Title: We Need Endurance
Bible Book: Hebrews
Author: Franklin L. Kirksey
Subject: Endurance; Christian Living; Faithfulness
Objective:
Introduction
Hebrews 10:36; 12:1-2, 7
George Orwell (1903-1950) said, “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”[1] Orwell also reportedly said, “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.” Paul the Apostle describes persecution with an eternal perspective in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” He further writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Paul warns Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Paul further explains in 2 Timothy 3:13-17, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Dr. Henry Blackaby writes, “Living a godly life will not insulate you from hardship. Paul said that the more blameless your life, the more likely you will be persecuted. . . . As the world increasingly embraces sin, worldly people are becoming increasingly intolerant of godliness. Darkness cannot tolerate light; the more your life illuminates the presence of Christ, the more you should expect opposition from the forces of darkness. Your Christlike nature will be offensive to those in rebellion against Christ's Lordship. . . . Persecution may be the best evidence that your life is like that of Christ.”[2]
Jesus warned in John 15:18-21, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” Although it is often suppressed by the news media, the persecution of Christians is proliferating throughout the world. In times like these we need endurance.
I. We need endurance to carry on the will of God.
Hebrews 10:36 reads, “For you have need of endurance; so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” Dr. Marchant A. King (1903-1985) explains, “The writer notes in his reader’s lives more of what, in chapter six, he called ‘things that accompany salvation’ showing his confidence that they are true believers. Their need, then, is for ‘patient endurance’ in their daily lives, endurance through the unexciting periods of waiting, working, and undergoing trial.
Most Christians, as they seek to do God’s will, experience these periods. By enduring, they find that God has been doing His work, conforming them to Christ, and preparing them for His promised blessing.”[3]
In the face of suffering as a trusting obedient Christian, “Keep Calm and Carry On”. Hebrews 10:32-39 reads, “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” (Emphasis mine) Don Fleming, a prolific author and Bible teacher from Belmont, Queensland, Australia, comments, “The writer encourages his readers not to forsake Christ, by reminding them of what they have suffered for his sake. They have persevered through insults, violence, imprisonments and robberies, because of their confidence of a lasting reward (32-35). Endurance is essential, since there must always be some waiting time before a promise can be fulfilled. For Christians the promised reward will be at Christ's return, when he judges between those who persevere in faith and those who turn back (36-39).”[4]
Dr. Albert Barnes (1798-1870) explains the following about, “The promised inheritance or reward-in heaven. It is implied here that this promise will not be received unless we are patient in our trials, and the prospect of this reward should encourage us to endure them.”[5]
II. We need endurance to carry out the work of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 reads, “. . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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.”
Luke 2:41-50 reads, “[Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.’ And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’ But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.” Later, we read in John 1:29, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” John 10:25 reads, “Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.’” John 17:4 reads, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” John 19:30 reads, “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” We need endurance to fully execute the work of God. Look to Jesus for your example and look to Jesus for your strength to do it! 2 Thessalonians 3:5 reads, “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” The word translated “patience” could be translated “endurance”.
Dr. George Wells Arms (1881-?) explains, “We do not get the prize by simply making a good start in the race, but it is when we cross the tape at the end of the course.”[6] In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul the Apostle humbly confesses, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Miles J. Stanford (1914-1999) shares the following in his Principles of Spiritual Growth: “We might consider some familiar names of believers whom God obviously brought to maturity and used for His glory—such as Pierson, Chapman, Tauler, Moody, Goforth, Mueller, Taylor, Watt, Trumbull, Meyer, Murray, Havergal, Guyon, Mabie, Gordon, Hyde, Mantle, McCheyne, McConkey, Deck, Paxson, Stoney, Saphir, Carmichael and Hopkins. The average for these was 15 years after they entered their life work before they began to know the Lord Jesus as their Life and ceased trying to work for Him and began allowing Him to be their All in all and do His work through them. This is not to discourage us in any way but to help us to settle down with our sights on eternity, by faith ‘apprehend[ing] that for which also … [we are] apprehended of Christ Jesus… Press[ing] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 3:12, 14).”[7]
At the end of his life Paul the Apostle declares, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
III. We need endurance to carry over the ways of God.
Hebrews 12:7 reads, “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” God wants to transfer His ways over to us more than we can imagine. We must confess our waywardness and seek the ways of the Lord.
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) writes, “It is difficult to get into stride with God, because when we start walking with Him we find he has outstripped us before we have taken three steps. He has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined into His ways. . . . Don’t give in because the pain is bad just now, get on with it, and before long you will find you have a new vision and a new purpose.”[8]
Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe writes, “The word ‘chastening’ or ‘discipline’ means ‘child training.’ It is not the work of a judge punishing a criminal, but the ministry of a father perfecting a child. Each Greek child had to go through a time of physical training from age 7 to maturity. This training helped to prepare him for adult life. . . .
What does Calvary say about chastening? ‘. . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy 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).
Calvary encourages us to keep going when the going gets tough. Jesus completed what He begins; He will see us through.”[9] The purpose of chastening or son training is to teach us our Father’s ways. Hebrews 12:6-11 reads, “‘For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” God’s ways are marked by holiness! This is the practical sanctification of our salvation. God’s training needs to be translated into daily life. This is the element of “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). “Teach me Your way, O Lord” (Psalm 27:11; 86:11). Psalm 103:7 reads, “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” Psalm 81:8-13 reads, “‘Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. ‘But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. ‘Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!” Isaiah 55:8-9 reads, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Jeremiah 16:17 reads, “For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes.” Jeremiah 32:19 reads, “You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.”
Hebrews 3:7-15 reads, “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’’ Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’” (Emphasis mine)
Rev. Charles Bridges (1794-1869) writes, “Should then he, at any dark season ask—‘If it be so, why am I thus?’—you are thus, because this is your Father’s school—his training discipline for heaven. He loves thee so well, that he will bestow all pains upon thee. He will melt thee in his furnace, that he may stamp thee with his image. He would make thee ‘partake of his holiness,’ that thou mightiest partake of his happiness. But unless thou enter into his mind thou wilt—so far as thou canst—defeat his purpose and lose the benefit—a loss never to be told!”[10]
Conclusion
We are tempted to become weary in well-doing. Galatians 6:9 reads, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
William Hale White (1831-1913) writing under the pseudonym Mark Rutherford explains, “There is a proverb that it is the first step which is the most difficult in the achievement of any object, and the proverb has been altered by ascribing the main part of the difficulty to the last step. Neither the first nor the last has been the difficult step with me, but rather what lies between. The first is usually helped by the excitement and the promise of new beginnings, and the last by the prospect of triumph; but the intermediate path is unassisted by enthusiasm, and it is here we are so likely to faint.”[11]
Dr. Donald Macleod (1831-1916) shares the following: “A MOTHER, with her three children, was clinging to the wreck of the steamer ‘Bohemian,’ when the mother said she must let go, and be drowned. Her little girl said, ‘Hold on a little longer, mother; don't let go now. Jesus walked on the water and saved Peter, and perhaps He will save us.’
The little girl's words so strengthened her mother that she held on a few moments more, when a boat was sent to them, which took them safely to shore.”[12]
We need endurance!
[1]Preaching the Word, gen. ed. R. Kent Hughes, Exodus: Saved for God's Glory, Philip Graham Ryken (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books & Bibles, 2005), 659. Database © 2008 WORDsearch Corp.
[2]Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God Day by Day: A Devotional and Journal. “Godliness and Persecution” (Nashville, TN: B&H Books, 1997), 286.
[3]Marchant A. King, Let’s Study Hebrews 10, Guido Gardens Library, (Hebrews 10) 004.pdf (Hebrews 10:36-39) http://library.guidogardens.com/redir.asp?sessionid=K0lfa38gSrnqi6M5yn6r9xhct&login=yes .
[4]Don Fleming, Concise Biblical Commentary, (Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994), 567. Database © 2007 WORDsearch Corp.
[5]Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistle to the Hebrews (New York, NY: Harper & Bros., 1850), 248.
[6]The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, NY, George Wells Arms, “Restless Days Need Patience” (Hebrews 10:36), Monday, June 18, 1934, 6.
[7]Miles J. Stanford, Principles of Spiritual Growth (Lincoln, NE: Back to the Bible, 1984), 12.
[8]Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, “Getting Into God’s Stride” (Genesis 5:24) October 12th Reading (New York, NY: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1935), 286.
[9]Warren W. Wiersbe, “The Calvary Solution” Sermon Notes (Hebrews 12:6-8).
[10]Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (New York, NY: Robert Carter, 1847), 1:27.
[11]William Hale White, The Autobiography of Mark Rutherford and Mark Rutherford’s Deliverance, ed. Reuben Shapcott (London: Trubner & Co., 1889), 208.
[12]The New Cyclopaedia of Anecdote, Religious and Moral: Original and Selected, ed. Donald Macleod “Blessed Words” #1536 (New York, NY: Anson D. F. Randolph & Co., 1872), 530.
Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, pastor First Baptist Church of Spanish Fort 30775 Jay Drive Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and
Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Amazon.com in hardcover, paperback and eBook]
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Miss-Revival-Spiritual-Awakening/dp/1462735428 & http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Biblical-Preaching-Giving-Bible/dp/1594577684 / [email protected] / (251) 626-6210
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