Blessed are Those Who Endure

Intro

Text - Matthew 24.7-13

Matthew 24:7–13 NKJV

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Title - Blessed are Those Who Endure

Background

Jesus was answering the questions of the disciples about His coming and the end of the age

Jesus begins a discourse in which He showed them certain events that will lead to the end-time.

Jesus also showed them how the disciples should respond to these events.

“he who endures...

“he who endures to the end...”

he who endures to the end will be saved.”

Sermon Points

Endurance is a key element of the Christian life

in times of temptation

James 1:12 NKJV

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.

in times of grief and persecution

1 Peter 2:19 NKJV

19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

in service to God

2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

in times of discipline

Hebrews 12:7 NKJV

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Note:

Impatience is the mark of the unbelievers in the last days

2 Timothy 4:2–5 NKJV

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Endurance is especially important at the end

Endurance is rewarded because it lasts to the end.

To endure halfway to the finish line is worthless

Matthew 13:20–21 NKJV

20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

Note:

Jesus stressed the part “to the end”

Matthew 10:21–22 NKJV

21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

So in Matthew 24.13

The reward of endurance is in the end!

1 Corinthians 3:14–15 NKJV

14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Endurance is a key characteristic of an end-time believer of God

As this age comes to its end, problems and circumstances multiply

Note: the “things” that Jesus declared in Matthew 24

false Christs (anointed ones)

Matthew 24:4–5 NKJV

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

wars and rumors of war

Matthew 24:6–7 NKJV

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

wars affect the economy and living of people

calamities

Matthew 24:7–8 NKJV

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

tribulations from persecutors

Matthew 24:9 NKJV

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

betrayals

Matthew 24:10 NKJV

10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

false prophets

Matthew 24:11 NKJV

11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

unloving, uncaring time

Matthew 24:12 NKJV

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Note - THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT CHRISTIANS MUST ENDURE TO THE END!

How can a Christian endure?

a positive attitude on trials

James 1:2–4 NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

a life focused on Jesus Christ

Hebrews 12:1–3 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Moses saw Him who is “invisible”

Hebrews 11:27 NKJV

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

Conclusion

Not all Christians CAN and WILL enjoy

Endurance is characteristic of a mature person (Christian)

Hebrews 12 - a child who endures discipline

Endurance is a mark of wise decisions and actions

1 Cor 3 - Paul warns those who will build on top of the foundation

Endure, to the end, and reap the rewards of your faith!

Hebrews 6:15 NKJV

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Hebrews 10:36–39 NKJV

36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

He who endures to the end will be saved!