Fortitude

Date: 2 February 2008
Speaker: Pastor Tan Ye Peng
Venue: City Harvest Church

Fortitude = Strength of mind that enables someone to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage.

Hebrews 10:35-36
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

2 Corinthians 6:4
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

2 Timothy 3:10
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,

How do you develope endurance?

E Embrace God's purpose in your situation. Character, faith and salvation are important.

1 Peter 1:7
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

James 1:3-4
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Romans 5:3-4
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

N Nurture your spiritual roots. Circumstances will eventually change one day, but His word never will.

Mark 4:17
and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

Luke 8:15
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

D Direct your attention to Jesus Christ. God is always your solution.

Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

U You must use your experience to help others. Your greatest life message comes out from your weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 1:6
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

R Rely on God's power. You don't know God's all you need, until God's all you've got.

Colossians 1:11
strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

Romans 12:12
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

E Expect God to bless you. By your faith, you determine how much God can do for you.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 5:11
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Hebrews 10:36
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

God didn't send you to enter the race. He sent you to finish the race.