James 5:13-20 Series

Open your bibles to James Chapter 5.

As we wrap up our series in the Book of James entitled Faith That Works.

We have been quoting R. Kent Hughes who says “one thing is clear about the book of James—the dominant theme is;

“Faith that is real works practically in one's life. Faith that is true, is a faith that works.” R. Kent Hughes

James has been building on what he said to us in chapter 4:

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:10 ESV)

James warned us about our pride is the enemy of humility. Pride causes us to gossip, slander, and judge against one another. While faith that works is humble and not proud. Humble faith begins with the understanding that we are no better than anyone else, rather the Christian should look beyond a person's shortcomings and have a faith in Jesus who is able to save and heal the people we have a tendency to condemn and judge.

We learned our pride will cause us to boast about tomorrow making plans to become wealthy as if we are masters of our own universe. But Faith that works humbly understands nobody is promised tomorrow and we should live humbly in faith in God who is the master of our universe. James says the faithful are to live humbly saying, “If the Lord wills, I will go here and there."

Finally, James warns us that pride can cause the rich to only want to become richer hoarding our possessions and oppressing the poor for the sake of selfish gain. Rather we should humble ourselves knowing every blessing comes from the Lord and we are to use our wealth for the glory of God and be generous toward others.

Last week James called us to trust in the Lord as we face the pride in the church. We are to patiently wait on the Lord in season and out of season. We are to remain steadfast when rejected and persecuted like the prophets. Knowing like Job, we too will suffer, but God uses Job’s suffering to demonstrate His compassion and mercy, despite tremendous adversity. All of this shows us that whatever we are facing, we can trust in the love, power, and goodness of our God to see us through.

Today James will build on the humility we need in order for God to exalt us.

Will you stand with me if you are able as we open up God’s word.

James 5:13-20

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 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. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:13-20 ESV)

PRAY

Last week James says we are to have patience we are to have in this life, waiting to trust in the Lord’s return.

We are to remain steadfast like the prophets who faced intense opposition. So here James tells us no matter what season of life we are in, suffering, cheerful, sick, or wandering. We need to get back to God and the way is through prayer. Let’s begin in verse 13

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. (James 5:13a ESV)

I want to look at this with the understanding that pride is the enemy of humility and the promise that God exalts those who are humble. In times of suffering, pride can cause us to rebel. I don’t know about you suffering hardly produces humility in me. I have a tendency to become angry and complain when things don’t go my way. James tells us when we suffer we should pray. He gives us this command just after calling us to remember the patience of Job. Job suffered many great losses. God allowed Satan to take Job’s wealth from him, every one of his children died, he lost all of his possessions and Job became very ill. Job lost everything but his life-everything but his faith. Job had persevering patience but it was not perfect patience. As I mentioned last week, Job lost it several times. He lamented the day he was born and insisted on his innocence. He complained that he didn’t deserve any of this and he demanded God to explain Himself. Job was throwing a pity party but in chapter 38 God responds by humbling him. Listen to God’s response to Job’s complaining;