@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)
Area 1, Garki - Abuja
13th September, 2015
☆ SERMON
* Speaker: Elder Simon Bunshak
* Topic: Growing in Patience
* Theme: Growing up in Christ
* Sub-Theme: Growing in Love
* Service Leader: Mrs. Adeline Fompun
* Text: 1 Corinthians 13:3-5 →"Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing. Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride. Nor is she conceited, and she is never rude; she never thinks just of herself or ever gets annoyed. She never is resentful."
* Patience is a virtue that is rare and difficult to possess
* Patience is something that will grow if God plants it in you
* Patience is listed first in the qualities that love can produce (that is the fruits of the Spirit)
☆ Importance of Patience:
* Patience serves as an outward proof of love
→ without love, it is virtually impossible to be patient
* Patience springs out from the abundance of the deposit of the love that is in your heart
* If you love anyone, you will be patient with that person
* When you love God, you will be patient and confident in his will and timing
★ Galatians 5:22-23
* The Bible did not tell us anywhere that patience will be easy
* Quote: "Teach us to be patient, for to wait is more difficult than to work."
→ Peter Marshal
* To carry the cross of Christ is not easy, even for matured believers
* Patience is important
→ It is an outward sign that we are living in love
* Patience is the suffering of afflictions with a kind of calm disposition or temper which bears without discontent or discouragement
* Patience is not really easy
* Every day, your patience will be tried & tested
* When you love God and those around you, you will find reasons to bear their burdens and show love
* Patience is an active endurance of opposition; not a passive resignation in the face of challenges
* If you have the Spirit of Christ in you, you will find it easy to imbibe a patient disposition
* Who initiates patience?
→ It is the virtue of God
→ God initiates it himseIf because love is his attribute
★ Exodus 34: 6-7
→ NOTE: God's love lasts a thousand generations; but His wrath is limited in scope!
★ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 →"And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."
→ The love of God in you will direct you to the patience of Christ
* If you love God, the the virtue of patience will flow out of your heart naturally
* Patience is aimed at transforming you from the life of sinfulness to a life of righteousness
* When you love God, you are kept away from sin
* Usually, sin is as a result of impatience
* Patience that springs forth the love of God enables you to love those around you, including your enemy!
★ Jonah 4:2 →"So he prayed to the LORD, “LORD, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my home country? That’s why I fled previously to Tarshish, because I knew you’re a compassionate God, slow to anger, overflowing with gracious love, and reluctant to send trouble."
* Love demands that you pray for your enemies and pray for those who hate you (See: Mathew 5:44)
* God's virtue of love is what makes Him to be patient with sinners even at the instance of the worst provocation!
★ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 →"May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of the Messiah."
* We must emulate God as the perfect example of patience and love
★ 2 Chronicles 7:14 →"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
* Jesus manifested love and patience by going to the cross
* patience demands that you remain humble, even when you have the opportunity to display your power
* Sometimes patience demands that you keep quiet in to face of extreem provocation
★ 1 Timothy 1:16 →"But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the worst sinner, the Messiah Jesus might demonstrate all of his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life.''
* Jesus displayed patience by not counting our sins against us
* Regardless of the kind of life you might have lived in the past, note that God is patient with you and is ready to accept you
* Jesus was patient with his disciples (even when they displayed spiritual immaturity, lack of faith, etc.)
* Some people take pride in their ability to be impatient
* Christians must practice patience here on earth by following the example of Christ
→ There will be no opportunity in heaven to display the fruits of the spirit!
* Your level of patience shows your level of spiritual maturity
* Sometimes the manner of impatient driving on Abuja roads makes one wonder if there are any Christians in the city!
* People filled with the love and wisdom of God overlook offences and they sacrifice their comfort and rights for the benefit of others
* Colossians 3:12-14
★ Consequences of impatience:
☆ 1 Samuel 13:8-14
1. It causes you to loose the favor of God
→ when you are not patient for God's timing, you will loose your blessings
→ Saul lost his Kingdom
2. You run the risk of being disqualified, discontent and disgruntled
3. It makes us not to thank God (ingratitude)
4. It causes lawlessness
5. It makes you pessimistic about life (you see a haIf-empty cup instead of a half-filled cup)
★ How to develop the right kind of Patience:
1. You have to stay focused on your ultimate goal (that is, conforming to the image of Christ)
→ You should focus your mind on the promise of Christ's coming
(James 5:7-8)
2. You have to think before you act
→ fools rush in where angels fear to tread
☆ Proverbs 15:1-2 →"A gentle response diverts anger, but a harsh statement incites fury. The wise speak, presenting knowledge appropriately, but fools spout foolishnes."
3. You have to look for Ways to give your time and resources to others
→ NOTE: Impatience is rooted in selfishness
☆ EccIesiastes 7:8 →"The conclusion of something is better than its beginning, and a patient attitude is more valuable than a proud one.''
4. You have to work out your conflicts with others
→ Do not allow conflicts and disagreements to linger or fester for a long period of time
→ Romans 12:18 →"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people."
5. You need to walk closely with Christ and learn from His example
* when you develop the patience of Christ, nothing can make you impatient
* One clearly noticeable quality of a believer is patience!
★ 2 Thessalonians 3:5 →"May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of the Messiah."
★Conclusion
* Patience will not guarantee that your challenges will go away. It only makes the act of waiting more bearable
* The blessing's of patience are not necessarily outward, but are spiritual and emotional
☆ Questions:
→ What is your position today?
→ do you still live a life of impatience?
* NOTE: Christ can help you overcome the tendency to be impatient
☆ MISSION CHARGE
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do."
→ Martin Luther King Jr.
☆ QUOTE
"Nothing builds intimacy between people like words of love and appreciation . . . Love expressed draws people together."
→ Bob Gass
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