James 5:7-11 - Homiletics

Four considerations moving the Christian to patience.

1. The example of the husbandman—an illustration from nature. If patience is needful in things of this life, is it not also in the world of grace?

2. The approach of the second advent.

3. The example of the prophets.

4. The example and experience of Job—an instance of one whose latter end the Lord blessed more than his beginning. The nearness of the Lord ' s advent a reason for patience. To most men the thought of the advent is a thought of warning and of judgment. St. James, following his Master's example, makes it a thought of consolation. "When ye see these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Thus Christians may test their spiritual condition by considering whether the thought of its approach is to them one of consolation or of warning.