Title: “Waiting Actively” Part 1
Text: James 5:7-9
FCF: We often struggle being patient for the return of Jesus
Prop: Because the Lord is coming soon to judge sinners and show mercy to His people, we must be patient.
Scripture Intro: ESV
[Slide 1] Turn in your bible to James chapter 5.
James’ audience has several lacks in their faith. God is at work to perfect them and he is using trials to do so. The last lack that James exposed to them, was their lack of deference to God. A lack of placing God in His proper place.
Through that section we see that God is the lawgiver and judge over His law, The Sovereign ruler over every atom in His creation, and the Lord of Heaven’s Armies able to justly punish the wicked. Not viewing God in this way, no wonder they have so many deficiencies in their faith. The god they believed in was quite puny.
Coming out of this discussion of how High and Lofty our God truly is… James will disclose yet another lack in their faith.
A lack… of patience.
I am in James 5. I’ll begin reading in verse 7. I am reading from the ESV today but you can follow along in the pew bible on page 1363 or in whatever version you have in front of you.
Transition:
We do a lot of waiting don’t we? We wait in traffic, we wait for trains, we wait on hold, we wait in lines, we wait for our internet connection, we wait for loading screens, we wait for our rides, we wait for our turn. With all this waiting, you’d think we’d be pretty good at it. Nothing could be further from the truth. One of the most difficult commands you could ever give your kids or grandkids to do… is to wait. To be still. You wanna see them go crazy… tell them to wait. In the midst of trial, pain, suffering, agony, difficulty, and living in a place that isn’t our home… God tells us… to wait. Turns out, that is incredibly difficult. Speaking of waiting… it will be a longer sermon today. Lots to talk about. Do your part to pay attention. I’ve done mine to shorten where I could.
I.) The Lord is coming soon to judge sinners and show mercy to His people, so we must fortify our hearts. (7-8)
a. [Slide 2] 7 – Be patient, therefore, brothers,
i. As you teach children to strive toward reading comprehension, the word “therefore” becomes a huge talking point.
ii. I’ve heard it taught many ways, “When you see therefore you need to figure out what its therefore.” Or various other trite little sayings. But they all boil down to this…
iii. The word “therefore” points us back.
iv. In fact, I don’t think we can consider anything James is going to say next without first going back and remembering what he just said.
v. But how far back do we go?
vi. Since the previous six verses were a tight unit, it seems like we should go back at least to chapter 5 verse 1. But based on what James intends to speak to next, I believe James wants us to go back further.
vii. Looking ahead, the dominate theme through this section is the immanent return of a just and merciful Lord.
viii. That theme alone indicates that the commands that James is about to give are based on all he has taught about God since the beginning of chapter 4.
ix. God looms large throughout chapter 4 and into chapter 5 as The Just and Merciful God who will reject the proud but exalt the humble.
x. He is Sovereign over every atom of His creation and He will make all things right. He will judge perfectly. He will judge finally. He will judge soon.
xi. So James says, Therefore… based on all that… be patient.
xii. Trust God. Be still.
xiii. You desire and you do not have so you fight. Just stop.
xiv. You aren’t King. You aren’t Lord. You can’t control anything about your life. Anything you think you can do is an illusion. God alone determines where you go, how long you stay, your success, your life, your breath.
xv. Just. Stop.
xvi. But they are hurting me! STOP!
xvii. But those rich people – STOP!
xviii. God has got it. He really does. Just be still.
xix. When we are pressed on all sides we become like cornered beasts. We become unpredictable. We attack others who are in the same place. We become overconfident in our abilities thinking we can do better than God to get us out of trouble. We start to doubt God’s care that we are being harmed or that He will ever judge injustice or unrighteousness. We squirm and fret, and fear and bounce from this comfort to that.
xx. James says… stop.
xxi. Be patient. Wait.
xxii. Well, for how long?
b. [Slide 3] Until the coming of the Lord.
i. There is no promise for a better life now.
ii. There is no hope for wealth and relief now.
iii. James does not tell his… PANIC STRICKEN audience to wait for earthly ease…
iv. He says to be patient for the Lord’s return.
v. Why?
vi. For a heart that is truly seeking His Kingdom first – that is the only thing that will truly calm all our anxieties and put away all our fears.
vii. EVERYTHING will be made right when the Lord returns.
viii. We can find temporary relief in small ways – but the true alleviation of all this panic – is only going to be found when the Lord of glory returns.
ix. Then James gives an illustration.
c. [Slide 4] See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
i. Agrarian life is often the illustration of choice for teachers of the gospel.
ii. The reason for this is not incredibly difficult to surmise. They lived in an agrarian culture. Most either were farmers or had farmers in their family to the point that they were familiar with the agrarian way of life.
iii. But we probably need to understand their growing cycle because it is a little different than ours. Although, recently, not so much.
1. Because of the climate of the middle east, they would experience very dry summers and very wet autumns and springs.
2. Between mid-October and mid-November, they would experience heavy rainfalls. This would soften the ground preparing it to be planted. Through the winter months they would receive about ¾ of their total rainfall for the growing season. So, it would rain periodically until mid-March.
3. Between mid-March and mid-April, they would experience heavy rainfall once again. This would finish up the growing and signal to the farmers that it was almost time for harvest.
4. So, during one month in Autumn and one month in spring, they would receive about a quarter of their rain for the growing season. The first to germinate the seed and the second to stiffen the stems to hold the fruit.
5. If a farmer were anxious, nervy, and impatient, he may find himself erring on two sides.
a. If he does not wait and plants his seeds too early, they may be washed out in the heavy autumn rains that are yet to come.
b. If he does not wait for the spring rains, fearing the dry summer, he may harvest too early and reap a small harvest endangering his livelihood and provision.
6. It would no doubt be difficult to wait for these rains.
7. But a wise farmer waits for early and late rains and reaps a more bountiful harvest.
d. [Slide 5] 8 – You also, be patient. Establish your hearts,
i. So too, like wise farmers, they must wait for the Lord’s return.
ii. They must be patient and not get antsy or anxious.
iii. Even though they are suffering and experiencing terrible pain and trial – they must not squirm under it. They must not flail themselves about, trying to go anywhere for comfort.
iv. They must not act brashly or impulsively.
v. But they also must not wait idly.
vi. What does James mean by patience? He explains himself with the next phrase.
vii. The idea of patience and waiting on the Lord is not idle. It is not twiddling our thumbs and tapping our feet waiting on His return.
viii. Instead, they must establish, strengthen, or fortify their hearts.
ix. They must hold fast to faith in the Lord.
x. This is waiting actively. This is growing faith. This deepening trust. This is a faith that goes to the gym and builds up muscle in order to lift more and more.
xi. Why?
e. [Slide 6] For the coming of the Lord is at hand.
i. Those who seek first the Kingdom of God will have everything put to right when the Kingdom is consummated.
ii. And the Lord’s coming is at hand.
iii. There isn’t much time for our faith to be perfected. There isn’t much time for our faith to lack nothing. That is why we must have growing and deepening faith.
iv. The time to complete or perfect our faith is near. The Lord’s return is soon.
v. But how can James say this if he wrote this 1,978 years ago? How could it be true both then and now?
vi. There is no way that something could be considered soon almost 2000 years ago and also be considered soon today. Right?
vii. Wrong.
viii. The nearness is not chronological, nor circumstantial. It is unpreventable.
ix. What I mean by that, is that the nearness of the Lord’s return is not in reference to time, nor in reference to the circumstances of history, but primarily in reference to the inability of any who would oppose it to prevent it from coming about.
x. If we were to watch on the TV someone slowly filling a glass with water all the way up to the brim… we could say that the overflow of the glass is at hand. The nearness of its spilling out is upon us. Certainly, that could be time, and it could be circumstances, but primarily – according to where you sit – you have no power to stop it from happening. Even if you should turn your TV off… you cannot prevent it. You simply blind yourself to when it will occur.
xi. There is nothing standing in the way of God that can prevent Him from returning and consummating His Kingdom.
xii. So far, He has waited almost 2000 years since James wrote this. But today His return is no nearer nor farther than when James wrote.
xiii. His coming is at hand. And we are not lunatics to preach this message. Those who wear the sign that warns of the coming of the judgment of God are not idiots. They are not crazy. They shouldn’t be corrected by God’s people to preach a message of love instead.
xiv. For the warnings about the coming Judgment ARE a message of love. To whom? To those who will hear it. To those who repent it is indeed a message of love.
xv. And to James’ audience… it was certainly a message of love. A message of hope. A message of relief.
xvi. Their faith must last until He returns.
xvii. Be patient. Wait. Fortify your hearts. Perfect your faith.
xviii. The Lord is returning.
f. [Slide 7] Passage Truth: So, the truth that James conveys to his audience here is that the Lord’s return is immanent. The day He will come to judge the living and the dead is upon them.
g. Passage Application: That means they must endure. They must be patient. They must fortify their hearts. They must strengthen their faith. They must deepen their trust.
h. [Slide 8] Broader Biblical Truth: Does the scripture as a whole teach us this? Absolutely. Old Testament prophesy regarding the Day of the Lord frequently refers to it as being immanent. As if it could happen at any time. Zechariah, Isaiah, Joel, and Obadiah to name a few – they all consider the Day of the Lord to be near. But how could this be true if Christ had not even come yet? Again, I would argue that the nearness of the Day of the Lord is not related to time or even the circumstances of the redemptive plan of God. Rather, the nearness of the Day of the Lord is always referring to the inability of anyone to do anything to stop it. God the Father knows the hour it will occur. And no one can stop Him from executing that plan. In this way… In Isaiah’s time the Day of the Lord was as near as it is today. God need only say the word, blink his bidding, or breathe his intention and the Lamb of God will come.
i. Broader Biblical Application: So CBC – what must we do? If this is true, if God’s return is immanent, what must we do? We must be patient. We must wait on the Lord. But what does that mean? Does that mean sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, picking our noses, as if we are at the bus stop just waiting for the Lord to descend and begin His new Kingdom? Oh no my friends. Why? Because you and I aren’t ready. The King is coming. Indeed, He has already come once. But He is coming back. I know my faith isn’t ready. I know I still have many lacks that make my faith imperfect. Though it be a gift from Him, my use of it is shoddy and wavering. I believe – but help my unbelief. And I’d wager that yours is the same. Are you trusting the Lord? Is He your only hope? Or are you depending on your own cunning? Are you leaning on your wealth? Do you hope in the things of this world? Do you find comfort and peace in the fact that you aren’t nearly as bad as others in your country, your county, your church? Oh sinner listen. The bridegroom is coming. And our lamps are lit. But our oil is always running out. Are you sure you have enough? When He comes He’ll invite us to the wedding feast. But do you have your wedding clothes? Are you ready for the feast? Strengthen your heart my friends. Fortify your faith. As John 3:16 says – it is only the believing ones who will not perish. It is only the believing ones who will have everlasting life. Not those who believed once. Not those who believed a hundred times. Not those who got saved and rededicated themselves to the Lord 1000 times. No. It is only the ones who continue to believe who will be saved. For saving faith… is enduring faith. Fortify your faith, Christian.
Transition:
[Slide 9 (blank)] Being pressed on all sides, being persecuted by the rich, being squashed by the powerful for what they believe, they may find it difficult to remain still and fortify their faith for the Lord’s return. They may be tempted to act against the powerful or to curry favor with the wealthy, or to seek ways to alleviate their pain by their own power. But what else may they be tempted to do? What else do people do when they won’t be patient?
II.) The Lord is coming soon to judge sinners and show mercy to His people, so we must not grumble against one another. (9)
a. [Slide 10] 9 – Do not grumble against one another, brothers,
i. When we experience great trouble of all kinds, we often turn on those closest to us.
1. If you can’t do anything against your oppressor, you may start turning on others around you.
2. Perhaps they are not as oppressed as you are, and so they earn your ire for being not equally squashed under the weight.
3. Perhaps they are bearing up under the weight of trial better than you, so they are the subject of your envious complaints.
4. Perhaps they inadvertently caused you hardship or trouble when you thought your hardship could not be worse?
5. Perhaps they were supposed to be one you trusted and instead they added to your misery by sinning against you in some way. Though they sought forgiveness you are wrestling against forgiving them since they should have known better.
6. Perhaps you have granted them forgiveness in word but are still privately grumbling against them or gossiping against them – spreading to others what they did to you.
7. Perhaps you are simply sick of being oppressed and want to be the oppressor for a while instead.
8. Perhaps you are under the deep conviction of the Spirit of God for your sin, false doctrine, or failures and rather than repenting and obeying the Lord you have started complaining about and blaming everyone else. You have doubled down on your sin rather than turning from it. It is, after all, far easier to crucify others for their faults than to crucify the faults in ourselves.
ii. People also tend to lash out at those closest to them when they are made to wait for long periods of time for something that was promised to them.
1. Look at the children of Israel in the Exodus from Egypt. What did they continually find themselves doing? Did they not grumble against one another and their leaders?
2. As we wait, as we tire of the immanent return of our Lord being… immanent – we grow increasingly more frustrated with his children.
3. As the dessert wanderings continue, as we wait for the promised land to be brought to us, we can lose the forest for the trees. We can focus on the back of the person in front of us rather than looking to the pillar of cloud and fire.
4. And when we focus on the back of the person in front of us we can grumble about how fast or slow they walk. When they drop something, we can complain that they were so careless. When they lead us down a difficult path we can curse them behind their backs.
5. Or perhaps we see beyond the backs of the person in front of us but not so far as to see the pillar of Yahweh… no we just see Moses. Ugh! Moses! What a terrible leader. I could do better than him. He is constantly doing and saying things that we’ve never done before. We had it so much better in Egypt. We should just go back.
iii. Whatever the motivation, James spots our propensity to turn on each other when times get difficult. And he commands his audience to not grumble against one another.
iv. But why must they not grumble and complain against others within their community of faith?
b. [Slide 11] So that you may not be judged;
i. The threat of judgment looms over this particular response to patiently enduring pressure, persecution and trials.
ii. To turn on your brother or sister in Christ is to neglect to show them the love that you are commanded to give. The love of Christ.
iii. It is most certainly and without question a grave sin to complain and grumble against a fellow believer.
iv. Unfortunately, It is a sin we often tolerate within the church.
c. [Slide 12] Behold
i. James implores his readers to look. To pay attention. To listen.
ii. They may take his warning of judgment to be a separate matter from what he has been discussing with regard to the return of the Lord.
iii. But friends, as one commentator put it - “Christians will not face God’s wrath on judgment day, but we will face God’s assessment of every word and every deed.”
iv. And by the way…
d. [Slide 13] The Judge is standing at the door.
i. The same judgment of the coming Lord against sinners, the same judgment that gives comfort to those who are oppressed, the same judgment that they are supposed to be waiting on and be patient for.
ii. That judgment is the warning James issues to those who grumble and complain against other brothers and sisters in Christ.
iii. What is the implication?
iv. The implication is that we do not want to be caught maligning one of God’s children when the door is opened.
v. The judge is standing at the door, ready to enter the home.
vi. Do not lay a finger on His own, lest he open the door to find you standing over them.
vii. The husband will not be pleased with any who abuse His bride.
e. [Slide 14] Passage Truth: The truth that James conveys in this passage is the immanency of the return of Christ to judge the world. Indeed, that judgement is to the comfort – but also the concern of God’s people.
f. Passage Application: Therefore, his audience must not groan or complain against God’s people. They must not be found griping or complaining about their fellow brothers and sisters lest the judge deal harshly with them.
g. [Slide 15] Broader Biblical Truth: As we have seen, the scriptures as a whole teach the immanent Day of the Lord. God will bring justice. And none can rise against Him.
h. Broader Biblical Application: So, CBC, what must we do? We must not grumble or complain about one another. Necessary caveats must be inserted of course. We can and should be lovingly pointing out sin in others lives. We can and should be marking, pointing out, and avoiding false teachers who are a danger to the church. But this is not grumbling. This is not complaining. Complaining is comparing yourself to others and either determining that they should be like you or you should be like them. In both instances, you complain or grumble about how you aren’t the same. Your words and thoughts assume that if they were like you, then they would be better off. Or if you were like them, you would be better off. It is a sin borne out of misery and oppression. It is a sin borne out of impatience. Whether oppressed by sin, by conscience, by oppressors, persecutions, trials or tests – the longer we spend in these places, and the longer we are made to wait for deliverance, the more likely we will look for a target to vent our discomfort. And rather than giving our brothers and sisters an opportunity to mourn with us, we secretly despise and complain about their joy amid our grief. Rather than giving our brothers a chance to rejoice with us, we secretly hope they feel jealousy over what we have that they don’t. Rather than listening to and submitting to our leaders, we raise accusations against them but never afford them an opportunity to answer them. We raise small armies of rebels without going to them directly. CBC – do not do this. Do not do this to your brother or sister. And do not do this to your leaders. Do not grumble.
Conclusion:
[Slide 16] So CBC, what have we learned today and how then shall we live?
We have learned only 1 point of doctrine. One point of teaching that James needs us to hear and understand. The Lord of glory – the just and merciful judge – is standing at the door. He will return very soon. Nothing is able to stop Him from His appearing. We are living in the last days. The cross of Christ was the breath before we plunged down under the water. But even now we are just below the surface. We wait only for the Lord to fish us out.
What does this mean for God’s people? What may our faith yet lack that trials are serving to perfect?
Patience. We must be patient. We must wait on the Lord.
But James, wisely, under inspiration of the Spirit of God, does not leave us to define patience on our own. I’d wager we’d make a muddled mess of it if we tried. Patience can mean a great many things. But holy patience – patience from God – patience as a fruit of the Spirit – that is what James outlines for us.
He defines patience in 4 actions. We’ve seen the first two this week and we will see the other two next week should the Lord allow us.
The first action we must take is to endure. To fortify our hearts. To steel ourselves against the coming pains of this age. Commentators and systematic theologians all point out that it is not we who fortify or strengthen our faith, but God who does this. Who can argue this point? It is so plainly taught in scripture. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” But it is also plainly taught that those who “wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” We are taught that we can grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, although the source of our growing and strength is the Lord – there is clearly a human responsibility associated with being God’s children. We don’t simply sit back and wait for God to fortify our hearts. But when we do wait rightly on Him, He will renew us. So how do we wait rightly?
God gives us various means through which He promises to fortify and strengthen our faith. We call them the ordinary means of grace. Not saving grace or converting grace… but sanctifying grace. What are these means? They are the reading, teaching, preaching, study, discipleship in and memorization of His Word. They are the fellowshipping of Christians with one another in love and service. They are communion with God through prayer both private and corporate. God dispenses His grace and strengthens our hearts through these means. Not because we did them, but because He is merciful and loving to us His children and has determined to meet with and aid us through these means. We are comforted in the long wait for His return by our close proximity to Him, His Word, and His people. As James said earlier, when we draw near to Him… what does He promise to do? To draw near to us.
God also offers a strengthening of our hearts through the special means of grace. He dispenses His help to us to fortify us against the delay of His return and the pressure and trials we face. He does this through signs and symbols in which He dispenses more of what the signs and symbols mean. These special means of grace are called Sacraments. We see two in the scriptures. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In both these events in a believer’s life and in the life of the church, God meets His people at the symbol and sign, dispensing grace to strengthen our faith, even though the sign has no spiritual value in and of itself.
Do you not feel joy and hope and renewed strength when a new believer emerges from the baptismal waters? As you emerged from them do you not feel a great strengthening of your faith and increase of your awareness of God’s love and the love of His people? As you partake in the Lord’s Supper do you not sense a deep and renewed strength and hope in the atonement of Christ? Are you not propelled to mortify your sin all the more as you grind the symbol of the body of Christ between your teeth? Do you not hate your sin all the more and love His atonement all the more as the ink of His blood that He used to sign the New Covenant is poured down your throat?
My friends, God has provided to us various means by which we may renew our strength for the difficult wait we have ahead.
If you do not avail yourselves of these means… you cannot hope to be patient. You will stir in your anxiety and fear as the pressure increases all around you. Draw near to God my friends. And He will draw near to you.
The second action, is an action we must NOT take if we are to wait on the Lord. Those who are patient do not grumble against one another.
When we are near to our King and looking forward with patient expectation to His glorious return, there is not anything our brothers and sisters can do that would earn our ire. When we are seeking His Kingdom and righteousness first – above all – silly squabbles about secondary or tertiary doctrines, personal convictions, deeply held preferences, minor offenses, holy traditions, or petty jealousies – all of these will pass us by without us taking notice. Why? Because our eyes are on Christ. We are actively waiting on the Lord’s return in glory.
Peter did not notice the waves while His eyes were on Christ.
When we see a brother stumble and fall, we help to pick them up. We confront sin and help them get victory. When we notice a wolf seeking to pick off a sheep, we close ranks and shout out the wolf’s name… Joel Osteen! Kenneth Copeland! Over here, there is TD Jakes! Watch out, it’s Steven Furtick! Benny Hinn on the East! Bill Johnson on the West! Brigham Young – REMEMBER Mormons aren’t Christians! - we want to make sure every sheep knows the name of the wolves so they can mark them and avoid them.
But none of this is grumbling or complaining against our brothers. With reference to wolves, they are not our brothers. With reference to correcting sin, it is not complaining but helping in love. But when we complain, gossip, backbite, malign, criticize or vent our frustrations about brothers or sisters in Christ over things that do not matter such as their preferences, their beliefs on secondary or tertiary doctrines, their convictions, their idiosyncrasies, or quirks – we are not being patient. We are not waiting on the Lord’s return. Instead, we have taken our eyes off the eternal to focus on what is temporary.
And as it was in Israel, so it is often the case that this is directed against spiritual leadership. Look with me at Hebrews 13. Probably just a few pages back from where you are in James. Look at verse 17. I want to show you something.
[Slide 17(end)] “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
When we are tasked with waiting patiently but the wait is long. When we are tasked with seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first, but that is a long process. We tend to let our eyes lower. We take our eyes off the King and look below Him. For the Israelites, they took their eyes off the pillar and looked at Moses instead. They didn’t dare criticize Yahweh. They knew what would happen if they did. But Yahweh’s prophet – sure why not.
This is difficult for me to say because, having transitioned to an Elder led church I have emphasized the Sheep Side of Elders. That we are fallible people, humans, just trying our best to serve the Lord. But the other side of the coin must be taught on occasion. My friends, be so very careful what you say against those whom God has raised up to care for your souls. Oh be very careful my friends. Why? The writer of Hebrews tells you.
You are tasked to very simply… obey your leaders. Certainly, you must pray for, minister to, and care for us – but above all, your duty, your command from God is to obey your leaders. To submit to our leadership. If we tell you something that is in accordance with scripture – then you must listen. You must submit. You must obey. Why?
Because we are tasked with watching out for your souls. Yes, we are mere men. But God has placed us in a position to watch over you. And you are not always great at watching out for you… are you? Do you think that someone who is biblically qualified to lead might be able to see potential spiritual dangers in your life? Do you think that when we tell you to do or not to do things that we may actually be trying to prevent you from SHIPWRECKING your faith?
But what if we are just drunk on power?
My friends the argument is the same as the rich who oppress. If you have abusive leaders – God will judge them. Both in this life and in the life to come. Your job is not to determine the motive of your Elder’s instruction prior to your submission. Furthermore, it is not your Elder’s job to convince you a course of action is biblical beyond a shadow of your doubt before he earns your obedience and submission. It is simply your responsibility to submit. And if the Elder is rotten… God will hold him accountable. God is the one who gets vengeance. Not you.
Why must we be a people who submit, who are not troublesome to our Elders? So we can watch out for your souls with joy. And get this… so we do not do it with… groaning. That is the SAME EXACT word James uses here. Do not grumble against one another. You can actively help your Elder to wait on the Lord and not grumble against you… by obeying and submitting to his leadership.
What is at stake if you don’t?
Your advantage. Your submission is ultimately for you. Having Elders who are constantly frustrated at your rebellious nature, constantly tired of having to convince you to listen, constantly beaten down from having to chase you up, down and all around to get you to follow… that is not an Elder that will give you any benefit. You have worn him ragged.
Stop grumbling about your leadership. Stop complaining about their decisions. Stop questioning their competence. If you have concerns or wonder if they made the best choice or are teaching something correctly… you make the first move. You reach out. You offer advice. And if we are truly Godly men – we will listen, hear, consider, and possibly even change course. And my friends the Elders of this church have done that… OVER, and over, and over. We have listened, considered, and changed course on several things in only a year of Elder leadership. What does that mean to you if we don’t alter course after you voice your concern? It means you can rest assured that we are probably right and you are probably wrong.
Wait patiently for the Lord’s return. Do this by fortifying your faith and by not grumbling against your brothers and sisters in Christ. And next week, we’ll see two more ways we can wait actively for the Lord’s return.
