Definition: "the art of continuing to do something in spite of difficulty or opposition."

Definition: "the art of continuing to do something in spite of difficulty or opposition."



“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”



Proverbs 24:16 "For a righteous man falls seven times,



Proverbs 24:16 "For a righteous man falls seven times, and he rises up again.“



Proverbs 24:16 "For a righteous man falls seven times, and he rises up again.“

As Christians, we need to persevere; we need to endure no matter what.

We need to keep on…


Studying the Bible


Studying the Bible Praying without ceasing


Studying the Bible Praying without ceasing Gathering with other Christians for worship


Studying the Bible Praying without ceasing Gathering with other Christians for worship Gathering to encourage one another


Studying the Bible Praying without ceasing Gathering with other Christians for worship Gathering to encourage one another Giving to good works


Studying the Bible Praying without ceasing Gathering with other Christians for worship Gathering to encourage one another Giving to good works Helping those in need


Studying the Bible Praying without ceasing Gathering with other Christians for worship Gathering to encourage one another Giving to good works Helping those in need Being a good example


Studying the Bible Praying without ceasing Gathering with other Christians for worship Gathering to encourage one another Giving to good works Helping those in need Being a good example Using our talents to serve God and others


Studying the Bible Praying without ceasing Gathering with other Christians for worship Gathering to encourage one another Giving to good works Helping those in need Being a good example Using our talents to serve God and others Sharing the gospel and bringing people to Christ

1. Keep on going even if you have troubles.



2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”


2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”


2. Keep on going even if you fail.

May 5 AM Preached in St. Anne's. Asked not to come back anymore.



May 5 PM Preached in St. John's. Deacons said, "Get out and stay out.”




May 12 AM Preached in St. Jude's. Can't go back there either.





May 19 AM Preached in St. Somebody Else's. Deacons called special meeting and said I couldn't return.






May 19 PM Preached on street. Kicked off street.







May 26 AM Preached in meadow. Chased out of meadow as bull was turned loose during service.








June 2 AM Preached out at the edge of town. Kicked off the highway.









June 2 PM Afternoon. Preached in a pasture.









June 2 PM Afternoon. Preached in a pasture. Ten thousand people came out to hear me.


22 He failed in business


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector 34 He was defeated for Congress


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector 34 He was defeated for Congress 37 He was elected to Congress


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector 34 He was defeated for Congress 37 He was elected to Congress 39 He was defeated for Congress


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector 34 He was defeated for Congress 37 He was elected to Congress 39 He was defeated for Congress 46 He was defeated for Senate


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector 34 He was defeated for Congress 37 He was elected to Congress 39 He was defeated for Congress 46 He was defeated for Senate 47 He was defeated for Vice President


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector 34 He was defeated for Congress 37 He was elected to Congress 39 He was defeated for Congress 46 He was defeated for Senate 47 He was defeated for Vice President 49 He was defeated for Senate


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector 34 He was defeated for Congress 37 He was elected to Congress 39 He was defeated for Congress 46 He was defeated for Senate 47 He was defeated for Vice President 49 He was defeated for Senate 51 He was elected President of the United States


22 He failed in business 23 He ran for Legislature and was defeated 24 He failed in business again 25 He was elected to Legislature 26 His sweetheart died 27 He had a nervous breakdown 29 He was defeated for Speaker 31 He was defeated for Elector 34 He was defeated for Congress 37 He was elected to Congress 39 He was defeated for Congress 46 He was defeated for Senate 47 He was defeated for Vice President 49 He was defeated for Senate 51 He was elected President of the United States


William Wilberforce suffered defeat over and over again in his 10-year battle against the slave trade in England.



“Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that abominable practice of slavery, which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils.



“Unless the divine power has raised you up... I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that abominable practice of slavery, which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils.

But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might.”


Galatians 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”


Galatians 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”


3. Keep on going even if you struggle with sin.



1 John 1:8-9 “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”


4. Keep on going even if you are discouraged.


God told Moses to send men to spy out the land.


God told Moses to send men to spy out the land.

Deuteronomy 1:28 “We can’t go up; our brethren have discouraged our heart.”


“This is a great land, and God said He will be with us and bring us into this land. So let’s go now and take possession of the land because we shall surely overcome it.”


“This is a great land, and God said He will be with us and bring us into this land. So let’s go now and take possession of the land because we shall surely overcome it.”

With God’s help, we can always overcome!


5. Keep on going even if you feel you’re all alone.

1 Kings 18


1 Kings 18

Elijah had them make two altars. Fire came down upon the altar to God and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, etc.


1 Kings 18

Elijah had them make two altars. Fire came down upon the altar to God and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, etc.

Then Elijah ordered that all the prophets of Baal be slain.


Jezebel seeks to kill Elijah, so he goes and hides out in a cave.



1 Kings 19:9-14 God speaks to Elijah.



1 Kings 19:9-14 God speaks to Elijah.

1 Kings 19:18 Elijah was not alone.



Daniel 3:24-25 “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.” He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”


And even if you feel like you’re the only one left, you still need to persevere.



Joshua basically said, “I’m not sure what you’re going to do, but I know what I’m going to do. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”




We need to make that same commitment.




We need to make that same commitment.

As Christians, we need to persevere; we need to endure no matter what.


Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Documents

Definition: "the art of continuing to do something in spite of difficulty or opposition."