Text: James 5:7-11
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Introduction: Have you ever felt like QUITTING? On overcoming sinful habits? On life? On God? On His will for your life? How can we be PATIENT in an IMPATIENT world? There are (3) ways to see if we are losers or winners:
1. Do we have the JITTERS? Or are you CALM (v.7-8)?
“Be patient… unto the coming of the Lord.”
2. Are we HOT-HEADED? Or COOL and COLLECTIVE (v.9)?
“Grudge not one against another, brethren… the judge stands at the door.”
3. Are we QUITTERS or WINNERS (v. 10-11)?
“The prophets… example of SUFFERING AFFLICTION and patience… happy which ENDURE!”
Conclusion: Pass the PATIENCE please! One of the delicious flavors of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 of 9) is PATIENCE (longsuffering, endurance – Gal. 5:22-23). Remember LOSERS QUIT! And WINNERS ENDURE!! Instead of GIVING UP… and GIVING IN, keep on GIVING OUT!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese