Sermon and Worship Resources

Dictionary: Patience

Patience is a moral attribute that God possesses and that humans may possess. One who has patience allows time to pass while maintaining a positive disposition, often in the face of suffering (Hab. 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:10–11; James 5:10), as the KJV translation “longsuffering” implies (cf. Prov. 14:29 NASB: “slow to anger”). The Scriptures universally speak of patience as an admirable quality and associate patience with other virtues, such as inner peace (Ps. 37:7), wisdom (Prov. 19:11), persuasiveness (Prov. 25:15), humility (Eccles. 7:8), and kindness (Rom. 2:4; 1 Cor. 13:4).

Numerous passages praise God’s patience. Humans try (Isa. 7:13) and show contempt for (Rom. 2:4) God’s patience, sometimes by refusing to be patient with others even though they themselves have received mercy from God (Matt. 18:23–35). Nonetheless, God displays his patience by granting them eternal life through faith in Christ (1 Tim. 1:16). In fact, God has patiently delayed destroying the world because he is compassionate and wants all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). God’s patience is evident even toward those who are destined for destruction (Rom. 9:22; 1 Pet. 3:20).

Just as God is patient, he imparts patience to the Christian through his Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Like Abraham, the prophets, and any farmer, Christians are to exhibit patience, bearing with people both inside and outside the church (Eph. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:14–15) as they wait eagerly for Christ’s return (Heb. 6:12–15; James 5:7–10). Those in Christian leadership must model patience and encourage others with patience (2 Tim. 3:10; 4:2).

Showing 1 to 25 of 31 results

1. Yarn and Patience

Romans 5:3

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... knit and knit and it still isn’t done. So there are a lot of problems with knitting, and it teaches us that good things don’t come fast or without problems. We have to work at it every day, and overcome our problems. When we do this, we learn patience. The same thing is true of people and the Christian faith. Being a Christian is not easy, and no one ever said it was. You don’t become a Christian, but you practice Christianity every day. It is like knitting a big blanket. Every day you work at it, and ...

2. Patience

James 5:7

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... is? [Let them answer. Hold up the magazine and pretend to relax and read.] Now do you know what I learn? I learn patience. Do you know what patience means? It means waiting without complaining. Everything we do, we seem to do in a hurry. We don’t have time just ... doctor is so busy that I must wait until the other people have had their turns before I can see him. Some people are learning patience about Jesus and his return to see us. Jesus is kind of like the doctor. He has promised to see us, but we don’ ...

3. Patience In Learning

Romans 8:25

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... another. When that happens, do not get angry; instead, be patient. Learn to do what you can do now and do it as well as you can. Then you will have a good foundation for doing other things later. This morning I want to give you a little lesson in patience. Here is a candy bar. You may have it now, but I want you to wait until after lunch before you remove the wrapper and eat it. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When your child complains about not being able to do what an older brother ...

4. Patience and Practice

Matthew 15:21-28

Children's Sermon

Object: An exercise requiring careful coordination; or learning to clap in rhythm -- any skill that requires patience and practice. Good morning, boys and girls. February has been a very special month with many things happening. First of all, two of our greatest presidents were born in this month. Can you tell me who they were? [Wait for answers.] That's good, Washington and Lincoln. There was also ...

5. Threading A Needle

James 5:7

Children's Sermon

... a little impatient. But the apostle James tells us that we should be patient, even more patient than when we thread a needle, because Jesus' return is far more important. Not everyone has his/her needle threaded and the children's sermon is almost finished. It takes a lot of patience for you to thread a needle. But we must be even more patient as we pray for Jesus to return to us. The next time you see someone thread a needle you can think about the word ...

6. The Long Wait

2 Peter 3:9

Children's Sermon

... and sometimes the birds or small animals eat them. How many of you have watched a pine tree grow? (Wait for show of hands.) It takes a long time for a pine tree to grow. Our lesson today is about the word patience. Does anyone know what patience is? (Let them respond.) Patience means waiting a long time. It takes patience to wait a long time for a tree to grow. How long does it take for a baby to grow inside a mother before it's born? (Let them respond.) That's right, a baby grows for nine months before it ...

7. A New Year Love Song

Colossians 3:14

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... the alto sing her part.) That is lovely. But we still need another part, and I am going to ask one more of our women to sing for us. Before I let her sing and tell you her name, I thought that it might be interesting to listen to Kindness, Patience, and Forgiveness sing together. (Let the three parts sing the song.) That was good, but there is something missing. The missing part is our last singer. Her name is Love and she sings the melody. First of all I am going to ask Love to sing her part, and then ...

8. Don't Open Until Christmas

James 5:7

Children's Sermon

Tim Carpenter

... "No," Why should I wait to open it? (response) Well, my mom and dad said I did have to wait until Christmas to open it. I think you're right. It will be better if I am patient, won't it? (response) Application: Well you know what? Christmas teaches us patience, doesn't it? We all have to wait until that big day in order to open our presents. Do you know why Christmas teaches us to wait? (response) Because the Bible tells us that Jesus is one day going to come again. And we need to be patient for his ...

9. Learn To Be Patient

1 Timothy 1:16

Children's Sermon

... from this puzzle? (Let them answer.) You are pretty close, but I must tell you the answer. I am going to learn about patience. We all like puzzles that are easy to work, because finishing them quickly makes us feel smart. But hard puzzles that do not have ... living. We don't like big problems because when we do not have easy answers, we become nervous and unhappy. A hard puzzle teaches us patience because we have to work at it for a long time. Some of us are very hard "puzzles" for God. He works with us for ...

10. Look In The Mirror

Mark 12:28-34

Children's Sermon

... wants you to do. And even your enemies will be happier than before. And so will you. SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME IN SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Teachers: It is often difficult for us all to truly see others with the same respect, love, and patience that we see ourselves. Today you will need some sturdy white cardboard, some clear plastic wrap, and some crayons, markers, or any other items that might prove useful in decorating a "mirror" frame. You should cut out the mirror frames (two for each student) ahead ...

11. Leaping On The Laundry

Joshua 1:1-18

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

... , he froze! There was SOMETHING in the way! He looked over at me and said, 'MEOW!' in his biggest voice. He seemed to be saying, 'Either move the clothes or help me up!' "I watched him while I finished tying my shoes. Like most cats, he does not have much patience. 'MEOW!' he said again. I took that to mean, 'Do something, right now!' "I got up to help him. But, just as I was bending over to pick him up, I thought, 'If I help him, he will never know that he could have done it by himself. If I ...

12. Help Wanted

Exodus 4:1-17

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

... what you want me to do.' But God told Moses not to worry about having the right words. 'I will be with you and will put the words in your mouth,' God said. "However, even that did not convince Moses. 'Please,' he said to God, 'send someone else.' "God's patience ran out with that. It was the fifth time Moses had tried to get out of the work God had in mind for him. God told Moses, 'Your brother Aaron is a good speaker. You may take him with you, and I will give you both the words to say ...

13. The Wish

Hebrews 11:1

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

... we need to take an active part and not just leave everything up to God, though. "For example, if I had a deep desire to play the piano, I'd have to work hard at it -- I'd have to do my part. But God would help me have the patience to practice. "Other times, there may be nothing we can do to help the dream come true other than to keep alive the hope that it will. And that is the gift of faith, something the Bible calls 'the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen ...

14. "Remember Me!"

Luke 24:13-35

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

... shoots an arm into the air. "What kind of pet do you have?" I ask a boy in the front row. "A cat!" he answers with an air of authority, almost as if he'd add, "What else is there?" if he were a few years older. This tries the patience of the other children. Immediately the sanctuary is filled with their eager young voices: "I have a cat too!" "We have a dog!" "I have a cat AND a dog!" "I have a turtle!" Above this melodious cacophony I hear the plaintive wail of a little girl seated on the ...

15. I Do

Ephesians 5:31

Children's Sermon

... anymore. But when brides and grooms get married, they commit their lives to each other. That means that they plan to love each other forever; in good times and bad times. It takes a lot of work to make a marriage last. It takes lots of love and patience. Our verse today is about weddings. you've probably heard it before at weddings. It says, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife." Have you heard that at weddings? (Let them respond.) But our verse isn't just ...

16. Lead A Worthy Life

Ephesians 4:2-3

Children's Sermon

... s backyard and introduced himself. Once the two boys got to know each other they had a great time playing together. They became best of friends. This story reminds me of this morning's lesson. In the lesson Paul tells Christians to lead a life with gentleness and patience. Lead a life helping others. I think that's just what the boy did with the instant drink. He shared something with someone who was lonely. He made an effort to be a friend of a new neighbor. Jesus wants to do the same thing. Jesus wants us ...

17. Always Rising

John 6:25-59

Children's Sermon

... lesson. Explain to your child that just as bread spoils, we "spoil" too when we get old or die without God. Reassure him that with God, who constantly renews us, we will never spoil. You can reinforce this lesson for years to come with a little patience and a good sour dough recipe. (There are any number of variations, but the basic recipe calls for flour, water, yeast, and a warm place for the yeast to ferment. Check any general cookbook for detailed instructions.) Allow your child to do most of the work ...

18. Inner Warmth

1 John 4:7-21

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... , is like the flame. When God's love comes into our life it gives us what we call "abundant life." However, we may not see that abundant life right away. It often takes time before we can see or feel the influence of God's love. Therefore, we need patience and we need to continue our exposure to God's love by studying his word and believing his promises. When we truly believe that God loves us it will be experienced within our life. We will be happy, for people are always happy when they know they are loved ...

19. New Year's Resolution

Gal 5:22-23 · Mt 5:13

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... purpose. The beginning of a new year is a good time for you to look at yourself, and to think about the kind of qualities you want in your life. Let me suggest a few of these qualities that the Bible says are important for us to have: Patience, kindness, love and self-control are some of the inner characteristics that everyone needs to live as God intended us to live. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: At the breakfast table (especially on New Year's Day). When looking upon a winter scene ...

20. Do They Pass The Test?

1 John 4:1

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... to become a pastor. That is why he needs to work with you every day or with members of the church every day. He must be trusted before he can teach anything about God that is worthwhile. Being a teacher of God's ways takes a lot of time and patience and trust, and most of all a lot of testing. Pastors are tested every day on their faith, and so are a lot of other Christians. But a pastor does not mind being tested, and neither should you mind. When we are tested over and over again about the way ...

21. Lead A Worthy Life

Ephesians 4:1-3

Children's Sermon

22. Let's Go Fishing

Mark 1:14-20

Children's Sermon

... to see how much you know about fishing. How many of you have been fishing before? (Let them respond.) What do you need for fishing? (Let them respond.) You might need a boat, the fishing pole, a hook on the end, some bait or worms, a net and lots of patience while you are waiting for the fish. What's the hardest part about fishing? (Let them respond.) For some of you it might be putting the worm on the hook. But for some of you who like to talk a lot it might be the waiting part, because usually you ...

23. Start Small

James 3:18

Children's Sermon

... me to be something like that. Instead of arguments and fights, God wants his people to plant peace and healing and love and understanding. It starts with little things, like little apple seeds. We help people to become friends, we say kind things, we show some patience. Later a peaceful, happy, healthy result comes, like an apple tree growing up. It has to start with somebody who already knows what peace and love are like. Then it spreads to other people. Next time you see an apple tree, think about that.

24. Life Beyond Bread

Matthew 4:1-11

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

... but remember also that the most important things—what life is really all about—is our relationship with God and our friendships with one another. (Another idea: A House is Not a Home. What makes a house chairs, beds, kitchen, lights and what makes a home love, care, patience, understanding, commitment, participation Conclusion: you can live in a house but that doesn't make it a home. Our bodies are like this. We can put food in our bellies and clothes on our back but that does not give someone Life.)

25. What's A Paddle For?

Hebrews 12:7

Children's Sermon

... heard God tell me to go and sit in a corner and not speak to anyone. God has never paddled me. But God does discipline me in other ways. Sometimes I want things that are not right for me and God does not let me have them. God teaches me patience. Sometimes I am hateful toward others and God fills my heart with a great sorrow that I cannot get rid of until I ask the person whom I hated to forgive me. God teaches me that lying and cheating can hurt me worse than the people to whom I lied ...

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