How to Find Patience

We actually think we have the same power as God to make the decisions for God. And James says, just be patient. So church, every week to help us with our patience, I don't give you the wisdom from me: here are five ways to do this or seven ways to do that. I can't create patience in you, but I can show you the mighty power of the gospel, the God who sent his son down to take on all of the sin of the world for you. I can show you that every week and say, now, listen, he not only paid for your sin. He not only earned all of your righteousness, but he's going to finish what he started, guaranteed. That's what we're being patient for is the guarantee part of his return. So here's the kicker, church. Why are you here this morning? Why are you sitting there? What brought you here this morning? According to James, the reason you should be here is that you need to be reminded to be patiently waiting for what? The return of Christ. And while you wait, what are we doing? We're loving and caring for one another. This is why he says don't grumble. Don't do that. You're going to cause the weak to fail. You're going to discourage people. The writer of Hebrews says it this way. Consider how to build one another up in love that you aren't hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. The Church is not about how you come and feel better about yourself, tips so that you can improve your marriage or improve this life. I'm not going to mobilize you to go out into the city so we can redeem the city, and it can have moral values again, and we can have better politics. What we need is a hope that is beyond a world that is sinking. And the moment we take our eyes off of Christ and his gospel, church, we're done. Paul literally says, go party, for then we die. And that's the existence of our life. Or, we have a life that is full of joy- no death. And as Job says, I will stand, and with my own eyes, I will see my Redeemer and he will wipe away my tears, and I for the first time will be able to love God without sin in my heart. I have no idea what that's like, but I so look forward to knowing the joy of loving of God with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. And so what do we do every week? We go to the cross and remind ourselves what he finished in resurrection, he will come and return and restore. Everyday Grace 045