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Endurance

Endurance

Do servants of Jehovah need endurance?

Why should we expect that some people will be indifferent to our preaching work or even opposed to it?

Mt 10:22; Joh 15:18, 19; 2Co 6:4, 5

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • 2Pe 2:5; Ge 7:23; Mt 24:37-39​—Though Noah is “a preacher of righteousness,” most ignore him, and only he and his family survive the Deluge

    • 2Ti 3:10-14​—The apostle Paul uses his own example of endurance to encourage Timothy to endure

Why may we expect opposition even from family members?

Mt 10:22, 36-38; Lu 21:16-19

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Ge 4:3-11; 1Jo 3:11, 12​—Cain slaughters his brother because Cain’s own works are wicked, whereas Abel’s are righteous

    • Ge 37:5-8, 18-28​—Joseph’s brothers attack him and sell him as a slave, in part because he related to them a dream from Jehovah

When persecuted, why do we not need to fear death?

Mt 10:28; 2Ti 4:6, 7

See also Re 2:10

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Da 3:1-6, 13-18​—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face death rather than compromise by committing an act of idolatry

    • Ac 5:27-29, 33, 40-42​—Despite threats of death, the apostles persevere in the preaching work, showing endurance

What will help us to stay faithful to Jehovah even when we are disciplined?

Pr 3:11, 12; Heb 12:5-7

How might the unfaithfulness of others test our endurance?

Jer 1:16-19; Hab 1:2-4

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Ps 73:2-24​—After considering the peace and prosperity of the wicked, the psalmist questions the value of enduring in his service to Jehovah

    • Joh 6:60-62, 66-68​—Though many stop following Jesus, the apostle Peter is determined to endure in faith

What will help us to endure?

Sticking to Jehovah

Gaining knowledge of God’s Word through study and meditation

Approaching Jehovah in regular, heartfelt prayer

Ro 12:12; Col 4:2; 1Pe 4:7

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Da 6:4-11​—The prophet Daniel continues to pray openly and regularly, despite a scheme to destroy him

    • Mt 26:36-46; Heb 5:7​—On the last night of his earthly life, Jesus prays intensely and urges others to do the same

Associating regularly with fellow believers to worship together

Keeping our mind focused on the rewards that Jehovah promises

Strengthening our love for Jehovah, for our Christian brothers and sisters, and for righteousness

Strengthening our faith

Maintaining the right attitude toward suffering

What are some benefits of enduring faithfully?

We bring honor to Jehovah God

Pr 27:11; Joh 15:7, 8; 1Pe 1:6, 7

  • Relevant Bible account(s):

    • Job 1:6-12; 2:3-5​—Satan challenges Jehovah regarding the integrity of Job, a challenge that can be answered only by Job’s faithful endurance as a servant of Jehovah

    • Ro 5:19; 1Pe 1:20, 21​—By enduring faithfully to the end, Jesus resolves this vital question: Can a perfect man succeed where Adam failed, maintaining integrity under the hardest tests?

We encourage others to endure

Endurance contributes to a fruitful ministry

We gain Jehovah’s approval and receive promised rewards