Patience….A Needed Attitude

By: M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

98052

Subject:  patience

Preached Originally: 10/18/98 – Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction.

A.    Sermon as a result of a request in box in the back.  Use regularly!

B.    Want to spend time on the much needed attitude of patience in the lives of those who are striving to please God.

1.    patience defined:  enduring affliction or pain w/o anger or complaint.  Understanding/tolerant; persevering/steadfast involves forbearance/forbidden.

2.    People often make fun of praying for patience by “Asking God for patience….but wanting it right now.”

3.    While we may laugh at little lines such as this, it is important to keep in mind that patience is an attribute that is expected of Christians.

C.   1 Thess. 5:14 – be patient w/all!

D.   Rosseau….patience is bitter…but it’s fruit sweet.

1.    patience would go a long way in correcting various problems in our lives.

2.    homelife/family relations; the church; on the job; while driving in the car; in all pertinent areas of our life.

3.    Need to strive to follow through in the example of Christ.  Certainly…we read through the Scriptures of His patience. 

E.    Tonight we discuss three important areas concerning patience.

1.    Biblical examples of patience.

2.    Necessity of patience in order to be pleasing to God.

3.    The blessings/rewards of patience.

 

II.  Biblical Examples of Patience.

A.    With family:

1.    Job:  perhaps the most outstanding example of patience in man that history has ever recorded.

2.    Job. 1 – lost all children; riches; possessions.

a.    Job 2 – loses health. 

b.    2:9-10 – wife advises him to curse God & die.

c.     Notice:  in pain/suffering/ dealing w/loss of children, etc.

d.    Doesn’t lash out/condemn her – replies w/reason & logic.

e.    We sometimes use pain/suffering/etc as excuse to not exercise patience. 

f.      a lot of us would do good to consider this example!

3.    Consider also that of Jesus & the apostles.

a.    Not blood kin – but just like family…

b.    Lk. 22:24-30

1.    v. 24 – imagine the scene – just before death of Christ.

2.    V. 25-30 notice reaction of Christ.

3.    Could have lashed out at them./condemned them.

c.     Lk. 22:31-34 – w/Peter.

1.    Jesus tells Peter that He would deny Christ 3 times.

2.    Peter denies.

3.    Notice:  no argument.  No condescending attitude.

4.  Again…we would do well to look at these examples…All of us!

a.    often faced w/bad day; not feeling well; etc. – but not anywhere to the level of the two above Bible characters!  How do we handle ourselves?

b.    Do we use our problems as an excuse to lash out at one another?

c.     Often do this to the ones we love the most.

B.    Toward acquaintances.

1.    Gen. 26:15-22

a.    Lot commanded in 24:5-6 – to dwell in Gerar.

1.    begins to prosper

2.    asked to move by Philistine king.

3.    Moves to valley of Gerar.

b.    redigs wells that Abraham dug.

c.     V. 20-21 – herdsman quarrel w/Isaac.

d.    Notice:  patiently moves to one another well, then another.  Could have chosen to fight; cause problems, etc.

1.    lots of work to dig well…all for nothing.

2.    Frustrating.

3.    Attitude…want to show others just how frustrated we are.

2.    Ex. 16:7-8 – Moses w/Israel.

a.    Israel murmurs against Moses.

b.    Hungry…wish back in Egypt.  Blame Moses for their problems.

c.     16:6-8 – notice reaction of Moses.

d.    Truly, he trusted in God – demonstrated by His patience.

e.    Example to all in this way!

C.   In Trail/Adversity – Most Biblical passages concerning patience revolve in this area.

1.    Job. 1:21; Js. 5:11 – Job

a.    certainly Job a hero in this area:  someone to turn to when in times of need/want/sorrow.

b.    Don’t know how we could top suffering/anguish of Job.

c.     Persevered…rewarded by God – Js. 5:11; Job 42:10

2.    Psa. 40:1-3 – David

a.    had various trials – especially after sin w/bathsheeba.

b.    Times of trouble – the sustaining thing:  patience/trust in God.

3.    2 Thess. 1:4 – Thessalonian brethren.

a.    1st century Christians suffered much.

b.    Didn’t stop them…kept pressing forward.  There were a great example to brethren.  Paul commends them for it.

4.    2 Tim. 3:10 – Paul

a.    suffered much for Christ.  Left allegiance to the world behind and placed it w/Christ.

b.    Didn’t stop.  Died w/confidence of going home to heaven – 4:8-9

5.    Rev. 1:9 – John

a.    banned to isle of Patamos.

b.    Cause pain/sorrow – suffered much as a Christian.

D.   All of the above examples for us to follow.  Are we striving to develop patience?  Is it a primary concern of ours?

 

III.  The Need of Patience.

A.    As discussed during introduction:  patience a required virtue.

1.    Christians expected to possess this quality.

2.    Notice the following Scriptures.

B.    Gal. 5:22-25…longsuffering…patience.  Want to walk in the spirit?  Must possess this fruit.

1.    only a natural trait of the one who really desires to serve God.

2.    Are we striving to possess this?

C.   2 Pet. 1:5-11 – perseverance = patience

1.    lack this….short sighted…even to blindness.

2.    Lack this…take for granted the death of Christ.

3.    Live/strive to have this in our lives = pleasing to God.  Are you pleasing?  Is this part of your character?

D.   Col. 2:12-14 – lack of patience the way of the world.  Supposed to put these things off when b/c a Christian.

1.    are we patient toward those around us?

2.    Are we longsuffering?  Bearing w/one another?  What about our family?

3.    To be as patient w/them as anyone else.

E.    Heb. 10:36-39 – patience necessary to receive the promise. 

1.    concerning trials of life. 

2.    Must be willing to stick through and hang in there!

F.    2 Pet. 3:9 – another example of patience…

1.    patience must be part of our character.  Lord’s will that we be patient.

2.    Only by His patience that we exist today.

3.    Js. 5:7-8 – You also be patient.

 

IV.  The Rewards & Blessings of Patience.

A.    Respect of those around you.

1.    dad…patient….admire him for such.

2.    Older brethren in life…temperate..gentle…loving.

3.    Creates confidence in one another.

B.    Increased faith.

1.    Js. 1:3 – popular verse.

2.    Psa. 40:1

3.    Rom. 8:25

4.    Patience produced when we stand up for God through trials of life.

5.    2 Pet. 1:11-12 – strong mature faith.  Not only in trials but in relations w/those around us as well. 

6.    Better prepared to meet God.  More confident of our salvation.

C.   Being able to reach the reward.

1.    Heb. 6:12-15

a.    Abraham…patient…obtained the promise.

b.    Same for us…endure…obtain promise.

2.    Heb. 10:36 – patient…obtain promises.

 

V.  Conclusion.

A.    Is patience a virtue that is evident in your life? 

B.    Are you working on being patient w/those with whom you associate?  Your family?  Your brethren?

C.   Are you patient enough to trust that God will lead you through the trails of life?

D.   If not, begin working on it – NOW.

E.    No patience:  no home in heaven…..that’s the bottom line.

F.    I N V I T A T I O N