Perseverance in Faith: The Call to Holiness

In this message, I aim to provide encouragement for the perseverance of faith and fruitfulness over the long haul of life, using the metaphor of sharpening a sword to fend off the forces that threaten our spiritual journey. Reflecting on my own 70-year journey as a Christian, I ponder the grace and strength God has provided to keep me steadfast. The question I pose is whether we will endure to the end, resisting the trend of deconversion—a term that has emerged to describe the tragic reality of falling away from faith.

The Bible offers numerous terms for this phenomenon, such as apostasy, falling away, and shipwreck of faith. These terms highlight the gravity of turning away from Christ. The allure of deconversion may seem trendy, but it is a heartbreaking reality. I urge young people to see the beauty in remaining faithful for decades, like the ancient yew tree in Scotland, which stands resilient through the storms of life.

The root cause of apostasy is not intellectual doubt but the heart's overpowering desire for things that do not align with the Christian faith. We stumble not because of a lack of light but because we love the darkness. I illustrate this with five biblical examples where individuals made shipwreck of their faith due to desires for worldly pleasures, love for the present age, rejection of a good conscience, entanglement in defilements, and the deceitfulness of sin.

Ultimately, the failure to desire holiness, rather than the failure to detect truth, leads to falling away. Jesus teaches that if our will aligns with God's, we will discern the truth. God is faithful and will keep His elect, but He uses means, including our desire for holiness, to preserve us. Therefore, we must be diligent in confirming our calling and election, savoring holiness alongside seeing the truth.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Perseverance in faith is not just about intellectual assent but about cultivating a heart that desires holiness over worldly pleasures. The root cause of apostasy is often a preference for sin rather than a lack of understanding. [07:31]
• 2. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who fell away due to desires that conflicted with their faith. These stories serve as warnings to guard our hearts against the deceitfulness of sin. [13:31]
• 3. God's faithfulness ensures that none of His elect will ultimately fall away. However, He uses our desire for holiness as a means to keep us steadfast in our faith journey. [16:00]
• 4. The inclination of the heart plays a crucial role in discerning truth. When our will aligns with God's, our understanding of His teachings becomes clearer and more profound. [15:08]
• 5. Remaining faithful over the long haul is a beautiful testimony to God's sustaining grace. Like the ancient yew tree, we are called to stand firm through life's storms, rooted in the truth and holiness of God. [05:58]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:11] - Opening Prayer
• [00:26] - Aim for Perseverance
• [01:15] - Reflecting on 70 Years of Faith
• [01:56] - The Concept of Deconversion
• [03:15] - Biblical Terms for Falling Away
• [04:15] - The Beauty of Long-Term Faithfulness
• [05:28] - The Ancient Yew Tree Metaphor
• [06:37] - The Root Cause of Apostasy
• [08:24] - Biblical Examples of Shipwrecked Faith
• [13:12] - The Deceitfulness of Sin
• [14:18] - The Failure to Desire Holiness
• [15:08] - Aligning Our Will with God's
• [16:00] - God's Faithfulness in Keeping His Elect
• [17:39] - Closing Prayer

1. John 3:19 - "Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."
2. 2 Timothy 4:10 - "For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica."
3. Hebrews 3:12-13 - "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

1. What does John 3:19 suggest about the reason people turn away from the light? How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on apostasy? [07:31]
2. In 2 Timothy 4:10, what reason is given for Demas's departure from Paul? How does this example illustrate the sermon’s point about the heart's desires? [10:41]
3. According to Hebrews 3:12-13, what is the role of community in preventing a heart from becoming hardened? How does this connect to the sermon’s emphasis on perseverance? [13:12]
4. What are some of the biblical terms mentioned in the sermon that describe falling away from faith? How do these terms emphasize the seriousness of apostasy? [02:33]

1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between the heart's desires and the mind's understanding in the context of faith? Why is the heart's inclination so crucial? [14:18]
2. The sermon mentions several biblical examples of individuals who fell away from faith. What common thread do these examples share, and what does this suggest about the nature of apostasy? [13:31]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's faithfulness is demonstrated in the perseverance of His elect? How does this assurance impact a believer's journey? [16:00]
4. How does the metaphor of the ancient yew tree in Scotland serve as an illustration for long-term faithfulness? What qualities of the tree are highlighted as desirable for believers? [05:28]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt your faith was being challenged by worldly desires. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to align your heart with God's will? [07:31]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of desiring holiness. What specific steps can you take this week to cultivate a desire for holiness in your daily life? [14:18]
3. Consider the role of community in your faith journey. How can you actively engage with your church community to support and encourage one another in perseverance? [13:12]
4. The sermon warns against the deceitfulness of sin. Identify a specific area in your life where sin might be deceiving you. What practical measures can you take to guard against this deception? [13:31]
5. How can the example of the ancient yew tree inspire you to remain steadfast in your faith? What practices can you implement to ensure your spiritual roots grow deep and strong? [05:28]
6. Reflect on the concept of God's faithfulness in keeping His elect. How does this assurance influence your approach to challenges in your faith journey? [16:00]
7. The sermon discusses the importance of aligning one's will with God's. What is one area of your life where you struggle to align with God's will, and how can you work towards better alignment this week? [15:08]