Patient and Hopeful
Series: Authentic Faith
August 07, 2022
Frank Foreman
Let's be honest, none of us are great at being patient. We can develop a level of patience but it certainly doesn't come easily for us. We live in a world where it is often in short supply and the demands of the day tend to penalize those who actually learn to be patient. ---------- But when it comes to the return of Christ, that is exactly the teaching the James offers to us. He tells us to be patient and to not give up. How can we accomplish this? Only through our hope in the Lord. Hope that is not based on a pie-in-the-sky wish, but one that is grounded in the promise of God. Our hope in Christ is not a matter of "if it will happen" but rather "when it will happen" and so we are reminded to be patient and wait upon the Lord.
Episode Notes
(Journal) James 5:7-11
Big Idea: Patience is the righteous standard God expects from us….
No matter what we are going through.
1. Anticipate the Lord’s coming.
(Journal) James 5:7-8
2nd Peter 3:14, Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
2. Recognize the Lord’s judgement.
(Journal) James 5:9
2nd Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
3. Understand the Lord’s blessing.
(Journal) James 5:10-11
Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Next Step: I will embrace the work of enduring patience by living the same during times of difficulty as I do during times of comfort.
James 1:2-4
Romans 5:2-5, Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
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