C. BOSTIAN
LEARNING TO ENDURE PT.3 11/30/03
(Insert Slide)
Heb 12:1-4 (Lvg)
1 Since we have
such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us
strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those
sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us
run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. 2 Keep your
eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful
death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now
he sits in the place of honor by the (Insert Slide) throne of God. 3 If
you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience
as sinful men did such terrible things to him.
4 After all, you
have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops
of blood.
(Insert Slide) THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ISN’T A 100 YARD DASH. NO, IT’S A LONG, CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULT RACE. THAT’S WHY WE NEED PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE WHEN WE BEGIN. YOU SEE, WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO GOD IS NOT HOW YOU START BUT HOW YOU FINISH. SO
OVER
THE PAST TWO WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ENDURING. ALL TOO OFTEN PEOPLE GIVE UP ON THEIR DREAM,
ON THEIR MARRIAGE OR ON THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION BEFORE A BREAK THROUGH
COMES. IF YOU ARE HOLDING ON TO A
PROMISE FROM GOD YOUR BEST CHOICE IS TO WAIT IT OUT BECAUSE HE WILL BRING IT TO
PASS IN DUE TIME. WHAT WE NEED TO LEARN
DURING THOSE TIMES BETWEEN THE PROMISE GIVEN AND THE PROMISED RECEIVED IS TO
ENDURE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FEW
MORE COMMENTS ABOUT PATIENCE, PERSEVERENCE AND ENDURANCE THIS MORNING. LET’S DO A QUICK REVIEW:
(Insert
Slide) 2 Tim. 2:3-4 (KJV)
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier
of Jesus Christ. [4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of
this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
1. (Insert
Slide) WE
ARE TO ENDURE HARDNESS AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST. WE HAVE RECEIVED STANDING ORDERS AND MUST BE
AT OUR POST AND DOING HIS WILL BEFORE FURTHER INSTRUCTION CAN BE GIVEN.
2. (Insert Slide) WHEN IT
COMES TO LEARNING HOW TO ENDURE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT GOD DOESN’T EXPECT
YOU TO BE A CHRISTIAN RAMBO? ONE OF THE
BASIC LIFE SKILLS OF BEING A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN IS LEARNING HOW TO ENDURE
HARDSHIP AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST.
Mark
10:27 (KJV)
And Jesus looking upon them said, With men
it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
3. (Insert Slide) GREAT
MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD WERE USED BY THE LORD TO DO SOME GREAT THINGS FOR
GOD. MOST OF THEIR LIFE WAS SPENT DOING
THE NORMAL, BORING ROUTINE OF WORKING,
PAYING THE BILLS AND RAISING KIDS. THEY
LIVED LIFE, ENDURED HARDNESS AND REMAINED FAITHFUL UNTIL GOD CALLED THEM TO DO
A PARTICULAR WORK OF FUNCTION. (Insert Slide) IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WERE FAITHFUL WAITING AT THEIR POST FOR
ADDITIONAL ORDERS. THEY ENDURED THROUGH
IT ALL BUT WHEN THEY WERE CALLED UPON THEY WERE STANDING AT THEIR POSTS AND
READY FOR ACTION AND THAT’S WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE.
1 Cor.
4:1-2 (KJV)
Let a
man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the
mysteries of God. [2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful.
4. (Insert Slide) HERE’S WHAT WE NEED TO SEE ABOUT TRIALS AND
ADVERSITIES. GOD IS AT WORK IN OUR
LIVES THROUGH IT ALL IN WAYS THAT WE CAN’T SEE AND UNDERSTAND CAUSE HIS
OBJECTIVE IS DIFFERENT FROM OURS. WE
WANT A FAITH THAT MAKES LIFE EASIER.
HE WANTS A FAITH THAT WILL BUILD CHARACTER BY OUR ENDURING THROUGH LIFE,
THROUGH HARDSHIP, THROUGH DIFFICULTY AND THROUGH ADVERSITY.
(Insert Slide) 2 Cor. 1:3-7 (MsgB)
All praise to the
God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of
all healing counsel! [4] He comes
alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings
us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be
there for that person just as God was there for us. [5] We have plenty of hard times that come from following the
Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a
full measure of that, too. [6] When we
suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are
treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to
your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are
also our hard times. [7] When we see
that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good
times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.
5. (Insert Slide) WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT WHEN WE ARE
GOING THROUGH SOMETHING THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE.
GOD HAS PROMISED TO NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US. HE’S RIGHT THERE WITH US THROUGH THICK OR
THIN. AND HE PROMISES NOT TO LEAVE US
EVEN WHEN WE BLOW IT. HE COMES UP ALONG
SIDE US AND HELPS US THROUGH THE MESS THAT WE’VE CREATED AND TURNS IT AROUND
FOR OUR GOD.
(Insert Slide) Hebrews 13:5 (MsgB)
Don't be obsessed with getting more
material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us,
"I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"
Hebrews 4:14-16
(MsgB)
Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this
great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our
fingers. [15] We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's
been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. [16] So
let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy,
accept the help.
6. (Insert Slide) OVERCOMING
SEEMS TO BE SUCH A WONDERFUL CONQUERING WORD BUT REVELATION DEFINES
OVERCOMING AS HOLDING FAST TO THE FAITH EVEN IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL. IT MEANS
ENDURING WHEN IT LOOKS IMPOSSIBLE AND INSURMOUNTABLE. NOW ISN’T THAT A
LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WE MEASURE AN OVERCOMING, SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN. WE USUALLY MEASURE IT BY HOW MUCH MONEY THEY
HAVE OR BY HOW FEW PROBLEMS THEY HAVE.
Rev. 21:7 (KJV)
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I
will be his God, and he shall be my son.
7. (Insert Slide) SO
AN IMPORTANT THING TO UNDERSTAND: IS THAT GOD IS AT WORK IN YOUR PAIN AND TRIAL
IN WAYS YOU DO NOT KNOW YET. SO DON’T
QUIT, DON’T STOP BUT KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE CALLED AND DESIGNED BY GOD TO DO.
Proverbs 13:12 (KJV)
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but
when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12 (MsgB)
Unrelenting disappointment leaves you
heartsick, but a sudden good break can
turn life around.
8. (Insert Slide) WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ENDURANCE IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT
WHATEVER SITUATION YOU FIND YOURSELF IN NOW YOU’RE STUCK IN FOREVER. THAT’S THE PICTURE THE DEVIL WANTS TO PAINT
IN YOUR MIND SO THAT YOU THROW UP YOUR HANDS IN DESPERATION AND QUIT.
Hebrews 10:35-39
(KJV)
Cast not away therefore your confidence,
which hath great recompence of reward. [36] For ye have need of patience, that,
after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. [37] For yet
a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. [38] Now
the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no
pleasure in him. [39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but
of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
(Insert Slide) NOW IF YOU’RE GONNA ENDURE YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO
EVALUATE YOUR LIFE TODAY FROM THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE. THERE ARE BASICALLY TWO
PERSPECTIVES ABOUT MY LIFE AND YOUR LIFE AND ONLY ONE OF THEM WILL EMPOWER US
TO ENDURE.
(Insert Slide) 2 Cor. 6:4-10 (KJV)
But in all things approving ourselves as
the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in
distresses, [5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in
watchings, in fastings; [6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness,
by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, [7] By the word of truth, by the power of
God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, [8] By
honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet
true; [9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as
chastened, and not killed; [10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet
making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
(Insert Slide) 2 Cor. 6:4-10 (MsgB)
Our work as God's servants gets
validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post,
alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; [5] when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed;
working hard, working late, working without eating; [6] with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness,
holiness, and honest love; [7] when
we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our
best setting things right; [8] when
we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word,
though distrusted; [9] ignored by the
world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead;
beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; [10] immersed in tears, yet always filled
with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having
it all.
PAUL SAYS THERE WERE
TIMES IN HIS LIFE WHEN HE WAS PRAISED BY SOME BUT BLAMED BY OTHERS. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN HE WAS IGNORED BY THE
WORLD BUT RECOGNIZED BY GOD. THERE WERE
TIMES WHEN HE FELT ABUNDANTLY ALIVE BUT OTHERS VIEWD HIM AS BEING DEAD. WHEN YOU MEASURE YOUR LIFE BY THE NORMAL STANDARDS OF THIS WORLD
AND YOU’RE LIFE DOESN’T AMOUNT TO MUCH.
THE WORLD MIGHT EVALUATE PAUL’S MINISTRY AS A FAILURE AND IF PAUL
ACCEPTED THAT THEN HE’D BE SURE TO QUIT.
HOWEVER PAUL SAID IF YOU LOOK AT MY LIFE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE
KINGDOM OF GOD AND IT’S ANOTHER STORY.
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THIS WORLD WE’RE TREATED AS IMPOSTORS BUT GOD
KNOWS WE ARE TRUE. NO, PAUL SAYS I AM
KNOWN AND HONORED BY GOD AND HE PRESERVES ME IN THE MIDST OF DANGER AND JOY
JUST KEEP SPRING UP INSIDE ME. I CAN’T
STOP IT AND I CAN’T QUENCH IT EVEN WHEN I’M IN PRISON. HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT HE’S ENRICHING DYING
PEOPLE WITH LIFE WHICH DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING BY THE WORLD’S STANDARD BUT IN THE
KINGDOM OF GOD I’M THE RICHEST GUY I KNOW.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT MY LIFE FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, PAUL SAYS, WHY IN THEE
WORLD WOULD I WANT TO QUIT. FROM THIS
PERSPECTIVE QUITTING WOULD BE THE DUMBEST THING I COULD DO. THIS GAME IS SOLD UP, ALL I GOT TO DO IS TO
ENDURE.
(Insert Slide) 2 Cor. 4:8-10 (MsgB)
As it is, there's
not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look
at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized;
we're not sure what to do, [9] but we
know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God
hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. [10] What they did to Jesus, they do to
us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in
us—he lives!
PAUL IS WRITING HERE ABOUT HIS COLLEGUES IN MINISTRY AND THE
EXTREME PROBLEMS, PRESSURES AND PERPLEXITIES THAT THEY HAD TO ENDURE IN THE
MINISTRY. LISTEN, WHETHER YOU’RE IN
FULL TIME MINITRY BEHIND A PULPIT OR BEHIND A THE STEERING WHEEL OF A TRUCK,
YOU’RE GONNA HAVE PROBLEMS. YOU GOT
PROBLEMS, I GOT PROBLEMS, ALL GOD’S CHILDREN GOT PROBLEMS. PROBLEMS ARE A FACT OF LIFE AFTER THE
FALL. LET’S JUST KIND OF EXPECT THEM TO
OCCASSIONALLY COME OUR WAY. BUT DON’T
EVER QUIT BECAUSE THERE’S A PROBLEM TOO BIG FOR YOU TO SOLVE BECAUSE WHAT IS
IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD!
LET’S LEARN TO FINISH WHAT WE START AND ENDURE.
(Insert Slide) FRANK
SINATRA SANG THIS SONG: I SAID THAT’S LIFE. AND AS FUNNY AS IT MAY SEEM
SOME PEOPLE GET THEIR KICKS STOPPING ON A DREAM, BUT I DON’T LET IT, LET IT GET ME DOWN, CAUSE THIS FINE OLD WORLD KEEPS ON SPINNING
AROUND. I’VE BEEN A PUPPET, A PAUPER, A PIRATE A POET, A PAWN AND A KING. I’VE
BEEN UP AND DOWN AND OVER AND OUT, AND I KNOW ONE THING: EACH TIME I FIND
MYSELF FLAT ON MY FACE I PICK MYSELF UP
AND GET BACK IN THE RACE. THAT’S LIFE! I TELL YOU I CAN’T DENY IT, I THOUGHT OF
QUITTING BABY, BUT MY HEART JUST AINT GONNA BUY……
(Insert Slide) 2 Cor. 4:17-18 (KJV)
For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
PAUL TALKS ABOUT BEING
IN PRISON, BEING BEATEN, BEING SCOURGED AND EVEN BEING TAKNE OUT OF THE CITY
AND STONED TO DEATH. BUT LISTEN WHAT HE
CALLS ALL THESE SUFFERINGS: LIGHT AND MOMENTARY. LET’S DO A LITTLE QUIZ THIS MORNING. HOW ARE YOUR PROBLEMS: (Inseert Slide) Just Say LIGHT AND
MOMENTARY. WHEN YOU GO TO WORK TOMORROW
AND YOU BOSS GETS IN YOUR FACE YOU’RE GONNA SAY: LIGHT AND MOMENTARY. WHEN THE IRS GIVES YOU YOUR TAX BILL YOU’RE
GANNA SAY: LIGHT AND MOMENTARY. WHEN
THE DOCTOR GIVES YOU THE BAD NEWS YOU’RE GANNA SAY: LIGHT AND MOMENTARY. PAUL SAYS, PERSECUTED, IN BEATINGS, IN
PRISON, IN DISHONOR, IMPOVERSIHED AND DEATH AND PAUL SAYS: LIGHT AND
MOMENTARY. SO ACCESSING YOUR PROBLEMS
AND ADVERSITIES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, YOU COME UP WITH
THE ONLY POSSIBLE CONCLUSION: LIGHT AND MOMENTARY AND YOU’D BE A FOOL TO
QUIT. SO LEARN TO ENDURE, WAIT ON GOD
AND HE WILL ENDUE YOU WITH POWER TO ENDURE.
NOW THE REASON WHY WE
CAN ENDURE IS FOUND IN VERSE 18, WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS THAT CAN BE
SEEN BECAUSE THEY ARE TEMPORARY: LIGHT AND MOMENTARY; BUT THE THINGS THAT
CANNOT BE SEEN ARE ETERNAL. THAT’S WHY
BELIEVERS CALL THOSE THINGS WHICVH ARE NOT AS THOUGH THEY WERE. WE SEE THE INVISIBLE. WHAT’S VISIBLE IS JUST LIGHT AND MOMENTARY,
ITS TEMPORAL. WHAT KEEPS PAUL GONG IS
NOT STRENGTH OF WILL, ITS NOT A CALL TO RAMBO TYPE TENACITY. WHAT KEEPS PAUL GOING IS THE ENDURING HOPE
THAT GOD IS GOING TO FILL HIM WITH HIS SPIRIT TO ENABLE HIM TO FINSISH HIS
COURSE.
(Insert Slide) DON’T
EVER QUIT HE THAT EDNURES TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED
(Insert Slide) 1 Thes. 1:1-3 (KJV)
Paul, and Silvanus,
and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father
and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2] We give thanks to God always for you
all, making mention of you in our prayers; [3] Remembering without ceasing your
work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
HAVING AND POSSESSING AN
ACTIVE FAITH AND HOPE IS WHAT KEEPS US GOING UNDER PRESSURE. ITS WHEN WE THINK THERE’S NO HOPE THAT WE
QUIT. HERE, PAUL IS WRITING TO THE
CHURCH AT THESOLINICA AND ENCOURAGING THEM AS HE RECOGNIZES IN THEM THE WORKING
OF FAITH, LOVE AND THE PATIENCE OF HOPE.
YOU CANNOT AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENDURE UNLESS YOU HAVE A HOPE THAT
TRANSCENDS THE TEMPORAL AND SEES INTO THE ETERNAL. SO WE ARE CALLED TO THE PATIENCE OR THE ENDURANCE OF HOPE.
NOW THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE
OF SPIRIT EMPOWERED ENDURANCE IS JESUS:
(Insert Slide) Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we
also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God. (Insert Slide) [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction
of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
THROUGH HIS BETRAYAL,
TRIAL, SENTENCING AND EXECUTION HE FOUND SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH TO BRING HIS TO
THE CRUX OF THE HOUR. FINALLY HE CRIED
OUT “IT IS FINISHED.” I DID IT, I
DIDN’T QUIT.
1. ONE THING TO
UNDERSTAND, GOD IS AT WORK IN WAYS YOU CANNOT SEE IN THE ADVERSITY YOU FACE AT
THE MOMENT.
2. SO DON’T QUIT, KEEP
PLAYING AND ENDURE.
ILLUSTRATION: IN 1968
THE COUNTRY OF TANZANIA SELECT JOHN STEVEN AQUARRI TO REPRESENT IT TO THE
MEXICO CITY OLYMPICS. ALONG THE RACE
COURSE FOR THE 26 MI. MARATHON AQUARRI STUMBLED AND FELL AND SEVERLY INJURING
HIS KNEE AND ANCKLE. BY 7PM A RUNNER
FROM ETHIOPIA HAD WON THE RACE. ALL
OTHER COMPETITORS HAD FINISHED AND BEEN CARED FOR. JUST A FEW THOUSAND SPECTATIOR WERE IN THE STANDS WHEN A POLICE
CAR AT THE GATE CAUGHT THEIR ATTENTION.
LIMPING THROUGH THE GATE HOURS AFTER EVERYONE HAD FINISHED WAS AQUARRI
HIS LEG WRAPPED IN A BLOODY BANDAGE.
THOSE PRESENT BEGAN TO CHEER AS THE COURAGEOUS MAN FINISHED THE
RACE. LATER A REPORTED ASKED JOHN STEVEN
AQUARRI THE QUESTION ON EVERYBODY’S MIND.
WHY DID YOU CONTINUE THE RACE AFTER YOU WERE SO BADLY INJURED AND HOURS
AFTER EVEYONE ELSE HAD FINISHED AND YOU COULD NOT HAVE WON? HIS REPLY: MY COUNTRY DID NOT SEND ME
5000 MILES TO BEGIN A RACE, THEY SENT ME HERE TO FINISH THE RACE. AND WE SALUTE A MAN WHO FINISHED. IN FACT THIS GUY GOT MORE ATTENTION AND
RENOWN THAN THE GUY WHO WON THE RACE AND HE’S GOT MORE HONOR AND CLOUT IN HIS
COUNTRY JUST BECAUSE HE FINISHED. AND
THERE ARE SOME OF YOU WHO ARE RIGHT NOW IN THE MIDST OF THE RACE OF LIFE AND IF
YOU HOLD OUT A BIT LONGER WILL HAVE A GREAT TESTIMONY TOO. SO GOD’S NOT IMPRESSED WITH HOW YOU START
BUT HOW YOU FINISH. SO KEEP YOU HAND ON
THE PLOW AND DON’T LOOK BACK. SO PRESS
ON, DON’T QUIT. KEEP PLAYING AND ENDURE
TILL THE END.
Heb 12:3-4
3 For
consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest
ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,
striving against sin.
THERE
ARE TIMES WHEN WE WILL BECOME WEARY AND DISCOURAGED AND TEMPTED TO THROW IN THE
TOWEL. DURING THOSE TIMES WE ARE
ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF ENDURING FAITH IN OUR LORD AND
SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. HIS LIFE ON EARTH
WAS ENDURING ONE LONG ARDUOUS CONTRADICTION AFTER ANOTHER. FROM PARENTS WHO DIDN’T UNDERSTAND, TO
DISCIPLES WHO WRESTLED WITH THE TRUTH TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO SOUGHT TO KILL
HIM HE LEARNED THE OBEDIENCE ENDURING
BY THE THINGS THAT HE SUFFERED. OH YES,
THERE WAS GREAT SUFFERING DURING THOSE TIMES OF ENDURING BUT THERE WAS ALSO A
GREAT REWARD. ABD WHAT IS TRUE FOR HIM
IS ALSO TRUE FOR US. THERE WILL BE
SEASONS OF SUFFERING BUT IF WE CAN ENDURE AND NOT GIVE UP THEN WE TOO WILL BE
PARTAKERS OF THE REWARD.
(Insert Slide) Heb 4:14-16 (Lvg)
14 But Jesus the Son of God is our great High
Priest who has gone to heaven itself to help us; therefore let us never stop
trusting him.
15 This High Priest of ours understands our
weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave
way to them and sinned. 16 So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and
stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of
need.
SO
WHEN YOU GET WEARY LOOK TO JESUS FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND HOPE. HE’S BEEN THROUGH EVERY HUMAN EXPERIENCE
IMAGINABLE AND HE CAN COMFORT AND ENCOURAGE YOU THROUGH IT ALL. LOOK UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF
OUR FAITH. IF YOU’RE RUNNING LOW ON
COURAGE AND FAITH IN THE MIDST OF THE STORMS OF LIFE LOOK UNTO JESUS. SPEND TIME IN PRAYER AND THE STUDY OF
SCRIPTURE BECAUSE FAITH COMES BY HEAR AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD. SO WHEN
YOU FEEL LIKE QUITTING, LOOK UNTO JESUS FOR HOPE, FAITH AND
ENCOURAGEMENT TO ENDURE.
Hebrews 12: 5-13
5 And
ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My
son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art
rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every
son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with
sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without
chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave
them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of
spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their
own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his
holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which
hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest
that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
NOW THERE IS JUST ONE MORE AREA
OF OUR LIVES THAT WE MUST LEARN TO ENDURE AND THAT IS THE CHASTENING OF THE
LORD. THE WORD CHASTENING DOES NOT
MEAN TO PUNISH BUT TO DISCIPLINE AND TO TEST.
THIS IS ANOTHER TEACHING IN SCRIPTURE THAT IS NOT TO POPULAR BUT IS A
FACT OF LIFE FOR ALL WHO WANT TO GROW UP AND MATURE IN CHRIST. GOD RESERVES THE RIGHT AS YOUR FATHER TO NOT
ONLY PROVIDE FOR YOUR NEEDS BUT ALSO TO DISCIPLINE YOU. WE ARE INSTRUCTED IN SCRIPTURE NOT TO
DESPISE THAT OR MAKE LIGHT OF IT. IN
FACT, DISCIPLINE IS THE PATHWAY TO GREATNESS, EFFECTIVENESS AND VICTORY. NEXT WEEK I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU 4 MAJOR
TESTS IN LIFE THAT WE MUST LEARN TO ENDURE AND ULTIMATELY OVERCOME IF WE ARE
GOING TO BE SUCCSESSFUL IN REACHING OUR DESTINY IN CHRIST.
