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The Perseverance of The Faith

 

The perseverance of Jesus Christ

 

God the Father had a plan for Jesus Christ, which was to come down from heaven from Himself, and to provide the basis of mankind’s eternal salvation through paying, on our behalf the debt of sin to God, thus redeeming and reconciling mankind to God.

 

The acceptance and effectiveness of Christ’s redeeming work, being received and realised as a gift though faith, faith being expressed through “Believing in Jesus Christ.”

 

A prophecy is the telling of a future event in history before that event takes place, usually the event taking place hundreds of years later, in some cases thousands of years.

 

There were many prophesies about Jesus Christs coming to earth, and accomplishing the great act of Love for us at the cross.

 Some of these are listed below.

 

1.        He would be the seed of the Woman
Prophecy - Genesis 3:15
Fulfilled - Galatians 4:4

2.       Abrahams descendant
Prophecy - Genesis 12:3
Fulfilled - Matthew 1:1

3.       Come from the tribe of Judah
Prophecy - Genesis 49:10
Fulfilled - Luke 3:33

4.       Heir to the throne of David
Prophecy - Isaiah 9:7  
Fulfilled - Luke 1:32-33

5.       Anointed and Eternal
Prophecy - Psalm 45:6-7  & 102:25-27 
Fulfilled - Hebrews 1:8-12

6.       Born in Bethlehem
Prophecy - Micah 5:2  
Fulfilled - Luke 2:4-7

7.       Time of His birth
Prophecy - Daniel 9:25
Fulfilled - Matthew 1:22

8.       Born of a virgin
Prophecy - Isaiah 7:14 

Fulfilled - Luke 1:26-31

9.       Slaughter of Children
Prophecy - Jeremiah 31:15      
Fulfilled - Matthew 2:16-18

10.    Flight to Egypt
Prophecy - Hosea 11:1  
Fulfilled - Matthew 2:14-15

11.     The Way Prepared
Prophecy - Isaiah 40:3-5
Fulfilled - Luke 3:3-6

12.    Declared The Son of God
Prophecy - Psalm 2:7   
Fulfilled- Matthew 3:17

13.    Spoke in Parables
Prophecy - Psalm 78:2-4
Fulfilled - Matthew 13:13-14

14.    A Prophet
Prophecy - Deuteronomy 18:15 
Fulfilled - Acts 3 20-22

15.    Rejected by His own People
Prophecy - Isaiah 53:3            
Fulfilled  -John 1:11 & Luke 23:18

16.    Adored by Infants
Prophecy - Psalm 8:2   
Fulfilled - Matthew 215-16

17.    Not Believed
Prophecy - Isaiah 53:1
Fulfilled - John 12:37-38

18.    Betrayed by a Close Friend
Prophecy - Psalm 41:9
Fulfilled - Luke 22:48-48

19.    Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver
 Prophecy - Zechariah 11:12     
Fulfilled - Matthew 26:14-15

20.   Falsely Accused
Prophecy - Psalm 35:11}
Fulfilled - Mark 14:57-58

21.    Silent to His Accusers
Prophecy - Isaiah 53:7
Fulfilled - Mark 15:4-5

22.   Spat on
Prophecy - Isaiah 50:6
Fulfilled - Matthew 26:67

23.   Hated Without Reason
Prophecy - Psalm 35:19
Fulfilled - John 15:24-25

24.   Crucified with Criminals
Prophecy - Isaiah 53:12
Fulfilled - Mark 15:27-28

25.   Pierced Through Hands and Feet
Prophecy - Zechariah 12:10
Fulfilled - John 20:27

26.   Sneered and Mocked
Prophecy - Psalm 22:7-8
Fulfilled - Luke 23:35

27.   Prayed for His Enemies
Prophecy - Psalm 109:4
Fulfilled - Luke 23:34

28.   Gambled for His Clothes
Prophecy - Psalm 22:17-18
Fulfilled - Matthew 27:35-36

29.   Forsaken by God
Prophecy - Psalm 22:1
Fulfilled - Matthew 27:46

30.   No Bones were Broken
Prophecy - Psalm 34:20
Fulfilled - John 19:32-36

31.    His Side Pierced
Prophecy - Zechariah 12:10
Fulfilled - John 19:34

32.   Buried with the Rich
Prophecy - Isaiah 53:9
Fulfilled - Matthew 27:57-60

33.   Was Resurrected
Prophecy - Psalm 16:10 & Psalm 49:15
Fulfilled - Mark 16:6-7

34.   He Ascended to God’s Right Hand
Prophecy - Psalm 6:18  
Fulfilled - Mark 16:9 & Ephesians 4:8

 

Jesus Christ knowing all that would happen to Him, recognised His Fathers plan and will in all of this, and out of His great love for His Father, accomplished the task set before Him.

 

John 5:36

“The very work that the Father has given Me to finish, and which I Am doing, testifies that the Father has sent Me.”

 

John 4:34

“My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.”

 

John 9:4

“While it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me.”

 

Hebrews 12:1-3

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of out faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning it’s shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

 

The climax to His attitude amidst all His suffering can be summed up in the following verses of scripture.

 

1 Peter 2:21

“If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving an example that you should follow in His steps.

 

He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”

 

He went through the worst, to spare us the worst, and to provide a path for us to follow in. We go nowhere and into no situation without His approval. He walks with us every step of the way.

 

PSALM 23

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 

 

Perseverance as The Lord Persevered

 

The Perseverance of the Apostle Paul

 

Next to Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul suffered the most and was tested to the limit of endurance. We read some of His sufferings in the scriptures. Much love was expressed through Paul, because He was forgiven the most. He was the chief of sinners according to the scriptures, which were inspired of the Holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 1:15

 

The apostle Paul was likewise criticised and persecuted, because he was an apostle of Jesus Christ. In response he answered his critics within the church, as follows.

 

2 Corinthians 11:23-29

“Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more.

 

I have worked much harder.

Been in prison more frequently.

Been flogged more severely.

Been exposed to death again and again.

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

Three times I was beaten with rods.

I was stoned.

Three times I was shipwrecked.

I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

I have been constantly on the move.  

I have been in danger from rivers,

In in danger from bandits.

In danger from my own countrymen.

In danger from Gentiles.

In danger in the city.

In danger in the country.

In danger at sea;

In danger from false brothers.

I have laboured and toiled.

I have often gone without sleep.

I have known hunger and thirst.

I have often gone without food;

 

I have been cold and naked.

I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?

Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

 

Regardless of his hopeless situations, Paul remained faithful to the plan God and finished God’s work for Him. His attitude and testimony as He was suffering, is as follows.

 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take away the thorn in the flesh, the angel of Satan to torment me, but he said to me. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

Philippians 4:12-13

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learnt the secret of being content, in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength (Keeps pouring the power into me)”

 

The Apostles Paul suffered throughout his entire life, but was always faithful to God and the commands of Jesus Christ.

 

Just before His death, Paul wrote this testimony.

 

2 Timothy 4:7-8

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

 

The Command, exhortation and warning to persevere, to the Hebrew Believers.

 

Rest is defined as having an attitude of peace, free from anxiety, trusting and waiting in dependence upon the Lord for everything, regardless of the suffering and opposition that you may face.

 

The Hebrew believers were under great persecution from their fellow countrymen and some were in danger of falling back into their old way of life of Judaism, legalism and forsaking the grace of God. The path they had already turned too in their trust in the Lord.

 

The outline of the book of Hebrews

 

Section 1 - Read Hebrews 1:1-14

 

Warning and Exhortation

Hebrews 2:1-3

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to do what we have heard, so that we do not drift away”

 

Section 2 - Read Hebrews 2:5-3:6

 

Warning and Exhortation

Hebrews 3:7 – 4:13

“Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the dessert.”

 

Hebrews 3:12

“See to it, brothers, that none of you have a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God, but encourage one another daily.

 

Hebrews 4:1

“Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we had the gospel (good news) preached to us just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to then, because they did not combine it with faith. ”

 

Hebrews 4:11-12

“Therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience. For the Word of God is alive and powerful”

 

Section 3 - Read Hebrews 4:14-6:20

 

Warning and Exhortation

 

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

 

Hebrews 6:1

“Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go onto maturity.”

 

Hebrews 6:7

“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crom useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But the land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the ens it will be burned”

 

Hebrew 6:10

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people, and continue to help them.

 

Section 4 - Read Hebrews 7:1-10:39

 

Warning and Exhortation

 

Hebrews 10:35-39

“Do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

For in just a very little while. He who is coming will come and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who believe and are saved.”

 

Section 5 - Read Hebrews 11:1-13:5

 

Hebrews 11:39

These (mighty Old Testament believers) were all commended for their faith.”

 

Hebrews 12:1

“Throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes (concentrate) on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the majesty of God.

Consider Him who endured such opposition (Hostility) from sinful men, so that you do not become weary and discouraged.”

 

Hebrews 13:1

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.”

 

Hebrews 13:3

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners.”

 

Hebrews 13:4

“Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure.”

 

Hebrews 13:7

“Consider your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

 

Hebrew 13:15

“Through Jesus Christ, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise-

the fruit of lips that confess His Name.”

 

Remember the words of Jesus Christ.

 

“Never will I leave you, nor forsake you.

The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid. What can man do to me.””

 

The Fruit of The Spirit is Our Perseverance

 

I don’t know about tomorrow
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrows
Is the one who stands by me!
And the path that be my fortune,
May be through the plain or flood.
But His presence goes before me,
And I’m covered with His blood.

 

Many things about tomorrow,
I don’t seem to understand,
But I know who holds the future
And I know who holds my hand.

 

I don’t know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don’t always promise sunshine,
For its skies all turn to grey,

I don’t worry about the future,
For I know what Jesus said, and tomorrow I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.



Romans 5:3-5

“We rejoice in our sufferings, because that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom God has given us.”

 

Hebrews 10:35-39

“Do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

 

Revelation 22:12

Jesus say’s, “I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give everyone according to what he has done.”

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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