New Year - New You! #5 PATIENCE
2026 is a new year and our challenge is to be more like Jesus and less like the person we currently are. This is what the fruit of the Spirit is all about...not perfection, but progress. It's about what naturally begins to grow in us when we are walking cl
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Pick up a Harmony Study booklet on Sunday after church!
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Tuesday, February 24th - Vanessa Noteboom
Friday, February 27th - Cassidy Bolinger
Friday, February 27th - Cassidy Bolinger
Cards
Our February and March series is called New Year - New You.
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
Galatians 5:22-23
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22-23
BSB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
BSB
Today's fruit is PATIENCE.
Definition: “Biblical Patience is Christ-dependent endurance.”
To understand the fruit of patience, we have to start with the mindset that we are not in control.
Patience is a virtue, but it is also a discipline. You have to practice patience. The more fast paced the world gets, the more impatient we become!
Colossians 3:12
It's not a choice, but a command to put on patience.
Definition: “Biblical Patience is Christ-dependent endurance.”
To understand the fruit of patience, we have to start with the mindset that we are not in control.
Patience is a virtue, but it is also a discipline. You have to practice patience. The more fast paced the world gets, the more impatient we become!
Colossians 3:12
It's not a choice, but a command to put on patience.
Colossians 3:12
BSB
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
BSB
Our passage today is found in James chapter 5 verses 7-11.
James is saying that we're to be patient until Christ's return...with the imminent expectation of the coming of Christ.
James also tells us to be patient in this life because this world will be taxing and you will suffer at times...so be patient because Jesus is coming again.
James is saying that we're to be patient until Christ's return...with the imminent expectation of the coming of Christ.
James also tells us to be patient in this life because this world will be taxing and you will suffer at times...so be patient because Jesus is coming again.
James 5:7-11
BSB
7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.
8 You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
8 You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
BSB
This passage of Scripture in James gives us three examples of when we need that little extra dose of patience in our life:
1. When our circumstances are uncontrollable.
The Farmer - James 5:7-9
v. 7 There are times in our life when we can be as prepared as we possibly can be, but things still don't go our way.
Why did the farmer wait? He sees how precious/valuable the crop is, and so he gets to work in anticipation. ("See how the farmer waits")
God wants the fruit of the Spirit to grow in our lives, and the only way He can do that is through trials and troubles.
v. 8 You can enjoy this kind of harvest only if your heart is established/strengthend ("stand firm"). We do this by hearing the Word of God and by engaging in prayer with one another.
v. 9 Impatience with God often leads to impatience with God's people. This is a sin that must be avoided. ("Don't grumble")
1. When our circumstances are uncontrollable.
The Farmer - James 5:7-9
v. 7 There are times in our life when we can be as prepared as we possibly can be, but things still don't go our way.
Why did the farmer wait? He sees how precious/valuable the crop is, and so he gets to work in anticipation. ("See how the farmer waits")
God wants the fruit of the Spirit to grow in our lives, and the only way He can do that is through trials and troubles.
v. 8 You can enjoy this kind of harvest only if your heart is established/strengthend ("stand firm"). We do this by hearing the Word of God and by engaging in prayer with one another.
v. 9 Impatience with God often leads to impatience with God's people. This is a sin that must be avoided. ("Don't grumble")
2. When people are unchangeable.
The Prophets - James 5:10
A prophet was God's spokesperson - delivering God's truth, warnings, and promises to His people...usually at great personal cost. Many of them suffered rejection, persecution, or worse.
In this verse, James merges patience and suffering and gives us the prophets as an example.
Satan loves to convince us that our suffering is due to our sin and unfaithfulness, and yet the prophet's suffering was because of their faithfulness. We must never think that obedience leads to ease and pleasure. Jesus was obedient, yet endured the cross.
The Prophets - James 5:10
A prophet was God's spokesperson - delivering God's truth, warnings, and promises to His people...usually at great personal cost. Many of them suffered rejection, persecution, or worse.
In this verse, James merges patience and suffering and gives us the prophets as an example.
Satan loves to convince us that our suffering is due to our sin and unfaithfulness, and yet the prophet's suffering was because of their faithfulness. We must never think that obedience leads to ease and pleasure. Jesus was obedient, yet endured the cross.
3. When our problems are unexplainable.
Job - James 5:11
God uses four words to describe Job: blameless, upright, feared God, shunned evil.
Through this story, we have the benefit to see it as an encouragement and a reminder of what faithfulness in the face of trials is meant to look like.
Similar to Job, there are going to be times in our lives when crazy things happen and there is going to be no explanation as to why you're going through them. We're called to remain there and show our patience.
James tells us that in our suffering we should remember Job. Don't blame or get mad at God. Sometimes we are unable to see everything that is going on...our perspective is limited.
Romans 8:18
Job - James 5:11
God uses four words to describe Job: blameless, upright, feared God, shunned evil.
Through this story, we have the benefit to see it as an encouragement and a reminder of what faithfulness in the face of trials is meant to look like.
Similar to Job, there are going to be times in our lives when crazy things happen and there is going to be no explanation as to why you're going through them. We're called to remain there and show our patience.
James tells us that in our suffering we should remember Job. Don't blame or get mad at God. Sometimes we are unable to see everything that is going on...our perspective is limited.
Romans 8:18
Romans 8:18
BSB
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
BSB
Application:
1. Develop a new perspective.
Proverbs 19:11; 20:24; 14:29
Wisdom is seeing things from God's perspective.
1. Develop a new perspective.
Proverbs 19:11; 20:24; 14:29
Wisdom is seeing things from God's perspective.
Proverbs 19:11
BSB
11 A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
BSB
Proverbs 20:24
BSB
24 A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
BSB
Proverbs 14:29
BSB
29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
BSB
2. Develop a sense of humor.
Proverbs 14:30; 17:22
Learn to laugh!
Proverbs 14:30; 17:22
Learn to laugh!
Proverbs 14:30
BSB
30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
BSB
Proverbs 17:22
BSB
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
BSB
3. Deepen your love.
1 Corinthians 13:4
If being loving is being patient...what is being impatient?
1 Corinthians 13:4
If being loving is being patient...what is being impatient?
1 Corinthians 13:4
BSB
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
BSB
4. Depend on God.
Psalm 37:7; 2 Peter 3:15
Don't ask, "why God?" but instead ask, "God, what are you trying to teach me?"
The Bible is a book about waiting. Waiting demonstrates faith, and faith pleases God. The hardest kind of waiting is when you're in a hurry and God is not.
Psalm 37:7; 2 Peter 3:15
Don't ask, "why God?" but instead ask, "God, what are you trying to teach me?"
The Bible is a book about waiting. Waiting demonstrates faith, and faith pleases God. The hardest kind of waiting is when you're in a hurry and God is not.
Psalms 37:7
BSB
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
BSB
2 Peter 3:15
BSB
15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
BSB
