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SERIES: STOP DOING AND START GROWING
TITLE: LONGSUFFERING - IS PATIENCE YOUR VIRTUE
TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22
INTRO:
· Who said, “Patience is a virtue?" The first
known publishing of this quote comes from the poem “Piers Plowman” written
between the years 1360 and 1387. Typical of texts from the 14th Century,
authorship can be debated though literary historians normally attribute most of
the text to William Langland. However, there are multiple versions of this
poem written at different times with sections believed to be authored by
unknown people.[1]
· As we continue in
the study of the graces, or fruit, of the Spirit, we now come to longsuffering,
or patience.
· Most modern
translations translate longsuffering as patience.
I.
WHAT IS PATIENCE?
b. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Galatians 5:22 ,
defines patience as the deferring of anger and a contentedness to bear
iniquities.
c. Warren Wiersbe explains patience as
courageous endurance without quitting.
d. Patience is a result of love – 1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth
long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not
puffed up,
e. If we are not patient with those
around us, then we cannot say that we are full of the love of God within us.
II.
WHO IS PATIENT WITH US?
a. God – Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth
thee to repentance?
i.
If
God were not patient with us, we would all be on our way to Hell right now!
ii.
Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and
gracious, Slow to anger, and
plenteous in mercy.
iii.
God
is slow to anger and patient with us, yet we have such a quick fuse with others
around us.
b. Others – Jesus was longsuffering towards
me, so I should be to others – 1 Timothy 1:15–16
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy,
that in me first Jesus Christ might
shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter
believe on him to life everlasting.
i.
Patience
and longsuffering start with you! Not the one who wrongs you.
ii.
BTW – you may want to consider who is being patient with you
right now?
III.
HOW DO WE PRACTICE PATIENCE?
a. In love – Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love;
i.
If
you can’t be patient with others, then you are not filled with the love of God.
b. Humbly – Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than
the proud in spirit.
i.
It
is often our pride which gets in the way of spiritual growth, and the fruit of
patience is no different.
ii.
Because
we want to be vindicated when others wrong us, we don’t turn the other check…walk
away…give grace.
c. With listening ears – James 1:19 Wherefore,
my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
d. In Joy – Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious
power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
CLOSE:
Patience, it
is a virtue, and a fruit of the Spirit.
No patience,
no fruit.
No fruit,
either…
· No root – lost
· You’re not filled with the Spirit.
[2]
Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American
Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : Updated edition. Anaheim:
Foundation Publications, Inc.
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