Patience in an Impatient World
Why does God call us to patience in an impatient world?
Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
We all struggle with patience. What does God want to produce in us through patience?
Romans 8:25
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Psalm 37:7
7 Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Patience does not equal doing
James 5:7-8
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Let us not focus on
Instead, focus on
A good farmer doesn’t yield a plentiful harvest by standing around watching its field. Instead, they must take these steps:
What have your waiting seasons of life looked like?
What did you do?
Was your time spent being anxious over things our of your control?
It is not simply being
But being
Galatians 5:19-21
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,
dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Impatience can lead to
What did we learn from the children of Israel?
Steadfast patience can lead to
What did we learn from Joseph?
John 15:1-4
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
LINKS:
CELEBRATE YOUR DECISION!
PARTNER IN GIVING