Worship for Sunday, December 14, 2025

James 5:7-10 - 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. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. Prayer shows the practical living out of patience. Serenity - a state of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude - Remaining whole despite the circumstances Courage - mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty - Doing what needs to be done despite the danger Wisdom - ability to discern inner qualities and relationships - Knowledge put into action Patience A fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-24 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. A characteristic of true love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. What we are to put on Colossians 3:12-15 - Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. In this passage the patience called for relates to Jesus coming again - Judgment for those who have wronged us - We often want God to pour judgment on them now 2 Peter 3:8-9 - But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance - If judgment was according to our schedule many would never have the opportunity for repentance - We would not have had the opportunity for repentance - Learning - Growth 1) Don't allow what you cannot change to stir you up James 5:7 - 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. - There is nothing the farmer can do to bring the rain - There is nothing the farmer can do to speed up the growth - There is nothing the farmer can do to hasten the harvest So they wait Many situations that are completely out of our control, so don't let them take your peace 2) Establish your heart Commit yourself to: 1) Having this Biblical love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 2) Growing this spiritual fruit Galatians 5:22-24 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 3) Putting on this Christlike nature Colossians 3:12-15 - Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. 3) Shed grumbling and complaining Grumbling and complaining is a sign that patience has not grown up in us - Assume the best intentions in the other - Give grace - Offer assistance where it can be helpful - Maintain your Christlike attitude and actions Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. Patiently Waiting James 5:7-10 (page 1013) 2 | Page