Perseverance Pays
Finishing Well, part 2 of 5
The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is that successful people persevere in noble causes when unsuccessful people tire and give up. We will examine how God allows difficult circumstances into our lives to develop the character the perseverance that he so longs to see nurtured in our lives so that we can grow and develop and be more conformed to Christ likenss. We will talk about how perseverance pays in our everyday life and we will also talk about how we need perseverance at Lakeshore as we work through this 4th campaign in a row so that we can build the Lakeshore Community Center.
Download the notes.I) Perspective on how life really works
1) Sometimes, life is filled with ___abundance___.
“[Jesus said] I came that they may life, and have it abundantly.”
(John 10:10, NIV)
2) Other times, life is fraught with ___hindrance___.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
(1 Peter 5:10, NIV)
3) At all times, life can be fulfilling with _perseverance_.
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:14, NIV)
* Perseverance: A __resolve__ under pressure to finish well.
* Perseverance through life’s challenges always __pays__!
II) Persevering when times get tough
The “ABCDE’s” Of A Perseverance That Pays
(from James 1:2-12)
A) __Attitude__: Learn how to be __joyful__ no matter what.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
(James 1:2, NIV)
“…Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
(Hebrews 12:1b-3, NIV)
B) __Belief__: Start seeing your __tests__ as teaching tools.
“Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
(James 1:3, NIV)
“…to perseverance, [add] godliness… for if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(2 Peter 1:6c & 8, NIV)
C) _Confidence_: Believe God is _finishing_ His work in you.
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
(James 1:4, NIV)
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you and example, that you should follow in His steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
(1 Peter 1:21-23, NIV)
D) __Determination__: Maintain a _single-minded_ faith.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
(James 1:5-8, NIV)
“For though the righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.”
(Proverbs 24:16, NIV)
E) __Endurance__: Look to the _rewards_ of perseverance.
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rise with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trail, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
(James 1:9-12, NIV)
* Persevering together so we can “Finish The Work”.
“Lord, what do You want to do through me to accomplish Your will for Lakeshore?”