January 27, 2008 Summit AM
Choosing To
Persevere
A. Victorious people refuse to allow defeat to discourage
them
1. Base ball game score was 33-0
a. Asked fielder if that was right = yes but we havent got bat yet
b. In his mind they were not losing
2. Terry
Fox lost his leg to cancer
a. Got a prosthetic & decided run a marathon across Canada
b. A marathon of hope to raise money for cancer research
c. Ran 3,339 miles in 143 days (St John Newfoundland)
d. Had to stop cancer in lungs killed him
e. Asked how did you push yourself to do this? Ran to next pole!
3. Ross Perot wanted to give present to every POW in Vietnam
a. Government refused him US bombings
b. Offered to rebuild all villages destroyed refused
c. Loaded planes & flew to Russia mailed them from Moscow
B. Question have you given up your dreams?
1. Each
year we put out program of work
a. Designed to inform & challenge
b. Short term & long term goals do we even consider them?
c. Will we ever accomplish them?
2. Answer = depends on choices we make
3. Discuss choosing to persevere
C. Pray
A. Text Mt.7:21-29 not all who say Lord; Lord enter kingdom
1. Context vs.13ff = few enter narrow gate
a. Must be found most wont search & find it
b. Is demanding requiring discipline & sacrifice
c. Must go through alone take nothing with you
d. Requires persistence & brokenness & avoid the false prophets
2. These verses - Jesus gets more
personal self-deception
a. Verbal professors = say & do not
b. Intellectual professors = hear but do not do
B. 2 Pet.1:3-11 reality of spiritual security
1. Determined to grow in qualities of fruitfulness
a. Adding to our faith
b. Demonstrates the genuineness of our discipleship
2. Insures we will never stumble
a. Our attitudes & actions make the difference
b. We must be determined to win & be persistent
C. Lk.18:1-8 will Son of man find faith?
1. Picture is a struggle against what seems to be hopelessness
2. Had the woman given up no deliverance
A. Heb.12:1-3 based on the faith of those before us
1. Throw off everything that hinders
2. Deal with any & all sin = entangles us
3. Run with perseverance
a. Accept the race that is marked out for us
b. Fix eyes on Jesus did it joyfully
B. Gal.6:9,10
1. Dont become weary in doing good = harvest coming
2. As we have opportunity do good
C. 2
Cor.4:16-18
1. Know that we are wasting away outwardly (not our focus)
2. Focus on what is unseen walk in faith
A. Not
fully committed to Jesus
1. Acts 7:51-53 Stephen to Jews
a. In their mind - Thought they were faithful to God
b. Just like forefathers uncircumcised heart & ears
c. Had the Law never obeyed it hear it
2. Acts 8:18-22 Simon
a. Believed & was baptized on surface a believer
b. Yet his heart was not right
c. Was full of bitterness not willing forgive
3. Have another agenda other than
Jesus Lordship
a. Want things our way fit our lifestyle
b. Unwilling to deny self focus is always self-satisfying
c. 2 Tim.3:1-8 ever learning never understanding (surface)
B. Fears
are all talk & no reality
1. James 1:22 hearers of word but not doers
a. Comfortable where we are
b. Unwilling get out of our comfort zone
2. Fearful of others reaction or of change
a. Lord asking too much
b. Never really counted the cost
c. Say Lord; Lord never really Lord
C. Doubt the sufficiency of Jesus & His word
1. Fearful to put our whole weight down
2. Know what word says not sure really works
3. Allow excuses never take Christianity seriously
D. Divided allegiance try serve two masters
1. Flesh still in control feelings rule
2. Misconception Let go & let God (never learn resist evil)
3. Always shifting the blame (No personal responsibility)