INTRODUCTION #32
1. Open your bibles to James 5:12-13a.
2. The last few lessons from the book of James have been on the subject of patience. We have discussed the example of farmers and their patience. We have discussed the examples of Jeremiah and Job and their patience. We have discussed the importance of patience in staying prepared for the second coming of Christ.
3. The things that James has for us in James 5:12&13 are just as important for Christians.
4. Let’s begin our discussion of these things.
DISCUSSION
I. FIRST, JAMES 5:12 TEACHES THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIANS ALWAYS TELLING THE TRUTH.
1. Let’s read James 5:12, “12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”
2. The first thing to do in being a person that will be recognized as one to speak the truth is to not become guilty of swearing and making oaths.
(1) We don’t need to develop a reputation of always “swearing this or swearing that” or “making oaths” to try and impress on others that what we are saying is the truth.
(2) We need to simply “mean yes when we say yes” and simply “mean no when we say no”.
3. Whether we consistently tell the truth or don’t tell the truth will have a tremendous amount to do in determining how people will judge our character.
4. Turn to Matt. 5:33-37. Here, Jesus warns against improper oaths and swearing. Let’s read and make a few explanatory comments. “33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
(1) Let’s make a comment on this. The Jews were guilty of swearing, not for the purpose of really telling the truth, but rather so that they could break their word and think that in doing so they were still o.k. in the sight of God. Because Jews were doing this Jesus says in verse 34:
“34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
(2) The Jews thought that if they did not swear and make their oath in the name of God, but instead swear by heaven, or swear by the earth or swear by the city of Jerusalem then they could swear and it would not be binding.
(3) Because of their deceit Jesus told them to not swear at all, but to rather use a yes or a no!
5. The teaching of James and Jesus cause many people to ask the question: “Is it wrong to lay your hand on a bible and to swear or take an oath in a court room to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God”?
(1) Neither James nor Jesus are teaching that such an oath would be sinful. James uses a Greek word for “other” which refers to other oaths of the same kind.
(2) Bro. Guy N. Woods, in his book titled Questions and Answers states: “had James intended to assert that any oath, all oaths, every oath, must be refrained from, he would have used for the word ‘other’ the Greek heteros, which means another of a different kind, instead of allos (which he did use), another of the same kind.”
(3) Brother Woods also states: “It is significant that an oath, in the name of God, is not mentioned [by James or Jesus]; it would seem that if it were the purpose of James or Jesus to forbid all oaths, including judicial ones, this would have been the first mentioned.
1) But as a matter of fact, an oath referring to God is o.k., in contrast with others. An oath to God was specifically commanded under the law of Moses: (Deut. 6:13, 10:20). ‘You shall fear the Lord your God and server Him, and shall take oaths in His name.’
2) That it was not the purpose of our Lord or of James to forbid all oaths seems to follow from examples left for Christians in the N. T. (1) In Matt. 26:63,64 Jesus, before Caiaphas, testified under oath. “….And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said…..”
(2) Paul often asserted things in the form of an oath: Rom. 1:9, "For God is my witness. whom I serve..." II Cor. 1:23, “Moreover I call God as witness against my soul…” Other examples are found in Phil. 1:8; Gal. 1:20; 1 Thess. 5:27 & 2 Tim. 4:1.
(3) Another example is in Hebrews 6:13&14. This example is of God. When God could sware by no greater, ‘God sware by himself.’ Heb. 6:13&14 states, “13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”
Isaiah 65:16b makes the statement: “….And he who swears in the earth Shall swear by the God of truth…..”
6. In summary of this first point James exhorts Christians to be men and women of truth.
(1) Using oaths in a court of law, getting a notary to notarizes and witness a document, signing a contract or a note at a bank and similar pledges are not wrong.
(2) At the same time Christians are to be people that would keep their word whether they had verbally or through a written contract pledged to meet certain obligations.
(3) The Christian’s character and where they spend eternity will be determined by how they use their words.
(4) Turn to Matt. 12:36&37. In this passage Jesus warns about the improper use of the tongue. Let’s read Matt. 12:36&37, “36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
II. SECOND, JAMES 5:13a TEACHES CHRISTIANS THAT THEY SHOULD GO TO GOD IN PRAYER WHEN THEY ARE EXPERIENCING SUFFERING OF ANY KIND IN THEIR LIFE.
1. Let’s read James 5:13a, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray….”
(1) Suffering may be illness or it may be the suffering of affliction due to persecution. Whenever a Christian suffers, for whatever reason, he should pray to God. He has a heavenly Father who is concerned about him. This verse is going to show how the Christian is to live under different circumstances.
(2) Prayer should be the first thing a faithful child of God resorts to when some suffering comes upon him.
(3) When a little child is hurt, his natural reaction is to carry his injury to his parent; he knows that comfort and help can be found there.
(4) When a child of God suffers some affliction, it ought to be natural for him to approach God, his heavenly parent, for comfort and help.
2. Turn to Psalms 46:1-3. This passage promises encouragement for the worst of troubles. Let’s read Psalm 46:1-3, “1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.” God has tremendous and wonderful help to provide if we will pour our hearts out in prayer and obedience.
3. Turn to 2 Cor. 12:7-10. Here, Paul refers to praying to God on three occasions for God to remove his thorn in the flesh. We are not told what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. Not knowing Paul’s specific affliction makes if possible for any suffering that anyone else has to be something that others can look at with the same attitude that Paul did. Let’s read and make some comments from 2 Cor. 12:7-10, “7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(1) Paul reminds us that suffering originates from Satan. Remember, Job’s suffering originated from Satan. Paul points out the same thing about his own suffering.
(2) Paul’s remarks let us know that our suffering will not always stop, just because we pray to God.
(3) Paul’s attitude teaches Christians that some suffering can motivate us to grow closer to God. As we grow closer to God we begin to find out, like Paul found out, that our real strength matures as we draw closer to God and His strength. Our gratitude and thankfulness increases as we show more dependence on God.
4. In summary of this exhortation to pray when we’re suffering we learn some additional valuable lessons from the example of Paul.
(1) Lesson #1: God answered Paul's prayer. But, God did not answer Paul’s prayer in the way Paul wanted. However, God answered the prayer according to what was best for Paul. God did not take away the thorn in the flesh; however, God gave Paul the strength to bear it.
(2) Lesson #2: God is more concerned with one's spiritual life than God is concerned with one’s physical life. Sometimes suffering is necessary. One of the great paradoxes or mind boggling things about life is that man's greatest virtues come through adversity. The person with big muscles develops muscles by strenuous exercise. The person who matures spiritually is the one keeps on keeping on when the going gets tough.
(3) Lesson #3: One must accept the answer God gives to his prayers as Paul did. We must pray like Jesus did in Luke 22:42, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me, nevertheless not My will, but Your, be done.”
(4) Lesson #4: One of the great teachings of the Bible is that God's power is seen in man's weakness. This was the point Paul was making. One cannot live the Christian life by himself. Every person must learn this lesson. He needs God's help. God’s help is available if man will believe in God, trust him and obey him. Paul is the perfect example of this.
Paul does not glory in what he is able to do. In 2 Cor. 12:7 Paul mentioned that he had been privileged to receive an abundant amount of revelations. As one reads the book of Acts and the N. T. one learns that Paul wrote over half of the books of the N. T. One learns that Paul went on three important missionary journeys. Paul received continued revelations or the being inspired by the Holy Spirit and was able to preach and write a tremendous amount. He doesn’t claim any glory for himself. Paul confesses his weakness and teaches that God's power is seen in man's weakness. Man needs God every hour.
(5) Lesson #5: Let’s take regular advantage of the avenue of prayer and not just limit our prayers to when we are suffering. Let’s pray when things are going great. Let’s make sure that thanksgiving is always a part of our praying.
CONCLUSION
1. In this lesson James has presented to us the importance of always telling the truth and the importance of going to God in prayer when we are suffering. Other passages teach us that prayer must not be limited to just when we are suffering. We must be regular in our prayer life and expresses continued thankfulness to God.
2. Turn to Acts 9:3-19. Here we read about Saul wanting to know what to do after Christ had appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Paul was told to go to Damascus and later he would be told what to do.
(1) While Paul was there three days and nights without food and drink and while spending time in prayer he was still not saved. Ananias comes to him and lays his hands on Saul and Saul receives his sight and then immediately arose and was baptized.
(2) Saul had been three days without food or water, but due to the urgency of his sins being removed he was baptized before he ate and drank.
3. Let’s read Acts 9:3-19, “3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
4. Turn to Acts 22:16. This passage further proves that Paul did not have his sins washed away until after he was baptized. Let’s read Acts 22:16, “16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”
(1) “Calling on the name of the Lord” did not mean for Paul to, immediately after he was baptized, to verbally pray to God.
(2) No, “the calling on the name of the Lord” is a phrase that refers to the action of learning the plan of salvation: the hearing , the believing, the repenting, the confessing that one believes that Jesus is the Son of God and the obeying the command to be baptized.
(3) Paul understood the urgency of being baptized and having his sins washed away. Paul had been three days and nights without food or water, but he puts obeying the command to be baptized first.
5. If you need to obey the gospel to have your sins washed away we urge you to obey immediately, as Paul did.
6. If need prayers for strength or for forgiveness of sins that you have committed since you have become a Christian we urge you to come forward as we stand and sing.
Acknowledgments for a lot of thoughts in the development of all the sermons on the book of James are to go to:
(1) Bob Winton CD Commentary on Matthew 27:50-54. 464 Ridgewood Drive Manchester, Tennessee 37355. If interested in CD covering many O. T. & N.T. books call (866) 753-8456.
(2) Miscellaneous commentaries by numerous others.
