Sermon: "Endurance"

endurance = patience

We need both of those with our everyday walk with God. When we have endurance we must press through with our walk God and be patience in those trying times so we don't give up.

Jesus was first : “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1.8) Jesus paved the way for each and every single one of us, so know one was left behind. Knowing that He went first should be very comforting to us in our walks with God. Jesus was a forerunner for us- He went along the blazing trail to make us forerunners after Him. 'A forerunner is someone who get's a glimps of the future before other people, and the forerunner paves the way before others.' (Hebrews 6.19&20 ")
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Even though our soul is firm and secure, we must watch our souls, meaning in the time that we are in, we must guard our hearts. When we endure trials and temptations in our lives, the devil thinks we are at our "weakest" during those times, but when we are at our weakest we are at our strongest. “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.” (Luke 21. 34-36) During these times we must run the race and put our eyes on Him.. So we don't give up on our callings or whatever God asks us to do.
 But without God we cannot get anywhere. (Hebrews 11.39-40) "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

THE "RACE OF FAITH" IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT...
      1. It does not require one quick burst of energy, in which the

         race is soon over
      2. This "race" requires a sustained effort over a long period of

         time

ENDURANCE IS A NECESSARY QUALITY...
      1. Jesus often taught His disciples concerning the need for

         endurance (i.e., patience)
         a. In the parable of The Sower -  

Lk 8:12
         a. In preparing the disciples for the Limited Commission -  
Mt 
            10:22


         b. In His discourse on the Mount of Olives -  

Mt 24:13
      2. The writer to the Hebrews had stressed this virtue earlier

         a. In which he appealed to the example of Abraham - He 6:11-15
         b. In which he quoted from Habakkuk -  

He 10:36-39
      3. We can develop such patience with the help of the Scriptures

         - Ro 15:4
         a. As we read of the faithfulness of God Who fulfills His

            promises
         b. As we read of the ultimate end of those persevered in

            faithfulness