http://bible.com/events/48849730

James and the Power of Patience
“Be patient and stand firm because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:8

‭‭James‬ ‭5:7-11‬‬
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

-This is not just a call to patience in general, but rather a command to be patient in suffering.
-Farmers don’t plant seeds and expect instant crops. They wait. That’s the visual here.
-In essence what James is saying is, “Don’t give up (be patient) and as you are enduring, encourage yourselves, strengthen your hearts (stand firm).”
-The reality of Christ’s return is a promise that we are not alone in our suffering. He is with us now through the power of His Spirit, and He is coming back!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:10-13‬‬
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Applying these truths in our lives today:
1. STOP being surprised
-we cannot be surprised when hard times come in our lives
-“consider it joy when you face trials” (James 1:2)
-Jesus said “in this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33)
2. START standing firm
-Don’t be surprised. Hard times will come. Challenges will come. This broken world will experience more brokenness. Be patient. Stand firm.
-We can stand firm, because our eyes are fixed on Him.
-We can stand firm, because His promises are true.
-We can stand, because His Spirit is within us. And this is not the end.

Verses for further study/reflection:
Romans 12:12
Galatians 6:9
Romans 8:25
Ephesians 4:2
Psalm 37:7-9

‭‭James‬ ‭5:7-11‬‬
Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner. Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.

James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

James and The Power of Patience (ER)
East Rock Campus
James 5:7-11

As we continue in our teaching series through James, he again is challenging us to see life through the lens of Gods kingdom, and to understand that patience is a required course for the follower of Jesus.

‭‭James‬ ‭5:7‬‬
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

To be patient is to exhibit self-restraint in the face of opposition and even aggravation.
– It is the opposite of being hot-headed, quick tempered, or short fused.
– It is to be slow to anger, Just like the Lord in Psalm 86:15
– The apostle Paul lists patience as a fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5

‭‭James‬ ‭5:8‬‬
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

The literal Greek wording here would be something like “Strengthen your hearts”

James understood that our hearts can grow weary under trials. That we can easily get tired of waiting on the Lord and give up our hope.

It is within the seasons of hard times or suffering that James’ call to patience perhaps finds its deepest significance in our lives.

‭‭James‬ ‭5:9‬‬
Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James is talking about patience, about our need to endure, to stand firm in the Lord, and then he says “Hey, don’t take it out on your brothers and sisters”. “Don’t lash out at them”

James knows and understands the human tendency when we are under pressure, under the strains of life, to lash out at other people.

The harder things are going, the less patient we tend to be with others.

‭‭James‬ ‭5:10-11‬‬
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James does not mention a specific prophet in this text, but it was well known that the prophets of the Old Testament were treated terribly by the pagan nations and even their own people because of the word they spoke.

As William Barclay says “Job’s example is no groveling, passive, unquestioning submission; Job struggled and questioned and sometimes defied, but the flame of faith was never extinguished in his heart”

James has not sugar coated the challenges and hardships that face believers in this life. He knows we are going to be weary- we are going to be tempted to grumble to the Lord, to one another, even about one another. We may even be tempted to think the Lord will not follow through.

Yet, he says be patient! Stand firm! Have confidence in the Lord my friends.

In response to the message today, what would it look like for you to take James at his word?

In the middle of the trials, the burdens, and the brokenness, will you make the decision to stand firm in the Lord?

Let’s make that stand together!

James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

http://bible.com/events/48846138

James and Rich and Wrong
Who has your heart?

‭‭James‬ ‭5:1-6‬‬
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

The clarifying question here is this: “What is the problem?”
-The root of the problem James is addressing is greed, our desires driving us to want more and more.
-“You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence” James 5:5
-Next James provides a visual of what this looks like: “You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.” James 5:5

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:15‬‬
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

The Bible talks a lot about money. Jesus speaks a lot about money. And we have a lot of questions:
-Why does the Bible talk about money so much?
-Is it wrong to have money?
-Should I feel guilty?
-Why do I give to the church?
-How much do I have to give?

The best question we should be asking:
Who has your heart?

Verses for further study/reflection:
Luke 12:13-21
Psalm 63:1-11
1 John 2:16
2 Corinthians 9:7
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 52:5-7

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:16-26‬‬
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

James and Rich and Wrong (ER)
Ecclesiastes 5:10:
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless

‭‭James‬ ‭5:1-6‬‬
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Biblical commentator John Ritenbaugh describes greed as a “ruthless self–seeking and an arrogant assumption that others and things exist for one’s own benefit (James would say for one’s own luxury and self-indulgence).”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:16-26‬‬
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:26‬‬
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

YOUR LIFE WILL ALWAYS REVEAL
WHAT YOUR HEART TRULY TREASURES

So what is the best question to ask yourself?

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:8-9‬‬
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Scripture for further study/reflection:
Luke 12:13-21
Psalm 63:1-11
1 John 2:16
2 Corinthians 9:7
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 52:5-7

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:16-26‬‬
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

http://bible.com/events/48841888

James and Tomorrow
Tomorrow belongs to God and God alone.

‭‭James‬ ‭4:13-17‬‬
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

-The specific reason James points us here is not because of the ‘what’ but because of the ‘why’.
-James is not condemning the actions specifically of planning ahead, or running a successful business. He is pointing to the motivation behind the actions.

1. As we live our lives, we must have a proper view of our lives.
-“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (Verse 14)
2. As we live our lives, we must have a proper view of God.
-“Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ ” (Verse 15)
3. Living in such a way without this perspective is not just unwise, it is boastful and evil.
-“As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.” (Verse 16)

‭‭John‬ ‭6:38‬‬
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

Bottom Line:
Tomorrow belongs to God and God alone.

Verses for further study/reflection:

‭‭James‬ ‭4:13-17‬‬
And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.

‭‭John‬ ‭6:35-38‬‬
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

Proverbs 27:1
Job 14:5
Ecclesiastes 9:12
Psalm 103:15
1 Peter 1:24