Slides: Patient Until Jesus Comes (James 5:7-12)

Business as usual. 

• I control the future. I know what will happen. I plan it. I make it happen.
• I care about me. I trust wealth. I love luxury. I use and abuse others.
• God doesn’t matter. I’m not in the last days. I won’t answer to God.

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.⁹ Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!¹⁰ Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.¹² Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.

Jesus will return

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming… the Lord’s coming is near…. The Judge is standing at the door! … do not swear… or you will be condemned.

Models of patience

• Farmer
• Prophets
• Job
  
  

Faith and farming

Humbly accept the word planted in you. (1:21) My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? (3:12) Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (3:18) See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

Patient until Jesus comes

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Patient perseverance

• Declare truth amid confusion
• Stand firm under attack
• Seek revival of wavering church
• Expect troubles and keep rejoicing
• Await God’s timing. Earth will be perfect only after Jesus returns.
  
  

Patient with others

^5:9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

^2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.

Models of patience

• Farmer
• Prophets
• Job
  
  

Persevering prophets

^5:10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.

Persevering prophets

^5:10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.

• Surrounded by evil, suffering cruel attacks, the prophets kept preaching.
  
  

Persevere until crown

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials … the testing of your faith develops perseverance…  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:2-3, 12)

Models of patience

• Farmer
• Prophets
• Job
  
  

Job’s perseverance

You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Job’s perseverance

• Satan targets him for attack.
• His wealth and workers are gone.
• His children are all dead.
• His wife says, “Curse God and die!”
• His friends blame and shame him.
• Job mourns, argues, and cries out God to show himself.
  
  

Job cried, God came

You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

• God showed up and restored Job.
• Job knew God more directly.
  
  

Gracious God

God gives generously to all without finding fault. (1:5) Every good and perfect gift is from above... He chose to give us birth through the word of truth. (1:17-18) Have faith in Jesus Christ (2:1). Mercy triumphs over judgment! (2:13) God gives grace to the humble. (4:6) The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (5:11)

Models of patience

• Farmer
• Prophets
• Job
  
  

Do not swear

¹² Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.

Patient until Jesus comes

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming… Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near… The Judge is standing at the door!