John Lloyd - Authentic Christianity Pt. 12 Finale
/Authentic Christianity
Authentic Christianity: Practical Wisdom from the book of James
What to do When We Need Help
December 10, 2017
James 5:12-20
Pastor John Lloyd
Passage: James 5:12-20
12But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save 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 and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Principle: When life is challenging, through prayer, draw upon God’s unlimited patience and steadfastness.
How can I respond wisely to difficult and unfair situations?
By God’s grace, remain faithful, to the following 6 Situations:
I. Situation #1: Hasty Words
James 5:12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 1:19, 1:26)
Response: Ask God for the tongue of the learned (Isaiah 50:4, Ephesians 4:29). Ask God for the patience to really listen before speaking.
II. Situation #2: Misfortune
James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
“The thought here is not the removal of the problem but for God to give us strength to endure. This verse stresses the prayer of the individual.”
Response: “Let him pray.” James 1:5, Colossians 4:2, Ps.27:13-14
III. Situation #3: Good Fortune
James 5:13b Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Cheerful - euthymeo- a deeply rooted happiness and trust in the Lord.
Response: “Let him sing praise.” Eph.5:19, Psalm 48:1, 113:3, Is.61:3
IV. Situation #4: Extreme Difficulties
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Sick – astheneo - weakness of any kind, extreme weakness (2 Cor.12:9)
All sickness is not a result of sin. John 9:1-3
God does not always remove all of our maladies. 2 Cor. 12:7-10
Anointing- Not just God’s presence but showing He cares.
Response: Call my spiritual leaders.
Key Principle: The greater the need, the larger the circle of prayer.
V. Situation #5: Secret Life Syndrome
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save 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 and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
“Is anyone in a web of unconfessed sin.”
Response: Invite accountability, prayer and confession.
Small group, Start some personal accountability, Walk in step with the Spirit, if it is a serious web… see a Christian counselor.
“Every Christian needs at least one person in their life who really knows what is going on.”
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Proverbs 28:13
Response: Let’s never underestimate the power of prayer.
James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
VI. Situation #6: Those who have gone away from God
James 5:19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Luke 19:10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John 3:17 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.
Luke 15:10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Response: Reach out to people away from God. Our response should be to restore, not to condemn. No one is beyond the reach of God’s love!
Patient prayer is extremely powerful!
Who are you praying for this week?
Growth Group Questions for week of December 10, 2017
1. How is it going with your reading plan? Sun. Revelation 8 Mon. Revelation 9 Tues. Revelation 10 Wed. Revelation 11 Thurs. Revelation 12 Fri. & Sat. reflection. Pick out one verse that ministered to you. Share a truth you’ve been learning with a friend.
2. Read James 5:12-20. Try and put in your own words what is happening here, what response is suggested and why? Why is it appropriate for James to finish this letter with a call to prayer?
3. Starter: How does prayer both make sense and at the same time seem incomprehensible?
4. Read James 5:13-14. What instructions does James give to his readers in these verses? Read James 5:15. What are the results of following these instructions? How is each result mysterious and full of meaning?
5. Read James 5:16. How do you respond to the promise that prayer offered in faith for the sick shall make them well? Why do you think James connects healing with forgiveness? Why do you think prayer is so terribly neglected in our culture?
6. Read James 5:17-18. How does Elijah’s prayer encourage you to pray? In what ways would you like to grow as a person who prays powerfully? How could you engage your Christian community more in prayer?
7. Read James 5:19-20. What themes throughout this letter from James can be applied to this effort to bring someone back? Who can you pray for this season to either come or return to the Lord? Spend some time in prayer for this request.
Assignment: Spend one half-hour a day to pray this week for one another, for the sick, for those away from God, for our nation and the world. Maybe there is someone you could invite to the Christmas Service or Christmas Eve.