Sermon Tone Analysis

If ever a man was qualified to address the subject of prayer, it was Jesus’ half-brother, Jacob!

One ancient writer recorded the following about Jacob:

He used to enter into the Temple and be found kneeling and praying for forgiveness for the people, so that his knees grew hard like a camel’s because of his constant worship of God, kneeling and asking forgiveness for the people.

So often did he pray that he was referred to as, “Old Camel Knees,” because he developed knots on his knees from his long seasons of prayer.

From his excessive righteousness he was call the Just.

Most of us find it very hard to identify with a man like Jacob!

Q: Who do we know that prays so much they develop callus’ on their knees?

It’s not a question calculated to instill any kind of guilt…But rather, to encourage us to engage in the practice of prayer!

In the book, “To Busy Not to Pray,” the author offers the following analysis of our prayerlessness:

Prayer is an unnatural activity.

From birth we have been learning the rules of self-reliance as we strain and struggle to achieve self-sufficiency.

Prayer flies in the face of those deep-seated values.

It is an assault on human autonomy, and indictment of independent living.

To people in the fast lane, determined to make it on their own, prayer is an embarrassing interruption.

Prayer is alien to our proud human nature.

ONE OF THE STRONGEST PASSAGES ON PRAYER in the NT is now before us as Jacob closes this letter to his scattered Jewish friends.

In (James 5:7-12) the word “patience” is used 7 times.

In our passage today (5:13-20), the word “prayer” appears 7 times as well!

In situations where patience is required, PRAYER IS THE KEY!

James gives THREE times/reasons prayer is needed:

I.

We Need to Pray for EMOTIONAL REASONS – (5:13)

A. “Is anyone among you suffering?”

“…among you” refers to the Church!

“…suffering” – means to suffer hardships, distresses, misfortune (NIV – “…anyone in trouble?”)

“…He should pray.”

When you connect this with (v.12), we see a consistent approach to unexpected difficulty: When facing trouble/stress, the answer is not to swear but go to prayer!

B. “…Is anyone cheerful?

He should sing praises.”

The phrase, “…He should sing praises” is one word in Greek: ψαλλέτω (psaletto) which describes singing accompanied by the harp, or what we would call a guitar!

In other words, praising God is viewed in the same measure of seriousness as praying to God!

BTW, the word “praise” is found 550 times in the Bible!

Praising God in song is a form of prayer!

According to (Ephesians 5:18-19), it is the natural outcome of being “filled with the Spirit!”

Pray during the challenging times and praise during the happy times!

BOTH will bring you to God! – (James 4:8a) – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

II.

We Need to Pray for PHYSICAL REASONS! – (5:14-15)

While this is considered to be the KEY passage in the NT on the subject of healing, the ideas about its meaning are as varied as the many opinions about faith-healing!

A. The DEFINITION of “SICK”

The Greek word for “sick” is ἀσθενεῖand means, ‘to be without strength,’ and depicts the debilitating effect of sickness, incapacitating one for work.

· (John 4:46-47) – it refers to a royal officer’s son who is about to die.

· (John 11:1-3) – It was used to of Lazarus who shortly did die!

· (Acts 9:37) – It was used of Dorcas, who also died!

· (Philippians 2) – It was used of Epaphroditus, who almost died!

This passage does not apply to the snifflesbut refers to a very serious illness!

(v.15) – “…raise him up” would support this understanding.

B. The INSTRUCTIONS:

1.

The sick person is to summon the elders – (v.14a) – “He should call for the elders of the church…”

NOTE the following:

1) The sick person is to take the initiative and call for the elders.

2) This is to take place in the home of the sick (or wherever they are).

There is no evidence that anointing services ever took place at the front of a church (service or otherwise).

This is not a show, or some public demonstration of the power of God! Put the white suits, lights, and cameras away.

2. The elders are to come and “…they are to pray over him” – (v.14b)

The INSTRUMENT of healing is not the prayers or faith of the one who is sick, but the prayer and faith of the elders!

The POWER that raises him up is not the elder’s, but the Lord’s response to the “…prayer of faith!”

3. The elders are to “…pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” – (v.14c)

Q: “Why use oil?”

A: Why not?

Since when do we need to explain, or defend obedience to God’s Word?

Since the issue is faith, what better way to demonstrate faith than with simple obedience to what God says?

Answer #1: Oil represents the presence of God

Answer #2: Because God expects OBEDIENCE

III.

We Need Pray for SPIRITUAL REASONS – (5:15b-20)

A. We Pray for FORGIVENESS of SINS! – (vv.15b-16a)

Although sin is not always the cause of sickness, it is a possible cause:

B. We Live RIGHTEOUSLY So Our Prayers Will Show the Power of God! – (vv.16b-18)

NKJV - (v.16b) – “…The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

(v.17) – “Elijah was a human being as we are…”

In his humanity, Elijah was no different than us.

The difference is how he lived!

The POINT: How you live matters—especially when it comes to your prayers!

C. We Pray for the RESTORATION of SINNERS! – (vv.19-20)

James places the responsibility for the wandering believer on us!

There’s a certain irony that some dispute the authenticity of James because it contradicts the message of Galatians, and yet it ends with the same message!

CONCLUSION – A Word of Encouragement to the Elders…

When you are called on to pray for the sick, just remember God doesn’t expect you to be mystical, or the next Elijah, just faithful!

It’s not your power or ability He needs, just your willingness to be a vessel of His power!