7 Prayerful Faith
Put On Your Grown-Up Faith • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
We’ve come through the letter of James learning some basic yet very powerful lessons on maturing in our faith.
James is about maturity, about humility, about action, about self-control, and about transformation.
One of the main keywords throughout has been humility and the living out of humility from a transformed heart.
James is about action. Not just hearing the word, not just knowing about the word, but truly living what the word says from a transformed heart.
Consider it joy when you go through struggles because God uses those to strengthen your faith.
Don’t show favoritism but treat all people with love and respect.
Do the good you know to do, love and help others in need, actively live out your faith.
Learn to control your tongue and you will master self-control – this comes by the control of the Holy Spirit.
Humble yourself, submit to God, allow Him to transfer your heart and your worldview.
In chapter 5 James gives a series of short proverb-type teachings to further help with maturity and living humbly. Verse 17 of chapter 4 runs the reader right into verse 1 of chapter 5.
If you know the good you should do but you don’t do it, you sin.
Read
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
End Oppression
End Oppression
End Oppression (starts with me)
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
v.1 another “Now Listen” to the rich people. Really, anyone who takes advantage of others doesn’t help those in need. from Ch4v17 know to do good but don’t do it.
The theme of this first section is judgment, slow eroding destruction, slaughter, warning to those who know to do good and don’t do it.
The theme of this first section is judgment, slow eroding destruction, slaughter, warning to those who know to do good and don’t do it.
The theme of this first section is judgment, slow eroding destruction, slaughter, warning to those who know to do good and don’t do it.
contrast vv.1-6 Judgment, consuming fire, slow eroding destruction to those who do not do what they know they are to do. contrast with vv.7-11
Cries of the oppressed have reached the Lord of Heaven’s Armies = will be avenged. Justice.
Process of oppressing others – live luxuriously, indulge yourself, fatten your heart (like fattened animal for slaughter), then oppress and kill/murder.
5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
James 5:Process of oppressing others – live luxuriously, indulge yourself, fatten your heart (like fattened animal for slaughter), then oppress and kill/murder.
Process of oppressing others – live luxuriously, indulge yourself, fatten your heart (like fattened animal for slaughter), then oppress and kill/murder.
Oppressing the innocent - those who were not coming against you first.
Ref esp. v.21 where your treasure is so is your heart.
(Lest we think this is a warning only for the elite rich – most of America is “the rich”. Anyone who has a regular roof over their head and food in their stomach is doing well. Anyone who has a regular paying job, a vehicle to drive, and money to spend on hobbies is “the rich”. )
Wait Patiently
Wait Patiently
Those who are oppressed, based on the concept of judgment for oppressors, wait patiently for God’s compassion and mercy.
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
James 5:7vv.7-11 For those whose perspective is toward Jesus – joy and perseverance in trouble, goodness and respect to others, a Lord of tenderness and mercy.
v.7 then = therefore - based on the oppression from those over you.
patience in waiting for the Lord’s mercy and judgment. His coming is near.
Don’t you also be caught opposing each other.
James gives two examples of others who persevered:
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:
v.10 the prophets were patient in suffering
v.11 Job is the greatest example.
The comfort of the end of waiting - The Lord’s compassion and mercy.
Contrast from vv.1-6 oppressors, those living selfishly, now to
vv.7-11 For those whose perspective is toward Jesus – joy and perseverance in trouble, goodness and respect to others, a Lord of tenderness and mercy.
v.12 Stay honest, live by your word, don’t shackle yourself to judgment. Taking an oath. More than a covenant – swearing on something’s authority, like grave, heaven, bible, God, etc. If found to be untrue or do not hold up your end of the bargain, condemned.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
v.12 Stay honest, live by your word, don’t shackle/bind yourself to judgment.
Taking an oath. More than a covenant – swearing on something’s authority, like grave, heaven, bible, God, etc. If found to be untrue or do not hold up your end of the bargain, condemned.
Sermon on the Mount – do not swear oath. Anything beyond yes and no comes from the evil one.
swear or oath - calling on and making ourselves indebted to that which we swear by if we do not uphold our word. By making the oath we make ourselves a slave of the oath guarantor and condemn ourselves.
Be known for always speaking truth and not having to resort to exaggerated oaths.
Pray In Faith
Pray In Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
– meme about praying when things are tough. James says not just when things are tough.
– meme about praying when things are tough. James says not just when things are tough.
In trouble, happy, sick – pray, praise,
goes on to say to get help praying.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Pray anoint with oil
v.14 Pray anoint with oil
the elders are the spiritual leaders
could refer to physical ailment or spiritual.
oil symbolic of dedication to the Lord. can also represent physical remedy
Prayer of faith. Healing and forgiveness go together.
V.15 Healing and forgiveness v.16 confession, forgiveness, and healing.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Confessing sins to each other, forgiving each other, praying for each other.
Therefore = because the Lord heals and forgives we should also be willing to forgive and to confess
Confessing sins to each other, forgiving each other, praying for each other.
Not so much - hey guess what i did today, but admitting a sin against the person addressed.
Prayer = petition/request, from one whose life is right with God has an effective impact.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
v.17 Elijah as example of righteous man and effect of prayers.
vv.17-18 Elijah as example of righteous man and effect of prayers.
vv.17-18 Elijah as example of righteous man and effect of prayers.
Compare to chapter 4 don’t get what you want, ask with wrong motives.
James wraps up the chapter and the letter with a summary statement on -
Pursue the Wanderer
Pursue the Wanderer
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,
20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
v.19 summary statement, after all he said in the letter – call back the wanderer.
v.19 summary statement, after all he said in the letter – call back the wanderer.
summary statement, after all he said in the letter – call back the wanderer.
brother - one of you
Wander from the truth - backslide, outward living not lining up with declared faith.
This is a reference to the process outlined in – calling back and restoring a brother who falls away in sin.
v.20 bring them back from slide away from God and spiritual death
cover = hide or could be placing under the blood of Jesus.
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Love each other deeply, love covers a multitude of sins.
Love each other deeply, love covers a multitude of sins.
Rescue and cover sin. I see this whole last section as connected
James says to relationally deal with the conflicts between you. Sin and sickness often go together, whether it is physical ailment, or emotional trauma, or spiritual/relational trouble.
Confess, forgive, pray, restore, hide sins = do not make it known but take care of the issues among yourselves.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Application of this chapter and all of James.
The rich oppress others and will be judged by Jesus Christ. So if you are oppressor it is time to submit.
Because the oppressors will get justice in the end, patiently and prayerfully persevere, wait for the harvest. Compassion and mercy are coming.
Stay honest.
Pray in all circumstances and especially for each other. Work out your differences, forgive, pray for each other. You rescue and restore each other.
Big Idea: Put On Your Grown-Up Faith
Big Idea: Put On Your Grown-Up Faith
In light of the whole letter:
Humble yourself, submit to God, love others. Keep the Royal Law – Love your neighbor as yourself.
Mature faith not only believes but it does. Mature and Authentic faith knows the good to do and does it, treats others with respect, confesses and forgives, perseveres patiently through trial and oppression trusting in God’s compassion, mercy, and justice.
Humble yourself, submit to God, love others. Keep the Royal Law – Love your neighbor as yourself.
Big Idea: Put On Your Grown-Up Faith
Big Idea: Put On Your Grown-Up Faith
Mature faith not only believes but it does. Mature and Authentic faith knows the good to do and does it, treats others with respect, confesses and forgives, perseveres patiently through trial and oppression trusting in God’s compassion, mercy, and justice.
Put On Your Grown-Up Faith
What About You?
What About You?
Questions from Warren Wiersbe’s study on James:
Am I becoming more and more patient in the trials of life?
Do I play with temptation or resist it from the start?
Do I find joy in obeying the Word of God, or do I merely learn about it?
Am I bound by any forms of prejudice or favoritism?
Am I able to control my tongue?
Am I a peacemaker rather than a troublemaker? Do people come to me for spiritual wisdom?
Am I a friend of God or a friend of the world?
Do I make plans without considering the will of God?
Am I selfish when it comes to money? Am I unfaithful in the paying of my bills?
Do I naturally depend on prayer, whether life is a struggle or going great?
Am I the kind of person others seek for prayer support?
Do I readily forgive and ask for forgiveness?
Do I truly love my neighbor in attitude and action?