The Need Of Patience

Title: THE NEED OF PATIENCE

Text : Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Apostle Paul was encouraging the Hebrew Christians who experienced intense sufferings and persecutions because of their Faith in Christ Hebrews 10:32. Their fiery trials made some of them draw back and discouraged and began to forsake church services Hebrews 10:25; some fainted that they no longer wanted to run the Christian Race. Hebrews 12:1,3. Apostle Paul urged them “ Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees..” Heb.12:12. In our text, the Apostle Paul was telling the believers that in the midst of trials and sufferings “ ye have need of patience “ . We need patience because there is in us a great tendency to complain and quit during tough times; Man by nature is liable to sink under sufferings. Patience is a vital character that helps us to live a victorious life. The Lord Jesus told the disciples “ In your patience possess ye your souls. Luke 21:19.

The Greek word for patience is “ hupomone “ it means 3 things :

I. Patience is the Willingness to Endure Hebrews 10:32;33

a. Enduring the Afflictions and Trials “ Ye endured a great fight of afflictions;..God allows trials in our lives to mold and train us. Through tribulations we become mature in our character. Let us not pray for a life free of trials but for God’s grace to sustain and strengthen us to overcome those trials. Job 23:10

b. Enduring the Reproaches “ ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches “ The unbelieving world are spiritually blind and love darkness. They cannot understand the believers way of life. To the unbelievers the Christian way is a foolish way. Since the time of Abel the believers had suffered much from the hands of the wicked men “ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Hebrews 11:37. A patient believer is willing to face and experience reproaches and persecutions for Christ’s sake and the Gospel.

II. Patience is the Willingness to Wait Hebrews 10:37

a. Waiting for God’s Vengeance Hebrews 10:30

Christians are commanded by the Lord not to take revenge or get even with their enemies but to be patient with them and pray for them and wait for the Lord to take vengeance. Matthew 5:44 ; Romans 12:20

b. Waiting for God’s Reward Hebrews 10:34-35

The Hebrew Christians were joyful that they were able to utilize their material goods and resources for God’s glory and ministry v34. Our love and labors for the LORD will surely be rewarded Hebrews 6:10. But we must be willing to wait for that Harvest time . Galatians 6:9

c. Waiting for God’s Will and Answer Hebrews 4:16

There are times that our prayers seemingly fall to deaf ears, but they are not, our Loving Father hears them, He knows what is best for His children, He will answer them in His time and according to His will, but there are times, like Jacob we have to wrestle with God in prayers, and wait patiently until the breaking of Day when our plea is granted and a blessing is poured. Genesis 32:24-29

d. Waiting for Christ Return Hebrews 10:37

We are looking and waiting for our Blessed Hope, the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. As we see the day approaching , Christ’s return should make us excited and renewed everyday. As we wait for His promise, we are to “ occupy “ ( invest ) till he comes. Luke 19:13

III. Patience is the Willingness to Abide Hebrews 10:23

a. Abiding in Christ

The Lord requires His churches to “ be faithful unto Death “ Rev. 2:10. We are to bear the cross and follow Him, we are to hold the plough without turning back Luke 9:62. We are to abide in the Lord to be fruitful and useful. These demands from the Master requires a lot of patience.

b. Abiding in God’s Will and Service

In our text, Heb. 10:36, the will of God must be done first, before we will receive the promise. With patience and diligence, we are to “ go unto perfection.” Hebrews 6:1. This is the daily abiding,keeping and submission to God’s will that leads us to full maturity. Luke 8:15

c. Abiding in the Faith – Hebrews 10:23

The Lord commanded us to “ hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering. We are to Keep the Faith 2 Timothy 4:7 and contend for the Faith Jude 3. The apostle Paul challenged the Hebrews Christians and us by saying: