EVER GET TIRED OF TRYING? Many great people who have done great things have suffered terrible setbacks. Many have thought about quitting. But they did not quit. That is why they are great! Thomas Edison Jim Carrey Vincent Van Gogh Isaac Newton Walt Disney Michael Jordan Emily Dickenson Dr. Seuss Bill Gates Henry Ford Steven Spielberg Sir Winston Churchill WHAT DO ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON? GREAT BIBLICAL LEADERS FAILED Moses Killed a man, doubted himself, doubted God David Adultery, murder, disobedience Jonah Prejudice, disobeyed God, Fish bait Peter Foot/mouth syndrome, denied Jesus Paul Persecuted Christians, murder, denied Jesus JEREMIAH Jeremiah 20:7-11 Prophesied to Judah Warned them of Gods judgment Called them to repentance Was scorned by those to whom he preached He wanted to give up! But his conviction prevented him from it His desire was greater than his discouragement PAUL Was a persecutor of Christians (Gal. 1:13) Chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:12-15) He was a blasphemer, persecutor, insolent Paul was all the more thankful to have received grace from God because of his many failures He was chosen and enabled by Christ to become a great apostle and preacher For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:36-39 (NKJV) WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding (1 Cor. 15:58) do not fear.be faithful (Rev. 2:10) do not lose heart (2 Cor. 4:1) do not grow weary in doing good ( 2 Thess. 3:13) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 JESUS SUFFERED TO HEAL YOU He was born of lowly means He was hunted as a child He was the recipient of harsh criticism, hateful accusations, and slander He was rejected by those He loved Isaiah 53:1-5 He was murdered He has been where you are (Heb. 4:14-16) JESUS SAYS TO YOU Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30