Rev. Rob Jones
November 16, 2025

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6"As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” 7They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" 8And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them. 9"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." 10Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. 12"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your souls.

In Luke 21:5-19, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the coming trials, the destruction of the temple, and the challenges that will confront His followers. Central to His teaching is a call not to be alarmed, but to endure. This passage invites us to consider the cost and the blessing of perseverance as disciples living in a broken world.

Understanding Psyche.

Jesus does not promise His disciples an easy path; rather, He prepares them for hardship, betrayal, and even persecution. Yet, He also assures them: “By your endurance you will gain your souls” (Luke 21:19). The Greek word translated as “souls” is psyche. It has several meanings in Greek, including life, heart, and our very essence. It is also a word very familiar in modern psychology. Our psyche is who we are at our core; it is the person we are behind the mask we show the world. Jesus tells his disciples to trust and obey Him faithfully through every circumstance.

What does it mean to endure?

Romans 8:28 tells us that nothing befalls us outside God’s perfect will. Our suffering and endurance are not random but are used by God for His glory and our good. Each trial prepares us for a triumph as long as we keep the faith. This requires us to be, at our core, faithful to God’s call and the Spirit’s guidance. 

This week, I had a conversation with a friend who told me about her trials over the past few years and how she found God again. Her story started with, “I had stopped going to church.” And she proceeded to tell me a harrowing tale that included a divorce, job loss, house fire, and only having four pennies to her name. In the end, she found a community of people who have cheered her on, loved her, and showed her the face of Christ in a dark and desperate world. She confessed that as she reflected on all that she had been through, it was God who was with her at every turn. 

This is the truth of the gospel: God is always with us, even when we feel far removed from the spirit. Those truly united to Christ will endure to the end—not by their own strength, but by the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. Endurance is both a gift and a command. In the end, even though my friend had lost sight, for a bit, she admitted that she learned that church is not a building, but the community we surround ourselves with. 

Endurance has three distinct aspects, each one adding to the importance. 

First, there is mental endurance. This means trusting in God's promises. Instead of allowing the instability and chaos of the world to consume our thoughts, Jesus calls us to focus our minds on the enduring truth found in God's Word. By recalling God's faithfulness—both throughout scripture and in our personal experiences—we can combat fear and anxiety. Do not arm yourself with prepared passages that are superficial theological statements. Study the Word of God and discern God’s will in prayer. In doing so, God will give you spiritual instruction when life slaps you in the face. This process is strengthened more when we encourage one another to dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, and commendable, as Paul instructs in Philippians 4:8. In doing so, we nurture a mindset anchored in hope and confidence, regardless of our circumstances.

Second, is Social endurance. Social endurance calls us to remain unwavering in both love and truth, even when we are misunderstood or criticized by others. It means consistently practicing forgiveness, extending hospitality, and showing generosity, so that our actions mirror Christ to a world that is watching. This endurance also involves standing together as a united community—supporting one another, sharing each other's burdens, and holding each other accountable. Together, by these efforts, we collectively demonstrate the transformative power of Christ’s love in the face of adversity. The community is the church. The church is the community. 

Third, and most importantly, is Spiritual endurance. Spiritual endurance calls us to remain unwavering in our faith, holding tightly to the gospel and resisting the temptations of comfort and complacency. Even when the journey feels difficult or unrewarding, or just too much trouble. Christ and the letters in scripture implore us to cultivate spiritual disciplines such as prayer, engaging with Scripture, and coming together in community to worship. These practices keep us rooted in our devotion, and by trusting the Holy Spirit, we can stay grounded in Christ—especially during times when our faith is tested.

Persevering Together as the Body of Christ

The church is not a building, and it is not a gathering of isolated individuals but the living body of Christ. Our endurance is foremost a communal exercise, something that we do together in the Spirit; we are called to persevere together, spurring one another on to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). In a culture that prizes individualism, in a social climate that emphasizes isolation and not fellowship, the church stands as a testimony to a greater unity—a people sustained by Christ and for Christ. But this only happens when we come together in community and in worship of our creator. 

Living as the body of Christ means actively engaging in our faith through participation, mutual care, sharing the gospel with others, and showing the sacrificial love of Jesus. The way we endure should be evident in our actions: are we boldly proclaiming Christ and embracing evangelism in and around our community? Or are we slipping into apathy, choosing comfort and silence instead? Jesus calls us to reflect both individually and as a community—are we truly persevering in faith, hope, and love, or are we, like the rest of society, gradually becoming indifferent?

A Call to Endurance

According to everything in scripture, endurance is not a solo endeavor. It is an active, Spirit-empowered resolve to trust, obey, a God who is always with us. And it is a call to come together as a community and witness for Christ, whatever the cost. As we reflect on Luke 21:5-19, reflect on your circumstances and your reactions or inactions because of them. Reflect on your community —who you surround yourself with —and ask yourself whether the Body of Christ surrounds you—then based on our reflections, either commit, or recommit ourselves—both individually and as a church—to endure for the glory of God. May our lives and our fellowship embody the hope, love, and courage of those who belong to Jesus, so that the world might see and know Him through us. I will stop here to allow us to reflect on this in prayer. 

Gracious God, thank You for the gift of endurance through every trial and season. We trust in Your promises when we are afraid, discouraged, and weary. May we find strength of mind, steadfast love for one another, and an unwavering faith to stand firm in Your truth. Unite this Body of Christ, so that our community becomes a living testimony to Your presence and goodness. Fill us with the courage to endure by the power of Your Spirit, reflecting the hope and love of Jesus to the world. In all things, may we remain faithful and bring glory to Your name, always. Amen.