3. Loving Above and Beyond: Loving Like Jesus in Days of Division

6. The Primacy of Patience

7. Proverbs 16:32
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

8. makrothumia makran = “far off, at a distance” thumos = “fierceness, intensity”

10. Blessed are the meek…
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…
Blessed are the merciful…
Blessed are the peacemakers…
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

11. The Way to Patience

12. Remember what impatience is saying about you.

13. People with understanding control their anger;
a hot temper shows great foolishness.
--Proverbs 14:29
Finishing is better than starting.
Patience is better than pride.
Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.
--Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

14. Count to 10

15. James 1:19
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

16. Learn to listen before answering.

17. Proverbs 18:13
Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

19. Don’t give up on people.

21. Ephesians 4:1-2
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

22. Trust the power of patience.

23. Proverbs 16:32
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

25. The Patience of God

26. 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

27. 1 Timothy 1:15-16
This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

30. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.