1 Growing In Christian Virtues Perseverance 2 Cor. 11:23-33.

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Growing InChristian Virtues

Perseverance2 Cor. 11:23-33

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2 Corinthians 11:23-33

“Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in

far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was

beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day

I have spent in the deep. …”

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“… 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers

among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without

food, in cold and exposure. …”

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“… 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern

for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? 30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever,

knows that I am not lying.…”

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“… 32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped

his hands.”

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Faith

Moral Excellenc

e

Knowledge

Self Control

Perseverance

“…applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence,

knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance,

…”2 Peter 1: 5-6

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Perseverance

•Hupomone–a remaining behind, a patient enduring:–Literally, "an abiding under"–Strong defines the word as "a cheerful (or hopeful) endurance; constancy"–Vine's: endurance; persistence, perseverance; long suffering

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Perseverance - Hupomone

•It implies suffering, enduring, or waiting, as a determination of the will and not simply under necessity.

•Perseverance does not mean sitting down and doing nothing–But rather it means faithful continuance in a worthwhile pursuit, persevering toward a goal.

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•More than just a passive virtue ...–In the passive sense, it would be like a ship anchored in a storm.•Under attack by the wind and waves•Yet remaining secured to that one spot by the anchor

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•More than just a passive virtue ...–In the active sense, it is like a ship sailing despite the storm.•Under attack by the same wind and waves•But pressing on to its destination despite the obstacles.•It involves more than just a "grin and bear it" attitude!

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•More than just a passive virtue

•Adam Clarke - "bearing all trials and difficulties with an even mind, enduring in all, and persevering through all"

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God perseveres & supplies to others

Romans 15:5 "Now may the God who gives perseverance and

encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according

to Christ Jesus,"

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•He persevered with those who lived before the flood –1 Peter 3:20 “who once were

disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water."

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•He persevered with the Israelites:–When they tried God in the wilderness – Psalm 78:12-22

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Psalm 78:12-22

“He wrought wonders before their fathers In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13

He divided the sea and caused them to pass through, And He made the waters stand up like a heap. 14 Then He led them with the cloud by day And all the night with a light

of fire. 15 He split the rocks in the wilderness And gave them abundant drink

like the ocean depths. …”

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Psalm 78:12-22

“… 16 He brought forth streams also from the rock And caused waters to run down

like rivers. 17 Yet they still continued to sin against Him, To rebel against the Most High in the desert. 18 And in their heart they put God to the test By asking food according to their desire. 19 Then they

spoke against God; They said, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? …”

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Psalm 78:12-22

“… 20 "Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, And streams were

overflowing; Can He give bread also? Will He provide meat for His people?“ 21

Therefore the Lord heard and was full of wrath; And a fire was kindled against

Jacob And anger also mounted against Israel, 22 Because they did not believe in God And did not trust in His salvation.”

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•He persevered with the Israelites:–When they tried God in the wilderness – Psalm 78:12-22–In the book of Judges, we are impressed with God's longsuffering toward Israel as they rebelled time and time and time again.

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•He is patient and perseveres with us–2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow

about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

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Bible examples of Perseverance

•Prophets–James 5:10 “As an example,

brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”

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•Prophets–Elijah pursued by Ahab & Jezebel–Ezekiel lying beside a brick for 390 days (Ez. 2)–Isaiah going naked and barefoot for 3 years (Is. 20:2)

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•Job–Lost family–All possessions•Job 1:22 “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”

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•Job–Lost family–All possessions–Even his health was taken from him–His wife encouraged him to “Curse God and die!” Job 2:9

•Job 2:10 “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

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•Abraham –Hebrews 6:12-15

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Hebrews 6:12-15

“so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and

patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since

He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "I will surely

bless you and I will surely multiply you." 15 And so, having patiently waited, he

obtained the promise.”

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•Abraham –Hebrews 6:12-15–After he patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

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•Moses –Hebrews 11:24-27

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Hebrews 11:24-27

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of

Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people

of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, …”

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Hebrews 11:24-27

“… 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures

of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he

endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.”

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•Moses –Hebrews 11:24-27–Moses "endured" the "ill-treatment" because he was looking forward to the reward of greater riches in Christ.

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•Paul –2 Corinthians 6:4 “but in

everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,”

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"For you have need of endurance"

• Heb. 10:36 "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."

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•In trials, afflictions and hardships–1 Peter 2:19-21

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1 Peter 2:19-21

“For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears

up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated,

you endure it with patience? …”

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1 Peter 2:19-21

“…But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it,

this finds favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since

Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His

steps,”

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•In trials, afflictions and hardships–Don't weaken!–Revelation 2:10 " Do not fear

what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

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•We need to be patient and endure with our brethren–Eph. 4:2 "with all humility and

gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,"

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•We need to be patient and endure with our brethren–We must learn to suffer long and forbear with petty grievances and weaknesses.

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•We need to be patient and endure with our brethren–Sometimes a brother or sister will disappoint us by ungodly conduct.–We must try to help and encourage our brethren rather than giving up on them so quickly.

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•We must be patient and endure with all men–1 Thessalonians 5:14 "We

urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone."

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•In reference to answer to prayer, we must be patient and endure–Psalm 37:7 "Rest in the Lord and

wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes."

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•In reference to answer to prayer, we must be patient and endure–Psalm 37:7–Some quickly become discouraged because they do not seem to see an answer to their prayers.–We must learn to "wait on the Lord."

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•In converting lost souls.–We must keep at our efforts.–Knowing our labor is not in vain–1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore,

my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

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•In converting lost souls.–We must keep at our efforts.–Knowing our labor is not in vain–In due time "... we will reap if we

do not grow weary." – Gal. 6:9

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•In converting lost souls.–Remember, one lost soul is worth more than all the world –Matthew 16:26 "For what will it

profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

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•As we wait for Christ's coming–James 5:7,8 "Therefore be patient,

brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near."

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•As we wait for Christ's coming–2 Thessalonians 3:5 "May the

Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ."

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•As we wait for Christ's coming–His delay is but a manifestation of God's long-suffering for us•2 Peter 3:9,10

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2 Peter 3:9,10

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient

toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the

day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its

works will be burned up.”

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•As we wait for Christ's coming–His delay is but a manifestation of God's long-suffering for us •2 Pet. 3:9,10

–He will come, when God decides the time is right.

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How Perseverance is developed:

•Through struggles and trials.–Romans 5:3 "And not only this, but

we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;"–James 1:3 "knowing that the testing

of your faith produces endurance."

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•Through struggles and trials.–Just as the physical body increases in the ability to endure by exercise and rigorous competition, so the spiritual body is made stronger and better able to endure by trials and hardships.

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•Through the Scriptures–Romans 15:4 "For whatever was

written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."–Study of the Bible helps us grow in persevering in this difficult world.

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•Through hope–Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for

what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."–Hope spurs us on and helps us to persevere toward our goal.–“Hope guides us, it is what gets us through the day and even the dark night of tribulation.”

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•Through prayer–Matthew 7:7,8 "Ask, and it will

be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

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Results of Perseverance:

•It perfects the Christian character –James 1:4 "And let endurance

have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

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•It brings forth fruit–Luke 8:15 "But the seed in the

good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance."

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•It brings forth fruit–The farmer exercises patience and perseverance as he plants the seed and waits for the harvest•James 5:7,8

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James 5:7,8

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer

waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be

patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.”

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•It brings forth fruit–The farmer exercises patience and perseverance as he plants the seed and waits for the harvest–Likewise, we must sow, toil, and persevere until we "reap with joy“•Psalm 126:5,6

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Psalm 126:5,6

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. 6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a

shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."

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•It leads us to eternal life–Hebrews 10:36 "For you have

need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."

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•It leads us to eternal life–Romans 2:7 "to those who by

perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;"

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2 Thessalonians 1:4,5

"therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all

your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5 This is a plain indication of

God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of

God, for which indeed you are suffering."

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Conclusion:

•Almost any worthwhile achievement in life demands perseverance.–To be a good Christian is the highest achievement of all and perseverance is necessary to being one.

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Hebrews 12:1,2

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the

race that is set before us, …"

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Hebrews 12:1,2

"… 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for

the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of

God."

1 Growing In Christian Virtues Perseverance 2 Cor. 11:23-33.

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