Sep. 26, 2014
“THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT OR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG, BUT TO THE ONE WHO ENDURES TO THE END”
SO HOLD ON JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER!!! Friends what does it mean to endure to the end. James tells us “Blessed is the 
man [or woman] who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life” James 1:12 (ESV)
Paul also tells us in Romans 5:3-4 (ESV) “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” a quote from Nelson Mandela also tells us
“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
Christ Himself tells us in Matt. 24:12-13 (KJV) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he [or 
she] that endures to the end, the same shall be saved.” Webster gives a more precise definition when he says endure is “too support adverse force or influence of any kind; suffer without yielding; suffer patiently:”
My friends the three words I need you to focus on today is SUFFER WITHOUT YIELDING or without giving up, that is the hard part of a Christians quest to go the distance, because no one likes to suffer. Nelson Mandela tells us he did stop to rest, my friends rest is good, it replenishes our motivation to keep moving, to stay focused and to hold on to our faith.
But then President Mandela tells us as he looked all around, oh the beauty of the surroundings, he probably even layed down in the beautiful “green pastures” as he gazed upon the crystal clear “still waters.” But, that is the word we all should learn to use when our circumstances stretches our faith to the limit and all we have to hold on to if we are God’s children is our faith in a God who will never leave or forsake us.”
Like the the three Hebrew boys who told the king right before he was to throw them into the furnace of fire “our God. they tell the king, whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand.
BUT IF not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” There faith allows us to focus on Paul’s quote again, which states“WE REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERINGS, KNOWING THAT SUFFERING PRODUCES ENDURANCE”
Now going back to President Mandela, his rest and comfort begins to become his motivation instead of his endurance, so now he realizes his responsibility to himself, others, and most of all God and it is at that point he looks back on the distance he has come, and then he says.
I can only rest for a moment, for I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.” But like our savior
endurance can be ours through THE CROSS we carry. Like Christ who agonized and prayed for strength to finish the course that was planned for our redemption, we are to do the same.
In addition, as time moves towards Christ soon return and the trials of this world seem unbearable, as we ask ourselves, where is God. It is at that moment, we must look back on His promises. when He tells us “The LORD himself goes before you” ……So Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
“But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) and then my friends “the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY
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