You Have Need of Endurance

Yesterday morning at the Florida College Lectures Ken Chapman reminisced about his years growing up in North Alabama.

He recalled how much he looked forward to playing football as a third grader during recess. There were occasions he said when older students would assist or supervise the younger ones during this play period, and sometimes they would join in the game.

One student, Terry, was an 8th grader, and already possessed a man’s body. (Ken opined that he might have been held back a few grades). At any rate, when Ken got to choose players for his team, he always picked Terry first. With Terry on his team, Ken said they couldn’t lose, regardless of who was on the other team.

In a similar way, Ken affirmed that with Christ on our side, we can’t lose.

In his lecture, “You Have Need to Endurance,” based on Hebrews 10:19-39, Ken pointed out three importance aspects of endurance for us to be victorious that are Christ centered.

#1 You Need an Enduring Mind Set.

“Christians today must prepare ourselves mentally to face the inevitable challenges that will present themselves,” Ken wrote in the lecture book.

Our culture with its anti-Christian basis, often demonstrated in media, entertainment, government, and education seek to intimidate and silence the profession of our faith.

Jesus provides for us a bold mind set to keep on going. Our confidence is in Christ to boldly approach the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). Boldness to enter “to enter the holiness” (10:19). Boldness to confidently affirm “the Lord is my helper” (13:6).

Like the apostles and early Christians who faced their oppressors “with all boldness” (Ax. 4:29), we, too must develop a confident attitude and enduring mind set.

#2 You Need Enduring Support.

While our support begins and resides in the faithful promises of our Father who cannot lie, the intercessory sacrifice of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit’s work of Divine revelation, it doesn’t end there.

We have a spiritual family. Brothers and sisters in Christ who care. Who will bear our burdens. Edify. Encourage. And embolden us.

Our weekly association with those of like faith who walk the “one another way,” provide spiritual support. To that end the Hebrew writer offered this challenge and admonition

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:23-25).

#3 You Need Enduring Faith.

“Our faith,” Ken observed “is the ultimate source of our confidence.” It’s faith that trusts God. Believes Jesus. And has faith in “the faith,” the Gospel, the Word of God.

For those who read these words, have you experienced trials? Temptation? Problems? Adversity? Discouragement? Heartache? And hurt?

What has sustained you? Protected you? Preserved you? What has brought you to this point in time?

Your faith.

The Hebrew writer exhorts them (and us) “to recall the former days.” We’ve made it through days of struggle, suffering, and spiritual strife. We’ve experienced God’s grace. His mercy. His faithfulness. His forgiveness. And his enduring patience with us.

The “former days” is evidence that we can do it again. We can keep on keeping on. We can endure until the end. There is help. There is hope. There is God. As the Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, and the Hebrew declare, “the just shall live by faith.”

Regardless of what challenges you are facing, struggles you are enduring, or loss you are feeling, these words remind us not to quit. “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Heb. 10:34-36).

Don’t give in. Don’t give out. Don’t give up.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman