Introduction

Welcome, beloved, to this blessed gathering where we seek to drink from the well of God's Word, to bask in the light of His wisdom, and to strengthen our faith. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. We are here to be encouraged, to be challenged, to be transformed. And today, we are here to consider a passage of scripture that is as profound as it is provocative.

Our text is taken from the book of Matthew, chapter 11, verse 12. It reads, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it." This is a passage that invites us to wrestle, to grapple, to engage with it in a way that demands our full attention and our deepest reverence.

We are invited to consider the kingdom of heaven, not as a distant, ethereal realm, but as a reality that is being contended for here and now. We are invited to consider the spiritual struggle that is taking place around us and within us, a struggle that requires perseverance, persistence, and progress.

In the words of the esteemed Charles Spurgeon, "By perseverance the snail reached the ark." This quote, simple yet profound, reminds us that the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. It is a call to steadfastness, to tenacity, to the kind of grit that refuses to give up or give in, even when the path is steep and the journey is long.

Perseverance in Pressure

In the world we live in, it's no secret that we face countless pressures. These pressures can come from all angles - our jobs, our families, our friends, and even ourselves. We are constantly being pushed, pulled, and prodded in different directions. And in the midst of all this, we are called to stand firm, to hold our ground, to keep moving forward. This requires strength, courage, and a determination that is unwavering.

Think about a diamond. A diamond is formed under intense pressure and heat deep within the earth. It starts as a simple piece of carbon, but over time, as it endures intense conditions, it transforms into one of the most precious gems in the world. Similarly, we too are shaped and refined by the pressures we face. As we endure, as we persevere, we are being molded into the image of Christ, who is the most precious gem of all.

But how do we persevere under pressure? How do we keep going when the weight of the world seems to be pressing down on us?

One way is through faith. Faith is not just believing in God, but it's trusting in Him, relying on Him, depending on Him. It's knowing that no matter what we face, God is with us, and He will see us through.

Another way is through hope. Hope is not wishful thinking, but it's a confident expectation of what God has promised. It's looking beyond our current circumstances and focusing on the eternal. It's knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

A third way is through love. When we choose to obey God’s command to love him and others as ourselves, we are walking in love, even when it hurts. It's knowing that love never fails, that it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Lastly, we persevere through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person, the third person of the Trinity. He is our Comforter, our Helper, our Guide. He gives us the strength to endure, the courage to stand, the wisdom to navigate the pressures of life.

Recap/Transition. So, as we face the pressures of this world, let us remember that we are not alone. We have faith, we have hope, we have love, and we have the Holy Spirit. And with these, we can persevere, we can endure, we can overcome. For in the words of the apostle Paul, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Persistence in Prayer

As we navigate the pressures of life, we find an indispensable tool in our spiritual arsenal - prayer ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO