Fruit of the spirit #4 Patience
Today we’re going to minister on the subject of LONG‑SUFFERING. The word ‘LONG‑SUFFERING’ means ‘PATIENCE.’ (Fruit of the human spirit) (We have the HS) (Fruit characteristics of H.S. or God) God is Love, but He also has Joy, Peace, and Long- Suffering or Patience.
There is something very interesting here about the fruit of the spirit in the way that it's listed in Galatians 5.
It's just my own observation but it seems to be very much in order of difficulty, starting with the easiest and progressing to the most difficult.
Listen to how the Amplified translation words (Galatians 5:22-23), “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence) {Which means, "disposition to do good: an act of kindness: a generous gift}, faithfulness, (23) Gentleness (meekness, humility) {humble}, self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law that can bring a charge]".
I) PATIENCE—ATTRIBUTE OF GOD.
A) NUM 14:18 ‑‑ The WORD “LONG‑SUFFERING” HERE AGAIN MEANS “PATIENT”. THE NIV SAYS, “SLOW TO ANGER”, BUT IT MEANS MORE TO BE PATIENT IN A BAD SITUATION.
1) BUT THIS V TELLS US THAT GOD IS PATIENT.
2) 2PET 3:9 Here again it says that GOD IS LONG-SUFFERING OR PATIENT.
(a) SO MANY TIMES WHEN THINGS GET BAD IN OUR LIFE, WE SAY OR THINK “LORD WHERE IS YOUR COMING” and SOMETIMES WE GET JUST A LITTLE IMPATIENT.
(b) BUT IN THIS V. PETER IS SAYING THAT GOD IS PATIENT IN COMING SO THAT THE MOST WILL BE SAVED.
(i) LISTEN HOW THE NIV WORDS IT, (I’m going to read) (2PET 3:9,10,15) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation...”
(ii) IF YOU’RE SAYING, “LORD HURRY BACK.” REMEMBER THAT AS THE LORD WAITS; MORE ARE GOING TO BE SAVED. IT MAKES YOUR WAITING WORTHWHILE.
B) GOD DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PATIENT with SINNERS. BUT HE IS. WHY? THERE ARE 2 REASONS.
1) 1ST HE CHOOSES TO. HE WANTS TO SEE THE MOST COME INTO HIS KINGDOM.
(a) This is something that we have to learn. WE ALSO have to make a choice to be PATIENT. WE HAVE TO DECIDE TO BE PATIENT. IT’S OUR CHOICE.
2) NOWHERE DOES IT TELL US TO PRAY FOR PATIENCE. WHEN SOMEONE ASKS ME TO PRAY FOR THEM TO HAVE PATIENCE, I USUALLY PRAY FOR THEM TO BE STRENGTHENED....
(a) IF I WAS TO PRAY FOR THEM TO HAVE PATIENCE, YOU KNOW HOW I WOULD HAVE TO PRAY, according to (James 1:2-3) which says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
3) ROM 5:1-3.
(a) Did you notice that, “Tribulation worketh (Produces) patience.”
(b) WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN PATIENCE and ALL OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. IT’S UP TO US TO EXERCISE PATIENCE.
(i) (PHI 2:12) Tells us to “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
(a) Let me say just 1 thing about this V: We are never told to work FOR our salvation, but we are told to work out our salvation.
(ii) IT’S UP TO US TO bring this fruit into Manifestation IN OUR DAILY LIVES. Only the born-again Christian can do this, and should do it because it’s already in our spirits.
4) EPH 5:1 (FOLLOWERS OR IMITATORS) God doesn’t tell us to do something that He doesn’t do.
(a) In this V He tell us that we need to follow after Him and His examples.
(b) Look at 1TIM 1:16.
(i) (1 Timothy 1:15-16) from the NIV says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (16) But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
(ii) In this V we see the PATIENCE of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul uses Himself as an example of someone that might be the worst sinner of all, but through Jesus unlimited Patience Paul was brought to repentance.
5) 1PET 3:20.
(a) Some say that it took Noah 120 years to build the ark. (There scripture reference for that is GEN 6:3 and that is the V just before God told Noah to build the ark where God said that He was going to limit man to 120 years.)
(i) If it took Noah 120 years to build the ark with all the wickedness going on, WE CAN SEE the UNLIMITED PATIENCE God has.
(ii) And HE is OUR EXAMPLE.
II) The 2ND REASON THAT GOD IS PATIENT IS BECAUSE OF LOVE. (1COR 13:4) SAYS, Charity suffereth long, The NIV SAYS, Love is patient.
A) IF WE HAVE The GOD KIND OF LOVE, We’ll HAVE TO BE PATIENT With ONE ANOTHER.
1) 2TIM 4:2.
2) IN OTHER WORDS WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO EXHORT OR ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING, DON’T GET IMPATIENT with HIM OR HER, THEY’RE STILL GROWING. BE PATIENT with THEIR PROGRESS.
(a) With the natural eye, I can’t see my kids growing from day to day, but they are.
(b) When you minister to someone, you’re planting the seed. It’s going to grow. You don’t always see it. Sometimes things even get worse, but you’re planting the seed and watering it. The only thing that it can do is, grow.
3) MAT 18:22‑32a WHY WAS THAT Man A WICKED SERVANT?
(a) 2 REASONS.
(i) 1ST OF ALL HE WOULD NOT FORGIVE.
(ii) 2ND HE WOULD NOT HAVE PATIENCE with ANOTHER. HE BECAME IMPATIENT and WANTED IT ALL RIGHT NOW.
(b) I’M NOT SURE IF IMPATIENCE IS WHAT CAUSED HIS Unforgiveness OR NOT, BUT IT’S STILL A SEROUS MATTER.
(c) (1THES 5:14) SAYS, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all {men}.”
III) NOT ONLY ARE WE TO be IMITATORS OF GOD and BE PATIENT TOWARD ALL MEN, BUT WE ALSO ARE TO BE PATIENT CONCERNING God’s PROMISES.
A) HEB 6:12‑15, HEB 10:36.
1) IN ORDER FOR YOU TO RECEIVE THE PROMISES OF GOD, YOU NEED TO DO THE WILL OF GOD, and BE PATIENT.
2) (Psalms 40:1‑3) SAYS, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, {and} established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, {even} praise unto our God: many shall see it, {and} fear, and shall trust in the Lord.”
3) (PSA 27:14) SAYS, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”
IV) I’M GOING TO END WITH THIS LAST SCRIPTURE, HEB 12:1-2.
A) JESUS SAID IN (LUKE 21:19) “In your patience possess ye your souls.”
1) When you Exercise PATIENCE YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OWN MIND.
B) LEARN TO WAIT ON THE LORD WITH PATIENCE.