Embracing Patience: A Journey of Faith and Resilience

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound theme of patience, a virtue that is often challenging yet essential in our spiritual journey. We began by reflecting on the recent 21 days of prayer, celebrating the transformative power of prayer and the testimonies of lives changed. This set the stage for our discussion on patience, as we delved into Galatians 5 and James 1, understanding that patience is a fruit of the Spirit and a product of enduring trials.

Patience, as we learned, is not merely waiting but enduring without losing love, joy, and peace. It is a process that God uses to complete our sanctification. Through the analogy of a mother giraffe teaching her calf to stand quickly, we saw how God allows us to face trials not to harm us but to teach us resilience. Patience is like a teabag; its true essence is revealed only when placed in hot water.

We also discussed practical steps to cultivate patience, drawing lessons from farmers, prophets, and Job. Farmers teach us to wait actively, sowing seeds and trusting God for the harvest. Prophets remind us that suffering is part of the journey, and wrestling with God is a natural part of our faith. Job exemplifies worship through trials, showing us that true worship often involves praising God amidst pain and uncertainty.

The message concluded with a call to embrace patience as we await the Lord's return, understanding that our trials are not in vain. We are encouraged to live with the hope of Christ's second coming, knowing that He will make all things right. As we navigate life's challenges, we are reminded to focus on Jesus, avoid complaining, and maintain a testimony of love, joy, and peace.

Key Takeaways:

1. Patience as a Fruit of the Spirit: Patience is not passive waiting but enduring trials without losing love, joy, and peace. It is a crucial part of our sanctification process, teaching us resilience and trust in God's timing. [39:49]

2. Lessons from Farmers: Like farmers, we must actively wait, sowing seeds and trusting God for the harvest. Patience involves working diligently while trusting God for the increase, understanding that He works in seasons. [44:38]

3. Wrestling with God: The prophets teach us that suffering is part of the journey, and wrestling with God is a natural part of our faith. Life's challenges often lead to deeper understanding and growth in patience. [59:42]

4. Worship Through Trials: Job exemplifies worship amidst suffering, showing us that true worship involves praising God even in pain. Worshiping through trials strengthens our faith and brings us closer to God. [01:04:56]

5. Hope in Christ's Return: The anticipation of Christ's second coming should influence how we live, reminding us that our trials are temporary and that God will make all things right. This hope encourages us to maintain a testimony of patience and faith. [01:01:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [36:38] - Introduction to Patience
- [39:49] - Patience and Trials
- [41:17] - The School of Hard Knocks
- [42:07] - Patience in Prayer and Parenting
- [42:45] - Everyday Patience Challenges
- [43:30] - Practical Steps for Patience
- [44:38] - Waiting Like Farmers
- [46:02] - Personal Struggles with Patience
- [46:59] - The Importance of Testimony
- [58:19] - Lessons from Joseph
- [59:42] - Wrestling Like Prophets
- [01:01:16] - The Hope of Christ's Return
- [01:04:56] - Worshiping Like Job
- [01:10:23] - The Story of Jell-O and Patience
- [01:12:03] - Invitation to Faith and Next Steps

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Patience in Our Spiritual Journey

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 5:22-23
- James 1:2-4
- James 5:7-11

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit, and how is patience described among them? How does the order of these fruits matter in our spiritual growth? [36:38]

2. In James 1:2-4, what is the relationship between trials and the development of patience? How does this passage suggest we should view our trials? [39:49]

3. How does the analogy of the mother giraffe in the sermon illustrate the purpose of trials in developing patience? [41:17]

4. What practical lessons about patience can we learn from farmers, as discussed in James 5:7-8? How does this relate to the concept of waiting actively? [44:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon define patience beyond just waiting? What does it mean to endure trials without losing love, joy, and peace? [39:49]

2. The sermon mentions that patience is like a teabag, revealing its essence in hot water. How does this analogy help us understand the role of trials in our spiritual growth? [41:17]

3. Reflecting on the story of Job, how does worship play a role in enduring trials? What does Job's response to his suffering teach us about maintaining faith? [01:04:56]

4. How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence our perspective on patience and enduring trials, according to the sermon? [01:01:16]

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Application Questions:

1. Think of a recent trial you faced. How did you respond, and in what ways could you have demonstrated more patience, as described in the sermon? [39:49]

2. The sermon suggests learning from farmers about active waiting. What is one area in your life where you can practice active waiting, and what steps will you take to do so? [44:38]

3. Consider a situation where you find it difficult to maintain love, joy, and peace. What practical steps can you take to cultivate these fruits of the Spirit in that situation? [39:49]

4. Reflect on a time when you wrestled with God over a disappointment or trial. How did that experience shape your understanding of patience and faith? [59:42]

5. Job worshiped through his trials. Identify a current challenge you are facing. How can you incorporate worship into your response to this challenge? [01:04:56]

6. The sermon encourages us to focus on the hope of Christ's return. How can this perspective help you navigate a current difficulty with patience and faith? [01:01:16]

7. Identify a person or situation that tests your patience. What specific prayer or action can you commit to before your next interaction to help you respond with patience? [42:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Patience as Active Endurance
Patience is not simply about waiting; it is about enduring trials without losing love, joy, and peace. This endurance is a crucial part of our sanctification process, teaching us resilience and trust in God's timing. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5, and it is developed through enduring life's challenges. Like a teabag that reveals its true essence in hot water, our patience is tested and refined through trials. This process is not meant to harm us but to build our character and deepen our faith. [39:49]

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: In what current situation is God calling you to endure with love, joy, and peace? How can you actively cultivate these fruits of the Spirit today?


Day 2: Trusting God's Seasons
Farmers teach us the art of active waiting, sowing seeds and trusting God for the harvest. Patience involves working diligently while trusting God for the increase, understanding that He works in seasons. Just as farmers cannot control the weather but must trust in the natural process, we too must trust in God's timing and provision. This active waiting requires faith and perseverance, knowing that God is faithful to bring about a harvest in due time. [44:38]

"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 the late rains." (James 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: What "seeds" have you sown in your life that require patience and trust in God's timing? How can you actively nurture these areas while waiting for God's harvest?


Day 3: Embracing the Struggle
The prophets teach us that suffering is part of the journey, and wrestling with God is a natural part of our faith. Life's challenges often lead to deeper understanding and growth in patience. Wrestling with God does not mean a lack of faith; rather, it is an expression of a deep, authentic relationship with Him. Through these struggles, we learn to rely on God's strength and wisdom, growing in our understanding of His purposes. [59:42]

"And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him." (Genesis 32:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What current struggle are you facing that feels like a wrestling match with God? How can you invite God into this struggle to gain deeper understanding and patience?


Day 4: Worship in the Midst of Trials
Job exemplifies worship amidst suffering, showing us that true worship involves praising God even in pain. Worshiping through trials strengthens our faith and brings us closer to God. Job's story reminds us that our circumstances do not dictate our worship; rather, our worship is a response to God's unchanging nature. In the midst of trials, we are called to lift our eyes to God, trusting in His goodness and sovereignty. [01:04:56]

"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him." (Job 13:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you choose to worship God in the midst of your current trials? What specific ways can you express your trust and hope in Him today?


Day 5: Living in Hope of Christ's Return
The anticipation of Christ's second coming should influence how we live, reminding us that our trials are temporary and that God will make all things right. This hope encourages us to maintain a testimony of patience and faith. As we await the Lord's return, we are called to live with love, joy, and peace, knowing that our trials are not in vain. This eternal perspective helps us navigate life's challenges with grace and perseverance. [01:01:16]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace." (2 Peter 3:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: How does the hope of Christ's return shape your perspective on current challenges? What steps can you take today to live with a testimony of patience and faith?

Quotes



In chapter 1, he says this. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces what? Everybody say it. Patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. God uses patience to complete our sanctification process. [00:40:12] (23 seconds)


And that's what patience certainly is about. In fact, I would tell you that the trials that he's talking about here is kind of like a teabag. A teabag is of no use as long as it's not used. As long as it's in the package, in the box. You had to put it in hot water. Do you get the picture? God puts you in some hot water. And that's when he is developing in you your best. [00:41:17] (26 seconds)


All the prayers that are yet to be answered, just have patience. God sees, God hears, and he will answer in time. He makes all things beautiful in his time. This is a great word not only for prayer, but it's a great word for parents. Oh, if you're a parent, you need patience. You got a prodigal son or daughter that's out there and far from God, just be patient. [00:42:27] (21 seconds)


Patience literally means to go on when others would quit. God will stretch you spiritually. It means to endure without turning back. It means to move forward without going back to the old life. So many people when they're tried they get discouraged they quit they give up. Don't look for the easy way out. Don't look for the easy place in life. The right place is where God's placed you. [00:56:27] (22 seconds)


And so I want you to understand one day you'll be able to look back and understand the why behind the wait. And if you'll be honest, we learn a whole lot more through the hard times than we do the good times. All right. Number two, wrestle like prophets. And I've chosen that word deliberately. We wrestle. We wrestle in life. Look right here in verse 10. Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name as an example of what? An easy life? No, suffering and patience. [00:59:30] (38 seconds)


And I think about the prophets, how they struggled with God, struggled with situations, struggled with people. And a lot of times we wrestle with God, mysteries we don't understand. We wrestle with God over disappointments. They suffered. The prophets now, they suffered, not being out of the will of God, but in the will of God. In fact, Paul said in 2 Timothy 3, 12, all who live godly will suffer. [00:59:59] (30 seconds)


And I want you to know, I was at the Liberty Leadership Institute on Tuesday nights, always the third Tuesday of the month, and it's so good. And it's for businessmen and women, and it's just, it was so good. And Jeff Gatler made this statement last week. He said, let me tell you, he said, you're a Christian leader. Remember that leaders are hated by the world, and Christians are hated by the world, and you're trying to be both. [01:00:22] (27 seconds)


And so you gotta worship like Job. In fact, he went on to say at the very end, Job 42, I have heard reports about you. Oh, but watch this. But now my eyes have seen you. It's one thing for you to hear about God working in other people's life during 21 days of prayer. It's another for him to work in your life, for you to see it for yourself. [01:06:51] (20 seconds)


And they all have stories. And I can tell you story after story after story. But in the process, it's something different when you've got a story to tell and you can give testimony of his faithfulness. When you can say like Joe, oh, I've heard the reports, but now my eyes have seen you. I want you to know you'd never get to heaven on the coattails of somebody else's faith or somebody else's trial or somebody else's experience. [01:07:39] (24 seconds)


No, you've got to know God for yourself and know that he can be faithful. I think it was Spurgeon who said this. In Revelation, it says in heaven, they say, these are they who came through great tribulation. And Spurgeon said, you're not going to get to heaven one day. And God said, these are they who came through great tribulation. And I'll accept that one. They never had any problems. [01:08:02] (23 seconds)


No, in fact, 1 Peter said this. Listen. He said, don't think it's strange. It's strange when you go through trials and temptation as if some strange thing is happening to you. No, it's normal. It's common. It's the way God develops patience and perseverance in us. And it closes like this. So the Lord blessed the last part of Job's life more than the first. And I love that. [01:08:45] (32 seconds)


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Transcript
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