But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23
Jesus once told a parable about the importance of bearing fruit. He said, “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For 3 years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ” (Luke 13:6-9)
In this parable God is generally thought of as the owner of the vineyard and Jesus is the gardener. The parable teaches that God deeply desires for His children to bear fruit and be productive. Though He is patient, at some point He becomes frustrated when they continually fail to do so. That said, Jesus contends for fruitless believers and works optimistically in their lives that they might eventually bear fruit.
The fruit that we are to bear is called the fruit of the Spirit and is made up of various virtues or nutrients. Thus far we have discussed 3 of these - love, joy, and peace. This morning, as we continue our study together, we will focus on patience. I can’t wait to get started… Maybe I should work on that.
I. PATIENCE DEFINED
Patience can be defined as “slow to speak and slow to anger”. This phrase was written by Jesus’ half-brother James, who became a prominent leader in the early church after Christ’s death (James 1:19). Another word used in some translations of the Bible as a synonym for patience is longsuffering. The word patience or longsuffering comes from the Greek makrothumia and carries the ideas of endurance, constancy, steadfastness, and perseverance.
Patience is a slowness in avenging wrongs. It is the quality of restraint that prevents believers from speaking or acting hastily in the face of disagreement, opposition, or persecution. It leaves room from God to exact vindication (Romans 12:19). Patience is bearing pain or problems without complaining or acting out. A patient person is able to hold their tongue and control their temper, even as they are being mistreated or wronged.
The virtue of patience is closely related to that of peace, which we discussed in last week’s message. Patience deals with a person’s ability to tolerate offenses without reacting defensively. Peace deals with a person’s inner contentment and freedom from worry, as well as the outward nature of their relationships. Peaceful people are typically more patient, and those who are patient tend to experience more peace. These 2 virtues go together.
II. PATIENCE EXEMPLIFIED IN CHRIST
In His flesh, Jesus was the most patient person who ever lived. This can be seen by the way He related with others, especially His apostle Peter. By all accounts, Peter tended to be quite impulsive and often stuck his foot in his mouth. At times, Peter openly denied and disputed with Christ. Even still, Jesus dealt with Peter patiently, allowing him time to grow and mature, knowing that someday Peter would become a great man of God. Such is His approach with all Christians.
In a letter to his younger friend Timothy, Paul described himself as the worst of sinners because he had ruthlessly and cruelly persecuted Christians before trusting in Christ. Paul marveled that Jesus, who came into the world to save sinners, had shown mercy on him and granted Him forgiveness. Paul’s remarkable salvation clearly demonstrated Jesus’ incredible patience and became an example for other sinners who might also believe in Him (1 Timothy 1:15-17). Jesus is patient with sinners.
Jesus also showed patience as it related to the timing of God’s plan. He was careful not to rush the public onset of His ministry. When His mother asked Him to perform a miracle during the wedding at Cana, Jesus said that His time had not yet come (John 2:4). Jesus was never in a hurry to accelerate His work or popularity, and often told people to keep quiet about the things they'd seen Him do. Even now, Jesus sits at the right hand of God and patiently waits for the completion of God’s plan (Hebrews 10:12-13).
III. OTHER SCRIPTURES ABOUT PATIENCE
We as Christians are commanded to be patient. Paul urges us, as brothers and sisters in the family of God, to be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). In his epistle, James advises believers to be patient and stand firm, knowing that Jesus is coming again soon (James 5:8-9). The apostle Peter tells us that when we patiently endure suffering for doing right, God is pleased (1 Peter 2:20).
Patience is a sign of wisdom and strength. Scripture states that a patient person has great understanding, while the quick-tempered are foolish (Proverbs 14:29). A patient man calms nerves and resolves quarrels while a hot-tempered one stirs up dissension and strife (Proverbs 15:8). Any idiot can lash out verbally or throw a punch, but it takes real discipline and self-control to be patient.
Patience is also a sign of hope and trust. Christians can be patient because they know that God will keep His promises and that Jesus will come again to establish His kingdom. Patience believes in the best for others, sees their potential, and allows them time to become all that they can and should be. Patience trusts that God will make all things right and just in His perfect time.
CONCLUSION
God patiently waits upon sinners because He lovingly desires for everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He withholds His judgment and anger, though it is long overdue. God does not want anyone to perish, though sadly He knows that many will. In other words, God’s patience with men springs forth from His love of men. In the same way, when we love others we will naturally be patient with them.
I have heard it said jokingly that we as Christians should never pray for patience. To do so invites all sorts of difficulties and abuses upon our lives, as these are the means by which God develops this virtue. Nevertheless, I say let the troubles come. May they test and strengthen our patience, that we might display this nutrient of the fruit of the Spirit to the fullest. May we know and have the patience of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Next week… kindness. I’m certain it will be a very nice message. See you then!
Jesus once told a parable about the importance of bearing fruit. He said, “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For 3 years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ” (Luke 13:6-9)
In this parable God is generally thought of as the owner of the vineyard and Jesus is the gardener. The parable teaches that God deeply desires for His children to bear fruit and be productive. Though He is patient, at some point He becomes frustrated when they continually fail to do so. That said, Jesus contends for fruitless believers and works optimistically in their lives that they might eventually bear fruit.
The fruit that we are to bear is called the fruit of the Spirit and is made up of various virtues or nutrients. Thus far we have discussed 3 of these - love, joy, and peace. This morning, as we continue our study together, we will focus on patience. I can’t wait to get started… Maybe I should work on that.
I. PATIENCE DEFINED
Patience can be defined as “slow to speak and slow to anger”. This phrase was written by Jesus’ half-brother James, who became a prominent leader in the early church after Christ’s death (James 1:19). Another word used in some translations of the Bible as a synonym for patience is longsuffering. The word patience or longsuffering comes from the Greek makrothumia and carries the ideas of endurance, constancy, steadfastness, and perseverance.
Patience is a slowness in avenging wrongs. It is the quality of restraint that prevents believers from speaking or acting hastily in the face of disagreement, opposition, or persecution. It leaves room from God to exact vindication (Romans 12:19). Patience is bearing pain or problems without complaining or acting out. A patient person is able to hold their tongue and control their temper, even as they are being mistreated or wronged.
The virtue of patience is closely related to that of peace, which we discussed in last week’s message. Patience deals with a person’s ability to tolerate offenses without reacting defensively. Peace deals with a person’s inner contentment and freedom from worry, as well as the outward nature of their relationships. Peaceful people are typically more patient, and those who are patient tend to experience more peace. These 2 virtues go together.
II. PATIENCE EXEMPLIFIED IN CHRIST
In His flesh, Jesus was the most patient person who ever lived. This can be seen by the way He related with others, especially His apostle Peter. By all accounts, Peter tended to be quite impulsive and often stuck his foot in his mouth. At times, Peter openly denied and disputed with Christ. Even still, Jesus dealt with Peter patiently, allowing him time to grow and mature, knowing that someday Peter would become a great man of God. Such is His approach with all Christians.
In a letter to his younger friend Timothy, Paul described himself as the worst of sinners because he had ruthlessly and cruelly persecuted Christians before trusting in Christ. Paul marveled that Jesus, who came into the world to save sinners, had shown mercy on him and granted Him forgiveness. Paul’s remarkable salvation clearly demonstrated Jesus’ incredible patience and became an example for other sinners who might also believe in Him (1 Timothy 1:15-17). Jesus is patient with sinners.
Jesus also showed patience as it related to the timing of God’s plan. He was careful not to rush the public onset of His ministry. When His mother asked Him to perform a miracle during the wedding at Cana, Jesus said that His time had not yet come (John 2:4). Jesus was never in a hurry to accelerate His work or popularity, and often told people to keep quiet about the things they'd seen Him do. Even now, Jesus sits at the right hand of God and patiently waits for the completion of God’s plan (Hebrews 10:12-13).
III. OTHER SCRIPTURES ABOUT PATIENCE
We as Christians are commanded to be patient. Paul urges us, as brothers and sisters in the family of God, to be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). In his epistle, James advises believers to be patient and stand firm, knowing that Jesus is coming again soon (James 5:8-9). The apostle Peter tells us that when we patiently endure suffering for doing right, God is pleased (1 Peter 2:20).
Patience is a sign of wisdom and strength. Scripture states that a patient person has great understanding, while the quick-tempered are foolish (Proverbs 14:29). A patient man calms nerves and resolves quarrels while a hot-tempered one stirs up dissension and strife (Proverbs 15:8). Any idiot can lash out verbally or throw a punch, but it takes real discipline and self-control to be patient.
Patience is also a sign of hope and trust. Christians can be patient because they know that God will keep His promises and that Jesus will come again to establish His kingdom. Patience believes in the best for others, sees their potential, and allows them time to become all that they can and should be. Patience trusts that God will make all things right and just in His perfect time.
CONCLUSION
God patiently waits upon sinners because He lovingly desires for everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He withholds His judgment and anger, though it is long overdue. God does not want anyone to perish, though sadly He knows that many will. In other words, God’s patience with men springs forth from His love of men. In the same way, when we love others we will naturally be patient with them.
I have heard it said jokingly that we as Christians should never pray for patience. To do so invites all sorts of difficulties and abuses upon our lives, as these are the means by which God develops this virtue. Nevertheless, I say let the troubles come. May they test and strengthen our patience, that we might display this nutrient of the fruit of the Spirit to the fullest. May we know and have the patience of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Next week… kindness. I’m certain it will be a very nice message. See you then!