June 29, 2014

Galatians 5:22-23

Why do we have to be so patient? Or should we ask why we have to be so impatient?  Join us this Sunday as we learn about why we seem to be so impatient.

A quick study in WHY, Why are we impatient?

• Proverbs 19:11 NIV

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

** Lack of Wisdom…

• Proverbs 25:15 NIV

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

**Weak understanding of leadership

• Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

***Insidious battle with the secret addiction, pride

• Isaiah 7:13 NIV

Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?

***Denying that God is patient with you

• Romans 2:4 NIV

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

***Connecting impatience to repentance  

• Colossians 1:11 NIV

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

***not admitting that patience is a sign of strength

• Colossians 3:12 NIV

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

***disconnecting patience from our Christian testimony

So, how can we practice the “Fruit” of patience?

• Decide to be patient.

• Dissuade the Deceiver

• Depend on Community and Christ

• Deliberately track the benefits of patience

• Defend (through the Bible) your “right” to be patient

• Discover Jesus