Press on to the Goal

Perseverance Defined

Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.

Work, getting a degree, raising a child, recovering from an injury, rehabilitation (all take time and persistence)

Very difficult to think about this word and not think of Paul

Philippians 3:13–14 ESV

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Before his conversion Paul was like a man running a race, a race of his own, with his eyes set on a lower goal.

Paul had some serious credentials to boast about

But the chief thing that St. Paul had in his mind when he spoke about forgetting the things that are behind was not his past sins but rather his past attainments.

Then Christ got hold of him and set him in the right direction on a different path

What course are you on?

What are you striving for?

HOW DO YOU PERSEVERE ?

1. Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23–27 NIV

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

“Guard your Heart” NOT “Follow Your Heart”

Following your heart is the Siren call of our day

Sirens in mythology

Odysseus

Jason and the Argonauts

Follow your truth

Trust your own heart

All this leads to destruction

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

1 John 3:20 ESV

for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

How does your heart condemn you?

1 John 1:8 ESV

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

God wants me to be happy

2. Avoid the “God and” Trap

Book of Mark chapter 10 Rich young rule

What must I do to inherit eternal life

‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

My tradition (not bad, as long as it does not go against God’s word

2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

God and my ethnicity (ok if it’s not contrary to the word of God)

Paul withdrew himself

Jesus and the woman at the well

Audit a Class

Want God, but do the work

3. Keep God Holy

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

How many had a China Cabinet. Dishes in the sink, Dishes in the kitchen, Dishes in the China cabinet (you DO NOT mix these dishes)

Church in Philadelphia in Book of Rev, Chap 3

Revelation 3:8 ESV

“ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:11 ESV

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.