1. By Faith We Persevere Hebrews 11:29-35a

2. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:35–40

3. Perseverance: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition (Merriam Webster) To carry on, persist, gut it out, hang in there The hall of faith climaxes with the retelling of the faithful who laid down their lives accepting beatings, stonings, scourgings, mutilation, imprisonment, etc. By faith they persevered and received a good testimony from God.

4. Last Sunday ISIS (Isalamic State of Iraq and Syria) executed 28 Ethiopian Christians living in Libya. Their crime? They refused to convert to Islam or pay a tax for being Christians. These 28 Christians persevered to the end and gave their lives for their profession of Jesus Christ as Lord

5. PERSEVERANCE IS OFTEN NAMELESS WITH LITTLE TO NO FANFARE The hall of faith begins with the names and feats of the great men of faith and it ends with true heroes of the faith that remain nameless. In this list of tortured, beaten, stoned, imprisoned, mocked, mutilated men, not a single name is mentioned and the only one is implied (Isaiah who was “sawn in two”). The world was not fit for these martyrs and they received a good testimony from their King. In the Christian walk we will be called to suffer for Jesus’ sake, but we are never promised earthly exultation and praise for our suffering and perseverance.

6. PERSEVERANCE IS OFTEN NAMELESS WITH LITTLE TO NO FANFARE The hall of faith begins with the names and feats of the great men of faith and it ends with true heroes of the faith that remain nameless. In this list of tortured, beaten, stoned, imprisoned, mocked, mutilated men, not a single name is mentioned and the only one is implied (Isaiah who was “sawn in two”). The world was not fit for these martyrs and they received a good testimony from their King. In the Christian walk we will be called to suffer for Jesus’ sake, but we are never promised earthly exultation and praise for our suffering and perseverance.

7. PERSEVERANCE IS OFTEN NAMELESS WITH LITTLE TO NO FANFARE PERSEVERANCE OFTEN HAPPENS IN ISOLATION WITH JUST YOU AND GOD One of the tools of the enemy is to isolate us from other believers and tempt us to question the character of God as we endure difficult times. As we consider the heroes of the faith we notice that God allowed many of them to undergo their testing in isolation. The prophet Jeremiah was rejected for proclaiming the Word of God and was cast into a well (Jer. 38:6), Joseph was cast from his family in slavery, prison and the Palace, Daniel stood alone in Babylon, Elijah believed he was all alone in Israel (1 Kings 18:22) and on the cross God in the flesh, Jesus, suffered alone. We are called to persevere even when we feel alone!

8. PERSEVERANCE IS OFTEN NAMELESS WITH LITTLE TO NO FANFARE PERSEVERANCE OFTEN HAPPENS IN ISOLATION WITH JUST YOU AND GOD PERSEVERANCE WILL TAKE YOU DOWN PATHS OF GOD’S CHOOSING AND NOT YOUR OWN “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. The he said to him, “Follow me” John 21:18-19

9. PERSEVERANCE IS OFTEN NAMELESS WITH LITTLE TO NO FANFARE PERSEVERANCE OFTEN HAPPENS IN ISOLATION WITH JUST YOU AND GOD PERSEVERANCE WILL TAKE YOU DOWN PATHS OF GOD’S CHOOSING AND NOT YOUR OWN PERSEVERANCE ENDS IN THE LOVING AND ENCOURAGING ARMS OF JESUS 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

10. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6–8