Hold On

Sermon Title: Hold On

Text: James 5:7–12

Context

Written by James, the brother of Jesus (Acts 15) (Camel Knees)

Audience: Jewish Christians scattered and under pressure (James 1:1)

Many were poor and being treated unfairly by wealthy landowners (James 5:1–6)

They were experiencing injustice, stress, and frustration

James is teaching them how to respond when life feels unfair

Big Idea

The tongue reveals the heart, which measures the man - Chris Hilken

Point 1: Be Patient in Injustice (James 5:7–8)

“See how the farmer waits…”

Patience = active trust in God’s timing

Farmers depend on what they cannot control (rain, seasons, growth)

You can’t force a crop - Matt Konda

God is working even when you don’t see it

“The coming of the Lord is near” = God will make things right

Supporting Scriptures:

Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”

Romans 12:19 “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

2 Peter 3:9 “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.”

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Application:

Trust God when life feels unfair

Wait without giving up or taking control

Key Line: God is not late, He is just not on your schedule.

Point 2: Don’t Grumble—Stay Steadfast (James 5:9–11)

“Don’t grumble against one another…”

Pressure often leads to complaining, blaming, and hurting others

Pressure also often leads to poor self treatment (the temple of God under attack)

“The Judge is standing at the door” = God sees how you treat people

Examples:

Prophets endured suffering faithfully

Job remained faithful through loss

Supporting Scriptures:

Philippians 2:14–15 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Colossians 3:13 “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.”

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Job 1:21–22 “And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

Application:

Don’t complain, gossip, or create drama

Stay faithful and treat people well under pressure

Key Line: Hard seasons don’t give you permission to treat people poorly

Point 3: Be People of Integrity (James 5:12)

“Let your ‘yes’ be yes…”

People used oaths to make themselves seem more truthful

James teaches that honesty should not need exaggeration

Integrity = your words match your character

Supporting Scriptures:

Matthew 5:37 “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

Proverbs 10:9 “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”

Luke 16:10 ““One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

Application:

Be honest without exaggerating

Follow through on what you say

Be consistent in speech and actions

Key Line: You don’t need stronger words—you need stronger character

Conclusion

When life is unfair:

Be patient (trust God’s timing)

Stay steadfast (don’t grumble)

Be truthful (live with integrity)

Final Challenge

Where are you feeling pressure right now?

How are you responding: impatience, complaining, or inconsistency?

What would it look like to respond God’s way this week?

Closing Verse

James 5:8 “Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” -