By Your Patience Possess Your Souls

11-16-25

Hoonah-Hadley

Luke 21:5-19

Call to Worship Psalm 98

Daily Verse Luke 21:19

By Your Patience Possess Your Souls

“By your patience possess your souls.” God knows what we need, when we need it, and the portion necessary to get the job done, all we need to do is recognize His working in our lives, then say these words from Luke 22:42 “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” We live in a time of ease and convenience, microwave ovens, drive through burgers and text messaging, patience is left wanting.  In a time of sports cars, 200+ mph motorcycles, space travel, highspeed internet and Sheetz gas stations, we seem to be in a hurry going nowhere. Malcolm once said, “Don’t hurry through your life.” It might not be the destination, just the hurry that we’re after. As a child, I used to have these reoccurring nightmares that would wake me in the middle of the night crying out for help and mom would come and calm me down, tell me it will be alright. My father was an adventuresome soul, a traveling man, and thus we found ourselves more often than not, heading down the highway to somewhere. He loved to go, and so the family went up and down, back and forth, always on the go. It was and still is an action packed life, but I suppose whether you’re heading down the highway or sitting on the couch, blessings and curses can be found. The nightmare was like a movie in fast forward, it overwhelmed me and I would wake up frantic in a cold sweat. 25 or so years later, I found myself heading north across Wyoming on interstate 25 on my way to Missoula Montana in my pickup truck.

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With my chainsaw, Coleman stove, sleeping bag and a few other essentials, I had the cruise control on, was stretched out across the front seats leaning against the driver door listening to the Allman Brothers hit, “Ramblin’ Man”. The song was inspired by a Hank Williams song in 1951 with the same title. Jeremiah Johnson was called to go west, he wasn’t the first or the last. The call still comes, and humanity still goes. I am neither Jeremiah Johnson, Hank Williams or Dickey Betts, but ramble I did and on Interstate 25 that day, I realized what those nightmares were, it was my life in fast forward, never stopping, always on the go, restless if you will, and patience was not along for the ride. Now I’m working out my salvation with this, and I trust God will do a work in you through it, because these red letters in Luke are for all of us and if we’ll let God do what He does His word will manifest itself in our lives and the world will be a better place. We, that is, modern man has put our touch on God’s word by giving it chapters, paragraphs and subtitles, I find it helpful. Interestingly in chapter 21 we have a brief lesson on the poor widows two mites which rolls right into some observing how the temple was “adorned with beautiful stones and donations.” This is not a sermon on either stones or financial offerings, but Jesus uses their observations as a teaching point for the end of the age. In vs.6 He says “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” This was fulfilled during the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. You want to talk about prophecy, Jesus knew what was coming then, and He knows what is coming, namely Him. They ask Him when these things will be “And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” Jesus obliges and goes off on a massive teaching about the signs of the times and His second coming.

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There is a lifetime of learning to be had here, and there are folks’ way more qualified to teach on it, but one of the obvious lesson’s is God’s timing. Jesus is days away from His betrayal and crucifixion, people had questions, Jesus had answers. He taught them then and He teaches us now that we might not be deceived or terrified, “for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” The time is not for us to know, so we’ll not waste time trying to figure out something God would not have us know. Matt. 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows…but My Father only.” We’re not going to attempt to explain away all these verse’s this morning but simply try to grasp how massive patience is in light of worldly events, “natural” disasters, and life as we know it. “Wars and commotions…Nation will rise against nation…earthquakes…famines and pestilences…fearful sights and great signs from heaven…they will lay their hands on you…you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate…on what you will answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom…You will be betrayed…by parents and brothers, relatives and friends…And you will be hated…for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost.” Kind of sounds like now, doesn’t it? But then again there have been wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, persecution, betrayal since time began. Despite technology, massive gains in research, medicine and discovery, we’re still sick, fighting and cleaning up after hurricanes. 2 Tim. 3:2-5 “For men will be lovers of themselves…money, boasters, proud…disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving…lovers of pleasure…” This is humanity, not much has changed in this arena for thousands of years. Don’t be deceived or terrified, not a hair will be lost.

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We could spend a lot of time being troubled about all the trouble in the world as we know it, but in God’s economy, Jesus tells us a thing to tell us a thing. In John 14:1 Jesus speaks these words to His disciples during the Last Supper, just before His crucifixion. He acknowledges their fear and distress due to His impending departure and troubling news. “Let not your heart be troubled…” Over and over again Jesus teaches about peace, His peace, trusting Him, believing Him, the fruit of the spirit, patience, don’t worry, be anxious for nothing. Hello? Anybody? Again in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives…Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid…” All aboard the peace train! Satan would have us look at the problem, the trouble, point our fingers, play the blame game, argue, debate. Jesus constantly teaches us to focus on the prize, the answer, the goal, the blessed assurance that He is ours and we are His and ultimately, He has prepared a place for us. He’s our Savior, and save He does, from all of it, all of it. “…By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds…” Patience is the capacity of calm endurance. Patient is capable of bearing affliction calmly. Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord…and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” When storms arise, and they will, that’s what Jesus is telling us here in chap. 21, relax, endure the betrayal, the affliction, the persecution, wars, etc. Trust Him, believe Him, have peace in Him, patience in Him that He will fulfill His promise. Vs.28 He said “look up…because your redemption draws near.” This teaching is about an age that will never end. It’s a heart matter, a mind matter, a matter of the soul. Jesus calms the storm, if you trust His word, “by your patience you will possess you soul.” Patience saves your soul. Amen.