Keep on Keeping On
Calvin Coolidge once said…
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful
men with great talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated misfits.
Persistence and determination alone are supreme
God desires that you finish what you start. God wants to know that He can count on you. But as our Scripture reminds us this morning, some spiritually don’t finish what they start.
2 Tim. 4:7 (ESV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
ILLUS: George Mueller prayed for a neighbor for 45 years, witnessed to a neighbor for 45 years. Do you know when this man was saved? At the funeral of George Mueller. DON’T give up, don’t quit!
Rev. 2:10 (KJV) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
-Don’t let others discourage your work
Neh. 4:1-18 (ESV) Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. [2] And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?" [3] Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Yes, what they are building— if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!" [4] Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. [5] Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.
[6] So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
[7] But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. [8] And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. [9] And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.
[10] In Judah it was said, "The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall\
As The Jews were rebuilding the wall their enemies came and made fun of them, it was all going well before and during this time the Jews began to get discorgaed and started to believe their enemies in verse 10 of this passage.
If we know that we are doing what God has called us to do we should not listen to the voice of the discourager?
Galatians 1:10 (ESV) for am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
We are not working for popularity. In chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews there is a list of men such as Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses and more. Men that were faithful to the end men who were not quitters but champions. These men never had a book on the best sellers list these men didn’t have the popular vote of the majority, or never had a school named after them, but they are listed in Gods hall of fame because they kept the faith to the end.
-God lets us know when its time to Clock Out
God called Moses when he was 80 years old to lead the people out of Egypt. When Moses was 120 God told him to climb a mountain and there it was time for Him to clock out.
The Bible says that it is appointed unto men once to die. Until that day we are to keep on keeping on for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 Tim. 4:6 (ESV) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
-Time will separate the keepers from the quitters
1 John 2:19 (ESV) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
This verse clearly teaches that if a person is truly saved they will keep on keeping on till Jesus come. John said that those who quit and left the church were never part of the church to begin with.
Matthew 10:22 (ESV) and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Hebrews 3:6 (KJV) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Like the preacher once said, I’m not giving up. I’m going to punch the devil as long as I can make a fist, If I lose my arms, I will kick the devil as long as I have legs, If I lose my legs I will bite the devil and when I lose my teeth I will gum him until Jesus Comes.
-There will come a time of harvest
- ILLUS: Chinese Bamboo tree. Chinese plant the seed. Water it and fertilize it for an entire year. Nothing happens. Water it and fertilize it for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th. Nothing happens. Then in the fifth year, within 6 weeks…the bamboo tree grows from a seed to a tree over ninety feet tall. The work of God is just like that.
Galatians 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
The Apostle Paul said 2 Tim. 4:7 (ESV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Tim. 4:8 (ESV) Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
My word for you today is simply, don’t give up. Keep on Keeping on.
Let’s Pray
