>>Bill: According to a
traditional Hebrew story,
00:00:01.36\00:00:02.36
Abraham was sitting
outside his tent one
00:00:02.36\00:00:05.26
evening when he saw an
old man, weary from age and
00:00:05.26\00:00:08.70
journey, coming toward
him. Abraham rushed out,
00:00:08.70\00:00:09.66
greeted him, and then
invited him into his tent.
00:00:09.66\00:00:14.73
There he washed the
old man's feet and gave him
00:00:14.73\00:00:18.53
food and drink. The
old man immediately began
00:00:18.53\00:00:19.60
eating without saying
any prayer or blessing. So
00:00:19.60\00:00:24.53
Abraham asked him,
"Don't you worship God?" The old
00:00:24.53\00:00:30.53
traveler replied, "I
worship fire only and
00:00:30.53\00:00:31.40
reverence no other god."
00:00:31.40\00:00:36.06
When he heard this,
Abraham became incensed,
00:00:36.06\00:00:37.00
grabbed the old man by
the shoulders, and threw him
00:00:37.00\00:00:40.76
out his tent into the
cold night air. When the old
00:00:40.76\00:00:44.20
man had departed,
God called to his friend
00:00:44.20\00:00:45.13
Abraham and asked where
the stranger was. Abraham
00:00:45.13\00:00:49.43
replied, "I forced him
out because he did not worship
00:00:49.43\00:00:53.80
you." God answered, "I
have suffered him these
00:00:53.80\00:00:54.80
eighty years although
he dishonors me. Could you
00:00:54.80\00:00:59.33
not endure him one night?"
00:00:59.33\00:01:03.96
(MUSIC)
00:01:05.13\00:01:15.46
>>ANNOUNCER: IT HAS
STOOD THE TEST OF TIME . . .
00:01:16.26\00:01:18.30
GOD'S BOOK, THE BIBLE.
00:01:18.63\00:01:20.56
STILL RELEVANT IN
TODAY'S COMPLEX WORLD.
00:01:20.86\00:01:25.03
IT IS WRITTEN . .
00:01:25.36\00:01:25.76
. SHARING MESSAGES OF
HOPE AROUND THE WORLD.
00:01:25.76\00:01:31.36
(MUSIC)
00:01:32.36\00:01:48.80
The Greek word translated
as patience, is a compound
00:01:49.96\00:01:51.03
word consisting of
makros (long or big) and thumia
00:01:51.03\00:01:55.26
(temper). Thus, it
literally means having a
00:01:55.26\00:01:57.30
"long fuse" as
opposed to being short/quick
00:01:57.30\00:01:58.23
tempered. It seems
patience is needed most
00:01:58.23\00:02:00.10
when the Christian feels
least like exercising it.
00:02:00.10\00:02:06.06
According to W.
Hermann, in his is greatest need
00:02:06.06\00:02:07.06
for patience is at the
low point of his spiritual
00:02:07.06\00:02:11.10
life when he "clings to
God, yet does not feel the
00:02:11.10\00:02:15.93
assurance that God is
near him." Patience is the
00:02:15.93\00:02:16.96
tenacity with which the
Christian's faith holds to
00:02:16.96\00:02:21.56
the promises of God
even though he may feel much
00:02:21.56\00:02:25.90
more like the conquered,
instead of the conqueror.
00:02:25.90\00:02:32.56
We are continuing our
journey through "The Fruit
00:02:33.76\00:02:34.80
of the Spirit" our
study in Galatians Chapter
00:02:34.80\00:02:39.16
5, verses 22 and 23 and I
want to welcome all of our
00:02:39.16\00:02:43.26
viewers to this week's
"It Is Written" program
00:02:43.26\00:02:44.40
Joining me here on the
set, I have two special
00:02:44.40\00:02:47.66
guests. I have Dr.
00:02:47.66\00:02:48.06
Mansfield Edwards,
Doctor welcome. >>Dr. Edwards:
00:02:48.06\00:02:52.30
Thank you. >>Bill:
And Pastor Campbell Page,
00:02:52.30\00:02:54.60
Pastor, welcome also.
00:02:54.60\00:02:55.10
>>Pastor Page: Thank you.
00:02:55.10\00:02:55.60
>>Bill: Dr. Edwards,
maybe we can start with you. For
00:02:55.60\00:02:58.40
the benefit of our
viewers that may not know you,
00:02:58.40\00:03:03.33
some of them may be
watching say I recognize
00:03:03.33\00:03:04.26
that man. That's
because you had a television
00:03:04.26\00:03:06.93
program. I don't know
if you still have it. >>Dr.
00:03:06.93\00:03:09.43
Edwards: No. I handed
that program over to new
00:03:09.43\00:03:10.40
presenters a few
months ago, about two and a
00:03:10.40\00:03:14.66
half months ago. That's
the "Discover the Power"
00:03:14.66\00:03:18.50
program that was on Vision
TV for.>>Bill: Yes. >> Dr.
00:03:18.50\00:03:19.60
Edwards:. five and a
half years. >>Bill: For many
00:03:19.60\00:03:22.46
years. So, some of our
viewers may be saying, I
00:03:22.46\00:03:24.06
recognize him. >>Dr.
00:03:24.06\00:03:24.53
Edwards: Maybe looking a
little older now. >>Bill:
00:03:24.53\00:03:26.83
And Dr. Edwards, you
are now the President of the
00:03:26.83\00:03:27.93
Seventh-Day Adventist
Church for the Province
00:03:27.93\00:03:32.00
of Ontario. >>Dr. Edwards:
Yes, I am. >>Bill: And so,
00:03:32.00\00:03:35.40
God has used you in a
capacity to administer
00:03:35.40\00:03:36.36
work of the Seventh-Day
Adventist Church. How's
00:03:36.36\00:03:42.40
that going? >>Dr. Edwards:
It's going well. God has
00:03:42.40\00:03:44.73
been kind. He has promised
to bear us up each day and
00:03:44.73\00:03:45.96
he has been
faithful to that. We have the
00:03:45.96\00:03:50.03
tremendous prayers of
our 30,000 members throughout
00:03:50.03\00:03:54.53
Ontario and our faithful
church members have been
00:03:54.53\00:03:55.50
tremendously supportive.
00:03:55.50\00:04:00.30
So, it has been going
well. Praise God. >>Bill:
00:04:00.30\00:04:01.30
Well, we appreciate you
taking time from your busy
00:04:01.30\00:04:05.06
schedule to be here with
us. >>Dr. Edwards: It's my
00:04:05.06\00:04:07.26
joy to be here. >>Bill:
Pastor Campbell Page, tell
00:04:07.26\00:04:08.43
us a bit about you
and where you serve right
00:04:08.43\00:04:11.06
now? >>Pastor
Campbell: I pastor the New Life
00:04:11.06\00:04:14.20
Seventh-Day Adventist
Church in Oshawa, Ontario
00:04:14.20\00:04:15.20
It's in our downtown core.
00:04:15.20\00:04:17.63
We have a lot of
economically depressed
00:04:17.63\00:04:18.60
people in the area, a
lot of people on welfare,
00:04:18.60\00:04:24.20
a lot of addictions, so
we're very much trying to
00:04:24.20\00:04:28.60
reach out to them and
just, kind of, get out of
00:04:28.60\00:04:29.60
church and get into
the community and make some
00:04:29.60\00:04:33.83
transformational changes
there, if we can. >>Bill:
00:04:33.83\00:04:36.83
Is there a website for
the church? >>Pastor Page:
00:04:36.83\00:04:37.86
Yes. We're.it's just brand new,
00:04:37.86\00:04:40.63
newlifeadventistchurch.com
. >>Bill:
00:04:40.63\00:04:44.30
Newlifeadventistchurch.com
. There they
00:04:44.30\00:04:45.16
can find out when you
guys meet.>>Pastor Page: Yes.
00:04:45.16\00:04:47.86
All that stuff and
some of the new things we're
00:04:47.86\00:04:50.16
trying to do. >>Bill:
Wonderful. Well, thank
00:04:50.16\00:04:51.13
you. And thank
you, too, for accepting
00:04:51.13\00:04:53.40
our invitation here. So,
we've been making our way
00:04:53.40\00:04:58.73
through the fruit of
the spirit, those external
00:04:58.73\00:04:59.70
attributes that manifest
themselves when something
00:04:59.70\00:05:03.96
has happened on the
inside. And, boy, I'll
00:05:03.96\00:05:08.63
tell you, this is
one.Patience. I have to
00:05:08.63\00:05:09.53
confess I'm not always
as patient as I should be.
00:05:09.53\00:05:16.36
It's interesting, I
noted that in the introduction
00:05:16.36\00:05:24.50
there, that it's at
the time that we least feel
00:05:24.50\00:05:25.66
like exercising
patience is probably the time
00:05:25.66\00:05:32.56
that we most need to
be patient. What can you
00:05:32.56\00:05:36.46
gentlemen tell me.I
know that you've been
00:05:36.46\00:05:37.36
researching this and
we're anxious to hear
00:05:37.36\00:05:42.23
your pearls of wisdom
on patience. >>Dr. Edwards:
00:05:42.23\00:05:45.73
Well, you know, I'd
agree with you. Patience is
00:05:45.73\00:05:46.83
a scarce commodity these
days. >>Bill: It is, isn't
00:05:46.83\00:05:51.00
it? >>Dr. Edwards: Truly
scarce commodity. And the
00:05:51.00\00:05:54.46
way our culture has
been transitioning, patience
00:05:54.46\00:05:55.46
is not something
that is being encouraged
00:05:55.46\00:05:59.50
or fostered. >>Bill: True.
00:05:59.50\00:06:00.10
>>Dr. Edwards:
It's a kind of instant
00:06:00.10\00:06:03.80
gratification.>>Bill
Absolutely. >>Dr.
00:06:03.80\00:06:06.43
Edwards:.that we aim
for. A kind of an instant
00:06:06.43\00:06:07.40
syndrome that has set in.
00:06:07.40\00:06:09.93
So, people have moved
now from just instant coffee
00:06:09.93\00:06:11.06
to instant meals and the
drive thru and, you know,
00:06:11.06\00:06:15.70
just as instantly,
instant mail. Snail mail has no
00:06:15.70\00:06:21.10
popularity anymore.
00:06:21.10\00:06:21.56
>>Bill: That's right.
00:06:21.56\00:06:22.03
>>Dr. Edwards: Emails
handle this thing. We just
00:06:22.03\00:06:25.16
do it, press send and
it's gone without envelope or
00:06:25.16\00:06:28.06
stamp. So this instant
gratification has been a
00:06:28.06\00:06:29.03
part of our culture,
so much so that you know
00:06:29.03\00:06:34.53
road rage is on the
rise because people are just
00:06:34.53\00:06:39.90
not patient. So, this
is a challenge and this is
00:06:39.90\00:06:40.93
something significant.
The Bible is speaking to
00:06:40.93\00:06:46.56
it and I think it is
tremendously important
00:06:46.56\00:06:49.36
that you have drawn us
to bring attention to this
00:06:49.36\00:06:50.40
fact at this time.
>>Bill: You're right. I'll tell
00:06:50.40\00:06:56.60
you, I do the bulk of
my banking on-line today
00:06:56.60\00:07:02.83
because I don't always
have the patience to sit
00:07:02.83\00:07:03.80
and wait in line. Now,
okay, I think it's a good
00:07:03.80\00:07:09.23
thing, patience but is
it really the work of the
00:07:09.23\00:07:17.63
Holy Spirit. I mean,
patience, is that? I mean,
00:07:17.63\00:07:18.63
compared to me, you
know when you think of
00:07:18.63\00:07:24.63
love; you know, peace,
yeah, absolutely. I can
00:07:24.63\00:07:29.23
understand that but
patience? Wow, is that on
00:07:29.23\00:07:30.20
the same level as love
and peace and kindness? And if
00:07:30.20\00:07:33.70
somebody isn't patient
how does that manifest itself
00:07:33.70\00:07:42.23
and how does that, how
does me not being patient
00:07:42.23\00:07:43.33
impact on my
neighbour or my family? >>Pastor
00:07:43.33\00:07:47.36
Page: I think that
it's important, Bill, to, to
00:07:47.36\00:07:52.20
remember that it's
not just the work of the
00:07:52.20\00:07:53.13
Holy Spirit. This
is a description of
00:07:53.13\00:07:57.26
the character of the Holy
Spirit. So, we can say God
00:07:57.26\00:08:03.06
is patient and us getting
that, getting his presence
00:08:03.06\00:08:04.13
within us automatically
places patience within us.
00:08:04.13\00:08:11.96
It's almost a matter of
us stepping out of the way so
00:08:11.96\00:08:17.70
that that can start
working through our lives
00:08:17.70\00:08:18.66
I find it's important to
almost practice patience.
00:08:18.66\00:08:24.36
I often tell people I try
practicing because I, like
00:08:24.36\00:08:29.16
both of you, struggle
with patience myself that
00:08:29.16\00:08:30.30
I find places where
it's, it's maybe not so crucial
00:08:30.30\00:08:34.83
to be patient. Where I
can, I take a longer, pick
00:08:34.83\00:08:41.20
one of the longer lines
at the grocery store just for
00:08:41.20\00:08:42.30
the sake of practicing,
you know, not being, not
00:08:42.30\00:08:46.66
worrying about deadlines,
stuff like that. But just
00:08:46.66\00:08:50.26
take that time, maybe to
just spend some time with
00:08:50.26\00:08:51.36
God and let the patience
come so that when it does
00:08:51.36\00:08:55.00
become very important,
those more crucial places,
00:08:55.00\00:09:00.20
it's more of a habit
almost, that I've started
00:09:00.20\00:09:01.16
forming. >>Bill: So,
there's things that we
00:09:01.16\00:09:04.93
can be doing to put
this actually, to practice
00:09:04.93\00:09:06.86
this. >>Pastor Page:
think so, yeah. >>Bill:
00:09:06.86\00:09:07.83
It's not, you know, just
sit back and I'm going to
00:09:07.83\00:09:10.73
sit back and let the
Holy Spirit do it. I have an
00:09:10.73\00:09:14.16
opportunity to practice
at this a little bit of this,
00:09:14.16\00:09:15.26
right? And try to be
more patient. >>Pastor Page:
00:09:15.26\00:09:20.06
Maybe part of the working
out of our own salvation,
00:09:20.06\00:09:24.13
those efforts we make,
not to earn anything but to
00:09:24.13\00:09:25.20
join God in the process.
00:09:25.20\00:09:29.86
>>Dr. Edwards: I
think it's also interesting
00:09:29.86\00:09:30.83
that, as we read through
Galatians 5, verses 16 to
00:09:30.83\00:09:35.56
21 talks about the works
of the flesh. >>Bill: Yes.
00:09:35.56\00:09:39.96
>>Dr. Edwards: Talks
about those things that we do
00:09:39.96\00:09:41.03
for ourselves in
terms of our natural
00:09:41.03\00:09:44.10
inclinations.>>Bill: Yes.
00:09:44.10\00:09:44.60
>>Dr. Edwards:.and
we're just, I think that
00:09:44.60\00:09:48.50
clarifies that we're
just not naturally inclined to
00:09:48.50\00:09:51.76
be patient. So, we
need that help and that help
00:09:51.76\00:09:52.93
must come from outside of
ourselves. It's just not a
00:09:52.93\00:09:58.86
genetic transference here
This is the work of God in
00:09:58.86\00:10:04.06
us. Now, some folk
may feel, hey, I'm not as
00:10:04.06\00:10:05.03
patient as my brother.
00:10:05.03\00:10:12.16
Does that mean that God
is working with him.>>Bill
00:10:12.16\00:10:13.23
More than me? >>Dr.
00:10:13.23\00:10:15.83
Edwards:.more than He
is working with me? But
00:10:15.83\00:10:16.83
I like the analogy,
the agricultural analogy
00:10:16.83\00:10:20.00
of the Fruit, you know
Fruits are at different
00:10:20.00\00:10:23.90
stages.>>Bill: Sure. >>Dr.
00:10:23.90\00:10:24.46
Edwards:.and even within
the Fruit itself, of these
00:10:24.46\00:10:27.60
nine ingredients that
constitute this Fruit,
00:10:27.60\00:10:28.56
an individual may be
more advanced in a particular
00:10:28.56\00:10:34.50
area and less in
another area. But God is working
00:10:34.50\00:10:39.00
with us to develop all
these areas and its God's
00:10:39.00\00:10:40.00
purpose that we
should really mature, mature
00:10:40.00\00:10:43.46
in Him. So, what Campbell
referred to is important.
00:10:43.46\00:10:49.76
It's important that
we participate in the
00:10:49.76\00:10:50.70
process. >>Pastor
Page: Yes. >>Dr. Edwards:
00:10:50.70\00:10:54.56
Participate in the
process as we cooperate in the
00:10:54.56\00:10:56.53
working of God's
spirit and hence, our patience
00:10:56.53\00:10:57.56
will grow as we
cooperate with him. >>Bill: You
00:10:57.56\00:11:01.23
know, Cam, Pastor
Cam, sorry.>>Pastor Page:
00:11:01.23\00:11:07.80
That's okay. >>Bill: its
okay, Pastor Cam or Pastor
00:11:07.80\00:11:08.83
Page? >>Pastor Page:
That's fine. >>Bill: We're
00:11:08.83\00:11:10.90
friends. So, I apologize.
00:11:10.90\00:11:11.40
Sometimes we shift into
more familial expressions
00:11:11.40\00:11:13.90
but, you know, you said
something interesting that
00:11:13.90\00:11:20.46
God, this is part of
the Holy Spirit's character
00:11:20.46\00:11:21.63
He's patient. God is
patient with me. If God is
00:11:21.63\00:11:28.80
so patient with me, boy,
I don't deserve God's of me.
00:11:28.80\00:11:38.00
Maybe I need to be doing
a better job of passing on
00:11:38.00\00:11:39.03
that patience to my
fellow man, to my children,
00:11:39.03\00:11:43.10
to my spouse, you know,
to my neighbours. But it is a
00:11:43.10\00:11:48.56
struggle, isn't it Pastor?
00:11:48.56\00:11:49.13
You mentioned that.
It's not something that comes
00:11:49.13\00:11:52.26
naturally to us. Any
advice you would give to
00:11:52.26\00:11:53.20
someone watching us
today and saying, listen that's
00:11:53.20\00:12:00.50
just something I wrestle
with. I have a short fuse,
00:12:00.50\00:12:05.16
I have a quick temper.
00:12:05.16\00:12:05.66
And you do that
enough it costs you in your
00:12:05.66\00:12:11.00
relationships, right?
00:12:11.00\00:12:11.50
It's going to play out
and damage relationships. Any
00:12:11.50\00:12:15.93
advice that you would
give to someone that is
00:12:15.93\00:12:16.93
wrestling with that,
right now, that's sitting at
00:12:16.93\00:12:19.73
home watching us. >>Dr.
00:12:19.73\00:12:20.23
Edwards: My first
advice would be, don't
00:12:20.23\00:12:23.13
be discouraged. Take
hope because God is willing to
00:12:23.13\00:12:28.20
work with us. There is
a difference between the
00:12:28.20\00:12:29.30
works of the flesh and an
obvious difference between
00:12:29.30\00:12:34.76
that and the fruit of
the spirit. The Fruit of the
00:12:34.76\00:12:39.43
Spirit is that which is
God's initiative and that
00:12:39.43\00:12:40.46
which God is willing to
do in us and for us. So, it's
00:12:40.46\00:12:45.60
important that we
allow God that time to work.
00:12:45.60\00:12:51.26
It's important that we
be willing to allow Him to
00:12:51.26\00:12:52.30
work. If I may quote from
the most published and the
00:12:52.30\00:12:57.93
most translated,
female, non-fiction author in
00:12:57.93\00:13:04.23
North America, her
name is Ellen G. White, says
00:13:04.23\00:13:05.26
that "Transformation
of character is wrought
00:13:05.26\00:13:11.63
through the transformation
of the Holy Spirit upon
00:13:11.63\00:13:17.50
the human agent,
implanting in him
00:13:17.50\00:13:18.23
according to his
desire to have it done,
00:13:18.23\00:13:22.83
a new nature". The whole
composite of the Fruit of
00:13:22.83\00:13:29.53
the Spirit is the work
of the Spirit but it must
00:13:29.53\00:13:30.53
begin with our desire
to have it done. >>Bill:
00:13:30.53\00:13:35.93
see. >>Dr. Edwards:
So my strong word of
00:13:35.93\00:13:40.70
encouragement is
one, don't be discouraged
00:13:40.70\00:13:41.56
Number two; preserve
that desire to have it done.
00:13:41.56\00:13:45.63
>>Bill: So by someone
recognizing the need for
00:13:45.63\00:13:50.46
that, that would be,
almost, a first step.>>Dr.
00:13:50.46\00:13:51.46
Edwards: That's right.
00:13:51.46\00:13:56.00
>>Bill:.in, towards
this. >>Pastor Page: Can
00:13:56.00\00:13:57.03
I, I would add to that
I totally agree to again,
00:13:57.03\00:14:00.90
this is God's character,
we want that represented
00:14:00.90\00:14:07.36
in us. So sometimes
instead of chasing after
00:14:07.36\00:14:08.30
the patience, chase
after God. Seek after Him,
00:14:08.30\00:14:12.86
get to know Him and
in that process of that
00:14:12.86\00:14:18.16
relationship He gives
you opportunities to practice
00:14:18.16\00:14:19.20
patience and assures
you that His presence,
00:14:19.20\00:14:23.70
His spirit is there giving
that supernatural power to
00:14:23.70\00:14:28.70
it as well. >>Bill: Go
ahead. >>Dr. Edwards: It
00:14:28.70\00:14:29.66
just connected with my
own cultural background. I'm
00:14:29.66\00:14:35.53
from a tropical island
so, of course, fruits are
00:14:35.53\00:14:39.83
always around. I had in
my own yard a lot of mango
00:14:39.83\00:14:41.00
trees. I'm starting to
salivate. (laughter) But
00:14:41.00\00:14:45.40
the mango trees, I
noticed something that concurs
00:14:45.40\00:14:51.03
with what Pastor Page
just said. Those mangoes,
00:14:51.03\00:14:52.03
the section of the
mangoes that was more exposed
00:14:52.03\00:15:00.16
to the sunlight than
the other seemed to be more
00:15:00.16\00:15:04.26
mellow, by
extension, matured a little more
00:15:04.26\00:15:05.36
readily than the other
section that was unexposed
00:15:05.36\00:15:12.83
and was sweeter, more
delicious. I'm salivating
00:15:12.83\00:15:17.16
but understand, yes.
And I think that this whole
00:15:17.16\00:15:18.16
parallel that God
draws on and Paul through the
00:15:18.16\00:15:23.76
inspiration of the Spirit
pulls on this agricultural
00:15:23.76\00:15:27.96
reference, I think it
is significant that we, as
00:15:27.96\00:15:28.96
Pastor Page eludes should
allow ourselves to be more
00:15:28.96\00:15:35.53
exposed to God's influence
through His word as His
00:15:35.53\00:15:41.53
spirit leads us so that
we can have that maturity
00:15:41.53\00:15:42.56
growing in us and
these various attributes.
00:15:42.56\00:15:49.53
>>Bill: Now, we all face
situations that are trying
00:15:49.53\00:15:55.13
situations. >>Dr. Edwards:
Yeah. >>Bill: Any advice
00:15:55.13\00:15:56.26
you can give to
someone watching that says,
00:15:56.26\00:15:59.93
listen, but, you
know, what do I do at that
00:15:59.93\00:16:03.93
moment that I'm in the
bank and someone cuts in
00:16:03.93\00:16:04.90
front of me or, you
know, I seem to always get
00:16:04.90\00:16:06.90
the grocery line - I
never pick the longest one but I
00:16:06.90\00:16:10.90
always end up getting
the one that, you know, they
00:16:10.90\00:16:11.90
run out of the ribbon.
You know, when it's my turn
00:16:11.90\00:16:14.40
and then they've got to
go get the ribbon and then
00:16:14.40\00:16:17.33
they can't find it
and then the young lady
00:16:17.33\00:16:18.26
doesn't know exactly
how to put it into the
00:16:18.26\00:16:20.43
machine. Alright? What
do you do, how do you, like
00:16:20.43\00:16:22.93
in those moments, how
do I, you know, what advice
00:16:22.93\00:16:23.90
would you give someone
in that moment because what
00:16:23.90\00:16:29.16
you want to do is - the
last thing you want to do
00:16:29.16\00:16:33.73
is exercise patience
there. You know, you, I'm
00:16:33.73\00:16:34.70
thinking, I'm busy,
I'm a busy person, why did
00:16:34.70\00:16:38.16
I pick this line? Why?
00:16:38.16\00:16:38.63
Right? What advice do
you give somebody in that
00:16:38.63\00:16:44.50
particular situation?
What can you do to demonstrate
00:16:44.50\00:16:47.53
that kind of patience?
00:16:47.53\00:16:48.03
>>Pastor Page: I
would say, I guess, plan
00:16:48.03\00:16:53.33
beforehand. Those
times are going to come and
00:16:53.33\00:16:54.33
maybe coming into that
situation, a little bigger
00:16:54.33\00:17:02.96
picture in mind, that
I'm not quite so important as
00:17:02.96\00:17:09.00
I think I am and just
looking for these trials
00:17:09.00\00:17:09.96
and inconveniences
that we face, maybe these
00:17:09.96\00:17:16.90
opportunities. You know,
again, Paul in Galatians,
00:17:16.90\00:17:21.56
he comes across and
says all the stuff is so
00:17:21.56\00:17:22.60
that we can better
serve others. He's speaking
00:17:22.60\00:17:27.16
against the selfishness
of this group of people and
00:17:27.16\00:17:30.76
in saying, all of
this fruit of the spirit,
00:17:30.76\00:17:31.66
walking with the spirit
is to turn around and serve
00:17:31.66\00:17:35.96
others so that they see
God's patience through us.
00:17:35.96\00:17:40.73
They see what I think
the world today is wanting to
00:17:40.73\00:17:41.76
see is this true
picture of Jesus and God,
00:17:41.76\00:17:46.40
the father, and what
that really looks like. And if
00:17:46.40\00:17:50.70
you can come into
situations wanting that;
00:17:50.70\00:17:51.56
still going to mess
up; that's the appropriate
00:17:51.56\00:17:55.50
time for forgiveness
and trying again next time.
00:17:55.50\00:18:01.26
Training yourself,
almost, to look at it this way
00:18:01.26\00:18:02.30
>>Bill: Well, one of
our previous broadcasts, Dr.
00:18:02.30\00:18:05.46
Lawrence, when we spoke
about joy, he defined it
00:18:05.46\00:18:11.40
as, "Jesus, J-O-Y, right?
00:18:11.40\00:18:11.93
Jesus at the beginning.
00:18:11.93\00:18:12.43
Yourself at the end. And
others in between, right?
00:18:12.43\00:18:19.40
J-O-Y. I think
that's exactly what you're
00:18:19.40\00:18:23.53
saying. I think
sometimes we forget - I think
00:18:23.53\00:18:24.50
you made a very
important point here that these
00:18:24.50\00:18:27.33
manifestations of the
work of the Spirit is so that
00:18:27.33\00:18:31.50
we can best serve
others and so that others can
00:18:31.50\00:18:32.60
see Jesus in me. You
know, every time I leave my
00:18:32.60\00:18:38.80
house, particularly if
I'm going to the bank or
00:18:38.80\00:18:42.36
grocerstore, my wife
will always pull me aside
00:18:42.36\00:18:43.33
and she'll say, "Bill,
you remember, people watch you
00:18:43.33\00:18:47.06
on television". (laughter)
>>Dr. Edwards: That helps
00:18:47.06\00:18:51.33
with your patience.
00:18:51.33\00:18:51.80
>>Bill: Every time. It
is a powerful reminder that
00:18:51.80\00:18:57.36
we do have an obligation
to others, don't we? I
00:18:57.36\00:18:58.46
mean, as Christians. As
followers of Jesus Christ
00:18:58.46\00:19:02.83
to demonstrate to them
in our lives, what it means
00:19:02.83\00:19:07.00
to be a follower of
Jesus Christ. >>Dr. Edwards:
00:19:07.00\00:19:08.00
Sure. There is, there is
a basic philosophy, I think,
00:19:08.00\00:19:12.20
would be nice for folks
to embrace and keep their
00:19:12.20\00:19:17.53
eyes open to. Nothing
in life, nothing in life
00:19:17.53\00:19:18.50
happens and should pass
without some meaning and
00:19:18.50\00:19:25.53
some benefit to us. The
Biblical philosophy with
00:19:25.53\00:19:33.03
regards to trials and
trouble is that, trouble
00:19:33.03\00:19:34.00
may be bad to you but
not necessarily bad for you.
00:19:34.00\00:19:38.60
>>Bill: Yes. >>Pastor
Page: Very true. >>Dr.
00:19:38.60\00:19:43.33
Edwards: The Bible
says that trials work at
00:19:43.33\00:19:44.23
patience and patience
work at hope. So, there are
00:19:44.23\00:19:46.93
benefits from these
experiences. Just this
00:19:46.93\00:19:52.90
week we had at the
office, the completion of our
00:19:52.90\00:19:53.93
external auditors work
and then we had an exit
00:19:53.93\00:19:58.13
interview with the
auditor. And she was
00:19:58.13\00:20:02.30
sharing that she went
to this drive-thru to get a
00:20:02.30\00:20:03.40
quick meal and someone
cut in right before her and
00:20:03.40\00:20:13.13
she was upset. That
cut across the grain of her
00:20:13.13\00:20:17.10
patience and she was
really upset. She was
00:20:17.10\00:20:17.96
fuming. And when she
got, finally, to the window to
00:20:17.96\00:20:23.30
place her order, and got
her order and was about to
00:20:23.30\00:20:28.06
pay they told her, the
lady before you paid for
00:20:28.06\00:20:29.03
you. Wow. >>Bill: Wow.
00:20:29.03\00:20:34.13
>>Dr. Edwards: Then
she said, here, here I was
00:20:34.13\00:20:35.13
fuming but here is
an opportunity, here is
00:20:35.13\00:20:38.63
a blessing that came out
of a trial and a test and
00:20:38.63\00:20:44.56
what seemed to be an
inconvenience and that had
00:20:44.56\00:20:45.56
my patience on the edge.
00:20:45.56\00:20:49.80
But if I had only waited,
I would have seen. And now
00:20:49.80\00:20:51.00
have come to realize
and experience my blessing.
00:20:51.00\00:20:57.23
>>Bill: Next time I
get into that line and that
00:20:57.23\00:21:00.90
ribbon runs out.>>Dr.
00:21:00.90\00:21:01.40
Edwards: Yes. >>Bill:.I
need to look at it as the
00:21:01.40\00:21:03.33
Lord is using this as
a teaching experience for
00:21:03.33\00:21:04.36
me. >>Dr. Edwards: Yes.
00:21:04.36\00:21:06.80
For you to greet the
person behind you and to
00:21:06.80\00:21:07.86
let them know how
you're modelling the patience
00:21:07.86\00:21:10.10
for them to model, if
that happens to them. >>Bill: I
00:21:10.10\00:21:14.83
think it's a very powerful
point, isn't it? That God
00:21:14.83\00:21:16.03
uses these experiences
to teach us, to train
00:21:16.03\00:21:20.03
us, right? Allow us
the opportunity to exercise
00:21:20.03\00:21:23.00
this patience muscle.
00:21:23.00\00:21:23.50
>>Dr. Edwards: That's
right. >>Bill: This is,
00:21:23.50\00:21:26.40
that's wonderful.
00:21:26.40\00:21:26.80
You know, you guys
have prepared some stuff. If
00:21:26.80\00:21:30.96
there's something that
you think would be important
00:21:30.96\00:21:32.00
for our, you know, for
our viewers to hear, don't
00:21:32.00\00:21:36.73
hesitate to, you know,
to put that out and so that
00:21:36.73\00:21:41.00
we hit some of these
key points. I love the
00:21:41.00\00:21:41.93
discussion around
the practical, you know,
00:21:41.93\00:21:47.93
applications of these,
of the behaviours and, you
00:21:47.93\00:21:52.86
know, as I read through
these I always ask myself
00:21:52.86\00:21:53.90
the question: If all
of those that claim to be
00:21:53.90\00:21:57.00
followers of Jesus
Christ exercised it, how would
00:21:57.00\00:22:00.66
our world be different?
00:22:00.66\00:22:01.20
And how much easier would
it be to present to others
00:22:01.20\00:22:06.33
about Jesus Christ.
We've got about three minutes
00:22:06.33\00:22:07.36
left. Are there some
closing comments from both
00:22:07.36\00:22:10.66
of you that you would
like to share with our viewers
00:22:10.66\00:22:15.13
today? >>Pastor
Page: ask myself, one of
00:22:15.13\00:22:16.03
my teachers gave
this question and it's one
00:22:16.03\00:22:21.53
I've carried with me
and I often bring it to the
00:22:21.53\00:22:30.26
fruit of the Spirit
here and it's, are you happy
00:22:30.26\00:22:31.26
with the person
you're becoming? And I often
00:22:31.26\00:22:33.30
look at that and reflect
on that as often as I can,
00:22:33.30\00:22:39.93
bringing it back to
things like patience because
00:22:39.93\00:22:40.96
it is one that I
struggle with. Just making an
00:22:40.96\00:22:44.93
intentional decision
that if I'm not happy with
00:22:44.93\00:22:51.33
patience or my lack of
it in my life, then there
00:22:51.33\00:22:52.33
are things that I can do.
00:22:52.33\00:22:58.40
There are ways where I
interact with God where I
00:22:58.40\00:22:59.40
can turn that over to
Him and let his Spirit start
00:22:59.40\00:23:04.10
working. But it
takes intentionality. It's
00:23:04.10\00:23:08.16
little steps, you
know, don't try and have the
00:23:08.16\00:23:09.16
patience in the
worst possible time. Do it
00:23:09.16\00:23:14.76
in those off the spot
kind of places where it doesn't
00:23:14.76\00:23:19.60
matter quite as much
and it will come. Just give
00:23:19.60\00:23:20.73
it time and keep praying.
00:23:20.73\00:23:25.43
Keep talking to God about
it. >>Dr. Edwards: I think
00:23:25.43\00:23:26.50
also that patience is
so vital because impatience
00:23:26.50\00:23:33.86
triggers anger. And anger
is a negative emotion that
00:23:33.86\00:23:38.33
is so bad for the health.
00:23:38.33\00:23:38.86
And the Devil wants to
get us there. >>Bill: True.
00:23:38.86\00:23:45.00
>>Dr. Edwards: As a
matter of a fact, he creates
00:23:45.00\00:23:46.13
problems so that
we may get to that
00:23:46.13\00:23:49.80
place. In fact, the word
'adversary' is translated
00:23:49.80\00:23:53.76
'distresser'.
00:23:53.76\00:23:54.13
So the Devil's roll is to
distress us, frustrate us,
00:23:54.13\00:24:00.60
make, keep us impatient
and trigger the anger that
00:24:00.60\00:24:01.66
is such a negative
emotion that breaks us down
00:24:01.66\00:24:06.03
physically and
otherwise But the patience, that
00:24:06.03\00:24:10.56
fruit of the Spirit
is such a wonderful thing
00:24:10.56\00:24:11.53
We've got to therefore
bear in mind patience must
00:24:11.53\00:24:17.56
be directional. I must
be patient with myself. Some
00:24:17.56\00:24:25.66
folk are impatient
with themselves and drive
00:24:25.66\00:24:26.60
themselves to the place
of suicide, to the point
00:24:26.60\00:24:30.76
of suicide. >>Bill: Yes.
00:24:30.76\00:24:31.23
>>Dr. Edwards: We've got
to be patient with others
00:24:31.23\00:24:34.10
and it is just the love
of God acting out itself as
00:24:34.10\00:24:37.60
we relate to others,
God's children but most of
00:24:37.60\00:24:38.73
all it's important to
be patient as we wait upon
00:24:38.73\00:24:42.46
the Lord. Because
those who wait upon the Lord
00:24:42.46\00:24:46.13
shall be renewed,
that's the present. So
00:24:46.13\00:24:47.13
- the promise. So, it is
important that we wait on
00:24:47.13\00:24:51.10
God even as he works in
us willing to do his good
00:24:51.10\00:24:55.76
pleasure. >>Bill:
Gentlemen, thank you very
00:24:55.76\00:24:56.66
much for your thoughts.
00:24:56.66\00:25:01.46
>>Dr. Edwards: Thank
you. >>Bill: You know, in
00:25:01.46\00:25:02.43
writing to Timothy,
Paul tells him how he had
00:25:02.43\00:25:05.46
blasphemed the Saviour
and persecuted his followers.
00:25:05.46\00:25:11.93
Indeed he claimed to be
the Chief of Sinners but
00:25:11.93\00:25:12.93
Jesus was patient.
He waited until Saul was
00:25:12.93\00:25:18.03
ready to say, I surrender,
I surrender it all. Our
00:25:18.03\00:25:22.66
gracious God is so loving
and so patient. How can we
00:25:22.66\00:25:23.73
speak of His patience
and our patience at the
00:25:23.73\00:25:30.60
same time? That's because
He's the source. We don't
00:25:30.60\00:25:36.50
develop patience. He
grows it within the trusting and
00:25:36.50\00:25:37.60
obedient heart. It's
the Fruit of his Spirit
00:25:37.60\00:25:42.83
working within each of us
Pastor Page would you pray
00:25:42.83\00:25:49.83
with our viewers?
>>Pastor Page: Yes. Heavenly
00:25:49.83\00:25:50.83
Father, we thank you
so much that as high a
00:25:50.83\00:25:54.90
standard as you ask of
us and such a great level of
00:25:54.90\00:26:01.20
obedience you require of
us that it is through your
00:26:01.20\00:26:02.23
very presence that
it's accomplished. There's
00:26:02.23\00:26:07.86
nothing that we can do
on our own. Is simply, Lord,
00:26:07.86\00:26:10.83
as we enter into a
relationship with you
00:26:10.83\00:26:11.83
and make that effort
of joining with you that
00:26:11.83\00:26:15.10
you work out things
like giving us patience in
00:26:15.10\00:26:17.43
those times that it's
so desperately needed. I
00:26:17.43\00:26:18.40
just pray, Lord, for
our viewers that little
00:26:18.40\00:26:22.26
by little you will work
in their lives. You will help
00:26:22.26\00:26:27.86
them with the
patience, the love, the joy, the
00:26:27.86\00:26:29.00
peace, all the fruit
that they are looking for in
00:26:29.00\00:26:32.90
their lives, from your
presence. And that they
00:26:32.90\00:26:35.60
would, they would be
able to, Lord, show others how
00:26:35.60\00:26:36.63
great and awesome you
are through how that's
00:26:36.63\00:26:42.00
exercised in their
lives We thank you. We pray in
00:26:42.00\00:26:45.73
Jesus' name. Amen.
00:26:45.73\00:26:46.16
>>Bill: Amen.
00:26:46.16\00:26:48.63
>>Bill: If you're
looking to deepen your
00:26:51.96\00:26:52.83
understanding of God's
word, a great resource to
00:26:52.83\00:26:55.30
help you are the "Discover
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00:26:55.30\00:26:58.66
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>>Bill: Well gentlemen,
thank you for accepting
00:27:54.03\00:27:55.06
our invitation to be here.
00:27:55.06\00:27:56.73
Let me thank our faithful
viewers that tune in each
00:27:56.73\00:27:57.76
and every week.
Visit the website,
00:27:57.76\00:28:01.26
itiswrittencanada.ca
There you can pre-order
00:28:01.26\00:28:04.53
this set of
discussions on the Fruit of the
00:28:04.53\00:28:05.50
Spirit They will be
made available on DVD at the
00:28:05.50\00:28:11.26
end of this series for
a donation of $40.00. You
00:28:11.26\00:28:15.73
can also send your
prayer requests on the website
00:28:15.73\00:28:16.76
Well our prayer is that
we will have the privilege
00:28:16.76\00:28:21.53
of being all together
next week. We hope you will
00:28:21.53\00:28:24.63
join us. Until then,
remember, it is written;
00:28:24.63\00:28:25.56
man shall not live
by bread alone but by
00:28:25.56\00:28:29.46
every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God.
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