Enduring For Christ

2 Timothy 2:1-13  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  (2)  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  (3)  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  (4)  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.  (5)  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.  (6)  The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.  (7)  Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.  (8)  Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:  (9)  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.  (10)  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  (11)  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:  (12)  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  (13)  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

INTRODUCTION:  When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, some changes should have taken place.  Some within our hearts and some that were visible to others.

              Another thing would should have learned is that it is our job now to glorify God, win souls to the Lord, and endure to the end.

That is what I want to take about today, enduring, remaining stedfast loyal to our God the Father in Heaven and our Saviour Jesus the Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

I.            Endurance                                                                                (v 1-7)

A.           Be   Strong In Grace                                                    (v 1)

                             1.           As Christ is toward us

                             2.           God's grace has been given,

                                           i.            We cannot earn it,

                                                          a.           Yet we try to earn at it.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

B.           Be Committed                                                              (v 2)

                             1.           Commit yourselves to faithful people

1 Corinthians 4:16 - 17  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.  ¹⁷For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

C.              Be A Suffering Soldier                                             (v 3-4)

1.               As a Godly person

i.                Do not entangle yourselves with

              a.           Worldly ways or

              b.           Worldly things.

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

D.              Be A Disciplined Athlete                                             (v 5)

                             1.           (strive = contending for the game; trying to

                                           win)

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

2.               We as Christians are to strive lawfully,

i.                Not to cheat. 

ii.               To play by the rules. 

iii.             The Bible is the rule book. 

iv.             God is the Rule Maker

Philippians 3:14   I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

E.              Be An Industrious Farmer                                           (v 6)

1.               We, must plow,

i.                We must sow

ii.               So the harvest may be gathered

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

F.              Consider Doing Right And Following These Enduring Patterns.

II.              EXAMPLES OF ENDURANCE                                       (vv 8-10)

A.           Jesus Raised  From The Dead                                     (v 8)

                             1.           He suffered and endured to the Cross,

                             2.           He still endures for us

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

B.              Paul's Suffering                                                     (vv 9-10)

1.               Paul endured all kinds of horrific beatings,

i.                Imprisonment and

ii.               Lashings.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

III.            PRINCIPLES OF ENDURANCE                      (vv 11-13)

A.           We Are Dead  To Sin                                                (v 11)

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isaiah 53:3-6   He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.   ⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.   ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.   ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1.               We live  with Him

B.           If We Suffer                                                               (v 12)

Hebrews 10:34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

1.           We will reign, however,

C.           If We  Deny                                                                (v 12)

Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

1.            He will deny

D.              If We Believe Not                                                      (v 13)

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1.             He abides faithful 

2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

2.            He cannot deny Himself 

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

CONCLUSION: As I hope you have seen the task before those of us who are saved, is to endure for Christ.            

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Those of you who do not know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.  If you died today are you certain Heaven would be your home?

              Are you hell bound, why?

Who wants to go to hell, a place of torment, a place of burning totally separated from the love of Christ, totally separated from our loved ones.            No place to go, no one to talk to a lonely place.

              All will be cursing God, and blaspheming His name, total darkness, no one to turn to, for advice, the words that you last said to the last person who tried to lead you to the Lord will haunt you forever.

John 3:16  Romans 10:9  Acts 2:21  John 10:28  Romans 10:13

Elijah On Mt. Carmel

[1]  ELIJAH ON MT. CARMEL

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[1] adapted from "Handfuls On Purpose", Smith-Lee, Eerdmans Publishing, Vol. IX page 203

1 Kings 18:17-40  And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?  (18)  And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.  (19)  Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.  (20)  So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.  (21)  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.  (22)  Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.  (23)  Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:  (24)  And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.  (25)  And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.  (26)  And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.  (27)  And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.  (28)  And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.  (29)  And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.  (30)  And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.  (31)  And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:  (32)  And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.  (33)  And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.  (34)  And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.  (35)  And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.  (36)  And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.  (37)  Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.  (38)  Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  (39)  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.  (40)  And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

       

INTRODUCTION:           There Are Only Two Religions:    

              1.           The Religion of Man;

Man's religion may have much that is attractive and pleasing to men, but it lacks power and authority.     It is a lifeless body.

              2.           The Religion of God.

The religion of God is attested as Divine by miraculous fire from Heaven in answer to believing prayer

1 Kings 18:37  Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

We have here-

I.            THE RELIGION OF MAN                                                      (v 19)

              A.           Its Followers

                             1.           There is many.

1 Kings 18:22  Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

                             2.           A depraved religion will always be popular               

                                           i.            With a depraved humanity

Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

              B.           They Were Earnest.

                             1.           They cried aloud and

                                           i.            Cut them­selves with knives,          

                                           ii.           With zeal,

a.               But not according to

              knowledge

Romans 10:3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

                                           iii.          Is like a train on the wrong track.

                                                          a.           Obviously misdirected.

                                                          b.           Extremely dangerous

                                                         

              C.           They Were Deceived.

1 Kings 18:29  And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

                             1.           The favour and power of God

                                           i.            Cannot to be purchased with works

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

                                           ii.           Regeneration by the Holy Spirit

                                           iii.          Washed by the Holy Spirit

                                           iv.          It is always God’s Mercy

                             2.           The Holy Spirit will not   

                                           i.            Cause us to leap upon the altar and

                                                         a.           To cut ourselves

1 Corinthians 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

3.               It is by faith

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 3:14  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

II.           THE RELIGION OF GOD AND HIS WORSHIPPERS.

              A.           It Cannot Be Said Of Christians

                             1.           What they worship

                                           i.            They know not what

1 John 5:20  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

              B.           They Are Comparatively Few.

1 Kings 18:22  Then said Elijah … I, even I only, remain ...

                             1.           Here is but one against four hundred and fifty,                                     i.            That one is not Elijah,

                                                          a.           It is God,

                                                          b.           Who Elijah trusted.

                                           ii.           The battle is the Lord's

1 John 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

              C.           They Are Deliberately Faithful.

1 Kings 18:30  And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me…

1.               See the calmness of Elijah.

i.                No “leaping and cutting” with him.

ii.               He doesn’t move hastily

a.          Because he believes in God

Isaiah 28:16  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

                                           iii.          To have such faith

James 5:17  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

D.              They Are Divinely Favoured.

1 Kings 18:38  Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

1.               Our God is a consuming fire.

2.               When He comes

              i.            He consumes the hard heart,

                             a.           Licks up the dust of sin

Matthew 3:11-12  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:  (12)  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

III.         THE CALL OF ELIJAH FOR A DECISION.

1 Kings 18:21  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions?...

              A.           That There Are Two Opinions.

                             1.           God's and man's.

Isaiah 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

                             2.           They are as wide apart as light and darkness.

                                           i.            Which do you follow?

Psalms 139:17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

              B.           That There Are Many Who Halt Between Them.

                             1.           The choice is between the "wisdom of man"

                             2.           The “wisdom of God”

READ:  1 Corinthians 1:19-30

                                           i.            Between sin unto death and

                                           ii.           Obedience unto righteousness

Romans 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

              C.           Only Those Who Have Decided For Jesus Are Safe

                             1.           When the people saw it they said,

1 Kings 18:39  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

3.               The prophets were slain at the brook

1 Kings 18:40  And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

CONCLUSION:               Have you ever been to Mt Carmel, thought you were the only one who cared.  Felt so alone, discouraged because you were just alone?

              I have, many times since I became a believer.  Many times while here at this church.  Many times I wanted to call down the fire of God on my heart, to sear it from my desperation.   To help me just carry on in God’s work.

              How many times I have put out the fleece, to determine God’s will.  There have been those times, however, there are also all those other times where God has blessed not only me, but this church and individuals within this church.  It is great to see the rains of blessing shower down on droughts of blessings.

              Elijah hid in a cave to hide, because he feared for his life, because he felt he was all there was for God.  God reminded him that He had many more just like him.

              So, what valley are you in?  Are you hiding from God, afraid to worship as you could, because of some sin? 

              God knows where you are and He knows why you are withdrawing from Him.  So, look to:

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God requires one thing from you, and that is you must decide what you will do.  It is your decision, not mine, nor is it God’s responsibility.  It is yours, to renew your mind, to not be conformed to this world.  God want you to make the right decision.  Joshua said:

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.