The Practice of Patience

”Bearing the fruit of patience today leads to God’s blessings tomorrow.”

Sermon Title: THE PRACTICE OF PATIENCE

Scripture Text: GALATIANS 5:22-23JAMES 5:7-11

Sermon Notes:

GALATIANS 5:22-23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self- control. Against such things there is no law.

JAMES 5:7-11 NIV

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

How good are you at waiting?

  • IMPATIENCE
  • “annoyed by somebody/something especially because you have to wait for a long time.”

JAMES 5:11 NIV

11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. …

”Bearing the fruit of patience today leads to God’s blessings tomorrow.”

JAMES 5:7 NIV

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

  • ANATOMY. ANALOGY. AIM


I. ANATOMY

  • patience | Greek: makrothumeo
  • “long-spirited or long-tempered”

ANATOMY OF PATIENCE

  1. Assumes adversity.

“There’s no crash course to cultivate patience except in an actual situation!”

JAMES 5:7 NIV

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

ANATOMY OF PATIENCE

  1. Assumes adversity.
  2. Active waiting.

JAMES 5:7 NIV

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

PHILIPPIANS 1:12-13 NIV

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

ANATOMY OF PATIENCE

  1. Patience assumes adversity.
  2. Patience is active waiting.
  3. Attitude of patience.

JAMES 5:9 NIV

9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

  • grumble | Greek: stenazó
  • “to groan or to grumble silently”

JAMES 5:9 NIV

9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!


II. ANALOGY

JAMES 5:10-11 NIV

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

ANALOGIES OF PATIENCE

  1. Appreciate the prophets.

JAMES 5:10 NIV

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

LAMENTATIONS 3:22-24 NIV

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

ANALOGIES OF PATIENCE

  1. Appreciate the prophets.
  2. Appreciate Job.

JAMES 5:11 NIV

11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

  • perseverance | Greek: hypomone
  • “to abide under”

JOB 2:10 NIV

10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

JOB 19:25 NIV

25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

“When going through life’s difficulties, always let what you know surpass how you feel. “


III. AIM

JAMES 5:11 NIV

11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

“The pearl is nothing more than the fruit of a frustrated oyster.”

EPHESIANS 2:10 NIV

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

“When Haydn wrote that musical piece, he had a very special, patient flute player in mind.”

JAMES 5:11 NIV

11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

“Bearing the fruit of patience today leads to God’s blessings tomorrow.”

2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17 ESV

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.