Dr. Kenneth Jones

Have You Ever? Sat in a Bible Study or Church

Service

Something was shared such as biblical principle, doctrine, or a particular biblical study

Everyone shook their heads and said “Amen”

But you wondered, “How does that look in actual application?

The Application of Biblical Doctrine The Word of God is spiritually inspired and so must

the application of it be. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21)

The Bible is inspired by God so that (the purpose or reason it is given) “the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

One may look at it as “ So that the man of God may have the necessary tool to apply it to his life

Handle, Apply & Transform To rightly handle the word of truth, we must interpret it

correctly

But the transformative power of the word lies not in knowing what it says, or knowing what it means, but in applying in to ourselves so that the Holy Spirit can use it to transform us into the image of Christ

The goal of biblical study is to ultimately apply the Word of God to our lives so that we are transformed more into the image /stature of Christ, a mature Christian, fully equipped to live victoriously

Defined Application is the act of putting to a special or

particular use or purpose the truths that you have learned from the Bible

When you apply God's Word the Bible in your daily life

Application is not just accumulating knowledge

Application begins by knowing and understanding God's Word and teaches us what to do about what we're reading, and motivates us to respond to what God is teaching

It’s Like Reading a Map You may come to know a certain position,

principle, or teaching

With a map you can identity a place on a map, but you don’t know what’s that place is truly like unless you walk that terrain

What are the obstacles?

What are the highs and lows points?

How rough is that terrain to walk this out?

Most Christians are content with a “Map view” and like to point to it, but they know nothing of the terrain (how to apply God’s Word in that area for their lives)

The Bible: Best “How to” Manual The Bible Teaches us:

How to live righteously and effectively as Christians

How to Worship and Serve the Father

How to interact and serve one another

How to overcome Satan and be aware of his devices

How to obtain salvation and deliverance

What has it taught you lately?

Proper Application of the Word Leads to:

Spiritual Health and Recovery Leading to a Prosperous Soul 3 John vs 2: God wishes above all things that we be in health

and free from erroneous doctrine

Balanced & productive spiritual life - 2 Timothy 3:17 - so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Colossians 1:10 - so that you will walk in a manner worthy of

the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Proper application can lead to spiritual wisdom, discernment and understanding

“So What Does That Look Like? This study will seek to review biblical principles and to

provide insight and revelation on how that looks in the daily walk of the believer

Seek to define the “How’s” as well such as “How to minister to someone experiencing …”

Provide practical application for daily Christian living

Scripture – Understanding Patience James 1:2,3: 2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Trials are inevitable

How we respond to trials is a matter of choice

How and Why should we count it all joy and what is this attribute of patience we should have and how does that look in the believer?

Patience Defined Patience is the ancient Greek word hupomone. This

word does not describe a passive waiting, but an active endurance. It mores the define the “state” of a person while in the

midst of waiting or experiencing a trial – the frame of mind while someone endures

The ancient Greek word hupomone comes from hupo (under) and meno (to stay, abide, remain). At its root, it means to remain under. It has the picture of someone under a heavy load and

resolutely staying there instead of trying to escape

Patience Defined In the New Testament, patience is the characteristic of

a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

Three words associated with patience

Enduring - be in a standing attitude, stand firm

Sustaining – measuring up to the task

Persevering – stand still; tarry in place

Patience More than Just “Endurance”

Patience is Active

Patience involves controlling one’s thought life (Proverbs 16:32)

Patience involves reducing unnecessary actions

How Are You Holding Up? All over the Bible there are stories of men and women

experiencing trials and tribulations. The reactions vary from many of them. Some grumbled against God because of lack of provision

(Exodus 15:24) - Exodus 15:24 - So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"

Others worshipped God in trials and adversity (Job 1:20) Job 1:20 - Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head,

and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Others cried out to God in despair (Psalms 18:6) Psalms 18:6 - In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to

my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

Control There is a definition within the Greek Lexicon that links

the word, "Count" as to take authority over. So the first step in experiencing trials and temptations is to take authority over your thoughts. This will help you endure the trial

Don't let your thoughts have rule over you.

Patience stems from a decision not based upon our inner

feelings or emotions, but external evidence.

Because I know that my parents are coming to get me, I can endure.

A Warrior is Patient Proverbs 16:32 - He that is slow to anger is better than

the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

He that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city - It is much easier to subdue an enemy without than one within

How Do We Display Patience? First, we thank God. A person’s first reaction is usually “Why

me?”, but the Bible says to rejoice in God’s will (Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:6)

Second, we seek His purposes. Sometimes God puts us in difficult situations so that we can be a witness. Other times, He might allow a trial for sanctification of character Remembering that His purpose is for our growth and His glory will

help us in the trial.

Third, we remember His promises such as Romans 8:28, which tells us that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The “all things” include the things that try our patience.

Fourth, we gain control our thoughts 2 Corinthians 10:5 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing

that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Fifth, cease all unnecessary actions – Stand ye still Exodus 14:13 - And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still,

and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

2 Chronicles 20:17 - Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

How Do We Display Patience?

Learn to Rest and Be Silent Psalms 37:7 - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret

not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Psalms 37:3-6 – Prelude to Patience

Be Patient With People: Because of his lack of patience with the people, he made a

poor decision and God did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land. (Numbers 20:12)

One simple, selfish decision cost Moses the promises and blessings of the Promised Land.

Stand Ye Still Moses told the people of Israel to stop. This is often the

LORD’s direction to the believer in a time of crisis. Despair will cast you down, keeping you from standing. Fear will tell you to retreat. Impatience will tell you to do something now. Presumption will tell you to jump into

the Red Sea before it is parted. But as God told Israel He often tells us to simply stand still as He reveals His plan.

Many times due to impatience, people do things “under pressure”

Learn to Pray and Give Thanks Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

Patience is Being Developed No one just becomes patience overnight – it is when our

patience is challenged that it is developed and strengthened

Our patience is further developed and strengthened by resting in God’s perfect will and timing, even in the face of evil men who “succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7).

Patience has it rewards Abraham, too, waited patiently and “received what was

promised” (Hebrews 6:15)

Hebrews 10:36 - For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Let Patience James 1:4: 4But let patience have her perfect work, that

ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Patience is a discipline--a "work" that is necessary for our growth

Patience is exercised through our day to day experiences

When you “let” something, you “allow” – Let it control you

Patience With One Another Ephesians 4:2 - with all humility and gentleness, with

patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Sustaining one another - helping to support each other in all the miseries and trials of life

Having patience is part of the stature of a perfect man. As a believer we are more accountable for how we act with one other.

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23)

1 Corinthians 13:4: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

Question What is the difference in being “Patient With” or

“Putting Up With/”

Purpose – Why are you dealing with this or this person?

Product – What is being produced from this situation?

Stress, anxiety, anger or maturity, longsuffering, hope

Promise – What is the expected end? Is there a reward or a disappointment?

God In You God has given you the spiritual fruit of

patience produced by the Holy Spirit in your life

Patience should mature you and develop you during times of testings and trials

Patience is a choice

Next Week

“Putting On the Nature and Things of God”