The Lutheran Hour
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"The Power of a Persevering Faith in Jesus!"
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Text: Philippians 3:8-14
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“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Jesus Christ has already laid hold of me.”
Grace, and mercy, and peace be to you through our Lord and Savior Jesus, who pressed on to the cross so that we might have real, lasting life by faith in Him! Amen!
It was July 4th, 1952. Florence Chadwick, aged 34, waded into the water off Catalina Island and began her 21 mile swim toward the coast of Southern California. If she completed her journey, she would be the first woman ever to accomplish this incredible feat. The water was icy cold, and the fog was so heavy, so much so that Florence could hardly see the boats in her own party. Sharks started to cruise her way as she swam. In surrounding boats, it took men armed with rifles, shooting carefully aimed shots to keep those sharks at bay.
But her most challenging enemy was not the sharks, but the constant, numbing cold of the water and the haze of the fog. Fifteen hours after she began, she dejectedly asked to be taken out of the water. Her muscles were now sluggish and unresponsive as the icy cold had finally taken its toll. Her mother and trainer, alongside in the boat, kept trying to encourage here not to stop. They said, “We’re near land, you’ve almost made it.” But to no avail. She looked ahead and all she could see was the dense fog…..so she gave up, she was beaten, and she asked to be taken out of the water. When they pulled her out, incredibly, she was only a half-mile from the California coast! Only a small fraction of her journey was incomplete….she almost did it. Later, when Florence’s body began to thaw, the shock of her failure finally hit her. To a reporter she blurted out, “Look, I’m not excusing myself. But if I could have just seen the land, I might have made it.”
We, as a people, love to watch the daredevil, to listen to the expert or the guru who has “accomplished something great.” We muse that maybe, just maybe their success might somehow become ours too. But there always seems to be that eventual fog. There always seems to be something insurmountable in the end. For even the present great feats of strength, the great accomplishments of leadership and risk eventually fade into history, fade into the past.
The Apostle Paul, today, shares with us the power of a persevering faith in Jesus Christ in full view of such challenges, one that moves boldly into the future, one that never fades into the past. Right up front he dismisses his and our capabilities as the reason for such power. He does not boast of himself, of his abilities, his status, his authority; without Christ his capabilities are useless compared to the power of knowing Jesus. He speaks very simply then of the power and victory of the Christian life in one word, faith. A persevering faith, not in oneself, or one’s natural abilities, but a faith relationship to a living God Who gives life and salvation to all who believe!
Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained this already, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Jesus Christ has already laid hold of me.”
The power of a persevering faith, the power to “press on” in life is, first of all, the ability to know what is really valuable in life!
You see, if you have a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, then you have a new sense of what is truly precious!
Paul says it this way in our lesson, “I consider everything a loss, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord.”
Once you know this Jesus Christ, the One Who is literally God in the flesh for you, the One Who lived for you and died for you, and rose so that you might have eternal life in His Name, what in the world can even compare?
Paul says, “Nothing, nothing can even come close.”
And knowing this Lord Jesus as your Savior by faith, it gives a person what I like to call, “The power of “no” delusions and even greater expectations!”
Let me explain. Most people are either too hard or too easy on themselves. Christ says, “Be honest with yourself.” When you trust in Him, then you let Him have His say in your life. The life of Faith in Jesus means that you can be honest with yourself. It is the power of “no delusions.” When you realize that even your best efforts will not be enough, when you realize that your sin and failure are always with you, that there is “no righteousness here on your own,” Christ Jesus is already there with a forgiveness that only He can provide, with a love that only He can deliver and sustain.
But, such honesty provides even greater news. By faith, His expectations, His future is now yours as well. No delusions? Yes, but even greater Expectations. Why? because by faith, the power of Jesus’ resurrection, in the accomplished purpose of His suffering and death, the very hope of His future is yours and mine as well, just as He promises!
No delusions, even greater expectations, that’s the power of faith in Jesus Christ for your life and for mine. That’s the power to face life today and to press on to tomorrow no matter what.
Let’s say it even more clearly then. The power of such a persevering faith, rests in knowing that there is “one thing in life more important than everything else, faith in this Jesus Christ.”To persevere – someone said that it means, “Doing the hard work, no matter what the obstacles, until the job is done.” But I like this explanation more, “to persevere” is to “put your next foot forward, even though you don’t have the strength to take another step.”
What gives people the strength to persevere? What makes a person rise up to do their best when they are facing overwhelming odds and insurmountable obstacles? We value people who persevere because it gives us a glimpse of what humanity “might be” if we could somehow give it “better than our best.” But very often there is a temptation in that honoring. We often value people who have “faith in themselves.” They are people who accomplish “great things,” that’s for sure, at least compared to us. Do you remember the Michael Jordan commercial several years ago? Jordan was considered the greatest “winner” in basketball history….the Nike commercial went something like this.
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
He definitely “put one foot forward when most everyone else couldn’t take the next step.” But, if you asked Michael Jordan why he succeeded. I’m sure that he’d tell you that it was because he had “Faith in himself,” as most great athletes or leaders do. Now I’m not denying that such faith can do some pretty amazing things, it can cause people to set records swimming icy oceans, it can cause others to hit game-winning shots, but in the end, it’s not enough.
That’s not the kind of faith we’re talking about in our lesson for today. The kind of persevering faith that the world needs right now is not one rooted in our heroes’ best efforts. This world of sin and suffering needs a greater source and resource for life and salvation than we can provide.
The source of a persevering faith for real life and salvation can only come from God Himself, nothing else compares.
On the cross and in His resurrection from the dead, Jesus put one foot forward when no one else could take another step and He didn’t do it to show His greatness, He didn’t do it to make a name for Himself…He did it because He loves you and He wants a life for you that only He can provide.
In the book, Through the Valley of the Kwai, written by Ernest Gordon, an Allied prisoner of war, Gordon gives us a glimpse of such a persevering love…He writes:
The day’s work had ended. The tools were being counted as usual. As the party was about to be dismissed, the guard shouted that a shovel was missing. The guard insisted that someone had stolen it, and of course this was a very serious offense because one may have used it to attempt an escape. Striding up and down the rank of men the guard ranted and raved, working himself into a furry. Screaming in broken English, he demanded that the guilty one-step forward to take his punishment. No one moved. The guard’s rage reached new heights of violence.
“Then all die; all die,” he shrieked.
And to show that he meant what he said, he cocked his rifle and put it on his shoulder, and aimed at the first man in the rank, prepared to shoot and to work his way down the line. At that moment, a soldier from the Argyle Regiment stepped forward, stood stiffly to attention and said calmly, “I did it.”
The guard unleashed all his whipped up hate kicking the helpless prisoner and beating him with his fists. Still the Argyle stood, rigidly to attention; chin up, though now his blood was streaming down his face. His calm silence seemed to goad the guard’s rage. Seizing the rifle by the barrel, the guard lifted it high over his head and brought it down upon the skull of the Argyle, who fell limply to the ground, never to move again. And though it was perfectly clear that the man was dead, the guard continued to beat him and stopped only when he was exhausted.
The men of the work detail picked-up their comrade’s body and they marched back to camp. When the tools were recounted again at the guard house, it turned out that the shovel was not missing after all.
Taking that sacrificial step forward for others, that’s a glimpse of real love. For on the cross we see it even more fully when Jesus put God’s foot of eternal life and salvation forward for the whole world and not just for a few in the camp. Under the very curse of sin and death, with justice shrieking that all would deservedly die, Jesus put His saving foot forward so that all of us might live by His gracious, loving sacrifice. Jesus did it not only for comrades and friends, but even for enemies. He did it for you and HE did it for me. Paul knew this. Paul believed this and it changed his life. Knowing Christ by faith is the one thing that empowers a persevering life of faith.
As St. Paul writes, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Jesus Christ has already laid hold of me.”
Therefore, with the power of a persevering faith in Jesus, you can face whatever comes in this life, in the victory that is yours in Him.Because in Him, there is power to forget what is behind.
Most of us, now be honest, we tend to live in the past, and we’re quite afraid of the future. We often romanticize what was, and fearfully exaggerate what might be! In Christ, you can deal with where you have been.
All the sin and guilt that you are carrying, all the weight of failed or unrealized expectations, all those things can be set aside because of Him. Your life is His. Your sins are forgiven in His name and you have a life to live because He seeks to live in and through you for others.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 2:8-10…where Paul says that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus…but then He also says that we are God’s workmanship, created by Him to do good works that He has already prepared for us. What does that mean for you today? Well, no matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done…it all can be set aside because of Christ’s sacrifice for you on the cross, and today, you can start living the life that He has prepared for you to live, a life that will not only leave the past in the dust, but one that will live boldly into His future.
With the power of a persevering faith in Jesus, you can face whatever comes in this life.
Because in Him, there is power then to strive towards what is ahead. You see, most of us are afraid of the future because the fear of the unknown incapacitates us now. As we get older, the fogginess of the future becomes more and more apparent to us.
The power of faith in Jesus Christ says, “Of course that’s going to happen. What did you think? Are your skills and abilities your source of strength to face tomorrow or am I,” says the Lord. The power to “press on” comes from the truth that Christ has already gone on ahead of us. He, the resurrected One, the One Who now sits at the “right hand of God,” Who is coming to judge the living and the dead…He is our Savior. We are His people and His future is our future by faith.
The word “press on,” gives us the wrong impression today. It makes it seem like Jesus has “shown us the way,” and now we are to roll up our sleeves and follow His example. Again, it’s as if He is our Hero only and not our Lord and Savior. But the actual word in the text is clearer than that…it could be translated, “follow on.” I like that better, because there Jesus is “blazing the trail, our trail, before us,” overcoming the obstacles that would overwhelm us, giving us a path to follow in Him for others, a life to live boldly now and forever.
“Follow on” because of the One Who has put His foot forward for you, and now empowers you to take another step in Him.
“Follow on” in serving others in His Name, loving them with His resource of forgiveness, life, and salvation, something you’ve received, something that you cannot extinguish or exhaust.
How would you picture that kind of love? How would you picture the kind of determined life of faith in Him, that empowers you to face whatever you’re dealing with today? It’s as if Jesus is doing all things necessary so that you and I might live the life that He wants for us. It’s as if there is no stopping Him in His blessing us no matter what we are facing at this moment.
You know, it reminded me of a story of a father trying to teach his son how to hit a baseball. The trouble was that the boy was a bit too small and he hadn’t practiced enough to hit the ball consistently. So, dad did what dads do, he got out there and he pitched the ball to him again and again and again. The dad pitched, the boy missed, the dad pitched again, the boy missed. This went on several times. The boy started swinging more slowly, then and finally, half-heartedly. Well, sensing discouragement, trying to instill determination and not a quitter’s attitude, the dad interjected, “Son, it is your responsibility to watch the ball and swing as hard as you can. It is my responsibility to hit the bat with the ball!” After an afternoon of determined swinging, his son said, “Dad, let’s work on this tomorrow. Okay? You’re still missing my bat too much.”
Well, you know, all of us experience failure. But, determination by a persevering faith is knowing that God’s promises in our life will always, they’ll always hit, win out in the end! Press on. Follow on, because your Savior has done all things necessary for your life and salvation, now and forever.
There is a persevering love in the world today that makes your life possible. The Cross and resurrection of Jesus “cuts through the fog and clearly shows us God’s solution for our past and His promise for our future.”
Do you remember Florence Chadwick, the one who tried to swim the Catalina Channel in California, the one who gave up because of the fog, the one who said, “If I could have just seen the land, I might have made it.”
Two months after her failure, Chadwick walked off the same beach into the same channel and swam the distance, setting a new speed record, because this time she could see the land.
In the same way, the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ cuts through the fog, it helps us see the certainty of what lies ahead for all who trust in Jesus. Such a faith, gives us the power to overcome our past, the power to face the future, the power to persevere and live life boldly today, forever so others might know Him, too. The most exciting thing about being a Christian is the daily, even eternal wonder of what Jesus can do with us as we live our lives by faith in Him. May the power of a persevering, “follow on” faith be yours today and forever! Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for October 2, 2011
Topic: Eternal ElectionAnnouncer: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer and today a listener asks about “eternal election.” She writes, “Pastor, I’m worried about my son….He doesn’t go to church anymore and I’m worried about whether he’s one of the “elect” of Jesus. She continues, “How come the Lutheran Church doesn’t talk more about election? I’m worried about my son. When you’re older, these things are really important.”
Seltz: Now there’s a question for us, Mark. It’s theological, it’s practical, and it’s personal, all in one.
Announcer: This especially sounds personal. How can God’s Word help us?
Seltz: Well, first of all, it’s important to be clear about what “eternal election” is and how the Bible talks about it.
Announcer: Okay. What is it?
Seltz: Well, it’s God’s electing, or choosing those who are saved “from eternity.” But, the Bible only talks about “election” with respect to salvation and faith.
Announcer: So, it never talks about it with respect to judgment and condemnation, right?
Seltz: Not at all. And that’s the main point. The Bible speaks about “election” as an assurance to believers that their relationship with God in Christ through faith is “no after-thought,” no momentary word, but something God has worked toward from the beginning of time.
Announcer: So, it was meant to be a “comfort” for believers then?
Seltz: Yes! And when people start to talk about God’s eternal election as a frightening or confusing thing, that’s the opposite of the teaching’s purpose.
Announcer: So, it would seem that a discussion might be asking the wrong questions about “election”. Maybe we’re trying to get answers that such a teaching wasn’t meant to answer?
Seltz: I agree, and chances are when people are frightened or confused by this teaching, they are often talking about election philosophically or religiously, but certainly not biblically.
Announcer: That can make all the difference.
Seltz: It sure can. If people think of it “philosophically,” then they want to know, “If God elects people to salvation by Grace, how does He “elect” them to damnation,” because the philosophical equation needs to be balanced in their minds. But, the Bible clearly says that “God doesn’t choose people’s damnation.”
Announcer: And, often when people talk about this in a “religious sense,” they want to know what they have to “do” to ensure or to have “proof” that they are one of the “elect.” But I’m hearing your say that that clearly denies the biblical teaching that all sinners are saved by “grace alone.”
Seltz: Well said, Mark. Even with the proclamation that we are saved “By grace alone,” people indeed want some concrete evidence of God’s election, that’s for sure.
Announcer: Can they have it?
Seltz: Yes they can, but not on philosophic or “works” religion terms. In fact, that’s what God’s Word and Sacraments are for. If you are concerned about your election, go to those places where God Himself testifies to you personally that He loves you. There “election” is not some abstract discussion. There it is delivered and it’s received by faith.
Announcer: Now, is that why the Lutheran Church doesn’t talk about “election” so much…because we’re talking more about the “means of Grace,” where election is made sure?
Seltz: I think that is certainly an important reason. I also think that this is the reason why our listener’s question is so important to her too. She is rightly worried about her son who has disconnected himself from God’s means of Grace. He’s putting his faith at risk, or at least the certainty of his relationship with God…He’s missing out on something that God for sure wants him and all believers to have.
Announcer: So, again, this biblical teaching is meant to be a comfort to us, it’s something that God wants us to receive confidently through His means of Grace.
Seltz: Very much so. Besides praying for her son, then our listener can continue to invite him to church to receive God’s gifts, His Word and sacraments. God’s clear testimony that he is loved and he is forgiven.
Announcer: People often don’t realize the most important reason to go to church isn’t for us to do something for God; it is actually to be present to receive something wonderful from Him.
Seltz: I wonder if that perspective on church might also help change his mind about going. It would ease his mom’s heart as well.
Announcer: Indeed, I think, it would, but it would also be a blessing for him and his faith relationship in God through Jesus Christ. Thank you Pastor Seltz and we thank our listener for that question. This brings us to the close of our program for another week. We certainly thank you, the listener, for making this program part of your day. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music Selections for this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.
“Oh, For a Faith That Will Not Shrink” arr. Kenneth Kosche. Used by permission.
“Preserve Your Word, O Savior” arr. Charles Callahan. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC
“Es ist das Heil” by J.S. Bach. From Orgelbüchlein & More Works by J.S. Bach by Robert Clark & John David Peterson (© 1997 Calcante Recordings, Ltd.)