Perseverance Brings Life In All Its Fullness

THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE

Hebrews 12:1-3

We have been looking at freedom in Christ.

Today we'll look at a key to freedom that is the most essential of them all.

Of course, they're all important, but this one key is like the Master key – you need this one to fully break free.

What is the master key to freedom? Persistence.

It’s that determination — to try again. And again. And yet again.

Many here will have wanted to break free from something or someone. You may have tried and failed. And in that failing you’ve felt guilty or weak and a voice has told you – “See – you can’t do it. You’re not strong enough – you don’t have what it takes.” And in those moments, we can think, “That’s not for me. I’m never going to make it. I may as well give up.”

But here’s to truth: Most worthwhile achievements are seldom accomplished with the first effort. Or the second. Success usually comes only as a result of repeated efforts. In some areas we would call it practice. A marathon runner never runs 26 miles on the first try. They practice – starting small.

But we can see it in other things. Most inventions are useful after trial and …. Error. The inventor has an idea. S/he tries it and it doesn’t work. So they tweak it, redesign it even, and they work.

Someone joked that an inventor made a new drink with water and one ingredient. It was called 1up – but it tasted bad.

Another additive was put in and it was called 2up. That was no good. A third flavor was put in and it was called 3up. Gosh it tasted bad! So a new ingredient was put into the drink. It was called 4up. It seemed to be getting worse. But the time 6 things were added (and called 6up), the inventor gave up because it just didn’t taste right. IF ONLY HE HAD TIED ONE MORE INGREDIENT! ?

If the runner and the inventor believe they are on to something, or there is a goal – an achievement at the end, they will try and fail, and try and keep on trying and fall, but keep on trying – every time getting closer. They try and try a hundred times. And at a 101st time – “Wow! I actually did it.”

People try jobs and give up before finding a way to do it that is successful and rewarding

People try diets, and give up because they never got to the weight they wanted in 2 weeks

People try a church or ministry, or reading the bible in a year, or praying for an hour a day, and they give up because it didn’t come easy and they feel a failure and they just want to stop because of the guilty feelings.

As we conclude this series, I want to talk about perseverance. And look at Hebrews 12:1-3. Have it open in front of you. Don’t put your bible away. I know its heavy on your lap or in your hand. I know if you have it open on your lap, if you fall asleep the bible will fall on the floor and embarrass you; but do it anyway. We need to persevere in referring to the bible on Sundays.

So Hebrews 12…

First thing the writer says:

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witness . . .

First thing in perseverance:

Use the people around you to achieve.

Like I said, falling or failing in front of people can feel humiliating. But there is nothing wrong with being humble! The bible encourages it! An I run this by you:

If you have people around you and you are HONEST with them, they can make us do better.

Listen:

You want to achieve something – lose 5 pounds, quit a habit, read the bible in a year, pray more.

If you try to do it in secret and don’t get there after a week, who knows? You are safe! You can quietly forget it and not feel too bad.

But, what if you tell 5 friends to witness what you are trying to achieve – oh boy! “please pray for me, ask how I’m doing.” What??? “So if I fall or fail by next week (and I may well do) my 5 closest friends will know about it?”

Yes. But they will probably help you get further in that first week than if you did it in secret, AND, if they are your 5 best friends, you can be sure they will pat you on the back, and tell you to try another week and not give up. They are praying for you – no pressure (lol), but that’s exactly it – having a cloud of witnesses around you when you are trying to break free will keep you going MORE than doing it alone.