Quit Quitting: The Confidence to Keep Going (Hebrews 10:32-39)

Series: Quit Quitting

Sermon: The Confidence to Keep Going

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39

Date: June 23, 2019

 

LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY GROWTH SUGGESTION: What is the biggest "next step" for you?  Ask God to show you the biggest thing you need to start, or keep, doing.

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: early while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.  Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him."  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.  (Hebrews 10:32-39)

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ.  Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.  Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.  You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy.  You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.  (Hebrews 10:32-34, NLT)

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  (Hebrews 10:35, NIV)

Here are three words to help us keep our confidence in Jesus and not quit:

1. REMEMBER
   • "In other words, 'You can haul away our widescreen TVs and expensive golf clubs.  What you can't take from us are our riches in Christ.  You can beat us, even kill us, but you can't take away our eternal life. Christ is superior.'"  -Kyle Idleman
   • What do we remember?
     • We remember what Jesus did for us
     • We remember what it is like to be right with God.
2. RESOLVE
   • Rev. Anthony Thompson lost his wife in the Charleston shooting.  He responded to criticism about his forgiving the shooter: "I didn't let Dylan off the hook.  Dylan is in prison.  But I am free."
   • "I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed."  -Booker T. Washington
3. REWARD

WEEKLY GROWTH SUGGESTION: Get alone with Jesus and thank Him for not quitting on You, and the Him that, by His grace, you will never quit on Him.