Sharing in the Divine Nature: “Patience”Intro: Give me patience, and give it to me NOWI. What does it mean to be patient?A. Opposite of patience?B. Patience flows from love (1 Corinthians 13:4) C. Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)II. The struggle of patienceA. The patience of Job (Job 6:11)B. The patience of Abraham (Hebrews 6:13–15) C. Anger issues

* Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 19:11 2. James 1:19* Matthew 5:21–26D. With whom should we be patient? (1 Thessalonians 5:14–15) E. Patience & the struggle to forgive (Matthew 18:21–35)III. God’s patienceA. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. – 1 Peter 3:9B. Does God ever get angry?C. Slow to anger (Psalms 86; 103; 145)* Exodus 34* They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that You performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. – Nehemiah 9:17* Numbers 13–14* Joel 2* Jonah 4D. Presence – The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. – Nehemiah 9:19E. Instructs* You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them and did notwithhold Your manna from their mouth and gave them waterfor their thirst. – Nehemiah 9:20* Grounded in God’s Word (2 Peter 3:15–18)* Lamentations 3:22–26

In what areas of life (or with which people) do you need to be more patient? How has God been patient with you in your life?