The Patience of Love

Love Like Jesus Loved

The Patience of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4 & John 11:1-44

Love is patient - synonyms:  longsuffering, forbearance, long-tempered

Very often underneath our impatience with situations and with others is our impatience with God

When Life Isn’t Working On Your Timetable

1. Trust God’s Knowledge (4,11-15)

Just because I don’t know, doesn’t mean God doesn’t know!

2. Trust God’s Love (3,5,36)

God’s love is a perfecting love, not a Pampering love.

We must learn to interpret circumstances in light of God’s love; not interpreting God’s love in light of circumstances!

3. Trust God’s Power (11,21-22, 32,37-44)

Sometimes we find it easier to trust God’s power for the distant future than for the present Difficulty

4. Trust God’s Timing (6)

• Christ’s delays are delays of love
• The delayed help always comes at the right time
• The best help is not delayed

5. Trust God’s Purpose (4,40-42)

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” (Ephesians 1:11)

The more I trust in God’s love, knowledge, power timing and purpose, the more patient I will be

My Part In Developing Patience

1. Nurture my walk with the Lord

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

The fruit of patience is developed in my life as I stay Connected to Jesus Christ

2. Develop a new perspective

We Need To Learn To Look At Things From:

• God’s Perspective

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9)

God is in control – He is accomplishing His purposes!

• The perspective of Others

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

Walk a mile in another’s shoes

3. Cultivate a sense of humor

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

If you can Laugh at it, you can Live with it

4. Celebrate God’s patience toward you

“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.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

The more I remember God’s patience toward me, the more patient I will be with Others

Making It Personal:

• Have you responded to the patience of God toward you by turning from your sin in repentance and turning to Christ in faith and surrender?

• In what area(s) of your life do you most need to develop and display patience?

• What specific steps will you take in this week to:
• Nurture your relationship with God?
• Develop a new perspective?
• Cultivate a sense of humor?
• Celebrate God’s patience toward you?

• Who can you share these truths with?