heb 9:11-12• 11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good

things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

a way to reach the goal

• John 14:5-65 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, & how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

• Eph 2:1818 For through Him we…have access by one Spirit to the Father.

ability to reach the goal

• Heb 12:1-212 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, ….

ability to reach the goal

• Heb 10:32-3332 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches & tribulations, & partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;

We can persevere…

• God has given us a worthwhile goal.

• The goal is secured in God’s house.

• The Lord Jesus has shown us the way.

• Through Jesus Christ, we have the ability to finish the race.

Hear the good news of salvation– Acts 2:14; Rom 10:17

Believed on Jesus the Lord?– Rom 10:9-10

Confessed Him as the Son of God– Matt 10:32-33; Acts 8:37

Repented of your sin– Acts 2:38; 17:30

Baptized for the forgiveness of your sins– Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mk 16:16