Pass the Patience Please
Introduction: Do you get impatient? Are you feeling impatient right now because of your circumstances?
Causes: When things or people do not do what we expect them to do in a timely manner, we get IMPATIENT!
Have you noticed the “busier” you are, the more inclined we are to get overloaded and consequently get IMPATIENT? Martha in the Bible is an example.
Anybody know what I’m talking about today?
Cures: It seems like the more the Lord carries us thru, the more GRACE He gives to be PATIENT!
He builds “PATIENT” muscles in us!! Are you working out your PATIENCE?
Just about everyday we have PATIENCE workouts…
Setbacks,
Disappointments,
Unexpected events,
Bad news,
Aches and pains,
Frustrations,
Uncontrollable circumstances,
Calendaring stress,
Scheduling,
Rescheduling,
Change of schedule,
Keeping up with jobs, chores, and (grand)children,
Financial obligations,
Meeting everybody’s needs,
Deadlines,
Doctor appointments,
Squeezing in 25 hours in a 24 hour day!
The lists goes on..
What is PATIENCE? How does the Holy Spirit work this “FRUIT” into our life?
1. What is PATIENCE? (James 1:2, 3)
“2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
The word “patience” used in this verse is “ὑπομονή, (hoop-om-on-ay’) a remaining behind, a patient enduring, endurance, steadfastness, patient waiting for.
2. Why do we get so IMPATIENT? Because we get disconnected from the vine! (Gal 5:22, 23)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Did you know that God’s definition of real “LOVE” includes “PATIENCE”?
“4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
(mak-roth-oo-meh’-o) which means suffer long, have patience, am forbearing, perseverance.
3. How can we “work out” PATIENCE as it is “worked in”? (Rom 5:2, 3)
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope.”
The word “patience” is ὑπομονή, (hoop-om-on-ay’) a remaining behind, a patient enduring, endurance, steadfastness, patient waiting for.
Once we “endure,” “Patience” brings about “experience.”
The word “experience” is δοκιμή, (dok-ee-may’) a trial, proof; tried, approved character.
Wow! I hear somebody say, “You mean all the stuff, problems, issues, etc. that we are facing will ultimately produce CHARACTER?” Yes! That is the process of the Master Potter making His clay more usable!
Conclusion: Did you know that PATIENCE is a Characteristic of our Lord Jesus.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.” (Rom 15:4, 5)
There we have it!
PASS the PATIENCE PLEASE!!
Right now!!!