The Power of Patience James 5:7-12

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The Power of PatienceJames 57-12

• BE MATURE
• By
• Warren Wierbse

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• At the beginning and end of James letter, his
  counsel, Be patient.
• Three times we are reminded of the coming of the
  Lord (57, 8, 9). Its the Blessed Hope of the
  Christian (Titus 213)
• John 1633 In the world ye shall have
  tribulation.
• Acts 1422 we must through much tribulation
  enter into the kingdom of God.
• Endure hardships heartaches until Jesus returns.

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• Patience means to remain under, to stay put
  and stand fast when youd like to run away.
• Longsuffering refers to patience relating to
  people while endurance refers to patience
  relating to situations.
• How can Christians experience patient endurance
  as we wait for the Lord to return?

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• The Farmer (57-9)
• He must be patient with the weather for he has
  no control over the weather.
• He must be patient with the seed and crops
• Early rain in autumn months to soften the soil
• Latter rain in early spring (Feb.-March) to help
  mature the harvest
• Why did the farmer willingly wait so long?
• The fruit is precious (57)
• Gal. 69 in due season we shall reap, if we
  faint not.
• Mark 428-29

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• Christian as a spiritual farmer looking for a
  spiritual harvest.
• 58 Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts
• The soil - our hearts the seed is the word of
  God (Luke 811)
• Seasons to the soil at times our hearts become
  cold and wintering
• The Lord has to plow them up (Jer. 43)
• Sunshine and rain of goodness.

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• God is producing a harvest in our lives
• Fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 522-23)
• How? Through trials and troubles
• The ministry of the Word of God and prayer are
  important to help our hearts to be established,
  otherwise, it cannot bear fruit.
• Farmer continues to work while looking toward the
  harvest.
• Keep working and waiting
• Luke 1242 Blessed is that servant, whom his
  Lord when He cometh shall find so doing

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• Farmer willingly helps one another. He has no
  time to argue with the neighbor.
• Dont grumble against each other, brothers, or
  you will be judged (59 NIV)
• The Prophets (510)
• The prophets were in the will of God and
  suffered.
• II Tim. 312 Yea, and all that will live godly
  in Christ shall suffer persecution.
• Our Lords obedience led to the Cross. (Phil.
  28,9)

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• God cares for us even when we go through
  sufferings for His sake like Elijah at the hands
  of unbelievers and Jeremiah at the hands of
  professed believers.
• Ezekiel and Daniel
• What those who speak for Christ endure difficult
  trials? Patience in times of suffering is a
  testimony to others around us. So that their
  lives match their messages.
• Many faithful Christians suffered died without
  any recognition, but they will receive their
  rewards.

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• Romans 154 For everything that was written in
  the past was written to teach us, so that through
  endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures
  we might have hope (NIV)
• READ THE WORD
• Job (511)
• You cannot persevere unless there is a trial. No
  victories without battles no peaks without
  valleys.
• Paul went to third heaven and as result, God gave
  a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble (II Cor.
  121-10)
• Blessing occurs after enduring a trial.

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• For example, Job and three Hebrew children.
• Jobs distress
• defense
• deliverance
• Job didnt know what was going on between God and
  Satan. Job was a righteous man, yet he suffered.
• God has a higher purpose in suffering. The
  purpose of the Lord was to reveal Himself as full
  of pity and tender mercy. Job met God in a new
  and deeper way. God was glorified and Job was
  purified.

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• Job 2310 But He know the way that I take when
  He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
• Satan prefers impatient Christians who are
  impatient with God for it is a powerful tool
• For example Moses impatience led him to miss
  entering the Promised land.
• Abrahams impatience led to the birth of
  Ishmael, the enemy of Jews.
• Peters impatience almost made him a murderer.

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• What is the answer for suffering?
• My grace is sufficient for thee (II Cor. 127-9)
• If you are suffering, go to God for grace (Heb.
  414-16)
• Oaths? What does those has to do with suffering?
  Its easy to say you dont mean and make bargain
  with God.
• Job 121-22 Naked came I out of my mothers
  womb, and naked shall I return thither the Lord
  gave, and the Lord taketh away blessed be the
  name of the Lord.

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• In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God
  foolishly.
• Its impossible to avoid God in the oath.
• A basic principle true character requires few
  words. If you are true Christian, then all you
  have to say is Yes or No and people will believe
  you.
• One of the purposes of suffering is the building
  of the character.
• Peter gave oath (Matt. 2671)

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• Like a farmer, we work and wait for a spiritual
  harvest. Like the prophets, we look for the
  opportunities for witness. Like Job, we wait for
  the Lord to fulfill His loving purpose. Knowing
  that He will never cause His children to suffer
  needlessly, be patient, for the coming of the
  Lord draweth nigh.