Let Cool Heads Prevail

Introduction:

No one treated Lincoln with more contempt than did Edwin Stanton, who denounced Lincoln’s policies and called him a “low cunning clown.” Stanton had nicknamed him “the original gorilla” and said that explorer Paul Du Chaillu was a fool to wander about in Africa trying to capture a gorilla, when he could have found one so easily in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln said nothing in reply. In fact, he made Stanton his war minister because Stanton was the best man for the job. He treated him with every courtesy. The years wore on.

The night came when an assassin’s bullet struck down Lincoln in a theatre. In a room off to the side where Lincoln’s body was taken, stood Stanton that night. As he looked down on the silent, rugged face of the President, Stanton said through his tears, “There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen.” The patience of love had conquered in the end.

Green, M. P. (Ed.). (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

In our passages this morning, the word longsuffering, is from the Greek word μακροθυμία. This word is translated “longsuffering” 12 times in the King James and “patience” twice.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.167 μακροθυμία, ας

25.167 μακροθυμία, ας f: a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.’ μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ‘but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises’ He 6:12; ὑπόδειγμα λάβετε, ἀδελφοί, τῆς κακοπαθείας καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας τοὺς προφήτας ‘fellow believers, take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience’ or ‘… patience in the face of suffering’ Jas 5:10. In a number of languages ‘patience’ is expressed idiomatically, for example, ‘to remain seated in one’s heart’ or ‘to keep one’s heart from jumping’ or ‘to have a waiting heart.’

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.167 μακροθυμία, ας

25.167 μακροθυμία, ας f: a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.’ μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ‘but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises’ He 6:12; ὑπόδειγμα λάβετε, ἀδελφοί, τῆς κακοπαθείας καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας τοὺς προφήτας ‘fellow believers, take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience’ or ‘… patience in the face of suffering’ Jas 5:10. In a number of languages ‘patience’ is expressed idiomatically, for example, ‘to remain seated in one’s heart’ or ‘to keep one’s heart from jumping’ or ‘to have a waiting heart.’

As we continue our study on being ‘doers of the word”, we must remember what we have learned so far from . We have learned that simply making a list of what not to do will not help us to find a lasting change in our behavior. We have found that the only lasting change will come when we trust in Jesus as personal Savior. Only then will be be made into new creatures. Only then will we receive the Holy Spirit.

We have learned that every believer has a war within himself. There are two fighting factions, the Spirit and the Flesh. The very existence of such a fight is not evidence of one’s weakness, but proof of one’s salvation. Without the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit, there would be no fight between the Spirit and the flesh.

We have learned that the Spirit and the Flesh are opposite. If you walk after the one, you will not be following the other. We have discovered that a walk is a series of steps going in the same direction. So we are talking then, about a life in which we habitually choose to follow the desires of the Spirit and then by natural course, leave the lusts of the flesh unfulfilled, and growing weaker.

is a famous list of seven fruits of the Spirit. If we identify these desires and submit to them, we will be well on our way to walking after the Spirit. So far we have discovered that Love, Joy and Peace are not just a state of mind, or a random occurence, but are the results of choices we make. We choose to exercise love, embrace a state of joy, or pursue peace.

Long suffering is also a choice.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Longsuffering

“Longsuffering is that quality of selfrestraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God, Ex. 34:6 (Sept.); Rom. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:20. Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope, 1 Thess. 1:3; it is not used of God.”*

Longsuffering is Part of God’s Nature

This is what wooed us to Himself, calling us to repent and believe

Romans 2:4 KJV 1900

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 pet 3 9

This is what has kept us from being destroyed in our sins.

Exodus 34:6–7 KJV 1900

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

ex

Believers must Pursue Cool-Headedness as a Lifestyle

Proverbs 19:11 KJV 1900

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Colossians 3:12 KJV 1900

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

prov

Proverbs 14:29 KJV 1900

He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 16:32 KJV 1900

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Leaders Must Embrace Cool-headedness

Proverbs 25:15 KJV 1900

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

2 tim

2 Timothy 4:2 KJV 1900

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

eph

Ephesians 6:9 KJV 1900

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Church Members Must Choose Cool-headedness

Ephesians 4:2 KJV 1900

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Romans 15:1 KJV 1900

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 KJV 1900

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

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