The Art of Perseverance

1. Before we can persevere we need the severe.

1) We noted earlier that the word literally meant, “through severity.”

2) This can come in the form of tests, trials, or troubles.

3) One can't persevere without the severe.

2. The faithful Christian will know his share of troubles.

1) Paul told Timothy, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” ( 2 Timothy 3:12).

2) Paul had his share of troubles as well. “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” ( 2 Corinthians 11:24-28).

3) Not all troubles, however, are external.

4) We can place tremendous pressure upon ourselves through worry, setting unrealistic goals for ourselves, thinking negatively toward our friends, not being thankful, not rejoicing in the Lord.

5) We need perseverance when we get ourselves into these such situations as well.

3. When we persevere through trials we will grow as Christians.

1) Peter said regarding those who suffered various trials, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” ( 1 Peter 1:7).

2) James said, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” ( James 1:12)

4. Enduring tests and trials will help us to persevere.

1. Truth gives us a reason to persevere.

1) It's not enough to persevere if we don't have something to hold onto.

2) Truth is worth persevering for.

3) In order for our perseverance to have value we must have truth in our lives.

2. We've got to persevere in doing the right things.

1) When all else is crumbling around us, this gives us something to hold onto.

2) John 8:31-32 – we've got to abide in Christ's words to have truth in our life.

3) Acts 4:21-22 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

3. By persevering in doing what is right, we can be assured that our perseverance isn't empty.

1) 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

2) God is well pleased with such sacrifices. Hebrews 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

4. Knowing and practicing the truth will aid us in perseverance.

1. Time is a necessary component to perseverance.

1) We can't say that we've persevered until a sufficient amount of time has gone by.

2) We're all familiar with the question, “Are we there yet?”

3) When such a question is asked without a sufficient amount of time passing, we know that someone hasn't been persevering.

4) Repetition also helps us to persevere.

5) The more we experience something, the better we are able to endure it.

2. We recognize, however, the temporal nature of things that happen in time and this helps us to persevere more.

3. Paul wrote, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 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” ( 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

4. When we know that our days on the earth are limited, time can be our friend as we struggle to persevere.

5. Psalm 90:9-10 states, “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”

6. Time is our friend in developing the art of perseverance.

1. In order to persevere, we need to trust in the Lord.

2. Trusting in God will get us through difficulties like nothing else and will help is persevere.

3. Proverbs 3:5-6 – when we trust in God we can know our paths are directed by Him.

4. When we trust in the Lord our future will be secure. Psalm 37:5 states, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

5. When we trust in the Lord we have a safe haven. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. ”

6. When we trust in the Lord we shall endure. Psalm 125:1 “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”

7. When we trust in the Lord we have great strength. Isaiah 26:4 “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

8. Trusting in the Lord is key in developing the art of perseverance.