James # 13 James 5-8 thru 5-20
We're going to pick up where we left off last time in our teaching on the book of James.
I) Let's start here at James 5:3-4.
A) James is basically talking to the rich in these 2 Vs. and he says that they have held back the wages of those who have worked for them.
1) The Word of God tells us in Leviticus and in Deuteronomy that it is sin to unjustly hold back wages from someone who has worked for you.
2) In the last half of (verse 4) it says, "The cries of them which have reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabbath."
a) God is not deaf to the cries of injustice, and he will repay.
B) James 5:5. (Wanton means self-indulgence).
1) The phrase, "Ye have nourished your hearts, as in the day of slaughter" would be better translated, "Ye have fattened your hearts, as in the day of slaughter."
a) This is in reference to an animal sacrifice.
b) So what James is saying is that they have fattened themselves up through their riches just like they would fatten sheep or oxen before they were sacrificed.
(i) So what James is saying to the rich is that they have fattened themselves up like the sheep and their fate is soon in coming.
2) James 5:6.
a) In this verse the Word "CONDEMNED" refers to the court law, and they have used their riches to influence the court for their own gain.
3) James 5:7.
a) James begins to talk to the average Christian and tells them to be patient, which literally means don't lose your temper.
(i) Those that have wronged you will get their just reward.
II) James 5:8.
A) James again tells us to BE PATIENT and he says, "Stablish your hearts" which literally means, "BE STRONG IN THE SPIRIT."
1) Those that have wronged you will get there just reward, and YOU who have been wronged the Lord will REPAY you.
B) James 5:9.
1) The words "GRUNGE NOT" literally means, "STOP GROANING."
a) James tells us to stop groaning lest we to be judged.
b) Why? Because the Lord that great judge is standing at the door.
2) I like how the NIV translation words this verse, it says, "DON'T GRUMBLE against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door."
C) James 5:10-11.
1) James uses JOB as an example of someone who suffered affliction yet walked in patience.
2) Yet the word "PATIENCE" used in this verse in reference to JOB means more of "STEADFASTNESS, CONSISTENCY, ENDURANCE, AND PERSEVERANCE."
a) Even in the midst of affliction JOB remained steadfast, he endured, and persevered, and because of it THE LORD BLESSED HIM MIGHTILY.
b) In the last part of this verse it says that the Lord is "VERY PITIFUL and fall of TENDER MERCIES."
(i) What he's saying is that the Lord is FULL OF COMPASSION AND MERCY.
D) James 5:12.
1) Very simply and very quickly James says that we do not need to take an oath or swear by heaven or Earth.
a) Just let your yes’s be yes and your no’s be no.
b) In that, James is saying we need to be men and women of our word.
(i) If we say were going to do something THEN DO IT.
III) James 5:13.
A) James says, which is very clear from this verse, if you're AFFLICTED which means, "GOING THROUGH TROUBLE," PRAY.
1) Then he says, "IS ANY MERRY," which means, "OF GOOD CHEER OR JOYFUL, LET HIM SING PSALMS."
a) Actually the words "SING PSALMS" in that verse is actually one word in the Greek.
b) It means, "TO PLAY A STRINGED INSTRUMENT" or "TO SING TO THE MUSIC OF A HARP."
B) James 5:14-15.
1) These two Vs. are probably the most commonly known Vs. in the entire book of James.
a) James says that the prayer of faith is going to save (or better translated "HEAL") the sick or weak.
2) There's one interesting point that the Matthew Henry commentary says about this verse.
a) In (verse 14) it says, "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church."
b) According to Matthew Henry's commentary it is the RESPONSIBILITY of the person that is sick to call for prayer if needed.
C) James 5:16.
1) When James says that we should confess our faults one to another, he's not telling us to go around telling everyone where you sinned and how you sinned.
2) But he's telling us that we should go to a brother or sister in the Lord and let them know that you're having a problem in a certain area so they can pray over you.
a) James is telling us here that through our confession of sin and the strength we've gained from the prayers of the saints not to fall into sin again will enable us to be healed.
(i) But that also tells us that if we sin, it opens the door for sickness.
(ii) But thank God for the prayer of faith, which will heal the sick.
3) The last half of verse 16 says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
a) The NIV translation says in this way, "The prayers of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
D) James 5:17-18.
1) James is giving us an example of how powerful our prayers can be.
IV) James 5:19-20.
A) James ends this book here by talking about RESTORATION, NOT EVANGELISM. He's talking about REVIVAL in the hearts of the believers.
1) James wants us to bring restoration (or bring people back to Christ) either through our prayers or by us ministering to them.
2) Is someone drifts away from the Lord it's our responsibility to go to that one and bring them back to the Lord.
WOLCC Thursday, June 11, 1998