Untitled Sermon

Perseverance

Perseverance

Synopsis

Enduring in a course of action or belief. In its negative sense, it can mean being stubborn; in its positive sense, it means continuing commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Human perseverance in sin

2 Ki 17:41; Is 1:5; Ro 1:32

2 Kings 17:41 (NIV) — 41 Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.

Isaiah 1:5 (NIV) — 5 Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.

Romans 1:32 (NIV) — 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Exodus 9:1–3 (NIV) — 1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: “Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” 2 If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, 3 the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats.

Deuteronomy 29:19 (NIV) — 19 When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,” they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry.

2 Kings 13:11 (NIV) — 11 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he continued in them.

Daniel 12:10 (NIV) — 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

God’s perseverance in calling Israel to obedience

Ne 9:30–31

Nehemiah 9:30–31 (NIV) — 30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. 31 But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

Exodus 32:14 (NIV) — 14 Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

1 Kings 3:6 (NIV) — 6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

Isaiah 40:28 (NIV) — 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Jeremiah 26:13 (NIV) — 13 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.

Jonah 3:10 (NIV) — 10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Jesus Christ’s perseverance with those who would not believe

Heb 12:1–3

Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV) — 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

See also Mt 17:17; 2 Th 3:5

Matthew 17:17 (NIV) — 17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV) — 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Christians’ perseverance in faith

Col 2:6–7

Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV) — 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

See also Mt 24:12–13; Mt 10:22; Jn 15:4–10; Ro 11:22; 1 Co 1:8; 2 Co 10:15; Php 2:12; Col 1:23; 2 Th 3:4; Heb 6:1; Heb 10:36–38; 2 Pe 3:18

Matthew 24:12–13 (NIV) — 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Matthew 10:22 (NIV) — 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

John 15:4–10 (NIV) — 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Romans 11:22 (NIV) — 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

1 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV) — 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:15 (NIV) — 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand,

Philippians 2:12 (NIV) — 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Colossians 1:23 (NIV) — 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

2 Thessalonians 3:4 (NIV) — 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.

Hebrews 6:1 (NIV) — 1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

Hebrews 10:36–38 (NIV) — 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” 38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) — 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Perseverance in prayer

Lk 18:1–8

Luke 18:1–8 (NIV) — 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

See also Lk 11:5–13; Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18; 1 Th 5:17

Luke 11:5–13 (NIV) — 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Romans 12:12 (NIV) — 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) — 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) — 17 pray continually,

Perseverance arises from suffering

Ro 5:3

Romans 5:3 (NIV) — 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

See also Ro 12:12; 2 Co 1:6; 2 Th 1:4; 2 Ti 3:10–11; Jas 1:2–3; 1 Pe 4:19; Re 2:2–3; Re 2:19

Romans 12:12 (NIV) — 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

2 Corinthians 1:6 (NIV) — 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV) — 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

2 Timothy 3:10–11 (NIV) — 10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

James 1:2–3 (NIV) — 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

1 Peter 4:19 (NIV) — 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Revelation 2:2–3 (NIV) — 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Revelation 2:19 (NIV) — 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Perseverance builds and demonstrates Christian character

Ro 5:4

Romans 5:4 (NIV) — 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

See also 1 Co 13:7; 2 Co 1:21–22; 2 Co 12:12; Jas 1:4; 2 Pe 1:5–8

1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV) — 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NIV) — 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

2 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV) — 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.

James 1:4 (NIV) — 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

2 Peter 1:5–8 (NIV) — 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Encouragements for Christians to persevere

Ac 11:23; Ac 13:43; 1 Co 15:58; 1 Co 16:13; Php 1:27; 2 Ti 1:13; Heb 2:1; Heb 4:14; Re 3:11

Acts 11:23 (NIV) — 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Acts 13:43 (NIV) — 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) — 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV) — 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Philippians 1:27 (NIV) — 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV) — 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 2:1 (NIV) — 1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

Hebrews 4:14 (NIV) — 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Revelation 3:11 (NIV) — 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.