Patience

Patience with God, Ourselves and Others

 

Luke 8:15

 

“Patience (or forbearing) is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one can take before negativity. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast. Antonyms include hastiness and impetuousness”  from “ Wikipedia”

 

“The cardinal virtues are a set of four virtues recognized in the writings of Classical Antiquity and, along with the theological virtues, also in Christian tradition. They consist of:

• Prudence - able to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time
• Justice - the perpetual and constant will of rendering to each one his right^[1]
• Temperance or Restraint - practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation; tempering the appetition
• Fortitude or Courage - forbearance, endurance, and ability to confront fear, uncertainty and intimidation”

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who quipped, "I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."

How many sermons have we heard on the Parable of the Sower?  You know---the one that talks about the Sower and the seeds on the ground.  Of course we would all like to be the good ground of vs. 15 of Luke 8,  “  But …on the good ground are they , which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”     The greek word for honest is precious, tines.   “ of great value” Good is the Greek word kalos which means that which is intrinsically good.

Patience with God?  What does this look like?  “

I once heard a humorous story about the Pope who was on a visit to America for a period of time. On his last day of the visit, he was delayed due to meetings and was unable to break away to catch a flight.

Since he couldn’t depend on his Pope Mobile, he phoned for a limousine. When the limousine arrived, the driver was joyfully surprised that it was the Pope who called for him. The driver became nervous and was beside himself. He proceeded to drive very slowly. The Pope became nervous and told him to hurry up. It did not make a bit of difference. The driver went slower; he wanted to keep the Pope in his limousine as long as he could. The Pope could not be delayed any longer so he asked to drive the limo himself. The Pope sped off and reached the speed of 85 miles an hour. The policeman who stopped him was shocked when he discovered the famous personality behind the wheel. He frantically phoned his police chief and said, “Chief, I have stopped a very important figure for speeding. I don’t know what to do?”
--“What do you mean? Give him a speeding ticket!”
--“Sir, in all honesty, I can’t.”

Is it the mayor?  “ No sir.”
 --“Is it the governor?”
--“No, sir.”
--“Is it a congressman?”
--“Is it the president?”
--“No, sir.”
--“Well, then, who is it?!”
--“I don’t know sir! All I know is that the Pope is driving him to the airport.”  From SERMON CENTRAL illustrations

Patience with God means that we admit He has a plan that is not ours.  As we know “ as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher  than your ways, and my thoughts than your thought.” Isaiah 55:9  We are supposed to run “with patience ( hupomone gree= hupo=under, meno= abide or to abide under or endure) the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1)  The  devil is active according to Jesus.  He takes the seed (“the Word of God) out of people’s hearts “ Lest they should believe and be saved.” Luke 8:12 . We face many difficulties that we cannot change and that we have to bear up under in this world., “ the cares of this life “  Of course we can change our attitude toward these things through God’s help.  “ And that which fell among the thorns are they , which , when they have heard go forth, are are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life , and bring forth no fruit to perfection.”8:14  There is also those who are on the rock “ and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture” 8:6  These are the ones who receive the word with joy  but have no root, “ which for a while believe and in a time of temptation, fall away>”   Note they were never believers in the first place.   Our attitude in our hearts must be of the good ground. 

We must have patience with ourselves when we fail.  Now that is a whole message in itself.  We will go forward and we will go back and it only matters we do not give up and continue in the right direction that God is leading us.

Lastly, we should have patience with others.  Now that may be a little difficult.  This is more of a message about forgiveness here .  If we do not approach others on their ground,so to speak, we will not be talking to them. We will be talking over them.  And I submit that our Christian life is a process toward holiness.  It is not a done deal until when we arrive and that is arrival in God’s presence!

As we go toward Lent on FEB 13 this 40 days could be a good time to re-look our hearts.  What kind of ground is it?  Good ground? Rocky? Thorny?  The Way side?  Then if it is good ground, ask , “ What can we do to work on our issues?”

I close with an illustration. The great New England preacher Phillips Brooks was noted for his poise and quiet manner. At times, however, even he suffered moments of frustration and irritability. One day a friend saw him feverishly pacing the floor like a caged lion. "What's the trouble, Mr. Brooks?" he asked.

"The trouble is that I'm in a hurry, but God isn't!" Haven't we felt the same way many times?