Sermon Series
How to Face Our Future! – Part 14
"How to Develop Patience"
Pastor Jerry
James 5:7-12
------------------------------------- Message Synopsis -------------------------------------
Today we are having Part 14 in our series
“How to Face our Future” and the message today is
"How to Develop Patience."
Let me ask you a personal question,
How many of you are waiting on something to happen in your life?
A lot of our life we spend waiting. There are many things in life that test our patience. We are the Now Generation. We do not like to wait. My wife will tell you that I am most of the time a very patient person (except when I get hungry).
Today we're going to look at what James has to say on
“How to Develop Patience.” You need patience in every area of your life. James uses three different illustrations to teach us …
when to be patient …why to be patient, …and …how to be patient.
I. WHEN SHOULD I BE PATIENT?
- When circumstances are uncontrollable
Have you figured out that a lot of life is beyond your control? James uses a farmer as an example of when circumstances are uncontrollable. (v7)
"Be patient then brothers & sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop (and how patient he is) ..." A farmer has to do a lot of waiting, yet, the farmer has no control over a lot of things. If you have a lot of faith you can be a farmer. Just so, in life if you
have a lot of faith you
can deal with a lot of uncontrollable factors-- but you will need to
be patient.
Have you noticed that even when we realize a situation is beyond our control, we still try to control it?
How do we do that? By worrying.
We need to have patience in uncontrollable circumstances. Second you should be patient…
- When people are unchangeable
When people won't change. James gives an example: (v10)
"As an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord." What was the duty of prophets? To help people change, bring them back to God.
Have you noticed that people resist change? They are the people who only see their own way. And did you know they may never change. What are you going to do about it? James says to have patience. Third time to be patient is…
- When problems are unexplainable
The classic example he gives is in (v11),
"You have heard of Job's perseverance ..." Job was a wealthy man. He had everything going for him. In a two-day period, everything fell apart. He lost his family, his friends, his finances. The worst part of Job's suffering was that he had absolutely no idea why it was happening. God doesn't even talk to him. Job didn't understand. In all of those unexplained problems,
Job maintained his faith. Sometimes we just can't figure out our problems. You really need patience. Why?
II. WHY BE PATIENT?
- Because God is in control
"Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." (v8).
The Bible talks more about Jesus' second coming -- when He comes back to judge the world -- than it does about His first coming.” God's purpose for your life is greater than any problem you're facing right now.
God is in control. Although I can't control everything that happens in my life,
God can,
so I ought to trust Him. Because God is in control and everything is working out,
be patient.
- Because God rewards patience.
(v11a)
"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered." The second half of Job's life was more blessed than the first half.
God doubled everything he had. There are all kinds of rewards for being patient.
God rewards it. But not just on this side of eternity, but on the other side you're going to be rewarded too. You need to be patient. Third reason to be patient…
- Because God is working things out
Often behind the scenes, things we don't even see, God's at work but we don't see Him at work. (v11b)
"You have heard of Job's perseverance, and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." God was working, all the time that Job did not know what was going on. A delay does not mean a denial. We have to learn the difference between
"no" and
"not yet". Big difference!
Philippians 2:13
"God is at work within you." Maybe you can't see it, but He is. Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things, God is working..." In every circumstance in your life, God is working. Be patient and trust Him.
III. HOW TO BE PATIENT?
James says consider these three illustrations: What must you do while waiting on God?
- Wait expectantly
That what a farmer must do. He must expect a harvest. You too! We must believe something fruitful will happen. We demonstrate our expectation by our preparation. We get ready for the answer in advance.
Psalm 130:5 (LB)
"... I wait expectantly, trusting God … for He has promised." What are you waiting for from God? Maybe to heal a long-term illness, or to help your marriage, or to reverse your financial problems or for God to heal your brokenness?
Do you need something from God? The Bible says,
"According to your faith it will be done unto you." What are you doing to get ready for God’s answer? Waiting is a time to get ready. Isaiah 49:23
"The Lord says ... No one who waits for my help will be disappointed."
Wait quietly
James points out the fact that we have a tendency to be irritated when things aren't going our way and things aren't under our control. (v9)
"Don't grumble against each other, brothers & sisters, or you will be judged." Why? It's hard to be quiet when you're frustrated. Typically, we take it out on those closest to us. We displace our anger and focus it on those we love the most. James says don't do that.
3.)
Wait confidently
Job never lost his confidence in all that happened.
When the outlook is bad, you look up. Micah 7:7
"I will wait confidently for God." How do you do that?
You have hope. Hope is Holding On! Praying! Expectantly waiting!
BECAUSE GOD IS OUR HOPE!
When you've got a problem, then wait confidently.
God is working. How do you wait confidently?
Be still. You don't take matters into your own hands & try to work it out. (Ps 37:7)
"Be still before the Lord & wait patiently for Him to act."
Are you are waiting on something to happen in your life? Do you need patience? Remember what God has said in James.
God is in control. It may be out of your control, but it's not out of God's control. Nothing is beyond His power and His purpose; for your life is greater than the problem you’re experiencing right now. God will reward your patience, if not in this life, He will in eternity. God is working behind the scenes for a purpose to give you an abundant life.
