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Sunday Life Mirror
Theme:QUALITIES OF FRUITFUL GROWTH IN (THE KNOWLEDGE OF) OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (IV)
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Topic:
PATIENCE I
TEXT:
2 Peter 1:5-10
Memory Verse: "These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance, they will make you active and effective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if you do not have them, you are so short sighted that you cannot see and have forgotten that you have been purified from your past sins. 2Pet 1:8-9 TEV"
INTRODUCTION:
In a world where people are racing against time, the word patience is the last thing many would like to hear because it implies suffering, enduring or waiting. People rather prefer quick fix methods, cutting corners and ¡°jump passing¡±. To many, all that matters is achievement, result, success, getting to the top or answer to their prayers with out any spiritual value attached to the process leading to the results.
But the word of God has a different view; when we are waiting, enduring or suffering as a determination of our will and not as under compulsion concerning a matter, request or duty, it might seem unpleasant or irrational for the moment but it eventually releases spiritual product in our lives that is even more important than the expected physical result. The bible declares in Rm5:4 that patience, perseverance, long suffering or endurance as different versions have them, produces CHARACTER OR EXPERIENCE.
It is unfortunate that many Christians today do not have the character that portrays their faith in Christ; Christian character is the combination of valuable and admirable qualities which make one Christian different from another These qualities can only be produced by patience,endurance or waiting long upon the Lord for His will to be done in His own time.
Let¡¯s look at James1:1-4,My brethren, count it all joy when you face different tests of faith bearing in mind that the test of your faith produces patience or endurance. And if you allow patience to work perfectly in your life, you will be perfect, thorough and lacking nothing (paraphrased). A Christian who is perfect, thorough and lacking nothing is a Christian of great Character and integrity.
Study:
- 1. Explain what you understand by the statement; ¡°For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise Heb 10:36
2. Comment on Heb 12:16¡ and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. And LK21:19; In your patience possess ye your souls.
3. What do understand by the injunction in Heb6:12? That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
4. Comment on James 5:11 ¡°Behold, we count them happy who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end intended by the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
CONCLUSION:
Patience is an essential Christian virtue from which we have so many things to learn. When we wait upon the LORD, we have to do it ¡°Patiently¡±. When we endure the various forms of trials, sufferings, wrongs and evils that we come across, when we bear injustices which we cannot remedy and provocations we cannot remove, we have to do all patiently and uncomplainingly and rather take every thing to the Lord in prayer who alone rewards our Patience Ps40:1.
May the Lord help us to be his obedient
children in Jesus name. Amen?
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