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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.
How Can We Develop True Patience?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus Christ exemplifies extraordinary patience, a virtue that stands in stark contrast to the impatience often seen in human nature during worldly celebrations. His patience was so remarkable that the apostle Paul emphasized it in his prayer for the church in Thessalonica, urging believers to have their hearts directed into the patience of Christ. As a patient Man and a patient God, He meekly endured the contradictions and persecutions of sinners without reviling or threatening in return, setting a profound example for all to follow under sufferings and persecutions. The patience of Christ is evident in His mercy toward Saul, later called Paul, displaying unlimited patience and love even toward a wicked person. His endurance through hostility from sinners serves as an encouragement for believers not to grow weary or discouraged. Paul highlights this patience as an essential characteristic, praying that God direct hearts into both the love of God and the patience of Christ, recognizing that such endurance is indispensable for living according to divine standards. Christ's ultimate example of patience is seen in His willingness to die a hideous death for reconciliation with God, demonstrating patient endurance through immense suffering. This patience is a model for believers to emulate, supported by God's Spirit, enabling them to face any challenge with the same calm and optimistic attitude that He displayed. Through persistent prayer and reliance on God's strength, believers can develop this patience, standing firm in adversity and reflecting the mind of Christ in their lives.
Establishing Our Hearts Before Christ's Return
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the journey of faith, we are called to emulate the patience of Jesus Christ as we await His return. His endurance, as seen in Hebrews 12:1-3, serves as our ultimate example, where He, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. We are encouraged to consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, lest we become weary and discouraged in our souls. The patience of Christ, referenced in II Thessalonians 3:5, is the same patience He exhibited during His earthly life, a patience He is ready and willing to impart to us. This patience is further highlighted in Revelation 1:9, where John identifies himself as a companion in the tribulation, kingdom, and patience of Jesus Christ, underscoring the shared endurance required of all believers. Moreover, in Revelation 3:10, Christ promises protection to those who have kept His command to persevere, assuring that He will keep them from the hour of trial that shall come upon the whole world. This promise reinforces the call to patient endurance, as we are not spared from suffering but are shielded from His wrath and transformed through trials into triumph. As we run the race of faith, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we are to balance waiting with active spiritual growth. His example of patient endurance encourages holiness, not idleness, urging us to establish our hearts in faith and love, empowered by God's Spirit to endure trials and prepare for meeting Him at His return.
The Meek
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the midst of His trial before Pilate, as recorded in Mark 15:1-5, Jesus Christ exemplified profound patience and meekness. Despite the barrage of accusations and slander from the chief priests, He remained silent, offering no defense or retaliation. His calm demeanor under such intense hatred and duress astonished Pilate, showcasing a strength of character that endured insult and injury with humble restraint. During His arrest on the Mount of Olives, as detailed in Matthew 26:47-57, Jesus further demonstrated His patient endurance. Facing a great multitude armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders, He remained composed and unruffled. Even as hands were laid on Him, possibly with roughness, He did not resist or retaliate. Instead, He rebuked Peter for drawing a sword, healed the high priest's servant's ear, and calmly accepted the situation as the fulfillment of God's will. Despite possessing the authority to call upon legions of angels for protection, He chose not to use His power, submitting to the Father's plan with serene self-control. Jesus Christ's patience, as seen in these accounts, reflects a powerful inner strength, enabling Him to bear adversity without being emotionally rattled. His trust in God's direction allowed Him to face persecution and suffering with a placid and composed spirit, providing a model for enduring hardship without aggression or self-assertion.
Control and Self-Control
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus Christ's patience and self-control stand as a profound example for His disciples. In the face of immense suffering and persecution, He never wavered, maintaining complete mastery over His mind and body even under the threat of crucifixion. During His prayer in Gethsemane, as recorded in Mark 14:32-41, He was deeply distressed and sorrowful to the point of death, yet He submitted to God's will, praying, "Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." Despite the mental anguish and physical anticipation of suffering, He remained steadfast. In John 18:1-4, knowing all that would come upon Him, Jesus went forward to meet His arresters with calm resolve, demonstrating extraordinary self-control. Similarly, in Luke 22:47-53, even under such strain, He healed the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, showing kindness and love to His enemies while maintaining composure. This act of service, amidst personal crisis, highlights His outward focus and unwavering control. Contrasted with the disciples, who fled and lacked self-control, as seen in Matthew 26:56 and Peter's denials in Matthew 26:69-75, Jesus' patience shone brightly. Peter later reflects on this in I Peter 2:20-25, noting that Christ suffered without sin, reviling, or threatening, committing Himself to God who judges righteously. Jesus bore our sins on the cross, enduring patiently to fulfill God's plan, driven by faith in and love for the Father. His self-control was evident even in His final moments, sticking to God's plan without ceding to the flesh, controlling the one thing He could—Himself. This example calls His followers to emulate His patience and self-mastery, putting off the old man and putting on the new, as described in Ephesians 4:17-24, to inherit the Kingdom prepared for them.