Untitled Sermon (2)

I. Point #1

a. Explanation

i. Introduction

1. The basic idea of the passage:

a. Clearly stated in Verse 7 – “Be Patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord”

b. Reiterated in Verse 8 – “Be patient. Establish your heats, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

2. Questions:

a. Why is he saying this?

b. What does this look like? How are we to do that?

c. Why should we do it?

ii. Why is he saying this?

1. Remember our Context from a couple of weeks ago (Verse 1-6)

a. Verses 1-3

i. Pointed us back to Jesus’ teachings

ii. On the Cost and Worth of Discipleship

1. Cost

a. Denying ourselves

b. Taking up our cross

c. Following Jesus (His example of suffering)

2. Worth

a. Following Jesus

b. (Gaining Jesus)

3. Summary

a. Cost – Losing our present lives to Christ and the Gospel

b. Worth – Gaining true life in the age to come

b. Verses 5-6

i. That means that our present lives are not lived

1. In luxury

2. In self indulgence

3. Fattening ourselves

4. Gaining our life now at the cost of losing it later

ii. In other words

1. We do not reject the Cost of Discipleship and live as we please

2. We embrace the Cost of Discipleship and live a life as He pleases

2. Summary

a. That requires living a life of self-denial

b. That requires dying to self

c. That requires possibly, or rather likely, suffering

d. That requires living a life patience

i. Patient

ii. Romans 8:22-25 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

iii. What does this look like? How are we to do that?

1. Introduction

a. Note the specific vocabulary that James uses here with words like

i. “Patience”

ii. “Steadfastness”

b. This specific vocabulary is used throughout the Bible to exhort believers in how they should act in the midst of suffering, self-denial, cross bearing, but knowing that Christ will soon come with His reward for his faithful followers

c. Scriptures

i. James 1:2-4 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

ii. Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

iii. 2 Corinthians 1:6 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure [remain steadfast in] the same sufferings that we suffer.

iv. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance [steadfastness],in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

v. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastnessand faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

vi. Revelation 13:10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance [steadfastness] and faith of the saints.