Be patient, my brothers

Series concerning Hymns on Sunday nights in October.

Review?

Humility can be heard in our speech.

God cares about how we speak about His role publicly. - If the Lord wills.

Danger of wealth in the wrong hands.

Listen to this passage as rich people.

Acknowledge the danger of wealth in sinful hands.

Guard against the deception of wealth that blinds us to eternal matters.

This is the foundation for what is next.. THEREFORE

7 Be patient therefore,

Passage Reading

James 5:7–12 (KJV)

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (read together)

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Be mindful of the symptoms of the non-trusting, impatient heart.

Rest your heart on the ultimate certainty; the Lord’s coming is very near.

Recognize those who remain steadfast are blessed.

People we want to speak to this morning.

We want to encourage those of you who are walking through pain and suffering today.

We want to prepare others of you for those days to come.

When you realize that this world is broken and you will have to do right even though everything and everyone around you is opposed to you.

We don't give the subject of evil and suffering the thought it deserves until we ourselves are confronted with tragedy.

Those of you who not yet Christians

We pray you see that an established heart is found in Jesus alone.

The longing you have for someone to come and set all things straight is a desire for your Creator, our Redeemer.

Pastoral prayer

Adri, Luke, and Liam

Hernandez Family

Luca and his family

Sermon Introduction

This morning in our time together in God’s Word we will look at three ways our hearts we can become or remain patient despite the problems we face in this world.

15 Second Pause

I believe you have already begun to realize that patience is a matter of trust in the one that you are waiting upon.

Patience is no small matter

There are plenty of low, level and comical examples of our patience being tried.

Heard the story of a man who worked in construction who sent his doctor a bill for the hours he spent in the waiting room.

If you have kids you may have experienced a lack of patience as they find and put on their shoes.

Been humbled many times as I became irritated looking for a parking spot at a courthouse or hospital and walked in and saw people who were really in a test of suffering, trust, and patience.

However, thankfully this passage is given to us from so much more than to help us stay calm as men sit on the bench outside of department stores.

This week as spent time with several people who in a battle to endure during difficult times I kept coming back to this passage.

Notice the emphasis on patience and waiting in this passage

We see 5 instances of patience or patient in 5 verses.

We additionally see “waiteth” and “endure.”

You will also see 4 references to the word “brethren”. Remember we have none last time.

This lesson of patience and an established heart comes to the only people to whom it is truly possible, the believer.

What is patience?

Patience relates to our response to people.

Two words get translated patience.

Chapter one was used when looking at our endurance when going through trials. James 1:2–3“2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

This usage is basically the idea of being longsuffering with people.

Patience is not passivity.

The examples given of a farmers, the prophets, and Job demonstrate that waiting is more than sitting in a rocking chair.

Patience is a virtue, passivity is not.

Patience is not passive; it is an action word, referring to waiting with a positive attitude.

“What you see as a waiting room is God’s examination room.” H.B. Charles

Patience is an attribute of God

The New Testament presents it as an attribute of God Himself and urges its practice upon believers.

Outlines to whom we should be patient with. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

It is the opposite of an easily kindled wrath that readily lashes out in punishment

Opposite of a short fuse. It is often referred to as LONG SUFFERING

Patient people don’t retaliate and seek vengeance. James 5:6 “6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.”

It is the behavior of the “be slow to anger” we see all over Proverbs.

Endure not only trying and difficult circumstances, but trying and difficult people.

Patience is long obedience in the right direction.

The Christian life can only be properly explained in terms of patience and endurance.

You may have heard there 365 promises for us in the Bible.

John 16:33 “33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Look at the incredible juxtaposition of truth!

How do you endure with patience when life in this world is so painful? That is the question that James chapter 5 is answering.

Be mindful of the symptoms of the non-trusting, impatient heart.

1. The temptation to impatience.

James 5:7 “7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

Impatience is often felt as discouragement. Numbers 21:4 “4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.”

We grow impatient with those who are the source of injustice, as seen in v.1-5

We can also be impatient toward the the one you believe is withholding justice.

Loss of patience far too easily gives rise to vengeance and to vindictiveness.

Are you growing impatient with God?

2. The temptation of an unsettled heart.

James 5:8 “8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

An established heart

Conveys the idea of tying something down or making something secure.

Your “resting heart”

Contrasted with the unestablished heart.

Wavering, unstable, double minded.

Patience is the result of trust.

James is telling us, “Commit yourself to take your firm, solid stand that Jesus is coming, and be patient. Knowing it won’t always be like this.”

3. The temptation to hold a grudge toward one another.

James 5:9 “9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

To walk above with saints we love,

That will indeed be glory;

To walk below with saints we know—

Well, that’s another story!

Grudge not

We find the weirdest comfort in blaming others who aren’t responsible for our problems.

The inner feeling of dissatisfaction and personal irritation at another, it involves a feeling of criticism and faultfinding directed against others.

This personal feeling reflects itself in smoldering resentment.

One against another

Though the oppression is not coming from our fellow brother, it is effecting the relationships around us.

I struggle here greatly. At times, I have allowed my wrong response to being mistreated by someone in this world to effect my relationship with my home and fellow brothers.

“Lest ye be condemned/judged” - We will give an account for how we treat one another.

Motivation to address this problem of the heart

Remember the judge is at the door. Be patient.

“I resolved never to do (or say) anything that I wouldn’t do if I knew it to be the last hour of my life.” - Jonathan Edwards

4. The temptation to live a duplicitous life.

James 5:12 “12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”

Many commentaries are not sure which portion to place this verse.

Is it the next thought as James lists areas we need to recognize God’s rightful role in our lives; time, wealth, waiting - another thought concerning the use of the tongue.

What is God telling us here through James?

“Above all things” indicates “before you do anything else” we have to address this.

As with other portions of this book, it reflects teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.

Common practice that needed to stop.

We certainly should not use the Lord’s name in vain, teenagers I would exhort you to avoid the practice of saying “on God” to make your the point you are being honest.

Jesus emphatically condemned the Jewish leaders for making hairsplitting distinctions between binding and non-binding oaths. Matthew 23

In the Jewish Mishnah there is a long list of terms that are binding such as by the “Merciful and Gracious” or “by him that is long-suffering and of great kindness,” but oaths “by heaven and by earth” are exempt.

James has in view the self-serving attempt to hide the truth by appearing to appeal to God to establish the truth.

Such duplicity is totally inconsistent with Christian honesty.

We live in a dishonest world, let it out lives be in contrast to this.

“Swearing is necessary only in a society where truth is not reverenced.” - Adamson

Our family drinks a fair amount of tea. Stephanie and I take different approaches to doing this. I boil the water and give the tea a few minutes. Stephanie believes it needs a full 20 minutes.

A question we should ask ourselves often is “Do I hold this doctrine or does this doctrine fully hold me?”

Rest your heart on the ultimate certainty; the Lord’s coming is very near.

James 5:7–9 “7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

We can quietly await the precious harvest.

James 5:7 “7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

The Precious Fruit

“For” denotes that the expected fruit is the farmer’s central interest, and his mental and emotional concerns are focused on it

A farmers trust in natural law dictates farming practices and the farmers attitudes (emotions).

truth: planted seeds will produce a harvest

practice: waiting

Early rain in October that allows for the seed to be planted.

Latter rain needed before the harvest in the Spring

attitude: patience

Christian truth dictates Christian behavior and it results in the God-ward emotion of an established heart.

truth: the coming is the Lord is nigh

practice: waiting

attitude: patience resulting in an established heart

As Believers there are times that for us to have a established heart we need the comfort that comes from v.7,8, & 9

It reminds us that better days are always ahead. James 5:7 “7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord..

It reminds us of his presence in His return. James 5:8 “8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

Coming emphasizes his arrival.

It is a person not an event we anticipate.

Nothing must transpire before His return, it is imminent.

It has not been very long when you consider a day is as of a 1000 years for the Lord.

Story of a man walking to the refrigerator and the football player running 95 yards in the same amount of time.

At times you are the victim of injustice and you call upon the true judge. James 5:9 “9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

This should be a truth we continually meditate upon.

1 out of every 13 verses in the NT are a reference to His second coming.

That is over 300 references.

Here is one example of a way in which you could meditate upon it. Romans 8:18 “18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

These thoughts have a purifying effect in our lives. 1 John 3:3 “3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Patience in this world is only possible as we consider the next.

Four truths about the Lord’s Return

Many you are uncertain about the future because you are still undecided about the past.

The only way to be able to look forward to Jesus’ return with confidence is in being able to look back to his death in faith.

Secret

Matthew 24:36 “36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

Do you believe it will be tonight? It will be like a night like this one. - McChynne Bible Study

Sudden

Do you believe Jesus will return tonight.

Matthew 24:42–43“42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.”

“When the author walks [back] on to the stage the play is over.”

Spectacular

Matthew 24:40 “40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

The event will be universal and impossible to miss.

Seperation

A man and wife asleep in bed She hears a noise and turns her head He's gone I wish we'd all been ready

Two men walking up a hill One disappears and one's left standing still I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind The Son has come and you've been left behind

Separate the reconciled and the unreconciled.

2 Corinthians 5:20 “20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

I plead with you today to be reconciled to God. I must ask this question.

Romans 2:4 “4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

Recognize those who remain steadfast are blessed.

James 5:10–11 “10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

Maybe you are willing to hold this doctrinal truth but you are certainly not going to delight in it. Isn’t knowing the right answer good enough.

Misalignment from mind and heart. - Story of Carsen running the ball and there being a flag on the play.

Deuteronomy 6:5“5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

Psalm 138:1 “1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.”

Matthew 22:37 “37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

The prophets experienced pain in this world but endured.

“Example of suffering affliction, and of patience” v.10

Moses patiently endured 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

Elijah patiently endured constant opposition from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, threats against him.

Jeremiah endured patiently to the point where he became known as the weeping prophet.

Ezekiel patiently endured the death of his wife.

Hosea patiently endured unfaithfulness by his wife.

Daniel was thrown into a lion's den.

John the Baptist was imprisoned and eventually beheaded.

“Who have spoken in the name of the Lord” reminds us that even the Lord’s servants with a “speaking role” in the story were not exempt from suffering.

All of them died before the things they spoke came to pass.

They all died waiting in this world. Hebrews 11:13–16 “13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Job knew the bigger picture.

Job endured great pain, unimaginable loss and grief and suffering in this world.

Job's faith struggled through hard days. Yet in the middle of hard days, he remained steadfast.

Job knew that his suffering was not the end of his story, that he would see God and he would experience redemption after all this.

Do you remember this passage from right in the middle of Job's struggles? Job 19:25–27“25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

Trials in this world can seem and feel so long, like they're never going to end. But the timeline of another world reminds us these trials will end. They're temporary.

Through trials brought on by circumstances or other people we can say. Job 42:5 “5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.”

Job saw the end that God brought to the story.

James 5:11 “11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

The goal God had in view in allowing all Job’s sufferings to come upon him has been revealed: to refute Satan’s slander and to vindicate and strengthen Job’s faith.

Sometimes you see it in this life, other times we see it when we stand with the Lord.

Elijah lived a life of opposition. He desired to see his country, Israel, see national revival. Standing with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration he saw things as Jesus saw them. It was more glorious than he could imagine.

When we stand in the presence of the Lord someday and see our lives from that perspective we will see that no suffering was wasted or meaningless.

This may one of the most radical messages you have ever hear. It turns this world completely upside down. But God says “Behold, we count them happy which endure. “

Conclusion

Let us live in confidence of our obedience.

Hebrews 10:35 “35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”

Why? Hebrews 10:36–37“36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”

Patience; Long obedience in the right direction.

How is your heart today? Is it established?

Do you find yourself impatient ,with an unsettled heart, holding a grudge toward others, living in a dishonest manner.

Rest your heart on the ultimate certainty; the Lord’s coming is very near.