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No Shortcuts in the Christian Life

No Shortcuts in the Christian Life. James 5.7-12. Introduction. Fast Food Nation. Take-Home Truth. We are called to demonstrate patience and integrity. We are called to demonstrate patience and integrity. A call to patience and why (7-9) Examples of patience and integrity (10-11)

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No Shortcuts in the Christian Life

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  1. No Shortcuts in the Christian Life James 5.7-12

  2. Introduction • Fast Food Nation

  3. Take-Home Truth • We are called to demonstrate patience and integrity.

  4. We are called to demonstrate patience and integrity • A call to patience and why (7-9) • Examples of patience and integrity (10-11) • A call to integrity and why (12)

  5. A call to patience and why (7-9) • The call (v 7) • The manner (7-8) • The how (8-9) • I Thessalonians 3.13, “so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”

  6. Note: This is without grumbling, or we will be judged— “For the Judge is at the door” • Illustration: Traffic

  7. Application • A call to patience and why: • The Lord is returning, and although He has assured the probability of persecution, He also ensured the reality of His presence with you. Carry on.

  8. Examples of patience and integrity (10-11) • Prophets • Moses • Elijah • Jeremiah

  9. Consider those who were patient blessed. • Hebrews 12.1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race set before us,”

  10. James 1.2-4, 12, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has withstood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

  11. Job—Bridge between patience and integrity. • These former were examples of patience, Job’s integrity a central theme of Job. • Keep in mind, “the Lord is compassionate and merciful”

  12. Illustration: ‘I wanna be like Mike’ Gatorade campaign

  13. Application • Examples of patience and integrity: • We are blessed with so many examples, classic human examples, that turned out opposite of our human nature. Look to these as inspiration and proof of the possibility for you.

  14. A call to integrity and why (12) • A simple yes or no must suffice. • Matthew 5.33-37 • Ecclesiastes 5.4, “When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for He has no pleasure in fools.”

  15. Let your yes and no be fulfilled not just spoken. • BUT, make sure you get all the facts. • Jepthah • Illustration: Borne Identity “look at what they make you give”

  16. Going back on your word is condemnable. • Illustration: Loan Payment

  17. Application • A call to integrity and why: • The Lord does not change, He will fulfill what He has purposed/spoken. We are called to do in like manner; we must be careful to maintain our integrity.

  18. Conclusion • Are you patient in the trials and circumstances of life, or do you seek the ‘easier’ path? • Is your ‘yes’ yes, and your ‘no’ no? • Do you go back on your word? • I challenge you today: live lives of patience and intentional integrity.

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