Welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
This week we continue our series from the book of James titled The practical Expression of Our Faith in Daily Living.
Today we are talking about A Ministry to the Whole Person.
Text
James 5:19-20 AMP
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and falls into error and [another] one turns him back [to God],
20 let the [latter] one know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save that one’s soul from death and cover a multitude of sins [that is, obtain the pardon of the many sins committed by the one who has been restored].
Scripture Reading
James 5:12-20 (AMP)
12 But above all, my fellow believers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be [a truthful] yes, and your no be [a truthful] no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He must pray. Is anyone joyful? He is to sing praises [to God].
14 Is anyone among you sick? He must call for the elders (spiritual leaders) of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and falls into error and [another] one turns him back [to God],
20 let the [latter] one know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save that one’s soul from death and cover a multitude of sins [that is, obtain the pardon of the many sins committed by the one who has been restored].
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
With this passage we come to the end of one of the most practical letters of the Bible.
There were no holds barred as James dealt with many areas of the Christian life.
He addressed the wrong use of the tongue, showing what great damage and destruction can be brought about by this little member.
He addressed those who have been blessed of God materially but who have misused their wealth, even to the hurt of others.
Then, about halfway through his letter, James changed his approach.
As he began to deal with the “whole man,” his words became unusually kind and compassionate.
From the twelfth verse through to the end of the chapter, he dealt with matters that he did not bring out in the body of the letter, it’s like a postscript.
- James’ first message I the postscript is watching one’s speech.
Here he dealt with the common practice of swearing.
- We know that swearing has always been a common practice.
But James said, “But above all, my fellow believers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath.”
Why above all things?
He had just talked about trials and afflictions.
When a person is under great stress, he or she may be tempted to say, “Why? Why has this come upon me? What have I done to deserve this?”
The use of God’s name in the trials of life can become an expression of anger rather than an expression of praise.
In times of affliction, we must guard our speech, for what we say in those difficult hours is very important.
A Christians conduct under pressure always affects others.
B. We may have trouble trying to determine all that James meant in verse 12.
Some interpret his words to constitute an absolute prohibition of oath taking.
But if we carefully examine both the Old and New Testaments, we will find many instances where God Himself, His prophets, and His apostles make use of oaths, or what we might call vows.
What James was actually exhorting us to do here is support what we say by what we are and what we do.
Many times our works are more persuasive than our words.
2. James’ second message in the postscript is praying under all conditions.
James made an earnest appeal for Christians to let prayer and praise be part of every aspect of their lives.
First, he mentioned suffering.
Verse 13 says, Is anyone among you suffering? He must pray. Is anyone joyful? He is to sing praises [to God].
Here James was talking about any kind of trouble, physical or mental troubles, personal or family troubles, or whatever trouble may come.
What is the proper attitude of Christians under such circumstances?
“Let him pray.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
Prayer can either move God to take away the affliction or give us the grace to bear it.
Second, he asked, “Is any joyful?”
James’ advice is appropriate, “Let him sing psalms.”
Let us not forget to praise God in times of joy just as we remember to pray to God in times of trouble.
Third, he dealt with the sick.
When James spoke os affliction in verse 13, he was talking about suffering in a broad and general way.
His reference to sickness is more specific.
The Greek word suggests that it is a sickness that incapacitates a person.
Those who are sick are to “call for the elders of the church,” whose presence will encourage and strengthen them, and make them more conscience of the effectiveness of prayer.
The elders are to pray for the sick people., “anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Oil in the Scriptures is a gracious symbol of the Holy Spirit.
In Bible times it was also a medicine.
But here anointing with oil may have been intended as an aid to the sick person’s faith.
And fourth, James summarised the matter of prayer in verse 16 and drew two conclusions.
- There is a need for confession of sins.
He was not saying that we are to confess all our faults to all our fellow Christians.
But we are to confess to those whom we may have offended.
2. James encouraged intercessory prayer.
“And pray for one another.”
All of the people are to pray, not just the elders.
James said that there is great power in the prayer of a person who is right with God.
Conclusion.
James concluded his epistle by urging Christians to reclaim those who have fallen away.
Here the “pastor heart” of James surfaced.
He was talking about those who are spiritually sick.
To “convert” those who have wandered astray means to bring them back to the way of truth, to turn them around.
It is God’s plan and purpose to use His people as instruments in the saving of souls from death and in the covering of a multitude of sins.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.refinerylife.org
When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.
So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us
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