Posted 5 years ago by Anonymous

Summary

The Christ-follower is called to live with a sense of urgency, because Jesus is coming again & there is much work to be done. At the same time, we are called to be patient, because Jesus is coming again! Both are necessary.

Last week: There is a great deal in our lives that press us and for which we need patience: world in chaos, natural calamity, personal loss, injury, sickness, failure (our own or others’).

James 5:1-12 - call to patience - persevering without losing heart, enduring bravely, bearing the offenses of others without seeking revenge, etc.

I)The Christ-follower’s patience is born of hope (vs7-8)
- of God’s grace - “He gives grace to the humble”
- of Christ’s soon return - He will balance the scales, lift the veil, restore His order.
In Christ, we have hope, which enables us to be patient.

James 5:1-12 (This is when I’ll read it) II)We can be patient in the face of hardship (vs1-6) - trials, persecution, oppression, mistreatment.

An example: the ungodly rich, who mistreat those under them.
Their riches won’t last - corrupt, moth-eaten, corroded.
Their riches witness against them.
God sees & will judge.

The sins of the ungodly rich:
Not depending on God
Fraud - withholding wages, etc.
Seeking (1st) pleasure & luxury
Hurting others, even to murder.

Exhortation: Matthew 6:19-21
“Not me!” What kind of steward are you? Where is your treasure?

Be patient in the face of hardship - God will give you grace, Jesus is coming again!

III)We must be patient with each other (vs9)
Don’t grumble against each other
God is Judge!

IV)Examples of patience (vs10-11)
- Prophets
- Job

God proved Himself compassionate & merciful (& will be to us!)

V)Exhortation of patience (vs12)
- No rash, idle, misguided oaths (I will never…)
- Just yes or no - say what you mean, mean what you say.
- Seek the Lord, wait upon Him, & choose wisely.
“Be patient, therefore brothers, until the coming of the Lord.”

Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers are humble before God and others, are patient in trial, depending upon God’s grace & hoping in Christ’s coming again.