Endurance Requires Focus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
I had heard all the stories.
I knew from the experiences of so many that I shouldn’t.
Everyone knows it is dumb.
But there I was, running the 200 yard dash, and I looked back.
Now, I wasn’t winning. Looking back didn’t cost me the race.
However, that moment of lost focus made me miss a step.
Had I continued to look back, I would have fallen, and I would have lost.
To run the race of life well. To endure. We must keep our focus.
In this present time of difficulty, some of us are in this place.
We are in danger of losing our focus.
Maybe you’ve lost focus and missed that step.
Maybe you have tripped and need to get back in the race.
No matter where you are today, this message is for you.
This passage reveals the three areas of focus that enable us to endure.
Last week we learned of how we face all kinds of opposition and trials, yet we are never overcome.
Through the Holy Spirit and the power of God, we are able to endure.
As we respond correctly to the difficulties of life, Christ is seen in us.
Today we learn how to endure.
When we endure, we grow.
Three areas of focus. Area of focus #1…
1. Endurance Requires An Internal Focus v. 16
1. Endurance Requires An Internal Focus v. 16
Do I have any fellow readers in the audience today?
A reader is someone who gets into a book to the point that they become oblivious to life around them.
If you are a reader, put it in the comments.
That is the kind of reader I am. When I get deep into a book, I have absolutely no awareness of what is going on around me.
The downside to this is the time when I got so into a book I didn’t realize it was 3am and I had to be up at 5am.
The point is that we can focus so completely on something, that everything else fades away.
That is kind of what Paul is calling for in this verse.
We need to focus on the internal or we will be distracted by the external.
This verse gives us three reasons why endurance requires an internal focus.
Reason #1. Endurance requires an internal focus…
a. For encouragement v. 16a
a. For encouragement v. 16a
READ v. 16
“Therefore” refers back to v. 14.
We will be raised up! Because that is true. We don’t lost heart!
An internal focus is necessary
The implication is that if we focus on the external things we are going to lose heart!
This is a confident statement of assured fact.
Paul doesn’t say, “we shouldn’t lose heart”, nor does he say, “I hope we don’t lose heart”.
Paul confidently asserts the reality that we don’t lose heart!
Why not?
Because this world is not our home!
Though death awaits us, we will be raised!
Turn to 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
There are many things I love about Paul.
But the passage we just read gives us one of them.
Paul connects our expectation of future glory with a plea for present faithfulness.
Because we will be raised; be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Our labor is not in vain!
Because our labor is not in vain, don’t lose heart.
Don’t lose heart when there are trials.
Don’t lose heart when there is opposition.
Don’t lose heart because we will be presented faultless in Christ Jesus before the throne of God!
Remember what we learned last week. Our ability to endure comes from the rock we cling to.
Christ’s strength gets us through.
I love what David wrote in Psalm 73:26 (S).
Psalm 73:26
26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
We feel the first part here. Our flesh and heart fail.
So we need strength, we need the ability to endure!
That ability comes from Christ.
When we remember the Spiritual realities, we do not lose heart.
We are citizens of a different country.
Be encouraged because our God wins.
Endurance requires an internal focus for encouragement.
Reason #2. Endurance requires an internal focus…
b. For perspective v. 16b
b. For perspective v. 16b
READ v. 16
An internal focus is demanded.
Why?
Our outward man is perishing.
This too is a statement of fact.
This is simply a reality.
If we are alive, we are also dying.
Perishing - διαφθείρω (diaphtheirō) destroy; corrupt. To decompose, to undergo the physical process of breaking down and wearing out; whether by becoming older and less healthy or rotting after death.
Perishing - διαφθείρω (diaphtheirō)
Does anyone else feel that they are breaking down and wearing out?
This is something we all need to bear in mind. Not so that we can be depressed, but so that we can remember to redeem the time (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5-6).
We don’t know how much time we have. This gives us the perspective of urgency.
But remember the beginning of the verse. We don’t lose heart because this life is not the end for us.
Don’t lose heart when you feel the effects of old age.
Don’t lose heart when sickness increases.
Don’t lose heart when the ability to work and move is lost.
Don’t lose heart because the inward man is renewed daily! That’s what we will talk about next.
I want to end this point with a thought.
If we focus on the slow death of our bodies, we will not be able to endure.
It’s like when we are exercising.
If we focus on the pain of the workout, we may give up before we are done.
But if we focus on our fitness goal, we endure.
Perspective means we look at the goal, not the trial.
What are we focusing on?
Endurance requires an internal focus for encouragement and for perspective.
Reason #3. Endurance requires an internal focus…
c. For strength v. 16c
c. For strength v. 16c
READ v. 16
An internal focus brings strength.
That is the incredible promise here. The inward man is renewed day by day!
The idea is that of being remade but better every single day.
This is continual inward renewal.
When that is our focus, we find the strength to endure.
This begs the question. “How is the inward man renewed?”
There are probably many places we could go for this, but I want to talk about three ways we are renewed.
1 - God’s Mercy.
The mercy of the Lord in daily forgoing the full discipline our sin deserves.
This is seen in Lamentations 3:22-23 (S).
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Though Christ took all the punishment for sin and the wrath of God on sin, sin still has consequences for the believer.
If I were to receive the discipline my sin deserves I would not be breathing.
Yet God’s mercies are new every morning!
His faithfulness is great!
As God’s mercy is new, so I am renewed.
2 - God’s Word.
The second way the inward man is renewed is through the Word of God.
Psalm 119:25, 107, 154 all ask the Lord to revive according to His Word (S).
Psalm 119:25, 107, 154
25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.
107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.
It is Scripture that provides renewal and revival and therefore it is necessary to be in the Word of God on a daily basis.
3 - God’s People.
The third way the inward man is renewed is through fellowship with the body of Christ.
Hebrews 10:24-25 challenges us to assemble more often as the return of Christ approaches (S). Look at what it says.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
In this way, we encourage love and good works in one another.
This also enables us to bear one another’s burdens as are commanded in Galatians 6:2 (S).
Galatians 6:2
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
We cannot bear burdens if we do not know what they are.
No matter what might be taking place in our physical bodies, our inward man is renewed day by day!
What a blessing and joy!
Renewal gives us strength and endurance.
Classic example of this would be Paul’s thorn in the side.
He had physical hardship, yet God’s grace sustained Him.
Endurance requires an internal focus for encouragement, perspective, and strength.
That is area of focus #1.
Area of focus #2…
2. Endurance Requires An Eternal Focus v. 17
2. Endurance Requires An Eternal Focus v. 17
Comparison.
This can be healthy or unhealthy depending on the comparison that is made.
For example: In high school I was told that i looked like Justin Timberlake (S) because, at the time, we had similar hair.
I liked that comparison.
I’ve also been told I look like Owen Wilson (S).
To be honest. That comparison I am not so fond of.
There are comparisons that are good, and comparisons that are not so good.
In this verse, Paul uses a comparison to provide encouragement.
He gives us two reasons why endurance requires an eternal focus.
Reason #1. Endurance requires an eternal focus because…
a. Pain is temporary v. 17a
a. Pain is temporary v. 17a
READ v. 17
This description is vital.
Paul’s words here are comparative.
He is not seeking to minimize the suffering that is endured.
He knows personally what suffering is like.
He is simply emphasizing that When eternity is weighed in the balance, our suffering here is light and momentary.
We need to know what he is talking about though.
Affliction - θλῖψις (thlipsis) distress; affliction. An oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic adversity.
Affliction - θλῖψις (thlipsis)
Now, I don’t know about you, but psychical, mental, social, and economic oppression, do not sound insignificant.
But that’s what the Word “light” means. It means insignificant.
Remember, Paul is not saying our suffering is insignificant because it doesn’t matter. He is saying that when compared to eternity, our affliction here is fleeting.
This is about comparison.
Our affliction is light because it is less than the affliction of Christ!
Our affliction is light because it is temporary.
Even if affliction lasts from birth to death, it is still temporary when compared to eternity.
It is a drop in the bucket!
When compared to eternity, our lives on earth are only moments in time.
Yet these moments have the capacity to bring an exceeding and eternal weight of glory!
That’s what Paul will talk about next.
I want to pause for just a second and consider the kind of suffering Paul is calling light and fleeting.
Turn to 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
This list comes before some of the stoning, beating, imprisonment, and shipwreck recorded in Acts!
I haven’t even endured a tiny bit of what Paul did!
Yet he calls that light, momentary, affliction.
We can endure because pain is temporary.
This will not last forever.
How do we know that? Because of the rest of the verse.
Reason #1. Endurance requires an eternal focus because pain is temporary.
Reason #2. Endurance requires an eternal focus because…
b. Growth is eternal v. 17b
b. Growth is eternal v. 17b
READ v. 17
Suffering is to be embraced and even rejoiced in because it means glory in eternity!
If you are afflicted today, that is glory!
It may not feel like. But that is what the Word of God reveals.
Therefore, that is what we must believe.
When we believe it, change begins to happen.
There are a couple really important words in v. 17 that I want to highlight.
The first is the word “working”.
Working - κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai) produce; do; bring about. To cultivate, to prepare someone or something for use; especially by working it (like soil).
Working - κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai)
Soil is worked by blades cutting it up in preparation for planting, fruit bearing, and harvest.
This is the imagery used for us.
The trials are the blades cutting up the soil of our lives so that God can plant something useful!
Affliction is preparation for use!
It is bringing about and producing the exceeding and eternal glory!
This is what James 1 talks about. James 1:2-3 (S).
James 1:2-3
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
Trials transform us into who God wants us to be.
Trials are the tools used by God to shape His children.
Do you want to be a usable vessel for Christ?
Then you need trials to shape you.
The second word we need to highlight is “exceeding”.
Exceeding - ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē) extraordinary degree. Extraordinary overabundance, the state of having extremely (even superlatively) more than is necessary.
Exceeding - ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē)
Our light, momentary affliction accomplishes a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
The reward for enduring trials far exceeds the trials themselves!
That is what Paul is saying.
In Greek Paul literally says that affliction works an extraordinary degree of an extraordinary degree of eternal glory.
Anything we face in this life will pale in comparison to the glory that is ours in Christ Jesus!
When we are with Him, we will be blessed beyond measure!
Paul makes this point really clear in Romans 8:18 (S).
Romans 8:18
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Paul is saying that the difference is so vast, our trials so small and our glory so incredible, that they can’t even really be compared!
The knowledge that the temporary suffering of this life brings eternal glory gives us the strength to endure.
We can endure because the best is yet to come.
Do we really believe that?
If so, it is time we act like it.
Endure, because eternity is going to be awesome.
Area #1. Endurance requires an internal focus for encouragement, perspective, and strength.
Area #2. Endurance requires an eternal focus because pain is temporary and growth is eternal.
Area #3…
3. Endurance Requires A Restricted Focus v. 18
3. Endurance Requires A Restricted Focus v. 18
Let me share some quotes with you.
Jack of all trades… master of none.
Too many irons in the fire.
My plate is too full.
“To do two things at once is to do neither.” That’s from Publius Sycrys
“Be like a postage stamp - stick to one thing until you get there.” - That from Josh Billings.
The idea is clear. If we want to be effective, we need to restrict our focus.
In the final verse we will consider this morning, Paul invites us to eliminate certain things from our focus.
He calls us to restrict our focus.
Given here are two reasons why endurance requires a restricted focus.
Reason #1. Endurance requires a restricted focus because…
a. Some things don’t last v. 18a
a. Some things don’t last v. 18a
READ v. 18
Has anyone else noticed that kids toys don’t last like they used to?
It used to be that I could buy a toy tractor and expect it to last years.
Now days if it lasts a month I am happy.
Some things are temporary!
To get through the affliction, even though it is light and temporary, we cannot focus on the trial.
We do not look at what is temporary and fleeting! That’s what Paul says here.
Look - σκοπέω (skopeō) notice; look out for. To turn one’s interests or expectations towards something and respond accordingly.
Look - σκοπέω (skopeō)
Our interest and expectation is not on the things of this life!
It is not on the here and now. The things we can touch, taste, and handle.
Why not? Because.
If we spend all our time and energy on the temporary, we will end up with nothing!
There are two passages of Scripture that bear out this point.
In Matthew 6 Jesus issues a command. Turn to Matthew 6:19-21.
Matthew 6:19-21
If everything we do is focused on this life, we end up with nothing!
We are to store our treasure in heaven.
We live for the life to come!
Now look at 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
Every day we are building on our foundation.
What materials are we building with?
Wood, hay, and straw will burn when tested by fire.
Gold, silver, and precious stones will be purified.
This is a choice.
What will we focus on? What will consume us?
We must restrict our focus.
Focusing on the temporary leaves us eternally bankrupt.
Endurance requires a restricted focus because somethings don’t last.
Reason #2. Endurance requires a restricted focus because…
b. Some things endure v. 18b
b. Some things endure v. 18b
READ v. 18
To get through the affliction, even though it is light and temporary, we must focus on the glory that is to come.
We are setting on interest and expectation on the things that are eternal!
The eternal things cannot be seen.
They require faith.
1 Peter 1:6-9 speaks of this. Turn there please.
1 Peter 1:6-9
We cannot see Christ, yet we cling to Him as eternal God!
Never having seen Him, nevertheless, we love Him.
Hebrews 11:13 mentions this same concept in considering those who have gone before us (S).
Hebrews 11:13
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Though we cannot see the promises, we cling to them.
The things that we cannot see, that we accept by faith.
Those things are eternal.
This life and everything in it is temporary.
We dare not live for things that will not last.
The only way to endure trials and affliction is with our focus fixed on the glory that is to come.
Let me illustrate this.
I first saw Francis Chan do this. I want to give credit where credit is due.
ROPE illustration.
Don’t waste your time living for things that won’t matter.
When we restrict our focus to eternal things, we can endure trials.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Right now there are trials, hardships, and difficulties.
The corona virus is just one of them.
Some of you were facing illness long before this virus came.
Some were facing financial difficulty long before all this.
Others have the virus.
Others have lost jobs and livelihoods because of this pandemic.
Put your focus where it belongs.
Focus on the inner man.
As we are renewed each day we find the encouragement, perspective, and strength to endure.
Focus on eternal things.
Pain is temporary.
Growth is eternal.
Use the times of trial and stress to grow in Christ!
Focus on what will last.
Everything this world has to offer will fade. It will burn.
C. T. Studd wrote these words.
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Are we living for what will last?
Focusing on the right goal enables us to endure.
May Christ be our focus.
May we grow in Him.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.