Introduction

Good morning, dear friends! Gathered here today, we find ourselves in the warm embrace of fellowship, the comforting cradle of our shared faith, and the soothing balm of God's love. As we prepare to break bread and share in the Word of God, let us remember that we are not just individuals standing in the presence of the Almighty, but a collective body, bound by the enduring thread of faith, love, and hope.

Today, we find ourselves drawn to the book of Romans, specifically Romans 11:5, where the apostle Paul writes,

"So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace."

Here, Paul is speaking to a truth that is as relevant today as it was when he first penned these words: that even in the darkest times, there is a faithful remnant, a group of believers who remain steadfast in their faith, chosen by God's grace.

We are those believers, my friends. We are that remnant. We are the ones who remain steadfast, who find joy in our faith, and who persevere through spiritual victory. And, oh, what a victory it is!

Charles Spurgeon once said, "By perseverance, the snail reached the ark." How true is this? We may not always move at the pace we want, we may face obstacles and trials, but through our steadfastness, through our perseverance, we reach our ark, our place of safety and salvation.

Steadfastness Strengthens the Spirit

Steadfastness: This is the quality of being resolute or dutifully firm and unwavering and it’s a virtue that strengthens our spirit. It's like a muscle that gets stronger the more we use it. The more we remain steadfast in our faith, the stronger our spirit becomes. This strength is not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others as well. A strong spirit is a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs it.

Steadfastness is a choice: It's a decision we make every day, in every situation, to remain firm in our faith. This choice is not always easy. There are times when it would be easier to give in to doubt or fear. But we choose steadfastness because we know that it's through this choice that our spirit is strengthened.

Steadfastness is a practice: It's not something we achieve overnight. It's something we work on, day by day, moment by moment. It's in the everyday choices we make, the small acts of faith we perform, that we practice steadfastness. And it's through this practice that our spirit is strengthened.

Steadfastness is a journey: It's not a destination we reach, but a path we walk. This journey is not always smooth. There are bumps along the way, obstacles we need to overcome. But it's through these challenges that our steadfastness is tested and our spirit is strengthened.

Steadfastness is a gift: It's not something we can achieve on our own. It's a gift from God, a manifestation of His grace. We can choose to accept this gift, to embrace it and make it a part of our lives. And it's through this acceptance that our spirit is strengthened.

Staying Joyful amidst Journeys

Joy: In the book of Nehemiah, we find a powerful statement about this kind of joy ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO