THE POWER OF PERSEVERANCE

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, July 20, 2025

(Hebrews 12:1–3, NLT) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

1.  Strip off anything that slows you down

(Hebrews 12:1, AMP) “…let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us…”

(Philippians 3:13–14, NLT) “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the ….”

2.  Focus on the prize

(Philippians 3:13–14, NLT) “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

(Hebrews 6:12, Message) “Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.”

3.  Take heart!

(Galatians 6:9, NASB) “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

(Psalm 94:19, NLT) “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”

(Philippians 1:6, Message) “God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.”

4.  Look to God daily for help and salvation

(Isaiah 45:22, Message) “So turn to me and be helped—saved!— everyone, whoever and wherever you are. I am God, the only God there is, the one and only.”

Many of us have a mental picture of what a Christian should be, and looking at this image in other Christian’ lives becomes a hindrance to our focusing on God. This is not salvation—it is not simple enough. He says, in effect, “Look to Me and you are saved,” not “You will be saved someday.” We will find what we are looking for if we will concentrate on Him. We get distracted from God and irritable with Him while He continues to say to us, “Look to Me, and be saved.…” Our difficulties, our trials, and our worries about tomorrow all vanish when we look to God. Wake yourself up and look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you, be determined to push them aside and look to him. “Look to Me.…” Salvation is yours the moment you look. -Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, devotion for January 22

(2 Corinthians 4:16, NLT) “That is why we never give up. … our spirits are being renewed every day.”

(Hebrews 12:2, NLT) “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”