LJ 092605 Perseverance a Godly Pursuit Luke 9

Perseverance is a quality that gets a bad rap. It’s kin to "toughing it out." It’s the kind of thing we want everyone else to learn. I spoke to a friend today approaching the completion of his three year seminary degree . . . a ten year adventure . . . . Perseverance about to pay off.

Paul tells Timothy, "Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:11b (NLT) Peter’s approach to godliness has similar elements; [be diligent] and in your self-control, [add] perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness. 2 Peter 1:6b (NAS) Lots of people grind out each day but just grinding it out can be far removed from this spiritual quality that is part of a godly life.

In Luke 9 Jesus meets with the disciples as they turn in their work reports. v10 Then its time for a little R&R. Jesus "slipped quietly away." I will tell you my introversion relishes my alone time. It feeds my ego to see Jesus ducking the boys for a while. "But the crowds found out where he was going and they followed him. And he welcomed them, teaching them about the Kingdom of God . . . ."v11 "He welcomed them?" JC is trying to catch some well deserved down time and here comes the crowd and he welcomes them? If you ask me that’s godly self control.

But here comes something more trying than the crowds, the disciples. Dealing with them, Jesus will require more perseverance. The twelve are a bit tired themselves and figure Jesus ought to send the crowds home so they can find food and lodging. (Those guys, always thinking of others first.) Then they add, "There is nothing to eat here in this deserted place." v12

Now what is Jesus thinking? Peter hasn’t written his epistle yet but I can hear Jesus muttering to himself; "Help me Father. Self control, perseverance. Self control, perseverance." Jesus has personally devoted himself to this small group ministry pointing out kingdom perspectives, values and faith. Godly perseverance has a specific focus on the belief that God in fact is present working in and through the things we persevere. Especially when the things we persevere are the people we work closest with!

We all look forward to something. At the moment the disciples are looking forward to sending the crowds away in exchange for some R&R of their own. They may even have a local place in mind but know this would be another "no room at the Inn" story if that crowd tags along. Okay Jesus, "Self control, perseverance. Self control, perseverance."

Maybe its just the way we are . . . even when we have seen what Jesus can do over and over. Its just so easy to look around at where we live, work, serve and complain, "There is nothing in this deserted place." Jesus knows they will need a focus greater than their stomachs if they are to keep on serving the kingdom when he is gone. Jesus perseveres with the kingdom teaching moving from words to "show and tell."

"You feed them." Jesus says. "Impossible!" they protested. We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?" v13 You know they are thinking, This time we have got him, no way he expects us to do anything more. Feed these people! Its impossible under these circumstances.

You know the rest of the story . . . what was available was all that was needed to feed the crowds and they picked up bookoo leftovers.1 As I read Luke I want to move toward the godly perseverance I see in Jesus. God calls us to more than just tough it out especially with the people we live and work the closest.

As I read Luke I see Jesus has to repeat himself over and over. He is always going back to the basics with the disciples. In the same chapter he even asks, "Who do you say I am?" v20 Think about it, the cross is closing in and Jesus is still working on, "Okay boys, now who am I?"

The Greek word for perseverance (hupomene) has a measure of courage in it.2 "I, the Son of Man, must suffer many terrible things," he said. "I will be rejected by the leaders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law." v22a But more than courage, godly perseverance has a forward look to it. "I will be killed, but three days later I will be raised from the dead." v22b What we look forward to reinforces our perseverance.

Over and over the disciples have to be taught, led, instructed and shown. It is perseverance that Jesus models for you and I. He is always looking forward. The cross is ahead. The kingdom will be in the hands of the disciples soon. The stakes are becoming higher everyday. . . perseverance. "Self control, perseverance. Self control, perseverance." They will need it to effectively serve the kingdom of heaven.

So Jesus turns to the whole crowd and says, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23 (NLT) To be effective kingdom disciples we have to raise our ambitions above our appetites. We have to stop looking at our circumstances and saying, "There is nothing here in this deserted place."

You and I need to set our focus on Jesus and his kingdom. God is at work right where you are - and if that is true this place is not deserted. From two fish and a few loaves of bread devoted to kingdom purpose a powerful impact was made. We need to change our outlook about what is right before us if we are to let the kingdom come into that empty place.

You may be facing a cross just ahead. Jesus facing his own cross tells all would be followers the three step key to godly perseverance; 1) put aside your selfish ambition, 2) shoulder your cross daily and 3) follow me. Where do you need godly perseverance today?

Glad to be with You in the Word, Pastor Art
1 boo•coo or boo•koo http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/b/b0139700.html
[ b- ] Chiefly Southern U.S.
adj. Many; much: beaucoup money.
n. pl. beau•coups, also beau•coos or boo•koos
An abundance; a lot.
2 Hupomeno: hupo = under and meno = to remain, abide. To remain under especially trying circumstances. This is the word translated perseverance in 1 Tim 6:11 NLT and 2 Pet 1:6 NLT.

When I am low on perseverance I meet Jesus here for a few minutes just to relax.
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/cameras/waikiki_beach/waikiki.htm Click it and try it!

Jesus perspective: He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Hebrews 12:2b (NLT)