“When You’re in a Hurry and God Isn’t!"

James 1:2–4 CSB

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

James 5:7–12 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door! Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.

I. We Need Patience When We Face SUFFERING – (5:7-8)

1. No matter what evil has been done to them, they are not to retaliate! – (v.7a)

The “therefore” refers to (vv.4, 6) – the injustice inflicted on them by the wicked wealthy!

2. They are to display PATIENCE! – (v.7)

From μακροθυμήσατε – from two words: “makros” – ‘long,’ and “thymos” – ‘temper’

3. This patience is to control the believer until Jesus Returns! – (v.7b)

4. James illustrates patience with the Palestinian farmer! – (v.7c)

Just as farmers wait for the rains for their crops, the believer must also learn to live in anticipation of the Lord’s Return (παρουσία) and not get upset with circumstances that are difficult!

5. Patience REQUIRES a conscious effort on our part! – (v.8)

“Establish your hearts…”

II. We Need Patience When We Face DISAPPOINTMENT! – (5:7-8)

1. What is our normal response to difficulty? We complain to anyone who will listen!

We gripe, we complain, we STENAZO (Greek) – which means, “…to complain, conceived of as vocally indicating pain, discomfort, or displeasure in an inarticulate manner.”

2. This is talking about behavior IN THE CHURCH!

“…grumble against one another, brothers”!

3. James also provides the MOTIVE to stop “…grumbling against one another” – (v.9b)

III. We Need Patience When We Face DISAPPROVAL – (5:10)

1. James suggests a look at the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord!

There are at least ELEVEN passages in the NT that refer to the persecution of the prophets.

Here are a few: (Hebrews 11:36-40) (Matthew 5:11-12; 23:37) (Acts 7:52)

2. The prophets suffered, not because they did anything wrong, but because they were doing right!

They spoke in the Name of the Lord! As a result, they were disapproved by their contemporaries, and persecuted for their testimony!

3. James IDENTIFIES with these suffering saints! – “…brothers”

Four times in these verses he calls the recipients of this letter, “brothers” (ἀδελφοί) He identifies with them in all he is saying!

History tells us James met a violent death because he would not denounce the Messiahship of Jesus! On the order of the High Priest, he was thrown down from the pinnacle of the Temple!

Luke 6:22–23 CSB

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.

IV. We Need Patience When We Face DISASTER – (5:11)

1. There is a WORD SHIFT in the passage here – (v.11a)

James leaves the word makrothumia, and the idea of non-retaliation and begins using hupomeno, which means “steadfast endurance” (NIV - “perseverance”).

Macrothumia (patience) describes the attitude that a person has when he or she is pressured by other people! “Steadfastness” or “perseverance” is our response to circumstances!

2. James now uses JOB as an illustration of STEADFASTNESS! – (v.11b)

(Job 1:1-22) – If the story ended here, it would be a fantastic account of endurance under adverse circumstances! But Satan was not finished…

(Job 2:2-10) – No matter what Satan did to him, Job did not give in to the pressure!

3. The Lord used the trials of Job to ACCOMPLISH His purpose! – (v.11c)

What was the end intended by the Lord?

(Job 19:23-27; 42:1-6, 10-17)

Perhaps James sums it up best – (James 5:11c) – “…how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”

V. We Need Patience When We Face DISHONESTY – (5:12)

1. Many feel this last verse in this section does not BELONG in a discussion of patience.

BUT, the connective at the beginning (“But above all…”) is a definite bridge between this final instruction and that which has been stated before!

2. There is a definite RELATIONSHIP between James’ prohibition against swearing and oaths to the theme of patience!

Matthew 5:33–37 CSB

“Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.

Oath-taking was very much abused in James’ day!

It was practiced as a form of profanity, and also used in the schemes of the rabbis to exert control over their followers.

3. The adage, “Too much affirmation of truth arouses suspicion” certainly applies here!

A person who always reminds you they are telling, “…the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God!” is by confession admitting to the normal habit of telling lies!

Q: How does this apply to patience?

4. Believers are to be patient with those who are FACTUALLY CHALLENGED, as well as with those who think WE are not speaking the truth!

A person who lies all the time thinks everyone else does the same!

5. This also speaks to the IMPORTANCE or SERIOUSNESS of invoking the Name of the Lord! – (v.12)

“…so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

Exodus 20:7 CSB

Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.

CONCLUSION – (1:4)

One might say that “steadfastness” is the KEY to perfection!

The CHALLENGE is to allow steadfastness/patience have its “…full effect”!

Here’s my admonition: “Don’t ‘bail out’ on what God may be doing in your life!”