Good Ground: Patience

Scripture References: James 5:7-11; Galatians 5:22; Exodus 34:6; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10; John 14:16-17, 26; 1 Peter 4:12-19

Intro: Welcome. We continue our "Good Ground" series on the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Today's fruit: Patience. In our instant-everything world that avoids waiting and discomfort, patience feels like the ultimate "Monday morning" virtue. It's challenging. Like all spiritual fruit, patience isn't produced by trying harder but grows gradually and sometimes mysteriously as we connect with the Spirit.

Key Points:

1. Patience Defined: Long-Suffering: Biblical patience (Gk: makrothumia) isn't just delay tolerance. It's enduring opposition and suffering over time without giving up or seeking retaliation (James 5:10-11). It’s “long-suffering.”
2. God is Patient: Our capacity for patience stems from God Himself. He is "slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love" (Ex 34:6). He endured Nineveh's wickedness for 150 years before judgment. His patience with humanity is profound.
3. The Spirit Enables Patience: How do we become patient when it's so hard?
   • He Gives Power for Endurance (2 Cor 4:7-10): The Holy Spirit provides the "all-surpassing power" needed to be "hard pressed... but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair... struck down, but not destroyed." He enables us to endure what we couldn't alone.
   • He Brings Comfort (John 14:16-17): The Spirit is the Paraclete (Helper, Comforter, Counselor). He comes alongside us in suffering and waiting, offering Jesus' presence and empathy.
   • He Gives Perspective (John 14:26): The Spirit reminds us of Jesus' teachings and promises (e.g., present grief turning to joy - John 16:20-22), providing an eternal perspective that fuels perseverance.
4. Our Response: Imitate the Farmer & Prophets (James 5:7, 10): James calls us to patient endurance like a farmer awaiting the harvest and like the prophets who suffered faithfully. Don't be surprised by trials (1 Pet 4:12); commit yourself to God and continue doing good (1 Pet 4:19).
5. Patience Needs Community (James 5:9): We aren't meant to wait or suffer alone. James warns against grumbling against one another. We need a "waiting community" to encourage and remind each other of God's faithfulness.

Conclusion: Patience, the capacity to suffer long without losing hope or retaliating, is a supernatural fruit produced by the Holy Spirit. It flows from God's own character and is cultivated through the Spirit's power to endure, His comfort in presence, and His perspective-giving reminders of eternal hope.

Call to Action: Are you struggling to wait or endure? Don't rely on sheer willpower. Ask the Holy Spirit for His power, comfort, and perspective. Remind yourself of God's immense patience toward you. Connect with other believers for mutual encouragement ("Don't suffer alone"). Trust your faithful Creator.

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Good Ground: Patience (James 5:7-11)
with Travis Aicklen