Mathew 24 Lesson

ENDURANCE, PERSEVERANCE, AND “FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT!”

Today’s lesson focuses on:

1. Endurance,
2. Perseverance,
3. And “fighting the good fight.”

All three of these things are incredibly important to the life of a Christian, as we cannot get to Heaven without them!

Our focus verse for today’s lesson was spoken directly by Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Mathew:

• “The one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” – Mathew 24:13.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE TESTED

Suffering is part of being a Christian!

For followers of Jesus, it is not a question of if we are going to suffer, it is a question of when. 

Peter and Paul wrote about this in the following two scriptures:

1. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” – 1 Peter 4:12,
2. “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12.

Suffering comes in many different forms.  

As Christians, we may experience physical suffering, persecution, isolation, or any number of things.  

God allows us to experience suffering while on earth for three reasons:

1. To teach us,
2. To disciplineus,
3. To shape us (into the people that He created us to be).

Remember though, there is no suffering in Heaven, and Heaven is forever! (Revelation 21:1-4)

ENDURANCE AND PERSEVERANCE

Endurance and perseverance go hand in hand. 

We have already established that as Christians, we are going to suffer.

What God wants to see is how we will respond. 

When adversity strikes, do we complain and feel sorry for ourselves? 

Or do we accept God's plan for us, and continue to seek ways to glorify Him and serve others? 

Wherever we are in our own lives, we can always challenge ourselves to have a more Godly attitude about suffering. 

Consider the following three verses:

1. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” - James 1:12,
2. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” - Galatians 6:9,
3. “We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” - Romans 5:3-5.

FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT

Life’s hardships, while difficult to go through, can teach us a lot about ourselves, our faith, and the type of Christians that God wants us to become.

Yes, the way we handle adversity, from a Spiritual standpoint, is important to our faith and therefore to our salvation. 

Consider the following scripture written by the Apostle Paul to the Romans:

• “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:3-4.

It is our faith in Jesus that allows us to persevere, endure, and have hope.  

As we study God’s word and grow in our faith, we come to understand that we can have peace even during the most challenging times of our lives.  

Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians:  

• “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7.

There is too much at stake for us to let life’s hardships get the best of us.

Heaven awaits the faithful, and for this reason, we must press on to the goal!

1. “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:13-14.
2. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” -Galatians 6:9.

CONCLUSION

Jesus’ life was not easy.

The Apostles’ lives were not easy.

So why would we think that ours would be?

The Bible teaches us that all of us are going to face hardships and adversity. As Christians, we need to endure and persevere through whatever adversity comes our way, because if we do, a paradise waits for us that we cannot even begin to fathom!

This is the hope that we have in Jesus!

We will end today’s lesson with the following scripture:

• "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9.