SURVIVING TO THE END….

                ‘And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.  See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!  As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be  circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.  For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.  But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord   Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For in Christ   Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.  And as   many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of  God.  From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.  Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Amen.’   Galatians 6:9-18

                ‘Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more:  in labors more abundant,   in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.  From the Jews     five times I received forty stripes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been  in the    deep; in  journeys often,  in perils of waters, in perils of  robbers, in  perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city,  in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in  perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in  cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.’  2 Corinthians 11:23-28

                ‘I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called  you in the grace of
                Christ, to a different gospel…’   Galatians 1:6

*IF YOU’RE GOING TO SURVIVE TO THE END…

I. YOUR SCARS WILL TELL YOUR STORY

                ‘See with what large letters I  have written to  you with my own hand!’  v.11

II. YOUR HATERS WILL KEEP YOU HOLY

                ‘As many as desire to make a good showing in  the flesh, these would compel you to be              circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.’  v.12

III. YOUR WORST PAIN WILL BE YOUR GREATEST POWER

                ‘From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.’  v.17

                ‘But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of  our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the    word has been crucified to me, and I to the world.’    v.14

                ‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life    which I now live in the flesh live by faith in the Son  of God, who loved me and gave Himself for     me.’  Galatians 2:20