Perseverance in Love: Embracing Commitment Through Challenges
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of perseverance, particularly in the context of love, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13:7. We delved into what it means to persevere in a world that often encourages us to give up on relationships and commitments at the first sign of difficulty. In our current cultural climate, where cancel culture and social media can make it easy to cut ties, we are called to embody a love that perseveres, just as Jesus does with us. This perseverance is not about condoning harmful behavior but about walking alongside others through their struggles, reflecting the steadfast love of Christ.
We discussed the importance of seeing people as worth our perseverance, even when it feels like we're putting in more effort than they are. This mirrors the way Jesus continues to work in us, despite our shortcomings. Our purpose, too, requires perseverance. Like Joshua, who faced numerous battles even after entering the Promised Land, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and rely on God to fulfill our calling. This involves abandoning the safety of the "boat" and trusting God fully.
Furthermore, we examined the story of Nehemiah, who demonstrated that passion without purpose can fall flat. Nehemiah's journey to rebuild Jerusalem's walls was fraught with opposition, yet he persevered because he was driven by a God-given purpose. His story reminds us that perseverance is essential in the face of challenges, and that God equips us with the strength and resources needed to fulfill our mission.
Finally, we acknowledged that there are times when we may feel like we've given up. However, God is a God of restarts, always ready to help us get back on track. The church community plays a vital role in supporting one another through these times, offering prayer and encouragement to persevere in love and purpose.
Key Takeaways:
1. Perseverance in Love: In a culture quick to sever ties, true love perseveres through difficulties, reflecting Christ's unwavering commitment to us. This perseverance is not about ignoring wrongs but about standing by others in their struggles, just as Jesus does for us. [03:03]
2. People Are Worth It: We must believe that people are worth our perseverance, even when it feels like we're investing more than they are. This mirrors the grace and patience Jesus extends to us, encouraging us to remain steadfast in our relationships. [07:38]
3. Purpose Requires Perseverance: Like Joshua, fulfilling our God-given purpose involves stepping out of comfort zones and facing challenges head-on. We must abandon the safety of the "boat" and trust God to guide us through the battles we encounter. [09:43]
4. Passion Needs Purpose: Nehemiah's story illustrates that passion alone is insufficient; it must be coupled with purpose and perseverance. Despite opposition, Nehemiah's commitment to rebuilding Jerusalem's walls was fueled by a divine calling, reminding us to stay the course. [16:03]
5. God of Restarts: Even when we feel like we've given up, God offers us the opportunity to restart. The church community is essential in supporting one another, providing prayer and encouragement to persevere in love and purpose. [22:45]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:24] - Opening Prayer
[03:03] - Understanding Perseverance
[05:31] - Jesus as Our Model
[06:23] - Discipleship in the "Yuck Places"
[07:38] - People Are Worth Your Perseverance
[08:33] - Purpose Needs Perseverance
[09:43] - Stepping Out of the Boat
[10:55] - Passion Falls Flat Without Purpose
[11:44] - Nehemiah's Story
[13:52] - Nehemiah's Steps of Faith
[15:08] - Facing Opposition
[16:03] - Purpose and Passion Combined
[17:48] - Nehemiah's Call to Persevere
[19:04] - Rebuilding and Defending
[20:08] - Love's Call to Persevere
[20:47] - Faithfulness in Action
[22:45] - God of Restarts
[24:36] - Closing Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Perseverance in Love
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
- Philippians 1:6
- Nehemiah 2:11-20
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 13:7, what are the four attributes of love mentioned, and how do they relate to perseverance? [03:03]
2. In the sermon, how does the speaker describe the cultural challenges that make perseverance in relationships difficult? [03:03]
3. What role does the church community play in helping individuals persevere, according to the sermon? [22:45]
4. How does Nehemiah's story illustrate the concept of perseverance in the face of opposition? [16:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the speaker connect Jesus' perseverance with our call to persevere in relationships? [05:31]
2. What does the speaker mean by "stepping out of the boat" in relation to fulfilling our God-given purpose? [09:43]
3. How does Nehemiah's passion and purpose drive his perseverance, and what can we learn from his example? [16:03]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God provides restarts for those who feel they have given up? [22:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a relationship in your life where you feel tempted to give up. How can you apply the principle of perseverance in love to this situation? [03:03]
2. Identify a "yuck place" in your life or community where you feel called to persevere. What steps can you take to engage with it more fully? [06:23]
3. Consider a time when you felt like you were putting more effort into a relationship than the other person. How can you find encouragement in Jesus' example of perseverance? [07:38]
4. What is one area of your life where you need to "step out of the boat" and trust God more fully? How can you take a practical step towards this in the coming week? [09:43]
5. Think about a passion you have that may lack a clear purpose. How can you seek God's guidance to align your passion with His purpose? [16:03]
6. If you feel like you've given up in a certain area, what is one practical step you can take to restart and persevere with the support of your church community? [22:45]
7. How can you be a source of encouragement and support for someone else in your church community who is struggling to persevere? [22:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Love That Stands Firm
In a world where relationships are often discarded at the first sign of trouble, the call to persevere in love is a radical one. This perseverance is not about ignoring or condoning harmful behavior but about standing by others in their struggles, reflecting the steadfast love of Christ. Just as Jesus remains committed to us despite our flaws, we are encouraged to embody a love that endures through difficulties. This kind of love requires patience, grace, and a willingness to walk alongside others, even when it feels challenging. [03:03]
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life is God calling you to stand by, even when it's difficult? How can you show them the steadfast love of Christ today?
Day 2: Valuing People Beyond Effort
In our relationships, it can sometimes feel like we are investing more effort than the other person. However, we are reminded that people are worth our perseverance, mirroring the grace and patience Jesus extends to us. This perspective encourages us to remain steadfast in our relationships, seeing the inherent value in others, even when it seems one-sided. By doing so, we reflect the love and commitment that Christ has for each of us, despite our shortcomings. [07:38]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship where you feel you're giving more than receiving. How can you continue to invest in this relationship, trusting God to work through your perseverance?
Day 3: Stepping Out in Faith
Fulfilling our God-given purpose often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and face challenges head-on. Like Joshua, who faced numerous battles even after entering the Promised Land, we must be willing to abandon the safety of the "boat" and trust God to guide us through the battles we encounter. This journey of faith involves courage, reliance on God, and a willingness to embrace the unknown, trusting that He will fulfill His promises. [09:43]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a tangible step towards this today?
Day 4: Purpose-Driven Passion
Nehemiah's story illustrates that passion alone is insufficient; it must be coupled with purpose and perseverance. Despite facing opposition, Nehemiah's commitment to rebuilding Jerusalem's walls was fueled by a divine calling. His journey reminds us that true passion is sustained by a clear sense of purpose, which empowers us to persevere through challenges. By aligning our passions with God's purpose, we can remain steadfast in our mission, knowing that He equips us with the strength and resources needed. [16:03]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is a passion in your life that needs to be aligned with a greater purpose? How can you seek God's guidance to ensure your passion is purpose-driven?
Day 5: Embracing New Beginnings
Even when we feel like we've given up, God offers us the opportunity to restart. He is a God of restarts, always ready to help us get back on track. The church community plays a vital role in supporting one another through these times, offering prayer and encouragement to persevere in love and purpose. Embracing new beginnings requires humility, openness to God's leading, and a willingness to accept the support of others as we journey together in faith. [22:45]
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need a fresh start? How can you invite God and your church community into this process of renewal?
Quotes
"If God is persevering in and through us, then what makes us think that we shouldn't for others? Our word for the year for Paradox is prepare for harvest. And a couple of weeks ago, our leadership team was kind of talking, what does this practically look like? Like, what are we going to do this year? And we landed on, like, discipleship is a big part of that." [00:06:00] (23 seconds)
"But we decided as Paradox leadership team is we want to be a church that sees people as so worth it that we go into the yuck places. Because we all have them, right? We all have them. So we want to be a church that strives to go into the places in each other's lives and in others' lives that just don't always feel the greatest." [00:06:23] (23 seconds)
"It's hard. But people, we have to believe that people are worth our perseverance. Like I said, and this is the view that I have to view it in, is I know whatever people put me through, I've done it. I've done it. I've done it. I've done it. I've done it. I've done it. I've done it. I've done it. I've done it. And he still, still meets me day by day." [00:07:58] (21 seconds)
"But I don't think we're ever going to reach God's purpose unless we abandon the boat. The boat is no more. We can't be a people of comfort. We have to, we're abandoning the boat. But that means we're still going to have to rely on God. I think that first step out of the boat, it's like, okay, I did the thing, but I'm still safe." [00:10:25] (31 seconds)
"So he asked the king, he says, hey, my people have been attacked. They're in a bad spot. Could I go help them? and the king grants his request, and he not only grants his request, but he sends him with everything he needs, like all the passports he needed to go through different cities, the tools to build, the people. He was blessed. He was sent." [00:12:42] (28 seconds)
"When Sanballat, the Horonite, Tobiah, the Ammonite official, and Geshem, the Arab, heard about this, they mocked and despised us and said, what is this that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king? I gave them this reply that the God of heavens is the one who will grant us success. We, his servants, will start building, but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem." [00:14:47] (25 seconds)
"So going on, it says, when our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. Pause for a minute. What a picture. They're rebuilding their own home and defending or being ready to defend those who are doing the building." [00:18:34] (29 seconds)
"wanted to give some hope as well here today is maybe we already feel like we've given up if you're sitting here today maybe we feel like well how can I persevere if I've I've already given up I've already given up I've already given up I've already given up and it's funny because as I'm writing this I'm thinking of what we've been talking about in rev our student ministries is God is a God of restarts right if you look at any biblical character there's failure there's restoration so whatever you feel maybe you failed at maybe you feel like it's insurmountable God" [00:21:47] (43 seconds)
"if there is a situation that you do need God's help restarting there is a situation that you do need God's help persevering that's why he made the church do you know that he wants to help you one of the I believe the church is God's plan a for helping you we as a people are called to support one another to to show each other God's love" [00:23:22] (31 seconds)
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