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Patience
Sermonette by Ryan McClureWe should cultivate the Heinz Ketchup motto ('The best things come to those who wait'), rather than the Burger King approach ('Your way, right away').
Pre-Feast Annoyances
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAs we prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles, chances are that there will be things that test our patience and even a few more will crop up when we get there.
The Overlooked Work (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeFor nearly all of us, waiting is uncomfortable. Because of life's frantic pace, we get frustrated if it takes thirty seconds for a traffic light to turn green. Our stress levels rise just thinking about going to the DMV, knowing it will mean waiting in line for an interminable amount of time. Handwritten letters are slow, and now even e-mail is often too slow, so we text to communicate without delay. Any device or technique that eliminates the need to wait grabs our attention and often our pocketbook. Most of our lives are spent in such high gear that whenever we have to wait, frustration boils forth. As the recent trend of road-rage indicates, when people are forced to wait, it sometimes drives them insane. Living only three-score-and-ten years or perhaps fourscore, we all have a degree of time-sickness, an obsessive belief that time is slipping away, that there is not enough of it, and if everything is not sorted out right now, it may just be the end of the world.
Patience (2019)
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamPatience, a fruit of God's Spirit and a trait He abundantly displays, is not a passive turning away, but an active effort to control bursts of anger.
The Patience of God
CGG Weekly by Ronny H. GrahamIn an impatient world, each person demands their way immediately, expecting everyone else to step aside. Impatience often manifests as outbursts of wrath, a vice opposite to patience, as seen in Galatians 5:20, where it is described as anger or ill temper. Road rage, an increasing problem, exemplifies how such impatience can lead to dire consequences. These outbursts are no small matter, for those who practice them will not inherit the kingdom of God. God will not permit these works of the flesh in His Kingdom. We are all tested in the area of patience, knowing we should embody it, yet finding this knowledge difficult to apply. True patience requires work and often a great deal of self-control, ultimately coming as a gift from God, who is the God of patience, as noted in Romans 15:5. If we aspire to be perfect as God is perfect, we must diligently work on cultivating patience.
Simplifying Life (Part Four)
Sermon by David F. MaasWe must maintain a Christ-centered tranquility and peace in a hurried, end-time world characterized by overload and debilitating pressure.
Passionate Patience
Sermon by Mark SchindlerImpatience often creeps into our lives, disrupting the unity of the Spirit and hindering our ability to wait on God's way. It is a carnal mindset that destroys the bond of peace, leading us away from the perseverance required to abide in His love. When we grow impatient, we fail to trust in God's timing and sovereignty, forgetting that He is patient with us, waiting for our growth and obedience. The struggle with impatience is evident even among those called into the body of Christ, as it reflects a lack of godly patience that our Commander, Jesus Christ, urges us to cultivate. In the messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, a lack of this patience is a recurring theme, subtly woven into the instructions and warnings. This absence of passionate patience can lead to an apathetic form of endurance, which is far from the fervent love and perseverance He desires, drawing us back to the beggarly elements of this world. True patience, as opposed to apathy, requires assiduity—a constant, diligent closeness to Him who is the First and the Last. It is a passionate waiting, an eager perseverance that aligns with His will, ensuring we are not separated from His love by the philosophies and carnal mindsets of this world. By holding fast with passionate patience, we stand assured that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Longsuffering
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsLongsuffering, or patience, the fourth fruit of the Spirit, is a much needed virtue in a fast-paced, impatient world.
It's Worth the Wait
Sermonette by Ryan McClureIn Psalm 37:4, we are admonished to patiently wait for the Lord, with the promise that those who trust God's timetable will eventually inherit the earth.
How Can We Develop True Patience?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPatience in the face of trying events is a clear indication that we are developing genuine godliness. We can learn to turn trials into positive growth opportunities.
Repentant Goats
Sermon by Bill OnisickBecause of our carnal natures, we have many goat-like tendencies, leading us to do it our own way. Like stubborn billy goats, we are short on longsuffering.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Nine): Wisdom as a Defense
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe type of wisdom Ecclesiastes teaches is not of the purely philosophical variety, but is a spiritual sagacity combined with practical skill in living.
Establishing Our Hearts Before Christ's Return
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJames emphasizes patience five times, suggesting that it is a capstone of saintly character, encompassing long-suffering, forbearance, and self-restraint.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughBiblically, patience is far more than simple endurance or longsuffering. The patience that God has shown man gives us an example of what true, godly patience is.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Our supreme objective in godly living is attainment and cultivation of wisdom, which consists of attributes giving us skill in living.
Patience
Sermonette by James BeaubelleBecause none of us know when Christ will return, we must ask God for patience for the changes that work to build our future in the Kingdom of God.
Seeking God's Will (Part Three): Patience
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must adopt God's perspective on time, developing longsuffering and developing tranquility under adversity, waiting patiently on God.
Patiently Waiting for Christ's Return
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must develop an active, God-given restraint and constancy in endurance while facing trials and waiting for Christ's return, trusting that God will provide.
Waiting
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe discipline of waiting is on the same level as the other spiritual disciplines, requiring substantial admixtures of faith and hope, building endurance.
Why Do We Observe Unleavened Bread? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIt is self-glorifying to focus more on our own efforts in overcoming—which are necessary—than on by whose strength those efforts will succeed.
Displaying Gentle and Patient Conduct
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's people must follow the spirit of the law regarding the treatment of others, being humble, sincere, and gentle, esteeming others before themselves.
Our Spiritual Climb
Sermon by Bill OnisickOur journey to the Kingdom of God is not easy, requiring the same kind of physical and mental stamina that climbers need to climb Mount Everest.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Solomon exercised a lifetime of hard work trying to find answers, but fell short because some things are discoverable only through God's revelation.
Ecclesiastes (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe must have the patience to realize that God accomplishes His purpose for us in His time. God's timing is beautiful, taking place at the right time.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Five): Cultivating Patience
Sermon by David F. MaasNumerous scriptures show the bad effects of impatience committed by ancient Israel, while the patriarchs, Jesus Christ, and the Father set examples of true patience.
WHAT?! Me Submit to Someone Else?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSubmitting is repugnant to the carnal mind. The church is no place for uncompromising people who demand their own way.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Seventeen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Wisdom can be defined as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to the right measure. Wisdom is not given as a whole, but incrementally.
Preparing While Waiting For God
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWaiting for God is an acquired virtue requiring patience and longsuffering. Times of waiting are times to practice obedience and fellowship with others.
Faith (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe would like God to instantly gratify our desires. Consequently, we find living by faith difficult; we do not trust that He has things under control.
Parables of Luke 15 (Part Three)
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe three illustrations in Luke 15 justify Christ's conduct in receiving sinners, and show that to rejoice over their return is good and proper.
The Reason for Unleavened Bread
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Feast of Unleavened Bread signifies far more than the avoidance of leavening. Our focus needs to be on God's management of the process of deliverance.
Presumption and Divine Justice (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible reveals a pattern of God's displeasure with presumption. God's justice always aligns with His righteousness, but He often acts in mercy.