Christian Graces – Patience

1. Read: James 1:2-4 and 2 Peter 1:5-8

2. About the Text:

1) James is speaking to Christians who are undergoing persecution.

2) He exhorts them to rejoice when they are tried.

3) Why? Because the testing of their faith bring patience.

4) James tells us that patience has a work to do in our life, a role to play.

5) Patience works toward the completion of the Christian.

6) Hence, patience is something that each Christian ought to desire.

3. Patience today.

1) We don’t live in a very patient world.

2) We don’t want it done now; we want it done yesterday.

3) In a world of instant coffee, instant breakfast, pay at the pump, and instant messaging, our society doesn’t have time to be patient.

4) The word for “patience” in the New Testament means “to abide under.”

5) Patience/Steadfastness is one of the Christian Graces.

6) Why ought the Christian to be patient and what does patience do for the Christian?

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

1) I know of no better way to describe faithfulness than these words: to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

2) Those who do such are said to be patient.

2. The word “patience” has within it the inherent notion of remaining or abiding

3. To be faithful to Jesus, we must remain or abide within his word. This takes patience.

1) John 8:32 “Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

2) John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

4. To be faithful to Jesus we must remain or abide under persecutions.

1) Revelation 2:10 “be thou faithful unto death….”

2) James 5:10-11 “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

5. We all know what it means not to have patience.

1) It means to give up, to go back, to abandon the effort.

2) Consider Hebrews 10:38,39 “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

6. When we feel like giving up and leaving Christ, wait it out, be patient and see if you still feel the same way in a few days. It’s amazing how patience can help us be faithful.

1. Patience keeps us watching.

1) Have you ever had to watch something?

a. When I worked for the U.T. police department I was always being asked to watch something.

b. It’s boring, particularly when nothing happens.

c. But if you don’t watch, something might happen and you won’t catch it.

2) It takes patience to watch – Read Mark 13:32-37.

2. Patience keeps us waiting.

1) 2 Thessalonians 3:5 “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

2) James 5:7 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

3. When we feel like letting our guard down and letting sin into our life, let us practice patience.

1. The work of the Lord requires strength.

1) Patience brings strength and strength more patience.

2) Those that wait on the Lord will have the strength they desire – Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

3) And as we learn more of the Lord’s will and are strengthened by it that will lead us to further patience – Colossians 1:11 “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness”.

2. The work of the Lord requires example and influence.

1) Patience extends our example and influence.

2) Jesus talked about patience when sowing the seed of the kingdom – Luke 8:15 “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

3) David knew that those who wait patiently upon the Lord will influence others for good – Psalm 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an 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. The work of the Lord requires us to teach others.

1) Patience helps us to teach with the right attitude.

2) 2 Timothy 2:24,25 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth”.

3) 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

4. If we are patient in God’s work, then when we get discouraged, frustrated, or tired, we won’t stop until the work is done.

1. If we remain patient in this life, then we will inherit the promises.

1) Hebrews 6:12 “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

2) Hebrews 10:36 “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

2. If we are patient in well doing, then God will give us eternal life. Romans 2:7 “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life”.

3. If we are patient, then we will see the coming of the Lord and our salvation.

1) 1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

2) James 5:8 “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

4. Patience means staying with something to the end.

1) It takes patience to accomplish great things.

a. High School Diploma

b. Academic Degrees

c. Raising a family.

2) The end for the faithful Christian is heaven. That is the greatest thing that we can do for ourselves.

3) Let’s be patient.

1. Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

2. We ought all to have the Christian virtue of patience because patience

1) Keeps us faithful to the Lord,

2) Keeps us watching and waiting for the Lord,

3) Keeps up working in the Lord, and

4) Brings us home to be with the Lord.

3. Invitation – Let patience have it’s perfect work!