Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. In all that we do, in all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the Word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. I'm Darryl Bailey, Servants for Christ. For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. Here as I love real life stories and especially those that inspire. And here this morning, take your Bibles over to Hebrews chapter 12 verse 1, and as we look at Hebrews chapter 1, we'll be inspired by one of the most beautiful stories of Gertrude Caroline Elderly, normally known as Trudy. we see as we talk about swimming against the current. This is the power of perseverance. It is the story of Gertrude, an elderly And I'm glad that when we look at this story of her here, August the 4th, 2024, the 29th of Tamaz, 5784 of the Hebrew calendar, we look at the word of God in the book of Hebrews chapter 12, verse one, where the Bible says, wherefore seeing that we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which do so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Here with the Olympics that are going on, it makes us think of all of the wonderful athletes through days and times past that we have saw do some extraordinary things. Let's open up with prayer. Father, we come before you a hearts full of gratitude and an endless grace with wisdom that we thank you for the life and the example of Gertrude Elderly, whose courage and perseverance inspire us as we reflect on her story. We pray that you would open our hearts to the lessons that you have for us, to trust in you, to remain resilient through our trials, persevere with purpose, guide us through the word, let your spirit strengthen our faith. And Father, all that we do, we thank you for the wonderful service, the baptizing service this morning at Bethel Crossroads. Our pastor, Keith and Amy Dipsy, and Lord, I thank you, Rusty, and Lord, I thank God for Lynn, as we get into the Word of God, all of our families that are there this morning, Lord. I pray, God, Lanier, I pray, God, that you'll take this message and use it for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ and be with the many that need salvation, that needs to be saved. And Father, we give glory and honor to you, our Lord and Savior. Amen. You know, in a quiet town of New York amidst the whispers of history and the echoes of the past, there lived a little German girl by the name of Gertrude, Trudy, elderly. You know, uh, Gertrude, Gertrude was not born in extraordinary circumstances. Her father was a butcher, but her spirit was anything but ordinary. From the moment that she could walk, she had health issues when she was young and was not allowed to go out. And so, where she liked to swim, she was not allowed in the pools because of the sickness, but she had a dream that sparked as brightly as the sun, to swim across the English Channel. You see, later on, as she took lessons for swimming, her and her sister joined a swimming team. But she was not allowed to swim, but she was allowed to shovel the coal into the burner of the swimming pool area. But later on, as she began to grow stronger and stronger from having the chicken pox and being a sickly child, she grew stronger and stronger to where she began to swim more and more and began to develop her muscles and went and began to be one state title after the next, a swimming champion. all the way until the exhibition of her life goal to swim the 21 miles from the English Channel from New York to England of the English Channel. Gertrude was born with a physical challenge that made her even the simplest task hard. Her legs were weak. Walking was a struggle. Her parents, though loving and were worried, they were haunted by the loss of Gertrude's twin sister. Actually, Gertrude's mother's twin sister. that had died tragically in a swimming accident when her mother had a twin sister, and her mother was always afraid of swimming, and so she didn't want her two girls to be out in the water. But the memory of the mother's sister's loss was heavy weight on the hearts. And so, but Gertrude's determination burned brightly, an inner flame that defined the darkness of her circumstances, inspired by the tales of swimmers that conquered the impossible, Gertrude was resolved to achieve her dream. As they went to represent the United States on a steamboat, they were not allowed to leave the room to train for three weeks. And of course, when you get over all the way to where the Olympics were, and not training for three weeks, who could win? Gertrude, her dream of the hurdles of every day as she worked tirelessly to strengthen her legs, swimming in the local pools, practicing with an intensity that give her the courage to go forward. Her journey was not easy. Each stroke in the water was a testament to her perseverance. People around her, friends, family, strangers, watched in awe and in disbelief. Some said she was too weak, that the channel was too vast. When she was on that 21 mile the very first time, she failed. She had a coach that actually betrayed her trust, but later on she tried it again with someone that saw her potential. and pushed her forward to meet the 21-mile, through jellyfish, frigid waters, shark-infested, with a man that had done it several times, that began to inspire and coach her along the way, to be able to overcome an opposition and an obstacle of the English Channel. Her dream might have been foolish for many, but Gertrude's faith in herself and her dream never wavered. As the years passed, her skills blossomed, and the day came when Gertrude, now a young woman of remarkable strength and resilience, stood at the shore of the English Channel, ready to embark on the ultimate test of her abilities, and with every stroke she battled against the fierce currents, the biting cold, Her own exhaustion and her dream was no longer just a personal goal, but a beacon of hope for many who believed in the power of an unwavering determination. Finally, after grueling hours, she emerged victorious on the shores of France. Gertrude, elderly, had done what many deemed impossible. She had crossed the English Channel. Her success was celebrated not just in her home, but around the world. She became a symbol of hope and perseverance. showing that no obstacle was too great if one was determined enough. Back then, they thought a woman's heart would explode if they exercised too much. And the celebration that was in New York City was the greatest of any athlete ever in the world. No one ever in the future has ever had a greater outpouring of a parade than Gertrude Elderly. The streets were packed with thousands of cheering fans celebrating, not just as an athlete, but a beacon of hope for everyone who had ever dared to dream. The parade was the largest ever held for any athlete or movie star. It rode through the cities of a crowd that echoed her triumph. And so, in the years that followed, Gertrude Ederle became a role model for young girls across America. Her story of overcoming adversity, of turning dreams into reality, of proving the doubters wrong, inspired countless others. She taught them perseverance. And as she lost her hearing in later years, She began to teach the younger girls that were deaf how to swim and the hard work to transform even to the most impossible dreams into reality. Hebrews chapter 12 speaks of laying aside every weight, running with patience, the race that's set before us. Gertrude Ederle's life embodies this scripture perfectly. She cast aside her fears, her physical limitations, the shadows of the past tragedies, and she ran her race with patience and grace as the writer of Hebrews to become a testament to the power of perseverance. Guthrie's legacy continues to shine brightly, a reminder that with a determination and faith that we can overcome even the greatest obstacles in this world. Her story is not just about swimming across an English channel. It's about swimming through the trials of life, emerging stronger, inspiring others to do the same, praise God. And so, we look and we realize that today, the remarkable life of a woman whose story that goes forth that we look, that embodies courage here as we look at her life achievements today, how Trudy's life reflects the core of courageous faith. It's about trust in God, resilience through trials, and the call to persevere. I'm glad that we asked ourself, how do you swim against the current? Well, one of the first things that if you ever, ever want to succeed at anything ever, First of all, you've got to trust in God. Faith as the foundation, just as Gertrude Ely relied on her training and instincts to navigate the treacherous waters of the English Channel. Our faith in God is the bedrock of our spiritual journey. And so, the wisdom of Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 and 6, trust in the Lord with all thy heart, lean not unto thy own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. And so, We see faith as that foundation when we trust in God. Also, guidance through those challenges. In her swim, Trudy faced numerous obstacles, including harsh weather, exhaustion, jellyfish that stung her all over. And we trust in God to guide us through our personal storms. The psalmist, Psalms 32, 8 says, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go, and I will guide thee with my eye. And so, I'm glad that his faith is the foundation, guide us through challenges, but also it's faith over fear. Trudy's belief in her abilities and her unwavering trust help her overcome that fear. Our faith in God empowers us to face our own fears and uncertainties. I'm glad Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 41 10, fear thou not for I am with thee. Be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. And so, how do we swim against the current? We trust in God. But not only that, secondly, the resilience through trials. First of all, there's endurance in adversity. Trudy endured the physical and mental challenges of the swim across the channel. And I'm glad. that that one gentleman that had done it many times begin to look at her life and begin to be a mentor to her, to coach her along with the endurance of the physical and mental challenges and our spiritual resilience today is similarly tested through life's trials. I'm glad James 1 12 said, blessed is the man that endures temptation for when he's tried he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to them that love him. through the endurance in adversity, but also strength in weakness. Despite her exhaustion and physical strain, Trudy prestoned, our weakness is our opportunity for God's strength to be revealed in us. If we try to do it in our own strength, we'll never succeed. And so, When we're our weakest, that's when we're our strongest. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12, nine, but he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather gladly glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. So we see the endurance in adversity. We see the strength in weakness, but also perseverance with purpose because just as Trudy's perseverance had a clear goal Our trials also have a purpose. that shapes us to be more like Christ, amen. And so Paul said in Romans 5, 3, and 4, and not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. And so how do you swim against the current? You trust in God. Secondly, resilience through the trials. But thirdly, in closing, the call to persevere. You see, we see what Trudy's victory was not just about reaching the other side, but it was about demonstrating the power of perseverance, enduring faith. Our spiritual journey, all of us, men and women of God, calls us to keep pressing forward no matter the obstacles of the changes in this society that we live in today that is so wicked, that is so awful. And so, the Hebrew writer told us, he said, wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which do so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. We have enduring faith, but also we've got the witness of faith. Trudy's accomplishments served as an inspiration to many, and likewise, our lives should reflect our faith, serving as beacons to others, amen. And so, Matthew chapter 5 verse 16 says, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. And so we have enduring faith for the call to persevere. We've got the witness of faith but also there's a promise of reward just as Trudy was celebrated for her achievement our faithfulness was not rewarded by god uh... our faithfulness will be rewarded by god in his perfect timing on those last five miles of that english channel there was uh... rocks and there was obstructions that the boat could not follow along the boat could follow along but it could give her water uh... it could give her food if she needed it in those twenty one miles but no wood could touch her by any means and so that last five miles to swim into new york It was dark. It was dangerous and the boat could not follow along those last five miles. She got out there and she looked around and there was no light. She couldn't see. She lost her direction. She didn't know which way to go. She kept peddling water and hoping and praying that something would change. All of a sudden, everybody from New York City come out on the coastline and built bonfires to support her and shone a light for a lighthouse to give her the direction on the path that she needed to swim the last five miles of the 21 mile English Channel Challenge to bring her own home. Hallelujah. And so I'm glad Revelation 2.10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." One of these days here, I'm glad our pastor Keith Dipsy was, we was singing, and I thank God our song director Brother Cantrell and Sister Kathy on the piano was singing about heaven this morning. Boy, you talking about some tear-dripping, praise God, hallelujah, shouting time. Man, I tell you, when we thought about heaven and what it's going to be like one of these days with our Lord and Savior, praise God. And so I'm glad that when, as we get close to closing out, Amen, every one of us in the life that we have today, as we get ready in just a moment to close out and the conclusion of the life of Guthrie Ederle, reminds us that faith and perseverance are a powerful force that can lead us to extraordinary accomplishments. By trusting in God, enduring through trials, persevering in our call, we honor him and reflect his light to all of the world as we look at this wonderful young lady that made a tremendous contribution to the world, amen. May we be like Trudy, face our own personal challenges with unwavering faith and courage. Swimming against the current is a spiritual sin, especially that involves a lot of things because it starts with acknowledging that we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. But I'm glad the faithful men and women of God who have gone before us and their stories that can inspire us and guide us. We recognize that there'll be obstacles, there'll be doubts, there'll be temptations, distractions. But the first step is swimming against the current. These obstacles might try to divert us from our spiritual goals, but we understand their presence can help us to prepare us and strategize us. We lay aside every weight and the sin which do easily beset us. To identify and remove anything that hinders our spiritual progress, we must examine our lives and remove the bad habits and relationships that mindsets that pull us away from our spiritual growth. Just as a swimmer would shed excess clothing, Trudy, her sister, made her a homemade swimming suit and they would put oil grease all over their body to get through the English Channel to swim through all of the things with inefficiency. that would shed the burdens and the sin that would slow us down. We embrace the patience that we run with a race that's set before us, amen, the current that requires patience and perseverance, spiritual growth on a continuous journey, not a sprint, just a swimmer must persist against that current with steady strokes, that we have a patience with ourselves, we trust in God's timing that involves enduring the trials, the temptations, staying committed to our spiritual disciplines despite all of the challenges that we focus on our goal to swim against the current a swimmer needs to keep their eyes on the destination and on the spiritual journey that we've got to focus on the eternal promises of God and I'm glad that Hebrews 12 2 emphasizes that we look under Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. By fixing our eyes on Christ, we gain the strength and the direction needed to overcome the spiritual currents, amen, and we draw strength from the faithful, praise God. Those others who have successfully navigated difficult waters, amen, we draw strength from their testimony of a faithfulness, amen, that lives as an encouragement to remind us that we're not alone in our struggles, that it shows us that we are able to swim against the current and reach the spiritual goals of our life. that we engage in those spiritual disciplines. Praise God. Those disciplines are prayer, meditation, study of the scriptures, build our strength and resilience, and the practices like training and conditioning as a swimmer undergoes to improve the performance and the endurance. Boy, can you imagine swimming against the current spiritually? That involves removing obstacles, being patient, persistent, drawing strength, amen. And by we do these, I'm glad that we're able to go forward and do what no one else could ever do, praise God. I want to challenge you to do the same thing, amen, because each and every one of us that go forward, we're able, amen, to swim against the current, amen, and do what no one else can do. Father, Lord, we thank you for the time spent in your presence and for the powerful example of Gertrude Everly. And I'm glad that as we go forth, may we carry Trudy's spirit of courage and faith in our own lives. Empowers to trust you fully, endure our trials with grace, persevere in our calling. May our lives reflect your light and bring glory to your name. As Lord, thank you for saving us by your marvelous grace. And as we depart, keep us steadfast in our journey. And all that we do, we give glory and honor to the wonderful Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.