PERSEVERANCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

Introduction

Acts 4:18–20 “So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

The president’s executive orders (like others before him) - some like them, some don’t

Good decrees:

King Cyrus - declared that the house of God in Jerusalem should be rebuilt and allowed the Jews to return from Babylonian exile

Caesar Augustus - decree for a census is providentially used to ensure the fulfillment of the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem

Challenging decrees - the book of Daniel:

King Nebuchadnezzar - declared that all wise man in Babylon to be killed, since no one was able to interpret his dream

King Nebuchadnezzar - declared that anyone not worshiping his image of gold will be cremated

King Darius - decreed that anyone praying to a god or person besides Darius will be cast to lions

King Ahasuerus - manipulated by Haman, decreed that all Jews were to be killed - enter Esther

As Christians, we also face adverse, difficult & very challenging situations

physical (illness, disability)

emotional (sorrow, mourning, depression)

social (rejection, looking down on you, persecution)

financial (job loss, unexpected expenses, income issues)

spiritual (ministry struggle, face opposition from those who mock God’s principles)

Giving up is easier then moving forward - I know

by giving up, backing down, the situation NEVER changes - likely to get worse

Proverbs 24:10 “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

"How you do anything is how you do everything"

the way you approach and handle any task, big or small, is likely a reflection of how you handle everything else in your life

your habits and attitudes tend to be consistent across different areas of your life

How do we PERSEVERE (go on) when faced with such adverse situations

Message titled: PERSEVERANCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

Perseverance; Greek word: hypomone = capacity to continue to bear up despite difficult circumstances—‘endurance, overcome.’

Story of Acts 3 & 4 - Peter and John; the lame beggar healed

Acts 3:6 “But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!””

people are amazed - undisputed miracle

Peter has the opportunity to preach the Gospel

“No good deed goes unpunished”

the priests and the Sadducees did not approve of their teaching - they arrest them

next day before the council, Peter again preaches the Gospel

they can’t deny the miracle, so they try to stop them speaking about Jesus

Acts 4:18 “So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

faced with this “threat”, this adverse situation, Peter and John need to make a decision

will they persevere or will they quit!?

1. Remember your testimony

Acts 4:20 “...for we CANNOT but speak of what WE have seen and heard.”

For 3.5 years, Peter and John had walked with Jesus

they saw the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the sick being healed, the dead raised to life

for them there was NO denying that there was power in the name of Jesus

On a personal level Peter’s:

encounter with Jesus fishing;

Peter’s statement about Jesus

Peter’s denial

his reconciliation/restoration by the fire

This is WHAT Jesus has done in our lives

why is it important to remember?

reminded of the truth: God remains unchanged

the 3 young men at the fiery furnace:

Daniel 3:17 “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.”

Peter and John stand before the leaders with the man that was healed

the formed lame man was proof of Jesus’ power

Proof that there is power in the name of Jesus

we’re living proof of God’s power in our lives

we need to remember what Christ did for us

saved, healed, changed, gave us purpose, gave us hope

If you don’t have such a testimony, then prepare for what God is about to do

we need to remember our testimony - because God remains unchanged!

2. Remember your calling

Acts 4:19 “...Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge...”

Jesus wasn’t just this or that; Peter and John recognized Jesus as God!

they knew their calling and had a purpose

the assurance that they were in God’s will

if you know your calling, you know WHO called you - hold on to HIS promises

the great calling/commission comes with a promise

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

if you’re in a difficult situation because you’ve obeyed God’s Word, then don’t despair

Paul and Silas (Acts 16)

Acts 16:25 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,”

Moses called to bring the Israelites out of Egypt

Exodus 3:10–12 “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.””

Exodus 14:11 “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?”

Moses knew that this impossible situation was possible with God who called Him

Exodus 14:13–14 “And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.””

Remember your calling, remember who called you, hold on to the WORD, hold on to HIS promises

3. Relinquish Control

seemingly the hardest part

after the healing of the lame man, we see the boldness of Peter and John preaching Jesus in Solomon's temple and to the priests and Sadducees

Acts 4:8 “ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders...”

A. When faced with adverse situations, we want to be in control

we make things worse

Not just us, but even great people

King Saul had to wait for Samuel 7 days to come bring a sacrifice before the Lord, before the battle - he didn’t

1 Samuel 13 - 1 hour short

B. When faced with adverse situations, we fall into fear

we forget what God did, and fear this new situation

Like Elijah after the victory on Mount Carmel

1 Kings 18:38–39 “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.””

Jezebel threatens him and he runs away

2 Timothy 1:7 “...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

we CAN overcome, we CAN persevere in the face of adversity

why were the apostles able to persevere in the face of affliction, beatings, persecutions, incarceration, hate?

disciples who all scattered on the night that Jesus was betrayed!

they were filled with the Holy Spirit which LED them in words, deeds, actions

The promise of the Holy Spirit is true today

Acts 2:38–39 “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.””

ASK CHURCH TO STAND?

how can we be Godly husband, wife, mother, father, children, church

how does a persecuted church in communist Romania grow

how can I persevere to see breakthrough in those challenging situations in my life

By being filled with the Holy Spirit

Luke 11:13 “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Conclusion

Remember your testimony - God remains faithful through the ages

Remember your calling - trust God who called and hold on to His promises

Relinquish control - let the Holy Spirit lead you through the hardest moments

My prayer for Emanuel Church, is Paul’s prayer for the Colossians:

Colossians 1:11 “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance/steadfastness/perseverance and patience with joy;”