Steadfast Patience

Notes from my pastor last Sunday on James 5:7-12:

Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, [1] until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

-God wants to grow godly character in us. The soil of suffering and adversity yields godly character.

-Patience=self-restraint that does not retaliate

-We must have a determination not to fall away in the face of suffering.

-Jesus's maturity came through suffering.

-To be patient you must have a resolute heart (settled, determined, focused heart).

-We establish our hearts by grace and by the anchor for our souls--the gospel.

-The gospel reminds us how much slack God has given us. We are called to love others in the same way.

Questions:

-Do I believe grace grows best in the soil of suffering?

-Do I see the end and know that patient edurance is worth it?

-What do I expect of God and why?