Solid Steps

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• Solid Steps
• of Christian
• Growth
• A Study of 2 Peter 11-11

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Gods Call to Spiritual Growth2Peter 13-11
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much
fruit so shall ye be my disciples. John 158
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Patience

• The Ability To Go Through Trials and
  TroublesWithout Complaining

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Introduction

• Faith
• Virtue
• Knowledge
• Temperance
• But I still need something more and it is
  patience
• Because this flesh does not yield to God fast
  enough
• This brain does learn wisdom fast enough
• This heart doesnt soften quick enough
• And prayers dont get answered fast enough

Patience is what I will direct towards each and
every one of my troubles and trials, and I will
find strength in waiting on the Lord!
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What is Biblical Patience?(Proverbs 1312)

• Patience It is a hard word to live!
• In simple words, it means waiting, and not
  getting upset while we are waiting!
• The opposites of patience are haste, stress,
  worry, anxiety
• Signs of impatience include irritability, on
  edge, stressed-out, frustration
• "Patience is the quality that does not surrender
  to circumstances, or succumb under trial it is
  the opposite of despondency and is always
  associated with hope.
• How many times has your impatience got you in
  trouble?
• Patience is a result (a fruit) of the presence of
  the Holy Spirit in our lives Galatians 522

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The Difficulties of Patience

• Patience is not in our nature
• Patience must be learned
• Patience is ONLY developed by troubles, and
  delays, and disappointments
• Patience is a humiliating attitude, not a
  confident attitude

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The Work of Patience(James 12-4)

• It Perfects us Polishes us is supposed to
  remove the rough edges
• It Proves Us proves that we are for real
• It Pleases God Paul and Silas were at rest,
  even though in prison so they sang and preached
  and enjoyed the evening (Acts 16)

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Ways God has Designed Patience to Work on Us
(Romans 828)

• Through Troubles (Romans 53,4)
• Through Time lots of it (James 57)
• Through constant Testings (James 112)

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Examples of PatienceAND Impatience

• Job (James 511 Job 120-22)
• Abraham (Hebrews 613-15)
• Noah
• Joseph
• Jesus (1Peter 123)
• Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 321)
• Mary and Martha when their brother, Lazarus got
  very sick (John 11)

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Areas that Need Lots of Patience

• Tribulations (1Peter 220,21) they will pass
• Delays (Psalm 2714 401) He will answer
• Injustices
• Battles (2Timothy 224-26)
• Obedience (Hebrews 1036)
• Giving-up (2Thessalonians 35)

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How to Add Patience to Your Attitude

• Let God Develop it in you - Allow God to put you
  through the hard times
• Learn to pray through the trials run your race
  with patience (Hebrews 121,2)
• Work patiently (Hebrews 1036) The only time
  success comes before work is in the dictionary.
• Thank God for everything (1Thes 518)
• Look ahead (Heb 1116) not back, or down
• Desire the Crown there is a reward for
  Christian Patience (James 112)

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Conclusion

• Have you ever felt like God was taking too long?
• He is taking HIS time, but He is working all
  things out beautifully
• Thankfully, there are some serious Rewards for
  waiting. What does patience do for you?
• It renews our strength. Dont let stress rob it
  of you again
• It prepares us for another race
• It teaches us to trust God
• It shows the world you are a strong Christian
• God has a perfect plan and purpose in making us
  wait.
• But there is something to have TODAY Gods
  forgiveness!
• It is not something to be laid-back about your
  sins are serious in Gods sight, and need to be
  dealt with before it is eternally too late!