Power          To          Endure

THERE ARE FEW DESCIPLES OF JESUS TODAY BECAUSE FEW HAVE THE HEART TO CONTINUE WITH HIM. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;" JOHN 8:31      CHURCHES PROMOTE THIS BY NOT GETTING PEOPLE SEEKING ANSWERS ANCHORED IN THE WORD OF GOD. "And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended." MARK 4:17      THE SIGN OF OUR TIME IS A FICKLENESS AND LACK OF SERIOUS COMMITMENT. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" 2 TIMOTHY 4:3

1. THERE IS A GODLY PURPOSE FOR ENDURING FOR CHRIST.
   A. FIRST, IT IS TO PLEASE GOD.

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11

   B. SECOND, IT IS TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO REACH OTHERS.

"Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." 2 TIMOTHY 2:10

2. GOD IS ABLE TO HELP YOU DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.
     **MANY ARE AFRAID TO MAKE COMMITMENTS TO THE LORD FOR FEAR
          THEY WILL RUN OUT OF STEAM.
   A. WE CAN CONTINUE IN HIS LOVE.

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." JOHN 15:9

   B. WE CAN CONTINUE IN HIS GRACE - THIS IMPLIES BEING CLOSE AND IN
        FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD.

"Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God." ACTS 13:43

   C. WE CAN CONTINUE IN OUR MINISTRIES FOR THE LORD

"Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:" ACTS 26:22

        —EVEN THROUGH DIFFICULTIES

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 TIMOTHY 4:5

             WHY DO SOME PEOPLE THNK BEING A CHRISTIAN DOES AWAY WITH
                    ALL THE DIFFICULTIES ?

"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." ACTS 14:22 "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 TIMOTHY 2:3

   D. WE CAN PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.

"Pray without ceasing." 1 THESSALONIAN 5:17 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" COLOSSIANS 4:2

3. JESUS WILL HELP THOSE WHO COME TO HIM IN FAITH, REPENTING OF THEIR SINS.
   A. IF JESUS IS CONCERNED ABOUT MINOR ISSUES, HE IS EVEN MORE
        CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR ETERNAL ISSUES.

"Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way." MATTHEW 15:32 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." JOHN 3:3

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