The Conclusion of James

Introduction

Tonight we will complete James and have a second look at the Mark Finley’s first part of the Series on “Three Cosmic Messages”.

Prayer

James

The final part of James we are going to look at is James 5:7-20.

It breakdowns nicely into two main sections

“Enduring to the End” James 5:7-12

“What to do If …” James 5:13-20

James characteristically ends with a very pragmatic set of exhortations.

Slide

Enduring to the End

James 5:7–12 NKJV

7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

Patience

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James begins by returning to the familiar theme of patience.

James 5:7 NKJV

7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

Patience, μακροθυμέω, is used four times in these verses. Twice is James 5:7, once in James 5:8 and James 5:10.

We should be reminded of,

James 1:2–4 NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The Lord of the Harvest

James uses the analogue of the farmer, harvesting the fruit, with the early and latter rains. The farmer must be patient for both rains, for without either there would be no crop.

We live where it rains all year, but there are still times of planting and harvest.

But It does not rain all year in many parts of the world.

Let’s go to the first century Israel to appreciate this better.

The first rain. This was the autumn rain, which fell at the time of planting the winter crops, to sprout the seed and give it a good start before the cold of winter set in. It fell in the eighth month, our late autumn (see Ezra 10:9, 13). In a land dependent on rain the seed would not sprout unless the rain fell in its season (Lev. 26:4).

The latter rain. This fell in the spring before the harvest, during our months of March and early April, and brought the crop to full maturity (see Jer. 5:24; Joel 2:23).

California

We had the same type of climate where we lived in CA.

After a long, dry, hot summer, rain would come this time of year, it is headlines news.

Sense of anticipation, expectation, patience, and total dependance on the start of the rainy season.

Even today with so much water storage and irrigation, the yearly rain is key for the lakes, rivers and water table.

The Final Harvest

James applies the latter rain to the coming of the Lord and the events immediately preceding that return, as the final harvest is gathered in.

Mark Finley is covering this as part of his Revelations and the Three Cosmic Message series.

Perseverance and the Tongue

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What other themes does James return to in his final exhortation to endure to the end?

Look at James 5:7-12

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Trials, Suffering and Endurance. Establish your hearts - James 5:8, 10-11

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The Tongue. Do not grumble against one another - James 5:9 Our speech - James 5:12

James keeps harping on about the tongue!

It is such a powerful instrument, for God, or for evil.

What to do If...

James, Mr Christian Action Man, concludes with a series of “What to do if...”

James 5:13–20 NKJV

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

What is the first, What to do If..?

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If you are suffering, pray. James 5:13.

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If you are cheerful, sing to the Lord. James 5:13

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If you are sick, physical or emotional sickness, call the Elders of the Church. James 5:14-18

We do have the Anointing Service in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Elements include preparation, confession, prayer, anointing with oil, faith, submission to use all lawful means for healing, patience, submission to the will of God in the particular situation.

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If you are spiritual sick or unconverted, turn back to God. James 5:19-20

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If you see a person spiritually sick or unconverted, exhort them to turn back to God. James 5:19-20

Conclude

James is all about LDS.

LDS = Life, Doctrine and Salvation

We see the same pattern in all of Paul’s letters.

Watch your life.

Watch your doctrine.

Watch your salvation.

Life, doctrine and salvation