Living Faith Evidenced in a Vulnerable Request for Prayer

The body of James’ letter expands on the theme of being a doer of the Word.

A living faith is evidenced by being a doer of the Word in the midst of such circumstances of suffering.

Both the beginning and end of the book emphasize the need for prayer in the face of trying circumstances (James 1:5; 5:13–18).

James practiced what he preached. Eusebius quoted an ancient tradition saying that James spent so much time on his knees in the temple praying for the people that his knees “became as hard as camels.”

Tonight, Lord willing, we will look at what James learned about prayer as watching his brother be continually in prayer. We will spend time in prayer after looking at verses v.17-18.

Bible Reading

James 5:13–18 (KJV)

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

14 Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Prayer for the church

Help us not only to understand but to believe and embrace what You teach us concerning prayer.

This week there have been those in this room that have been merry. Today we have been able to join them and sing with them.

This week there have been those who have prayed because they are afflicated. We join them in prayer and come today asking you for healing and comfort.

We ask for the continual development of Liam Coffey.

We pray for comfort for those who morn the death of Sisipho Mapu

Sermon Introduction

“Faithful pastors do not bury their members, they bury their friends.”

This was the thought that came to my mind as Stephanie and I stood by Michelle Preston as our brother in Christ, Bob Preston, passed this life to the next.

Over the last couple months the passage that I read to you as been heavy upon me. Yes, there are some interpretive decisions.

What manner of sickness is this?

What is going on with anointing oil?

What is the prayer of faith?

Yes, there are people of various backgrounds in this room with varying opinions on the matter. But that is not what weighed on me.

The weight is not that I get right what I am to say today in a sermon. The weight and opportunity lies in us getting this right for the glory of God and the good of one another.

If Jesus does not return, my 6 are in the room; that is my pall bearers. I will have the opportunity of officiating the funeral for many in here. I am hoping at least one of you ask me to sing. It would help in the grieving process.

It is not Heaven’s Gate, but death’s bed that is more often the concern of the believer. Additionally, I believe there is a truth about health and our spiritual life that shouldn’t be ignored but may not be well received.

None of us get out of here alive. (excluding the rapture)

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the saints.

Dozens of examples with illness in the Bible, that God chose in His wisdom to not the heal.

I also know the “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Those that among us will sing, pray, and die together.

Every believer should be part of a “among us” group of believers that make up a church.

This closing portion is directed to this group.

Next week. James 5:19 “19 Brethren, if any of you..

This week it says.. James 5:13 “13 Is any among you

We are made up of people who sing.

James 5:13 “13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”

If you have spent any time with me the last two weeks you know that I have become almost obsessive over the value of singing as part of life together as Christians. Hymn Sing Oct

There are over fifty direct commands for us to sing, and singing is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible

Earlier this summer several of us that are AMONG US gathered to celebrate the retirement of Steve Morgan.

“Our whole life should be so angled towards God that whatever strikes upon us, whether sorrow or joy, should be deflected upwards at once into His presence.” - Alec Motyer

We are made up of people who pray.

James 5:13 “13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”

We will see a specific type of prayer meeting that an elder should organize but the Bible is filled with examples of the church gathering for prayer.

Will you sing with me? Will you pray with me? - This are the words of people who personally know that they should come to God with all the emotions of life.

It is the marks of a healthy church.

We are made up of people who will die.

There is no time in which God does not invite us to Himself.

We will see more about this in a moment.

This does not forbid us for meeting for all types of occasions for prayer.

The word sick in v.14. John 4:47 “47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.”

Word used with Lazarus, Dorcas, and Epaphroditus

The word sick in v.15 indicates the person has been worn down and weary from the healthy condition.

Prayer available for nonbelievers, but not this.

The process and promise is given for those who have elders in their lives.

Those who do not need Christ need the Gospel.

We pray for their healing as we pray that God will be longsuffering with them.

In openness to God we should allow others into our home and hearts.

For nearly every major aspect of the Christian life there is some passage that gives the primary directives.

This is the most direct passage concerning the believers response to sickness.

For those of us who want conformity to God’s Word and not just inclusion among God’s people we should listen read intently.

When getting advise from older pastors, I have been given this advice “I have anointed people on some occasions, if they come to me and ask, or I have been called upon to go see someone on behalf of a family member.”

James 5:14 “14 Is any sick among you? 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:”

Interpretive Decision: There are four varying interpretations.

The Sacramental (Roman Catholic) View

The elders are performing Last Rites to someone on their deathbed and the oil confers grace onto that person.

The church does not bestow grace on anyone.

We will see in this passage that Elders have not power of themselves, we only have what is availed to all of us as believers.

The Faith Healer View

If only you had enough faith, you are guaranteed physical healing when you go through the prescriptive formulas just right.

This is a wrong view of faith that finds it power in its sincerity and not in its object.

Article from ABC News: Italian teenager nicknamed 'God's influencer' set to become Catholic Church's first millennial saint. — they search to find a miracle of healing he performed.

Spiritual Sickness

Sick(2) save, raise up, and healed are sometimes used as a metaphor for spiritual conditions Hebrews 12:3 “3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

What would be presented here is that it is not physical sickness being addressed but spiritual sickness. This would remove some of the challenges of understanding about being raised up.

Physical Sickness

All the words in this passage make most sense in this context in a straightforward, literal sense.

The spiritual or metaphorical use of this word is used in conjunction with other words to make clear its metaphorical use. Romans 14:1 “1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”

Pastoral care includes visiting and praying for the physically ill.

Call for the elders to come to them is not necessary unless bed ridden.

Anointing with oil, even when taken as a symbolic consecration rather than a medicinal use, has precedent for commonly accompanying physical healing in the Gospels—it seems to have been the standard practice of the apostles according to Mark 6:13 “13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”

Comparing Scripture with Scripture only leaves unless between three and four.

Lexically: the words can be taken as literal or metaphorical.

Grammatically: the relationship of the phrases can be taken in different ways.

Theologically: one could make a good argument either way

From my understanding is that this person is physically sick. As with all physical sickness we should look to God. We look to God to search our hearts. We look to God to bring healing.

Send for the Church Elders

He is not calling for a class of people called healers.

He is calling for the appointed leadership in a local church.

In 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 you will see qualifications for the elders. You will not see the “gift of healing.”

Our church currently has two ordained for this role in this congregation but has ordained dozens that now shepherd other congregations.

In the future I believe we will have more. Some may not be vocational, have a specified emphasis in ministry, but all will need to meet these requirements and be appointed by the church.

Prayer over them while anointing them with oil.

James 5:14 “14 Is any sick among you? 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:”

Interpretive Decision: Is this anointing with oil medicinal or symbolic of something?

Among those who hold to the physical sickness position, several possible interpretations are possible for the purpose of the anointing with oil:

Hygienic (for cleaning)

Cosmetic

Medicinal

Symbolic

What was the purpose of the anointing, and is it necessary?

The most common Old Testament use of oil was for symbolic consecration and representative of the Spirit’s work.

We get a look inside of culture and see the medicinal purpose in the story of the Good Samaritan.) Luke 10:34 “34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”

There is a recipe, if you will, for anointing oil in Exodus 30.

Primarily olive oil. There are probably several people in here that would eagerly tell us about the value of olive oil for medical use.

Most importantly, anointing with oil is the attendant circumstance — the command is to call for the elders to pray; the oil seems to accompany as a symbol rather than the cause of healing.

We can see the how the oil has been used medically and symbolically.

This moment brings us to a place where we recognize the Holy Spirits work in our life.

The oil upon the head showing our need for the Holy Spirits anointing.

The presence of the church family around us, doing what they can be acknowledging our lives in the hands of God.

Stating they will anoint with oil, also speaks to the minimal nature of what they bring with them. This is a prayer meeting not a medical procedure.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:15–16 “15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

“Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer.” — François Fénelon.

Our prayers should always be prayers of faith.

The prayer of faith is not some form of elevated prayer but places the emphasis on the subject of our faith.

It is not necessary to affirm the continuation of miraculous sign gifts to rejoice in know that God still does the miraculous.

As with Elijah we should pray believing. Elijah is not held out as someone we cannot become but as an example of the type of prayers we can pray.

Language of Faith

“Lord willing” is the language of faith. James has taught us this.

Our faith is not that we get our way, but our God hears us and will only give us what is ultimately best for us.

Jesus was teaching you how to pray, one of the fundamental things that He said that you needed to pray was, Thy will be done

Whatever the remainder of the passage means, it is not a contradiction of the principle that we always pray in submission of the Lord.

Prayers of faith are followed by prayers of confession.

Both the one being prayed for and those who came to pray come before the Lord together.

We place our lives in the hands of the Lord.

This requires living honestly before Him.

We ask God to search our hearts and to heal our bodies.

James encourages the Sick person to deal with any potential spiritual causes of the illness that he is experiencing.

James 5:15 “15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

The “if” is therefore doubly important:

(1) It shows that James by no means assumes that sickness is caused by sin,

(2) It makes a spiritual interpretation of the passage difficult, since it is difficult to imagine a condition of spiritual “weakness” that would not be a product of sin. - Moo

Many times knowing that there could be multiple options we gravitate to what is preferred.

Example: We know we don’t have to pray on our knees. So we rarely do.

Example: We know that sickness is not always the result of sin. So we never expect that it is.

Does sin cause sickness?

Notice how the results seem reversed: the sick person is saved, and the sinner is healed. Normally, we’d expect the sick to be healed and the sinner to be saved. But James is highlighting a connection between sickness and sin. 

In one respect all sickness is the result of sin.

Death entered this world due to sin.

This is also why we look to God in our sickness because He alone has power over sin, death, and the grave.

Remember story in Matthew 9?

Jesus heals a paralytic man.

People accuse him of blaspheming God.

Jesus asked which is harder, “forgive sins” or say “get up and walk”

There are occasions in the New Testament where sickness results from sin.

John 5:14 “14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

1 Corinthians 11:30 “30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”

We must make no assumptions.

We see that even expressed in this passage.

We see a vulnerability by the person inviting them into their home.

In general, sickness is part of life in a broken and fallen world.

Procedure brings us to some promises.

Procedure.

Call for elders

Confess sins as needed.

Pray

Anoint with oil in the name of the Lord.

Promises

The prayer of faith shall save this exhausted, fatigued individual.

The Lord will raise them up.

They will be forgiven of their sin.

Interpretive Decision: Is this prayer of faith an unconditional promise of healing?

Limited to the apostolic age. No this is not how we read the book of James. These are the elders of the church not the apostles. Whatever is true of that church, is true of us.

It is an absolute promise that will be fulfilled in God’s timing—eternal restoration.

Allowing for the answer to prayer to be in life or death.

“You will either go home or you will go home.“

It’s a general precept stated absolutely but not an absolute promise. Matthew 21:22 “22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” John 14:14

It’s only fulfilled with enough persistent faith. James 1:6–8.

If the sickness is indeed divine discipline, it will be lifted; the sick person will be made well.

This promise is in regard to the one who has has confessed sin and his sickness is as a result.

Forgiveness would be immediate, this healing would be.

I am not sure what all is involved in James 5:15 “15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;..” But I want all that God has for us. When we get to the place, let us be obedient to the procedure and ask for the promise in faith!

Confessing faults should be common practice among us.

This may sound very abrasiveness to you. But it should have been common practice among them as it should be for us.

This should be happening regularly between us.

The elders are fellow Christian’s not priests receiving a confessional.

We step out of the scene and addresses all of us. James 5:16 “16 Confess your faults one to another..”

Faults / sometimes translated trespass or fall beside. Galatians 6:1 “1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

This is vital as we pray with faith for one another.

It’s essential, then, to have the kind of friendships where we can share our struggles

In our confession if someone was to tell us they are sinning and have no plans to stop, we would pray that they do not continue down this path.

Our living faith should be evidenced in our vulnerable request for prayer

I plan to follow this example and would gladly and willingly visit you, bring other godly men, lay hands and anoint with oil. - this has not been my pattern but I currently believe it should be.

When you are facing this grave illness, call upon your church, those that you have been “among” for all these years.

It's a way of expressing your confidence that God blesses through His people, hears the prayers of His people, and is the one you need in your hour of need.

Understanding there is a connection between a healthy conscience and a healthy body let us be people who have real conversation with one another.