The Enduring Disciple Part 1
Faith That Endures to the End
Sunday, November 2, 2025
Sister Linda Kent
Key Scripture
Hebrews 10:36 (CEB)
“You need to endure so that you can receive the promises after you do God’s will.”
I. Introduction
- Transforming the spiritual atmosphere takes time—change happens in God’s appointed time.
- True change begins when hearts are stirred, prayers are sown, and God’s divine purpose takes root.
- It requires endurance and partnership with those appointed by God.
II. Sermon in a Sentence
Endurance is more than just holding on—it is the quiet strength to trust God when everything around you says, “Give up.”
III. Key Concepts
A. Endurance
- The ability to withstand hardship or adversity.
- Choosing not to give up when things get tough.
- Having patience, persistence, and faith to keep moving forward.
- Trusting God even when circumstances say, “just give up.”
B. Faith
- Firm belief in something for which there is no visual proof.
C. Disciple
- A follower or learner who not only studies but actively imitates and applies the teachings of their master.
IV. Endurance in the Lives of God’s Chosen
A. God’s Chosen Endure Hardship
- Throughout Scripture, men and women chosen by God endured trials while fulfilling His will.
- Examples: lied on, humiliated, thrown into lions’ dens and fiery furnaces, ridiculed, sacrificed—all for God’s purpose.
- Each life pointed others to God for salvation.
B. God’s Intentional Choice
Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart…”
- Those chosen for divine purpose are handpicked by God.
- He plants specific desires that grow as we dedicate our lives to Him.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you hope and a future.”
- God’s plans may not match our expectations, yet His will is perfect.
V. Biblical Examples of Endurance
A. Noah
- Built the ark over 75–100 years, enduring mockery and disbelief.
- Remained faithful to God’s purpose: saving those who dared to believe.
B. Moses
- Chosen to lead Israel out of Egypt.
- Faced anger, rebellion, fear, and disobedience from his people.
- Though denied entrance to the Promised Land, God’s mercy allowed him to see it.
- Lesson: Even in failure, you remain chosen—your calling stands firm.
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)
“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him…”
C. Other Examples
- Jesus: Endured the shame of the cross for humanity.
- Hannah: Endured ridicule; gave birth to Samuel through perseverance.
- Paul: Suffered beatings, starvation, and imprisonment for the Gospel.
Truth: God intentionally chooses His children for purpose—each hardship refines and positions us for His glory.
VI. Case Study: The Life of Joseph
A. Chosen and Favored
Genesis 27:3–5 (NIV)
Israel loved Joseph and gave him a special robe; his brothers hated him for it.
- God’s plan for Joseph began early.
- Even conflict and jealousy were used by God to initiate His divine plan.
B. Purpose through Disruption
- God sometimes shakes our plans to align us with His.
- Pain, loss, and setbacks are instruments of preparation.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“All things work together for the good of those who love God…”
- Every hardship prepares us for God’s purpose.
- Worship through the storm transforms trials into testimonies.
C. Faith in Adversity
- Joseph remained faithful despite betrayal and slavery.
- His character was his anchor—he never forgot who God was.
II Timothy 2:3 (KJV)
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
Romans 8:37 (NIV)
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
VII. Joseph’s Journey of Endurance
A. Age 17 – God’s Plan Begins
- God separated Joseph from the familiar to strengthen him.
- Pain of rejection became the pathway to elevation.
- Endurance required faith in God’s unseen hand.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
“Without faith it is impossible to please God…”
B. Joseph in Potiphar’s House
Genesis 39:2–4 (NIV)
“The Lord was with Joseph… and gave him success in everything he did.”
- True discipleship is remaining faithful in uncertain seasons.
- Even in bondage, Joseph’s faithfulness made him a light to others.
C. Joseph in Prison
Genesis 39:20–21 (NIV)
“While Joseph was in the prison, the Lord was with him and granted him favor…”
- His imprisonment was not punishment but positioning.
- God used connections in the prison for Joseph’s future elevation.
- Faith is tested when we must trust God without visible progress.
Genesis 39:23 (NIV)
“The warden paid no attention… because the Lord was with Joseph.”
- Joseph’s faithfulness continued, proving that God’s presence remains even in hardship.
- God honors consistency and integrity even in low seasons.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
D. Divine Fulfillment
- Joseph’s endurance led to the preservation of Israel.
- He chose forgiveness over revenge, understanding God’s purpose.
Genesis 50:20–21 (NIV)
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”
- Every setback was a setup for divine purpose.
- God completed what He started through Joseph’s faithfulness.
VIII. The Call to Endure
- Just as Joseph endured years of trial, we must also remain steadfast.
- God will complete what He began.
- Endurance fulfills God’s mission: to make earth look a little more like heaven.
- Our faith anchors us until His promises are fulfilled.
Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV)
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time… though it tarry, wait for it; it will surely come.”
IX. Closing Encouragement
- Life will test you. Friends may fail you. Family may betray you.
- But stand firm—faith anchored in God cannot be shaken.
- Let your endurance be your testimony.
- What looks like a setback is part of God’s setup for His glory.
- Be faithful, stay strong, and endure to the end.
The Holy Spirit: Power for Kingdom Living, Week 8
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
October 26, 2025
Sermon in a Sentence
The Holy Spirit instructs, equips, and empowers us to be effective ambassadors of the Kingdom
of God (i.e., to do good)
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s [the King’s] ambassadors, as though God were
making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Effective Kingdom Ambassadors Make Ambassadors
1 Peter 2:11-12 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful
desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that,
though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the
day he visits us.
1. Avoid Normal Cretan Conduct
Titus 1:12-13a 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil
brutes, lazy gluttons.”13 This saying is true.
2. Aspire to Teach and Model Kingdom Conduct
Titus 2:1-15 1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. Philippians 3:17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
3. Live Life to Make Kingdom Living Appealing
Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Titus 2:3-4 3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
4. Kingdom Ambassadors Don’t Just Participate, They Dominate Jeremiah 29:4-7 4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in
number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Disclaimer: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We believe and teach that the Bible is God’s Word — His opinion — and provides His instruction for how to live life under His rule (i.e., the Kingdom of God).
