PATIENCE
2 Peter 1:3-8 now read Living Bible (not for accuracy but for clarity)
Intro: Definition of patience: Hupomone in Greek = remaining under pressure that God ordains. Not surrendering to the circumstances that are pressuring you.
Jesus calls us to get under the pressure of His yoke upon us. Jesus called us to carry a yoke in Matthew 11:29-30. A yoke has some pressure. You must take yours off before you can put His on.
Jesus calls us to get under the pressure of OUR cross, not His cross. Luke 9:23.
All this demands patience. When we think of patience we usually think of it in dealing with other people. But I think more important than that is that we exercise patience towards God. Patience towards God comes from knowing Him and His character and His Word. Patience results from being established in my faith in the Lord. You are discovering during life experiences whether or not you are really established in Him.
I. PATIENCE TOWARDS GOD. Read Ps. 37:7
Is God ever late? I don’t think so! God seems slow but He is never late. He works on a different calendar than us. Sometimes it seems like God is not there or not doing anything. See Ps 73.
Ill. You may have felt that way when you started tithing. It is Frustrating to see those who do not tithe or even fear God seem to be prospering when you are striving to be faithful!
God does not balance all the books while we are here on earth! Be patient towards God. If you have accused God of wrong doing or of not being fair either verbally or in your mind. You must repent and ask forgiveness for impatience.
II. PATIENCE TOWARDS GOD’S WORD.
Read how patience is necessary to bring forth fruit from seed of Word that is sown. Read Luke 8:15.
-Other scripture Hebrews 10:36.
The devil will try to pressure you with doubt. He will cast doubt to you to see if it can find a place to lodge in your heart. He will use other people, even Christians to cast doubt on rhema Words (personal words enlightened to you by the Holy Spirit as you read the Word) God has spoken to you.
You don’t need to share everything God speaks to you or shows you in Word. If a rhema comes to you, hold onto it. Mary had some unusual experiences with God that the Bible says, “She treasured all these things in her heart.” In other words they were special and too personal to share with many others who would not understand. Don’t cast your pearls before swine. She hid God’s Word to her in her own safe deposit box!
III. PATIENCE TOWARD GOD AS YOU WAIT FOR ANSWERED PRAYER.
Many prayers have experienced a violent abortion just before giving birth. Many a spiritual fruit failed to be delivered because one fainted before the season. Gal. 6:9.
Patience is necessary as we wait for the season on God’s calendar. Example: Read Acts 1:4-8. Why wait? Why not send the Holy Spirit right then?
Jews already celebrated Pentecost. In Old Testament days it was called the “Feast of Weeks” or in Hebrew Sha-voo-ote (pronounced). This was the celebration of the closing of one season and the beginning of another season. To the Jews it was also the anniversary of the giving of the Torah on MT. Sinai, when God revealed self and His Law. On this side we can see now God was orchestrating the giving of the Holy Spirit on this date, to emphasize to people the Law you celebrate now no longer is outside but will be written in your hearts by God’s Spirit. Now a new season in the world has begun!
Illustration: Show puzzle pieces and ask if anyone can tell what the whole picture looks like? God is putting together a puzzle before eyes of world. We only see pieces. Sometimes we given more pieces and visualize part of the picture. Some pieces are dark, hard to understand, maybe even painful to try and visualize how in the world can this fit into rest of puzzle?
Some pieces must be put aside until other pieces are in place before they can be seen as having a significant part.
Whenever we have to wait upon the Lord – it is always for a good reason. God is working on many fronts at the same time. You may not know “Why?” during this lifetime. Someone said, “When you can’t see the hand of God, will you trust His heart?” Impatience can rob you of a blessing.
IV. PATIENCE TOWARDS GOD DURING PAIN. Romans 5:3.
Ill. A fitness instructor at the gym pushes you to your limit. You do not realize what you can do unless have to do it. If God did not push us at times we would not experience some of the greatest times of our lives.
Most us grow more in soil of pain more than in pleasure. Heb. 12:1”…let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Life is a marathon not 100 yd dash.
Don’t fear praying for patience. You already have it in you if you are Christian. 2 Peter 1:3 “…His divine power hath given unto us all things pertaining to life and godliness…” God knows it is in you. He put everything you need inside you when He gave you His Spirit. When you say you don’t have patience you call God a liar!
“Well preacher where’s it at, cause I don’t see it!” James 1:3-4 “Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” You must let patience come out of you.
Read Living Bible text.
V. PATIENCE TOWARDS GOD WHEN YOU SUFFER WRONGFULLY.
We know very little of this in our day. Our democratic government has taught us to scream for our rights even when we are wrong.
You are never going to know Christ in His fullness until you suffer for something that you are innocent of. I Peter 2:19-21.
Key characteristic of saints mentioned in Rev. 13:10 &12 is patience.
VI. PATEINCE TOWARDS OTHERS. Romans 15:4-5.
Ill. Gen 26:15-22 (if time read Living Bible) Isaac’s herdsmen striving with men of Gerar over wells twice. He moved on until got another well.
He was right, but it was not worth a fight over.
Pick your battles wisely.
VII. PATIENCE TOWARDS OURSELVES.
Devil inspires self-hatred. Beats us up in our conscience and then make us think it was our idea.
He is the accuser of the brethren. Things we have dealt with and confessed and put under blood he keeps bringing up to us again. Read Rom. 8:1
You are in process of sanctification. God is gentle then there are times He is more forceful to get us moving forward and put away our sin.
One of devils tactics against you is get you discouraged to quit something that God has had you start in your life. Maybe quiet time, maybe fasting, maybe tithing, maybe diet and exercise. If he can get you impatient with yourself then he can get you to stop whatever it is that God had you start.
CONCLUSION: Patience comes from a deep-rooted faith in God and His Word. You grow in the faith so strong that circumstances can no longer move you.
