Sermons
The Need for Endurance
The Need for Endurance
Heb. 10:32-39
Introduction:
1. We Christians are engaged in a spiritual war.
2. The forces that we are engaged with are very powerful. In Ephesians 6:12 Paul says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness.”
3. Our only hope is in the strength the Lord provides, but even then, I am frightened by the severity of the battle.
4. The passage we have just read says, “You have need of endurance.” It calls on us “to live by faith and to not shrink back.”
5. 10:23 calls on us to “hold fast the confession of our hope.” Verse 24 says, “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” Verse 26 warns against sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth and verses 30-31 of the severity of the judgment of God if we fail.
6. There is no place in the kingdom of God for surrender, but the fight is not easy. It demands all the faith and courage we can muster lest we grow weary and lose heart.
7. What can we do?
Discussion:
I. We can strengthen our faith.
A. As the song says, and this passage testifies, “Faith is the Victory” (576 Hymns for
Worship, revised).
B. It is by trusting in what God has promised that we are able to endure.
1. He is coming (10:37). The book of Revelation speaks of “the dragon,” (13:1)
and “the beast” and “Babylon, the harlot” who wage war with the Lamb
(17:14). But the Lord reigns. His kingdom prevails. All who oppose Him are
defeated and His bondservants reign with Him.
2. And so we endure, waiting for His coming, living by faith in His promise.
3. We believe just as Israel was delivered from Egypt, just as they were
delivered from Babylonian captivity, that we will be delivered.
C. “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not
forsaking our assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging
one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (10:23-24).
II. We can remember what others have endured and do what they did (11:1-12-3).
A. Those in 10:32-34a endured sufferings, reproaches, tribulations, sharing with
those who suffered such, showing sympathy to prisoners, and accepted joyfully
the seizure of their property.
B. But all the examples of faith contained in 11:3-12:3 reflect that kind of character
that does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.
1. Abel lost his life acting in faith toward God (11:4).
2. Noah must have been ridiculed by the world but prepared an ark for the
salvation of his household (11:7).
3. Abraham left Ur and lived in Canaan because God promised him a land
(11:8ff).
4. Sarah received the ability to conceive because she considered God faithful to
His promise (11:11-12).
5. Abraham offered up Isaac because He believed in God’s promise of
descendants and realized that God could raise Isaac from the dead (11:17-
19).
6. Moses gave up being a prince in Egyptchoosing rather to suffer ill treatment
rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin because he believed in
God’s promises (10:23ff).
7. And then there are the others (10:35bff) who were destitute, afflicted, ill-
treated.
8. And they all endured what they did without receiving what was promised.
They only trusted in what God had planned.
9. And then there was Jesus who endured the cross (12:2).
C. In light of this great cloud of witnesses will we then surrender?? Grow weary
and lose heart??
D. “In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword” (cf. 10:32-34) . . . “we will be true till
death!” (265, Hymns for Worship, revised).
III. What can we do? We can receive the encouragement provided by the Word (12:25; cf. Heb. 1:2) and from others (10:24-25). This is exactly what the writer of Hebrews is doing.
A. Since God has spoken to us in His Son, we ought to pay much closer attention
(1:2; 2:1-4).
B. And yes, we ought to consider the stimulation to love and good deeds that we
not only receive but that we are to give.
C. We ought to bear up under the discipline of the Father (12:4ff) and strengthen
the weak and bring healing (12:12-13).
IV. We have received an unshakeable kingdom and therefore we are victorious (12:28). Cf. 1 Cor. 15:57-58.
Conclusion:
1. And so, we endure, faithful until death (Rev. 2:10).
2. Will you give your life to the King?
3. He is coming, and He will deliver you! (279, He Is Able to Deliver Thee, Hymns for Worship, revised).
