Motivation From The Lord's Return Series

MOTIVATION FROM THE LORD’S RETURN

James 5:7-12

[7] Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits

for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and

late rains.

{8} You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

{9} Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be

judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

{10} As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in

the name of the Lord.

{11} Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job

and have seen the outcome of the

[12] But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any

other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no; so that you may not fall under

judgment.

INTRODUCTION:

I am not a great student of prophecy like some Bible students. I do believe Jesus is coming again, and that we should be ready for His return. This belief motivates me. James presents the coming of the Lord in the light of a motivating force. Notice two emphasis of motivation from the text.

1. Encouragement . . Motivated from the Lord’s Return. v 7 - 8

2. Etiquette . . Motivated from the Lord’s Return. v 9-11

1. Encouragement . . Motivated from the Lord’s Return. v 7 - 8

[7] Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits

for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late

rains.

{8} You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

A. Encouragement in . . Temperment. v 7 - 8 a

v 7 Patience Compare to v11, used 14 times in N.T. 3 times in this verse and 1 time in 8

Patient, Long and Patience

Strong’s # 3114 makrothumeo (mak-roth-oo-meh’-o); from the same as 3116; to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient: KJV-- bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure. (DIC)

Strong’s # 3116 makrothumos (mak-roth-oo-moce’); adverb of a compound of 3117 and 2372; with long (enduring) temper, i.e. leniently: KJV-- patiently. (DIC)

B. Encouragement in . . Tenacity. v 8 b ". . . strengthen your hearts, . . . "

Stablish in KJV

Strong’s # 4741 sterizo (stay-rid’-zo); from a presumed derivative of 2476 (like 4731); to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm: KJV-- fix, (e-) stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen.

Strong’s # 2476 histemi (his’-tay-mee); a prolonged form of a primary stao (stah’-o) (of the same meaning, and used

Strong’s # 4731 stereos (ster-eh-os’); from 2476; stiff, i.e. solid, stable (literally or figuratively):

C. Encouragement in . . Timing. v 7 b, v 8 c, v 9 b

v 7 b ". . . until the coming of the Lord."

v 8 c " . . . for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

v 8 Nigh

Matt 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in

heaven. (KJV)

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts,

ye double minded. (KJV)

v 9 b ". . . behold, the Judge is standing right at the door."

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. KJV)

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (KJV)

Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. (KJV)

ILLUSTRATION

James believed in giving illustrations to clarify the point he was making. In verse 7 he used the farmer to illustrate his point. Read this verse again

APPLICATION

Do you have the necessary patience to serve God in the face of dificulties? Do you serve even though it looks as if He has delayed the coming of Christ.

2. Etiquette . . Motivated from the Lord’s Return. v 9-11

{9} Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be

judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.