Patience In The Harvest

Patience In The Harvest LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOU TUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live JAMES 5:7-8 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. INTRODUCTION Patience does not mean to surrender to things just as they are. Patience does not mean to sit down with hands folded and lament, “I wish things were better, but this is just the way things are.” Patience does not mean to resign yourself to limited or negative circumstances. Patience does not mean to just hold on until you can’t take it any longer. Patience Is A Positive Word Patience is a positive word that describes the character of God (II Peter 3:9, AMP). II Peter 3:9 (Amplified) – The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. C. Patience is a positive word that describes the character of Christ (Romans 15:5, AMP). Romans 15:5 (Amplified) – Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. D. Patience is a positive word that describes the priceless fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. E. Patience is a positive word that describes divine love (I Corinthians 13:4, NIV). I Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. II. WE NEED A DIVINE REVELATION OF GOD’S INVISIBLE PROVISIONS God is still supernatural. Romans 4:17, “17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. God has chosen to reveal His provisions by His Spirit. I Corinthians 2:9-10 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”[a]— the things God has prepared for those who love him— 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own. Let us be challenged to call unto God for His Spirit to reveal to us what He has available for our good. Such a revelation of God’s provision will cause us to have patience in the harvest. III. WE NEED A DAILY RENEWING OF THE INWARD MAN II Corinthians 4:16 (Amplified) – Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. The inward man is our mind, our emotions, and our willpower. The inward man needs to be renewed daily, because they are attacked daily by the devil. IV. WE NEED A DETERMINED RELIANCE UPON GOD’S PROMISES Romans 4:19-21 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness[a] of Sarah's womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. What turned Abraham from flesh to faith? He became fully persuaded concerning God’s ability to perform His promise. He gave God praise for His ability, and praising changes one’s perspective. He became strong in his faith through his praises. CONCLUSION 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36 Grace Baptist Podcast HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST