9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:9-13
1. The warning of persecution
a. Delivered up to tribulation and be killed
b. Hated by all nations for the Lord’s name’s sake
2. The negative reactions from many people
a. They will be stumbled (offended)
b. They will even betray fellow believers
c. They will be deceived by false prophets
d. Their love for the Lord will grow cold
3. Our challenge – to endure to the end!
a. Bear all the challenges and suffering in life
b. Overcome these things and not be defeated
c. Resist the negative reactions of many
d. Last out and persevere in our faith to the end
4. Can we truly endure to the end? Yes!
a. Not an easy challenge at all
i. Many struggle to endure to the end
ii. Many fear they cannot endure to the end
b. But the Scriptures encourage us that it can be done
c. We must be challenged to endure to the end!
AN ENCOURAGING WORD ON HOW TO ENDURE TO THE END
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
1. Consider the Lord’s people who have gone before us
a. Many believers in history have successfully run their race with endurance
b. Their examples encourage us that it is possible to endure to the end
c. They also inspire us to endure to the end
d. They are like a great cloud of witnesses, cheering us on!
2. Deal with the hindrances that will affect us
a. To lay aside every weight
b. To lay aside the sin which so easily ensnares us
3. Focus on the Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith
a. He endured His race with joy in His heart
b. He endured His cross willingly (both literal and figurative)
c. He did not let the shame He experienced affect Him
d. We are to fix our eyes on Him as we run this race of faith with endurance!
THE ENCOURAGEMENT FOR US ALL
1. Let us be encouraged to endure to the end!
a. The problems we face in these times may be very daunting
b. But the Lord tells us we can truly endure to the end
c. We must not lose heart and press on!
2. Let us practise the following to run our race of faith with endurance
a. Consider the ones who have gone before us for encouragement and inspiration
b. Deal with the things in our life that hinder us in this race
c. Fix our eyes of the Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith
3. May we be greatly encouraged to endure this race of faith to the end!