Sermon Tone Analysis

The story is a classic Hollywood tale.

The main character is battling through a mighty struggle where the odds are stacked against him.

It seems like everything that could go wrong has.

Even his sidekick, who is supposed to help him along, keeps getting in his way.

Along the way, in a moment of intense disappointment, when he feels that all hope is gone, his female costar takes the time to give him a bit of advice that is EXACTLY what he needed to hear, even if he didn’t want to hear it.

Let’s dim the lights and take a look at the clip of this important scene!

Perseverance versus Patience

Makrothuméō involves exercising understanding and patience toward persons while hupoménō (5278) involves putting up with things or circumstances.

Perseverance comes through struggle

Perseverance is looking to the future despite what the present may hold.

The pressures of pagan society, the danger of persecution, emotional reaction after a wonderful initial experience, and the apparent implication of “instant salvation,” made it imperative for Christians to understand that “by your endurance you will gain your lives”

The pressures of pagan society, the danger of persecution, emotional reaction after a wonderful initial experience, and the apparent implication of “instant salvation,” made it imperative for Christians to understand that “by your endurance you will gain your lives” ()

Christy Brown, a cripple from Dublin, Ireland, was born with inconceivable handicaps.

He was unable to walk, dress himself, or feed himself, talked in a guttural sound, never attended school a day in his life, but wrote a literary masterpiece that received world acclaim.

In his autobiographical novel, Down All the Days, the author told the story of what it was like to be all but helpless; to be one of twenty-two children; and to live in the slums.

It required Christy Brown fifteen years to write his book, for he typed it with the little toe of his left foot.

Christy Brown, a cripple from Dublin, Ireland, was born with inconceivable handicaps.

He was unable to walk, dress himself, or feed himself, talked in a guttural sound, never attended school a day in his life, but wrote a literary masterpiece that received world acclaim.

In his autobiographical novel, Down All the Days, the author told the story of what it was like to be all but helpless; to be one of twenty-two children; and to live in the slums.

It required Christy Brown fifteen years to write his book, for he typed it with the little toe of his left foot.

Perseverance is the fuel for the ride home.

G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1986), 281–282.

Christy Brown, a cripple from Dublin, Ireland, was born with inconceivable handicaps.

He was unable to walk, dress himself, or feed himself, talked in a guttural sound, never attended school a day in his life, but wrote a literary masterpiece that received world acclaim.

In his autobiographical novel, Down All the Days, the author told the story of what it was like to be all but helpless; to be one of twenty-two children; and to live in the slums.

It required Christy Brown fifteen years to write his book, for he typed it with the little toe of his left foot.

When I go through difficult circumstances, I want the end.

I’m so focused on escape and overcoming that I barely think about what God might be teaching me through that experience.

And I’m certainly not thinking about how He might be using me to witness to others.

When I go through difficult circumstances, I want the end.

I am so focused on escape and overcoming that I barely think about what God might be teaching me through that experience.

Perseverance is the fuel for the ride home.

G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1986), 281–282.Perseverance is the fuel for the ride home.

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale reported on a visit with a former president of the United States, the late Herbert Hoover.

It is said that President Hoover’s Christian faith and practice were commendable.

During their conversation, the popular preacher asked, “Mr.

President, can you state in one sentence the secret of your success in life?” Quickly he answered: “With the help of God, I never gave up.”

When we gaze upon the cross it puts everything in perspective.

It becomes the focus of our gaze.

From His sacrifice to the time when our redemption is complete, we are meant to live intentional lives that reflect His purpose.

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale reported on a visit with a former president of the United States, the late Herbert Hoover.

It is said that President Hoover’s Christian faith and practice were commendable.

During their conversation, the popular preacher asked, “Mr.

President, can you state in one sentence the secret of your success in life?” Quickly he answered: “With the help of God, I never gave up.”

Keeping our eyes on Him helps us to stay on the path.

Rest comes later.

Right now, when we suffer trials, God ask us to live lives that reflect our loyalty to Him.

Persist because of the the hope you’ve been given and in which God continues to uphold you.

Perhaps the greatest example of perseverance alive today is Joni Erickson Tada.

“Just the other day I was reading [ESV], where Peter says, “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace … will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

Honestly, I’m amazed that the last 50 years feel like only “a little while.”

Maybe God does that when we finally do love Jesus more, when we finally do follow him more closely.

Maybe he erases all the horror, all the despair, all the depression of the past when we learn how to trust God.

He pushes into the background all the terrible times of anguish, and he brings forward the highlights—the moments of hope, peace, and growth.

As I look back over 50 years, I just see God at work.

That’s pretty exciting.”