Your Endurance Test Text: Romans 8:24-25
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Unlike the English word ‘hope,’ the NT word contains no uncertainty; it speaks of something that is certain, but not yet realized. Every believer’s ultimate destiny is to share in the very glory of God.
II Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Our hope is in Christ, and we know that Christ is certain because He lives within us. Say, “So our hope is certain!”
Because of Christ most believers understand this hope, but verse 25b trips us, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Your life will remain spiritually stagnant and adrift until you have walked through the fires of life.
What would Moses, Joseph or Daniel be without endurance?
What the consequences of flunking a required course in college? You’ll take the class again until you pass it.
I want to give you seven keys that will help you pass the endurance test.
Number one, “treasure the test of hardness.”
2 Timothy 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Our soldiers who have recently defended our nation will tell you it’s no easy task to be deployed in a military operation.
Number 2, “treasure the test of chastening.”
Hebrews 12:7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
Have you ever heard of the saying, “this will hurt me more than it hurts you.” It truly takes discipline to discipline.
Chastening isn’t punishment; it is correction in love.
Number three, “treasure the test of affliction.”
If you’re going to follow God’s call on your life, expect some trails. II Timothy 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Whether it concerns your education, business or marriage you will be afflicted. To graduate, you will have to study. To have a successful career, you must pay a price of self-discipline. For a lasting marriage, you will have to learn selflessness.
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Number four, “treasure the test of persecution and tribulation.”
War times (not peace) make a good soilder. II Timothy 3:10-12 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Paul was proud of the believers at Thessalonica. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
Key number five, “wait for patience.”
Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.
The question is, “how do you wait?”
Paul writes, there are two ingredients necessary to endure persecution and tribulation. What are they?
2 Thessalonians 1:4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 1. Patience. 2. Faith.
Key number six, “be strong in God’s grace.”
Here’s a great acronym for GRACE. God’s Redemption At Christ Expense.
Paul wrote young Timothy, 2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Key number seven, “Be faithful to the end.”
Matthew 24:13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
The Lord searches the land for the faithful!
The faithful will receive a crown. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 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.
You will be rewarded for faithfulness. One day, God will say to you, “welcome, you have passed the endurance test, here’s your robe and crown!
Prayer.
