Leave No Saint Behind!

Dismiss children for children's church as they leave have people open to chapter 1...

James closes this letter in a non-typical way...

James has modeled throughout his letter the mandate he gives his readers at the end of his letter!

Systematically James has challenged the saints in their personal faith in the complete and finished work of Jesus Christ.

This faith should not and cannot be an idle faith producing nothing...

Faith must produce action in the believer's life!

Throughout his letter James deals with each believer personally on how they are to have a faith that produces action...

Chapter 1 begins with...

James challenges believers to have joy in the midst of trials and testing (outcome based on perspective and stronger)

He approached the concept of the pressure to live a double-minded life and how it is to be avoided

There is a direct command that we not just be content to hear the Word of God (TRUTH) but do what it says...

Chapter 2 continues on...

It is stated clearly that in the body of Christ there is no room for or excuse for prejudice, regardless of your stature or status!

As chapter 2 wrapped up we see how James and Paul fight back to back on the subject of salvation...

James takes head on that are Faith in the finished work of Christ

Should in turn produce works in the believers life!

We need to put action to our faith!!!

Otherwise our faith is useless in this life and dead.

Chapter 3 starts with a warning...

Not many should be teachers… if you do teach, be careful what you say! It can have enormous ramifications (good and bad)

What we say holds power as teachers

The chapter moves back to the double-minded believer and continues this concept into Chapter 4

There is worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom… be careful which one you pursue

Chapter 4

Biblical worldview is necessary in our understanding as we

consider how to deal with quarrels (looking at ones self)

Remaining humble

Not proudly planning for tomorrow…

ALL contrary to how the world approaches these things… yet we waver in that state of double-mindedness.

Chapter 5 concludes this line of thinking...

Addressing how the believer can be double minded about their riches.

As James prepares to close his letter he transitions from being pointed directly at the individual christian to the whole body of Christ.

He encourages them to be patient in their difficult times as a whole.

As children of God utilize the power of prayer recalling WHO you are praying to!

Pray for one another in faith.

James has mandated and modeled for us how to

Encourage

Strengthen

Exhort

Fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

The life of the believer should exhibit actions that glorify God… BUT what happens when a Brother or Sister in Christ Falls?

Ranger Creed

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other Soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.

Rangers lead the way!

What do we do when fellow saints fall?

Scoff? Allow pride to crepe in? Humiliate them, cast them aside, or hide them?

James decides to end his letter with his instruction to us in this area… James 5:19-20

Do not advance slide after verse 20… i will talk about it for a little first then I will advance.

James 5:19–20 NASB95

19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

To helps us understand better let’s define some things quickly...

James IS NOT talking about the lost… (Brethren) and (Among You) someone they know.

A Sinner = one engaging in sinful behavior… not one who is lost in their sin

We have a responsibility to saints who have fallen!

Typically the church as whole is known for kicking their wounded

We fall into the thinking that they are now the enemy… often because there is hurt

Rather than view them as the enemy maybe we need to see them as someone who is drowning.

Often they begin to drown their would be rescuer

It is so much easier to hurl scripture verses, chastisement, exhortations, maybe prayer lines with all the juicy “prayer request”

What about swimming out to them, putting a life vest on them, helping them back to shore?

This takes skill, time, effort, time, strength, time, thick skin, time,

We can grow tired, this is not just the job of the pastor, elders, but all strong believers.

Galatians 6:1-2

Galatians 6:1–2 NASB95

1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

This individual has wandered from truth…

Wander to and fro, tossed about, double-minded (Planet moves about in the sky versus stars that are steadfast)

Truth= it is God’s Word John 17:17

John 17:17 NASB95

17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

This typically does not happen overnight… it is a slower process.

Accountability

Know one another, encourage

It is a delicate procedure… this is not something to pursue haphazardly.

Christ gave a great example of this in Matthew 7:3-5

Matthew 7:3–5 NASB95

3 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

I love that Jesus used the example of the eye… it is delicate. One of the most sensitive areas of the body

You go in with caution, precision, seeing clearly. Specks are difficult to remove.

Consider the outcome of helping a fallen saint!

You can help them turn 180 degrees! You share in this joyous occasion!

You save their soul from death… not hell… this is a brother or sister in Christ

Jews had a understanding of two ways you were going (to death or to life)

You are able to help one really live again!

You cover a multitude of sins?

Christ paid for all sin once for all.

We, in helping a fallen saint, help spare them from further sinning more and ceasing their sinful lifestyle.

WHY?

why allow myself to get hurt ,… why take the time,… Why do this

Consider the prodigal son...

hurt his father, ran off in sin living for this world

came to the bottom of life (drowning)

YET the Father was waiting, looking, anticipating the son’s return , Brother could care less

The story is not about the two sons… it is about the Father who loved both sons! We can enter into our Heavenly Father’s joy when we participate in helping a fallen saint.

We share a mutual faith in Christ, let’s help each other actively live out this faith day to day!

will you swim out to help? God did it for you and me. when we were drowning in our sin, He sent His Son Jesus Christ. He took the time, effort, hurt, to rescue us.