HOLY SPIRIT (Part 14)
Patience:
– The word “patience” comes
from two Greek words, “hupomone” and “makrothumia”.
“hupomone” – To persevere; bearing up under circumstances or trials;
endurance; perseverance; endurance in regards to
circumstances with expectations of benefits.
“makrothumia” – Long-suffering; self-restraint before proceeding to action;
patience in respect to people.
– “hupomone”:
– (James 5:11)
We are blessed when we persevere.
Note:
(Job 23:8-10)
Look at where Job found comfort when he could not find God.
– He had hope in a promise
(when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold).
Note:
(Romans 8:28)
Job placed his hope in this verse, before it was written.
Note:
God works for our good, if we love Him.
– (Hebrews 10:35-36)
Question:
What is our hope for persevering?
– To be richly rewarded.
– (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Question:
What is our hope for persevering?
– To see Jesus; to sit before God.
– (James 1:2-4)
Question:
What is our hope for persevering?
– To be mature and not lacking anything.
– (2 Timothy 2:10)
Question:
What is our hope for persevering?
– Salvation and eternal glory.
– (2 Timothy 2:12)
Question:
What is our hope for persevering?
– To reign with Him.
– (Colossians 1:27)
The greatest hope we have is Jesus Christ, and His living in us.
– “makrothumia” (patience with respect to people):
– (1 Peter 3:18-21; focus on v20)
God established the example.
– He was patient with a sinful generation.
– He was patient in bringing forth Jesus for our salvation.
– Read Genesis 6
– (Genesis 6:5)
Question:
What did God see?
– Man’s wickedness.
Note:
Look at what consumed their thoughts.
– (Genesis 6:6)
Question:
How did man’s actions affect God?
– It grieved Him; His heart was full of pain.
Note:
The Hebrew word for “grieved” is “nacham”,
which means, “drawing breath and groaning
as one would do while sobbing in grief”.
Question:
Why would God be so grieved at man’s wickedness?
– (Genesis 1:27, 31)
Because He made man in His own image.
What He felt was “very good”, turned out bad.
Question:
Do you think He expected man to have the same thoughts and actions?
Question:
Why, or why not?
– (Genesis 6:7)
Question:
If He felt this way, why didn’t He do it immediately?
– (Genesis 6:3)
Patience?
Note:
God waited for 120 years while Noah preached righteousness.
– (1 Peter 3:18-21)
Patience confirmed.
– (Genesis 6:9)
Question:
How was Noah described?
– A righteous man; blameless.
Note:
Noah did not use society’s depravity as an excuse for his sins;
he continued to remain patiently obedient.
Question:
How do you think he did that?
– His thoughts were on good and not evil?
I guess he didn’t use phrases like:
“If I didn’t have to work at this godforsaken place”.
“If I didn’t have to live with this awful person”.
“If we didn’t live in this awful place”.
“If all this hadn’t happened to me”.
– (2 Peter 3:9; 2 Peter 3:15)
More evidence of God’s “makrothumia” patience.
Note:
We are saved because mercy prompted God’s patience.
– Question:
What would be the opposite of patience?
– Remember in Genesis that God was patient with man’s
wickedness for 120 days, then He passed judgment.
It seems that patience and judgment are mutually exclusive;
they cannot coexist.
– “krion” is the opposite of “makrothumia”.
It means, “to pass judgment upon; condemn; take vengence on;
(in essence, it means to “try” someone as if they stand accused
before you in a court of law)”.
– Reasons for not judging others:
Romans 2:1-5
– (Romans 2:1)
We invite discipline from our Heavenly Father.
We do many of the same things we condemn in others
(if not physically, then mentally).
– (Romans 2:2)
We don’t have all the facts (even though we may think we do).
– (Romans 2:3)
We are mere humans; again we invite God’s judgment on ourselves.
– (Romans 2:4)
We show lack of appreciation for God; we judge Him.
– (Romans 2:5)
God’s judgment is righteous (ours is influenced by the flesh);
a third time, we invite God’s judgment.
Matthew 7:1-5
– (Matthew 7:1-2)
We bring the same judgment (void of righteousness) on ourselves.
– (Matthew 7:3-5)
We can’t judge fairly when our assessment of someone
else is clouded (influenced) by sin in our own lives.
Also, what gives us the right to point out someone else’s faults
when we have faults ourselves (our focus should be on our own faults).
– (James 4:11-12)
We ultimately are passing judgment on God’s laws.
Only God has the right to judge and punish.
Only God has a noble purpose in His judgment
(His judgment doesn’t bring someone down to build up Himself).
– (John 8:14-18)
Our judgment cannot be valid without God’s agreement.
We judge by human standards (without a heavenly perspective).
– (Matthew 18:15-35) A merciful heart helps us to be patient.
– We see a contrast between one who was merciful regarding a large debt,
and one who was unmerciful regarding a very small debt.
Question:
What do you think made the difference?
– The first man had a godly heart?
Question:
Why would the second one not cancel the small debt,
after having his large debt canceled?
– His pride had been wounded?
– He was not a compassionate person?
Question:
Why was the master so upset with his servant?
Note:
(v34) He was not only put in prison, but was tortured as well.
Question:
What is the message to us?
Note:
(v26, v29) Both debtors used the phrase, “be patient with me”.
– The parable in Matthew also shows a forgiving heart
(another attitude that can help us to be more patient).
– The Greek word for “forgive” is “aphiemi”
(which means to let go from one’s power
and/or possession; to let go free; to let escape).
– Jesus talked about forgiveness:
– (Luke 11:4)
Question:
Who did He say we should forgive?
– Everyone.
– (Mark 11:25)
Lack of forgiveness can affect our relationship with the Lord.
– **Important** Lack of forgiveness can become a habit.
– (Luke 6:37, Matthew 6:14-15)
We should forgive because God’s Word tells us to forgive.
We should forgive for our own sake.
Note:
Remember Matthew 18:15-35.
– The one who will not forgive
suffers more than the one not forgiven.
Unforgiveness can be like a cancer
that tortures the one who will not forgive.
– (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)
If we do not forgive, we allow Satan
an opportunity to work his schemes in, and against us.
Note:
Think about it, Satan can use our lack of forgiveness
to broaden the gap of our relationship with the Lord.
– (Ephesians 4:30-32)
We should forgive because we have been forgiven.
Note:
Although God was deeply grieved (in Genesis),
the rewards of His forgiveness is eternal life for us.
The rewards of our forgiveness pale greatly in comparison.
– (1 Timothy 1:15-17)
Paul was capable of extensive forgiveness
because he had received extensive forgiveness.
– (Luke 7:36-50)
Question:
According to these verses, what is a key to receiving God’s forgiveness?
– Love.
Question:
Why do you think love is so important?
– The more love we have for Him, the less we have for the world.
– The greater love for Him, the more our actions will be Christlike.
– Question:
How should we forgive?
– (Colossians 3:13) As the Lord forgave us.
Question:
How did the Lord forgive us?
– (1 John 1:9, Psalm 103:12, Psalm 130:3-4, Jeremiah 31:34)
He forgave us completely.
– Question:
When should we forgive?
– (Matthew 5:23-24) Immediately.
– (Romans 14:13)
Our actions can cause others to stumble (we are accountable for our actions).
– (2 Peter 3:15)
Reminder: God’s patience means salvation.
– (James 5:7-9)
James exhorts us to remain patient.
BREAD FOR BELIEVERS 
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