Patience

Growth in the Spirit PART VI
Dr. Timothy Keller
17 August 2014

James 5: 7-12
7Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.  8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.  9Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.  The Judge is standing at the door!

10Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  11As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.  You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.  All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No".  Otherwise you will be condemned.

James was the biological brother of Jesus and led the church in Jerusalem.

WHAT IS PATIENCE
--Farmer and Job as comparison.
--Patience can be long suffering
--Grumbling is a lack of patience; sign of resentment and negativity.
--Grumbling means you've given up on people.
--Lack of patience is a lack of love.
--Job experienced tragic circumstances.
--Patience can be perseverance
--Patience is responding with courage and trust in difficult circumstances.
--Patience with people is a sign of humility.
--Self pity feeds on itself and can become someone's eternal autobiography.

HOW TO GET PATIENCE
--Look to the past in Job
--Look to the future in Jesus
--Not my will, but thine will be done.
--Psalm 77 - meditating on God's will
--Jesus's patience atones for our impatience so God can be infinitely patient with us.
--Knowing the end helps you handle the middle (life).