Forgetfulness: We are prone to wander from God. Endurance requires daily maintenance, especially in light of…

A. UP// Hardships & Trials: REMEMBER God intends to perfect our faith, not crush it (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28)

B. IN// Temptation & Sin: REMEMBER 1) our temptations are common to others 2) God is faithful 3) Jesus is our escape 4) Catering to sin in not the path to endurance. (1 Cor. 10:12-13, Heb. 12:14)

C. OUT// Persecution: REMEMBER we do not suffer in vain, we suffer with Jesus----therefore, we go to our neighbors and to the nations knowing the Kingdom reward is greater than any persecution (1 Cor. 4:11-13, Matt. 5:11-12)

Framework for Endurance from Matthew 28:16-20

Verse 20: Our hope for endurance--Jesus’ never-ending, never-forsaking presence.

Verse 16: The most important thing about your faith is not it’s strength but it’s object.

We can Endure…

1. Up by acknowledging Jesus’ authority that His promise to be with

us to the end can be trusted.

2. IN by observing Jesus’ teaching, and, therefore, trusting God is committed to our holiness and conforming us to Jesus.

3. OUT by forsaking our own kingdoms and realizing that God’s kingdom is coming.

How will we Endure?

1. God the Father is an Enduring God. Psalm 145:13, 118:1, 119:90

2. God the Son endured for the Glory of the Father & for our good. Heb 12:1-4

3. God the Spirit will enable our endurance as we seek to endure. Phil 2:12-13

What is My Next Step in Endurance?

1. Trust Jesus. Turn from sin. Be baptized. Then keep trusting/turning.

2. Invest time in reading, studying, meditating on, and memorizing the Word so that you may continuously REMEMBER Jesus.

3. Do not neglect weekly Corporate Worship/Groups/Family Worship

4. Spend time with those more mature in the faith than yourself.

5. Share your struggles of temptation and sin to others you trust.

6. Help others endure. Encourage the hurting. Contact the missing.

7. Pray for & create space for your neighborhood and the nations.

8. Talk to others about why you are following Jesus.

9. Keep pressing on---until He returns or calls you home.

Additional Reading: biblebb.com/files/ryle/are_you_fighting.htm