Church Sermon - December 12, 2004

Rev. Mark F. Bartels

Epistle Lesson; Isaiah 35:1-10
Old Testament Lesson; Matthew 11:2-10
Sermon Text; James 5:7-10

I would like to take you to James, chapter 5, verses 1 – 6 (which are the verses right before our sermon’s text for today). They say something extremely interesting. James 5:1-6 gives us the impression that the book of James was written particularly to Christians who were living in poverty. Very wealthy people apparently were oppressing the Christians, who were living in poverty. James, chapter 5 describes these very wealthy people, living in great luxury. (You can imagine today, people living in huge mansions, driving very costly cars, going to parties, and having great luxury in their lives.) Apparently, these poor Christians were working for very wealthy people. The poor Christians were getting such small wages, such small paychecks, from these very wealthy people, that apparently they could barely survive. They could barely put food on the table for their families. Apparently, some of them were even losing their lives, (maybe even starving to death), because they just didn’t get enough wages.

Now the interesting thing is this. In James, Chapter 5, verses 1 – 6, it says, "the cry of the wages has gone up to the LORD". In other words, God has seen the amount that was written on the paycheck. God sees that. And He says, "I hear your cry. I hear the cry that the wages are crying out. I see what they are doing to you, my people. I see that they are living in vast luxury. They are abusing you and mistreating you." God’s heart goes out to His people. Oh how God’s heart goes out to His people and their suffering. As it were, He says, "Don’t worry. Don’t you worry. I am coming. I am going to bear my arm and I am coming back. I am going to deliver you some day. I will set you free from all of that oppression."

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Jesus says the same to us. Oh, how all of us in this life, have crosses to bear. We are going through suffering, too, aren’t we? Do you think that the cry of that suffering doesn’t go up to God, Himself, and God’s ears hear the cries of our suffering? If you are suffering want,

don’t you think that cry, that groaning, goes up to the ears of God, in Heaven? Don’t you think that God’s heart goes out to His people, as He sees what this world, filled with sin, trouble, sorrow, pain, and sadness has done to His people? Oh how God’s heart goes out to you and He says to you, "I hear, I hear the cry. I am coming. I am coming back and I am going to set things right. I will free you forever, forever, from all of your pain and misery and suffering."

Don’t you think that if there is an empty place at your kitchen table now, because someone you love so dearly has passed away, don’t you think the cry of that empty spot goes up to your Father in Heaven? Don’t you think that He hears that cry? Don’t you think that He hears that empty chair saying to God, "Look at what this world of sin, misery, and trouble has done to your people. How their hearts ache."

Don’t you think that God’s heart is moved toward you? Don’t you think God says to you, "I will bear my arm. I am coming back. I am going to destroy all of your enemies one day. I will destroy death and I will set you free." Don’t you think that if you are going through some sort of physical trouble,

don’t you think the cry of that medicine goes up to God? Don’t you think the cry of that pain goes up to God? Don’t you think that God hears?

Oh how He hears. Oh how His heart is moved toward His people. Oh how God says to you, "I am coming back. I am going to bear my arm. I am going to come back and I am going to set you free. I will destroy all of your enemies forever."

Perhaps you are struggling at school, or at work. Maybe people laugh at you, or make fun of you, because

That brings all kinds of troubles, turmoil, and difficulty into your life. Don’t you think those groans and cries go up to your Father in Heaven? Don’t you think He hears those words that people speak against you, and the trouble that comes? Don’t you think that God’s heart is moved by those cries? Don’t you think that God looks at His dear people, and says, "Oh my dear people, I am coming back. I am coming back. I will set you free from all of the pain, trouble, sorrow, and trials of this world of sin."

So, why does He delay? He heard your cries a year ago. He heard your cries five years ago. He heard your cries fifty-five years ago. His heart went out to you. He said to you, "I am coming back." But, why does He delay? Our scripture reading today says,

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming."

"Be patient and stand firm,

because the Lord’s coming is near."

Here God tells you and me to be patient, to be patient until He finally comes back and does deliver us, from all of our troubles.

Now, why, why should we be patient? Why should we be patient as the Lord delays His return? There are three reasons why you and I should be patient.

Number one, we should be patient with the Lord, because the Lord is so awesomely patient with us!

You know that. I know that. Our Savior, Jesus, came down from Heaven and took on human flesh. Oh, how our Savior, Jesus, so patiently endured the intense suffering that we cannot even begin to imagine, because He loved me and so dearly loved you. Oh, how our Savior, Jesus, was patiently willing to be trampled under foot, for you and for me, so that our sins could be fully and completely paid for. Oh, how patiently, how patiently our Savior endured that intense suffering, when they shredded His back, with that flogging. He did not complain. Oh, how He endured that for your sins and for my sins. Oh, how He endured so patiently, as they spit in His face, as they mocked Him, and made fun of Him, as they beat Him, and as they put that crown of thorns on His head. Oh, how patient He was in His suffering for you and for me, so that we don’t have to suffer for our sins. Oh, how patient He was, as they drove nails through His hands and His feet. Oh, how patiently He endured, as there on the cross He suffered pain (beyond what we can understand even in our wildest imaginations), not complaining, but patiently enduring for you and for me the suffering that we deserved for our sins. Oh, how patient Jesus was, when He died. Oh, how patient Jesus was, when He laid in that grave for three days and three nights, all for your sins and all for my sins. What a patient Savior we have!

Oh, how patient Jesus is with me, every single day of my life! I believe in Jesus. I know that I am saved, only because of what Jesus did for me, because of His intense suffering on the cross for my sin, and yet, I go against Him. I say things that I should not say. I hurt people’s feelings. I have thoughts that are awful in God’s eyes. But, God is so patient. Jesus is so patient. He does not bring down His fist and smash me. He does not bring down His fist and hurt or harm me. Instead, daily He forgives all my sins, and the sins of all believers, for Christ’s sake. Oh, how patient God is with us!

Oh, how patiently He bore His cross for us. And, Brothers and Sisters, aught we not patiently bear our cross for Jesus? The cross that we bear is nothing, it is so small, no matter what it is, compared to the cross that my Savior so lovingly bore for me. If He asks me to bear a cross for Him, shouldn’t I be patient and endure that cross for Christ? Hebrews 12:3 says, "Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

So number one, we wait patiently for the day Jesus comes to deliver us, because He was so patient with us. He is so patient with us.

Number two; we endure patiently, because Jesus is absolutely trustworthy.

And, if Jesus asks us to endure patiently some suffering in this life, we know He is trustworthy. Martin Luther underwent a lot of suffering and trials, too. I love what he said. "These trials of faith are necessary for the godly. For without them, faith would languish and turn cold, nay, finally be extinguished altogether. But, by trials, Christians learn what faith really is."

Think about that. By trials, Christians learn what faith really is. "Through temptations, they grow in the knowledge of the Son of God and become so strong and staunch that they are able to rejoice and glory in adversity no less than in prosperity and consider every temptation only a little cloud or a bit of fog which will soon vanish." There, Luther says that our trials teach us what faith really is. As we go through those trials, we learn more and more to trust in Jesus’ promises. "I can’t get myself through this. Only Jesus, in His promises, can."

I can’t tell you how many times, (and I am sure you have seen it too), where you have known someone who is really suffering, a Christian who is really suffering, and you see how deep their faith has become rooted, how deeply they have grown to trust in Jesus, their Savior.

So, we patiently endure our trials, number one, because Jesus is so patient with us. And, number two; we endure patiently, because He is absolutely trustworthy.

Number three; we endure patiently, because our patience may end up in resulting in someone else’s salvation. Our scripture reading says,

"Don’t grumble against each other, brothers."

In other words we should be patient with each other, too, shouldn’t we? Jesus has been so patient with me, that I should be patient with others. If someone I love hurts me, harms me, says something wrong against me, or does something that really, really hurts me, the Bible says, "Be patient." Be forgiving. Don’ retaliate. Don’t take that out against them. But instead, speak the truth in love. Talk to them. Correct them. Show them their Savior. By your patience, their faith may be strengthened. They may be preserved in their faith, and finally one day be in Heaven, because of that.

And, even more so, what about the unbelievers in your life? You know, when you think about the fact that the Bible says God has written in His book the names of all who will be there in Heaven one day, all of the elect, I wonder how many names are left, that have not come to faith, yet? Maybe there is only one left. Maybe there is only one person left to be brought to faith, and then Jesus will finally come back, and deliver His people. Maybe that one person left is your neighbor. Maybe they mistreat you, say things or do things that are hurtful, but maybe your patience, your love, your forgiveness, will make the teaching of Christ attractive. Maybe one day they will want to hear about Jesus Christ and that He died for their sins. And, through your patience, maybe one day the Holy Spirit, working through you and through the words you speak will bring them to faith in Jesus, as their Savior. And, then the last person to come to faith will have come to faith! And then, Jesus will come back! He will finally deliver us from this world of trials and troubles to Himself, in Heaven!

And so, our scripture reading says, "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming."

Be patient then and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near!

Amen.

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