A Life of Perseverance

A Life of Perseverance
Hebrews 12:1-3
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.” -- Calvin Coolidge
Perseverence Resisting Sin
Hebrews 12:1 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 …

Perseverence Resisting Sin
1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous…

Jesus is our inspiration
Hebrews 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Who Jesus is …
Author (founder, originator) of our faith
Finisher (perfecter) .. brought to fruition, “one who carries through completely”
What He did…
Despising the shame – he counted it as nothing, what He had to do more important
Endured the shame – kept on keeping on
Why He did it …
For the joy set before Him …

The joy before he came to earth –
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
The joy of redeeming sinners –
Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

Joy also motivates us ..
Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus …

Where is He now …
At the right hand of God ..
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Why we must endure ..
Sin slays us…
Romans 7:21-23 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Have you resisted sin?
Hebrews 10:31-32 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:
Hebrews 12:4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Perseverance doing good
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
1 Peter 2:13-14 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

Good works …
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
Titus 3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
Good works …
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Examples we follow…
James 5:10-11 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

“Well done, good and faithful servant ... enter into the joy of your Lord…”

A Life of Perseverance
Hebrews 12:1-3