The Gospel and Perseverance

Series: Gospel Life

Speaker: John Lau

Date: 5th October 2025

00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 Good morning all.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:06 We have come to the last sermon on the Gospel Life series
00:00:06 --> 00:00:12 ! that looks into the two letters of Paul wrote to the believer in Thessalonica.
00:00:13 --> 00:00:13 !
00:00:30 --> 00:00:38 Acts 17, we call it that they became followers of Jesus after Paul
00:00:38 --> 00:00:42 risen with them from the Scripture over three weekends,
00:00:43 --> 00:00:48 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and raise from the dead,
00:00:49 --> 00:00:52 and pointing out that Jesus is the Messiah he is proclaiming.
00:00:53 --> 00:01:00 Paul was forced to leave this newfound church after being with them for three weeks
00:01:00 --> 00:01:04 and have to go down from Thessalonica to Beria.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:08 And the Word of God, the Gospel, continues to work among them.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:15 Paul tells us his gratitude towards God at the beginning of the two letters,
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 for the Lord's message rang out from them,
00:01:18 --> 00:01:23 and their faith in God has become known everywhere around their area.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:28 The believers in the area became their witness and reported
00:01:28 --> 00:01:33 how they returned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
00:01:34 --> 00:01:38 and how they are waiting for Jesus' return from heaven.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 God raised Jesus from the dead,
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 and Jesus will return to rescue us from the coming world.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:50 People traveled through Thessalonica.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 Witnesses of faith have worked in these new believers,
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 even though the person who brought them the gospel,
00:01:58 --> 00:01:59 Paul and his own companions,
00:02:00 --> 00:02:05 was forced to flee the city when the opposition planned to kill them.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:10 The Thessalonian church continued to live out their faith,
00:02:10 --> 00:02:13 showing love to people traveling through the area,
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 based on their hope in Jesus.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:19 Paul says in the beginning of his first letter,
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 the 1 Thessalonians 1-3, that
00:02:22 --> 00:02:25 we always thank God for all of you
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 and continually mention you in our prayer.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 We remember before our God and Father
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 your work produced by faith,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 your labor pumped by love,
00:02:35 --> 00:02:39 and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:43 And he reiterates his thanksgiving to God
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 in the beginning of his second letter.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 In 2 Thessalonians 1-4,
00:02:49 --> 00:03:15 Famous English preacher, Charles Spurgeon once said,
00:03:15 --> 00:03:19 conversion is a turning into the right role.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 The next thing is to walk in it.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:28 A daily going on that role is as essential as a first starting,
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 if you reach the desired end.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:34 To strike the first pole is not all the battle.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:39 To him that overcome, the crown is promised.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:42 To start in a race is nothing.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:45 Many have done that who have failed,
00:03:45 --> 00:03:48 but to hold out until you reach the winning post
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 is a great point of the matter.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:55 Perseverance is as necessary
00:03:55 --> 00:03:58 to amend salvation as conversion.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 It is with great concern for their salvation
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 and grow in their faith
00:04:05 --> 00:04:09 that Paul writes the two letters to the Thessalonians.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:14 And he prays for them in the final chapter of the two letters.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 His prayer for them tells us a lot of his intention.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:23 He prays in what Michelle has read out to us in verse 5.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 and Christ's perseverance.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 So let us today look at three aspects of perseverance.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:43 Paul has called upon God to help direct the Thessalonians
00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 And Spurgeon is of the view that perseverance
00:04:49 --> 00:04:52 is as necessary to amend salvation as conversion
00:04:52 --> 00:04:56 because they both understand the temptation
00:04:56 --> 00:05:00 of the lies of Satan for the believers to give up.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:07 When writers of Hebrews urges to persevere in chapter 10
00:05:07 --> 00:05:11 to hold unswavingly to the hope that we profess
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 and not giving up meeting together,
00:05:14 --> 00:05:18 he points out that the habit of giving up is a real thing.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 To endure and persevere is not easy,
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 especially when it's unpleasant and painful.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:30 Paul continued to pray for the Thessalonians
00:05:30 --> 00:05:34 that they may be considered worthy of the calling of God
00:05:34 --> 00:05:38 in 2 Thessalonians 1, chapter 11.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:43 And God might fulfill every desire for goodness
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 and work of faith by his power.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 And he says in verse 12,
00:05:48 --> 00:06:02 When we persevere and demonstrate
00:06:02 --> 00:06:05 that we are worthy of the calling of our God,
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 our Lord Jesus will be glorified in us
00:06:08 --> 00:06:11 and we are glorified in him.
00:06:11 --> 00:06:15 It is important and necessary to persevere
00:06:15 --> 00:06:19 because it helps us to fulfill the ultimate reason we have created.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:25 Perseverance is the key to understand the meaning of our existence.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:29 For the ultimate reason you and I are made
00:06:29 --> 00:06:33 is to glorify God and fulfill and fully enjoy him forever.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:38 Our way of life, how we live and conduct ourselves
00:06:38 --> 00:06:43 means to win the respect of those who are outside of the relationship with God.
00:06:45 --> 00:06:49 We are who God used to bring his lost children back into his love.
00:06:50 --> 00:06:55 Your salvation is not exclusively for you yourself to enjoy.
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 We are all saved for a reason.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 We are saved to be on God's mission
00:07:01 --> 00:07:04 to help his lost and dark world
00:07:04 --> 00:07:08 get back to their loving Father and Lord.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:11 And you will fulfill that calling by persevering.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 Perseverance is necessarily important
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 because it is also not easy.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:24 And Paul was using a lot of military terms and language in his two letters
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 because as believers of Jesus,
00:07:27 --> 00:07:31 living out a Christian life among wicked and evil people
00:07:31 --> 00:07:34 by staying faithful to God can be a daily battle.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 We are pulled from all sides
00:07:37 --> 00:07:41 and there are two main enemies of perseverance we face,
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 one from the outside and one from within.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:50 Last Sunday, our senior minister Steve introduced us
00:07:50 --> 00:07:53 to the concept of a man of lawlessness
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 from chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians.
00:07:56 --> 00:07:59 The most important point is to understand
00:07:59 --> 00:08:03 the secret power of lawlessness that is already at work
00:08:03 --> 00:08:06 and not to miss the forest for the tree
00:08:06 --> 00:08:10 and to focus on finding out who is this man of lawlessness.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:16 So let me encourage you to look at our listen to that sermon again
00:08:16 --> 00:08:20 to show up your defenses against the first enemy of perseverance.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:26 The one that can come from outside trying to get into our mind,
00:08:27 --> 00:08:31 the deceitful and delusion of the works of Satan
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 that is in this world.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:38 Here are some of the deception and delusion that Satan used.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:42 Christianity, having faith and hope in Jesus,
00:08:43 --> 00:08:46 has been presented as a cruel underdog
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 that denied freedom to abort life,
00:08:49 --> 00:08:53 whether it's an unwanted pregnancy or euthanasia.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:59 Believing in Jesus is a runner-up to the champion of life
00:08:59 --> 00:09:04 that restricts people from expressing their sexual orientation and desire.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:12 becoming a Christian is taking on a minority, troublesome, unpopular choice of life
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 that will derail your career.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:19 And everything the Bible teaches goes against a pursuit
00:09:19 --> 00:09:24 to be the center of your universe.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:29 It's silly to hand over the control of your life to someone else.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:32 And when everyone is living for themselves,
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 it seems ridiculous to live for others
00:09:35 --> 00:09:42 and live in obedience of some writing that is archaic and irrelevant to contemporary life.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:49 It's so lame and primitive to need some religious crutches to get by in your life.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 Only the intelligent people need religion.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:59 These are the attitudes that sum up the first enemies of perseverance,
00:10:00 --> 00:10:03 the noise from the world that worked out by Satan.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:09 The second enemy of perseverance is from Rufinus.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 It's our tendency to become idle and destructive
00:10:13 --> 00:10:16 and end up being a busybody.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:21 It appears that some Thessalonians may have quit their job
00:10:21 --> 00:10:24 in anticipation of Jesus' return.
00:10:25 --> 00:10:28 In 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 10 implies
00:10:28 --> 00:10:36 that they are able to work, but are willing to do so.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:42 These people end up going around eating others' food without pain,
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 exploring and taking advantage of others.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:50 Paul has alluded to this ungodly behavior in his first letter.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 In chapter 4, verse 11,
00:10:54 --> 00:10:59 to call upon the believer to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 You should mind your own business and work with your hands,
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 just as we told you.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 However, the situation seems to have worsened
00:11:08 --> 00:11:12 to the point that Paul has to highlight and instruct them against
00:11:12 --> 00:11:17 as his parting note in 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 10-11.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:22 For even when we were with you,
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 we used to command this to you,
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 that if anyone does not want to work,
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 neither shall he eat.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 We hear that some among you are idle and destructive.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 They are not busy.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 They are busybodies.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:41 The term busybody describes someone who meddles in the affairs of others,
00:11:41 --> 00:11:44 pries into things they are not their concern,
00:11:45 --> 00:11:49 and infouse themselves where they are not needed or wanted.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:53 It goes beyond being merely inquisitive
00:11:53 --> 00:11:57 and enter the realms of destructive and sinful behavior.
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 Paul alludes to many sinful behavior
00:12:00 --> 00:12:03 that can come from within us.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 So some are blatant,
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 and others are not so obvious,
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 especially in 1 Thessalonians 2.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:41 2 Thessalonians 3.
00:12:41 --> 00:13:11 2 Thessalonians 3.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:14 Your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
00:13:15 --> 00:13:18 not in passionate lusts like the pagans
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 who do not know God,
00:13:20 --> 00:13:24 and that in this matter,
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 no one shall wrong or take advantage
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 of a brother or sister.
00:13:29 --> 00:13:32 The temptation to sin is real.
00:13:33 --> 00:13:36 It is a daily battle that all Christians encounter.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:41 No one is immute or has the ability to stop sin.
00:13:42 --> 00:13:45 Ourself can become our worst enemy
00:13:45 --> 00:13:50 when it comes to living a disciplined, godly life as disciples of Christ,
00:13:50 --> 00:13:55 especially when we are not taking ownership of the wrongs we have done.
00:13:56 --> 00:14:03 Our desire to be loved by God often jeopardizes our obedience towards God.
00:14:03 --> 00:14:09 We are often easily distracted and have this fear of missing out,
00:14:09 --> 00:14:13 which drives us to continue scrolling from social media
00:14:13 --> 00:14:15 to keep up today with the latest gossip.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:20 Instead of avoiding and fleeting from sin,
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 we often test the boundary,
00:14:23 --> 00:14:26 thinking we are good enough to overcome temptation.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:31 Jesus teaches in Mark 7 and Matthew 15
00:14:31 --> 00:14:34 that sin is what comes from within us,
00:14:35 --> 00:14:38 coming from our hearts that corrupts and defiles a person.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:42 It's not the environment that causes a person to sin,
00:14:42 --> 00:14:47 but our desire from within to be equal or greater than God.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:52 Our rebellion to not wanting God to be our rulers of our life
00:14:52 --> 00:14:55 that causes us to sin against God and others.
00:14:55 --> 00:14:59 Trying to do good is such a battle.
00:15:00 --> 00:15:03 Trying to stay faithful to the call we have received from God
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 drains us every day.
00:15:05 --> 00:15:10 We are so prone to growing tired of doing what is good,
00:15:11 --> 00:15:17 and so Paul encourages us in verse 13 of our chapter today,
00:15:17 --> 00:15:29 So, how are we to fight these enemies from outside and from within?
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 How are we to persevere?
00:15:33 --> 00:15:36 The simple answer is, we can't.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:40 There is no way we can persevere until the end
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 to bring glory to God
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 without the interference of our Lord Jesus Christ.
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 Relying on our own strength and might,
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 we will get no way.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:54 Paul prays to Jesus continuously throughout these two letters.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:58 Paul referred to Jesus in various forms
00:15:58 --> 00:16:03 and by his full title up to 20 times within these two letters.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:06 As Jesus is the only way to the Father,
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 he is also the only way of perseverance.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:13 The sanctity of Jesus in our life
00:16:13 --> 00:16:16 is the only way to persevere.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 Only when we remain in Christ,
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 we are able to stay faithful to the end
00:16:22 --> 00:16:28 as Paul prays in 1 Thessalonians 5, 23-24.
00:16:28 --> 00:16:32 May God himself, the God of peace,
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 satisfy you through and through.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 May your whole spirit, soul, and body
00:16:36 --> 00:16:40 be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
00:16:40 --> 00:16:42 the one who calls you is faithful,
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 and he will do it.
00:16:44 --> 00:16:47 God is the one who will keep us faithful
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:53 John 15 tells us that this works of Jesus.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:59 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
00:17:00 --> 00:17:03 Remain in me as I also remain in you.
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 No branches can bear fruit by itself.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 It must remain in the vine.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:12 Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 Apart from me, you can do nothing.
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 Jesus' word is what makes us clean.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:21 As we accept Jesus' teaching,
00:17:22 --> 00:17:24 we become acceptable to God
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 and craft back into God,
00:17:27 --> 00:17:29 become a branch of the vine.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 Keeping ourselves in God's word
00:17:31 --> 00:17:33 is how we remain in him.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 It's by remaining in Jesus
00:17:35 --> 00:17:38 that we will get anywhere in life.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:42 John continues to record Jesus saying,
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 If you remain in me
00:17:43 --> 00:17:46 and my words remain in you,
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 ask whatever you wish
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 and it will be done for you.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:51 This is to my Father's glory
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 that you bear much fruit,
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 showing yourself to be my disciples.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:58 Paul has full confidence
00:17:58 --> 00:18:01 that the Thessalonians are doing
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 and will continue to do
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 the things God commanded them
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 because the word of the gospel
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 is working among them.
00:18:08 --> 00:18:12 Lord Jesus is at work in their life
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 through his word.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:17 Looking back at Paul's prayer
00:18:17 --> 00:18:25 in 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 4,
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 we have confidence in the Lord
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 that you are doing
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 and will continue to do
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 the things we command.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 May the Lord direct your hearts
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 into God's love
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 and Christ's perseverance.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 His prayer for the brothers and sisters
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 in Thessalonians,
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 we feel the way
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 we are to persevere.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 He continues to pray
00:18:44 --> 00:18:48 in 2 Thessalonians 2, verse 16 and 17.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 and God our Father,
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 who loved us by his grace,
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 gave us eternal encouragement
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 and good hope,
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 encouraging your hearts
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 and strengthen you
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 in every good deeds and word.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 Our encouragement and strength
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 to persevere
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 come from the word of God.
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 Other writers
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 in the New Testament,
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 such as James,
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 echo Paul's teaching
00:19:13 --> 00:19:15 in the beginning of his letter.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 In James 1, verse 2-5,
00:19:19 --> 00:19:19 it says,
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 Consider it pure joy,
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 my brothers and sisters,
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 whenever you face trial
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 of many kinds,
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 because you know
00:19:26 --> 00:19:28 that the testing of your faith
00:19:28 --> 00:19:30 produces perseverance.
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 James acknowledges that
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 there will be times
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 in our Christian life
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 that we find testing.
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 We will feel the pull
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 to give up,
00:19:39 --> 00:19:41 but he encourages us
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 to let perseverance
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 finish its work
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 so that you may be
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 mature and complete,
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 not lacking anything.
00:19:48 --> 00:19:50 And if anyone of you
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 lacks wisdom,
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 you should ask God,
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 who gives generously
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 to all without finding fault,
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 and it will be given to you.
00:19:57 --> 00:20:00 How are we to persevere?
00:20:01 --> 00:20:03 Especially when we find ourselves
00:20:03 --> 00:20:05 lacking in all kinds of ways,
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 we ask God to help us.
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 You can ask boldly,
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 and it will be done for you,
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 because when you hold
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 to Jesus' teaching,
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 putting them into practice,
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 showing yourself
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 to be Jesus' disciple,
00:20:19 --> 00:20:21 God will overcome your enemies
00:20:21 --> 00:20:23 and get the glory.
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 And that is the ultimate reason
00:20:25 --> 00:20:27 to create us
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 and put us into this world.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 It's the will of God
00:20:30 --> 00:20:32 to give you life
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 and give it to the full.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 Again,
00:20:35 --> 00:20:37 the writer of Hebrews says
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 in chapter 12,
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 verse 1 to 3,
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 Therefore,
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 since we are surrounded
00:20:42 --> 00:20:44 by such a great crowd
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 of weakness,
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 let's throw off everything
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 that hinders
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 and the sin
00:20:48 --> 00:20:50 that so easily entangles.
00:20:50 --> 00:20:53 Sin will try to entangle us,
00:20:53 --> 00:20:55 and it's easy to stumble.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 There are so many things in life
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 that will hinder
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 our growth as disciples,
00:21:00 --> 00:21:02 so do not ignore
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 our enemy from within.
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 Let's throw off everything
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 that hinders and the sin
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 that so easily entangles.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 Let's run with perseverance
00:21:11 --> 00:21:13 the race marked out for us,
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 fixing our eyes on Jesus,
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:20 For the joy set before him
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 he endured the cross,
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 scrawling his shame,
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 and sat down
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 at the right hand
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 of the throne of God.
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 How are we to run
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 with perseverance
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 the race marked out for us?
00:21:31 --> 00:21:33 We are to consider Jesus.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 Consider him
00:21:35 --> 00:21:37 who endured such opposition
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 from sin
00:21:38 --> 00:21:40 so that you will not grow
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 weary and lose heart.
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 Consider Jesus.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 Fix your eyes on him
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 who is the pioneer
00:21:47 --> 00:21:49 and perfecter of faith.
00:21:49 --> 00:21:51 He is the person
00:21:51 --> 00:21:53 that makes it possible for us
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 to persevere till he returns.
00:21:55 --> 00:21:57 By giving up his life
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 for our life,
00:21:58 --> 00:22:00 he marks us worthy
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 of God's calling for us.
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 Keep marveling
00:22:04 --> 00:22:06 and meditate on how he
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 endured opposition
00:22:07 --> 00:22:09 from us sinners.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:11 He created us
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 for his glory
00:22:12 --> 00:22:14 and the glory of the Father.
00:22:14 --> 00:22:16 But instead of acknowledging
00:22:16 --> 00:22:18 his lordship over our life,
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 we disown him
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 and left him
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 to face our cross.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:25 We put Jesus on the cross
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 to face the punishment
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 we deserve
00:22:27 --> 00:22:29 for our rebellions
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 against our creator.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 Paul prays
00:22:33 --> 00:22:35 in the end
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 of 2 Thessalonians
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 chapter 3
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 verse 16.
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 Now,
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 may the Lord
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 of peace himself
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 give you peace
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 at all time
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 and in every way.
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 The Lord be with you all.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:49 Jesus
00:22:49 --> 00:22:51 is the only one
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 who can
00:22:51 --> 00:22:53 and he will
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 give you peace
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 when you submit yourself
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 under him,
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 when you repent
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 and believe
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 his good news
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 for your salvation.
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 He can
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 give you
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 peace
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 because he went
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 through and
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 endured the suffering
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 of the cross
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 and purchased
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 peace for us
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 by his blood.
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 And God
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 hath raised him
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 from the dead
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 as a proof
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 that we too
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 will be risen
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 with him
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 into eternal life.
00:23:21 --> 00:23:21 For God
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 did not
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 appoint us
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 to suffer wrath
00:23:24 --> 00:23:26 but to receive
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 salvation
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 through our Lord
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 Jesus Christ.
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 He died for us
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 so that
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 whether we are
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 awake or asleep,
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 we might live
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 together
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 with him.
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 The gospel
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 life
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 is a life
00:23:38 --> 00:23:40 worth
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 persevering
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 because it
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 is as valuable
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 as the life
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 of the Son of God.
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 For God
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 so loved the world
00:23:47 --> 00:23:47 that he gave
00:23:47 --> 00:23:49 his one and only Son
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 that whoever
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 believed in him
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 shall not perish
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 but have eternal life.
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 May the Lord
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 direct your hearts
00:23:56 --> 00:23:58 into God's love
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 and Christ's
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 perseverance.
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 The grace
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 of our Lord
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 Jesus Christ
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 be with you all.
00:24:03 --> 00:24:05 through God's work
00:24:05 --> 00:24:07 through God's work
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07

00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 through God's work
00:24:08 --> 00:24:10 through God's work
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00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 through God's work
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00:24:11 --> 00:24:11

00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 through God's work
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00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 through God's work
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 through God's work
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00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 through God's work
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 through God's work
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 through God's work
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00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 through God's work
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00:24:18 --> 00:24:20 through God's work
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00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 through God's work
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 through God's work
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 through God's work
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 through God's work
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00:24:24 --> 00:24:26 through God's work
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00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 through God's work