About

Big Apple Chapel is a New Testament based church in New York City, modeled after the pattern of the early church, with a strong emphasis on following Christ as a community of His disciples.

Services
  • Sunday - 10:30 am
  • 520 8th Ave, 16th floor
    New York, NY
  • phone: +1 (973) 837-1041
 

Sermons

BAC Sermons

Perseverance for the Prize

2006-10-14 2Peter 1:6

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Perseverance - a persistent endurance that never quits seeking its goal, overcoming opposition, obstacles, and boredom;

purchased by focusing on the goal of our future reward as we put one foot in front of the other even when we can’t see temporal progress.

5281 hupomone 1) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings; 2) a patient, steadfast waiting for 3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

I. Needed for: Abundant Life

2Pe 1:6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

a. Bearing fruit Lu 8:15...those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with perseverance

b. Ministry 2Co 6:4  in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses

2Ti 2:10  I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory 2Co 12:12 

Eldership Tit 2:2  that the older men be sober/soundminded, reverent, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in patience/endurance

c. Reaping benefit and blessing in difficult times Lu 21:19  By your patience/endurance possess your souls.

Gal 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Jas 5:11  Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord——that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 2Th 3:13  But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

d. Reward Ro 2:7  eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

-Reigning with Christ 2Ti 2:12  If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

-Glorification Mt 10:22  And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

-Waiting for our hope Ro 8:25  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

-Doing will of God and reward Heb 10:36 you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise

Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

e. Commendation Re 2:3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

Re 2:19  I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

Re 3:10  Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world

1Pe 2:20  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God

II. Produced by:

a. Knowledge 1Co 15:58 be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

b. Refining Trials Ro 5:3 glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4  perseverance, character; character, hope

c. Testing Jas 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete

d. Hope 1Th 1:3 your work of faith, labor of love, and patience sourced in (NIV) hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and Father

e. Component of Love & Faith  1Co 13:7  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Cf Heb 11:6 2Th 1:3-4

f. Studying OT Ro 15:4 (OT) written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

g. Knowing God Ro 15:5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,

Heb 12:3 consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls

Heb 12:2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising

h. Strengthening Col 1:11  strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all endurance and longsuffering with joy;

i. Submitting to Lordship 2Th 3:5  Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

j. Obedience Re 14:12  Here is the endurance of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

k.Flee first 1Ti 6:11  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

l. Holiness Heb 12:1...lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

m. Follow models 2Ti 3:10 you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. In what areas of your life do you need perseverance? Why are those difficult for you? Who is an inspiration to you in those areas?

2. How do you handle the “darkest before the dawn” times?  Any past successes in those times? What helped?

3. How do personality types factor into endurance being something God commands us to add to our faith, and so necessary in life?

4. In what areas is it easier for you to persevere when the going gets tough? What motivates you? What overcomes discouragement?

5. What are some of the extra “burdens” we carry with us that make endurance difficult? How do desires and perseverance interact?

6. In what areas will you intentionally develop perseverance this week? How will you be accountable? Keep Truck’n...