Redeemer Church Mauritius
Perseverance - Phil Kendon
One of the characteristics of life in the world that we live in is that it sometimes seems that life is relentless. There is this constant sense of uncertainty in the global environment - from wars to economic challenges. There are the challenges of work and business, the challenges of family and children, the challenges of health. Sometimes we just go through a winter season. There may not even necessarily be a specific reason for it. We just feel down, lethargic, weary from the long journey so far. And there are also the challenges of the life of faith. Doubts that creep up in our minds, disappointment with unanswered prayer, temptation that seems too strong for us, or bad habits that threaten to derail our faith, or our testimony, or our conscience with a sense of guilt or condemnation. My message today is about perseverance - about keeping on when you feel like giving up, about trusting God despite the lack of evidence that he is with you or that he knows where you are at and how you feel.
Locations & Times
Redeemer Church Mauritius
Mauritius
Sunday 9:30 AM
Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV)
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, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Acts 14:21–22 (NIV)
They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Jesus faced trials, the early church faced trials and we will also face trials.
Hebrews 10:32–37 (NIV)
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV)
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
The scriptures command us to stand firm!
2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 (NIV)
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Colossians 1:21–23 (NIV)
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—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.
God strengthens us with his immense power.
- Fix your eyes on Jesus
- Remember the earlier days
- Meditate on the gospel
Stand firm and lean on God’s power as you do.
