THE BOOK OF JAMES
(Developing Patience While Waiting on the Lord - July 16, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "Genuine Christian faith is proven true through action"
Sermon Big Idea: “Persecuted Christians can gain strength by anticipating the Lord's return"
Key Scripture (James 5:7-12)
James opened his letter by urging his readers to rejoice in hardships and trials because God allows these things to mature us. As we come to the end of this book, he now discusses the resources we have at our disposal for enduring harsh, ongoing persecution. In last week’s passage, James warned the rich oppressors of their coming judgment. The wealthy enjoy luxury now but will be judged for mistreating the innocent (5:1–6). Christians are to endure such persecution until the Lord returns.
(James 5:7-12)
Therefore, brothers, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Brothers, do not complain about one another so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door! 10 Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. 11 See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 Now above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. Your “yes” must be “yes,” and your “no” must be “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.
Remember, there is a reason that the word “therefore” is, therefore. He is continuing a thought. Some commentators say it is not so much trials Christians are to have patience with, it is people (1 Thessalonians 5:14). He probably has in mind here the oppressive rich. Under such persecution, believers are to be patient and stand firm until the Lord returns. The certainty that the “Judge is standing at the door” comforts and encourages (vv. 7–9).
It is no mystery that suffering and persecution produce grumbling and complaining. So, James is encouraging his readers to be patient. Christians who are being persecuted can gain strength by focusing on the Lord's return (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10). Christians are to trust God to do justice and punish those who hurt them instead of exacting vengeance themselves (Romans 12:19). Waiting for the Lord then, takes patience. The majesty of Christ's coming should motivate Christians to suffer abuse.
Israel's October and November "early" rain softens the ground for planting. March and April are the "late" rain months before the spring harvest. Christians must patiently await the Lord's coming, just as the farmer waits for his grain to ripen from early rain to late rain (Galatians 6:9; 2Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13). James urges people about to collapse under persecution to strengthen their hearts with the prospect of the second coming of Christ. The New Testament emphasizes Christ's imminent return (Romans 13:12; Hebrews 10:25; 1Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:18). He imagined Christ as a judge opening the courthouse doors and convening His court warning his readers not to grumble during tribulation (Philippians 2:14), lest they lose their whole benefit (2 John 8).
Job is the best example of a man who went through hard times with faith and was rewarded by God for it. James told his readers that God had a plan for their pain, just like He had a plan for Job's (Job 42). When you are suffering, it will strengthen you to think about who the Lord is. The Bible says repeatedly that He is kind and merciful (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; 1Chronicles 21:13; 2Chronicles 30:9; Psalms 25:6; 78:38; 86:5, 15; 103:8, 13; 116:5; 136:1; 145:8; Lamentations 3:22; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Micah 7:18; Luke 6:36).
Conclusion:
In verse 12, James emphasized that a person's speech shows his real spiritual condition (1:26; 2:12; 3:2– 11; 4:11). James, like Jesus (Matthew 5:33–36; 23:16–22), criticized the Jewish habit of making false, vague, misleading vows in any name other than the Lord (which alone was considered binding). James urged for honest, simple speech, echoing Jesus (Matthew 5:37). Speaking differently invites God's judgment.
Who can hold on to harmful and divisive attitudes when the Judge is at the door? How silly it is for Christians to fight when the second coming of Jesus is a sure thing. Jesus will know everything about how we feel, what we think, and how we act. We should be living as if He were coming today. Instead, we act too often like a group of students fighting in a classroom as the teacher walks quickly toward them. Jesus is on his way! How are you anticipating Christ’s return?
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
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Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
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Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.
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Life Application Bible Notes. Tyndale, 2007.
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.
MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.
Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999.
Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
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