Perseverence

By Bill Buckley August 17, 2006

Ready

"For you need endurance, so that after you have done God's will, you may receive what was promised."

-Hebrews 10:36

Set

As an athlete how many times have you wanted to quit, or just stop and give up? I know as a cross country runner there are times when it's just too hot, and I don't want to run, so I stop and walk, even though I know it will only put me at a disadvantage later. It's just so tempting when that person who's usually behind you passes you, or someone in front of you starts walking. It's times like these when we need something many of us lack: perseverance and endurance.

Isn't it also similar in our walk with Christ? Obstacles come along, and they seem impossible to overcome. We just wanna quit. But just as any good athlete must persevere to be successful, so must a Christian. We have to stay strong in the Lord and keep going even when it seems useless or impossible, because it's not. Jesus didn't go through half of His crucifixion and say, "Oh, this is too hard." He persevered, and we can only imagine what He had to endure. And here we are wanting to quit because it's "not popular," or it's "just not easy." Instead we need to remember Christ's sacrifice and persevere for His name's sake.

1. Have you ever quit or given up? How did you feel inside?

2. How can you build perseverence and endurance?

3. How can you help your teammates and/or brothers and sisters in Christ persevere?

Workout

Matthew 19:26

2 Corinthians 8:11

Philippians 4:13

Bible Reference:

Hebrews 10