“The Praying Servant” (CCS)

A few weeks ago, James encouraged the suffering servant to be patient in their suffering

In times of suffering the temptation can be to turn on one another

But James encourages us to be patient, to establish our heart and to stop the grumbling against one another

THE PRAYING SERVANT

Seven times in this section James has mentioned prayer

The mature Christian Christian is a prayerful in their troubles of life

Prayer for the suffering

Prayer for the sick

Prayer for the straying

1. (V12) Do not swear

The exhortation from James seems a bit out of place but if you have ever suffered, the temptation is to say things you don’t mean

a) Do not swear or take an empty oath (It has no power)

Swearing by something is useless, there is no power or authority in it

Matthew 5:34–37 “But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

2. (V13) If anyone among you is suffering

a) Anyone Suffering

The word afflicted, means suffering in difficult circumstances, which describes our Christian walk

Job suffered through difficult circumstances because he was a righteous man

Paul suffered a great deal because of his obedience to spread the gospel

The Apostles suffered

Our Savior suffered

Maybe you are here this morning and you would say, “Thats me, I’m suffering”

In our times of suffering we can fall into the trap of focusing on the problem and taking our eyes off Christ

The temptation can be to grumble against one another, which was one of the problems James was addressing in this church

b) Throughout the book of James, he has taught us, how not to use the the tongue in times of suffering

Speaking evil of people

Gossip and slander

Groaning and complaining against one another

Swearing by this or that

We must be on guard against these acts of the flesh because its rebellion against God

Instead, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray

Evidence of Christian maturity is someone who takes their suffering to the Lord in prayer

2.2 Let him pray

a) Throughout the Bible, we’re told to bring our request to God through prayer

If its according to His will, He will deliver us

Often times God answers our prayer with His strength and new perspective to help us through our suffering

Paul wasn’t spared from his suffering

Through prayer he received power and strength to be an example of “Suffering and Patience”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He petition God, “If there is any other way, but never the less, not my will but thy will be done”

God didn’t deliver Him from His suffering, but the Father gave Him strength to be faithful

b) We may not always understand the why’s of God

I can think of times where I’ve fervently prayed for someone and God didn’t answer the prayer the way I thought He should of

Isaiah 55:8–9 ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Philippians 4:6–7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Don’t be anxious, but pray

Leave your problems at the alter and accept the peace of God that comes through surrender, contentment, and thanksgiving

2.3 Let him sing psalms of praise

a) Times of suffering but also times of happiness

Psalm 50:14 “Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.”

Ephesians 5:19 “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,”

King David returned the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem

He took of his royal garments and danced and worshiped the Lord

b) Praise comes from a heart of gratitude of recognizing we are underserving

Praise that comes from the heart recenters us and gives the correct perspective in times of suffering

Who am I?

2.4 (V14) Is anyone among you sick?

a) The scholars believe the word sick can be a physical sickness but not exclusively

The Greek word for sickness depicts a state of weakness that can be physical, emotional, or spiritual

In context, James was writing to those who had become weak both morally and spiritually in their suffering

Looking at verse 15 and 16, it would appear as though their sickness was caused by sin

If a person was in habitual sin and refused to repent, they would be asked to leave the church

They would call to the elders to come to them

2.5 Let him call for the elders

a) Let him call to the elders

Your responsibility is to call to the elders when your sick and need of prayer

The elders are men of faith, who are filled with the Holy Spirit, with wisdom and experience to seek in seeking the Lord’s will

b) Anointing the sick with oil

The word for anoint here is not the usual one used in the New Testament, but has more of a medicinal meaning to it.

Olive oil was used as a medical agent

The idea is the weak and weary would be refreshed, encouraged, and uplifted by the elders as they were anointed and prayed for

3. (V15) Prayer of faith will save the sick

a) This verse does not guarantee healing or this is not a formula to move God

I had broken my fibula, tibula, and dislocated my ankle and then I had a bone infection. I had numerous surgeries to help me to walk. I was no weight barring and on crutches for about two years

I was a brand new Christian and my friend took me to church

They heard and could see my injury and they asked if they could pray for me

This went on for weeks of them laying hands on me and praying

When nothing happened, they told me I didn’t have the faith to be healed

Did Paul not have the faith to be healed or so many others whom God chose not to heal?

3.1 If he has committed sin, he will be forgiven

1 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.”

a) The forgiveness of sin is like a heavy weight lifted off of you

3.2 (V16) Confessing your sin to one another

a) Confess your trespasses to one another

True confession requires a person to take responsibility for their actions

If you have sinned against your brother, go to him and be reconciled

Matthew 5:23–24 “If you remember that your brother has something against you. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

The enemy wants you to hide your sin, burry it deep inside of you

The sin festers inside, rotting from the inside out

When we have unconfessed sin in our life, we’re not right with God and our relationships with others are hindered

Hebrews 12:1–2 “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith

b) Confession must have honesty and integrity

If we confess with no real intention of battling the sin it mocks God.

Repentance is turning away from sin

With the correct understanding of sin it should cause us to be grieved

Grieving over sin is a profound emotional and spiritual response that reflects a deep awareness of the holiness of God and the gravity of sin. This concept is rooted in the biblical understanding of sin as a transgression against God's law and character, and the appropriate response of sorrow and repentance.

Three pastors met and agreed to sincerely tell each other their problems which must be kept a secret between the three of them. The first pastor said; my problem is money l do steal even from the church offering. Please pray for me. The second pastor; mine is women. Whenever l see any woman my desire will be to go to bed with her, in fact l have slept with most of the church (female) members. Turning to the third pastor to hear his problem he started crying (it took his friends some effort to calm him). When they asked him to continue, he was still crying, he said my problem is gossiping, when we leave this place everybody will hear all what the two of you have just told me. Please pray for me! The two pastors fainted.

c) Be wise in whom you choose to confess your sin to, find someone trustworthy

3.3 Pray for one another

a) Praying for one another is investing in one another

Last weekend I had the privilege of spending the weekend at the mens retreat, it was a sweet time of getting to the men

On Saturday night we spent a few hours praying for one another.

I was so encouraged to see my brothers asking for prayer, sharing their needs and to see the men laying hands and praying for one another, I thought wow, this is what its all about.

It was a time of refreshment 

3.4 Effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much

a) Fervent

Engaged in heartfelt prayer with a sense of urgency and expectation.

3.5 (V17) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours

Wicked King Ahab and Jezebel had led Israel away from the Lord and to the worship of Baal

Elijah was an example of a righteous man who God used in mighty way

4. (V19-20) Turning the sinner back

a) The loving thing to do is to restore a person who has gone astray

This is our least favorite thing to do, but its the right thing to do

The easy thing to do is to hold a grudge or tell everyone the offense and to publicly expose it

b) The loving thing to do is to go to them privately with the goal of restoration and to share the offense with the offender

Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.””