HotSermons
educate equip enable
There is much discussion these days about sustainability of ministry; in other words, lasting the distance. Having walked with the Lord since 1975, I've seen many people who have simply fallen by the wayside. They start their walk with God, everything seems to fine, but somewhere along the road they just give up.
The solution to this problem is a great character quality called endurance. It's endurance that enables us to keep going when everything seems to be against us. It's endurance that enables us to praise the Lord in the most difficult of circumstances. And it's endurance that empowers us to keep on keeping on, faithfully loving and serving God till we pass from this life into the next.
Mat 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Endurance is essential; as Jesus said, it's those who endure who will be saved.
It's easy to start something, but God is looking for a people who will stand the test of time.
1 Cor 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; (5) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; (6) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; (7) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
The ability to endure is one of the characteristics of love.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Endurance results in God's blessing.
2 Tim 2:12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
For those who endure, there is the promise that we will also reign with Christ.
1 Pet 1:25 "But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Endurance is a quality of God's Word, so if a person wants endurance, it would be smart to get God's Word into them.
Mark 4:16-17 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; (17) and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
Jesus relates lack of endurance to having "no root", so if a person wants to be an enduring person, they need to put their roots down.
This is the opposite of what many do as they go from church to church, job to job, partner to partner.
2 Tim 2:3-4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
We need to remember that we are soldiers in God's army; a soldier can't afford to get entangled in the affairs of this life since their entanglement will inhibit their ability to endure.
1 Cor 4:12 And we labour, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
2 Thess 1:4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
2 Tim 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Endurance is essential during times when we are suffering for our faith or going through tough times, as that is when many people fall away from their faith.
Heb 12:7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
Endurance is also necessary for when God chastens us.
If you like these Topical Bible Studies, don't forget to check out our Expository Bible Studies too.