Patience When Enduring

1. Patience When Enduring • r

2. What is a God Directed Patience • Col. 1:11 - strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy • Patience (Col 1:11) – [hypomonē – stay under: endurance] • Thayer defines it: "steadfastness, constancy, endurance; in the N.T. the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings" (Thayer, p. 644). The verb form means "to persevere, to endure, bear bravely and calmly" (Ibid.). • It is the spirit which can bear things, not simply with resignation, but with blazing hope; it is . . . the spirit which bears things because it knows that these things are leading to a goal of glory; it is not the patience which grimly waits for the end, but the patience which radiantly hopes for the dawn" (William Barclay, New Testament Words, pp. 143-144). • Longsuffering (Col 1:11) – [makrothumeo – long temper] • e.g. Patience God has shown toward us, Jesus toward apostles, each other, Patience toward God We need to see that patience depends on the trials and problems before us. Without them, we could not "abide under" anything

3. Bart Ehrman* “If there is an all-powerful and loving God in this world, why is there so much excruciating pain and unspeakable suffering? The problem of suffering has haunted me for a very long time.” “…Eventually, though, I felt compelled to leave Christianity altogether. … In particular, I could no longer explain how there can be a good and all-powerful God actively involved with this world, given the state of things. For many people who inhabit this planet, life is a cesspool of misery and suffering. I came to a point where I simply could not believe that there is a good and kindly disposed Ruler who is in charge of it.” *Ehrman, author of Misquoting Jesus and more than a dozen other books, chairs the religious studies department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

4. Two Choices It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; (2 Tim 2:12)

5. God’s Call to Spiritual Growth (2 Peter 1:5-8)Patience- A necessary part of the Christian’s character For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (vs 8) sought with diligence (hypomonē) My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to by My disciples. John 15:8

6. Hebrews 10:32-39 (Need & Motivation for Patience) 32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. A Foundation of Patience

7. Hebrews 12:1-2 (Need & Motivation for Patience) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, A Foundation of Patience Romans 12:10-12 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

8. James 5:7-8 (Need & Motivation for Patience) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Context - In response to mistreatment A Foundation of Patience Make the purposes of the heart firm and sure in the face of trials. Future exaltation justifies present effort and patience

9. James 1:2-4 The Result of Trials It is our faith that produces the motivation to endure 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. A Foundation of Patience James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him

10. The Result of Trials 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance (endurance ESV); 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5) Because of our faith and our hope we glory in trials because these trials produce patience. Patience produces proven character - that which has been tested and found to be pure gold (1 Pet. 1:6ff).

11. It is the strength that God gives us that helps us endure with joy. By our looking to the joy that is to come, we can patiently endure any present sufferings or discouragements. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18). Colossians 1:9-14 - And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

12. Examples of Patience fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) A Foundation of Patience As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. (James 5:10)

13. Examples of Patience 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5) A Foundation of Patience

14. Examples of Patience and Impatience • Job (James 5:11; Job 1:20-22) • Abraham (Hebrews 6:13-15 - having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.) • Abraham deciding to have a child by Sarah’s maidservant (Genesis 16), rather than waiting on God to provide a son as He had promised (Genesis 15:4). • Prophets – Jeremiah - “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD” (Lamentations 3:25-26). • Noah • Joseph • King Saul offering burnt offering (I Sam. 13) • Jesus • Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:1) • Prodigal Son/Father • Mary and Martha when their brother, Lazarus got very sick (John 11)

15. Current Day Heroes of Faith • Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith (Heb. 13:7) Brothers and Sisters,I cannot begin to thank you for the spiritual and physical gifts that you've given Jennifer and me as we go through this trial. Regardless of how the surgery goes tomorrow, I know that God is in control and knows what's best for us.I have a whole new appreciation for our theme of "building on the rock," and it's hard to put into words how much comfort and strength I get from having spent the last seven years with you all building our lives on the teachings of Christ.More than anything, I'm feeling extremely blessed right now.Love, Dan Blimline

16. Examples of Patience As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’sperseverance (endurance NASB) and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11) • In one day Job lost all of his possessions and all ten of his children. • He then lost his health and his friends and wife turned on him • Job had two options in the midst of all his difficulties: he could give up or he could handle his problems through faith in God and through patience (perseverance). • He did not lose his faith or give himself over to Satan • "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (1:21). • "Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!" (Job 23:3).

17. The ‘Endurance’ of Job Job’s faith endured, though not supported by: • Blessings from God (evidence of God’s approval) • Revelation (explanation from God) • Tradition/Philosophy (explanation from man) • Personal Experience (precedents in life) • Hope (promise of relief or reward for enduring) • Human support (to sympathize, & defend him) • Companionship (someone to share in the suffering) M. Broadwell How do you explain this type of faith?

18. Job’s Real Dilemma What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. (3:25) Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy? (13:24) His anger burns against me; he counts me among his enemies. (19:11) 2 “How I long for the months gone by,    for the days when God watched over me, 3 when his lamp shone on my head    and by his light I walked through darkness! 4 Oh, for the days when I was in my prime,    when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house, 5 when the Almighty was still with me    and my children were around me… (29:2) M. Broadwell

19. What the Book of Job is About Why Job Served God What Job Did Right What Job Feared Most God is worthy to be served. He never lost Confidence in God. He feared loss of fellowship with God. Since the nature of God does not change, and if our service to Him is only based on God’s nature, not on the events of this life, we will never lose the only thing that matters: fellowship with God. M. Broadwell

20. When We Are Suffering… 1. We should answer the 3 questions asked about Job by: Satan, Job's wife, & God. a. Do you serve God for nothing? (1:9) God is worthy to be served for His nature alone. b. Are you still whole? (2:7) The essence of our being cannot be touched by earthly affliction. c. Who is this (that is dark with respect to my providence) with words without knowledge?(38:2) We are severely limited in our ability to assess the causes and effects of things. M. Broadwell

21. When We Are Suffering… 2. We should remember Job's 3 conclusions after Jehovah's speeches. a. God can do all things. (42:2a) There is no weakness of God exposed in our tragedy. b. No plan can be thwarted.(42:2b) He is exercising control; He is working a plan, which will achieve His desired result. • I have spoken of things...too wonderful for me to know. (42:3) We should not expect or demand (40:2-4) an explanation. We cannot expect/demand that the world to make sense to us. M. Broadwell

22. When We Are Suffering… • We should try to remember that we do not deserve our blessings, and do not receive the punishments we deserve (42:8). • “…But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren…14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage….17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” – Heb 2:9-18 • Jesus "abided under" the burden, let it have "its perfect work," and he was "perfect and entire, lacking in nothing." • Jesus leads us through the darkness of disappointment & suffering

23. Mary & Martha (John 11:1-45) • What does this story reveal about: • Suffering (who will suffer & its duration) • The struggle between faith & doubt • The role of Jesus in our suffering

24. Mary & Martha (John 11:1-45) • What does this story reveal about: • Suffering (who will suffer & its duration) • All will suffer, even his disciples • It will have an end, perhaps not according to our time table. • When Jesus called for Lazarus to come forth, Jesus proved that our suffering and darkness will not be forever. • The struggle between faith & doubt • We will not always understand the plans and purposes • At times His words & promises may seem confusing with the reality of our lives. • Faith (knowing and trusting God) and Patience will lead to the appropriate response (21-27, 32) • They didn’t have answers but the did know Jesus. Do you believe “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” (vs 3) • Others will question the love of Jesus

25. Mary & Martha (John 11:1-45) • What does this story reveal about: • Suffering (who will suffer & its duration) • The struggle between faith & doubt • The role of Jesus in our suffering • He came into the darkness and experienced it • He took on the weight of the consequence of sin • He leads us into the darkness of suffering, pain & difficulty because He sees a greater good. • He knows the end of the story – • Eventually He removes the darkness. For those in Jesus Christ, all the darkness will give way to light, all the death will be swallowed up in life and all the defeats we face will be crushed in the victory of the son of God. That is what gives us reason to have patience as we follow Jesus through our suffering.

26. (John 11 – Faith in the Midst of Suffering) • “so that you may believe” (vs 15) • “Do you believe this?” (vs 26) • “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.” (vs27) • “so that they may believe that You sent Me” (vs 42) • “many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him” (vs 45) • John 12:3 - 3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. • the stench of death and evil will turn into the fragrance of peace and joy at the table with Jesus. (B. Hall)

27. How to Add Patience to Your Attitude • Let God Develop it in you - Allow God to put you through the hard times – Heb. 12:7,11 - It is for discipline that you endure; 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness • Learn to pray through the trials – • Trust God and Romans 8:28 • Thank God for everything (1Thes 5:18) • Look ahead (Heb 11:16) - desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one • Desire the Crown – there is a reward for Christian Patience (James 1:12)