Christian Endurance

So, just to think for a few moments, what do we mean by Christian endurance?

You know, endurance is one of those words, it's like perseverance, resilience.

It's a quality that we value in ourselves.

We want to grow in our ability to stay the course and stickability.

It's something as parents we want to see develop in our kids.

What do we mean?

What comes to our mind when we think of endurance?

You know, perhaps we think of the extremes, the Ironman, the ultra-marathon endurance races.

Perhaps you think of someone like Ernest Shackleton.

I've just begun reading the diary of the sailing of the endurance as Shackleton attempted to cross Antarctica,

a well-named boat, because his story was one of endurance.

Him and his crew endured as their boat was trapped in pack ice in the midst of the Weddell Sea,

and then endured through a 16-day, 800-mile voyage on a small lifeboat to find help for the rest of the crew,

left stranded, going through huge stormy seas and freezing conditions,

to rescue men enduring freezing conditions, camping on a rock of ice for 128 days.

So, we think of endurance, perhaps that's where we go.

My question is, is that a helpful picture for Christian endurance?

John writes to believers who need to endure.

They are facing danger.

It's interesting that either side of our text, so chapter 2, verse 26, he says,

I'm writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.

And then in chapter 3 and verse 7,

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.

So, this is a church experiencing the danger of drift.

They have seen in their experience a division within their church,

the departure of some of their leaders who it turns out were false teachers.

And on top of that, they are experiencing within the Roman Empire this daily reality of being a marginalized minority,

beginning to be more and more targeted, living on the margins of society,

a weak church at this stage.

And endurance for them, and probably endurance for us in our circumstance,

endurance is not primarily going to be about the spectacular exploits of the Iron Men or of the adventurers like Shackleton.

Endurance is about living the life of faith in the face of opposition and attack.

It's enduring in a daily walk of Christian obedience,

of practicing the truth,

of committing to love their neighbors,

of pursuing integrity.

It was a hard calling then.

It's often a hard calling now.

And it's interesting that John, throughout his letter,

gives us the key to Christian endurance.

So, here in chapter 2 and verse 28,

it begins,

And we've said this before,

it's the abiding word.

The key to Christian endurance is abiding in Christ.

Jesus himself famously used that image in John 15,

I am the vine,

you are the branches,

we need to remain to abide in him,

by the Spirit,

if we are to find strength,

vitality,

and life from Jesus,

if we are to bear fruit.

That's the secret to Christian endurance.

And that's what we're going to think about,

as John gives us some instruction,

and some wonderful truth in this section.

It's so interesting to think about their experience,

and why he's writing,

is to understand that John believes,

that when we struggle as Christians,

when there are difficulties facing us,

what we need is good doctrine.

We need gospel hope in suffering.

We need something that is secure and true,

if we are to have hope,

and if we are to persevere.

And so he brings gospel truths,

about God's great love for his people,

and the promise of future glory,

at the return of Christ.

And all the way along,

he is encouraging believers,

remember God has worked,

God is working,

God will work for your salvation,

therefore endure.

Stay the course,

follow the way of Christ.

So let's get into our text.

And the first thing I want us to think about is this,

we are called by John to continue in Christ,

confident about his return.

Again, just to say one more thing about the context,

chapter 2, verse 18,

we looked at this a few weeks ago,

John describes the time that they are living

as being the last hour,

and a time of many antichrists.

So we are to picture a time of intense,

spiritual opposition,

spiritual opposition,

a time of discouragement and confusion,

perhaps, for the church,

as there are those who deliberately set out

to oppose Christ,

to be anti,

to be against Christ Jesus.

And what does John say to believers

in that kind of situation?

What's our need?

We need to focus on our certain future with Christ.

And now, dear children,

verse 28,

continue in him

so that when he appears,

we may be confident

and unashamed before him at his coming.

So there's a certain knowledge.

Christ will return.

He will appear.

His glory will be revealed.

Everyone will see him

as he returns as victorious, conquering king.

The same idea is there in chapter 3, verse 2.

We know that when Christ appears.

So that's a certain hope for the future.

And there's another certainty

in verse 28.

We will stand before Jesus Christ

at his coming.

And one thing that John anticipates,

and Jesus does the same,

is that standing before Jesus at his coming

will either be a moment of joy

or a moment of profound shame.

There will be those who are true believers

who will welcome Christ the King

at his appearing.

And there will be those

who will cry out to the rocks,

fall on us.

How can we be confident on that day

to welcome Christ as our King?

John says it's as we continue in Christ,

as we abide in him,

with our faith in him,

drawing power from him,

receiving grace and the Spirit.

That's the key to security in the present

and hope for the future.

Persevering in Christ,

enduring in faith,

is the basis for us to have real confidence

as we think about the return of Christ.

But here's the really crucial thing

for us to understand,

and it's there throughout the Bible.

This is a work of God's grace

in his people.

Our confidence rests always in God

and in Christ

and not in ourselves.

So that's why we heard from John chapter 10.

John 10 · chapter mention

Here is Jesus,

and he describes himself as a good shepherd.

And as a good shepherd,

he calls his sheep to him,

and he speaks with such authority and power

that his sheep follow him.

He gives the gift of eternal life,

and his authority and power and love

are so strong

that no one can take a believer

out of Jesus' hands,

no one can take a believer

out of the Father's hands.

There is security,

not because of our faith,

but who our faith is in.

Philippians chapter 1, verse 6.

Philippians 1:6

Here is something we can be confident in,

being confident in this,

that he who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion.

When it comes to salvation,

God always finishes what he starts.

And so believers can be confident.

Romans chapter 8,

Romans 8 · chapter mention

Paul again,

nothing can separate us

from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus.

Because it's God's unbreakable commitment

to save his people for his glory

that enables us to persevere and endure.

And we're presented with this wonderful outcome

for the true believer.

When Christ appears,

rather than hiding in fear,

there is this confidence.

And that word,

the confidence word there,

has the idea of

there's a joyful access

to our God and our Savior.

There's an ability to speak freely

because we have a real living relationship

based on love.

The difference, in a sense,

is the difference between

the first two people

that we meet in the Bible,

Adam and Eve,

before and after they fell into sin.

So if we begin at Genesis 3,

if we begin after they disobey God,

they take the forbidden fruit,

they say no to God's word

and God's authority.

Sin interrupts their fellowship with God.

They have this reality of shame and guilt.

So when God comes to speak with them,

they hide.

They cower in the shadows.

But we know that that wasn't true before sin.

Beforehand,

created perfectly in the image of God

to know and enjoy Him,

God met with them.

God spoke with them openly.

And they enjoyed life

with their creator,

their king,

and their friend.

And here is what John is saying.

When Jesus returns,

that relationship

that Adam and Eve enjoyed

that was lost

because of sin and the fall,

that will be fully restored.

Never to be broken again.

And so John teaches us,

just as for a believer,

we have bold confidence

to come to the throne of grace today.

whenever we pray,

we're invited to come with confidence

to our Father

to find grace and mercy

and help in our time of need.

We will have the same bold confidence

when Jesus comes back.

But we'll have that reality

in a whole new way

because then we'll see Him face to face

and we'll think about that.

And then in verse 29,

He reminds us

that future hope

makes a difference

for how we live today.

If you know that He is righteous,

this one who is appearing,

you know that everyone

who does what is right

has been born of Him.

And so the logic

that John gives us

is that likeness

is a proof of relationship.

He says that's true

in a biological family

and it's also true

in God's family,

that those who have been

born through the work of Christ,

by the work of the Spirit,

by the Father's love,

will look like

and pursue

a life of righteousness.

Jesus is the one

who is truly

and perfectly righteous,

but the life of a believer

will be characterized

by doing what is right

according to God's will.

Now we will not do that perfectly,

but that's our direction of travel.

That the family of Christ

will persevere

in pursuing righteousness.

righteousness.

So John writes

to the believers then

and by extension to us

and he says we need

a focus

that is on our future,

that is Christ-centered

as we live today,

knowing what will be true

of us then,

drawing on the grace

that He supplies

by the Spirit,

enabled to endure

because we have this hope

that when Jesus returns

there's a glorious

eternal homecoming

for us

as those who belong to Him.

So we are to continue

in Christ

confident

about His return,

but we're secondly

to continue in Christ

confident

in the Father's love.

That's the beginning

of chapter 3.

And just before we get

to our text,

just to think about

a phrase that we use a lot,

you know,

we perhaps talk about

things being out

of this world.

Lots of people talking about,

you saw Hallin's goal

midweek,

out of this world.

We sometimes use it

of really simple things

like a meal

or an experience.

But John wants

to capture that language

and wants believers

to appreciate something

that truly and genuinely

is out of this world.

And it's this,

it's God the Father's

love for His children.

Verse 1,

See what great love

the Father has lavished on us

that we should be called

children of God.

That word see,

if you're familiar

with the authorized version,

behold.

It's the idea

of contemplating.

Here is what we need

to meditate on,

to focus our attention on,

and it's the Father's love

for His children.

When it says,

See what great love

the Father has lavished,

what kind of love,

what manner of love,

literally,

John is saying,

this is love

from another country.

This is a love

that is foreign.

In other words,

it's utterly unique.

The love that God

the Father has for us

is the out of this world

love that He wants us

to appreciate,

and we find it

in the gospel.

And in the context

of what John is writing,

he says,

if we are to keep enduring,

to use Eugene Peterson's language,

to pursue that long obedience

in the same direction,

here is something

we need to know

and to think about.

It's how deep

the Father's love for us is.

We need to let that sink

deep into our heart,

our mind,

and our soul.

He says,

this love

gives the believers

a new name.

See what great love

the Father has lavished on us

that we should be called

children of God.

By God's gracious initiative,

our identity

is transformed.

No longer what we are

by nature

because of sin,

enemies of God,

rebels against His will,

strangers to His grace,

now because of God's work

for us in Jesus,

children of God.

And he says,

this out of this world

love from the Father

gives us a new status.

Verse 1,

that's what we are.

We are children of God.

Verse 2,

dear friends,

now we are children of God.

Something has happened.

There's been a legal action

that's taken place.

Then there's been

a change of status

freely granted to us.

Now we are children.

Now we are heirs

of God,

our Father.

It's a transformation

that is so great

that John says

it's like the world

doesn't recognize us,

just as it didn't

recognize Jesus.

Now we are this

new community

with a new citizenship

being made more and more

like the Lord Jesus Christ.

Adopted into the family of God.

How do we receive this love?

How do we receive

and enjoy this new identity?

It's through God's work

for us in the gospel.

And it's the truth

of the gospel

that we need to behold,

to understand

that it's in the gospel

that we see

on full display

the Father's love for us.

Because it's in the gospel

we discover,

how is it that sinners like us

can be reconciled

to a holy God?

How can people like us

be in the family of God

despite the reality

of our sin

and our guilt?

And so in the gospel

we learn about

this idea of justification.

We encounter a God

who is both loving

and just.

A God who cannot

simply turn a blind eye

to sin.

He cannot ignore

our faults.

He cannot sweep

our guilt

under the rug

but because He is holy

He must punish.

His justice

must be satisfied.

So God is just

but He's also loving.

And we see His love

in the gospel

as the Father

sends His Son.

The righteous one.

The pure one.

And the punishment

that we deserve

is poured out on Him.

He becomes

the means

of atonement.

Dealing with

covering our sin

because of

His sacrifice.

And by faith

in the Lord Jesus Christ

our sin is forgiven

and guilt is removed.

This great exchange

happens where

Jesus is counted

as if He were the sinner

and we are counted

as if we were the righteous.

And now

because of this

great work of God

as we are credited

with Christ's

perfect righteousness

we can be adopted

by God's grace

to become

His children.

The goal

of being justified

being declared

right in God's sight

is that

we would be

adopted

into

His family

to know

the love

of

the Father.

And notice

that just as John

began this section

thinking about

the return of Christ

John connects

these two truths

in our next couple

of verses

the truths

of the Father's love

and the return

of Christ.

And again

it's for the basis

of our hope

and endurance

to remind us

of God's love

and God's grace

and what He's laid up

for us.

So chapter 3

and verse 2

dear friends

now we are

children of God

and what we will be

has not yet

been made known.

So here's a wonderful

reality.

As much

as the greatest

minds

in all of church

history are able

to fathom

something of the

depths of theology

nobody will ever

be able to

comprehend

what God

has in store

for those who

love Him.

We can get

a true sense

but we will never

get a complete sense

of how wonderful

our eternity

will be.

God is so

kind

to give us

tastes

and glimpses

in the gospel

but they are

just a reminder

and anticipation

of a feast

to come

that it's so

good

that we cannot

get our heads

around it.

And yet having

said that

John does bring

three wonderful

truths to

our attention.

First

here's the first

thing we know

verse 2

we know

that Christ

will appear.

So we've said

that already

we know

there is a day

coming

when God's

glory in Jesus

will be on full

display.

The first time

Jesus came

in humility

born

in a stable

placed in a manger

the second time

He comes

the sky will be

split open

and everyone

will see Him

as He comes

as conquering

King of glory.

Connected to that

here's the second

thing we know

we shall be

like Him.

Which at very

least

means that

when Jesus

comes

glorified

resurrected

Savior

we too

will be

glorified

we too

will have

resurrection

life

resurrected

bodies

1 Corinthians

15

It means

at very least

Revelation 21

that we will

live for

eternity

free from

sin

and suffering

and death

and it means

2 Corinthians 3

that we will be

then transformed

into His

glorious image

by the Spirit

that process

that the Spirit

is involved

in now

making us

more and more

like Jesus

will be completed

when He returns

and the third

thing that we know

is that we

shall see

Him

as He

is

so now

it's true

for us

as believers

we walk

by faith

and not

by sight

we have

the wonderful

gift of

faith

and the

gift of

faith

enables us

to have

these

glimpses

of Christ's

glory

and we

experience

the joy

of His

presence

but we

know all

too often

as believers

that those

moments

are real

but they

often feel

faint

and they're

hard to

keep hold

off

you know

it's wonderful

isn't it

when we have

those moments

perhaps in a

church service

or when we're

reading our

Bibles

or when we're

praying

and we know

that God

is close

and we

experience

His love

in a particular

way

but that's

really hard

as much

as we love

to try

and keep

hold of

that

so often

it comes

and it

goes

it's one

of the

reasons

why we

need

worship

it's why

as Ian

said

we need

to be

reading

God's

word

we need

to be

hearing

the gospel

we need

to be

sharing

the Lord's

Supper

these are

all chances

opportunities

for us

to see

Christ

by faith

but at

His return

then we

see by

sight

then we

see perfectly

then there's

no coming

and going

but we have

that perfect

fellowship

perfect love

and this is

the goal

of our

faith

it's the

center

of our

hope

to see

Jesus

as we

are made

like Him

like those

men who

came

to the

disciples

shortly

before

Jesus

would go

to the

cross

we want

to see

Jesus

the longing

of our

heart

we want

to see

Jesus

when Jesus

returns

that longing

is answered

Psalm 27

Psalms 27:4

verse 4

the longing

of David

one thing

I desire

to gaze

on the

beauty

of the

Lord

the promise

of Jesus

in Matthew

Matthew 5 · chapter mention

chapter 5

blessed are

the pure

in heart

for they

will

see God

Revelation

Revelation 1:7

1 verse 7

look he is

coming with

the clouds

and every

eye

will see

him

and so

John takes

discouraged

and weak

Christians

who have

seen some

of their

church depart

and are

tempting them

to believe

lies and

untruths

he takes

them to

the glory

of the

father's

love

and he

reminds them

listen the

father who

loved you

enough in

Christ to

make you

his children

is the

father who

will love

you and

bring you

home to

heaven and

to the

new creation

saying to

them and to

us if we

are to

persevere

we must

hold our

gaze

to hold

our ground

to fix

our eyes

on God's

love for

us in

Christ

to

contemplate

to consider

the

electing

unshakable

eternal

love God

the father

has for

his

children

and then

there's

verse 3

of chapter

3

all who

have this

hope in

him

purify

themselves

just as

he is

pure

and there's

this interesting

and we've

thought about

some of the

moral tests

that we find

in John's

first letter

and here's

another

he says

if our

future hope

is truly

fixed on

Christ and

seeing him

and being

like him

that has

implications

for how

we live

today

it means

we will

want to

be as

like him

as we

can be

today

Christ

is

pure

so we

want to

participate

with the

spirit

in a

purifying

process

if heaven

is our

true

home

if that's

where our

true identity

our citizenship

is

then holiness

is the

road we are

going to be

walking on

until we

get there

some of us

are familiar

with the

idea of

culture shock

you move

to a

different

place

a different

country

and everything

seems so

different

as believers

we want

to avoid

culture shock

in heaven

because we

want to be

living today

and tomorrow

the values

of heaven

here on

earth

as we

know he

is pure

and perfect

by the

help of

the spirit

and the

grace that

Jesus supplies

that is this

ongoing

purifying

in our

lives

making us

more and

more like

Jesus

and so it's

interesting for

John that these

glorious truths of

the Father's

love and

future hope

have a very

practical

outworking

they lead us

to persevere

in seeking

after moral

purity

in conclusion

thinking about

this little

section

John is

saying to

us

Christians

true believers

will endure

because of

God

and the

gospel

because of

truths about

God and

his work

in salvation

how are we

to stay

the course

it's through

God's work

to return to

Shackleton's

voyage for a

moment

Captain

Worsley

wrote a

really nice

diary

an account

of the

voyage

and early

on when it

became apparent

that this

ship the

Endurance was

going to have

to be left

behind that it

was going to

sink

he wrote

this

he said

Shackleton

had a

genius

it was

neither

more

nor

less

than

that

for

keeping

those

about

him

in

high

spirits

we

loved

him

every

man

among

us

had

unbounded

faith

in

Shackleton

we knew

that if

mortal man

could lead

us to

safety

Shackleton

was that

man

it was a

great tribute

to that

adventurer

as a

leader

but you

know my

gut reaction

was

wow

I am

no

Shackleton

and then

I started

thinking wow

if that's

the kind

of leader

that a

church

needs

if a

church

is going

to survive

then we're

in trouble

because that's

not me

and that's

why we need

to hear

the gospel

because our

endurance

is not

on me

and it's

not on

you

and it's

not our

ability

to endure

who's the

leader that

we place

our faith

in

one who

is infinitely

greater than

Shackleton

who's the

genius that

gives us

our unbounded

unshakable

confidence

it's the

Lord Jesus

Shackleton

failed

he never

made it

across

Antarctica

but the

Lord Jesus

he never

ever

fails

and he

is how

we will

stay the

course

in the

Christian

life

to come

back to

reality

come back

to Monday

morning

how will

I pursue

a life

of faithfulness

how will

I love

my neighbor

how will

I speak

and act

with truth

and integrity

in my

workplace

how will

I serve

family

friends

colleagues

coursemates

mercifully

we don't

need the

heroic

character

of a

Shackleton

because our

perseverance

and endurance

begins

and ends

with God

he calls

he keeps

he gives

eternal life

those who

abide in

Christ

those who

continue

in him

we draw

from his

supplies of

grace

we find

strength from

him in our

weakness

we can

bear fruit

as he

supplies

the spirit

we can

continue

in Christ

with

confident

hope

that

Christ's

first coming

his work

on the cross

demonstrates

the

father's

love for

us

and

Christ's

return

will bring

us into

an eternal

experience

of that

perfect

love

and so

we're

called to

take

heart

when our

hope is

in Christ

knowing that

God will

finish what

he starts

that God

perfectly loves

and never

lets go

of his

children

and God's

commitment

makes sure

that his

children will

keep going

until our

faith does

become

a perfect

site

and

to

go

to

the

heart

and

to

heart

!