James Pt. 11: Instead, Be Patient

Hope Fellowship Church Nov 18 – 24, 2018 ========== James: Instead, Be Patient James is a book of timeless wisdom for practical living. It tackles real issues and struggles, that we will face in life, like temptation, wisdom, self-control, anger, arrogance, suffering, and so much more. James challenges our character and calls us to action directed by our faith. James takes principles and makes them practical. ========== James 5:7-11 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 1. What are the characteristics of Biblical Patience? James 5:7-8 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. a. Patience has a certain “purpose” in our spiritual growth. · There is being patient “over” something. · There is being patient “until” something else. What do you value? Being patient “over” something and then being patient “until” something else, results in waiting with hope. b. Patience has a certain “hope” in the Second Advent. Jeremiah 5:23-24 But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, 'Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.' Deuteronomy 11:13-14 "And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. Patience is based on the faithfulness of God. c. Patience has a certain “posture” in our conduct. James 5:8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 2. How do we practice Biblical Patience? James 5:9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. James 5:10-11 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. · Suffering · Perseverance · Blessing Exodus 34:6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, Psalms 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Polysplanchnos: What does it look like when we practice Biblical patience? 3. Any attempt to bargain with God is a denial of grace. James 5:12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. [Image] Stay up to date on Hope events! https://imageproxy-cdn.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/27448925-1538745271068.jpg Generosity You can give online by clicking the link below. We thank you so much for all of your generosity! http://www.hopeinanderson.com/generosity Thanks for Joining Us! Thanks for being with us this week. To find out more about Hope, check out our website. http://www.hopeinanderson.com