Introduction:

Temptations & trials must be combated step by step in order to conquer them. 

There are two steps we must take.

1.          Step 1: Be Patient—Endure—Keep Your Eyes Focused Upon the Return of the Lord—5:7-11

2.          Step 2: Take Each Circumstance and Respond Properly—5:12-20

–        Remember James opened up this letter by admonishing them to “be patient”—James 1:1-5

Count—know—let— ask

–        His counsel of his letter as it comes to a close is very much the same—James 5:7-11

–        There are those who get so involved with prophecy and trying to figure out who the anti-christ is.

These people just seem to occupy their time with this.

–        Lets not try and figure out who the anti-christ is—Lets not look for the anti-christ

–        I want to look for Jesus Christ, the  coming of our Great God and Savior—Titus 2:11-13

Be Patient, For the Lord is Going To Come Again—v.7

Be As Patient As the Farmer, For the Lord’s Coming Draws Near—v.7-9

Be As Patient As the Prophets In Suffering, For They Believed & Spoke In the Name of the Lord—v.10

Be As Patient As Job In Suffering Trials & Temptations, For He Saw The End of the Lord—That the Lord was full of Compassion & Mercy—v.11

I.                   Be Patient, For the Lord is Going To Come Again—v.7

Scripture declares time and time again that Christ will return to the earth

A.            The second coming is different than the rapture

1.              The rapture involves the removal of all true believers off the earth without the world seeing Him—The Second Coming involves the appearing or manifestation of Jesus Christ.

2.              The rapture sees the saints caught up in the air without the Lord touching the earth—The Second Coming Christ returns to the earth

3.              The rapture Christ comes to claim a bride—The Second Coming Christ returns with His bride.

4.              The rapture of the church involves the removal of the church & the beginning of the tribulation—The Second Coming results in the establishment of the millennial kingdom.

5.              The rapture is imminent-at any moment—The Second Coming is preceded by a multitude of signs.

6.              The rapture brings a message of comfort—The Second Coming is accompanied by a message of judgment.

7.              The rapture is related for the church—The Second Coming is for Israel and the world.

8.              The rapture is a mystery—The Second Coming is predicted in both Old & New Testaments.

9.              At the rapture believers will be judged—The Second Coming Gentiles and Israel are judged.

10.          The rapture leaves creation unchanged—The Second Coming involves the change of creation.

11.          The rapture is for believers only—The Second Coming is for all men  

–        Christ is coming again to reward every person for his work

“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27 NKJV)

–        Christ is coming again to separate the sheep from the goats.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.   “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. (Matthew 25:31-32 NKJV)

–        Christ is coming again to judge both the living & the dead.

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: (2 Timothy 4:1 NKJV)

–        Christ is coming again to execute judgment upon the unbelievers & the ungodly of the earth.

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,   "to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." (Jude 1:14-15 NKJV)

Since we know that Christ could rapture the true believers at any moment, how should we be living?

If I were to tell you that Christ is going to return at 11:00pm tonight does that excite you or scare you?

B.            How are believers to live?

1.          Believers are to be about their Fathers business, occupying their time in serving the Lord.

“So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, `Do business till I come.' (Luke 19:13 NKJV)

–        Don’t sit back and say, “well since the Lord is coming, I don’t have to finish my education.”

2.          Believers are not to slack up one bit or lack a single gift until Christ returns.

So that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 1:7 NKJV)

3.          Believers are to be without spot or unrebukeable when Christ returns.

That you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, (1 Timothy 6:14 NKJV)

–        This is the entire revealed Word of God, which Paul charged Timothy to preach—2Timothy 4:2

4.          Believers are to understand what God’s grace does—Deny ungodliness & worldly lusts & live soberly, righteously, and godly until Christ returns.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:11-13 NKJV)

5.          Believers are to live so as not to be ashamed before Christ when He returns.

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. (1 John 2:28 NKJV)

6.          Believers who truly have the hope of Christ’ return will purify themselves from any sin.

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3)

–        The Lord is coming & He will judge us.  All believers will stand before the bema seat of Christ as taught in 2Corinthians 5:10 & Romans 14:10 & 1Corinthians 3:9-15.  This takes place after the rapture, during the seven-year tribulation.

–        How can we overcome the temptations & be sure of being rewarded when Christ returns?

By being patient-enduring-keeping your eyes focused on the return of the Lord

Patience- makrothumeo—longsuffering, bearing & suffering a long time, persevering, being constant, steadfast, & enduring—“To stay put and stand fast when you’d like to run away.”

1.              The word patience in this verse, emphasizes patience with people, not trials or circumstances as in1:3

2.              Just as God suffers long with difficult people (Ps. 86:15; Jonah 4:2; 2Peter 3:9)

—    The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

3.              Believers are to do like wise. 

—    Now we exhort you brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all-1Thessalonians 5:14

4.              This patience is a fruit of the Spirit—Galatians 5:22-23

—    When the believer faces the trial of being impatient with people, the believer is to patiently stand fast and not give in to the sin of anger or impatience.  He is to patiently persevere, suffering long in spite of the circumstances. 

—    This can only happen by a work of the Holy Spirit

—    The person must trust in the Holy Spirit to stir his heart to stand fast against being impatient, then the believer must exert his own will & energy to conquer the situation.

5.              Realizing the glory that awaits us at Christ’s return should motivate us to patiently endure mistreatment—Romans 8:18

James gives us three encouraging examples of patient endurance

II.                Be Patient—The Farmer—v.7-9

The farmer is a great example of someone who is patient—The Farmer—Prophets—Job.

A.          The farmer plants the seed and waits for the early and latter rain—v.7

1.          The “early” rain falls in Israel during October & November and softens the ground for planting.

2.          The “latter” rain falls in March and April, immediately before the spring harvest.

Note: The farmer looks forward to the day of harvest with great expectation, so he does all he can to protect the glorious day of harvest.  He combats the dry  & wet whether, insects & disease, & the wild weeds.

3.          In the same way, Christian’s must patiently wait for the Lord’s return

4.          If the Lord would have come back five years ago where would you & I be today?

5.          So, the Lord is waiting for the latter rain, that is the final harvest of souls.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.   Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV)

6.          I believe that the Lord is giving the final opportunity for man, to come to salvation

7.          What are you doing to spread the gospel?  We will be having a street witnessing night.

B.          The believer must establish his heart—v.8

1.          Establish your heart’s—to strengthen, make fast, to set firmly so the heart will be unshakable, having a firm courage & commitment.

Is your heart established?  Are you committed 100% to Jesus Christ?

a.       Remember, our hearts are the soil, and the “seed is the Word of God”—Luke 8:11

b.      The ministry of the Word of God & prayer are important if the heart is going to be established.

c.       A heart that is not established cannot bear fruit

2.          The idea is that we must set our hearts upon the Lord’s return, for His coming is near.

3.          Just as the farmer looks for his great day of harvest, let us look for the great day of redemption

a.       The imminency of Christ’s return is a theme in the N.T. 

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12)

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7)      

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18)

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; (2 Peter 3:17)

C.          Believers must not grumble against one another—v.9

This is a picture of Christ as a judge about to open the doors to the courtroom and assemble His court.  Knowing that being persecuted could lead to grumbling, James cautioned his readers against that sin, lest they forfeit their full reward 2Jn8.

1.          This means to not complain to each other about our situations.

2.          To not blame each other for what happens to us.

3.          Because the Lord, the true judge is standing right there listening to what you are saying, He’s right there at the door.

James 4:11—Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Galatians 5:14—For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

1Corinthians 4:5 cf. Matthew 7:1-2—Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

Examples in the Old Testament

1.              Genesis 4:3-8—sin lies at the door.  And its desire is for you.

2.              Exodus 17:2-7—the people complained against Moses for water

3.              Numbers 21:4-9 cf. 1Corinthians 10:9-11

4.              Philippians 2:14-16

5.              Proverbs 19:3

III.             Be Patient—The Prophets—v.10

A.            The prophets were in God’s Will

1.          Satan want’s the faithful Christian to think his suffering is do to unfaithfulness

2.          Sometimes our suffering is because of faithfulness

a.     Our Lord was obedient and His obedience led to being crucified—Philippians 2:5-11

b.    The apostles counted themselves worthy to suffer for Christ—Acts 5:41

c.     Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter—Hebrews 11:24-25

3.          We suffer many times because our lives must back up what we believe.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

4.          Patience in times of suffering is a testimony to others around us.

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25 NKJV)

APPLICATION

Romans 15:4—For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

1.          The prophets patiently endured all the trials and temptations of life

—    We to must endure

Standing fast they held onto their faith in God, refusing to give in & to question and moan & grumble against God

—    We must stand fast & not grumble or complain but rather give thanks to God.

We must:

1.          Read the Word of God

2.          Understand that these things written were for our learning

IV.             Be Patient—Job—v.11

A.            God has a purpose for our suffering as He did with Job

1.          To know that the Lord is very compassionate & merciful

Perseverance—the meaning here is endurance—In 5:7, the meaning is long-suffering.

a.     Job was not always long-suffering with his friends, but he did endure the afflictions

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. (Job 13:15 NKJV)

Job suffered…

a.     The loss of all his property, livestock, and employee’s—then losing all his sons

b.    In all of this, his wife wanted him to curse God & die for destroying their lives

c.     But Job never gave in to the trials—He never forsook His faith in God

d.    Even thought he did not understand all that was happening to him, he refused to turn against God.

Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21

B.            Job fixed his eyes upon the end, the Lord and the hope in Him

As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.   For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust—Psalms 103:13-14

1.    The Lord does not expect you & I to be a super-saint, why?  Because He knows our frame, our weaknesses and faults, that is why He is so merciful

2.    Many times we think more highly of ourselves as a rock, but God will let us fail to show us that we are really nothing without Him

3.    The Lord carried Job through all his trials by blessing him with the very presence of God Himself with the compassion and mercy of God

4.    Job endured, therefore, we count him blessed

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.   "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV)

Application

1.              Knowing God is better than knowing answers

2.              Pain is not always punishment

3.              Remember, you cannot persevere unless you have a trial in your life—James 1:2-5

4.              You cannot have a victory without first having a battle

5.              You cannot have a mountain peak without a valley

6.              To have the blessings we must be prepared to fight