Perseverance: Trusting God's Promises Through Challenges
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Hebrews 10 and Joshua 6 to explore the theme of perseverance. The author of Hebrews, addressing Jewish Christians facing persecution, emphasizes the importance of staying the course and not abandoning their faith. The key message is to hold on to our confident trust in the Lord, as it brings great rewards. We need perseverance to continue doing God's will and to receive His promises.
We then transitioned to the story of Joshua and the Israelites at Jericho. God had promised them the land, but they had to conquer it first. The plan God gave Joshua was unconventional: march around the city for seven days. This required immense faith and perseverance, especially when progress wasn't immediately visible. The Israelites had to trust in God's promises, even when their perspective was blocked by the high walls of Jericho.
We often face similar challenges in our lives. Our perspective can be blocked by the "walls" we encounter, making it hard to see God's promises. Additionally, when progress isn't obvious, it's easy to get discouraged and want to quit. However, God calls us to trust in His promises and to keep going, even when we can't see immediate results. Just as the Israelites eventually saw the walls of Jericho fall, we too will see God's promises fulfilled if we persevere.
### Key Takeaways
1. Perseverance in Faith: The call to persevere is a call to maintain our trust in God, even when circumstances are tough. The author of Hebrews reminds us that our confident trust in the Lord brings great rewards. This trust is not just a passive waiting but an active endurance, holding on to God's promises despite the trials we face. [43:54]
2. God's Promises Require Action: Just as the Israelites had to step into the promised land and fight for it, we too must take action to see God's promises fulfilled in our lives. This involves stepping out in faith, even when the path seems daunting. God's promises are sure, but they often require our active participation and perseverance. [47:18]
3. Perspective and Progress: Our perspective can be blocked by the challenges we face, making it hard to see God's promises. Additionally, when progress isn't obvious, it's easy to get discouraged. However, God calls us to trust in His promises and to keep going, even when we can't see immediate results. Our faith is built in these moments of unseen progress. [52:01]
4. Trusting God's Timing: God's timing often doesn't align with our own, which can be frustrating. The Israelites had to march around Jericho for seven days without seeing any immediate results. This teaches us that God's plans and timing are perfect, even when they don't make sense to us. We must trust that He is working, even when we can't see it. [59:17]
5. Faith in Action: True faith involves action, even when we don't see immediate results. The Israelites had to march around Jericho in faith, trusting that God would bring the walls down. Similarly, we must continue to act in faith, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. Our perseverance in these moments builds our faith and brings us closer to God's promises. [01:00:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[42:35] - Introduction to Hebrews 10
[43:08] - The Importance of Perseverance
[43:54] - Confident Trust in the Lord
[44:28] - Perseverance in Doing God's Will
[45:33] - God's Promises and Our Faith
[46:08] - Transition to Joshua 6
[47:18] - Conquering the Promised Land
[48:30] - God's Unconventional Plan
[49:31] - The Story of Jericho
[50:02] - Challenges in Perseverance
[52:01] - Perspective and Progress
[54:23] - Trusting God's Plan
[55:25] - Progress Isn't Always Obvious
[59:17] - Trusting God's Timing
[01:00:17] - Faith in Action
[01:01:54] - Fulfillment of God's Promise
[01:02:40] - Encouragement to Persevere
[01:04:17] - One More Lap
[01:05:17] - God is Able
[01:07:06] - Prayer and Closing Remarks
[01:08:13] - Announcements and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV): "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
2. Joshua 6:1-5 (NIV): "Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the Lord said to Joshua, 'See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 10:35-36 say about the importance of perseverance in faith?
2. In Joshua 6:1-5, what specific instructions did God give Joshua for conquering Jericho?
3. According to the sermon, why did the Israelites need to persevere in their march around Jericho? [49:31]
4. How does the sermon describe the Israelites' perspective when they saw the high walls of Jericho? [51:33]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is perseverance essential for receiving God's promises, according to Hebrews 10:35-36?
2. How might the unconventional plan given to Joshua in Joshua 6:1-5 test the Israelites' faith and perseverance?
3. The sermon mentions that our perspective can be blocked by challenges. How does this affect our ability to trust in God's promises? [52:01]
4. What does the sermon suggest about God's timing and our need for patience when we don't see immediate results? [59:17]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like giving up on something God put on your heart. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [44:28]
2. The Israelites had to march around Jericho for seven days without seeing immediate results. How can you apply this lesson of perseverance in your current life situation? [49:31]
3. Think about a "wall" in your life that is blocking your perspective. What steps can you take to shift your focus back to God's promises? [52:01]
4. How can you actively remind yourself of God's promises when progress isn't obvious? Share a specific strategy you can use this week. [57:12]
5. The sermon emphasizes trusting God's timing. Is there an area in your life where you are struggling with impatience? How can you practice trusting God's perfect timing in that area? [59:17]
6. True faith involves action, even when results aren't immediate. Identify one action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith in God's promises. [01:00:17]
7. The sermon encourages us to persevere and not give up. What is one practical way you can encourage someone else in your life to keep going in their faith journey? [01:04:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Perseverance in Faith
Perseverance in faith is about maintaining our trust in God, even when circumstances are tough. The author of Hebrews reminds us that our confident trust in the Lord brings great rewards. This trust is not just a passive waiting but an active endurance, holding on to God's promises despite the trials we face. When we face persecution or hardship, it is easy to feel discouraged and want to give up. However, it is in these moments that our faith is tested and strengthened. By holding on to our faith, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan and His timing, knowing that He will reward our perseverance.
Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV): "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." [43:54]
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively trust God and hold on to His promises in this situation?
Day 2: God's Promises Require Action
God's promises often require our active participation and perseverance. Just as the Israelites had to step into the promised land and fight for it, we too must take action to see God's promises fulfilled in our lives. This involves stepping out in faith, even when the path seems daunting. God's promises are sure, but they often require us to move forward in obedience and trust. By taking action, we demonstrate our faith in God's promises and our willingness to partner with Him in His plans for our lives.
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "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." [47:18]
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to move towards a promise God has given you?
Day 3: Perspective and Progress
Our perspective can be blocked by the challenges we face, making it hard to see God's promises. Additionally, when progress isn't obvious, it's easy to get discouraged. However, God calls us to trust in His promises and to keep going, even when we can't see immediate results. Our faith is built in these moments of unseen progress. By trusting in God's perspective and continuing to move forward, we can overcome the obstacles that block our view and see His promises fulfilled in our lives.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight." [52:01]
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel stuck or discouraged. How can you shift your perspective to see it through the lens of faith?
Day 4: Trusting God's Timing
God's timing often doesn't align with our own, which can be frustrating. The Israelites had to march around Jericho for seven days without seeing any immediate results. This teaches us that God's plans and timing are perfect, even when they don't make sense to us. We must trust that He is working, even when we can't see it. By trusting in God's timing, we learn to rely on His wisdom and sovereignty, knowing that He is orchestrating everything for our good and His glory.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." [59:17]
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God's timing was different from your own. How did you see His wisdom in the outcome?
Day 5: Faith in Action
True faith involves action, even when we don't see immediate results. The Israelites had to march around Jericho in faith, trusting that God would bring the walls down. Similarly, we must continue to act in faith, trusting that God is working behind the scenes. Our perseverance in these moments builds our faith and brings us closer to God's promises. By putting our faith into action, we demonstrate our trust in God's power and His ability to fulfill His promises in our lives.
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." [01:00:17]
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to put your faith into action? What specific steps can you take today to demonstrate your trust in God?
Quotes
1. "But whoever wrote it It was written primarily to Jewish Christians And they were facing persecution They were being tempted to kind of Let Christ by, or leave Christ by the wayside And go back to Judaism He tells them how important it is To stay in the race And not quit And he encourages them to meet together And meet together so that they can encourage one another And he warns the people not to fall back Into intentional sin Like we all sometimes do." [42:35] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord Remember the great reward it brings you Patient endurance or perseverance Is what you need now The title of this message is Just one more lap Say just one more lap I believe that there's somebody here today Who's being tempted to stop something That God has put on your heart Maybe it was ten years ago Or ten months ago Or maybe even ten days ago If that's you Then God's got one word for you today If you're thinking about quitting That one word for you Is perseverance." [43:54] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So perseverance is what you need now Now why do we need perseverance? So that you will continue to do God's will And if we continue to do God's will What then? Then we'll receive all that He has promised So let me read that again Perseverance is what you need now So that you will continue to do God's will Then we will receive all that He has promised How many of you know that? Many of you know today That when God promises something That He is able to deliver He is But you know what? Sometimes He won't fulfill that promise Until you and I learn how to persevere." [45:02] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So if you're here today And you've stopped short of something That God's put inside of you I hope that you're able to persevere I hope that today can be a day of hope for you I pray that God will bring back That vision that maybe He gave you at one time No matter how long ago it was I pray that in that vision He would continue to give you hope And maybe bring it back up to the surface." [45:33] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So God's telling Joshua He says hey this is your time You know this is what you've been waiting for For centuries and centuries Moses was not able to go in But you are going to be able to go in But first you've got to march around Jericho For seven days How many of you have heard the story Of Joshua and Jericho before? Alright most of you, good Say seven days Say persevere So why is it hard to keep going When God's obviously not on our timetable?" [49:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Well I believe our text gives us three reasons Three reasons why we might stop short When it comes to perseverance In God's promises No insert today But they're pretty simple notes First reason is this And you should write this down First reason we might stop short With God's promises Is that our perspective gets blocked Our perspective gets blocked There's a little song that I learned in Sunday school And maybe you did as well It's Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho." [50:02] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You know only God can speak past tense About a battle that they haven't fought yet Only God Only God can look into the future and say Hey I've already given this to you So I'm going to say it in the past tense You just got to go walk in faith And deliver the Israelites To God That's how confident God is God lives outside of time Did you know that? He's not stressed about what we're stressed about I mean he's not up in heaven Wringing his hands And wondering what to do With our new president Or whoever's going to be our new president." [53:53] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The reason God Didn't lower the walls Each time they walked Around the city Is because he didn't want Them to trust In their progress He wanted them to trust In his promises No progress But in his promise And I believe that God's Asking us this question today He's asking every one of us This question And he says Even when nothing's happening Will you still have faith That I'm working?" [59:56] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Wouldn't it be great If we could get a Like a God stopwatch? A God stop You know God I can hang on Another year in this marriage I really can Knowing that it'll turn around In eleven months Two weeks One day And three hours It'd be a lot easier Wouldn't it? The reason God Didn't lower the walls Each time they walked Around the city Is because he didn't want Them to trust In their progress He wanted them to trust In his promises." [59:37] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "God wants you to know That he is working He's working And whatever you're doing If it doesn't seem like he is He is And he wants you to take that in faith No matter what You're seeing On the other Or you can't see On the other side of the walls But no matter what you're seeing In your world He wants you to know That he is working And then in verse 15 God fulfills his promise." [01:01:32] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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