Stand Firm in Your Freedom - The Fruit of the Spirit of Patience - Audio

Bakersfield First Assembly

Stand Firm in Your Freedom The Fruit of the Spirit of Patience Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) – [22] But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG) – [22] But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, 1. The Meaning of Patience a. There are two words in the New Testament for patience, makrothumos and hupomone. 1) The first compound word is “makro” (long, far, distance) and “thumos” (passion as if breathing hard, rage, seethe, wrath, anger). a) Together, it literally means “to be long of spirit, breathing, or temper.” b) It is to wait a long length of time in avenging wrongs or to be slow in becoming angry c) It is being longsuffering as opposed to a short-tempered. 2) The second compound word is “hupo” (under, beneath, below) and “meno” (to stay, remain, abide). a) The second word means “to stay under” or to remain steadfast under pressure or hardship. b) The former involves patience with people, the latter involves patience with circumstances. b. Patience is the powerful capacity of selfless love to bear with difficult people and challenging circumstances without breaking down or giving in to anger. c. Patience is not placid indifference or lethargic fatalism. 2. The Source of Patience a. God exercises patience with humanity. (1 Peter 3:20) 1 Peter 3:18-20 (NIV) – [18] For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, [19] through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison [20] who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, b. The purpose of God’s patience is lead people to repentance and salvation. (2 Peter 3:9, 15) 2 Peter 3:9, 15 (NIV) – [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance… [15] Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. c. We are not to try God’s patience, however. (Romans 2:4) Romans 2:4 (NIV) – [4] Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? 3. The Exercise of Patience a. We are to exercise patience with God’s timing. (Hebrews 6:15; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; James 5:7-8) Hebrews 6:15 (NIV) – [15] And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV) – [15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1) We are to be patient regarding the Lord’s coming. (James 5:7-8) James 5:7-8 (NIV) – [7] Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. [8] You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. b. We are to exercise patience with the people God brings into our lives. (Colossian 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Timothy 4:2) Colossians 3:12 (NIV) – [12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV) – [14] And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) – [2] Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 1) As we grow in the knowledge of God, we will grow in patience with one another. (Colossians 1:10-12) Colossians 1:10-12 (NIV) – [10] And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 2) Since patience is an attribute of agape love, if we love people, we will be patient with them. (1 Corinthians 13:4) 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) – [4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. c. We are to show patience in the face of suffering. (James 5:10) James 5:10 (NIV) – [10] Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 4. The Benefits of Patience a. Patience results in wisdom and understanding. (Proverbs 14:29; 19:11) Proverbs 14:29 (NIV) – [29] A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) – [11] A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. b. Patience calms quarrels. (Proverbs 15:18) Proverbs 15:18 (NIV) – [18] A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. c. Patience brings about influence. (Proverbs 16:32; 25:15) Proverbs 16:32 (NIV) – [32] Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. Proverbs 25:15 (NIV) – [15] Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. d. Patience prepares us for the End Times. (Revelation 13:10; 14:12) Revelation 13:10 (NIV) – [10] If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. Revelation 14:12 (NIV) – [12] This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.