Enduring the In-Between: Faith, Patience, and Prayer

Thank you for gathering together on this holiday weekend, for your generosity, and for your willingness to serve and give. Everything we have is a gift from God, and our offerings—whether time, resources, or even a simple act of kindness—are meant to be fragrant offerings to Him. As we open the book of James, we find ourselves in the same tension as the early church: living between the declaration of Christ’s victory and the not-yet of His return. Like the years between the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the actual achievement of freedom, we live in a world where victory has been announced, but the battle still rages on.

James calls us to patience and perseverance, using the image of a farmer waiting for the harvest. We are reminded that, though the outcome is certain, the journey is filled with struggle, suffering, and waiting. In this in-between, we are called to be strong and immovable, to work enthusiastically for the Lord, and to recognize that nothing done for Him is ever wasted. Yet, James also warns us about the dangers of grumbling and complaining, especially within the church. Our witness is diluted when we become known for our complaints rather than our hope. The strength of our community and our unity is our greatest testimony to the world.

Instead of letting pressure turn into poison, we are called to bring our frustrations and pain to God in prayer, not to each other in gossip. The examples of the prophets and Job remind us that endurance and steadfastness are honored by God, and that His kindness and mercy are often seen most clearly in the long view, not just the immediate moment. Our words matter deeply; integrity in our speech reflects the faithfulness of God and builds trust within the body of Christ. Saying a simple “yes” or “no” is a mark of integrity and reliability.

James urges us to channel every circumstance—suffering, joy, sickness, or sin—into prayer and praise. Prayer is not a last resort but our first response, and it is powerful because the same God who heard Elijah hears us. Finally, our mission is clear: to help bring wanderers back to the truth, to walk with others back to grace, and to live with urgency, integrity, and love as we wait for the coming harvest. Let’s be a people who wait well, speak truthfully, pray boldly, and love urgently, knowing that the rain is coming, the judge is at the door, and the harvest is on the way.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Living in the “in-between” requires patient endurance. Just as the early Americans had to persevere between the declaration of independence and the reality of freedom, we are called to endure between Christ’s victory and His return. This season is not wasted; it is where faith is refined and hope is anchored in what is yet to come. [35:58]
• 2. Grumbling and complaining erode our witness and unity. When we allow frustration to turn into gossip or negativity, we become indistinguishable from the world around us. Instead, we are called to be a people known for hope, encouragement, and gratitude, letting our words and attitudes reflect the transforming power of Christ. [43:12]
• 3. Integrity in speech is a mark of spiritual maturity. Our “yes” should mean yes, and our “no” should mean no. In a world full of half-truths and broken promises, being trustworthy and consistent in our words builds trust, reflects God’s faithfulness, and strengthens the community of believers. [55:50]
• 4. Prayer is our first and most powerful response to every circumstance. Whether in suffering, joy, sickness, or sin, we are invited to bring everything to God in prayer. The example of Elijah reminds us that earnest, persistent prayer can change circumstances and that God is attentive to the prayers of ordinary people. [63:47]
• 5. Our mission is to walk with others back to grace. The greatest work we can do in this waiting world is to help those who have wandered from the truth return to Jesus. This requires urgency, compassion, and a willingness to be present in the lives of others, knowing that every act of love and restoration echoes the heart of God. [70:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [32:37] - Introduction to James 5 and the “In-Between”
• [33:52] - Living Between Declaration and Fulfillment
• [35:00] - Lessons from the Declaration of Independence
• [35:58] - The Challenge of Enduring the In-Between
• [37:04] - James’ Call to Perseverance
• [39:01] - Victory Declared, Battle Remains
• [41:24] - The Danger of Grumbling in the Church
• [43:12] - Are We Known for Hope or Complaints?
• [46:44] - The Power of Unity and Community
• [48:43] - Learning Endurance from the Prophets and Job
• [50:17] - Living with the End in Mind
• [53:17] - Letting Our Words Be Trustworthy
• [55:06] - The Importance of Honesty and Integrity
• [60:05] - Channeling Pain into Prayer and Praise
• [63:47] - The Power of Earnest Prayer
• [69:11] - Our Mission: Bringing Wanderers Back
• [72:57] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Reading

James 5:7-20 (ESV) — 7 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.
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 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.
12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Observation Questions

1. What image does James use to describe how we should wait for the Lord’s return? ([37:43])
2. According to James, what are believers specifically warned not to do toward each other? ([41:24])
3. Who does James point to as examples of patience and endurance in suffering? ([48:43])
4. What does James say about the power and importance of prayer in different circumstances? ([01:03:47])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think James compares waiting for the Lord’s return to a farmer waiting for the harvest? What does this teach about the nature of Christian hope and patience? ([37:43])
2. How does grumbling or complaining within the church affect its witness to the world, according to the sermon? ([43:12])
3. What does it mean for our “yes” to be yes and our “no” to be no? Why is integrity in speech so important for believers? ([55:50])
4. The sermon says that prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. Why do you think it’s so easy to turn to other things before prayer? ([01:02:22])

Application Questions

1. The sermon compared our current life to the years between the Declaration of Independence and the actual achievement of freedom. In what areas of your life do you feel like you’re living “in-between”—where victory is declared but the struggle continues? How can you practice patient endurance in those areas? ([35:58])
2. James warns against grumbling and complaining, especially about other believers. Think about your recent conversations at church, home, or work. Are you more likely to encourage or to complain? What is one practical step you can take this week to replace grumbling with gratitude or encouragement? ([43:12])
3. The sermon highlighted the importance of integrity in our words. Is there an area in your life where you struggle to let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no? What is one commitment you can make this week to be more trustworthy in your speech? ([55:50])
4. When you face suffering, joy, sickness, or sin, what is usually your first response? How can you make prayer your first response instead of your last resort? ([01:02:22])
5. The example of Elijah shows that God hears the prayers of ordinary people. Is there something in your life right now that feels too big or too small to bring to God in prayer? What would it look like to pray boldly about it this week? ([01:03:47])
6. James says our mission is to help bring wanderers back to the truth. Is there someone in your life who has wandered from faith or is struggling spiritually? What is one way you can reach out to them with compassion and grace this week? ([01:10:54])
7. The sermon challenged us to be a community where people can come with their hurts and brokenness. How can your small group or church become a safer place for people to be honest about their struggles? ([01:12:57])