Matt 24:13 Enduring
We have entered a time when the “drop out” rate among Church people is staggering. People need to again see the importance of staying faithful to God and His work.
I. WHAT IT MEANS TO ENDURE
A) To Stay Under- Matt 24:13 He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. The idea is to remain faithful even though Pressures and Problems remain and increase. Mk 4:16-17 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, but so endure for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
B) To Hold up against- II Thess 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.
C) To maintain Faith- Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the King; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Strong enough to Forsake Sin, not to Fear the King, and to live by Faith. Heb 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
II. WHY SHOULD WE ENDURE????
A) For our own salvation’s sake- Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Don’t allow Persecutions and Problems to make you an Apostate.
B) For other’s Salvation’s sake- II Tim 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. II Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Jesus DIED to get Salvation to men. I should be able to endure persecution in order to share it!
C) To Build our Character- II Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Heb 12:7 If ye endure Chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (vs 10 says He chastens us for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
D) To Encourage other Christians- James 5:10-11 Take, my brethern, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
E) For Conscience’s Sake- I Pet 2:19 For this is thanksworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. May the Lord deliver us from “Jelly-fish” Christians who aren’t willing to stand for anything that involves suffering.
F) For the JOY to come- Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
III. HOW CAN WE ENDURE??
A) Pace Yourself- Jacob found that in a journey you must Pace yourself. Gen 33:14 Let my Lord, I pray thee, pass over before thy servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. You renew Strength as you Wait on the Lord. You don’t want the Father to take you out of the oven while you are “half-baked”.
B) Seek Help from Others- In Ex 18 Moses’ father-in-law told Moses he would not be able to endure unless he obtained help. Seek support from Family, Friends, and Fellow Christians (They can help with Concern, advice, and Prayer support.)
C) Remember who is in control- Ps 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy cometh in the morning. God has not forsaken or forgotten you and He will never allow the circumstances to be greater than the strength He supplies.
D) Hold to God’s Love for you and your love for Him- I Cor 13:7 Love endureth all things.
May God grant us some people who will STICK TO IT when the going gets rough, who will HANG ON when the storms of life hit us, and who will never, never, never, never, never, never QUIT.