Sermon Notes

SERMON: JULY 1/4 2021 “WAITING WELL”

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 the 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.

THE TENSION

How can we become more patient in the midst of our pain?

MY BURDEN

* Your patience is wearing thin.

* Impatience impedes intimacy.

* Impatience incites irritation.

Do not make one another uneasy by your murmuring groans at what befalls you, nor by your distrustful groans as to what may further come upon you, nor by your revengeful groans against the instruments of your sufferings, nor by your envious groans at those who may be free from your calamities: do not make yourselves uneasy and make one another uneasy by thus groaning to and grieving one another.

MESSAGE OUTLINE

* What should we wait for?

* How should we wait? 

* Very Good News!

WAITING FOR?

* Prayer answered

* Dream fulfilled

* Character refined

* Justice served

SECOND “COMING”

* Epiphania - manifestation

* Apokalupsis - revelation

* Paraousia

The third word, the one for the Lord’s “coming” in verses 7, 8 of our text, is paraousia, which emphasizes Christ’s physical presence, literally meaning “being alongside of.” It is used fifteen times in the New Testament in reference to Christ’ return, denoting the “the physical arrival of a ruler.” The significance of the word as James uses it here is that his suffering people longed for the presence of Christ their King.

Patience for the physical arrival and return of Jesus Christ was James’ command for 1st Century suffering Saints.

Waiting patiently on Jesus’s return is the climactic patience for the Christian — and note well, it is not 

a “patience” that amounts to being apathetic about his return. True patience presupposes acute longing and intense ache. We can’t be patient with his second coming if we don’t first pine for it. To look around 

at our broken and sin-sick world and say, “How long, O Lord?” does not betray patience but gives patience its greatest expression.

In the midst of our pain 

and suffering, we long far 

more for our comforts to 

return than our Christ!  

What if one of the primary purposes of your current season 

of pain and suffering is to develop within you a deeper longing for the future return of Jesus Christ?

3 EXAMPLES

* The Farmer

* The Prophets

* Job 

THE FARMER

Wait, expecting God’s providence. 

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. (v. 7)

THE PROPHETS

Wait, considering you’re blessed. 

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. (v. 10,11)

JOB

Wait, remembering God’s character. 

You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

(v. 11)

God cannot be unkind 

to his children.

THE FARMER

Wait, expecting God’s providence.

THE PROPHETS

Wait, considering you’re blessed.

JOB

Wait, remembering God’s character.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.