The Many Forms of Patience

Text: II Timothy 2:23-26

 

I.         The example of Job

            A.        Job understood that there is no arguing with the Creator of the universe - Job 9:1-4

            B.        But in his frustrations with his friends’ insistence that he sinned, he wanted to argue his case - Job 23:1-7

            C.        In this Job was wrong, but we find him repenting - Job 40:1-8; 42:1-6

            D.        Job wasn’t perfect, but he held on to his trust in God - James 5:11

II.        Endurance

            A.        Hardening oneself against suffering. It is the staying power to keep going until the end.

                        1.         We are so use to immediate gratification that too many people quickly give up

                        2.         Job felt like giving up. He wanted to die. But what we see is man who continued anyway

            B.        Hebrews 10:36-39 - We need endurance to receive the promise. We cannot shrink back

                        1.         Life is going to be difficult at times. We are going to feel like it is too much

                        2.         But we will put in the effort to gain the full assurance of hope - Hebrews 6:11

                        3.         We must hold fast our confidence and boast of our hope firm until the end - Hebrews 3:6

            C.        The importance of hope

                        1.         Comfort of the Scriptures and endurance leads to hope - Romans 15:4-5

                        2.         It is a cycle that stimulates greater hope - Romans 5:1-5

                        3.         And with hope comes steadfastness - I Thessalonians 1:3

            D.        Fortitude - Endurance due to courage

                        1.         “... the strength or firmness of mind which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency. It is passive courage, resolute endurance.” [Locke]

                        2.         But courage doesn’t mean a lack of fear

                        3.         The example of Moses

                                    a.         He fled Egypt in fear - Exodus 2:14-15

                                    b.         He did not want to go back. He asked God to send someone else - Exodus 4:10-13

                                    c.         Yet his faith in God caused him to endure - Hebrews 11:27

                        4.         God sees the end result, not the momentary weaknesses

                        5.         What God emphasized with Moses was the fact that He would be with Moses

                                    a.         When I’m afraid, I will trust God. Man cannot harm me - Psalms 56:3-4

                                    b.         With God on our side to strengthen us, why should we fear? - Psalms 27:1

                                    c.         God holds our hand, so do not be dismayed - Isaiah 41:10-13

                        6.         Look at Paul holding on despite hardship - II Corinthians 4:8-11

III.       Submission

            A.        Yielding to the will or authority of another

            B.        I Peter 2:13-14 - Submit to governments for the Lord’s sake

            C.        James 4:7 - Submit to God

            D.        Jesus submitted to the Father’s will - John 5:30

                        1.         But he wasn’t looking forward to his death - John 12:27-28

                        2.         Jesus was resigned to what needed to be done

            E.        Resignation is the acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable

            F.        What good is it to be angry that plants are not producing when you would like? It is not in my power to ripen grain at my pleasure. My being angry won’t affect the plants, it won’t change the yield. Therefore, I must wait for the earth to yield fruit in her time.

            G.        Though Jesus was the Son of God, he learned obedience - Hebrews 5:7-9

                        1.         He prayed that it might not happen. He wasn’t desiring it

                        2.         But he went anyway

            H.        You don’t always have to like something to do what is right

IV.      Patience

            A.        One aspect of patience is uncomplaining steadiness in an activity

                        1.         Patience is the opposite of despondency. “Oh, What’s the use!”

                        2.         Patience keeps going

                        3.         It is what is needed to preach the gospel - II Timothy 4:1-5

            B.        Patience is also the capacity to accept or tolerate inconvenience or suffering without getting angry or upset

                        1.         Again, it is needed to teach - II Timothy 2:23-26

                        2.         Patience is the ability to remain kind in the face of vexatious conduct

                        3.         Insults are like mud. Rush to deal with it and it doesn’t easily go away. It will only lead to quarrels. Wait for things to cool down and dry up, and it is easily brushed off

            C.        Forbearance is abstaining from retaliation or revenge

                        1.         Again we have Christ’s example for us - Isaiah 53:7-9

                        2.         People can irritate you, but we are to not strike back - Ephesians 4:2

                        3.         Ever have a boss who really annoys you? Take a few deep breaths to calm down - Proverbs 25:15

                                    a.         You can persuade a ruler by forbearance (literally deep breathes)

                                    b.         Even if ruler is angry at you, composure allays great offenses - Ecclesiastes 10:4

            D.        Longsuffering is continued patience.

                        1.         It is the opposite of anger. In the face of provocation, it does not rashly retaliate.

                        2.         I Corinthians 13:4 - Love suffers long

                        3.         Paul’s pray was that we be strengthened to obtain all steadfastness and patience - Colossians 1:9-12

                        4.         It isn’t a one time act, but one that continues

V.        It is a demonstration of God’s patience that we are still here

            A.        He is patient with each one of us - II Peter 3:9

            B.        Psalms 86:15 - God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and truth

            C.        Exodus 34:6-7 - God is compassionate and slow to anger. Not that He will not punish, but He is willing to wait.

            D.        Romans 2:4 - God’s patience should lead you to change before it is too late

Print Friendly, PDF & Email