Steps of Christian Growth - US.pdf - Bible Baptist Church of Blarney

Solid Steps of Christian Growth – 2 Peter 1
Patience
D. Joseph lived many years in slavery and separation from his family. He could have visited them while he was
in charge of Egypt but he was where God had placed him and God blessed his patience.
E. Jesus (1Peter 2:23) – perfect patience and rest through everything
F. Israel at Mount Sinai (Ex 32:1) – rushed back into idolatry
G. Mary and Martha gave up on Jesus because He did not rush to come heal their brother, Lazarus (John 11)
VII. Areas that Need Lots of Patience
A. Tribulation – When you are going through the valleys and the battles, and the troubles of life, learn to wait on
those troubles to pass (1Peter 2:20,21) – they will pass
B. Delays – When heaven is silent, learn to wait on the Lord (Ps 27:14) and on answers to prayer (Ps 40:1) – He
WILL answer
C. Injustices – when things just aren’t going right – you need patience, and wisdom to know what to do without
being destructive and too aggressive
D. Battles – When you feel like someone/everyone is not interested, wait on them to respond to the Gospel (2Tim
2:24-26), pray for them, and press them again another time
E. Giving-up – when you feel like everything is against you, make sure you just patiently wait on the Lord to
Come (2Thes 3:5) – He will not be 1 second late
VIII. How to Add Patience to Your Attitude
A. Let God Develop it in you - Allow God to put you through the hard times
B. Learn to pray through the trials – run your race with patience (Heb 12:1,2)
C. Work patiently (Hebrews 10:36) The only time that “success” ever comes before “work” is in the dictionary.
1. If we are going to build this church, we must do it patiently
2. If you are going to win a soul, you have to do it patiently
3. If you are going to read and study your Bible and learn your Bible, you will only do it patiently
4. If you are going to get victory of sin in your life, you will only do it patiently!
D. Thank God for everything – especially IN the trials (1Thes 5:18)
E. Look ahead (Heb 11:16) – not back, or down
F. Desire the Crown – there is a reward for Christian Patience (James 1:12)
IX. Conclusion
A. Have you ever felt like God was taking too long – way too long?
B. The truth is, Yes, He is taking HIS time, but He is working all things out beautifully
C. Thankfully, there are some serious Rewards for waiting.
1. Waiting for the right marriage partner
2. Waiting for the completion of school – don’t rush ahead
3. Waiting for yourself to grow-up – don’t get impatient
D. What does patience do for you?
1. Waiting renews our strength. Don’t let stress rob it of you again
2. Waiting prepares us for another race
3. Waiting teaches us to trust God
4. Waiting shows the world you are a strong Christian
E. God has a plan and purpose in making us wait. Though we may not understand why. It is best not to rush the
washing machine. Don't skip any cycles. A Christian song writer said “we'll understand it all by and by!”
Another said, “Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I
know He holds my hand.”
F. Have you made you reservation for heaven? Are you sure your ticket is right?
G. Salvation is not something to be laid-back about – your sins are serious in God’s sight, and need to be dealt
with before it is eternally too late!
© 2006 Craig Ledbetter, BBC Ireland Page 28 www.biblebc.com