Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 17 June 22, 2008
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 17 June 22, 2008
Part 14 “Developing Patience”
James 5:7-12
I think I am a fairly patient person except when I'm hungry. Then I lose my character. Have you noticed that the more expensive the restaurant the longer you wait? There are actually five different waits when you go to a restaurant. You wait to get a seat, then you wait to get the menu, then you wait to order, then you wait to get the food back, then you wait for the bill. And they have the audacity to call the server the waiter!
Today we're going to look at what James has to say on “Developing Patience”. James uses the word “patience” or “perseverance” six times. He uses three different illustrations to teach us when, why and how to be patient.
WHEN TO BE PATIENT
James isn't saying we have to be patient all the time but there are three special times when you need that extra dose of patience.
1. When circumstances are uncontrollable
Have you figured out that a lot of life is beyond your control? James uses a farmer to illustrate when circumstances are uncontrollable in verse 7. “Be patient then brothers, until the Lord comes. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is.”
Don't go into farming unless you've got patience. The farmer has no control over weather, rain, heat or the economy. Just look to the mid-west USA right now.
Even when we know a situation is beyond our control, we still try to control it. How do we do that? By worrying.
2. When people are unchangeable
“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, bringing them back to God, to be different in their behavior. People resist change, and if you try to get them to change they resist you!
Successful parents, who have patience or a long fuse, don't get overheated.
3. When problems are unexplainable
The classic example he gives is in verse 11, “You have heard of Job's perseverance…..” Job played in the Super Bowl of suffering. He won the championship. He was the wealthiest man that ever lived. He had everything going for him. In a two-day period, everything fell part. He went bankrupt, his children were murdered, he got an incurable, deadly disease that was very painful.
You think you've got problems or had a rough day!
He lost his family, his friends, his finances. He was suffering materially, physically, socially…in every kind of way.
One day his wife comes to him and says, “Curse God and die!” Now that's supportive! God allowed the devil to take away everything in his life except a nagging wife. Job had absolutely no idea why it was happening.
For 37 chapters in the book of Job, God doesn't even talk to him. There was no apparent reason for his misfortune. Job certainly had the right to say, “Why me?”
A lot of things in life just don't make sense. Maybe we'll never understand on this side of heaven. Job certainly didn't understand, yet through it all, Job maintained his faith.
When circumstances are uncontrollable,
when people are unchangeable and
when problems are unexplainable
you really need patience.
WHY BE PATIENT?
1. Because God is in control
“Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.” verse 8. Three times in this passage, James says, “The Lord's coming is near. Jesus is coming back. That is the ultimate proof that God is in control. Nothing can stop it. The Bible talks more about Jesus' second coming - when He comes back to judge the world - than it does about His first coming.”
God is in control of history - “His story”. He's got it all planned out, everything is on schedule, nothing is late. It's all moving towards a climax.
God's purpose for your life is greater
than any problem you're facing right now.
The Phillips translation puts it this way, “resting your hearts on the ultimate certainty”. Though a situation may be out of my control, no circumstance is out of God's control. He is never taken by surprise. You may be experiencing a delay right now, but I assure you, God is never late, His timing is perfect.
2. God rewards patience
In verse 11a it says, “Blessed are those who have persevered.” The second half of Job's life was more blessed than the first half. God doubled everything he had. It pays to be patient.
Matthew 5:13-14 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
When people put you down, when they criticize you, be patient, because there's going to be a reward in heaven.
It is our natural tendency - one of the strongest desires in life - that when you're hurt, you want to get even. You want to retaliate, to take matters into your own hands. When you get criticized, you want to criticize back. If you get insulted, you want to insult back. This may well be a natural thing but it’s the opposite of patience.
3. Because God is working things out
It’s often behind the scenes, things we may never see. Verse 11b says, “You’ve 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 while Job wondered what was going on. A delay doesn’t mean a denial. If you've been praying for something and you haven't gotten it, you may think God doesn't want to give it to you. We have to learn the difference between “no” and “not yet”.
Our problem is that we are in a hurry and God isn't!
In advance, thank God because He's working things out. He gives the illustration of the farmer. When the farmer plants the seed, he's waiting for that seed. While he's waiting, God is working behind the scenes to cause that plant to sprout. He's creating the conditions so at the right time, in the right way there will be a harvest.
The farmer waits, God works.
Philippians 2:13 “God is at work within you.”
Romans 8:28 “We know that in all things, God is working.”
What are you supposed to do while you wait?
Look at James’ three illustrations and do what they did while you're waiting on God.
1. Wait expectantly
Expect a harvest. What does a farmer do while he's waiting on God? Sit and watch reruns on television all day? While he's waiting on the harvest, the farmer is preparing for a harvest.
Your preparation shows your expectation.
We get ready for the answer in advance.
Psalm 130:5 “I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised.”
What are you waiting for from God? Maybe to heal a long-term illness or transform your marriage. Or a reversal in your financial problems or for God to reach your teenagers.
Do you really expect Him to do that? The Bible says, “According to your faith it will be done unto you.”
If you do expect God to do it eventually, prove it! How can you prove that you're expecting God to do something? Simple.
What are you doing to get ready for it? If the answer came today, would you be ready? Remember, your preparation reveals your expectation.
A lot of times when I'm waiting on God, He's really waiting on me. He was ready to give the answer a long time ago, but I wasn't ready to receive it.
Sometimes He's saying, “Grow up! I want to bless your life but you can't handle the blessing yet. Get some spiritual muscle in your life and I'll bless you beyond what you can imagine.” Waiting is a time to get ready. Isaiah 49:23 says, “The Lord says ... No one who waits for my help will be disappointed.”
2. Wait quietly
James points out the fact that we have a tendency to run off at the mouth when things aren't going our way and things aren't under our control. James warns us of two things to avoid.
“Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.”
Why does he talk about grumbling right in the middle of patience?
It's hard to be quiet when you're frustrated. You want to grumble, mumble, moan and complain. James says, “Don’t grumble”. The New English Bible says, “Don’t blame your troubles on one another.”
I heard of a lady who griped at her husband all the time. Constantly. Finally the guy died and she put on his tombstone, “Rest in Peace”. Then they went and read the will. He willed $5 to his wife and everything else to his secretary. She went back and changed the tombstone to “Till we meet again”.
Verse 12 says “Above all, my brothers, don't swear.”
Does waiting ever tempt you to swear? Sometimes
when I get frustrated I feel like cussing. What happens when you get uptight? When you're frustrated and things aren't going your way and things are beyond your control? How do you normally respond? Typically, we take it out on those closest to us. We unload on our spouses or our children, and it's not even their fault. But we're frustrated and impatient. We displace our anger and focus it on those we love the most. James says don't do that.
Habakuk 2:3 says, “These things won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”
Do you have a dream, a goal in life, a vision that God's given you? God says it will be right on target, at the right time, in the right way.
3. Wait confidently
Job never lost his confidence in all that he did. When the outlook is bad, you look up. Micah 7:7 says, “I will wait confidently for God.” How do you do that? You have hope.
Holding On…..Praying Expectantly
HOPE
When you've got a problem that's unexplainable, a person who is unchangeable, a circumstance that is uncontrollable then wait confidently. God is working. How do you wait confidently? Sit still. Don't get nervous or anxious. Psalms 37:7 says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.”
Do you have uncontrollable circumstances in your life?
Maybe you've had a financial reversal that was beyond your control. Maybe you have a long term illness. Maybe you've got an unchangeable person in your life.
It's frustrating when you tell your kids something to do over and over and they don't do it. It's frustrating when you want to make your marriage work and you're willing to change but your partner
isn’t.
Remember, nothing is beyond God’s power and His purpose for your life is greater than the problem you are experiencing right now. God will reward your patience, if not in this life, in the next. God is actively working behind the scenes for a wonderful purpose in your life. God bless your expectancy.
James 5:7-12
I think I am a fairly patient person except when I'm hungry. Then I lose my character. Have you noticed that the more expensive the restaurant the longer you wait? There are actually five different waits when you go to a restaurant. You wait to get a seat, then you wait to get the menu, then you wait to order, then you wait to get the food back, then you wait for the bill. And they have the audacity to call the server the waiter!
Today we're going to look at what James has to say on “Developing Patience”. James uses the word “patience” or “perseverance” six times. He uses three different illustrations to teach us when, why and how to be patient.
WHEN TO BE PATIENT
James isn't saying we have to be patient all the time but there are three special times when you need that extra dose of patience.
1. When circumstances are uncontrollable
Have you figured out that a lot of life is beyond your control? James uses a farmer to illustrate when circumstances are uncontrollable in verse 7. “Be patient then brothers, until the Lord comes. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is.”
Don't go into farming unless you've got patience. The farmer has no control over weather, rain, heat or the economy. Just look to the mid-west USA right now.
Even when we know a situation is beyond our control, we still try to control it. How do we do that? By worrying.
2. When people are unchangeable
“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, bringing them back to God, to be different in their behavior. People resist change, and if you try to get them to change they resist you!
Successful parents, who have patience or a long fuse, don't get overheated.
3. When problems are unexplainable
The classic example he gives is in verse 11, “You have heard of Job's perseverance…..” Job played in the Super Bowl of suffering. He won the championship. He was the wealthiest man that ever lived. He had everything going for him. In a two-day period, everything fell part. He went bankrupt, his children were murdered, he got an incurable, deadly disease that was very painful.
You think you've got problems or had a rough day!
He lost his family, his friends, his finances. He was suffering materially, physically, socially…in every kind of way.
One day his wife comes to him and says, “Curse God and die!” Now that's supportive! God allowed the devil to take away everything in his life except a nagging wife. Job had absolutely no idea why it was happening.
For 37 chapters in the book of Job, God doesn't even talk to him. There was no apparent reason for his misfortune. Job certainly had the right to say, “Why me?”
A lot of things in life just don't make sense. Maybe we'll never understand on this side of heaven. Job certainly didn't understand, yet through it all, Job maintained his faith.
When circumstances are uncontrollable,
when people are unchangeable and
when problems are unexplainable
you really need patience.
WHY BE PATIENT?
1. Because God is in control
“Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.” verse 8. Three times in this passage, James says, “The Lord's coming is near. Jesus is coming back. That is the ultimate proof that God is in control. Nothing can stop it. The Bible talks more about Jesus' second coming - when He comes back to judge the world - than it does about His first coming.”
God is in control of history - “His story”. He's got it all planned out, everything is on schedule, nothing is late. It's all moving towards a climax.
God's purpose for your life is greater
than any problem you're facing right now.
The Phillips translation puts it this way, “resting your hearts on the ultimate certainty”. Though a situation may be out of my control, no circumstance is out of God's control. He is never taken by surprise. You may be experiencing a delay right now, but I assure you, God is never late, His timing is perfect.
2. God rewards patience
In verse 11a it says, “Blessed are those who have persevered.” The second half of Job's life was more blessed than the first half. God doubled everything he had. It pays to be patient.
Matthew 5:13-14 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
When people put you down, when they criticize you, be patient, because there's going to be a reward in heaven.
It is our natural tendency - one of the strongest desires in life - that when you're hurt, you want to get even. You want to retaliate, to take matters into your own hands. When you get criticized, you want to criticize back. If you get insulted, you want to insult back. This may well be a natural thing but it’s the opposite of patience.
3. Because God is working things out
It’s often behind the scenes, things we may never see. Verse 11b says, “You’ve 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 while Job wondered what was going on. A delay doesn’t mean a denial. If you've been praying for something and you haven't gotten it, you may think God doesn't want to give it to you. We have to learn the difference between “no” and “not yet”.
Our problem is that we are in a hurry and God isn't!
In advance, thank God because He's working things out. He gives the illustration of the farmer. When the farmer plants the seed, he's waiting for that seed. While he's waiting, God is working behind the scenes to cause that plant to sprout. He's creating the conditions so at the right time, in the right way there will be a harvest.
The farmer waits, God works.
Philippians 2:13 “God is at work within you.”
Romans 8:28 “We know that in all things, God is working.”
What are you supposed to do while you wait?
Look at James’ three illustrations and do what they did while you're waiting on God.
1. Wait expectantly
Expect a harvest. What does a farmer do while he's waiting on God? Sit and watch reruns on television all day? While he's waiting on the harvest, the farmer is preparing for a harvest.
Your preparation shows your expectation.
We get ready for the answer in advance.
Psalm 130:5 “I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised.”
What are you waiting for from God? Maybe to heal a long-term illness or transform your marriage. Or a reversal in your financial problems or for God to reach your teenagers.
Do you really expect Him to do that? The Bible says, “According to your faith it will be done unto you.”
If you do expect God to do it eventually, prove it! How can you prove that you're expecting God to do something? Simple.
What are you doing to get ready for it? If the answer came today, would you be ready? Remember, your preparation reveals your expectation.
A lot of times when I'm waiting on God, He's really waiting on me. He was ready to give the answer a long time ago, but I wasn't ready to receive it.
Sometimes He's saying, “Grow up! I want to bless your life but you can't handle the blessing yet. Get some spiritual muscle in your life and I'll bless you beyond what you can imagine.” Waiting is a time to get ready. Isaiah 49:23 says, “The Lord says ... No one who waits for my help will be disappointed.”
2. Wait quietly
James points out the fact that we have a tendency to run off at the mouth when things aren't going our way and things aren't under our control. James warns us of two things to avoid.
“Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.”
Why does he talk about grumbling right in the middle of patience?
It's hard to be quiet when you're frustrated. You want to grumble, mumble, moan and complain. James says, “Don’t grumble”. The New English Bible says, “Don’t blame your troubles on one another.”
I heard of a lady who griped at her husband all the time. Constantly. Finally the guy died and she put on his tombstone, “Rest in Peace”. Then they went and read the will. He willed $5 to his wife and everything else to his secretary. She went back and changed the tombstone to “Till we meet again”.
Verse 12 says “Above all, my brothers, don't swear.”
Does waiting ever tempt you to swear? Sometimes
when I get frustrated I feel like cussing. What happens when you get uptight? When you're frustrated and things aren't going your way and things are beyond your control? How do you normally respond? Typically, we take it out on those closest to us. We unload on our spouses or our children, and it's not even their fault. But we're frustrated and impatient. We displace our anger and focus it on those we love the most. James says don't do that.
Habakuk 2:3 says, “These things won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”
Do you have a dream, a goal in life, a vision that God's given you? God says it will be right on target, at the right time, in the right way.
3. Wait confidently
Job never lost his confidence in all that he did. When the outlook is bad, you look up. Micah 7:7 says, “I will wait confidently for God.” How do you do that? You have hope.
Holding On…..Praying Expectantly
HOPE
When you've got a problem that's unexplainable, a person who is unchangeable, a circumstance that is uncontrollable then wait confidently. God is working. How do you wait confidently? Sit still. Don't get nervous or anxious. Psalms 37:7 says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.”
Do you have uncontrollable circumstances in your life?
Maybe you've had a financial reversal that was beyond your control. Maybe you have a long term illness. Maybe you've got an unchangeable person in your life.
It's frustrating when you tell your kids something to do over and over and they don't do it. It's frustrating when you want to make your marriage work and you're willing to change but your partner
isn’t.
Remember, nothing is beyond God’s power and His purpose for your life is greater than the problem you are experiencing right now. God will reward your patience, if not in this life, in the next. God is actively working behind the scenes for a wonderful purpose in your life. God bless your expectancy.
No comments:
Post a Comment