Be Patient, Brother!

Intro: “Be patient;” we hear it from our parents when we are small children; we hear it when we are pre-teens wanting to be teens; when we are teens wanting to be adults; wanting to drive; wanting that NEW car or truck; wanting to be out on our own; wanting to marry... Oh, how we dislike hearing that phrase! How we want to grow up to the place that we don’t have to Hear, Be Patient!
Then we become adults and we still hear it- Life keeps saying to us, Be patient. Want that NEW car or truck; want that New house; want that new Gun; that new Furniture...
So the Lord says to us Be Patient Son- Be Patient Daughter. So the Word of God says to us from James the Apostle, Be Patient Brother- Be Patient Sister.


I. There is a Patience Which Toils.
Vs. 7- Be Patient therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord; behold the husbandman, [consider the Farmer] he WAITS for the precious fruit of the earth- he has LONG patience for it Until he receives the early and latter rain.
Think about that for a minute- how does a farmer WAIT; how does he manifest patience?
In summer he sits in the living room in the recliner with an ice cold lemonade; In winter he sits in the living room in the recliner by a roaring fire with a mug of hot coffee; Every morning he looks out the window and says, Well, no crop yet but I’ll just keep waiting; I’ll be patient... Then back to the recliner...
I don’t think so!
The farmer Toils- he plows the field; he plants the seed; he cultivates it; he fertilizes it; he keeps the weeds out of it; he guards against pests and insects that would invade his fields; he fights against diseases that would destroy his crops. The whole time he is Waiting for a Harvest, he is Working; Toiling.
There is a patience that Toils. He keeps doing every thing he can do; and he is patient in waiting for God to do what only He can do- send the Early and Latter Rain.
Every one of us has been Converted to Serve God; we have been Commanded to Serve God; we have been Called to Serve God. We are Co-Laborers together with God; we are laborers in his field; in his vineyard.
Some are planting; Some are watering; Some are Reaping
Some are Praying; Some are Preaching; Some are Teaching; Some are Testifying; Some are Singing; Some are Serving; Some are Leading; Some are Lifting burdens; Some are Making Decisions; Some are Getting Dirty so to speak; BUT WE ARE ALL TO BE TOILING; Working for the Lord.
Be Patient Brother-Be Patient Sister! Don’t become impatient in the work of the Lord.
Charles Ryrie said it is one thing to become Weary IN Serving; It is another thing entirely to
become Weary OF Serving.
You Don’t think you are accomplishing anything? Don’t feel like anyone is listening/obeying?
Don’t feel like anyone is being helped or changed? Don’t feel like the kingdom of God is benefitting from what you are doing?
What and Who are you working for?
Are you Working for People? Working for Applause? Working for Recognition? Working for Results? OR Working for the LORD?
Be Patient Brother; Be Patient Sister- There is a patience which toils.


II. There is a Patience Which Trusts.
Vs. 8 Be patient, establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh;
vs. 10 Take, my brethren, the Prophets, [Consider the Prophets] who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience.
James was writing to believers who were suffering affliction because of their faith; they were being severely persecuted for their allegiance to Jesus Christ; they had renounced Judaism and turned to Jesus the Messiah. Now they were suffering; afflicted; persecuted; life was full of trouble; Wondered if it was worth it; wondered if it might just be easier to go back to the way they used to be.
James reminds them that the Lord is coming soon; in light of his coming they were to be Patient and TRUST the LORD.
James also reminds them of the Prophets they knew so well- those great men of God who proclaimed God’s truth even when it was not popular; when the people would not listen and became furious when they were told the Word of the Lord; even when Kings decreed against it.
Prophets like Elijah whose Life was in danger for Years;
Prophets like Michiah who was put in prison;
Prophets like Jeremiah who was arrested and put in a dungeon
Like Amos who was told by the king to Keep Quiet- they didn’t want to hear him anymore
Like John the Baptist who was arrested; imprisoned and beheaded.
Like Jesus Christ himself who was rejected; reviled; crucified by his own countrymen.
These men and others like them Suffered Affliction; but they were Patient in Trusting God.
These men and others like them were Misunderstood; misquoted; and hated but they were Patient in Trusting God.
So you and I must be Patient in Trusting God; regardless of the situation we are in today; regardless of the affliction we are suffering to day;
Be Patient Brother- Trust the Lord; Be Patient Sister- Trust the Lord; establish your hearts- the coming of the Lord draws nigh.


III. There is a Patience Which Triumphs.
Vs. 11 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 (sympathetic) and of tender mercy (compassionate). I don’t need me to rehearse the whole story of Job but here’s the highlights:
He was a Devout Man of God and was Prospering Materially; he had 10 children and they were a very close family. Then the devil got involved and began Testing the Faith of Job. In one day he Lost his Oxen, his Plowing Horses; his Sheep; his Camels; all but three of his servants; then All 10 of his children!
We Cannot comprehend such Tragedy! Seems more than a man could take; not finished yet!
Job was then smitten with Sore Boils from his head to his feet; His wife in despair suggested that he Give Up and Curse God and Die; Three friends showed up and spent the next number of days criticizing him and accusing him of sinning against God.
We Cannot comprehend such Suffering; Seems more than a man could take!
This went on for some time; seemed to be no relief; no help from God; no escape from the suffering and pain; Still- JOB PATIENTLY ENDURED!
Some of the great proclamations of Faith come from Job in the midst of this Severe Trial.
“The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
“He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:And though skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold”
Be Patient Brother; Be Patient Sister;
Keep Toiling for the Lord; Keep Trusting in the Lord; You will Triumph in the Lord.
He is Sympathetic; he cares about your affliction; he cares about your suffering; your confusion; your perplexity; your disappointment and discouragement.
He is Compassionate; he will minister to you with Tender Mercy and Amazing Grace.
Be Patient Brother! Be Patient Sister!