Patience : A Trait of the Spirit – Controlled Life

Colossians 3:12 – 25

Colossians 3:12–25 NLT

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.

Introduction:

What is your reaction toward others when they do things that are not quite right? Do you have a short fuse when someone messes up on a project; or when someone interrupts something that you are doing? What about when your plans have to be changed because of another person?

As believers, one of the hardest areas to master and one of the last areas of our lives to come under the control of the Holy Spirit is our tempers. Even so, this is one of the easiest areas of our lives to negate our testimony for Christ. It is only necessary to lose grip once in front of others to destroy all that we have accomplished in influencing them for Christ.

When our lives under the complete control of the Holy Spirit, he produces nine specific trait that pointer people to Christ. This evening we are looking at the fourth in that list of nine traits: patience.

I- Why should a believer be patient?

A-Because of who you are. (Colossians 3:12 a).

Colossians 3:12a NLT

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

1. As a believer, you are an chosen child of God.

a. As God’s child, you should seek to make him proud of you.

1) children love to please their parents… Sometimes they cry out for attention, but basically, they desire to please.

2) the basic desire of the believer is to please God.

3) being patient towards others pleases him.

b. As God’s child, you want others to think well of your father.

1) When kids act up (in the store, etc.). The first thought that passes through people’s minds is concerning the quality of the child’s parents.

2) We want others to desire to know our heavenly father is a good father.

(Romans 2:23 – 24)

Romans 2:23–24 NLT

23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

B- Because God is patient with you.

1- He was patient in bringing you to salvation.

a. As a rebel, you deserve to be put to death and eternally separated from God in hell.

(Romans 5:12)

Romans 5:12 NLT

12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

(Romans 6:23)

Romans 6:23 NLT

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

b. He continued to call you until you responded to him.

1) Most of us did not respond the first time he called us.

2- He is patient and setting you aside for his use even though you stumble and fall short of his standard.

(Colossians 3:12b)

Colossians 3:12b NLT

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

a. It is amazing that he continues to work with us, in spite of our faults and failings.

C- Because you want to be a positive influence on the lost.

1. You are automatically a witness when you are saved.

(Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 NLT

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

a. The only thing that remains to be decided is whether you will be a good witness or a bad one.

1) Surely no one wants to be a bad influence and cause someone else to stumble into hell over them.

II- How long should the believer be patient?(Colossians 3:13-15)

Colossians 3:13–15 NLT

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

A- As long as it takes.

(Matthew 18:21 – 22)

Matthew 18:21–22 NLT

21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

1- The Lord speaks here of the principle of continual forgiveness –he is not giving an exact number.

a. The Lord illustrates this in the story of the unforgiving servant. (Matthew 18:23 – 35)

Matthew 18:23–35 NLT

23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. 26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. 28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. 29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full. 31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”

b. An unforgiving, quick-tempered spirit will be met with judgment by God.

B- Until God quits being patient with you.

1-How long will he be merciful and patient with you?

a. As long as God is merciful to you, merciful to others.

(Psalm 136:1)

Psalm 136:1 NLT

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

1) This phrase appears 26 times in this one Psalm.

III- With whom should I be patient? (Colossians 3:18 – 25)

A- With your spouse and family. (Colossians 3:18 – 21)

Colossians 3:18–21 NLT

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

1- Your testimony should be strongest with those who know you best.

a. Your spouse

b. Your children

c. Your parents

d. Your siblings

B- With people you work with. (Colossians 3:22 – 25)

Colossians 3:22–25 NLT

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.

1- Your testimony should be maintained at work.

a. Among business associates

b. With the boss

c. With your subordinates

C- With your church family. (Colossians 3:13, 16)

Colossians 3:13 NLT

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Colossians 3:16 NLT

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

1- People outside of the fellowship or looking to see what kind of fellowship there is within the church family.

IV- How can the believer be patient? (Colossians 3:13)

Colossians 3:13 NLT

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

A- Be patient with the faults of other believers. (Colossians 3:13 A)

1- “Patience” (μακροθυμία)= to be patient, to bear with, to be long-tempered with. A state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.

a. Try to overlook the faults of others instead of looking them over.

b. Remember, the lives of other believers are still under construction – they are not a finished product.

c. Begin with an honest appraisal of your own faults. This alone will help you to be more patient with others.

1) Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:3 – 5.

Matthew 7:3–5 NLT

3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

B- Forgive others profusely. (Colossians 3:13 B)

1- Forgive as you would want to be forgiven by others.

2- Forgive as you want to be forgiven by God. (Matthew 6:12)

Matthew 6:12 NLT

12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

C- Seek to see others the loving eyes of Christ.

1- God not only sees individuals as they are, but as they were, and as they will one day be.

a. Jesus saw Nathaniel this way. (John 1:45 – 51)

John 1:45–51 NLT

45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. 47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” 48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” 49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

D. Allow the Holy Spirit to control you moment by moment.

1- When you do, he will pour his love through your heart.

(Romans 5:5)

Romans 5:5 NLT

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

2- This love will help you overlook the faults of others.

(1 Peter 4:8)

1 Peter 4:8 NLT

8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Conclusion:

Patience… thank God that he is a patient God toward you and I. As his children, we are to follow in his example. In order to be able to be patient with others, we must confess our own sinfulness to God and ask the Lord to fill us and control us with his Holy Spirit.

When we are filled with his spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Instead, the spirit will produce the nine traits mentioned by Paul in Galatians 5:22 – 23.

Questions to Ponder:

What does Colossians 3:12 emphasize about the characteristics believers should embody?

How does the scripture suggest believers respond to each other's faults?

How should believers show patience towards their family members according to Colossians 3:18-21?

What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers exercise patience?

How does the concept of forgiveness tie into the theme of patience in the sermon?