PATIENCE
IN GOD'S FAMILY
Intro. A
parent leading a small child by the hand who is struggling with his
little short legs
- running to keep up with the long, hurried stride of the adult, who
was oblivious
and unconcerned - thinking only of the fact they were in a hurry.
Walk
a little slower for their sake.
In
the same way - some parents expect their children to "grow up"
too fast. Each
child matures at their own rate.
Children
need to be children.
When
they are thrust into the world too soon, it is like picking fruit
while it is green.
It
takes time
to ripen and mature for its purpose.
PATIENCE
- THE LESSON OF THE FARMER
Jas.
5:7 "Therefore,
be patient, brethren, until the
coming of the Lord. See how the farmer
waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
waiting
patiently
for it until it receives
the
early and latter rain."
CHILD
REARING = INSTRUCTION, EXAMPLE, PRAYER, PATIENCE
Eph.
6:4 "And
you, fathers, do not provoke your
children to wrath, but bring
them up
in
the training and admonition of the
Lord."
GOD'S
PATIENCE WITH MAN
as
seen in His waiting in the days of Noah
1
Pet. 3:18-20 He waited 100-120 years (?)
(Gen.
6:3)
while
Noah warned.
2
Pet. 3:3-9, 15 He
is longsuffering NOW.
WE
ARE TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE WITH ONE ANOTHER
Rom.
15:1-5 "...be
likeminded
toward one
another." infirmities
= weaknesses
NOT
EVERYONE MATURES AT THE SAME RATE
Timothy
was taught from youth.
2
Tim. 1:5 "when
I call to remembrance the genuine
faith that is in you, which dwelt
first in
your
grandmother Lois and your mother
Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you
also."
2
Tim. 3:14-15 "but
as for you, continue in the
things which you have learned and
been assured of, knowing from
whom you have learned them,
[15]
and that from childhood you have
known the Holy
Scriptures, which
are able to make you wise for
salvation
through faith which is in
Christ Jesus."
Some
come from NO
religious background.
1
Cor. 6:9-11 "...such were
some of you..."
Heb.
5:12-14 At
any given time - there are
different levels of maturity.
WHEN
THE LORD RETURNS - ARE ALL
GOING TO BE MATURE
IN THE FAITH?
WILL
ONLY THE MATURE
BE SAVED?
Remember
grace and mercy.
Mt.
20:1-16 The parable of the servants in the
vineyard. (3,
6, 9, 11th
hours)
WE
MUST BE PATIENT WITH THE YOUNG & THE WEAK
as
in a relay race, before the baton is passed to the next runner, that runner
must come up to speed before receiving the baton.
When
merging onto the interstate, you must get up to speed to merge.
INVITATION
Patience
in God's Family Part 2
Mt.
13:3-9 Parable of the sower. Mark & Luke
also give this parable.
Mt.
13:18-23 The parable explained.
Jas.
1:18-21 The implanted word is able to save
our souls
Notice
the patience
of "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
Rom.
1:16 "For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ, for it is the power of God
to
salvation
for everyone who believes, for
the Jew first and also for the Greek."
Mk.
4:26-29 Parable of the maturing of scattered
seed.
MAN
SOWS & THEN REAPS -
Between
these two events: germination, growth, & maturing.
IN
BETWEEN THE TIME OF SOWING & REAPING -
Man
sleeps & rises in his daily routine - while God does His work.
1
Cor. 3:5-9 Man
plants & waters, but God gives
the increase.
THE
EARTH YIELDS ITS FRUIT - NOT OF ITSELF BUT BY GOD'S POWER
The
order of growth: blade, head, full grain in the head, ripened grain
NOTE
- MATURING
DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL OF A SUDDEN.
We
must be patient while maturing takes place.
NOTE
- During this time, the tender plant is vulnerable
to extremes.
Col.
3:12-17 Patience, forbearance, love,
encouraging = NURTURING
THE
CHURCH IS GOD'S GREENHOUSE
(Be watchful for young plants)
IMPATIENCE
IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO NURTURING GROWTH.
1
Pet. 3:7-12 As husbands are to dwell with their
wives with
understanding, so
are
brethren to do likewise.
BEWARE
OF AN ATTITUDE OF SELF-SEEKING & PARTIALITY
Jas.
3:14-ff but wisdom promotes the patience of
peace.
NOT
EVERY SITUATION DEMANDS THE SAME RESPONSE
Jude
20-23 patience with some - urgency &
firmness with others.
THIS
IS WHY ELDERS MUST PROVE THEMSELVES AS SHEPHERDS
1
Tim. 3:1-7 experienced
as a husband and a
father - proven (vs.
10)
BOTH
WEAK
& STRONG
WORKING
TOGETHER - CARING
TOGETHER.
1
Cor. 12:20-26 "...having the same care one for
another."
GOD'S
PATTERN