Introduction:
A. Endurance (hupomone) literally means “to stay or remain under.”
B. Endurance as it relates to the book of Hebrews:
1. Drifting (Heb. 2:1-3)
2. Turning their backs (Heb. 3:6; 10:23-25)
3. Past success does not guarantee present faithfulness (Heb. 10:32-34; 12:4).
4. Theme (Heb. 10:36)
5. Jesus: our great example (Heb. 12:4, 5, 1)
C. Misconceptions about endurance:
I. Endurance is not merely hunkering down until the storm is over.
(Ps. 61:13; 23:4; 1 Pet. 2:23; Lk. 23:46; 1 Pet. 4:19; 2 Tim. 1:12)
II. Endurance is not merely handing on while we work out our own plan, relying on our own strength to extricate ourselves from difficult circumstances.
(Heb. 12:4; 10:39; 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 10:36; Lk. 22:42)
III. Endurance is not characterized by toxic, negative behavior.
(Heb. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:22-23; Is. 53:7; Lk. 23:34)
IV. Endurance is not marked by an “Eeyore” disposition.
(Heb. 12:2; Jas. 1:2-4; Heb. 5:8-9; Mt. 5:10-12; Acts 5:41; 1 Pet. 4:16; Rom. 8:12: 2 Cor. 4:17)
Conclusion:
A. Jesus, the “man of sorrows” (Is. 53:3), who for “the joy set before Him endured the cross” (Is. 53:3; Heb. 12:2).
B. With Christ’s help, we can endure! How?
1. By offering Him our committed trust
2. By focusing on His will rather than our own
3. By following His example of gentleness in suffering
4. By facing suffering with steadfast joy