Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Intro

Galatians 5:22–24 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

We are talking about most people’s favorite characteristic, patience

I am going to start this morning off with a very hard truth, Patience is not optional for a believer, patience is a fruit of a believer.

God has not forgotten you. He is watching every move, every tear, every prayer, and when the time is right, He will act—perfectly. -Oswald Chambers

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.” - Saint Augustine

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Patience

Patience. Ability to take a great deal of punishment from evil people or circumstances without losing one’s temper, without becoming irritated and angry, or without taking vengeance. It includes the capacity to bear pain or trials without complaint, the ability to forbear under severe provocation, and the self-control which keeps one from acting rashly even though suffering opposition or adversity.

This morning we are going to focus more so on the second part of that definition. How often do we wish for a quicker answer from God? How often do we think the desires of our hearts should be granted quicker?

Genesis 12:4-9

At this point Abraham was 75 years old and Sarah would have been 65. And if they married around the typical time they would have been married about 50 years. And they had no children

But God just told Abraham his offspring would be given the land

In all sorts of ways it would have made no sense for God to give them this desire/promise

And let us be honest a desire they probably had for many years in their early years of marriage and probably were at a place of acceptance that children were not going to happen

But just because it did not make sense to them in that moment, God had a purpose for rekindling the desire when he did, God wanted their heart set on it for a purpose.

Would not this promise or children to inherit the land keep the promise God made at the forefront of their minds

What is a desire God has put on your heart?

This morning we are going to see just because God puts a desire their does not mean today is the day for it to be granted, not neccesarily this year, or next, or maybe not even this decade.

We about to see in this story it would be 25 more years of waiting (75 years of trying)

Other examples:

David- would wait 15 years after being anointed king before becoming king over Judah and then another 7 years before all of Israel

Moses- age 40 kills the Egyptian, comes back at 80 to lead the Israelites

Joseph- spent 13 years in slavery and prison after dreams of ruling over his brothers

Simeon- his whole life waited to see Jesus

Jesus- started public ministry at 30 years

As we get started on this journey this morning are we greater than any of these people? No, then who are we to expect a quick answer?

As we continue through Abraham’s story this morning we will reflect on how we should act in the patient waiting

Genesis 16:1-6

Now let us fast forward 10 years to where patience have worn

And instead of listening to God’s voice they started to listen to their own.

Earthly limitations and misplaced identity started clouding their vision

Their ages would have been 75 and 85 and by earthly standards their was no way it could happen

I believe Sarah’s decision came out of a well meaning place but also a place of misplace identity

Her identity is being found in her womb not God

Up to this point her womb provided nothing for her husband or for God’s promise

And in her mind she had to find a way to find that worth or for God to move, but as the text shows providing the child by her means did not bring the peace she thought it would

When we are waiting for God to move let your vision be limited by scripture not earthly standards

Earthly standards Isaac should not be born

earthly standards the tomb should not be empty

Earthly standards say this building should have a mortgage

Earthly standards say their were days bills should have went unpaid and the dinner table be empty

Earthly standards say you should have died in that wreck

Don’t look for your identity in desires and promises, remeber your identity is that you are made in the image of God and as a child of God you are enough

You do not need anything less or anything more, you are enough in Christ

Christ alone is the reason we can be patient no matter the trial

Be mindful taking stuff into your own hands never ends well and has consequnces.

Genesis 17:20–21 ESV

As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

Ishmael’s descendants make up mostly the Muslim nations

Isaac’s descdants have faced numerous problems because of his parents rash descison to take God’s promise into their own hands

When we try to take God’s promises into our hands the chaos of the Middle east is a reminder of how we can wreck things when attempting to fulfill things by our own power

Genesis 17:1-5, 15-16

now let us go 14 more years forward (24 years from where we started)

Now we see God give a definite time frame on the answered prayer

But as this waiting is coming to a conclusion their is a name change God gives, which was a common thing when major changes happened

Abram to Abraham

to “the father is exalted” to “father of a multiple of nations”

Sarai to Sarah

both names possibly mean princess

These name changes let us know something radical happened in the waiting, they were changed and prepared for a major change in their lifes

We have to ask ourselves in the waiting are we going to be changed for bitter or better

And that is why patience is so vital

Patience gives us a moldable and teachable heart

In your impatience what oppurtunites and lessons are you missing?

In your impatience what issues are you causing?

Genesis 21:1-7

Finally this morning we reach 25 years out from the desire and it is finally granted

God worked in such a way it brought him glory

God worked in such a way it was no doubt it was him

This morning friends be patient, God’s plan is not about your comfort or your timeline

God’s desires he has given you may not be about this year or the next

As you are waiting do not waste the season of waiting of being bitter and constantly searching for why it is not answered now rather in the words of John Waller:

I'm waiting on You Lord And I am hopeful I'm waiting on You Lord Though it is painful But patiently I will wait I will move ahead bold and confident (I'll be) Taking ev'ry step in obedience While I'm waiting I will serve You While I'm waiting I will worship While I'm waiting I will not faint I'll be running the race Even while I wait I'm waiting I'm waiting on You Lord And I am peaceful I'm waiting on You Lord Though it's not easy But faithfully I will wait Yes I will wait

Conclusion

Waiting is hard, but it has purpose – God's delays are not denials; He uses waiting to shape and prepare us.

Patience is active, not passive – Waiting involves trust, obedience, worship, and growth, not just sitting still.

Avoid acting in your own strength – Taking matters into your own hands leads to consequences; trust God's timing.

Let waiting change you for the better – Use the waiting season to be molded, not made bitter.

God’s answer will bring Him glory – When He fulfills His promises, it will be undeniably His doing.

Wait with faith and expectation – Obey and serve while you wait, believing He is faithful.

God is never late – His timing is perfect, even if it doesn't match your expectations.