INTRODUCTION: During this time of the year patience is more than a virtue – it is a distinction of excellence for those who exhibit it the best. That present under the tree marked “Don’t open until Christmas” and “no peeking” must be placed there to haunt us!

Most of us lack the virtue of patience. The world around us doesn’t help. We live in an instant world and we have become instant people – we have instant coffee, instant service, instant long distance calls, and instant pain relief from a variety of pills. We also look for instant solutions from God.

God is never in a hurry as we are. He does not need to be in a hurry with eternity at His disposal. Our Epistle lesson deals with the issue of Christ’s return. Why does He not come now? It helps us to be patience if we agree that He will be worth the wait. This morning, James encourages us to learn patience while waiting for Christ’s return.

I.                     Know that He surely is coming – V.8 – “you too be patient and stand firm, because the Lord ‘s coming is near.”

A.      You too be patient. Rely on the Lord and not yourself. Trust in Him and His waiting arms.

B.      For the coming of the Lord is at hand. He is closer today then yesterday. There is noting that needs to happen before He returns. His return could be at any moment.

C.      For the coming of the Lord is at hand. It is now as He comes to you through Word and Sacrament. He is with you even now to guide and sustain you.

II.                   Follow the example of the patient ones.

A.      “Be patient therefore brethren until the coming of the Lord. Behold the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it until it gets the early and late rains.” (v.7)

B.      “As an example brethren, of suffering and patience take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” (V.10)

III.                  Accept the fact that He is coming to judge.

A.      “Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged.”

B.      “Behold the judge is standing right at the door.”

CONCLUSION: Is Jesus worth the wait – now you be the judge!