Suffering & Patience

Speaker: Pastor Ian Thomas
Text: James 5:7-13
Big Idea: A worked out faith patiently endures suffering with our hearts established on the return of
Christ. In the face of suffering, we are invited to endure patiently, live purely, and pray persistently.
I. Endure Patiently
James gives two exhortations:
1. “Be Patient” (5:7a, 8a): in the face of injustice (cf. 5:1-6), suffering, and trials, James invites us
to pursue the virtue of “long-suffering” (cf. Ps. 130:5)
2. “Establish Your Hearts” (5:8a): rather than growing fainthearted in our suffering, James invites us to be determined and anchored in our hearts, with our faith set on Christ.

James provides three examples of enduring patiently:
1. Farming (5:7b)
2. 3. The Prophets (5:10-11a; cf. Rom. 8:16-17)
Job (5:11b ; cf. Job 42:1-6)

II. Live Purely
We should be aware of the increased temptation toward sin when we face suffering. James warns of two
particular temptations and the dangers of the sins of the tongue:
1. Grumbling against one another (5:9; cf. Phil. 2:14-15)
2. Rash speech and vows (5:12; cf. Mt. 5:33-37)

III. Pray Persistently