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Blueprints: A Study of James Part 12 – Persevering with Purpose
August 25, 2024Blueprints: A Study of James
Part 12 – Persevering with Purpose
James 5:7-12
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3
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. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 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.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. James 5:7-12
Patience means “to or when you would literally like to run away.”
- “” refers to patience with respect to persons.
- “” refers to patience with conditions or circumstances.
In this passage, James offers us three encouraging examples of patient endurance:
1. The
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. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:7-9
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
James gives us the silver bullet, for enduring in life: To know, to believe, to trust that God is producing a in our lives!
9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9
2. The
10 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
- The prophets suffered despite following the .
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 2 Timothy 3:12.
20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:20
- The prophets remind us that God cares for us when we suffer for .
3.
11 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 5:11
Job’s book carries a powerful message…
- Job’s . (Job 1-3)
- Job’s . (Job 4-31)
- Job’s . (Job 38-42)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Job 13:15
Job teaches us that God has a higher purpose in suffering than the .
In Job, the Lord revealed the fullness of His c and tender .
5 My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5
Through Job’s difficult experiences, God was and Job was !
Some of the trials that we face in life are the direct result of the in this world.
In the trials and suffering of life, God is us… 10 But he knows the way that I take when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. James 5:12
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