21st November 2024

21st November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 5v9-11)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


What does Christ focused patient living look like? You might be surprised by the answer that comes from James. He says “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” (v9). If it is true that Christ is coming soon then the Christian fellowship should not be a place filled with moaning and grumbling.


We all know the scenario - Mavis doesn’t like the music and so she grumbles. John thinks not enough work is done in the community and so he grumbles. Fintan reckons he has been wronged and so he grumbles. The tragedy is that all of these made up situations and countless more could be played out in thousands of fellowships across the land. What is to be done? Very simply, God’s Word says stop grumbling.


When we grumble against one another we are acting as judge, jury and executioner and needless to say, we are none of these things. Instead, we would do well to remember that Christ is the Judge and He is standing at the door. He is close, He is near, He is coming soon! Instead of grumbling, we should patiently endure our trials and patiently bear with the faults of others.


Is there an example of this? Well yes. James points us to the prophets who spoke God’s Word (v10) as an example of suffering and patience. What did their patient endurance look like? The Apostle would say that they “suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11v36-38). Brothers and sisters, we are not the prophets and will not endure what they did but even so, their example is clear. Be steadfast and endure! 


Those who remain steadfast are and will be considered blessed (v11). They will certainly receive the unfading crown of glory. The Old Testament contains a huge book about a man called Job. Job loved the Lord but Satan believed that Job’s love was dependent upon God’s blessings. As a result, Job lost everything with the remainder of the book speaking to Job’s wrestling with God and the various answers to suffering which were offered by Job’s friends. Nevertheless, Job refused to curse God and continued steadfastly trusting Him even in the face of unspeakable loss. Why did Job suffer? Why were you diagnosed with cancer? Why has the latest storm fallen upon you? I do not know. I cannot be sure. I do not know.


I am all too aware of my limitations and vast ignorance, but I do know for sure that the Lord is compassionate and merciful (v11) and His purpose for us is good. At times this may seem like an easy answer which doesn’t help much in your regular trips to the Ulster but my friends, it is true. The sun shines on the righteous and the wicked alike and the worst of things often happen to the people of God. I cannot tell you why but I gently call upon you to keep going. May the Lord give us the strength to patiently endure the worst of trials. It may not be alright in the morning but endless joy will belong to the Christian at the return of Christ. Come Lord Jesus, come.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q41 Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.
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