Sunday School Lesson

1. James 5:7-11
The Power of Patience
Spiritual Maturity in Suffering
November 25, 2018
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
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The Glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
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2. November Memory Verses
Revelation 22:12-13 NIV
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person
according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First
and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
References
• Jeremiah, David, Turning Toward Integrity (Atlanta: Walk Thru The Bible
Ministries, 2000).
• Wiersbe, Warren, James: Growing Up In Christ.
• Piper, John, Five Purposes for Suffering, A Devotional from Desiring God.
• Maier, Paul L., Eusebius, The Church History (Grand Rapids: Kregel
Publications, 1999).
Introduction to the Epistle of James
• Written by James – the brother of Jesus.
• James did not believe in Jesus during His earthly ministry.
• John 7:5 ESV
5 For not even his brothers believed in him.
• After the crucifixion, Jesus’ family joined the apostles in praying in the
Upper Room.
• Acts 1:14 NIV
14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
• Jesus appeared to James after the resurrection.
• 1 Corinthians 15:7 NIV
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
• James became the leader of the Christian Church in Jerusalem.
• After Paul appeals to Caesar and leaves Jerusalem for Rome, James
becomes the target of the Pharisees.
James’ Martyrdom in 62AD
• The Pharisees demanded that James deny that Jesus was the Savior on
the parapet (roof) of the Temple.
• James was asked, “What does the door of Jesus mean?”
• When he does not deny Jesus as Savior, they push him off the edge and
begin stoning him.
• A launderer uses his club to hit him in the head.
• James prays aloud for them as he is dying.

3. Spread of Christianity in 1st Century
The Purpose of James Writing the Epistle
• Christians had scattered from Israel because of persecution by the Jews &
Roman government.
• Christians everywhere lived in a hostile environment and were opposed
by Gentiles and Jews.
• James wrote to help Christians suffering in difficult circumstances to
display lives of spiritual maturity.
5 Marks of the Spiritual Maturity in James
Today’s Lesson – #5 from James 5
1. Patient in testing – James 1.
2. Practices the truth – James 2.
3. Controls tongue – James 3.
4. A peacemaker, not a troublemaker – James 4.
5. Patience and perseverance in suffering – James 5.
Summary of James 5:1-6
The rich people are…
• ...being stingy and hoarding their wealth.
• …spending money foolishly on themselves for luxurious lifestyles.
• …not paying wages owed to workers.
• …abusing the court system against the poor and those who challenge
them.
• …mistreating the poor.

4. James 5:7a NIV (Patience)
7a Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming.
• This is a summary verse for James’ entire letter.
• Lesson today: How can we apply this to every situation in life?
James 5:7 “Be patient,”
• “Be patient” ‒ makrothumia (Greek).
• Means being long-tempered and longsuffering.
• Stresses non-retaliation and holding one’s spirit in check.
• Patience with those who mistreat you.
• This Greek word for “patience” has emphasis on patience with respect to
persons.
Jesus’ Example of Patience with His Persecutors
1 Peter 2:21-23 NIV
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an
example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he
made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
James 5:7 “Be patient, then,”
• “then” (translated “therefore” in NKJV & ESV) – Refers back to James 5:1-6
where believers are suffering at the hands of the wicked rich.
• Patience with your persecutors and oppressors is a difficult challenge.
• The practice of patience especially applies to dealing with other
believers.
The practice of patience is necessary for the Christian
• The description of “love” in 1 Corinthians 13:4 includes patience.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4a NIV
4a Love is patient, love is kind.
• The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 includes patience.
• Galatians 5:22-23 HCSB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things
there is no law.

5. The sin of impatience
• Impatience is a form of unbelief.
• It’s what we feel when we begin to doubt the wisdom and timing of God in
our lives or the goodness of his guidance.
• Impatience can be exhibited over the major things and the minor things in
our lives.
• Impatience is idolatry of self – It’s all about me!
Words of Impatience!
• “Why me?”
• “I can’t take it anymore!”
• “I deserve better!”
• “Get out of my way!”
James 5:7a NIV
7a Be patient, then, brothers until the Lord’s coming.
• How long does the Christian have to be patient?
• Answer: until the Lord’s coming.
• We must live each day as if the Lord is coming that day or even tomorrow.
The Lord is Coming!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with
the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in
Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be
with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore, encourage each other with these words.
James 5:7b-9 NIV (Examples of Patience)
7 See how the farmer waits for the land to yields its valuable crop and how
patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm,
because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers,
or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
The Doctrine of Imminence
• Christ could return for the church at any moment in time.
• A pre-tribulation view of the rapture of the church.
• The 2nd coming of Christ and His reign will occur after the tribulation.
• The importance of imminence is that we must be ready for Christ at any
moment in time.

6. Verse 9a NIV (Judgment for the Christian)
9a Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.
• Not a judgment of salvation – Salvation is already secured.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each
may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad.
• James says that we will be judged for the control of our tongues (James
3:1-9) and our patience (James 5:7-9).
Levels of Rewards in Heaven
• The judgment for Christians can be the gain/loss of rewards and the
gain/loss of crowns.
• This will occur at the “Judgment Seat (Bema Seat) of Christ” after the
Rapture.
• The Bible teaches about 5 types of crowns:
• Crown of Righteousness
• Crown of Glory
• Crown of Life
• Crown of Rejoicing
• Incorruptible Crown
James 5:9 “Don’t grumble!”
• Definition ‒ Complaining or protesting about something in a bad-
tempered but typically muted way.
• “To mutter discontent.”
• Grumbling must be a serious offense if it leads to judgment.
• Bible School Song:
• “Are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful, what’s your attitude?”

7. Grumbling
James 5:10 NIV (The Patience of the Prophets)
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets
who spoke in the name of the Lord.
• In Hebrews 11:32-38 the prophets are described as focusing their faith on
God and his promises.
• The fulfillment of God’s promises to them came in Jesus Christ and their
redemption is now complete in him.
James 5:11 NIV (Perseverance in Suffering)
11 As you know, we consider 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.
James uses the Greek word “perseverance” to describe patience in verse 11.
• Perseverance ‒ hupomeno (Greek) steadfast endurance.
• This means patience with respect to conditions or situations, and not just
people.
• This is the characteristic of a man who is not swayed from his deliberate
purpose and his loyalty to faith by even the greatest trials and sufferings.
Job’s Perseverance
• God allowed Satan to test Job’s faithfulness to God.
• Satan took almost all that Job had: his livestock; his servants and his
children.
• Job lost his health and his wife’s moral support.
• His friends gave him terrible advice.
• Job persevered and remained faithful to God.
• Job 13:15a NIV
15a Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;

8. James has earlier described the reward for perseverance in trials.
James 1:12 NIV
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the
test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love
him.
• The crown of life is one to be given out as a reward at the Judgment Seat
(Bema Seat) of Christ.
What is suffering?
• Definition ‒ The state of undergoing pain, distress or hardship.
• Can involve all 3 types below.
• Physical suffering – pain, disease, disability, limitations, thorn in the flesh.
• Mental suffering – emotional, mental health, grief, disappointment.
• Spiritual suffering – temptation, trials of life, attacks by Satan, wavering
faith and hope.
Why does God allow suffering?
Four Reasons by John Piper.
1. Reliance
2. Righteousness
3. Reward
4. Reminder
Why does God allow suffering? (Reliance)
• Reliance: Suffering is a call to trust God and not the life-sustaining props of
this world.
• Suffering causes us to rely on the Holy Spirit.
• 2 Corinthians 1:8b-9 ESV
8b For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired
of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.
But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the
dead.
Why does God allow suffering? (Righteousness)
• Righteousness: Suffering is the discipline of our loving heavenly Father so
that we come to share his righteousness and holiness.
• Hebrews 12:6, 10b-11 ESV
6 “For the Lord disciplines the ones he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
10b But He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For
the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it
yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained
by it.

9. Why does God allow suffering? (Reward)
• Reward: Suffering is working for us a great reward in heaven that will make
up for every loss here a thousand-fold.
• 2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV
17 This light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight
of glory beyond all comparison.
• James 1:12 NIV
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has
stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to
those who love him.
Why does God allow suffering? (A Reminder)
• A Reminder: Suffering reminds us that God sent his Son into the world to
suffer so that our suffering would not be God’s condemnation but his
purification.
• Jesus suffered and died for our sins.
• Suffering is part of living in a fallen world.
• Philippians 3:10 ESV
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share
his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
James 5:11c NIV
11c The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
• James wants us to know that the Lord understands when we cry out,
“WHY?”, to suffering.
• James wants us to know that we must trust God with the eternal purposes
of the suffering.
• James wants us to know that patience with others and perseverance in
trials is a mark of spiritual maturity and will be rewarded when the Lord
returns.
An Eternal Perspective of Life Helps with Patience.
• 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
• Romans 8:28 ESV
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for
good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

10. Jesus’ reply to Paul when asking for suffering to be removed:
• 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said
to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for
Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Next Sunday
Genesis 27:18-29
The Deceiver
December 2, 2018
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
The Plan of Hope & Salvation:
John 3:16 ESV
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 14:6 ESV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
Romans 3:23 ESV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a ESV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sin.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the “second death” explained in
Revelation 21:8.

11. Revelation 21:8 ESV
8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the
lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 ESV
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.
Romans 6:23b ESV
23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 ESV
7 “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will
be my son.”
• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquerors.
Romans 10:9-10 ESV
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart
one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:13 ESV
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Do you Have questions?
Would you like to know more?
Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/