James 5:7-12

1. Series – ‘Developing a faith that works’
Today
‘The power of
patience and
persistence’
James 5:7-12

2. James addressing suffering Christians
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your
faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance
finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything – James 1:2-4

3. James addressing suffering Christians
When all kinds of trials and
temptations crowd into your
lives my brothers, don’t resent
them as intruders, but welcome
them as friends!
James 1:2 (J B Phillips)

4. The Greek bit!
Patience = Gk ‘macrothumia’
several shades of meaning – ‘long anger’
having a long fuse and not a short fuse
Perseverance = Gk ‘huponome’
constant endurance

5. 1. WHEN should I wait?
2. WHY should I wait?
3. HOW should I wait?

6. WHEN should I wait?
See how the farmer waits for the land to
yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting
for the autumn and spring rains
James 5:7b
Circumstances are outside our control

7. WHEN should I wait?
“True patience is
waiting without
worrying”
Chuck Swindoll

8. WHEN should I wait?
Brothers and sisters, as an example of
patience in the face of suffering, take the
prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord
James 5:10
Other people don’t seem to change

9. WHEN should I wait?
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 5:11
No explanation for your suffering

10. WHY should I wait patiently?
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the
Lord’s coming – James 5:7a
Y0u too, be patient and stand firm, because
the Lord’s coming is near – James 5:8
Demonstrates that God is in control

11. WHY should I wait patiently?
But the plans of the Lord stand firm for ever,
the purposes of his heart through
all generations
Psalm 33:11
Demonstrates that God is in control

12. WHY should I wait patiently?
… we count as blessed those who have
persevered. You have heard of Job’s
perseverance and have seen what
the Lord finally brought about.
James 5:11
God rewards patience & persistence

13. WHY should I wait patiently?
When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord
restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave
him twice as much as before!
Job 42:10
God rewards patience & persistence

14. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness … Blessed are you when people
insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds
of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be
glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for
in the same way they persecuted the prophets who
were before you
Matt 5:10-12

15. HOW should I wait patiently?
I wait eagerly for the LORD’s help,
and in His word I trust
Psalm 130:5 (GNB)
Sense of expectation
“Waiting for an answer to prayer
is often part of the answer”

16. HOW should I wait patiently?
Don’t grumble against one another, brothers
and sisters, or you will be judged - James 5:9a
Wait without grumbling and groaning
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love
Eph 4:2

17. WHEN should I wait?
• Circumstances are outside our control
• Other people don’t seem to change
• No explanation why you’re suffering

18. WHY should I wait patiently?
• God is in control
• God rewards patience

19. HOW should I wait patiently?
• With a sense of expectation
• Without grumbling an groaning

20. Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer
Rom 12:12
The final word