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Serve God With Endurance

 

1 Corinthians 16:15 - I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 

We have been studying what it means to be addicted to the ministry, to be organized and ready to serve God and serve others.

Part of that service requires endurance, because it is certain that trials will come, in fact we read in 2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

We are taught in the following verses to endure the tough times like a good soldier of Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 2:1-4 - Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

 

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

We also have the precious promise in the Book of James regarding the crown of life that everyone who endures temptation shall receive.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

The life of being addicted to the ministry is a life of serving God and serving others which will result in enlightenment, joy, and a crown of life for those who endure temptations.