Going after the Wanderer

Service Notes

Video about the upcoming Shining Light Drama / tickets available

Tolsons start furlough on Sunday

Bible Reading

We come to the end of James

Completing James today and Greg doing a 4 week series on Jude leaves us 8 books from our nearly 19 year journey through the Bible. What will we do when we finish? Yes, we will start again. We still do not have anything worth saying that rises to the life giving words of God. We will continue to submit our lives, this pulpit, and our time to His Word.

James has painted for us the portrait of a struggle of living by this new paradigm.

No longer living a life that's driven by my wants, my needs, my feelings, now living a life that's driven by the Gospel.

Prayer for the Church

Gratefulness our homes were not effected by recent storm,

thankful Loralei was home

Thankful Joy Wahl made it back to us

Pray those effected by the storm

Tolson’s time on furlough

Family of Sisipho

Response to the passage by those here today and the response of those who will be loving confronted

Sermon Introduction

James 5:19–20 (KJV)

19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

If you had written the content of the book of James, how would you have ended this letter?

Paul often ends with a prayer of benediction.

Maybe a shout out to some friends, we see that on occasion.

Maybe some words of encouragement those who are scattered will all be brought together one day.

Maybe a reminder of the grace of God.

These last two verses summarize everything that James has said to us about calling us to live our our faith.

You could argue that the entire book of James is about wandering away from the truth of the Gospel.

Let us consider the significance of our commission to pursue the wanderer.

There will be on occasion those who wander among us.

19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth

Important that I make sure you know I am saying “wanderer” not “wonderer.”

“Wander from the truth” suggests the familiar metaphor of a sheep wandering astray. 1 Peter 2:25 “25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

We are not told what is the cause of the wandering.

We are not told if this person went off on their own will. James 1:14 “14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

Maybe he is deceived and led astray by others. 2 Peter 3:17 “17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”

We are simply told they strayed from the truth.

“The truth” denotes the whole body of truth as contained in the gospel. James 1:18 “18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

The gospel not only involves principles to be understood but also a life to be lived.

The straying was doctrinal - err from the truth

The straying could be seen in behavior - error of his way

When we see it is a matter of accepting a lie. It may only be for the moment. But it is always doctrinal in nature.

We could consider if this is a believer or an unbeliever we are pursuing with the truth.

Certainly a brother?19 Brethren, if any of you

Certainly not a believer? 20 save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

What we do know.

Authentic faith evidenced by a life that reflects the Gospel. James 2:14 “14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”

Our life is presented as walking a path based upon our beliefs. Galatians 2:14 “14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all..”

Paul calls out Peter publicly because he actions were public and was leading others astray.

In story we see Peter returning to a path/life that truly reflected what he knew and believed about justification.

Our eternal security is purchased by Christ, promised by the Father, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:38-39.

Nothing separates us from the love of God.

Upon the time of salvation we receive the Holy Spirit whom serves as promise that God is with us and we are with God for all eternity.

This person is a professing Christian; he was one of them, not an outsider.

We are told to go after them.

We are told much is at stake. 1 John 2:19 “19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

Maybe it will help to demonstrate this with a simple visual. I do not know their heart. I do not know if they will return. I may not know why they are going astray but I know where the path they are on leads. I know this is important.

See the seriousness of the condition from which he was rescued

Save a soul from death

James 5:20 “20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

“His soul” here denotes real us that will give an account to God.

Bible certainly teaches there can be discipline that effects the physical life of a disobedient believer. 1 Corinthians 11:30, last weeks passage

Physical death does not seem adequate to satisfy the terms used.

Sin is destructive and it results in the death of the soul in eternal separation from God. James 1:13–15 “13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Cover a multitude of sins.

"Hide” is not to be taken in the sense of hiding the sins or keeping them secret.

The term is used in the Old Testament sense of securing their forgiveness. Psalm 32:1 “1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

Our sins are covered and no more remembered by being placed under Christ’s atoning blood.

The erring individual may be guilty of “a multitude of sins,” but he is assured that they all will be forgiven.

“The person is not branded in the church as someone who once went astray but is part of a company in which all are forgiven sinners.” [Slide]

We cannot change people, but we can be instruments in God's hands to bring sinners to the truth.

James 5:19–20 “19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

To vast and too personal to only be the work of the pastors

Some in history called this “Fraternal Admonition” or simply “Brotherly Love”

Different than “Fraternal Correction” in the Catholic Church because that lacked mutual accountability between clergy and laity.

This is is not the work of the elders, as seen in previous passage, it is the work of us all.

"Where this is lacking, there is certainly also no church, even if Water Baptism and the Supper of Christ are practiced." - Hubmairer

We have excuses for not being involved.

Unresolved issues in our own lives. We think of the passage on beams and splinters.

Fear of being considered legalistic.

Fear of following in the way of a bad example that you have seen

Lack of knowledge of how to go about the work

Do not be a companion or accomplice of someone elses sin

Isaiah called being companions of thieves.

David calls it consenting with thieves and partaking with adulterers. Psalm 50:18 “18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.”

Under the appearance of recognizing that we are all sinners, no one is willing any more to admonish others, nor to accept admonition, and thus fraternal admonition is completely smothered and turned to ashes.

Words by Balthasar Hubmairer addressing the excuses of his day. (early 1500s)

For as soon as you say to such "Evangelical" people:

"Brother, it stands written, forsake evil and do good," immediately he answers, "It stands written, we can do no good. Everything comes to pass according to the providence of God and necessarily." They mean thereby that sin is permitted them.

If you say further, "It stands written, they who do evil shall go into eternal fire," immediately they reach for a fan of fig leaves to cover their vice with, and say, "But it stands written: faith alone saves us and not our works." Thanks to such devious argument we are after all good evangelicals, and know how to cite, decorate and embroider holy Scripture like the friends of Job and like the devil - skillfully and masterfully to cover over the self-willed license and shamelessness of our flesh.

I would add to “love the sinner. Hate the sin.” Hate your own sin so you can probably love the sinner and help him fight his sin.

Not all those who wander are lost (but many are)

This is a common saying put on bumper stickers for those who like camping and hiking. It comes from the Lord of the Rings.

It suggests that just because someone is wandering or exploring doesn't mean they lack direction or purpose

All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

We do not know about wander of this Text, nor do we know about the wanderers of our lives.

Possible a mere professor of faith, but who if rightly dealt with, may even yet be truly converted.

A wanderer who is not truly lost but has lost his way and needs to hear the wonderful words of the Father say “come home.”

Have you ever been on the road out of town when you heard the wonderful words of God spoken to you by a friend that helped bring you back from wandering?

O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above."

Dear Wandered, we love and sing this song. We have been there before and if it was not the grace of God extended through “brotherly love” may still be there.

We should have people within arms reach of us.

This is one of the reasons that Satan would love for you to keep people or of your arms reach. It is part of his plan to isolate you.

The hypothetical statement is not an exhortation to the readers to carry out this important duty; it rather assumes that the task has been achieved by someone who cared.

Jesus used the verb “convert” in His words to Peter in Luke 22:32 “32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

The wanderer has effectively been turned back into the way of the truth.

This teaching should be readily seen in our marriages

God never intended for us to simply be the objects of His love.

We are also called to be the instruments of that love in the lives of others.

When couples area asked how important in growing spiritually together they respond with 8-9. When ask how they think they are doing this as a couple they respond with 3-4.

This demonstrates that we have not done a very good job at learning how to give and receive encouragement in our spiritual walk

Effective biblical counseling is not about giving advice or quick fixes, but about pointing people to the transforming power of the gospel.

Our loving action can make a real and meaningful difference

All that love God should have a heart for those who wander.

On occasion I hear someone cannot find any ministry to be involved in. If we were to grasp the significance of this passage I do not believe any of us would ever complain of a lack of opportunity again.

The Apathetic Search and Rescue Team

One member of the search and rescue team says, “It was really cold and stormy, and there was a good show on TV. So I just prayed for you to be okay.”

Another says, “I wanted to be sensitive to your feelings. I thought you might be embarrassed if we came looking.”

Another says, “I wasn’t sure you were really lost. It would be judgmental to imply that you actually were lost. Besides, it would be arrogant of me to say that I’m not lost. After all, we all have our own paths on the journey.”

This not the kind of search and rescue team that I would want if I were lost!

What we know about the work of helping those who have wandered

James gives no indication as to how this restoration of an erring brother is to be brought about in these verses

However, we are not left in the dark on this matter. Please, turn to Galatians 6.

We need to be led by the Spirit. 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.”

We must be willing to confront and challenge unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior, and encourage others to pursue godliness and holiness

It is through the fruit of the Spirit that we can be ministers of God’s grace in this world. Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

We should enter the conversation a meek manner. 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.”

We must be willing to confront sin and call people to repentance, but in a way that is humble, gentle, and motivated by love.

Our God drew us with bands of love and when He uses us to reach others we will do the same. Hosea 11:4 “4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.”

A constant sense of self-examination. 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.”

We are people who continually addressing sin in our lives. Matthew 7:5 “5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

Willingness to help carry their burdens. Galatians 6:2 “2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Counseling the Wandered is not just a one-time event, but a journey of growth and transformation that requires ongoing support and accountability.

This requires humility to recognize a burden is so heavy a person could use help carrying it. Galatians 6:3 “3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

Valor to speak to the person directly. Matthew 18:15 “15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”

Remember this is a professing believer.

We should assume they desire to do right and honor God.

We should talk to God on their behalf and we should talk to them, before we would ever consider speaking to others to be involved.

Knowledge of God’s Word so you can speak on His behalf. 2 Timothy 2:24 “24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”

Helping the Wandered is not about giving advice, but about helping people discover and apply the truths of Scripture to their lives.

It is important that they respond to GOD'S word, and not just to OUR views or opinions.

Something you need to know!

James 5:20 “20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

We are called to listen well, speak the truth in love, and speak God's Word into the lives of those who are hurting.

God uses this process to bring people back to the truth.

God works through our efforts and graciously credits us with the work that He does.

Other passages tell us that in doing this we (1) Have a good reward. (2) We gain a brother.

In the Gospels we read of the rejoicing over finding the lost coin, sheep, and the wayward son that has come home.

Conclusion

James invites us to what he has been doing the whole letter, calling those who have wandered back to the truth.

At the close of a meeting, a critic approached D. L. Moody, the great evangelist, and said, “Mr. Moody, as I listened to you tonight, in y our address, I noticed and counted 18 mistakes in your English.” Looking at his critic, Mr. Moody said, “You man, I’m using to the glory of God all the grammar that I know; are you doing the same?” A fair question.

If you’re sitting in your easy chair by the fire and you know of a brother or sister who is lost in the storm, God asks you to inconvenience yourself.

Get up, put on your coat, and go out into the storm to try to rescue your brother.

It may not be fun, but it is an expression of genuine love and faith in action. That’s what James is all about!