ENDURING
SNARES
Matt 24:13 Enduring
We have entered a time when the “drop out” rate among Church people is staggering. People need to again see the importance of staying faithful to God and His work.
I. WHAT IT MEANS TO ENDURE
A) To Stay Under- Matt 24:13 He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. The idea is to remain faithful even though Pressures and Problems remain and increase. Mk 4:16-17 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, but so endure for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
B) To Hold up against- II Thess 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.
C) To maintain Faith- Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the King; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Strong enough to Forsake Sin, not to Fear the King, and to live by Faith. Heb 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
II. WHY SHOULD WE ENDURE????
A) For our own salvation’s sake- Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Don’t allow Persecutions and Problems to make you an Apostate.
B) For other’s Salvation’s sake- II Tim 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. II Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Jesus DIED to get Salvation to men. I should be able to endure persecution in order to share it!
C) To Build our Character- II Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Heb 12:7 If ye endure Chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (vs 10 says He chastens us for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
D) To Encourage other Christians- James 5:10-11 Take, my brethern, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
E) For Conscience’s Sake- I Pet 2:19 For this is thanksworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. May the Lord deliver us from “Jelly-fish” Christians who aren’t willing to stand for anything that involves suffering.
F) For the JOY to come- Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
III. HOW CAN WE ENDURE??
A) Pace Yourself- Jacob found that in a journey you must Pace yourself. Gen 33:14 Let my Lord, I pray thee, pass over before thy servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. You renew Strength as you Wait on the Lord. You don’t want the Father to take you out of the oven while you are “half-baked”.
B) Seek Help from Others- In Ex 18 Moses’ father-in-law told Moses he would not be able to endure unless he obtained help. Seek support from Family, Friends, and Fellow Christians (They can help with Concern, advice, and Prayer support.)
C) Remember who is in control- Ps 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy cometh in the morning. God has not forsaken or forgotten you and He will never allow the circumstances to be greater than the strength He supplies.
D) Hold to God’s Love for you and your love for Him- I Cor 13:7 Love endureth all things.
May God grant us some people who will STICK TO IT when the going gets rough, who will HANG ON when the storms of life hit us, and who will never, never, never, never, never, never QUIT.
SNARES
Snare: A trapping device used for capturing something. Something that lures or entangles the unwary.
Eve was snared when she decided to have a discussion with a snake. David was snared when he was restless on a roof top instead of being in a battlefield. Judas was snared when he counted coins instead of listening to his Lord.
Here are some Snared you need to avoid in your daily living:
Associating with the World until you think like them: Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee (Exodus 23:32-33).
Worldly Words: A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul (Prov 18:7).
To Disregard God’s Service and Holy Vows: It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry (Proverbs 20:25).
To allow Anger to Control You: Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul (Proverbs 22:24-25).
To put Public Opinion over faith in Godly Directions: The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25).
To become so involved in the Common until you forget the Coming: And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth (Luke 21:34-35).
Depending on Worldly Wealth instead of Godly Provision: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (1 Timothy 6:6-9).
Trying to argue a person out of sin instead of sharing God’s Word: The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
How do we Avoid Snares? Heed God’s Word and Diligently Walk in God’s Ways: The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death (Proverbs 13:14). The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death (Proverbs 14:27).