Matt's House Church: Arbutus, MD

Perseverance

Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10


Last week we ended our time together on this verse, essentially…
Point: Paul is saying, I am not afraid of these things which expose my weakness,
because I suffer like Christ, it is His supernatural power that gives me strength to
endure all things both physical torture and torture of soul!


Statement: I don’t think any of us like this idea of being weak, it doesn’t sit well with
any of us, yet I gave you a challenge:
• Question: Are you ready to say, “I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,
in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong?”


This week we’re going to focus on “1 Word,” Perseverance. A Life Word, that has
literally will connect you to the Power of Christ and to a real life adventure where
change is norm and dependance on God is life!


Illustration: “Operation Red Wing”
• 4 Navy Seals, Recon Team identify, kill or capture Key Al Qaeda Commander.!
• Fell back 3 Times, down a mountain.
• Fighting off a force of 150 - 200 soldiers.
• Mike Murphy’s, Team Commander, last ditch effort to save his troops, a cell
phone call.
• All shot multiple times, kept fighting.
Point: Marcus Latrell, Last Survivor, tells the story of what it means to persevere.


This 1 Word, Life Word: Perseverance is synonymous with what it means to Be A
Follower of Christ! You and I can’t run from this word. We can’t hide from this word.
We can’t pretend it doesn’t exist. We can’t escape this word…Perseverance.


Bible
• 23 x’s in the NT we find a form of the word Perseverance used.
• By 5 different Authors.
• It’s contained in 6 listings, that depict the type of qualities that define what it means
to be a Follower of Christ.
• Greek Mind - Perseverance Means: To Endure, Persist, Keeping On, of Proven
Worth, Stand Firm, Stay in the Fight, Remain on Task, to Continue in.
• Hebrew Mind - Perseverance Means: To wait on God; “Cleave” to, which means to
stick to, hold fast to, stay attached to “God” like glue.
• Paul uses the word 14 of the 23 times it’s used in the NT, which should be no
surprise to us…
Remember what Paul recounts His Following of Jesus, his own Perseverance…


Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:23-27


Think for a moment…
Question: What trials, what tests, what troubles have you persevered through? 


Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Paul in a letter says, “We boast about your
perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” 


Reading: James 1:12; “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because,
having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has
promised to those who love him.” (Crown of Life: Life here and now, fullness,
completeness).


Reading: Romans 5:1-2
• Justified = God paid our sin debt; destructive thoughts, words and actions; past,
present and future.
• Peace = No Barrier, stands between You and God.
• Grace = God is “For You, Not Against You.”
• We Rejoice in…Peace that is ours with God, achieved by Christ on the cross.
• We Rejoice also in…the fact that our future is in God’s Presence.


Question: What about right now, in a world where suffering seems to be the only
food on the menu? Paul says, “Rejoice!”


Reading: Romans 5:3, 4
Process of Becoming Christ like: 
• Suffering/Afflictions;
• Provide Opportunities for Perseverance/Steadfastness/The Ability to remain under
difficulties without giving in; 
• Leads to Character Development/Proven Character;
• Causes Hope/Confidence that God will see You through!


Challenge
• 3 weeks ago, you and Lance told me to Decide to follow God’s Instructions…
• Last week, you told me to get comfortable with my “Weakness”…
• This week, you’re telling me to Rejoice in opportunities to “Persevere”…
• Reading: James 1:2-4
• Question: Are you rejoicing in your suffering, are you ready to choose
“Perseverance” as your way of life, a means to trust God more?