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James series
Holding on by Looking Up

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James 5:7-12 (KJV)
  1. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
  2. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth night.
  3. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
  4. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
  5. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
  6. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by an other oath; but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Holding on by Looking Up

James 5:7-12

Last week we saw how James warned the rich about impending judgment. Tonight we shall see how we as Christians are often abused, mistreated and defrauded.
  1. Where We Are to Look When Mistreated . . . "the coming of the Lord" (v.7).
    1. The Lord's coming is clear from Scripture . . . 1835 references in the New Testament. The word "coming" is the Greek word "parousia" meaning "arrival of the king." When Christ comes the second time it will be with power, authority and judgment.
    2. The Lord's coming brings comfort to the saints . . . "it draweth nigh" (v.8).
      Each day brings us one day closer to the coming of Christ (II Peter 3).
      "This is pinned as a badge to every true believer -- that he looks for and longs for Christ's coming to judgment" Puritan John Trapp.
  2. How We Are to Live When Mistreated . . . "be patient therefore, brethren" (v.7).
    There are two things we are to do as believers and two things we are to avoid.
    1. We are to be patient . . . "be patient therefore, brethren" (v.7).
      This word means, "long-tempered," and is much stronger than we might think. It has the idea of restraining anger and resentment regardless of the provocation. Paul reiterates this thought, "clothe yourselves with . . . patience" (Colossians 3:12).
    2. We are not to hold grudges . . . "Grudge not one against another" (v.9).
      This phrase denotes an inward "grumbling" that goes unexpressed. It is a tragedy when a Christian "blows his top" worse so when he does so in the church. It is love in a believer's heart that is the distinguishing mark of a work of grace.
    3. We are to stand firm . . . "stablish your hearts" (v.8).
      This is the same word used in Luke 9:51 when Jesus "steadfastly set his face toward Jerusalem." Jesus knew the pain he would endure, but he also knew the other side. It is the Lord's coming that "purifies us." Stand firm because of His coming!
    4. We are not to swear falsely . . . "let your yea be yea: and your nay, nay" (v.12).
      This does not prohibit the taking of an oath in court. We have seen in our study of Matthew 6 that there are many examples of taking vows or oaths in the Scripture. What James is saying is simply, "Let your life be lived in honesty and integrity."
  3. What We Are to Learn When Mistreated . . . "Take the prophets for an example" (v.10).
    James gives three illustrations of how the Christian is to be patient under affliction.
    1. The farmer . . . the "husbandman" (KJV) waits for the early and latter rain. It really only rains twice in Israel: the autumn (October) and the spring (March). Any farmer knows that he must wait for both before the harvest.
    2. The prophets . . . who were persecuted, tortured and afflicted are our "examples."
      In essence, when things are not going the way we want, be patient as the prophets.
    3. The man Job . . . we know of Job's patience, but what's "the end of the Lord" (v.11).
      The Lord was full of compassion and mercy toward His child Job.
      "Afflictions ought ever to be estimated by their end" John Calvin.




Questions? Comments?
Pastor Wade

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