““An impatient An impatient Christian is a powerful Christian is a powerful weapon in the devil’s weapon in the devil’s

hand.”hand.”(Warren Wierbe)(Warren Wierbe)

Rich oppressors and irritating Rich oppressors and irritating behaviors have been the testing behaviors have been the testing grounds for the Christians during grounds for the Christians during the time of James (and still are the time of James (and still are today). This is why he called for today). This is why he called for two kinds of patience: Patience in two kinds of patience: Patience in Persecution (by non-believers), Persecution (by non-believers), and Patience in Provocation (by and Patience in Provocation (by fellow believers).fellow believers).

In an age of instant gratification, In an age of instant gratification, we need to develop the priceless we need to develop the priceless virtue of perseverance. There are virtue of perseverance. There are three reasons for this call to be three reasons for this call to be patient.patient.

We share the same We share the same BONDBOND

(vv. 7, 9-10, 12)(vv. 7, 9-10, 12)

1.1. We share the same bond We share the same bond (vv. 7, 9-10, 12)(vv. 7, 9-10, 12)

• James mentions the word “brothers” James mentions the word “brothers” four times in this passage.four times in this passage.

• When we are persecuted, remember, When we are persecuted, remember, we have brothers (and sisters) we we have brothers (and sisters) we can lean on.can lean on.

• When we are provoked, remember, When we are provoked, remember, they are our brothers (and sisters) they are our brothers (and sisters) and not our enemies.and not our enemies.

We share the same We share the same HOPEHOPE(vv. 7-9)(vv. 7-9)

2.2. We share the same hope We share the same hope (vv. 7-9)(vv. 7-9)

• James mentions the “Lord’s coming” James mentions the “Lord’s coming” two times in this passage and hints at two times in this passage and hints at it with “The Judge is standing at the it with “The Judge is standing at the door.”door.”

2.2. We share the same hope We share the same hope (vv. 7-9)(vv. 7-9)

• We hope for something we are sure We hope for something we are sure to receive but have not yet received. to receive but have not yet received. And so we wait patiently for the And so we wait patiently for the fullness of the glory of God’s fullness of the glory of God’s salvation when Jesus Christ comes salvation when Jesus Christ comes again.again.

We share the same We share the same MODELSMODELS(vv. 7, 10-11)(vv. 7, 10-11)

3.3. We share the same models We share the same models (vv. 7, 10-11)(vv. 7, 10-11)

• FarmerFarmer Trust God in circumstances Trust God in circumstances we do not control. He is we do not control. He is

producing a good producing a good harvest harvest in our lives and in our lives and that is that is worth waiting worth waiting for. for.

Keep working!Keep working!

3.3. We share the same models We share the same models (vv. 7, 10-11)(vv. 7, 10-11)

• ProphetsProphets Trust God in Trust God in circumstances circumstances we do not we do not deserve. He is deserve. He is promoting a good promoting a good

testimony in our lives and testimony in our lives and that is worth waiting for. that is worth waiting for.

Keep witnessing!Keep witnessing!

““The will of God will never The will of God will never lead you where the grace of lead you where the grace of God can never keep you.”God can never keep you.”

3.3. We share the same models We share the same models (vv. 7, 10-11)(vv. 7, 10-11)

• Job Job Trust God in Trust God in circumstances circumstances we do not we do not understand. He understand. He is revealing is revealing His glory in our His glory in our lives and lives and that is worth that is worth waiting for. waiting for.

Keep worshipping!Keep worshipping!

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

All the reasons to be patient in All the reasons to be patient in persecution and in provocation are persecution and in provocation are anchored on God’s compassion and anchored on God’s compassion and mercy. He has been and still is very mercy. He has been and still is very patient with all of us. And this is more patient with all of us. And this is more than enough a reason for us to be than enough a reason for us to be patient as well.patient as well.