Using Our Influence for Kingdom Advancement

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1 We live in an impatient world! We typically hate to wait in long lines, hate to wait in traffic, hate to wait at our physician s office; we would avoid waiting at all times, if it were possible. But waiting, inconveniences, setbacks and annoyances in our lives all allow for the marvelous work of Christ. We may gripe and complain about the number of people in the supermarket when we re in a hurry, preventing us from checking out sooner; but we fail to realize that our presence is also preventing others from checking out as speedily as well. It s natural to be selfish with all things even with our time and our concerns. However, we hold no rights to time and circumstances; God alone does. And consequently, we are told to wait patiently and to rest in Him and His timing (Psalm 37). Godly women give great priority to patiently waiting on the Lord. Patience is developed as we grow in our walk with the Lord. In fact, patience is a product of the Holy Spirit s presence in our lives. Women who desire to be influential for the kingdom of God will not be able to escape the uneasy feeling that comes along with developing patience. Yet, when this fruit is actualized in her daily walk with Christ, it will be a witness to her spiritual growth. As a result, her influence will be dynamic, intensive and extensive. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all (Ps. 103:19). Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5 [Q] What is the definition of patience? It must be an important attribute because the Bible instructs and encourages us in the area of patience. Do you think there is any difference between how the dictionary defines patience and the meaning of patience in the Bible? Why or Why not? [Q] Can you always tell a patient person from someone who is impatient? How so? Describe the demeanor you might see in someone who is being patient. Why do you think the Bible tells us to be patient in several passages of Scripture (For Ex. Psalm 37:7; Hebrews 12:1; James 1:3-4). Grows Inward: TO DEVELOP PATIENCE In last month s study, we learned what it means to grow in the knowledge of Christ and use self-control in all things as a model of godliness. Once our faith is secure in Christ Jesus, we are given divine attributes, but each one must be developed in order to be realized and eventually manifested in our daily walk with Christ. So much so that others will want to know

2 are we given the desire to excel in the will of God. Our knowledge must move beyond collecting rudimentary facts about She Christ into She knowing Him Must personally Have through developing Temperance a firm and unshakeable relationship Must with Him. A greater depth of intimacy with Christ brings greater influence for Christ. There is no attraction in following someone who lacks Have T She Must Have Temperance self-control in their passions, in their pursuits and in their priorities. Self-control is both being careful to do the Father s emperancei will and being careful to avoid things which oppose His will. We saw last month that self-control or temperance takes internal strength that comes from resting in God s strength and power. Self-control and patience are close in relations. Both are listed in Galatians Chapter 5 as the fruit of the Spirit, and both require development and cultivation. The Biblical definition of patience is being long suffering or long tempered. It s the ability to endure and persevere in trying, difficulty times or in pain without complaining. Patience is not idly sitting back and waiting with indifference to all that is happening around us. Patience is not careless apathy, but on the contrary, it is powerful restraint. Advancing the kingdom of God takes patience! All believers will endure hardships, loss, setbacks, failures and a level of persecution. Women of God are no exception. Onlookers won t understand the true relevance of Christ s power in our lives if we are constantly complaining about that which will cause us to grow and develop patience. Women who are serious about growing in their service to Christ to the point of influencing others will practice spiritual disciplines of praying, fasting, reading and studying to gain strength and resolve in times of difficulty. Why Do We Need Patience? But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4 I. Patience and encouragement gives us hope. READ Romans 15:1-4 [Q] What does Paul couple patience (endurance or perseverance) with in verse 4 to instill hope in the believer? How can this coupling together provide hope and comfort for the believer going through a trial? [Q] Name a time when you were going through a tough trial and your patience was waning. Were you able to look at the experiences of someone close to you and gain encouragement and hope? Explain.

3 II. Patience is of God. See Romans 15:5-6; 2 Peter 3:9 His kindness, tolerance and patience leads to repentance. Romans 2:4 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV) 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV) [Q] Read Romans 15:5-6. Unity is of God! What would our worship look like if we all walked in the patience and endurance given to us by God? [Q] Read 2 Peter 3:9. Think about where you were in life and the things you were involved in before you met Christ. How significant is it to you that God is longsuffering? What would it had meant for you if God had been quick to give up on you as we are sometimes quick to give up on others? III. Patience shows the strength and power of Christ in us. READ Colossians 1:9-12 [Q] In verse 11, what two things does Paul assert will be evident when we have the power and the might of Christ ruling in our lives? An oxymoron is a figure of speech which uses two seemingly contradictory or opposing words together, like pretty ugly. Joy, as Paul states, is one result of realizing Christ s power in us when we suffer pain and trials. How is complaining and being joyous opposing to one another?

4 [Q] Is it difficult for you to respond with joy when going through trials? Does the type of trial matter in whether you respond with joy? Which response most describes you: I usually fair pretty well in trials and am usually able to show joy when the suffering is limited to just me and not someone dear and close to me. Or, It is typically easier for me to show the joy of Christ and the strength of Christ to help and encourage when the suffering is happening to someone close or dear to me, rather than happening directly to me. If neither response is true and I am not able to experience joy when encountering various trials, what does this infer about my realization of Christ s strength and His power on the inside? III. Patience enables spiritual growth. READ James 1:2-4 [Q] In order for our muscles to develop to their full potential, we need resistance! The same is true for our faith. What does James assert in verse 2 should be our response to various trials? What does he state that various trials and testing in our lives will produce? What will be the end result if we exercise patience or endurance? [Q] Describe an area of your life where you had lacked patience, but through various trials or testings in that area, you have developed patience or endurance. Speak to how you were initially, the testings that occurred and how you are now stronger in that area of your life. Can you now look back and see God s hand at work? How so? IV. Patience helps us to bear with one another. It s often easy to look at someone else and attempt to ascertain what could be different about them that will help to make them better, by our estimation of what better entails. The same is true of others when they look at us and our lives. But we can t change anyone; nor, can anyone change us. Yet, Scripture tells us that we are to be

5 united. This question begs to be answered, How can we be united when we are so different? The answer: A generous amount of patience and endurance, as well as forbearance will be critically important. See Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (NASB, emphasis mine) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (NASB, emphasis mine) [Q] Read Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 3: Many times, patience is more forthcoming when it is called into play with testing situations rather than with trials orchestrated by people. In your circle, be it at work, church, in leisure activities, hobbies, etc., how do you demonstrate patience with those around you? Speak to a recent situation where you failed to endure concerning a testing involving another or other individuals and also a situation involving another or other individuals where you endured with the love of Christ. What made the difference? (Speak to how you were different). [Q] Reread the above passages. What would our relationships look like if all the saints put into practice literally what Paul expresses that we should? Rhetorically, ask yourself this question, Where have I fallen short what s my missing link in the passage above and those which express similar statements (i.e., Eccl. 7:8; 1 Peter 3:8)?

6 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8 V. Patience brings forth fruit. The hard ground (by the side of the road, the wayside) The stony ground (some soil, but no depth) The thorny ground (soil allows seeds to grow, but then choked by thorns) The good ground (fruit bearing ground) See Luke 8:15; John 15:4-5 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (KJV) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (NKJV) [Q] Read Luke 8:15; John 15:4-5. What is the definition of abide? Why are we able to bear much fruit when we abide in Christ? How have seen this Scripture fulfilled in your own life? VI. Our patience will be an example to others around us. Read Hebrews 6:9-12 The writer of Hebrews encourages the saints to be imitators of those who have gone on to receive the promise. Just like they are an encouragement to us, we are to be an encouragement to others in the fight. We, as women of God, must be encouraging others to press on to maturity in the faith, patience, endurance, and steadfastness in efforts to build up the kingdom of God.

7 [Q] If asked, what one important piece of advice would you give a young woman new to faith in Christ concerning the development of patience or endurance in her Christian walk? Why? When Our Patience is Low I. We refrain from complaining to others. See Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (NKJV) [Q] Why does Paul say in verse 15 that we are to do all things without complaining? In other words, what is the benefit to us and to others? [Q] Is constantly complaining to others an area where you struggle? If so, how can realizing the magnificent power of Christ on the inside to help in this matter? If not, what can you share to help someone else who struggles in this area? II. We cry out to the Lord. David cried out to the Lord in numerous psalms while in agony and distress. We should take our complaints to the Lord who is able to help us. Even when David complained to the Lord, he failed not to recognize God s sovereignty. David expressed great humility in God s sight. As women of God, we must also. We must cry out to God above all others. Our hurts and pains are safe with Him. We must be careful not to be chronic complainers to others when we are under trial, for some may take our relentless complaining as a weakness and relate the weakness to Christ. We must avoid giving the impression that Christ in our lives is irrelevant. When we cry out to Him, He will advise us of what to share and with whom to share, should we need a tangible soul in

8 whom to confide. There are times when we need to go to others to vent, to ask for prayer or just to express our hurts, but overall we recognize that our ultimate direction and comfort must come from God who has allowed the affliction or the suffering. He is the Source of our strength and endurance. In Psalm 10:1, he states, Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? In Psalm 44:24, he states, Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? In Psalm 142:2, he states, I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. III. We simply trust Him. Jesus is our ultimate example of trusting in the Father s will. All the way to the cross and for our sins, He trusted the Father. Jesus knew what He was about to endure such suffering yet His patience is to be recognized as superior to all others. Read Luke 22:39-43; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 [Q] In response to a suffering or trial, have you ever prayed similar to Jesus if there s another way other than this, let this way pass; but nevertheless, let Your will be done? If so, what was the outcome? How did God demonstrate His ability to sustain you through the trial rather than remove it? [Q] How important or how significant is it for you to know that God s will in our lives is always for our good as His children? How does it bring comfort to your heart to know this?

9 Application: To be an effective influencer for the kingdom of God, we must have develop and manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Patience, being among the fruit, must be readily present if we are going to influence generations to come. The Bible clearly states that the saints who have persevered before us are our examples and we are to be imitators of them. They have gone on to receive the promise, but we are here pressing onward. We are examples for younger women those new to the faith and those maturing in the faith. Our endurance that which they can observe from our lives and those they can glean from testimonies we share is a beacon of hope. The godly woman recognizes that patience with love and gentleness and humility will be primary precursors to her influence for kingdom advancement. [Q] Self-reflection: What have you learned today about the importance of having patience coupled with love and humility in order to be an effective influencer for the kingdom? We learned several reasons (not in exhaustion) why patience in important. Which one stood out to you the most and why? [Q] Self-reflection: Paul tells us that we are to give thanks in everything. In what area of your life have you identified that patience needs to be refined? What are some disciplines (i.e. prayer, fasting, etc.) that you can incorporate to help you? On Your Own: over the next 4 weeks, 1. Focus on the area of refinement you noted in the second set of self-reflection questions. Select the disciplines that you have identified that will help in this area. Implement them and record your progress over the next four weeks. 2. Ask others to pray with and for you as you feel led to do so. Seek out opportunities to be a godly influence to someone over the next four weeks. Record the circumstances surrounding each occurrence. Come next time ready to share.