Patience
James 1:4 “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Introduction
People nowadays hate to wait. We want everything to happen instantly. The advent of fast foods, instant noodles, hand phones, e-mails, fax machines, fast cars, credit cards, internet banking, etc., are just a few. The mentality now is “the faster the better”. Everything keeps getting faster and better, that you have to get updated regularly, otherwise you’ll be left behind of the trend. Courtship and marriage also became quicker than before. Young people can no longer wait until marriage. Dating in which both parties come to know each other thru proper communication become instant physical contact and the result is, unwanted babies, abortion, and broken marriage. This morning we will be dealing with the word “Patience and how it is presented in the Bible
I. Definition of Patience
A. Bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
B. Steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
C. Literally it means to be willing to suffer. It means self-control, it means the ability to wait and not rush into things.
Illustration: The Purposes of God
The purposes of God often develop slowly because His grand designs are never hurried.
The great New England preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him feverishly pacing the floor like a caged lion. “What’s the trouble, Mr. Brooks?” he asked. “The trouble is that I’m in a hurry, but God isn’t!” Haven’t we felt the same way many times?
Some of the greatest missionaries of history devotedly spread the seed of God’s Word and yet had to wait long periods before seeing the fruit of their efforts. William Carey, for example, laboured 7 years before the first Hindu convert was brought to Christ in Burma, and Adoniram Judson toiled 7 years before his faithful preaching was rewarded. In western Africa, it was 14 years before one convert was received into the Christian church. In New Zealand, it took 9 years; and in Tahiti, it was 16 years before the first harvest of souls began.
II. Scriptural Teaching about Patience
A. God is the God of patience. Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
B. Christ is the best example:
1. Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
2. Matthew 27:14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. See also Acts 8:32
C. Trials leads to patience:
1. Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
2. James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Illustration: Poem
Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can. Found seldom in a woman, never in a man.
D. Patience is the fruit of hope (Ro. 8:25; 1 Th. 1:3)
E. Patience (longsuffering) is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gal. 5:22
F. Patience is produced by tribulation (Ro. 5:3; Jam. 1:3,4)
Illustration: Prayer request for Patience
The story is told of a young Christian who went to an older Christian for help. “Will you please pray for me that I may be more patient?” he asked. So they knelt together & the old man began to pray. “Lord, send this young man tribulation in the morning; send this young man tribulation in the afternoon; send this young man…” At that point the young Christian blurted out, “No, no, I didn’t ask you to pray for tribulation. I wanted you to pray for patience.” “Ah,” responded the wise old Christian, “it’s through tribulation that we learn patience.”
III. Qualities of Patience
A. The ability to wait.
1. The most difficult part of a battle is the waiting.
2. Soldiers ready and prepared to do battle with the enemy, but must wait until the order is given to charge!
3. We must not rush ahead, but we must learn to wait.
B. Patience means resignation.
1. We must resign ourselves to the will of God.
Illustration:
A story is told of man who visited an institution for children who were deaf and unable to speak. He wrote a cruel question on the blackboard, “If God loves you, then why did He make you as you are?” A little girl walked to the board and wrote Matthew 11:26, “Even so, Father: for it seemed good in thy sight.”
2. Patience is understanding that we have a Sovereign God who has a plan and purpose in everything that He does!
3. Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him…” Job 13:15
4. Jesus said, “…Not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42
5. When we resign ourselves to God’s will in our life, that is patience.
C. Patience also means endurance.
1. This means over the long-haul.
2. The race that Paul talks about is not a sprint it is a long distance marathon.
3. The finish line is when we meet Jesus!
4. Only around 5% of new businesses ever last long enough to become a success.
5. Many people will join the church, but only a few will stay a life time!
6. We couldn’t hold all the people who have been saved and joined this church!
7. People make many promises and make commitments, but only a few will see them fulfilled.
8. We need patience for the long run… Jesus never promised that it would be easy! But He did say that He would never forsake us or leave us!
IV. Examples of Patience
A. Moses:
1. God had given him the responsibility of leading over two million people.
2. They were unfaithful and ungrateful!
3. They murmured and complained against Moses to the point that God was ready to kill them and start all over again with Moses. Ex. 32:7-10
4. But Moses was patient through the years and never quit
B. Job:
1. God allowed greater trials in his life than any of us have ever had to face.
2. His wife and friends forsook him!
3. Job at time wondered why all of the things that had happened…had to happen to him.
4. Note: Job 1:21 & Jas. 5:11
C. Paul:
1. We know that he had some physical infirmity…a thorn in the flesh.
2. A lot speculation as to what it may have been, but regardless it pictures Paul’s patience and endurance.
3. At the close of Paul’s ministry he writes to Timothy and declares the marks of distinction that were apparent. (2 Tim 3:10-11) “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.”
V. Conclusion:
We need to have patience and patience is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We need patience while waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the Word of God we can have patience. Read your Bible, pray every day
