1. Today’s Scripture Reading James 1:12

2. Real Christians Are Persevering James 1:12

3. Now That’s A Brand! Did you hear about the two Texas cowboys bragging about the names of their ranches?Did you hear about the two Texas cowboys bragging about the names of their ranches? It can be a challenge to remain faithful to Christ during all the ups and downs of this life.It can be a challenge to remain faithful to Christ during all the ups and downs of this life.

4. Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. (NAS) Are we strong enough to survive the branding we will receive if we are truly faithful in this world? Real Christians are PERSEVERING. How is the Lord preparing us to stand strong for the faith we profess?

5. ABIDING What does God really want from me? Jeremiah 32:40 -- I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.

6. What Are We Charged To DO? To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. John 8:31

7. Where Do We Really Live? John 15:1-8 We must remain (abide) in JesusWe must remain (abide) in Jesus We must bear fruit in keeping with righteousnessWe must bear fruit in keeping with righteousness We must obey Jesus and keep His commandmentsWe must obey Jesus and keep His commandments Failure to do so results in being cut offFailure to do so results in being cut off

8. How Should We Be Growing? Faith Goodness Knowledge Self-control Perseverance Godliness Brotherly Kindness Love These qualities increasing! 2 Peter 1:5-8

9. Luke 14:25-33 Have we properly counted the cost?Have we properly counted the cost? Do we have what it takes to follow Jesus for the rest of our lives?Do we have what it takes to follow Jesus for the rest of our lives? Are we willing to give all that we have to abide in Jesus?Are we willing to give all that we have to abide in Jesus?

10. PERSEVERING I must persevere when faced with temptation for evil:I must persevere when faced with temptation for evil: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13

11. I must persevere in remaining free from legalism Galatians 5:1 -- It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. We must beware of binding ourselves where Christ would set us free.We must beware of binding ourselves where Christ would set us free.

12. I must persevere during the Lord’s disciplineHebrews 12:1ff Run the race with perseverance Set your eyes on Jesus Expect discipline from the Lord and learn from it. Harvest peace and righteousness as a result

13. I must persevere through hardship and persecution Matthew 10:22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

14. OVERCOMING! Don’t tucker out: And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Don’t faint before the harvest: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

15. Don’t Get Wishy-washy Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.Ephesians 4:14 -- Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

16. Don’t Find Yourself Outside The Gate Revelation 21:6-8 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

17. God has provided us everything we need to persevere in the faith: Ephesians 6:11-18 He has equipped us with the proper armor for the fight. Are we ready to be branded for Jesus? Are we strong enough to survive the fight?