The Need for Longsuffering

Introduction

The great New England preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him feverishly pacing the floor. "What's the trouble, Mr. Brooks?" he asked. 

"The trouble is that I'm in a hurry, but God isn't!" Haven't we felt the same way many times?

Galatian 5:22-23

1. The Endurance of Longsuffering

Persevere during trials.

A. Seen in its Definition

Longsuffering – makro – slow and thumos – wrath. Slow to wrath; long endurance or patience. Longsuffering only comes from the Holy Spirit. "Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint 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." (VINE)

When we’re not longsuffering we resort to 1) revenge - taking vengeance into our own hands - settle the score. 2) Ungodly pleasure - depressed so I’ll find pleasure in something else. 3) Compromise - tired of being single, so I’ll just marry whoever. 4) Or just plain getting ahead of God.

B. Seen in God’s Purposes

1) His Correction

Hebrews 12:6–7 AV

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Endure - be patient; suffer

2) Our Maturing

Psalm 119:71 AV

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

We must understand that God brings things into our lives in order to grow us - that is one of his purposes.

3) God’s Greater Plan

Genesis 50:20 AV

20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

God always has a greater plan than you or I. “Why is this happening to me?” We often are very narrow in our look at ourselves.

2. Examples of Longsuffering

A. The Example of God

God has been longsuffering toward man

Psalm 86:15 AV

15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

He was in the days of Noah

1 Peter 3:20 AV

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

He was in His dealings with the nation of Israel

Nehemiah 9:18–21 AV

18 Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations; 19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go. 20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst. 21 Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

And He is longsuffering today as well.

1 Timothy 1:15–16 AV

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

And what is the main purpose of His patience? That we might have salvation!

2 Peter 3:9 AV

9 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 Peter 3:15 AV

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

That we might be led to repentance!

Romans 2:4 AV

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

B. The Example of David

David has been anointed to be king. After that, he gets sent back to the sheep pasture where he’s forgotten about again.

Then, he has this big moment on the battlefield with Goliath, where he becomes a national hero. He marries the king’s daughter and gets a job on in the palace.

Well, King Saul is an egomaniac and he gets insanely jealous of all the attention that David is receiving, so he throws a spear at him, gives his wife to someone else, tries to trash his reputation, and tries to have him assassinated.

So David is on the run and Saul is hunting him down near the wilderness of En Gedi. Saul goes into a cave, which would be used as the restrooms in those days. David’s men say, “here’s your chance!”

David could have said, “Wow it must be God’s will. Look at the timing of this opportunity!”

Fortunate timing is not necessarily proof of God’s will. Fortunate timing could be a test of your patience!

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive Patience: 1 Samuel 24:1–12

I really wanted that car and I got approved for a loan … and now I can’t tithe because I’m in debt up to my eyeballs … but at the time, it felt so right and everything fell into place …

But David actually enters the cave, doesn’t kill Saul, but uses his knife to cut off a portion of his robe.

1 Samuel 24:6 AV

6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

Out of respect for the Lord's anointed king (Saul), David demonstrated the true meaning of longsuffering: "slowness in avenging wrongs"

“Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God is the ability to do nothing until the command is given.”—G. Campbell Morgan

But David would not take matters into his own hands - he wouldn’t violate God’s commands just because someone else did.

David could have used revenge; could have used opportune circumstances, but he knew what he had to wait on the Lord.

3. Longsuffering is Required

A. For God to Be Patient with Us

As Jesus illustrated in "The Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant"

Matthew 18:32–35 AV

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Compare also the following verses:

Colossians 3:12–13 AV

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Frank wasn't known for his patience, and he had absolutely no use for negative conversation. When he got a call from his wife during a busy day at work, she talked slowly and didn't seem very upbeat. Frank interrupted her and exhorted her to be brief and positive. She paused for a moment and then cheerfully replied, "I discovered the airbags in our new BMW work great!"

Christ has forgiven us. Therefore we must be longsuffering and willing to forgive one another!

B. In Order to Maintain Unity of the Spirit

A task we face, in keeping with a walk that is worthy of our calling

Ephesians 4:1–3 AV

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Without longsuffering, the sins we commit against one another will quickly destroy the unity for which Christ died!

“Patience is the grace of a man who could revenge himself but does not.”

4. How to Develop Longsuffering

A. Through Love

It is love that "suffers long"

1 Corinthians 13:4 AV

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Unless we love those who have wronged us, there will not be sufficient motivation to bear with them

Therefore love (active good will) is fundamental to being slow to avenge wrong

By growing in love (to remember how, cf. 1Th 4:9; 1Jn 3:16), we will grow in patience!

B. Through Prayer

Paul evidently believed prayer would help the Colossians to have "all patience and longsuffering with joy" -

Colossians 1:9–11 AV

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

We funnily say, “Don’t pray for patience!” But Paul did. He prayed for others to learn longsuffering and patience!

Certainly the God who is longsuffering will strengthen those who desire to be like Him!

Psalm 145:8 AV

8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

Longsuffering prayer of George Mueller – 5 friends – one saved after many months, then 2 saved within 10 years, the fourth around 25 years and the fifth was saved 52 years later at Mueller’s funeral.

CONCLUSION

My mother is with us this Christmas. Many of you know I flew back to be with her during a difficult time of her husband Steve’s brain cancer. Little did we know God’s perfect timing and that would be the moment when God would call Steve home. He passed around midnight. You can imagine the stress, the loss, and the ups and downs of emotions.

Well we’re sitting at the table going over some plans etc. And mom without thinking clearly says, “It’s been a long year this week.” We laughed for a long time. It’s was a mistaken saying but a lot of truth. “It’s been a long year this week.”

But 2021 is around the corner and you know what that means? Nothing. Saw a quote, “you thought 2020 was bad? Just wait till he’s 21 can can drink!”

Hey we’ve got no guarantees about next year. But can you endure? Can you be patient and longsuffering? Can you continue to move forward in your spiritual life?