Title: Long-suffering
Contents
Sermon Day-070415 Sunday Noon
Text - James 5:7,8
Title - Long-suffering
“Great things are accomplished not by strength, but by perseverance.
There is a saying that a person who walks vigorously for three hours a day will walk the same distance as if it had circled the earth in seven years.”
In the words of British author and photo editor Samuel Johnson.
We have heard countless times about the importance of patience, and we know it well.
To be successful in life, you must have patience.
The same is true for a successful life of faith.
Those who do not know how to persevere, even if the circumstances are perfect, have a difficult time reaching their goal of success.
It's important to keep in mind that perseverance is more important than strength.
Patience includes the following elements:
Illustration-Abraham who gave birth to Isaac when he was 100 years old
It is the story of the first realization of the blessings of the descendants among the land and descendants promised when God called Abraham from Haran. The LORD opened Sarah's womb as promised, and Sarah conceived and bore a son, which was Isaac. On the eighth day after birth, Abraham performed circumcision according to God's command. This caused great joy in Abraham's house. This event is significant in that it shows the faithfulness of God to the covenant.
The reason Isaac should never be taken lightly in patriarchal history is his birth. First, his birth was foretold by God long ago. Second, Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old, that is, he was born at a point where it was physiologically impossible to give birth. Third, he was a descendant of the first covenant, circumcised by God's command. In this respect, Isaac was the evidence of God's covenant of salvation, the evidence of God's power to save mankind from death, and the model of those who were recognized as God's people. Therefore, Isaac was the most important person not only in his personal life, but as a witness in history of God's providence of redemption.
1. Long-suffering during exams
Just as no hawk is not sick, trials are painful for all.
There may be some difference in intensity, but probably no one would say that testing is just as enjoyable.
The Bible recommends to be patient in tribulation because it is so hard and difficult to endure.
Just as hot fire refines jewels such as gold and silver, a person's personality and faith are tested through tribulation.
Therefore, no matter how difficult or difficult it is, you can only be recognized if you endure it.
Patience is more bitter than any medicine you think is the most bitter, but we must remember that it is the medicine that leads to success in life and great faith.
Illustration - Outline of Jesus' Test in the Wilderness
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This was the last preparation for the start of public life. After fasting forty days, the devil appeared to Jesus and tempted him. He tried to hinder the messianic work of Jesus with fleshly food, the honor of being the Son of God, and worldly wealth and authority. However, Jesus overcame temptation with the word of God and finally began to work as the Messiah.
The beginning of Jesus' public life means a full-fledged battle with the devil, the ruler of the world. In this regard, being tempted by the devil in the wilderness was an essential process for fulfilling his Messiah mission. And Jesus overcame the temptation of the devil to stop the work of the Messiah. Therefore, the work of the Messiah of Jesus is already guaranteed to be triumphant. Jesus' declaration that I have overcome the world is based on this background (John 16:33).
2. Relaxation that knows how to wait
I see a lot of people rushing, even though things don't go well by rushing.
It is the same logic as going to a well and looking for Sungnyung.
Even if your heart is in a hurry, you must be able to wait.
The farmer sows in spring and waits until autumn.
Because they know that all their labor will be in vain if they are in haste and put the sickle down before the harvest season.
There is a time for everything.
When the sky is overcast and it rains, the grain cannot be hung outside.
You have to wait until the rain stops.
We must learn the wisdom of life through these ordinary facts.
He who knows how to wait until the right time comes, labors little and reaps much fruit.
Yehwa - Noah Building the Ark
God, who saw man's fall and decided to judge the world, decided to save Noah and his family, who were righteous and perfect in his time. God informed Noah that He would judge the world with a flood and commanded Noah to build an ark to survive the judgment. So Noah built the ark according to God's command and began to save food for himself and the animals that would enter the ark during the flood.
The subject of Noah's flood is God, not Noah. In other words, it shows that human sin inevitably results in God's judgment, and that the main character of that judgment is God. Also, Noah's salvation through the ark was not because of Noah's own righteousness, but because of God's grace, who informed Noah of the flood and prepared the ark. Therefore, Noah's Flood incident has a very important redemptive history in that it proves that the only hope for human salvation is God and the reality of judgment on human sins.
No one needs patience.
Patience is an essential companion for those who want to run towards their goals without drifting away in moderation.
You need this to reach your goals and get the good things you want.
Those who do not know how to persevere, no matter how favorable the circumstances, can only live a life of drifting away.