The Good Things Perseverance Produces In My Life Series

Series: The Pay-off of Perseverance

Message #7: The Good Things Perseverance Produces In My Life – October 14, 2007

Big Idea: Perseverance will produce outstanding outcomes in my life, if I allow perseverance to finish its work in my life.

Eleven Outstanding Outcomes Perseverance Will Produce In My Life

Outcome #1: Maturity

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature… James 1:2-4

Maturity is the process of change, resulting from our relationship with God, that requires perseverance as we grow by leaving behind old and childish ways of thinking, feeling, behaving, and relating to others.

Tough times mature us by giving us opportunities to think biblically

and grow emotionally, morally, financially, and relationally.

Humble people allow hard times to reveal how they need to grow and where they need to change.

Outcome #2: Wholeness

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be… complete, not lacking in anything. James 1:2-4

The Greek phrase, complete, not lacking in anything,

means to become whole by growing into a healthy and productive person in all areas of life.

Hard times reveal unhealthy attitudes and unhealthy patterns of thinking, behaving, relating, spending, parenting, leading, and following that God wants to grow us in.

The process of becoming a healthy and productive person requires perseverance in applying God’s word.

Outcome #3: Growth

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15

People who do not stay the same, but change, are those who humbly accept their need to grow, listen to God’s word, learn it, and live it out over the course of their lives, no matter how many times they fail. They persevere by getting up every time they fall down.

People who do not give up on listening to God’s word, learning God’s word, and living out God’s word, grow up.

Outcome #4: Productivity

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness…knowledge…self-control… perseverance… godliness… kindness…and love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8

An effective and productive life, flowing from our relationship with Jesus, is a life that consists of doing good to others, learning and living out God’s word, controlling our attitudes and emotions, not quitting no matter how many times we fail, reflecting God’s character, being kind and not rude, and showing love.

Growing in each of these areas requires perseverance.

Outcome #5: Dependency

If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt. James 1:5-6

When we go through hard times, we are forced to seek God’s wisdom. Getting God’s wisdom helps us grow up.

Outcome #6: Reward

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

When we stand up under trials bringing external pressure and internal pain, by not giving up and getting out because of our love for God, it will result in an eternal reward.

By faith Moses…chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:24-27

The right perspective on life, priorities in life, and perseverance in life will lead to a productive life.

The most important thing in life is what our eyes see spiritually, not what our eyes see physically. It takes perseverance to live according to what we see spiritually.

Having the right outlook on life will result in the right outcome for life.

Outcome #7: Joy

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you do not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-4

A happy time of celebration will come for those who stay in it during the hard times.