Sermon Tone Analysis
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There was a 5 year old boy, who told his dad he wanted a baby brother, and that he was willing to do whatever he could to have one.
His father told him: “I’ll tell you what, if you pray every day for two months, I guarantee God will give you one!”
The boy eagerly agreed, and began to pray every night for a baby brother.
He prayed every day for a whole month, but after that, he began to get skeptical…
He asked his friends if they had ever prayed and if their prayers had been answered (this was a very smart 5 year old)
His friends told him “You don’t just pray for two months and ‘whammo’ you get a new baby brother,” so… the boy quit praying.
One month later, the boy’s mother went to the hospital and when she came back home, the boys dad called him into the room…
He cautiously entered, not expecting to find anything had quit praying.
When his dad pulled back the blanket… the boy saw that there was not one baby brother, there were two!!!
His father asked him, “Now, aren’t you glad you prayed?”
The boy answered, “Yes.
But… aren’t you glad I quit praying when I did?! Who knows how many baby brothers I would have ended up with!”
What comes to mind when I say “prayer”?
Most of us think about coming to the altar… blessing the meal… praying for our needs or the needs of others… for our wants…
We might even think about hardships and healing…
We consider prayer to be important to our everyday walk, amen?
So does James…
Verse 13 — He says, “If you are suffering?
Pray!”
Verse 14 — “If you are sick… Ask the Elders to pray for you.”
Verse 16 — “Confess to each other… and Pray for each other.”
There is no doubt that prayer is vital… amen?
But… Have you ever thought that prayer may be something more?
That it may be more than those little prayers we throw up throughout the day?
Have you ever thought that prayer is something more than a reaction to our circumstances?
That it is more than a place to turn to for comfort… or provision?
James’s purpose in writing his epistle is to help the Church… to help Faithful Believers… understand what Faith in Christ really looks like, and to live that Faith out in their daily lives…
Prayer is THE CENTRAL CHARACTERISTIC of a Faithful Lifestyle.
A Faith That Works… is not something that a person “uses” when convenient… It is an ALL IN… all encompassing WAY OF LIFE!
That TRUTH is the very essence of Jewish “wisdom” thinking.
That is why the SHEMA says:
And Christ added:
Faith is not something that we “don” in times of need… or to “convince” someone of God… It is to be THE CHARACTERISTIC of how we live as God’s Children.
Do you believe that you are God’s child?
Then you MUST live a life of Faith in Him!
True Faith — A Faith That Works — brings “wholeness” to our lives… by giving us Strength and Purpose.
That is what James is concerned with…
In “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy,” the answer to the Ultimate Question — the question of life, the universe, and everything — is “42”.
For James, It is “Prayer.”
Faithful Prayer is the thing that infuses our life with the power of God!
James told us:
Prayer is THE THING that puts FAITH into ACTION in our lives.
It is what helps us to build our lives on our Faith.
We need to start there…
The Cross is our foundation… That is why that is where James starts.
He has been telling us two build a life of Faith.
And here… he gives us an illustration of what that looks like!
James 5:13 (NRSV)
13 Are any among you suffering?
They should pray.
Are any cheerful?
They should sing songs of praise.
Have you noticed that we spend a lot of time trying to “fix” our problems without prayer?
Think about it… When troubles arise, where do we usually turn to first?
— Ourselves… Our own abilities… our skills… our wealth… our established circles…
If we’re honest — Prayer is usually our last resort!
James says: “Are you in trouble?
Are you suffering?
Are you struggling?
Then Pray!”
Prayer should be the FIRST place we turn.
Look at David… He constantly found himself in precarious situations… YET he didn’t turn to himself, he constantly turned to God.
Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish… it wasn’t until he prayed that God released him.
God waits for us to humble ourselves and seek him… in prayer… before He answers.
But… that’s the problem isn’t it?
We don’t like to admit that we need help… after all, that shows weakness…
FB Meyer: “The greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.”
“When life knocks you to your knees… you are in the perfect position to pray.”
James understood this… and that’s why he said: “When you face hardships, PRAY!”
Look at what he says next:
James 5:13 (NRSV)
13 Are any among you suffering?
They should pray.
Are any cheerful?
They should sing songs of praise.
“Are you happy?
Praise God!”
James is saying: “Alright… so you’re not facing trouble right now — Are you praising Jesus?”
Too often, we only think about God when we’re in trouble — when times are tough, amen?
Have you noticed that?
Our world seems to ignore God (or even condemn Him) most of the time, but…
What is the first thing that happens when tragedy strikes?
— People look to God!
— They Pray!
They cry out!
They seek His peace, love, and provision…
And Christians aren’t exempt from this!
Many “Christians” seem to ignore… omit… or at least not even consider God when times are going good… Even though that is the first place we should turn!
James says, “This is not how it should be!
We should be thinking about God all the time!”
Praise and Worship should be the natural response to God in our lives — it should be our first response when things are going well.
— Did something go well for you?
Praise God!
— Did something work on the first try?
Praise God!
— Did you pass that test… remember that verse… finish that project on time?
Praise God!
Let me tell you:
Praising God in good times is a test of our pride.
Think about it…
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