Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of perseverance, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.
4 sermons cite this verse
… dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job. a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him in the end for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. Stop there. How should we live as we await the Lord's return? Point number one, be patient. Be patient. Verse seven, dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. By the way, the word used here for patience is not speaking of a passive resignation but rather an expectancy as one waits on the Lord. Paul in Romans 13 verse 11 says, Understanding the present time, the hour has come to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over. The day is almost here. Point number two, as much as possible, stand in unity with fellow Christians. …
… Look, the judge is standing at the door. Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord. See, we consider them blessed, those who remain steadfast. You've heard the endurance of Job, and you've seen the end goal of the Lord, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5, verses 7-11 This is where Christians look, when we've lost our patience, not in the distraction of instant gratification, nor in the elimination of expectations. We don't find patience when our selves are snuffed out, but when we entrust ourselves to the God who is full of mercy and compassion. If you want patience, look for mercy and compassion. There's an old story about an argument between the north wind and the sun, about which one of them was stronger. The north wind said it was him, but the sun didn't think so. To settle the matter, the wind suggested a contest. See that man walking down on the road there? …
2. That they should take particular notice of others that did so, and put peculiar honour on them; which is implied in the expression in the latter part of the verse, “mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” Doctrine. We ought to follow the good examples of the apostle Paul. We are to consider, that the apostle did not say this of himself from an ambitious spirit, from a desire of being set up as a pattern, and eyed and imitated as an example to other Christians. His writings are not of any private interpretation, but he spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost directed that the good examples of the apostle Paul should be noticed by other Christians, and imitated. And we are also to consider, that this is not a command to the Philippians only, to whom the epistle was more immediately directed, but to all those for whose use this epistle was written, for all Christians to the end of the world. For though God so ordered it, that the epistles of the apostles were mostly written on particular occasions and directed to particular churches, yet they were written to be of universal use. And those occasions were so ordered in the wisdom of Divine Providence, that they are a part of that infallible rule of faith and manners, which God has given to the Christian church to be their rule in all ages. And the precepts that we find in those epistles, are no more to be regarded as precepts intended only for those to whom the epistle was sent, than the ten commandments, that were spoken from mount Sinai to the children of Israel, are to be regarded as commands intended only for that people. And when we are directed to follow the good examples of the apostle Paul by the Holy Ghost, it is not merely as we are to imitate whatever we see that is good in any one, let him be who he may. But there are spiritual obligations that lie on Christians to follow the good examples of this great apostle. And it hath pleased the Holy Ghost in an especial manner to set up the apostle Paul, not only as a teacher of the Christian church, but as a pattern to other Christians. The greatest example of all, that is set before us in the Scripture to imitate, is the example of Jesus Christ, which he set us in his human nature, and when in his state of humiliation. This is presented to us not only as a great pattern, but as a perfect rule. And the example of no man is set forth, as our rule, but the example of Christ. We are commanded to follow the examples which God himself set us, or the acts of the divine nature Ephes. v. 1. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.” And Matt. v. 48. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” But the example of Christ Jesus, when on earth, is more especially our pattern. For, though the acts of the divine nature have the highest possible perfection, and though his inimitable perfection is our best example, yet God is so much above us, his nature so infinitely different from ours, that it is not possible that his acts should be so accommodated to our nature and circumstances, as to be an example of so great and general use, as the perfect example in our nature which Christ has set us. Christ, though a divine person, was man, as we are men; and not only so, but he was, in many respects, a partaker of our circumstances. He dwelt among men. He depended on food and raiment, and such outward supports of life, as we do. He was subject to the changes of time, and the afflictions and calamities of this evil world, and to abuse from men’s corruptions, and to temptations from Satan, as we are; was subject to the same law and rule that we are, used the same ordinances, and had many of our trials, and greater trials than we. So that Christ’s example is the example that is chiefly offered in Scripture for our imitation. But yet the example of some that are fallen creatures, as we are, may in some respects be more accommodated to our circumstances, and more fitted for our instructions, than the example of Jesus Christ. For though he became man as we are, and was like us, and was in our circumstances in so many respects, yet in other things there was a vast difference. He was the head of the church, and we are the members. He is Lord of all, we are his subjects and disciples. And we need an example, that shall teach and direct us how to behave towards Christ our Lord and head. And this we may have better in some, that have Christ for their Lord as well as we, than in Christ himself. But the greatest difference lies in this, that Christ had no sin, and we all are sinful creatures, all carry about with us a body of sin and death. It is said that Christ was made like to us in all things, sin only excepted. But this was excepted, and therefore there were many things required of us, of which Christ could not give us an example. Such as repentance for sin, brokenness of spirit for sin, mortification of lust, warring against sin. And the excellent example of some, that are naturally as sinful as we, has this advantage; that we may regard it as the example of those, who were naturally every way in our circumstances, and laboured under the same natural difficulties, and the same opposition of heart to that which is good, as ourselves; which tends to engage us to give more heed to their example, and the more to encourage and animate us to strive to follow it. And therefore we find that the Scripture does not only recommend the example of Christ, but does also exhibit some mere men, that are of like passions with ourselves, as patterns for us to follow. So it exhibits the eminent saints of the Old Testament, of whom we read in the Scripture, that they inherit the promises Heb. vi. 12. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, a great number of eminent saints are mentioned as patterns for us to follow. Abraham is, in a particular manner, set forth as an example in his faith, and as the pattern of believers Rom. iv. 12. “And the father of circumcision to them, that are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had, being yet uncircumcised.” And so the prophets of the Old Testament are also recommended as patterns James v. 10. “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” And so eminently holy men under the New Testament, apostles and others, that God sent forth to preach the gospel, are also examples for Christians to follow Heb. xiii. 7. “Remember them that have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” But of all mere men, no one is so often particularly set forth in the Scripture, as a pattern for Christians to follow, as the apostle Paul. Our observing his holy conversation as our example, is not only insisted on in the text, but also 1 Cor. iv. 16. “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” And xi. 1. “Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ.” And 1 Thess. i. 6. Where the apostle commends the Christian Thessalonians for imitating his example; “and ye became followers of us. ” And 2 Thess. iii. 7. he insists on this as their duty. “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us.” …
The text is preceded by a triple exhortation to patience. In the 7th verse we read, "Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." And again, "Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain. Be you also patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draws near." Further on, in the 10th verse, we read, "Take my brethren, the Prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering, affliction and patience." Are we thrice exhorted to patience? Is it not clear that we have even now much need of it? We are, most of us, deficient in this excellent Grace and because of it we have missed most privileges and have wasted many opportunities in which we might have honored God, might have commended religion and might have been exceedingly profited in our own souls. Affliction has been the fire which would have removed our dross, but impatience has robbed the mental metal of the flux of submission which would have secured its proper purification. It is unprofitable, dishonorable, weakening—it has never brought us gain—and never will. …