Perseverance

What is perseverance?

• Perseverance is putting forth effort that is required to do and keep doing the disciplines despite the difficulties.
• “Without practicing the spiritual disciplines we will not be godly; but neither will we be godly without perseverance in practicing the disciplines.” -Don Whitney
• It is through perseverance that we can strive in our spiritual growth to become more like Christ.
• The spiritual disciplines are not meant to shackle us in bondage. 
• Instead of viewing the spiritual disciplines as a list of burdensome chores, we should see them as means of grace that God has given to us for our spiritual growth. 
• We do not practice the spiritual disciplines in order to earn favor with God. We practice them out of love and gratitude for what God has already done for us through Jesus.

Why is perseverance important?

• Jesus tells us to persevere.
  
  • Matthew 24:13
  • We are to follow Jesus as he was the most disciplined man to ever live.
  • Philippians 2:8: Jesus was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
• Paul tells us to persevere.
  
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
• John tells us to persevere.
  
  • Revelation 14:12.
• Perseverance requires intentionality as we are often busy people.
• Through perseverance, God makes us more like Christ through our busy schedules and does so through the disciplines.
• Laziness never leads to godliness.

How do we persevere for our own spiritual growth? 

• The Role of the Holy Spirit
  
  • Pneumotology
    
    • The Holy Spirit empowers.
      
      • He gives life.
      • He gives power for service.
    • The Holy Spirit purifies.
      
      • He sanctifies us.
    • The Holy Spirit reveals.
      
      • He gives evidence of God’s presence.
      • He guides and directs God’s people.
      • He teaches and illuminates us.
  • Wherever the Holy Spirit dwells, his presence creates a hunger for holiness.
  • Ephesians 1:13-14: we are sealed with the Spirit when we repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
  • Romans 8:13-14: the Holy Spirit leads us to sanctification.
  • John 14:26: the Holy Spirit enables us to understand truth according to Scripture and the situations we are in.
  • Perseverance in the spiritual disciplines require hard work on our part. But, we do not labor alone. It is the Spirit who enables us to press on in obedience to God.
  • The Holy Spirit produces within us both the desire and the ability to discipline ourselves for the purpose of spiritual growth. 
  • Two things are true for the Holy Spirit in our lives:
    
    • The Holy Spirit will be faithful to help believers in Christ persevere to the end.
    • We should not harden our hearts to the Holy Spirit but instead respond to how He prompts us.
• The Role of Fellowship
  
  • Ecclesiology
    
    • The church worships God.
    • The church nurtures believers.
  • One of God's purposes of fellowship is to help increase our practice of spiritual disciplines and teach others to do the same.
  • Colossians 3:16: we come together to give God praise.
  • Ephesians 4:11-13, 15-16: we come together to equip, encourage, and love one another.
• The Role of Struggle
  
  • Colossians 1:28-29: there is a balance between our efforts and the Spirit’s work.
  • Galatians 5:17: we are at odds with our flesh and the Spirit’s work in our lives.

• Practice with a focus on eternity as we will one day be with Christ in heaven.
  
  • 1 Timothy 4:7-8: we are to train ourselves for godliness with our eyes fixed on eternity.
• Practice with a desire for godliness that we are to strive for here on earth. 
  
  • Galatians 6:9: we will reap, if we do not give up.

What is one thing you can do to improve your perseverance?

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