2 Peter 1:6
Discipleship Ladder #4 (Patience)
3 By
his divine power the Lord has given us everything we need for life and
godliness through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own honor and
glory. 4 Through his honor and glory he has given us his
precious and wonderful promises, that you may share the divine nature and
escape from the world’s immorality that sinful craving produces.
5 This
is why you must make every effort to add moral excellence to your faith; and to
moral excellence, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness; 7 and
to godliness, affection for others; and to affection for others, love. 8 If
all these are yours and they are growing in you, they’ll keep you from becoming
inactive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 Whoever
lacks these things is shortsighted and blind, forgetting that they were
cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore,
brothers and sisters, be eager to confirm your call and election. Do this and
you will never ever be lost. 11 In this way you will receive a
rich welcome into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
[CEB]
ESV = “steadfastness”
Definition: “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose,
a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.”
[dictionary.com]
Working definition: steadfast endurance.
I. Where
does patience come from?
A. Patience comes from pain and suffering.
James 1:2 – 4 “Count
it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you
know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” [ESV]
Romans 5:3 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance.” [ESV]
B. Patience requires effort.
Luke 8:15 “But the
seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the
word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” [NIV]
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything
that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us.” [NIV]
C. Patience is a matter of life and
death.
Luke 21:19 “By your
endurance you will gain your lives.” [ESV]
*Context:
end times, hated because of Jesus, betrayed and persecuted.
II. Why do we
dislike patience?
A. It offends our theology.
1. We want prosperity.
2. We want comfort.
2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed,
all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” [ESV]
B. It
requires harder work.
1. Vincent: “not merely enduring the
inevitable… but the brave, heroic… not only bears but
contends.”
2. It’s not a passive endurance.
3. There is a steadfastness in purpose
(follow Christ, win the lost).
C. It
eliminates excuses.
1. Not stupid insensibility.
a. Brains are not “checked at the door.”
b. This is a thoughtful counter to sin,
persecution, and their advocates.
2. Not stubborn resolution.
a. Stubborn (unreasonably or perversely
unyielding – merriam – webster.com)
b. Sometimes we can be unreasonable
without cause, truth, or facts.
III. What does real patience look like?
A. Christ-life
VS Self-life
1. There will be an honest struggle to “die
to the world.”
2. Our eyes, lives, and purpose will be
“fixed on Jesus.”
3. Circumstances are just
circumstances, neither good nor bad.
4. Life will be free from bondage from
ANYTHING and EVERTHING of this world.
5. The will be absolutely NO wobble,
weave, or wavering in our faith.
B. Early
church:
1. Under pressure they evangelized
their world.
2. Under pain they patiently prepared
for the return of Jesus.
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