PRAYER

We pray for the people amid mourning and recovering in Kentucky:

Father, may your consoling grace and provision be present to every resident affected. May the community come together in ways that surprise and heal burdened hearts. Protect the most vulnerable – the elderly, the sick, the children, and all who need support in their daily lives - in the aftermath of destructive waters. And we pray for the restoration of property, livelihoods, hearts, and minds by your immense grace.

Amen.

SERMON

Who wrote the book of James? JAMES! But, which one?

POINT: For James, faith isn’t only about conveying information. Faith brings about a new world and reality.

Patience: “means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us.” (Henri Nouwen)

Question: What areas are you trying to learn patience in your life?

James 1:1-8 NRSV
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion: Greetings.

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance complete its work so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given to you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. The doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Patience is the guardian of faith, the preserver of peace, the cherisher of love, the teacher of humility;

Patience governs the flesh, strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, and subdues pride;

She bridles the tongue, refrains the hand, tramples upon temptations, endures persecutions, and consummates martyrdom;

Patience produces unity in the church, loyalty in the State, and harmony in families and societies;

She comforts the poor and moderates the rich; she makes us humble in prosperity, cheerful in adversity, unmoved by calumny and reproach;

She teaches us to forgive those who have injured us and to be the first in asking forgiveness of those whom we have injured;

She delights the faithful and invites the unbelieving;

She adorns the woman and approves the man;

Is loved in a child, praised in a young man, admired in an old man;

She is beautiful in either sex and at every age. —Bishop George Horne, Discourses on Several Subjects and Occasions Patience Portrayed.

POINT: Learning who God really is and what God is truly like—and reminding ourselves regularly—is the key to enduring faith.

Psalm 86:15 NRSV
But you, Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

2 Peter 3:9 NRSV
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.