How To Endure Times of Suffering

Introduction|

Title: How To Endure Times of Suffering

Text:

Theme: Christ’s Return

Series: James: An Authentic Faith

Introduction|

Attention:

How many of you like to suffer? No one wakes up in the morning saying: “I can’t wait to suffer emotional, physical, and mental pain today.”

Need Element:

Due to the curse of sin, we are faced with times of suffering. Some of you are grieving over the loss of a loved one. Others face the continual battle of chronic pain due to a form of sickness. Some of you have witnessed traumatic events in your past, which causes emotional scars. Others have been violated by someone you trusted and loved. Maybe, you have been physically harmed by another person who causes you not to get close to another person. Suffering comes in many different forms of life. Everyone suffers at some level in life. It might be emotional, mental, physical, or even spiritual. However, how should a follower of Jesus respond to times of suffering? James seeks to provide some answers to this question.

Background:

Last week, James alluded to those who were suffering financial suffering under the hands of greedy employers ()

Textual Idea:

In our passage, James demonstrated to his readers that an authentic believer endures through times of suffering in life while focusing upon the return of their Lord and Savior.

Big Idea:

An authentic believer endures through times of suffering in life while focusing upon the return of Christ

Interrogative:

How does an authentic believer endure times of suffering in life while remaining focused upon Christ?

Outline|

I. We can endure through times of suffering by being patiently focused upon Christ’s return (vv. 7-8)

Explanation:

James connects the idea of intently waiting for the return of Christ with the idea of suffering in life. In verses 1-6, James presents the suffering of some under the hands of those who are money hunger. James urges his readers to “be patient until the coming of the Lord” (Greek). The command to be patient suggests demonstrating patience despite difficulties. These difficulties are the times of suffering that accompany life in a sin-cursed world. He provides them with an encouraging reminder—the return of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ever since the assertion of Christ and the promise of His return (-110, believers have been waiting for and anticipating the return of Christ. Peter, Paul, James, and John awaited the return of Christ in their lifetime.

Illustration:

James provides an illustration of waiting with patience and commitment. He presents the picture of a farmer who plants his seeds. He then waits with patience through the various seasons of rain. He is committed to making the most of his crops by working in his crops between the time of planting and harvesting. He works hard by “weeding, hoeing, fertilizing, and doing whatever [he can do] to bring [his] crops to full fruition.”

Application:

How do these verses apply to us? James provides us with two points of application from the idea of waiting with patience and commitment. First, we must wait patiently for the return of our Lord and Savior. However, this does not mean that we sit by ideally while waiting for Christ. We can wait by focusing on Christ’s work as our savior! We can wait by concentrating on Christ’s work as the righteous judge. Secondly, we must strengthen our hearts. We can strengthen our hearts by spending time in the Word. We can strengthen our hearts by relying upon the Spirit. We can strengthen our hearts by spending time with Christ in prayer. The reason for being patient and finding strength is the return of Christ. So, I would encourage you to keep your eyes on the eastern sky as you live for Christ while awaiting His return!

II. We can endure through times of suffering by not complaining about our support system (vv. 9)

Explanation:

After commanding his readers to live patiently, he now urges them to not complain about others. The word grudge suggests the idea of complaining or grumbling about something or someone. James tells them to “not complain against one another” (Greek). He then provides the reason: “so that you will not be judged” (Greek). Due to our human nature, we love to complain about others. However, James reminds us that we will stand before God and give an account of our words spoken against another believer. At this point, he provides the motivation for not complaining: “behold, the judge is standing before the door” (Greek).

James' point is simple: “Christ’s return lies close at hand, on the threshold of the doorway, so that we ought to behave as people ready for the judgment.”

Illustration:

A man was marooned on a desolate island. After he had been there for five years, he was found and rescued. As he climbed into the rescue boat, the curious rescuers noticed three grass huts. “We thought you were alone, why are there three huts,” they asked. The man replied, “The first hut is my home; the second is my church.” “What about the third hut?” “Oh, that’s the church I used to belong to!”

Application:

As we consider the applicability of this verse, it reminds us to think before we speak a complaint against another believer. Sadly, we often speak before we think! Moreover, we ought to build up others with words of encouragement. Instead of complaining about someone to someone else, you should build them up to others.

III. We can endure through times of suffering by finding motivation in the examples of the past (vv. 10-11)

Explanation:

James returns to the idea of patience and suffering. James urges his audience to take the example of the prophets as an example of suffering and patience. He says: “you, brothers and sisters, must take the prophets, who spoke the word of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience” (, Greek). These men suffered in various ways for merely proclaiming God’s word to God’s people. Jeremiah endured times of physical suffering at the hands of kings and his own people. Elijah suffered emotional distress under the treats of death. According to Jewish history, Isaiah was cut in half. says: “they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented.” Yet, these men endured with patience these times of intense suffering.

James makes his point: “Behold, we considered those blessed who endured” (). James reminds us that God blesses those who endure suffering for Him and His Word.

Illustration:

James provides a perfect illustration of suffering and patience—the account of Job. James says: “You have heard about the steadfastness of Job and you haven seen the purpose of the Lord, that He is compassionate and merciful” (, Greek). Job, a blameless and upright man, endures many trials. He loses EVERYTHING. He loses his wealth, his family, his health, and his friends. Yet, he never turns his back on God. Through the unexpected loss of his wealth, he continues to praise the Lord. When he loses his family unexpectedly, he remains faith to the Lord. As his friends blame him for his situation, Job endures with steadfastness and uprightness. By the end of the Book, Job recognizes the goodness and glory of the Lord by responding to Him in reverence and repentance (). James readers would have been familiar with the Book of Job and seen the purpose of the Lord—a revelation of his Glory and Goodness.

Douglas Moo makes the following observation from this verse: “your present suffering. . . is not the “end” of the story; God will transform your situation for good when Christ is revealed in glory.”

Thus, one comes to see and understand that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Application:

As we read the Biblical accounts of men like Job and woman like Leah, we find the motivation to endure the struggles and suffering of life with God’s help. However, as you and I face the struggles of life, God continues to pour out compassion and mercy into our lives to give us the strength to endure through the time of testing and trial. Moreover, we also come to know and understand God’s purpose on the backside of the trial, which causes us to respond to God with reverence and repentance. This text encourages us to remain steadfast in the Lord during times of testing and trial.

Conclusion/Application|

Reiteration:

An authentic believer endures through times of suffering by 1) focusing upon the return of Christ; 2) by not complaining about our support system, and 3) finding motivation in the examples of the past.

Action:

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you need to place your faith in the work of Christ upon the Christ. Jesus wants to save you from your sin and help you to live for him and his glory. He died so that we could live. If you are willing to make the commitment to follow Him, he promises to save you from eternal punishment in a place called hell. However, if you are a believer, this passage encourages you to keep your focus upon Christ’s return by during His word, work, and will. It also challenges us not to complain about our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The church is a support system that is here to help you through your times of suffering. Instead of “burning the bridge,” you need to utilize it. Finally, it encourages us to find motivation in the examples of the past. When you read about the saints of the past who endured through times of suffering, you gives us the motivation to keep on keeping one for Christ!.

Appeal:

If God has spoken to your heart, would you do business with Him this morning?