Patience in Suffering

Introduction:

· Waiting for the Lord’s return. ...Like… Waiting for Godot ?

WE NEED TO ASK – WHY DO WE NEED TO HEAR THIS? HOW SHOULD WE WAIT? AND FINALLY, WHAT STRENGTHENS US TO WAIT?

I) Why do we Need to hear it?

A. We are waiting as the world groans under the weight of sin

i. “Therefore” is there for a reason (vs. 7)

1. James sees: self-absorbed, corrupt, unjust, immoral, violent (vv. 1-6)

2. APPLICATION: we feel impatient, weary, reading news, loved ones…

ii. The price we pay for “speaking” up (see vs. 10)

1. His reference to the prophets calls to mind truth-tellers who paid a price

2. ILLUSTRATION: Flight attendants speak up…and are fired

B. We are waiting and our impatience might mean that we…

i. …grow impatient, cynical losing sight of God’s timing(vs. 8b, 9)

1. Some of us lose sight: “Be patient for the Lord’s coming?!”

2. APPLICATION: How much have you thought of Jesus’ return?

3. Weariness can lead to grumbling against others

ii. …allow worldly attitudes to shape our thinking

1. Some of us compromise, adapting our beliefs, living, to the world

2. EXAMPLE: When “I just feel…” begins to shape our worldview

WE’RE LIVING IN A WORLD GROANING UNDER A BURDEN OF SIN – HOW SHOULD WE LIVE INSTEAD? JAMES GIVES US TWO MAIN IDEAS.

II) What Should We Do Instead? (vv. 7-10)

A. We Must be patient like a farmer

i. Patience begins with “standing firm” (vv. 7, 8, 10)

1. EXAMPLE: In martial arts – a stance that was immovable

2. Patience: anchor yourself to a certain future hope: Christ’s return!

ii. Patience doesn’t mean indifference, but laboring towards a goal

1. For some, waiting for the return = indifference, waiting out the clock

2. BUT: A farmer is NOT doing that àLaboring faithfully! (vs. 7-8)

3. APPLICATION: Labor for God’s kingdom where he’s placed you?

B. We Must be Steadfast Like a Prophet (vs. 10)

i. Steadfast Endurance means perseverance in the face of adversity

1. Like the prophets Christians endure opposition, but persevere

2. APPLICATION: Loving an enemy; repaying snark w. kindness

ii. Steadfast Endurance: truth in a world where it’s hard to find (vs. 12)

1. An out-of-place text…but a call to truthfulness in an untruthful world

2. APPLICATION: Be so committed to the truth we represent it well

JAMES CALLS US TO BE PATIENT, AND STEADFAST IN A WORLD GROANING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF SIN; WHERE DO WE FIND THE STRENGHT TO DO THIS?

III) What Strengthens Us To Do This

A. We Are Waiting For A Triumphant Return

i. The Lord’s appearance is the joyful return of a king(vv. 7)

1. The Return of Jesus is’nt an evacuation but a homecoming

2. EXAMPLE: Parousia was an occasion for celebrating & justice

ii. The Lord’s Appearance gives us reason for hope

1. The king returning means the righting of all wrongs

2. APPLICATION: how to endure wrong? Trust the king to make it right!

B. We are Waiting For A Glorious Future!

i. The story of the farmer

1. The farmer anticipates labor giving way to reward, so he works hard

2. APPLICATION: We can be encouraged in our fallen world that the best is yet to come!

ii. The Story of Job

1. Through Job’s suffering, the Lord “finally brought about” vindication

2. Jesus suffered far more, and brings about a great victory for us

Transition:

Conclusion