Healing for All

James the Just, brother of Jesus

Servant of the Most High God and of the Lord Jesus Christ

Wrote to Hebraic Jews who became Christians, scattered outside of Israel; pious/devout

He wrote bluntly and openly

He is interested in seeing the fruits of faith, not mere words.

James reflects the words he heard from Jesus himself and tries to apply them.

Many in the church were experience hardship, from poverty and hunger to persecution and murder.

He told those experiencing trouble to pray.

He told those who were happy to praise God to deter complaints.

He told those who were sick to seek out the elders of the church, to be anointed and prayed over by them.

Jesus said to “everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened to them.”

Is it that easy?

“Just pray.” “I’ve tried that.”

Why Pray? Isn’t prayer for the weak?

We all face things when even our best response is not enough

Fear of the Unknown

Jesus said “Do not worry”

The best we can do vs. the best that God can do.

Hopeless situations vs. All-Powerful God

Unrighteous vs. All-Forgiving God

Prayer offered in faith will save the sick and the lost.

This is a strong conviction throughout the scriptures

Praying and anointing with oil for healing is “This single, conspicuous gift, which Christ committed to his apostles, (Mark 6:13) remained in the church long after the other miraculous gifts were withdrawn.” – J.W.

Not just for priests and prophets

Jesus commissioned the Twelve, the Seventy, and many disciples to anoint and heal.

What was required was to pray of faith invoking the name of God.

The righteous are simply the faithful who trust in God.

We don’t have to be “special people” to pray effective prayers

Elijah was just a human being

He prayed rain, and after three and half years of drought

He prayed again for rain, and he saw a cloud the size of his fist and proclaimed that it would rain.

His faith grew in seeing a tiny cloud and spoke of his hope with authority.

Who are the Elders?

Life experience + Faith = Godly wisdom

The elders – those with the most wisdom administered the gift of healing prayer

There is wisdom in an attitude of prayer

What is it about Faith that is crucial to Prayer?

Faith is received

Faith is built on know what God has to say to us.

Faith is built when we don’t give up.

The only reason that effective healing prayer has ever been lost is because of unbelief – J.W.

Oil was as a sign of mercy/forgiveness, relief of suffering.

Where relief is sought, anointing of oil is prescribed.

The “oil of joy/gladness” is invoked throughout the Scriptures

Confession is done with “one another,” not just an elder.

If prayers of the righteous are effective, then anyone who prays in faith can and should receive a confession.

Won’t they gossip? Not if they are righteous.

At all times, we are to confess our sin to God.

If we sin in our own thoughts, then confession can be done on our own.

When we sin against someone, then we need to confess our sin to every person who was affected.

Others are given direction by our confession

They know how to pray

They will be stirred up with passionate prayers

They will be ready to pray for others who also need prayer

James spoke of confronting a brother or sister with the truth that they might turn back to God, because in doing so, they also save themselves.

In speaking grace and forgiveness over a brother or sister, we are also speaking the grace and forgiveness over ourselves.

We should expect our loving, merciful God to heal us when we ask God for healing.

God’s inexhaustible grace goes far beyond our pride.

Forgiveness for Repentance.

God’s inexhaustible grace goes far beyond our doubt.

Healing for faith/trust in God.

God’s healing goes far beyond the spiritual.

God heals all aspects of our lives; this is what the shalom (the peace of God) means.

Surely the goodness and love of God follows us all the days of our lives and beyond them into eternity.

Will you trust God with your healing today?