Believers can be patient while suffering
Shoe leather Christianity: A study in James • Sermon • Submitted
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Open: Toddler Challenge. A toddler is set before a small bag of candy, and is told that if he waits until the parent returns he can have all of it. But, he has to wait before he can eat any of the candy. The toddler is filmed when the parent leaves the room. Most of the 3 year olds go for the candy as soon as possible.
Open: Toddler Challenge. A toddler is set before a small bag of candy, and is told that if he waits until the parent returns he can have all of it. But, he has to wait before he can eat any of the candy. The toddler is filmed when the parent leaves the room. Most of the 3 year olds go for the candy as soon as possible.
Transition: Even though they were told they could have more by waiting just a few minutes, most don’t wait. And we laugh as we watch how quickly most of the toddlers give in.
Sadly, many adult believers give in too quickly when the pressure is applied. Our heavenly Father is watching and rooting for us, and He desires to give us so much more - if we would only do it His way.
James gives the believer hope and encouragement for facing the trials that come our way. Let’s read this short section together and discover the practical instructions that James equips the believer with for developing patience while suffering.
Believers can grow in Sanctification during suffering by focusing on the Return of the King (James 5:7-8)
Believers can grow in Sanctification during suffering by focusing on the Return of the King (James 5:7-8)
Explanation: James has just finished calling out the ungodly rich for their oppressive behavior. He then immediately addresses his audience as brethren, so it appears that these believers were being oppressed by the ungodly rich. The word therefore makes a connection so the understanding is that the oppression was likely the result of their faith in Christ. As a result, James is preparing them with instructions on how to handle this type of suffering. [Important to make the distinction they were suffering for their faith]
James begins the instruction by exhorting them to focus on the Return of Jesus. The Greek word is translated into the English word coming, but a more full understanding would involve His arrival. James is reminding them that the dominion of this world system is temporary, and it will be overthrown when Jesus arrives back on planet earth to set up His physical Kingdom.
Illustrate: An older child can take advantage and be mean to a younger sibling and make his or her life miserable. That behavior ends when the parent returns to the home.
Argument: Jesus IS coming back. Jesus will definitely physically return and establish His dominion (Daniel 7:13,14; Matthew 16:27; John 14:3; Acts 1:11). The question of His Return always focuses on WHEN, not IF.
When Christ comes back the tables will be turned and the wicked will be punished by the Rightful Judge. That is why it is so important that we as believers remain patient and allow Jesus to be the One who dispenses justice and punishment. Vengeance belongs to God, not man. Read the text of Romans 12:19-21)
Application: Suffering for righteousness is never easy. Life is unfair and we have the natural desire to get even, to hit back when we see an opportunity. But we are called to a higher standard, and God’s word directs us to remain patient under such evil suffering by trusting in His timing.
Believers can grow in Sanctification through suffering by refusing to have a critical spirit (James 5:9)
Believers can grow in Sanctification through suffering by refusing to have a critical spirit (James 5:9)
Explanation: James also warns his fellow believers to guard against developing critical or negative spirits towards fellow believers. Sometimes when the pressures grow by outside powerful forces we cannot control, we resort to taking out our frustrations on those around us. This is not a good option, and James speaks out against this when he states, grudge not against one another. James is very much aware of human nature and knows our weakness. Sadly, when we can’t strike back against oppressors who are too powerful, we strike back against our own
Illustrate: A dad who routinely is given a hard time at work by his superiors takes out his anger on his family when he returns home. A bad situation becomes worse.
Argument: James gives a warning to his fellow believers that we should also heed. James gives them the understanding that two wrongs do not make a right. Even under unfair & wicked oppression by others, it is not ok to take it out on fellow believers. If we do, we too will have to answer for it (lest ye be condemned). The word for condemned in this verse is better understood as judged to distinguish between that and the condemnation of the wicked lost.
When Christ returns and sets up His kingdom He will right all wrongs and He will judge each according to His works. And this includes us as believers. We as believers will not be part of the crowd at the GWT Judgment (Rev 20:11-15), but we will be judged by Christ for our thoughts and actions as believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
Application: You CAN avoid developing a negative spirit even when you are in negative situations. It is not just a manner of positive thinking; rather it is living in light of the judgment and remembering that this life is temporary
Believers can grow in Sanctification through suffering by reflecting on the examples of the steadfast (James 5:10-11)
Believers can grow in Sanctification through suffering by reflecting on the examples of the steadfast (James 5:10-11)
Explanation: To reinforce his fellow believer’s understanding that the instructions are in fact possible for them to live out, James reminds them to reflect on the lives of the faithful saints of the past. It is indeed possible for believers to remain faithful and steadfast under unfairness because other believers have already done so!
Illustrate: Think about being assigned what is a seemingly impossible task. (Taking on going to school while having a full-time job, raising children as a single parent, breaking out of the poverty cycle, overcoming a physical disability - wounded warriors)
Argument: In each of the above examples, the track record is clear - success has already been achieved by someone who went before us. The mountain has been climbed, the river has been crossed, and the enemy has been defeated.
In the same way, believers have an incredibly rich history to look back on and to be encouraged by in the present. James is telling them to look at the lives of the prophets and then he singles out Job, and shows how these men remained faithful under great oppression. Note they weren’t perfect - that is not the requirement. They were, however, faithful and they finished their race. In like manner we can finish ours. We too can be like Paul who proclaimed, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Application: You are building your legacy every day. Each day you add to it or subtract from it. But you CAN build and leave a legacy for future generations. The question is: How do you want to be remembered?