FAITH WORKS PERSEVERINGLY
James 5:7-11
FAITH WORKS #15
Often Christians are called to persevere under the
most difficult of circumstances. We
already know that we could at anytime face trials, tribulations and/or
persecution. In such situations we are
called upon to persevere. The Christians that James was writing to were facing
various trials, tribulations, and persecution or mistreatment. One of the
problems they faced was mistreatment or persecution from wealthy land owners
who would withhold or cheat them out of their pay. These wealthy land owners are rebuked in
James 5:1-5.
James next encourages those who are persecuted or
mistreated to persevere in spite of their circumstances. In James 5:7-11, we
learn that we are to:
PERSEVERE BY EXPECTING THE LORD’S COMING – Vss. 7-8
Vs. 7 – The word patient here means to be
‘long-tempered’. It has to do with our reaction to people who persecute, abuse,
or cause us difficulty.
We are to be patient until the Lord comes. 1
Thessalonians 4:16-18
When do people most want the Lord to come?
Not when things are going well, but when things are
not going well.
The church and individuals are most anxious for the
Lord to come when there is persecution and discomfort. Perhaps you have been
most anxious for the Lord’s return during times of adversity. If you have, you
are very normal.
James gives us an illustration of the farmer waiting
for rain.
Vs. 8 – Just as the farmer is patient. We are
also to be patient.
In our patience we are to establish or strengthen or
confirm our hearts. One of the ways we
do this is by anxiously anticipating His coming whether we things are going
well or not so well. Matthew 25:13, Mark 13:35-37, Luke 12:40, Titus 2:11-13, 1
Peter 4:7
Vs. 8 – James next tells us that the coming of the
Lord is “drawing nigh”.
It’s been almost 2000 years now since He left. How can we say that his coming is near? There are many who don’t think that He will
return at all! Things haven’t changed
since Bible times!
2 Peter 3:8-9 - According to these verses, Jesus has
just been God a couple of days according to God’s perspective. That’s not long
at all!
The Lord is not a slacker!
The Lord is delaying so more can be saved!
PERSEVERE BY EXCLUDING GRUMBLING
Vs. 9 – This grumbling was probably an inward
sigh or groaning. It was a bad attitude
towards others. There was bitterness towards others that would easily be
displayed in the ways others were treated.
There was a critical spirit afoot.
And James warns that we will be judged for that
critical spirit! Matthew 7:1-2
“The judge is standing at the door.”
If Jesus is coming back soon, and He is, the judge is
close by! 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 4:5
When we persevere we don’t grumble or whine.
We might not be able to change things, but we won’t
complain about others and let it get us down.
PERSEVERE BY EXAMINING BIBLICAL MODELS
Vs. 10 – To be called a “servant of God” is a honor.
But with that designation has often come
suffering and affliction at the hands of men.
James audience, which was suffering affliction
was encouraged to remember the example of the long suffering and patience of
the Old Testament prophets. Here was a
group whose suffering for the cause of righteousness were
legendary. Matthew 5:11-12, Matthew 23:37, 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15
Some Old Testament Prophets that suffered persecution
or hardship:
·
Moses – children of
·
David from Saul
·
Elijah by Ahab and Jezebel
·
Micaiah by Ahab – sent to prison for speaking the
truth. Diet was bread and water.
·
Amos - Amos 7:10-13
·
Jeremiah – thrown into muddy pit and left to die
·
Ezekiel – wife died
·
Daniel – lion’s den
·
Hosea – unfaithful wife
And besides this formidable list, we can add those who
have suffered as martyrs for Christ in times past, and even in our present day.
Compared to what others have suffered for the cause of
Christ, I have had to endure very little.
If I am forced to suffer I am to endure with the same patience of the
Old Testament prophets and the Christian mar
Vs. 11 – The prophets that endured were
blessed.
Then there was Job who persevered.
He lost all things and became dreadfully sick.
And yet, although Job did question God, and curse the
day he was born, and argue his righteousness with his comforters, Job never
denied or cursed God.
Job 13:15 - Though
he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before
him.
Job 19:25-27 - For
I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon
the earth: [26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall I see God: [27] Whom I shall
see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be
consumed within me.
And in the end, after God appeared to Job and Job
repented, God blessed Job once again.
Job 42:12-13 - So
the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had
fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen,
and a thousand she asses. [13] He had also seven sons and three daughters.
PERSEVERE BY EXPECTING THE LORD’S COMING
PERSEVERE BY EXCLUDING GRUMBLING
PERSEVERE BY EXAMINING BIBLICAL MODELS
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