Embracing Patience: A Fruit of the Spirit
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we delved into the virtue of patience, a fruit of the Spirit that is often overlooked but crucial for our spiritual growth. We began by reflecting on the story of Ronald Wayne, one of Apple's co-founders, who sold his 10% stake for $800, a decision that cost him billions. This story illustrates the high cost of impatience. We then turned to Galatians 5 and James 5 to explore what the Bible says about patience.
Patience, or long-suffering, is not just about waiting but about how we wait. It's about living by faith and responding with grace rather than reacting with grief. The Apostle Paul lists patience as one of the fruits of the Spirit, and James gives us practical advice on how to cultivate it. We need patience with difficult people, perseverance with demanding problems, and persistence with a definite purpose.
James uses the analogy of a farmer who waits patiently for his crops, teaching us that patience involves self-restraint and a long-term perspective. We also looked at the life of Job, who faced immense suffering but remained steadfast, ultimately gaining a deeper understanding of God.
Patience is not passivity; it’s an active, faith-filled waiting. It’s about trusting God’s timing and His plans, even when they don’t align with our own. We are called to be patient with others, just as God is patient with us. This patience is a reflection of God's own character, as He waits for us to come to repentance.
In conclusion, patience is a vital aspect of our Christian walk. It helps us deal with difficult people, persevere through demanding problems, and persist in our God-given purpose. Let us strive to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit in our lives, trusting that God is always at work, even in our waiting.
### Key Takeaways
1. Patience with Difficult People: Patience is self-restraint in the face of provocation. It means not being quick-tempered or responding in anger. Instead, we are called to respond with grace, reflecting the patience God shows us. This is especially important with those who test our patience the most, often those closest to us. [49:42]
2. Perseverance with Demanding Problems: Problems are not meant to defeat or depress us but to develop us. Like Job, we may face immense suffering, but these trials are opportunities for growth. They teach us to rely on God and deepen our faith, helping us to mature spiritually. [01:00:08]
3. Persistence with a Definite Purpose: God allows difficult people and problems into our lives to develop maturity. Patience and perseverance are essential for spiritual growth. We must trust that God is working all things for our good, even when we don't see immediate results. [01:06:44]
4. Active, Faith-Filled Waiting: Patience is not passivity. It involves actively trusting God's timing and His plans. This kind of waiting is filled with faith and hope, knowing that God is always at work, even when we can't see it. [01:07:34]
5. Reflecting God's Patience: Our patience with others is a reflection of God's patience with us. God is long-suffering, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. As we grow in patience, we become more like Him, showing His love and grace to the world. [01:10:18]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[41:45] - Introduction and Opening Prayer
[42:27] - Importance of Strong Fathers
[42:59] - Story of Apple Co-Founders
[44:31] - The Virtue of Patience
[45:00] - Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
[45:32] - Personal Anecdote on Patience
[46:28] - Patience as a Muscle
[46:58] - Definition of Long-Suffering
[47:30] - Scripture Reading: Galatians 5 and James 5
[48:16] - Patience with Difficult People
[50:26] - Patience and Anger
[52:01] - Patience and the Coming of the Lord
[53:42] - Righteous Anger
[55:12] - Social Media and Impatience
[56:11] - Story of the Korean Boy
[57:41] - Love and Patience
[01:00:08] - Perseverance with Demanding Problems
[01:03:08] - Story of the Baby Giraffe
[01:04:39] - William Wilberforce's Perseverance
[01:06:44] - Persistence with a Definite Purpose
[01:09:00] - The Story of Jell-O
[01:10:18] - God's Patience and Our Patience
[01:12:06] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[01:13:23] - No Surprise, No Retaliation, No Quitting
[01:13:53] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[01:19:05] - Baptism Announcement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Virtue of Patience
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law."
2. James 5:7-11: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit, and where does patience fit among them?
2. In James 5:7-11, what analogy does James use to describe patience, and what does this analogy teach us about the nature of patience?
3. How does the story of Job, as mentioned in James 5:11, illustrate the concept of steadfastness and patience? [48:16]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the relationship between patience and anger? [50:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul include patience as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23? How does it relate to the other fruits listed?
2. James 5:7-11 emphasizes the importance of waiting patiently for the Lord's coming. How does this perspective help believers deal with everyday challenges and difficult people? [49:42]
3. The sermon mentions that patience is not passivity but an active, faith-filled waiting. How does this understanding change the way we view waiting periods in our lives? [46:58]
4. Reflecting on the story of Ronald Wayne, what can we learn about the consequences of impatience in our personal and spiritual lives? [43:57]
#### Application Questions
1. Think of a person who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person? [49:42]
2. The sermon mentioned that problems are not meant to defeat us but to develop us. Can you identify a recent problem you faced and how it helped you grow spiritually? [01:00:08]
3. How can you actively practice "faith-filled waiting" in a current situation where you are struggling to be patient? What steps can you take to trust God's timing more? [46:58]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of reflecting God's patience with others. Can you recall a time when someone showed you patience? How can you extend that same grace to someone else this week? [01:10:18]
5. Social media and instant gratification often fuel impatience. What practical steps can you take to reduce these influences in your life and cultivate more patience? [55:12]
6. The story of Job shows that perseverance through suffering can lead to a deeper understanding of God. How can you remind yourself of this truth when facing your own trials? [01:00:08]
7. The sermon concluded with the idea that patience helps us persist in our God-given purpose. What is one area of your life where you need to be more persistent, and how can you seek God's help in this? [01:06:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Responding with Grace to Difficult People
Patience with difficult people is about exercising self-restraint and not reacting in anger. It involves responding with grace, reflecting the patience that God shows us. This is especially important with those who test our patience the most, often those closest to us. By practicing patience, we mirror God's long-suffering nature and demonstrate His love to others. This kind of patience requires us to be slow to anger and quick to listen, embodying the grace and mercy that God extends to us daily. [49:42]
Bible Passage:
"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." — Proverbs 14:29 (ESV)
Reflection:
Think of someone in your life who often tests your patience. How can you respond with grace and self-restraint the next time you interact with them?
Day 2: Growing Through Demanding Problems
Perseverance with demanding problems is not about avoiding difficulties but about allowing them to develop us. Like Job, who faced immense suffering, these trials are opportunities for growth. They teach us to rely on God and deepen our faith, helping us to mature spiritually. Problems are not meant to defeat or depress us but to develop us into stronger, more faithful followers of Christ. By facing our challenges with perseverance, we can grow in our understanding of God's purpose for our lives. [01:00:08]
Bible Passage:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." — James 1:2-3 (ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a current problem or challenge you are facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for spiritual growth and rely more on God through it?
Day 3: Trusting God's Purpose in Persistence
Persistence with a definite purpose means trusting that God is working all things for our good, even when we don't see immediate results. God allows difficult people and problems into our lives to develop maturity. Patience and perseverance are essential for spiritual growth. By persisting in our God-given purpose, we align ourselves with His plans and trust in His timing. This persistence is a testament to our faith and our commitment to God's will for our lives. [01:06:44]
Bible Passage:
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you need to persist despite not seeing immediate results? How can you trust in God's timing and purpose in this area?
Day 4: Active, Faith-Filled Waiting
Patience is not passivity; it involves actively trusting God's timing and His plans. This kind of waiting is filled with faith and hope, knowing that God is always at work, even when we can't see it. Active, faith-filled waiting means living by faith and responding with grace rather than reacting with grief. It is about trusting that God's plans are better than our own and that His timing is perfect. This kind of patience requires a deep trust in God's sovereignty and His love for us. [01:07:34]
Bible Passage:
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" — Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a situation where you are waiting for an answer or resolution. How can you actively trust God and maintain faith and hope during this waiting period?
Day 5: Reflecting God's Patience
Our patience with others is a reflection of God's patience with us. God is long-suffering, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. As we grow in patience, we become more like Him, showing His love and grace to the world. This patience is a vital aspect of our Christian walk, helping us deal with difficult people, persevere through demanding problems, and persist in our God-given purpose. By reflecting God's patience, we demonstrate His character and His love to those around us. [01:10:18]
Bible Passage:
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." — 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
Reflection:
How can you reflect God's patience in your interactions with others today? What specific actions can you take to show His love and grace to those around you?
Quotes
1. "Because that's really What the Lord wants from us. I know Richard mentioned it But I'm going to read it. I'm going to mention it again. 1215 today, room 305. We're having a men's ministry meeting. We're going to brainstorm some ideas Of how to strengthen our men's ministry. Because one thing that I've learned In all my years of being a bookworm And a statistics nerd Is that 93% of families Will come to the Lord If the Father comes to the Lord. Amazing." [42:06] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Now, the King James Version uses the word, The word, long suffering. And anybody that's impatient knows, That when you have to wait, You feel like you're suffering long, right? Long suffering. Well, here's the definition of long suffering. It is the determination to live by faith, And not by feelings, And to respond with grace, Rather than to react with grief, When problems come along." [46:58] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Patience is self-restraint in the face of provocation. But what does that mean? It means that we are not to be quick-tempered. But we're not to have a short fuse. We're not to respond in anger. We're to respond appropriately to provocation. Patience is the opposite of inappropriate anger. Because really, that's where patience comes from. It is born out of anger. You're inconveniencing me, person in front of me at the red light. You, person texting while you're driving. That is something that drives people crazy." [50:26] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The only reason this world is still here today is not because God is powerless. It's not because God is passive. It's because God is patient. God is patient. We need to learn to be more like the God that created us because our God is a God that knows how to wait. He is long-suffering because Jesus is coming back. Make no doubt about that. That's his promise. He told us he's coming back, friends, and he is. We don't know when. We don't have any idea." [01:10:18] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears. But patience is not passivity. It's not indifference. It's not having an attitude of que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be. Patience doesn't mean that you never get angry. Sometimes a lack of anger can be wrong. As believers, if we don't get angry about the abortion issue in this country, we have an issue with ourselves. We have an issue with Scripture." [53:42] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The Christian life is impossible without the Holy Spirit. We can't do it. It will never happen. There was a first grade teacher. She had 32 first graders. And they'd watched it rain all day long. And when the end of the day came, she had to get galoshes on all 32. Now, she came to the last girl, and she was so happy because this was a dirty chore. She couldn't stand it. And so when she started putting the little girl's boots on, they were unusually tight." [58:36] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Now, you wonder, why did he mention Job? Well, you think about everything that Job faced. He faced destitution. He lost everything. He faced death. His children and his grandchildren were wiped out. He faced disease. He was covered from head to toe with sores and boils. He faced desertion, where everybody, all of his friends, and even his own wife deserted him, basically, because she said, Why don't you curse God and die? Not exactly wife of the year." [01:00:08] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The lesson that we have to learn is that it's not when we party during the good times, it's when we persevere in the hard times. That's where we learn, that's where we grow. I've never seen a baby giraffe be born, but I've heard of the process, and it's pretty interesting. When they first come out, of course, they're mothers, they give birth standing up. So these babies come out, they fall to the ground about six to eight feet." [01:02:17] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We need perseverance with demanding problems. Finally, we need persistence with a definite purpose. Now why does God allow difficult people and demanding problems into our lives? It's to develop maturity. James 1, verse 2 says, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." [01:06:44] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Listen, in this life, we need the fruit of the spirit of patience. Patience with difficult people, perseverance in difficult situations, and persistence with a definite person. Purpose, I should say. And we need to do three things when we are faced with trials and tribulations. Number one, no surprise, Christians. Jesus said it was coming. When you have troubles in this world, remember, the world hated me first, but fear not, for I have overcome the world." [01:12:44] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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