ATTITUDES FOR GODLY DEVELOPMENT: “PERSEVERANCE”

• Obedience is not an optional accessory for Christians.
• John 14.15 If you love me, obey my commandments. 
• Obedience and perseverance serve as bookends to the other attitudes we have covered.
• Is it persistence or perseverance?
• • Persistence = not giving up, often with steady .
  • Perseverance = not giving up when things get hard, and with greater endurance and resilience.

• There are no to spiritual maturity.
• Do you admire someone’s patience? It has been by persevering through adversity. Not flashy, but faithful.
• James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
• Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

• someone to pray, seek wisdom, and persevere with strength.
• Colossians 1:11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy…
• What made the difference in the church in Colossi? Someone stood in the , praying for endurance.
• Exodus 17:12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.

How is contentment developed?

• Philippines 4:11-13 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
• Biblical contentment is not pretending that problems do not exist; it is trusting God enough to remain at in them.
• CHARACTER = The ability to carry out a good resolution long the mood in which it was made has passed.
  • Character means doing what’s right even when I don’t like it.
  • Character means we are guided by and because of the influence within.
• The Apostle Paul demonstrated tenacious perseverance and urged followers of Jesus to do the .
• 1 Corinthians 4:16 So I urge you to imitate me.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
• Why should I discipline my life with spiritual ? GODLINESS.
• Godliness is to be in thought and action.

“Living the Christian life faithfully is no more trouble-free the older we get. The number and intensity of the fiery darts that the powers of evil aim at us do not diminish. The obstacles we face don’t get easier to overcome.”  John F. McArthur

“Your future is shaped by the habits you repeat, not the goals you set.”

• We are born again into the family of God and then in sanctification (Christian maturity) for the rest of our lives. How? PERSEVERANCE.

1. The Apostle Paul

• 1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
• 2 Timothy 4:6-8 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
• One of the truths we can draw from Paul’s words is that there is to this life than this life.

2. Jesus, our Savior and Master

• Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
• • Christians who have gone before us ran their race faithfully, so can we.
  • Be honest, wise, and courageous enough to purge sin so we can run with endurance.
  • With the abundance of voices in the culture vying for attention, the wise follower of Jesus begins with Scripture, the voice of God.

Our series began with the call to obedience and ends with the call to persevere.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.