The Power of Patience

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. You too, be patient and stand firm,because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
‍- James 5:7-9

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I am troubled, Sir,’ said I, ‘because that unhappy creature doesn't seem to me to be the sort of soul that ought to be even in danger of damnation. She isn’t wicked: she’s only a silly, garrulous old woman who has got into a habit of grumbling, and feels that a little kindness, and rest, and change would do her all right.’

“it begins with a grumbling mood, and yourself still distinct from it: perhaps criticising it. And yourself, in a dark hour, may will that mood,embrace it. Ye can repent and come out of it again. But there may come a day when you can do that no longer. Then there will be no you left to criticise the mood, nor even to enjoy it, but just the grumble itself going on forever like a machine.”
- C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

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Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
- James 5:10-12

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Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If itis the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
- James 4:13-15

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Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
- Hebrews 12:2

Mixer

In a candy trade, what candy do you keep no matter what and what candy do you get rid of?

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Sermon Questions

Scriptures: James 4: 13-15, 5: 7-12; 1 Peter 4:8-9; Hebrews 12:2-3

1. Pastor Jared shared the following from Dallas Willard: “You have a job to steward your soul.” What is the condition of your soul? Considering your current roles – spouse, parent, child, volunteer, employee, etc. – where do you prioritize the job of stewarding your soul? Is its current position of priority helping or hurting you?

2. Read James 5:7-9 to assess your level of patience. What do you grumble about? How does grumbling damage your soul? Hint: Does it hurt the person/situation you’re grumbling about or does it hurt you?

3. Read James 5:10-11. When obstacles come, how can you stand firm with an enduring belief in the power and compassion of the Lord?

4. Read 1 Peter 4:8-9. How does Peter suggest you deal with people who sin against you or offend you? What does this look like? How can Peter’s method change you and your encounters with others?

5. Read James 5:8. How does James encourage us to handle offenses? Pastor Jared referred to this posture as the HyperMan/Woman. How can you maintain this posture moving forward? How will the effects of this posture keep your soul at ease?

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Serve

It’s Serve Week - are you excited?! There are still projects to jump into!! Sign up  here.

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Pray

Serve Week is underway! Please join us in praying over allllll of it's moving parts:

● For details to be covered

● For hearts to be flexible

● For our collective impact to be felt all over our neighborhood

● For new leaders to feel empowered and directed by God

● And for those at the other end of the work we're able to do to feel Jesus' spirit move in their midst

And please pray Ephesians 2:10 (MSG) over each and every aspect of the execution of Serve Week:

He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.