True Christians Persevere

Intro:

AG: When I was in the hospital, the first few times they tried to get me back on my feet didn’t go so well. They would strap me to a chair that was designed to lift me to a standing position. The first couple of times, my heart raced and BP spiked, and we had to stop.

I've seen the same thing happen to followers of Jesus.

They make a profession of faith and then drop out when times get tough.

Jesus even taught a parable about this

Which is why we need this sixth trait. A follower of Jesus Christ is:

Which is why understanding this sixth trait of true Christians is so important. So far we have seen that a follower of Jesus Christ is:

· A Lover of God

· A Lover of People

· Holy

· Truth-Based

· Evangelistic

And today, Sixth: A True Christian is Persevering

Perseverance of the saints discusses the eternal security of the believer.

It is based on the promises of God to never let us go and to transform us so that we grow to be more like Him.

Romans 8:31–39 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:30

Romans 8:37–39 ESV

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-41

The chief argument against eternal security and perseverance are usually made by pointing to people.

Make profession

Look and act saved (weeks, years, decades)

Then drift and fall away.

God answers this in 1 John

1 John 2:19 ESV

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

1 John 2:21 ESV

I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

Romans 8:31–39 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We need to persevere are because

· We are still in the race!

Life is a marathon to reach heaven.

Until we stand in God’s presence, we aren’t done.

We don’t just get saved and relax on a spiritual beach!

We get saved to serve, to run the race.

, , ,

Hebrews 2:1–3 ESV

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,

Hebrews 4:14 ESV

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Hebrews 6:11–12 ESV

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 10:39 ESV

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

· There will be difficulties!

· There will be difficulties!

James 1:2–4 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Life is not easy.

The life is a believer isn’t easy

We will face trials

different kinds

from different sources.

Perseverance keeps us going.

Perseverance is always possible

(See )

· Fix our eyes on Jesus (See )

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

· Throw off the baggage

Sins

our sin nature fights against us

we remain humans and will be tempted

Our lusts will try to draw us away.

Distractions

life is filled with distractions

relationships, entertainment, daily work

Fear

hesitance to follow God

Fear of witnessing

Fear of standing out

· Fix our eyes on Jesus

100% conformity to Him is the “finish line”

Keep our focus on Him and keep running the race.

IL: A runner wins by focusing on the finish line, not by looking over their shoulder.

We must remember to stay focussed

Ultimately perseverance is possible because of who God is.

He promises never loose us.

John 6:37–40 ESV

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:37–38 ESV

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

He is the giver of endurance and encouragement. ()

Our perseverance is made possible by Him

Romans 15:5–6 ESV

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

Where do you need to lean on him today?