"Take the Baton"
Notes
Transcript
James 5:19-20
James is passing on to his readers the job he is doing in this letter.
Edification - caring for others’ souls
2 Individuals (v. 19)
2 Implications (v. 20)
2 Individuals (v. 19)
2 Individuals (v. 19)
Notice 2 very different individuals referred to in verse 19.
Which one are you?
Those who could wander
Those who could wander
What is wandering?
To roam, go astray, usually from something good/right; also deceived (James 1:16).
This word can be used of a believer or a non-believer. Here it is used of someone who at least seemed to be a believer - My brothers (used throughout letter), among you (professing, agreeing, participating), from..., back...
“Brings him back”/ “turns him back” - to revert or convert, return, wandering reversed (Luke 22:31–34).
The wandering is from/away from the truth. What is the truth?
Primarily, the truth of the Gospel (James 1:18)
The truth of the Word of God - where we learn of the truth of the Gospel
Turning from the truth is turning from Christ, Who is the truth (John 14:6).
This is what we need. This is what they abandon. This is what we should give attention to - in their words or in their ways. This is what we want them to come back to.
Those who can bring back the wanderer
Those who can bring back the wanderer
Anyone. Which means everyone, not just the elders. How?
Know the individual. This helps.
Know the truth. This is necessary, to understand their wandering, and to turn them from wandering.
This is one reason why we need spiritual strength, health, wisdom.
Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
2 Implications (v. 20)
2 Implications (v. 20)
Notice 2 potential implications in verse 20.
Save their soul.
Save their soul.
If he is a sinner...
Anyone who sins, believer or unbelievers, can be referred to in this way. But, this is a title for non-believers/unsaved only.
If they were nothing more than a sinner, then whatever seeming agreement or profession they had was never genuine, which is why they would wander/stray (1 John 2:19).
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
If this is the case, then they are doomed to spiritual death…notice the word “soul.”
So, if this person returns outwardly because of a genuine and initial conversion inwardly, then this person has been saved from spiritual death. ALSO...
Cover their sins.
Cover their sins.
This was a picture of and way of referring to remission of sins or forgiveness (Psalm 32:1).
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Isn’t all of this the work of God?
Yes, but He may use you. Be encouraged by this.
In fact, If He can use you for this miracle in a person’s life, He can use you in any person’s life.
WE DON’T KNOW what’s really going on in someone’s heart…whether they are unregenerate and need to be born again, or they are backslidden and need to be restored. God knows that and takes care of that.
He calls us to participate in what He is doing. Know that it is God’s work and it is for anyone.
Be mindful of others.
Be mindful of others.
Like James is doing in this letter.
Care for one another. Watch out for one another.
Praying for them. Reaching out to them (Hebrews 10:24–25).
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Benediction:
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 7:3-12