Message 1
Good morning, my name is Jay Cronin, and I’ve been attending North Hills Church my whole life. I’d like to begin this with a question: Have you ever had to wait for something? Have you ever had to wait for something you knew was coming? I have.
In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene came tearing through the Carolinas. Lives were lost, homes were destroyed, and houses were damaged. As a 15-year-old on Chipping Court in Greer, I lost power.
I remember waking up that morning, hopping out of bed, and going to turn on my light switch, flipping the switch, and nothing happened. So I looked out my window and saw sticks and leaves thrown across the street.
Normally in Greer, the power would go out for maybe 10 minutes, maybe 30 minutes, maybe two hours at most. So I assumed it’d be back on later. I grabbed my gloves and my rake and headed outside to begin cleaning up, hoping that when I returned that evening, it’d be on.
When I returned that evening, the lights were still out, which meant we still hadn’t gotten our power back. So I went to bed hoping it’d be on the next day.
The next morning, I hop out of bed, walk over to the light switch, and flip it. Still nothing. So I grab my rake, my gloves again, and clean up again, hoping it’d be on in the evening. Evening rolls around again, still no power. So I go to bed hoping it’d be on the next day.
The next day, I walk over, flip the switch, and it turned on. What a relief. Now, I had been looking forward to playing video games with my cousins from Maryland. This is how we connected because we didn’t get to see each other that often. This is also when I learned two things:
One, just because you have power does not mean you have internet. And two, I need to be patient. So the routine started again, but instead of checking the light switch, I was checking the internet box. A couple hours felt like a day, a day felt like five, a week felt like a month. Then came day 22.
I woke up that morning and looked at the box. The light was still out. Then I heard this loud noise outside. So I ran over to my window, looked up the street, and there I saw it: a white truck coming down with the word “Spectrum” on the side of it. That’s how I knew today was the day.
While my example of waiting may not be as severe as something you have gone through or are currently going through, what is God having you wait for right now? Do you believe that God will be faithful to deliver you from this time of waiting?
God asks his children—who he loves and cares for—to be patient because he is worth it.
Today’s passage is James 5:7-11. Here’s some context from verses one through six:
James is warning the rich oppressors (who are hoarding wealth and mistreating others) that their wealth is vanishing and that they will be judged. He also speaks to the people who were mistreated, telling them that God sees them and he’s coming back soon to fix everything.
The response to this message is to be patient because God’s coming back soon to fix everything. Verse seven says,
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming” (James 5:7).
Let’s look at some context for the book of James:
This book is about practical Christian living, emphasizing that genuine faith must be demonstrated through actions and not just words. James calls believers to the action of patience. In this passage, he gives a few examples of patience.
The first is the farmer. Verse 7 says,
“See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (James 5:7).
In the fall in ancient Israel, farmers would plow the fields in the fall and plant their crops. They then would have to wait until spring for the harvest. The cycle started in fall, went through winter, and ended in spring. In ancient Israel, during this time, the summer season was very dry, so they couldn’t plant their crops during that time. They had to plant in the fall and wait until spring to see the fruits of their labor.
In the same way, we practice patience now, because God is coming back soon. This story demonstrated patience as the farmer waited patiently for the spring rains.
The next example is the prophets. Verse 10 says,
“Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord” (James 5:10).
An Old Testament prophet who lived out patience was Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a prophet during the final decades of the kingdom of Judah. The people had drifted from the covenant of God, blending worship of the Lord with idolatry. God called Jeremiah to warn them that judgment was coming, that Jerusalem and the temple would fall and that the people would be carried off into exile.
Jeremiah preached this unwanted message for 40 years, and he watched every bit of it come true. Jeremiah warned the people for 40 years—not 40 hours, not 40 days, but 40 years—and no one believed his warning. His patience was displayed through staying faithful despite the results.
The third example of patience is the perseverance of Job. Verse 11 says,
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about” (James 5:11).
Perseverance is bearing up under weight. It’s not about waiting for someone to act, it’s about not collapsing under pressure. Literally, “to remain under.”
Job lived in the land of Uz, blameless and upright, blessed with great wealth, servants, 10 children, and a life that reflected God’s favor. Then in a single day, it all collapsed. His servants, his livestock, and all 10 of his children were gone. His wife came and cursed him and told him to curse God, and his friends came and accused him of hidden sin.
Job persevered. He remained standing under the weight of losing everything and continued to cry out to God, despite his circumstances. After Job persevered, God doubled his wealth, gave him 10 more children, and 140 more years of life.
Now that we have heard of Job’s story, let’s look back at verse 11 to really highlight what God finally brought about. Verse 11 says,
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about” (James 5:11).
Despite our circumstances, we need to persevere because he is worth it.
While these examples highlight patience, later in the service, we’ll see an excellent example from the Old Testament of impatience.
James 5 points out patience many times, like verse 7:
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming” (James 5:7).
And verse 8,
“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8).
When we wait, we have several ways to respond. The first is patience, which is the ability to calmly wait or endure hardship. The second is impatience, being annoyed by delays. And the third is grumbling, actively expressing being annoyed. So how should we respond to waiting? Well, verse 9 says,
“Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9)
James clearly says do not grumble and leaves a warning that the Judge, who is Jesus, is standing at the door. Jesus will return to judge us, and he has the power to punish us and to save us. God asks his children to be patient because he is worth it. Why is God worthy of our patience? Because he is faithful. Galatians 6:9 says,
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
And James 1:12,
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
These verses highlight waiting, enduring, and the Lord rewarding those who are patient. While the rewards are great, let’s see how the Lord is faithful. Verse 11 ends with,
“The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11).
Compassion is noticing when someone is hurting and wanting to help them. Mercy is choosing to treat someone with grace when you have the power to punish. God demonstrates his compassion and mercy in many ways. One of these ways is the gospel:
God saw our sin and pain, and he noticed our hurting (which is compassion), so he sent his Son, Jesus. Jesus took on flesh and humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. He sacrificed his life, took on our sin, and took the punishment that we deserved. He has the power to punish us for our sin, yet he came to bear that punishment for those who believe in him.
Then three days later, he rose again and conquered death so that we can live with him eternally in heaven, where there is no sin or pain. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. God asks his children to persevere because he is worth it.
I know there is someone in this room today who is in the waiting. It may feel like God is not faithful right now. Maybe you’re waiting for that loved one to be saved you’ve been praying for for years. Or maybe you’re ready to hear back from that job that you applied for. Or maybe you’re just waiting for some rest, as it’s been really busy recently. Whatever you’re waiting for, be patient, for he commands us to be patient. Hebrews 10:23 says,
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
Knowing the Lord is faithful, how do we practice patience according to God? Let’s look at Psalm 130. In verse five, it says,
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5).
What is our foundation for patience? Putting our hope in the living word of God. What does being in God’s word look like? A few examples may be reading the Bible, praying through the Bible, or meditating on a verse from the Bible.
First of these is reading the Bible. For example, opening the Word and reading it. If this is new to you, then I would encourage you to start in the gospels, which are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The second of these examples is praying. One of the ways I like to pray the Word is by opening to a passage and then personalizing it. Let’s try this right now. We’ll have Psalm 130:3-5 on the screens if you would follow along. Verse 3 says,
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:3-5).
Now that we have read it, we can respond. My response may be, “God, you have forgiven me because of your Son, that I may fear you and serve you. I find hope in your Word as I wait for you.” I would encourage you to habitually pray the Word and write down your response.
The third example is meditating. A way I like to meditate is by thinking on a verse or two and reading them over and over again— really thinking about the words used, what the verse says, and just living in the Word.
I’m going to read those verses again, and while I do, I want you to think about your current circumstances. Does God have you waiting for something specific? If so, put that in the verse as you pray it back to him. Or maybe you’re wrestling to find hope in your life right now. As I read verse five, pray that to God and ask him to help you set your hope in his Word. Whatever it may be in your life, pray that back to God while I read those verses again. Verse 3,
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:3).
Again, verse 3:
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
I would encourage you to make this a habit because it can help you focus on God’s faithfulness during your current circumstances. From easy moments, like waiting in line at the drive-thru, to difficult moments, like praying for that loved one to be saved— instead of grumbling or being impatient, focus on God’s Word. Pray Scripture back to him. Ask God for patience. We can persevere because he is worth it.
I would like to encourage you, brothers and sisters, to practice reading, praying, and meditating on the Word of God this week so that we can be patient because he is worthy of our patience. Let’s pray.
Lord, thank you for this opportunity to come before you and worship. Thank you for your Word and its guidance on how to live. You are full of compassion and mercy, even when you call us to difficult things like waiting. Please give us patience, and let us practice patience this week. In your one and only name we pray, amen.
Message 2
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to see someone else’s sin instead of your own?
You might go to work, and you look at your boss, and you say, “He makes way too much money. I make so little, and he’s making so much. He’s so greedy. Why is he doing this? Why doesn’t he pay me more?”
Or you look at a person, and they’re making fun of someone. You say, “They’re so mean and rude for doing that. How could they ever say something like that? I would never do something like that.”
Or you look at your friends, and you say, “You’re not following God properly. You should be reading your Bible more. You should be praying more. You should be singing louder.” And, guys, we do this with stories in the Bible too.
In this story in Numbers, we see God deliver the Israelites from the Canaanite king. Literally, the Israelites were crying out to God, saying, “God, please help us,” and then God delivered them from the Canaanites. Then we also see, in this passage we’re in, that God’s providing them food and water. And we ask ourselves, “How could they ever complain about this? They’ve got everything they need.”
But in the meantime, we forget how hangry we get when we miss lunch and have to wait for dinner. We forget about that one time we lied in a story just to make ourselves look better. And ultimately, we sometimes forget that we all need the gospel. We all need to look to Jesus Christ for our redemption and to live.
But before we get into that— Hello, Church. My name is Ben Fossett, and I’m extremely blessed to be able to preach this message to you today.
Looking back a moment ago at Jay’s message, it was about why God wants his children to persevere and be patient— because he’s worth it. On the contrary, the story we’re looking at today shows us an example of impatience. More importantly, though, this story teaches us to look to the Son and live.
You may be asking, how does this all connect? But we’ll get to that in a minute. When tackling this story, there are three things that I think God wants us to learn from it.
1. Beware of impatience
First, God is telling us to beware of impatience in speaking against God. First, beware of impatience.
In our times of comfort, it can be easy to forget our need for God to provide. In this case, the Israelites had just been delivered from the Canaanite king who was oppressing them, and God was still providing them food and water. But in this time of comfort, they found themselves grumbling against God and being impatient. “We just want to get to the promised land now.”
Impatience can often be linked to pride and this ability to think that your plan of events is better than God’s. When the Israelites became too comfortable, they wanted more, and this wanting of more turned into their grumbling against God.
Before we look at their grumbling against God, it’s important to make a distinction between grumbling and groaning. Similar words, but completely different applications.
When it comes to groaning, Scripture actually talks about this in Romans 8:22-23, where it says,
“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:22-23).
So groaning is not actually a bad thing. In fact, our groaning in longing to be with Christ is an act of worship towards him. But grumbling isn’t the same way. Grumbling is actually sin. In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it says that grumbling is a mutter of discontent, a complaint.
I like to think of this as a second garden scene, how we’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and how that applies to the Israelites in this situation. We’ve all looked at God in the face and looked at everything that he’s given us and said, “This isn’t enough.”
Saying that we don’t have enough is sin towards God. We’re going against God because he provides for us. There’s the message for this warning against impatience and grumbling.
Let’s look back to Jay’s sermon on the benefits of patience a moment ago. From his passage in James 5:9, it says,
“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:9).
This story we’re looking at today is an actual example of God’s judgment against impatience and grumbling. But God gave us stories like this, not so that we could remember all the times that we’ve been impatient, but instead so that—when we’re tempted to be impatient and grumble against God—we remember stories like these and we remember that God is enough. That’s the first thing we can learn from this story.
2. We can learn from Moses.
The second thing we can learn is something we can learn from Moses, and that’s how to be patient in suffering.
Before the Israelites could be delivered from the serpents, they had to acknowledge their need for God to provide. In acknowledging their need, the Israelites go to Moses asking for help, and Moses was patient in suffering.
Before we go more into the story, I want you to think: this is a crazy story. I’m sure all of you can think of a crazy story you have. For me, it was this:
My friends and I were venturing down the side of a river. It was pretty much like trailblazing. We were just going along the edge of the river, seeing how far we could get. We got to this one point where there was this massive rock and then below it was a thicket. In that thicket below was a den of copperheads. Even on the rock that I was standing on, there was one coiled up right there that I didn’t notice until way too late. I remember being so scared in that moment. The only way for us to get around them was to swim around them, after we had already seen a snake slither through the water. It was not a great situation.
I think about this story, and I think, “Man, this is a crazy story.” It was so scary. But now I imagine this story and how much harder it was for the Israelites and Moses to be patient when there were not just snakes, but these snakes were biting and killing people. But in the midst of all of this, this is what Moses did:
He went to God, he asked for the solution to the problem, and God gave the solution. The solution that gave the Israelites a way out of dying from the snakes was by having Moses raise up a serpent on a staff. If the Israelites looked at the staff, then they wouldn’t be harmed by the snakes.
Now, you might be wondering how this passage in the Old Testament from Numbers has any connection to the gospel. But there’s actually a massive connection here, and that’s the third thing that we can learn from this story. But it’s also the main thing that God wants us to get from this story.
This is the connection from the serpent on the staff to the Savior on the cross, a connection made by Jesus himself when he’s talking to a Pharisee named Nicodemus. In John 3:14-15, it says this:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).
From this passage, where Jesus is actually speaking to Nicodemus, we see that this story isn’t just some story in the Old Testament. It’s also a typology (or something with a specific historical or theological connection) that shows God’s ultimate plan. The story shows a picture of God saving the Israelites, which pointed to how God would one day save all humanity, both Jew and Gentile.
You might be wondering, “Where is the comparison between this and the story of redemption?” It’s more than what we just saw in John 14. Here’s an analogy between Numbers and the gospel based on commentaries by theologians and experts. This analogy connects the events and God’s provision in this story to the eternality of God’s plan for humanity.
First, the Israelites’ impatience and grumbling represents/is sin coming into the world. This could be sin like the grumbling and groaning, or it could be the sin that we commit every day.
Next, the snakes biting the Israelites represent the consequences of sin that affect all mankind (disease, war, injustice, and physical death). Just as the Israelites would die to snake bites, we who live in sin have consequences because of it.
The Israelites were saved by God through the serpent on a staff. In a similar way, we can be saved as humanity from the second death by looking to Jesus Christ as our Savior.
We even see the consequences of those who didn’t look to the serpent in this story, which was physical death. That’s a mirror for what happens to those people who don’t look to the Son, which is eternal death— the second death, which is spiritual death or hell, where there is eternal separation from God.
But there is hope, and that hope is this:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:16-21).
Church, Jesus Christ was God in human form. He was fully acquainted with our sorrows and grief. He lived as we’ve lived, and he was fully God. All righteousness and power are his. He was the light, and he came to earth and died on a cross, shedding his blood for us.
In Hebrews 9:22, it says without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. He took our place, defeating death so that we can be saved if we believe in him. And those who believe in him can be seen as righteous in the eyes of the Father, because their sins have been paid for by the only Son of God.
I’m going to talk to two types of people today. First, I’m going to talk to the person who looks at all religions and ways of life and says, “Why is Jesus the way? Why Christianity?” Or maybe you’ve come to church for some time, or maybe your whole life, but you haven’t truly felt the power of the gospel. Or you haven’t genuinely believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Or maybe you’re just someone who’s unsure about your faith in general. Well, for this first type of person, I have two things for you:
First, remember that Christianity is the only religion based not on works. Realize that you are wicked and you can’t do it on your own. Realize that your sin is eternal, and that it has eternal consequences. But then, after realizing this, realize that it’s not about what you can do. It’s about what Jesus Christ has done.
I also challenge you to look at the testimonies today. Look at the people and the places that have had their lives changed by Christ. Look at the teachings of Christ to love one another and to value your neighbor above yourself.
Look at how Jesus fulfilled what he said he would do by dying on the cross for the whole world. Not only that, he rose from the dead, defeating death. No other leader of a religion rose from the dead. Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius— they all died. But the way, the truth, and the life that is Jesus Christ, he died, but he rose from the dead three days later. After appearing to those who followed him, he ascended 40 days later to the right hand of the Father, and his word and his Spirit are alive today.
Those who witnessed it wrote down accurate accounts about this. Matthew and John, disciples of his, were with him every day in his ministry. Luke and Mark, being close friends of the disciples and members of the early church, wrote these things down so that we can know that it’s true.
Second, remember that your salvation is not about what you claim or wear. Even the source of the Israelites’ salvation in this story (the snake of bronze) was turned into an idol. In 2 Kings 18:4 it says,
“He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan)” (2 Kings 18:4).
I look at culture today, and I see a similar thing that people like to do with the cross. People will wear it, looking for acceptance, looking to look better for their friends and family. Or people will put that Bible verse in their bio, but inwardly they blaspheme God in their heart and in their actions. In a similar way, that’s how the Israelites made this bronze serpent into an idol.
Don’t let the cross be an idol because it’s not about the wooden cross itself. It’s about what Christ did on the cross: dying on the cross, shedding his blood to set us free, taking the weight of the sin of humanity on himself.
To this first type of person today who’s heard all of this: Know that you need Jesus. Look to him and live. Accept him in your life today and come pray with someone. I personally pray that you would come to know Jesus today. Do more research, read the gospels, and talk to people about what Jesus has done in their lives, and you will see that Jesus is truly the only way.
Now, to the second type of person I’m talking to today, I’m calling on those who have looked at him and lived, believers. Do not grow weary in your walk. Run to his sanctuary daily and be that person today whom someone can pray with.
As you leave the building—to go to work, to go to school, to hang out with friends and family—use it as an opportunity to spread the gospel to the unbelievers that you encounter. It could be the Holy Spirit working through you that changes a life for the better. Again, go have coffee with someone. Go meet with someone and remember, again, it could be the Holy Spirit working through you that changes a life for the better.
Also, remember what we heard Jay talk about earlier: God is calling us, his children, to be patient and persevere in suffering because he’s worth it. But also, be patient in sanctification. Life isn’t going to be easy. Jesus will call you into the wilderness. You will struggle with sin still. But stay strong. Look to him and live.
In a moment, I’m going to call up the worship team. As they’re playing, we’re going to have the prayer team up front to pray with you. I invite everyone in this house today to come up and pray with someone. If you don’t want to come all the way up here, then pray with somebody sitting around you. But pray. Let this be a house of prayer. And remember that there’s truly no better day than today to look to the Son and live. Let’s pray.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Lord, I pray for the first type of person who’s in here, the unbelievers. Lord, I pray that you would touch their hearts today and that you would invite them into your sanctuary to pray and to believe.
And Lord, I pray for the second type of person, the believers who are in here. I pray they would be that person that the unbeliever can pray with. I pray that they would feel the power of the gospel and that that power would help them to overflow and to spread the gospel with everyone they encounter.
Lord, be with everyone who looks to you and lives. Lord, we thank you that you so love the world that you gave your only Son. I pray all these things in Jesus’s name, amen.
