Title: “Waiting Actively” Part 2

Text: James 5:10-12

FCF: We often struggle to wait patiently on the Lord.

Prop: Because the Lord is coming soon to judge sinner and show mercy to His people, we must be patient.

Scripture Intro:

[Slide 1] Turn in your bible to James chapter 5.

Last week James revealed the seventh lack in his audience’s faith. A lack that God has deliberately designed trials for them to endure so that their faith may be perfected.

That lack, is patience.

James assures them that the Lord of glory is coming soon. He is coming to judge sinners and to judge them. That is both a comfort but also a concern to them.

James’ command is for them to be patient. And what does patience look like? Well so far, James has given two aspects of patience. Two ways that they can wait actively.

First, they must fortify their hearts. They must strengthen their faith. We pointed out last week that God has given various means by which we can strengthen our faith. Ordinary means like hearing and obeying the Word, prayer, and fellowship with God’s people. And special means like Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. All of these build our faith and fortify us against difficulty and trials.

Second, if they are to wait actively, they must resist the temptation to grumble against one another. Grumbling against other believers including their spiritual leaders, is a sure sign that they are not waiting patiently.

Today, we will see two more aspects of what it means to wait actively.

I am in James 5. I’ll begin reading in verse 7 again, just to pick up the context. I am reading from the ESV, but you can follow along in the pew bible on page 1363 or in whatever version you have.

Transition:

You have no doubt heard the expression, “Monkey see, monkey do.” The essence of this expression is to remark on the predictable nature of human beings. We often simply blend into the environment in which we find ourselves. I saw a video once of an experiment. The whole room was made up to be the waiting room of a doctor’s office. Upon arriving, each subject came into a room with five or six people already there. A few minutes after sitting down a bell would sound over the loud speaker. All 5 people who were there already were in on the experiment, upon hearing the bell ding, got up out of their chairs and stood for a few seconds. A second bell rang a few moments later and then they all sat down. What is remarkable is… that almost every single test subject, while struggling to understand why… eventually just went along with everyone else. Even after a new person came in. They just kept standing and sitting according to the bell. Oftentimes, we do what we see others do. We mimic – especially when we are in uncomfortable or unfamiliar situations. James calls his audience to wait on the Lord. And to do so while they are in a very uncomfortable and unfamiliar spot. So James draws the attention of his readers… to those who have gone before them. Monkey see… monkey do.

I.) The Lord is coming soon to judge sinners and show mercy to His people, so we must draw encouragement from previous examples. (10-11)

a. [Slide 2] 10 – As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

i. It is truly rare to find a prophet of Israel who was not hated and reviled.

ii. Some of the most quoted and noteworthy prophets of God were despised and rejected by their own people.

iii. Even Jesus, the GREAT PROPHET was despised and rejected by most of the Jewish people.

iv. Yet these prophets faithfully endured, preaching the words of God, even though some of them knew that the people would not listen.

b. [Slide 3] 11 – Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast.

i. But speaking to Christ-following Jews, James speaks more highly of them.

ii. He reminds them that they looked upon these prophets and the GREAT PROPHET Jesus, as blessed. As favored of God. As gifted with power and passion from Yahweh.

iii. And what is the evidence that this was so? They remained steadfast. They held out.

iv. They did not cave to the pressure. They did not bow to the wishes of kings, priests, other prophets, or emperors.

v. Though they were tortured, imprisoned, abused, mocked, scorned, afflicted, ignored, killed, and put through hell on earth – they endured suffering to do what God had for them to do.

vi. And we now reflect on their ministry and consider them blessed of God.

vii. Why?

viii. Because they held fast.

ix. They endured.

x. They patiently trusted God.

xi. James brings a second example.

c. [Slide 4] You have heard of the steadfastness of Job,

i. Job lost everything – for a time.

ii. He lost his possessions – for a time. He lost his friends – for a time. He lost his wife – for a time. He lost his health – for a time.

iii. And although he was quite arrogant with God and demanded answers from Him… he certainly never rejected God. He never followed the advice of his wife to curse God and die.

iv. He endured through all his pain without turning from God or rejecting Him.

v. He may have cursed the day he was born, but he never cursed God.

vi. In many ways what James’ audience is experiencing is certainly no more than what Job experienced and probably far less.

vii. But James doesn’t simply point to the example of the prophets and Job.

viii. No. He points to the God behind those examples.

d. [Slide 5] And you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

i. What was the Lord’s purpose in the prophets suffering?

ii. What was the Lord’s compassionate and merciful end for Job?

iii. What is the Lord’s purpose in our suffering?

iv. What is the Lord’s purpose in our trials?

v. What is the Lord’s purpose in our pain?

vi. Is it not compassion and mercy?

vii. But you might say - the prophets died… many of them tortured! Job still lost everything… even if he did get more back in the end. How can we call that compassion and mercy?

viii. Friends, all the Lord does is full of compassion and mercy. Even His wrath is merciful and compassionate.

ix. When you understand the sinfulness of sin and wickedness of man’s heart – you realize that even these prophets and Job did not get what they truly deserved.

x. Not to mention the compassion and mercy that comes as a result of their ministry.

xi. The Lord put His prophets through the ringer so His message of judgment and call for repentance could be preached. Certainly, we know that many who heard them with their own ears, did not listen and certainly national Israel was judged for not listening.

xii. But there have been countless Jews won to Christ because of Isaiah’s prophesy in chapter 53!

xiii. An innumerable number of suffering servants of God have looked to the book of Job and seen the gospel on full display!

xiv. Our personal pain, trial, and suffering… could be a way for God to show compassion and mercy on others.

xv. And no matter how much God puts us through, it is far less than we deserve. For there are far worse things than being oppressed and afflicted by men.

xvi. Men can only harm the body, after all. But God can cast a person’s soul into hell.

xvii. Indeed, Jesus said that to suffer for His name is to be blessed. That we should rejoice.

xviii. My friends… the Lord is compassionate and merciful to us… even in our suffering. Even in our oppression. Even in our pain.

e. [Slide 6] Passage Truth: Although it is less obvious in this particular portion, the main truth of this passage continues. The Lord is coming soon. The same Lord who had a compassionate and merciful purpose behind the suffering of the prophets and Job, is coming soon.

f. Passage Application: So, James has told them to be patient. To wait on the Lord. One way they can be waiting actively is to go back and remember these examples. They should go back and remember what the prophets endured by the grace of God. They should go back and reflect on the compassionate purpose and merciful ends of those who endured by His grace. And they should endeavor to do likewise.

g. [Slide 7] Broader Biblical Truth: The whole cannon of scripture reveals that the Lord of glory will one day make all things right. He will do so by returning to His people. He will bring them close to Him and they will never be separated from Him again.

h. Broader Biblical Application: So, CBC, what does that mean for us? Since we know the ending, that God will return – what does that mean? It means we must be patient. We must wait on the Lord. Certainly, this is true – but how can we do that? We have learned last week that we must fortify our faith, partaking of the ordinary and special means of grace. We have seen how not to be patient, which is to grumble against other believers. But how else can we be patient in the midst of suffering and trial? We can look to the examples given to us in scripture. How God has dealt mercifully and compassionately with His people. How He has designed good for them in spite of all the pain. And how God’s purposes are often far grander and greater in trial that we could possibly imagine. God’s blessing is on those who endure suffering patiently. So, we must endure. We must be patient. We can do that by looking to those who have gone before us and seeing God’s mercy and compassion on them.

Transition:

[Slide 8(blank)] Regardless of what we are facing in this life, we know that we have a God working all things for the good of those who love Him and who have been called to do His will. We can observe that throughout the history of His people. We can fortify our faith to endure and we can keep our tongue from grumbling against others. In all this we can wait patiently on the Lord’s return. But what else can we do? How else is patience defined?

II.) The Lord is coming soon to judge sinners and show mercy to His people, so we must hold fast to our confession. (12)

a. [Slide 9] 12 – But above all, my brothers,

i. Because James says above all here, many believe that this verse belongs with the next section.

ii. In fact, myself and only a select few commentators believe this verse goes with James’ thoughts concerning patience and waiting on the Lord.

iii. What could be an alternate way to interpret “above all” if not establishing some kind of distinct context or closing out the letter? Well, perhaps when James says above all here, he speaks to the greatest sin related to impatience.

iv. The greatest sin that we could commit when faced with long trials, persecutions or pains… the greatest expression of not trusting our God is found… right here.

v. That is why James says… above all.

vi. Well, what could it be?

b. [Slide 10] Do not swear

i. In English vernacular to swear can sometimes mean to use vulgar language.

ii. That is not what is happening here.

iii. To swear or to make an oath is to do one of two things.

iv. First it is to promise that you are telling the truth and to promise that in the name of something precious to you or on the life of something that is immovable or unshakable.

1. Perhaps even swearing using God’s name.

2. The purpose of this kind of oath is to immediately dismiss any doubt in someone’s mind as to the legitimacy of what you are saying.

v. A second form of oath is to bargain or barter to get something you want by offering something you love. In this case a person who swore an oath on God would be invoking Him to do something for them and they would keep their end of a bargain or deal.

vi. Certainly, to swear an oath in God’s name regardless of which one we picked, would be blasphemous?

vii. But James, like Jesus, does not consider this the only form of oath that is blasphemous.

c. [Slide 11] Either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath,

i. The Jews were taught about the seriousness of swearing an oath in the name of Yahweh.

ii. The prevailing interpretation of Leviticus 19:12 was that all vows that were made in close association to Yahweh, God’s name, were binding and must be kept

iii. However, vows made with a significant distance from God’s name were not binding.

iv. Like swearing by heaven or by earth.

v. An oath says that for the sake of the earth or for the sake of heaven – let them all dissolve if I am lying.

vi. Therefore, there were entire booklets at the time outlining what you could and could not swear by if you intended to break your oath.

vii. James mimics Christ’s teaching in the sermon on the mount when he eliminates these as options for making oaths and vows.

viii. Christ said that heaven was God’s home and that earth was His footstool.

ix. The Jews desired to make oaths that were distanced from God but Jesus shows that you can’t get away from God in His creation. He is everywhere. Therefore, to swear by anything is to swear by God.

x. James forms the same conclusion that Christ did too.

d. [Slide 12] But let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no

i. In other words, tell the truth.

ii. Keep your promises.

iii. If you say yes, mean yes. If you say no, mean no.

iv. And in this, no one will doubt you since you are always trustworthy and truthful.

v. This doesn’t necessarily make it sin to swear an oath where an oath is appropriate. In court hearings or in the taking of an office – oaths are appropriate.

vi. In this vein, making a covenant with someone is akin to making an oath. When we promise to keep our membership covenant with one another, we are, in effect, giving an oath.

vii. We offer vows in our wedding ceremonies – even in God’s name.

viii. But for normal everyday life – we are not to swear oaths to prove we are not liars. Or to intentionally deceive others. Or to make bargains with God to get what we desire.

ix. Instead, what we say should be what we mean.

x. Why?

e. [Slide 13] So that you may not fall under condemnation.

i. This is one strong reason that I believe this verse should be included in this context. James again refers to the coming judgment of the Lord.

ii. He insists that the Lord is coming soon, that he is coming to judge sinners and His people. He will deal compassionately and mercifully for the faithful but will condemn the faithless.

iii. But why would God bring condemnation on those who swear an oath?

iv. What makes this particular command to not swear an oath, above all? How does it relate to being patient?

v. [Slide 14] There are two basic interpretations for how this is an expression of impatience.

1. A foolish vow made promising something valuable in exchange for something else.

a. Perhaps in his look back at positive examples of prophets and Job, James thinks of some negative examples of impatience and foolishness.

b. Perhaps he thinks of Herod who in a moment of foolishness swore to his niece to give her anything she wanted. Which he regretted, since she asked for the head of John the Baptist.

c. Or perhaps he thinks back to Japheth’s vow in Judges 11.

i. For those unfamiliar with the story,

ii. The Ammonites rose up against a branch of the tribe of Manasseh called Gilead. The tribe sought out Japheth’s help. Indeed, they were in such dire straits that they offered him leadership of the branch of the tribe.

iii. Japheth begins by trying to settle the matter with the Ammonites. The king of the Ammonites did not listen.

iv. At this point the Spirit of God was upon Japheth and he rode out to meet the Ammonites head on.

v. Before doing so, he made a vow. He promised that if the Lord delivered the Ammonites into his hand, that the very first thing that came out of his house when he returned in peace, he would offer as a burnt offering to God.

vi. God gave him victory over the Ammonites. But when Japheth returned home the first thing out of his home was his only child, a daughter who was too young to have been wed.

vii. Although there are many attempts by several commentators to try to lessen the blow, it is obvious that after a period of mourning, Japheth sacrificed his daughter on an altar to Yahweh.

d. Coming back to our context here, James is commanding his audience to not do the same.

e. Do not enter a bargain or plea deal with God to trade alleviation of your pain, suffering, or trial for something you hold dear. Don’t swear to give something to God if He would only ease your pain.

f. Instead, let your yes be yes and your no be no. You have said that you believe that God is good… so keep believing. You have said you trust God. So, keep trusting. There is no need to strike a deal. Simply be patient.

g. Indeed, to strike such a deal is to imitate Gideon or Jephthah from the Old Testament and their very little faith in God’s promises.

h. But another way we could see this is…

2. A hasty vow made to escape persecution.

a. Although similar in substance the details diverge quite quickly in this second interpretation.

b. Similar to the first, an oath is made to attempt to get out of persecution or pain.

c. However, this vow is not made to God but to the rich and powerful who are doing the oppressing.

d. Perhaps James’ mind goes to the negative example of the disciples and in particular Peter.

e. Peter made an oath, swearing that he did not know Jesus at all. All so he could not be captured along with Jesus and killed.

f. James then warns against denying Christ, making a vow, swearing by heaven or earth or anything at all, that you do not know Him, so that you can be freed from the pain and oppression given to Christ’s followers.

g. Instead, they should let their confession stand and take what they get. Their affirmation, their YES to Jesus should be a yes at all times and in all circumstances.

h. If this interpretation is right, James has condemned in His letter any kind of salvation that does not include both confession and lifestyle. Just as it is not genuine saving faith to confess Christ but live as the world – so also it is not genuine saving faith to deny Christ but live in obedience to His commands.

vi. All things considered I believe the second interpretation fits the context the best, but I think either interpretation would be suitable application to being patient.

vii. James wants his audience to tell the truth and not make some kind of vow hoping to dupe their oppressors. To do so would show a lack of faith in God that He has good for them even in their trial, and it would be deliberately lying which God hates.

viii. Therefore, patience in a trail does not attempt to weasel out of trouble by swearing an oath of non-affiliation with Christ.

f. [Slide 15] Passage Truth: Through the entire passage now from verse 7 through to verse 12, James has emphasized the immanency of the Lord’s return. The Lord is coming to judge the living and the dead. He is coming to vindicate the righteous and punish the wicked.

g. Passage Application: Therefore, they must be patient. They must wait on the Lord. And they can wait actively by not denying Christ to get out of their persecution or trial.

h. [Slide 16] Broader Biblical Truth: Do we see this taught throughout the scriptures? I hope that by now you can see that point conclusively proven. God is at work to bring about the completion of His will. He has written the end from the beginning. He will soon return and usher in the last chapter of His plan.

i. Broader Biblical Application: So, CBC, we must fight the urge to deny our Lord. When we are hurting, when we have a long trial, when we are in pain – we can do some pretty crazy things. Things that we wouldn’t normally do. And our actions become even more unpredictable as we add in things like persecution, suffering, and facing potential martyrdom. It may be tempting for us to distance ourself from God. We might think – “I can deny Him and then immediately repent of it after I am safely out of harm’s way.” There is a myriad of problems with such thinking. First, the Lord’s return is immanent. You may not have an opportunity to repent of your denial. Second, Christ’s words ring in our ears, “if you deny me before men, I will deny you before my Father.” Third, to make a vow or oath intentionally to deceive someone so you can get out of trouble is blasphemous and faithless. God HATES a lying tongue. Can you do something God hates on purpose and be a Christian? That is a thought worthy of consideration regardless of the answer. My friends, though we face uncertain days ahead – we must purpose in our hearts to let our yes be yes and our no be no. If we confess Christ, we must hold fast to our confession. In this we are being patient. For we do not fear what men can do to us – but trust that God is merciful and compassionate toward us – His people.

Conclusion:

[Slide 17 (end)] So what have we learned CBC and how then shall we live?

I think we can wrap it up in a nice little bow by quoting Christ in Matthew 10:26-33.

26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

My friends.

The Lord of glory is returning soon. He will come to judge the living and the dead. He will come to punish the wicked and reward the righteous. And we will give an account for every action we have done and every word we have spoken. Though we won’t face His wrath we will certainly face his judgment.

One day, everything that has been said in quiet that people cannot see - will be shouted from rooftops and will be obvious to all. The light of truth will be seen even by the spiritually dead. And those who harm, maim, kill, and destroy us today… will not endure then.

So be patient.

My friends – I know I sound like a broken record. I know that you may tire of me saying it. And you may still be in denial about it. And while I still think that revival is possible and the rescue of this nation is possible – I think it would be healthy for us to come to grips with the very real probability that within the next few decades we may see actual, real, and intentional persecution of genuine Christians in this nation.

In James’ day they faced persecution for eating and drinking the blood of their dead leader. Is this an accurate description of the Lord’s Supper? Of course not! But that is what they saw.

And our culture will see the same things in us. It doesn’t matter how kindly or winsomely we disagree. They will still hate us simply for disagreeing.

Very soon if we do not affirm (not just tolerate) but affirm the transgender, LGBTQA+ community, if we do not begin considering abortion a human right and only keep our disagreement in the realm of when we can abort and not if we can abort, if we do not admit openly that we not only need Christ to free us from sin but in addition we need to repent and make reparations for our inherent racism simply because we are a particular skin color.

Very soon, my friends, if we do not bend or break on these matters. We will be persecuted. It has already begun.

JP morgan chase has allegedly cancelled several accounts of religious freedom organizations and if they want their account reinstated, they must provide to JP Morgan Chase a list of all who donated to them. What if every bank in America did this? What if every credit card company did this. What if every employer did this. At this point it is probably too late. If you are here among us today – all your information – no matter how off the grid you think you are – your affiliation with Christ, this church, and our increasingly unpopular viewpoint on these matters – that connection is well established.

Very soon – you may not be able to be a Christian and get a job. Or buy a house. Or get a loan. Or receive your pension or social security. Or find a lawyer to represent you. Very soon protestors may be meeting in the front of our church every week. Very soon, I may be hauled off to St. Clair County jail for teaching what the bible says.

What will you do then? What should you do then?

You should be patient. Why? Because the Lord is soon returning.

Fortify your hearts.

Don’t grumble against each other but draw near to one another.

Look to the examples of those who have patiently endured suffering for His name. Look to them so you can gain the courage to patiently endure and rejoice when you are persecuted for His sake.

Finally… Don’t deny Him.

When the persecution of the church first began and Paul was hunting down Christians to haul them to jail. How do you think Paul found out where they lived? Some of them were fairly obvious. But some would have no doubt been hard to find. Do you think sons, daughters, friends, fathers, brothers, mothers, uncles, cousins, do you think they turned them in? Do you think they did so to escape persecution themselves?

The same is going to happen here in this country. Perhaps even under the sound of my voice right now… a Judas walks among us. One who will turn us in to the authorities to escape imprisonment themselves.

God forbid my friend. Steel yourself against such temptation! Do not forfeit your soul for temporary comfort! You cannot betray God’s people and expect to be welcomed into His Kingdom.

Do not agree to any terms where you must deny your Lord or abuse His bride to save your skin.

Instead, be patient. Suffer with us. Endure. Why?

For the Lord will soon return. And He will show us the purpose and end of all of this. He will show us His compassion and mercy. Are we not worth many sparrows? Those whom the Lord has purchased with His death, earthen vessels He has chosen to store His treasure in, the bride of His Son… are we not worth much to Him?

Don’t be afraid. Be patient instead. Wait on the Lord.