Cultivate Church
Waiting Without Whining
  • I Am A Friend Of God
  • Nobody Like You Lord

      • James 5:7–11ESV

  • The Patience of the Plan

    James 5:7 ESV
    7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
    James points us to the farmer. This isn't just about waiting; it's about

    Working while Waiting

    Psalm 27:14 KJV 1900
    14 Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord.
    Galatians 6:9 ESV
    9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
    The Seasonal Sovereignty: Just as the farmer in Louisiana can’t make it rain during a drought, we can’t control God’s timing.
    The Hook (Millennials): You’re used to "On-Demand" everything—Netflix, DoorDash, and instant transfers. But God doesn't operate on a 5G network; He operates on a "Growth Network." If it happens too fast, you won't have the roots to sustain the fruit.

    The Posture of the Person

    James 5:8–9 ESV
    8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
    While you wait, your internal "alignment" matters more than your external "advancement."

    “Establish your heart" = Fix your focus

    The Stability of the Soul: To "stablish your heart" means to fix your focus. HB Charles Jr. often notes that
    1 Peter 5:7–8 ESV
    7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

    “If your heart isn’t anchored in the Word, your emotions will be tossed by the world” —HB Charles Jr.

    “Do not grumble”

    The Hook (Gen X): You’re the "Sandwich Generation"—taking care of aging parents and rising children. You’re tired. James is telling you: Don’t let your fatigue turn into friction.

    When we groan against each other, we stop growing with each other

    The Persistence of the Pattern

    James 5:10–11 ESV
    10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
    James brings up the "icons" to show us that the struggle isn't a sign of God’s absence, but a setup for His appearance.
    The HB Charles Jr. Insight on Job: HB Charles Jr. reminds us that Job’s story isn't about a man who was stoic and silent.

    Job wrestled, Job wept, and Job questioned. Yet, Job endured.

    Job 23:10 ESV
    10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

    "patience" = "staying power"

    Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV
    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 that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
    The Pivot: Job lost his wealth, his health, and his household, but he never lost his "Hope." He stayed under the load until God spoke.
    The Purpose of the Pain: Verse 11 says we have seen the "purpose of the Lord." HB Charles Jr. teaches that God is more interested in the product than the process. The goal wasn't Job’s suffering; the goal was the revelation of God’s mercy.

    "purpose of the Lord"

    God is more interested in the product than the process

    Your trial isn't a dead-end street; it's a tunnel

    There is an "end" (a purpose) designed by a God who is "full of pity."
    The Illustration: Think of a slow-cooked gumbo. You can’t rush the roux. If you turn the heat up too high because you're in a hurry, you'll burn the base and ruin the pot.
    The Hook: "You’ve spent your life being the 'fixer' for everyone else. But there are some things in your life right now that you cannot fix; you can only follow. Let God be the Chef. Stop trying to stir a pot that He has already seasoned with His grace."
    The "So What?" (Call to Action)

    Trust God’s Timing

    The Challenge: This week, when you feel the urge to "grumble" (v. 9), pivot to "gratitude." Identify the "precious fruit" God is growing in you right now. Is it more kindness? More discipline? More trust?
    James tells us to look at the "end of the Lord." That word "end" doesn’t mean a stop sign; it means a result. It means a destination. It means that God never starts a work that He doesn’t intend to finish.
    You might be in the middle of a "standstill" on I-10, frustrated because you can’t see the finish line. But I stopped by to tell somebody that the Traffic Controller of Heaven has already cleared the way!
    The Celebration: The God of the Outcome
    We’ve looked at the Patience of the Plan, and we’ve seen that God is a Master Farmer. He’s not ignoring your dirt; He’s preparing your display!
    We’ve looked at the Posture of the Person, and we’ve learned that if we stay "stablished," we won't be shattered.
    And we’ve seen the Persistence of the Pattern in Brother Job.
    And that’s why I can shout today!
    Because if Job could lose his wealth—and God gave him double... I can wait!
    If Job could lose his health—and God restored his body... I can wait!
    If the Prophets could face the fire—and God walked them through the flames... I can wait!
    H.B. Charles Jr. reminds us that "God is too wise to be mistaken and too good to be unkind." So, when the night gets long—Wait on the Lord! When the bills get high—Wait on the Lord! When the doctor shakes his head—Wait on the Lord! Because James says He is "very pitiful and of tender mercy." That means when you hurt, He feels it.
    When you cry, He counts the tears.
    When you’re weak, He’s your strength.
    I’m leaning on the promise today!
    I’m leaning on the One who waited three days in a borrowed tomb.
    They put Him in on Friday—That was the Planting. He stayed there all day Saturday—That was the Patience. But early Sunday morning—That was the Product! He got up with all power in His hands!
    And because He got up, your breakthrough is coming!
    Because He got up, your joy is returning!
    Because He got up, the harvest is guaranteed!
    Be patient, brethren! The King is at the door!

      • James 5:7ESV

      • Psalm 27:14ESV

      • Galatians 6:9ESV

      • James 5:8–9ESV

      • 1 Peter 5:7–8ESV

      • James 5:10–11ESV

      • Job 23:10ESV

      • Hebrews 12:1–2ESV

  • As We Leave This Place
Cultivate Church
2 members