SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). Prayer When Life is Hard or Easy (vs 13).
(2). Prayer When We Have Sickness (vs 14-16)
(3). Prayer When You Have Sin in Your Life (vs 15-16).
(4). Prayer When We See Believers Straying (vs 19-20).
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
Celebrities with nicknames.
• (1). Frank Sinatra – anyone know his nickname?
• His bright blue eyes earned him the popular nickname "Ol' Blue Eyes”
• (2). England captain. Joe Root – his nickname: “Wireless”
• Because his adventurous actions spoke louder than his words.
• (3). Former American President Barack Obama – his nickname: “Barry O'Bomber”
• He loved to play basketball at high school and his teammates called him;
• Barry O'Bomber because of the difficult shots he often took … and missed.
• (4). Gordon Sumner – is better known for his nickname than his real name!
• His nickname: “Sting.”
• He once wore a jumper onstage that had black and yellow stripes,
• Gordon Solomon the Jazzmen's bandleader, called him "Sting." It stuck.
• (5). Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie – his nickname: "Mrs. Doubtfire"
• He is supposed to look like her!
• (6). Actor Hugh Jackman: – his nickname: “Sticks”
• Hugh Jackman may have muscled up over the years for his appearance as Wolverine;
• In several "X-Men" films.
• But the father of two wasn't always so muscular.
• In fact, as a teen, his legs were so skinny that friends referred to him as Sticks.
• (7). George Best, Manchester United Footballer
• (Pele called him the greatest player he had seen)
• Man UTD fans say; “Pele…good, Maradona…better, George Best!”
• His nickname given him by the British press was "El Beatle", or "The Fifth Beatle"
• TRANSITION:
• Did you know that Church history has given the apostle James a nickname?
• According to Dr Herbert Lockyer in his book, “All the men of the Bible”,
• James is affectionately called, “Old camel knees”
• Now Herbert did not make it up;
• This tradition is known to us by the writings of the very first Church historian;
• A man called Eusebius of Caesarea.
• He quotes in his writings from a man called Hegesippus,
• Who was a chronicler of the early Church.
• In his Ecclesiastical History, Book II, Ch. XXIII, he writes;
“…And he (James) frequently entered the temple alone and was frequently found situated upon his knees asking forgiveness for the people, so that his knees became hard after the manner of a camel, on account of always bending down upon a knee while worshipping God and asking forgiveness for the people…”
• Now being called, “Old camel knees”
• May not be the best nickname to have,
• After all, they're not exactly the prettiest things you've ever seen!
• They're knobby and rough and calloused.
• They look like they've taken a pretty good beating.
• But the reference to James as "Old Camel Knees" is not disrespecting him;
• In fact the opposite, it is a name given out of honour and respect.
• James was a man of prayer!
Note:
• Just think back to some of the references in this letter.
• James begins and ends his letter with prayer;
• i.e. chapter 1 verses 5-8.
• “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…”
• i.e. chapter 5 verses 13-18.
• “…Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray…”
• i.e. And the fourth chapter, emphasises prayer as well (chapter 4 verses 1-3).
• “…You do not have because you do not ask God…”
• “…When you ask…”
Now this final section of the letter of James;
• Is very much a mini-summary of what he has taught throughout the letter,
• Certain themes reappear for one final application.
• And he concludes this letter by describing four situations that require prayer;
• And four situations in which God answers prayer.
Ill:
• Imagine you are in a boat and you are approaching the river bank,
• You throw a rope and hook to the bank and pull.
• Question: Do you pull the river bank to you?
• Or do you pull yourself towards the bank?
• TRANSITION: Prayer is not pulling God to my will,
• But the aligning of my will towards the will of God.
• For prayer to be effective and bring victory,
• Surrender to God’s will and co-operation with God’s will is essential.
• Now, contrary to what many people believe,
• The Bible doesn’t encourage long prayers.
• Or perhaps it is best to say the New Testament seems to emphasise;
• In public – short prayers and in private - longer prayers.
• And nowhere in this passage is it emphasising long prayers;
• But notice that there is an emphasis;
• The emphasis is on the effectiveness of one’s prayers.
• Because an effective prayer life;
• Indicates we are praying for the things God wants us to pray for.
• That means that our prayer life is a reflection of our relationship with God.
• So James concludes this letter by emphasising the necessity of prayer;
• And the encouragement that God answers prayer.
(1). Prayer When Life is Hard or Easy (vs 13).
“ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
• In verse 13 James returns to the subject of suffering.
• Remember that was a key theme in chapter 1.
Note:
• Life is often like a roller coaster,
• One month we are on a high and one month we are on a low;
• Some of you are thinking; “Months! I have weeks or days like that!”
• Everyone experiences good days and bad days.
• That’s what life is made up of!
• “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.”
• The word used here refers to suffering of any kind.
• It can include trouble, disappointment, and persecution.
• The Bible is clear that suffering is a normal expectation for every believer.
• And the apostle says; “When we’re in trouble…”
• In tough times - pray.
• In good times – praise.
Ill:
• I read this true story this week;
• A woman at work received a phone call from her daughters school;
• The girl was not very well and could the mother come and collect here.
• She left work and stopped by the Chemist (pharmacy);
• To get some medication for her daughter.
• When she came out of the store she realized that she had locked her keys inside the car.
• She didn’t know what to do and started to panic.
• The she remembered seeing in a movie;
• In which someone had used a coat hanger to get into a locked care.
• She looked around the car park;
• And to her amazement found an old bent rusty coat hanger on the ground.
• She looked at the hanger and prayed,
• "God, I don’t know how to use this – please help!"
• Just then a man roared up on a motorcycle and pulled into the parking space next to her car.
• He saw she was in trouble and asked if he could help her.
• The woman thought, "Wow, thank you God, what answer to prayer!"
• So she handed him the coat hanger;
• And in less than a minute the car door was unlocked and opened.
• She hugged the man and through her tears she said,
• "Thank you so much! You are such a nice man."
• He said "No, I’m not, Lady. I just got out of prison for car theft."
• Still hugging him she cried out through her tears
• "Thank you God, you didn’t just send me any old help, you sent me a professional!"
• TRANSITION:
• When you are in trouble, PRAY!
• When times are good, PRAISE!
Note: Often the test of our faith is not the bad days but the good days!
• The word translated as “happy” (vs 13);
• Means; ‘to be of good cheer’, and suggests a state of mind that is free from trouble.
• James is saying, when we are happy we need to also stay fervent in prayer.
• Everyone one prays when they are in trouble;
• But we can see easily forget God when times are good and life is comfortable.
(2). Prayer When We Experience Ill health (vs 14-16)
“Is anyone among you ill? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Ill:
• A woman went to her doctor’s office.
• She was seen by one of the new younger doctors rather than her regular family doctor.
• But after about 4 minutes in the examination room,
• She burst out screaming and ran down the hall.
• A nurse stopped her, took her into a side-room and asked what the problem was,
• The woman started to explain.
• The nurse then went to see the new doctor and demanded an explanation,
• The nurse said:
• "What’s the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 63 years old,
• She has four grown children and seven grandchildren,
• And you just told her she was pregnant?"
• The new doctor smiled as he continued to write on his notepad.
• Without looking up he said; "Cured her hiccups though, didn’t it?"
• TRANSITION:
• I hope we believe an interventionist God;
• One who hears our prayers, one who cares for us, and one who acts for our good.
Quote:
“Sometimes the Lord calms the storm.
Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child.”
• But when we call upon him he does hear, he does care,
• And he will bring something about for our good.
Quote:
“If the request is wrong, God says, "No."
If the timing is wrong, God says, "Slow."
If you are wrong, God says, "Grow."
But if the request is right, the timing is right, and you are right,
God says ‘Go!’”
• “If the request is wrong, God says, "No."”
• This is when we ask amiss out of the will of God
• “If the timing is wrong, God says, "Slow."”
• This is when there are other things that need to happen before the answer comes.
• God's delay is not God's denial.
• “If you are wrong, God says, "Grow."”
• The answer does not come because you are not ready to handle it.
• “But if the request is right, the timing is right and you are right, God says, "Go!"”
• This is promise fulfilled and Heaven coming down to earth.
Note:
• This passage is not describing anything associated with the gift of healing.
• i.e. Somebody in the Church whom God has given to them that spiritual gift.
These verses are in the context of corporate prayer;
• The letter was written to Churches,
• It was read out in Churches,
• And James here is giving the church some instruction about how to ask God for healing.
• Verse 14 starts with that word “anyone”.
• This verse is given in the context of whole Church together.
• We should all be praying for one another;
• We are all (not just the elders) responsible for the welfare of this Church.
Now notice the steps of action that James suggests:
• Step #1. The sick person calls for the elders/leaders of the Church
• The Greek word translated into English as ‘ill’ or ‘sick’ is very broad in its meaning.
• It can mean physical sickness i.e. Cancer, M.S. that type of serious illness.
• It can mean mental sickness i.e. Depression.
• It can mean emotional sickness i.e. Grieving for the loss of a child.
• It can mean spiritual sickness i.e. Someone out of step with the Lord.
• So this word is much broader than we usually think of it.
• It is referring to any sickness that has become just too much for someone to bear.
• So if you have a headache don’t call me, take an aspirin!
Ill:
• The fact the individual calls the elders;
• Suggests they cannot go to them,
• The idea is that person maybe housebound or in hospital.
• The leaders of the church are called to go;
• Because they represent the church,
• And the Church is supporting those leaders with their regular prayers.
• Step#2. The elders/leaders go to the sick person.
• The word is plural. The elders go together.
• There is strength in numbers.
• There is comfort in numbers.
• And by going in person we are communicating to that person that we are sincere.
• We could send a card, we could make a phone call;
• But a personal visit to pray with someone carries a lot of weight.
• It says we really care.
• Step #3. The leaders pray and anoint with oil.
• When the leaders show up James tells them to anoint the sick person with oil.
• To anoint simply means to ‘mark out’, to ‘pour oil’ on the persons head.
• Most likely it was olive oil.
Ill:
Olive oil was used for several purposes.
• (a). For medical purposes.
• e.g. The story of the good Samaritan – “pour oil and wine on his wounds”.
• Oil and wine were the remedies used in such cases all over the East, and elsewhere;
• The wine to cleanse the wounds, the Olive oil would soften and soothe the wounds.
• (b). People used it for cosmetic reasons.
• Psalm 104:15 says God gives us oil to make a man or woman’s face shine.
• It was used for appearance.
• (3). Men were anointed if they were being placed in office.
• Kings, priests and prophets were referred to as anointed ones.
• (d). Symbolically - Oil was of course a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
• As you pour oil you are symbolically asking the Holy Spirit to fall on that person.
• The apostle James says we are to use it in this context when we pray for someone;
• And that when we do so, we must always pray in the name of Jesus.
• This is a reminder to us that it is not the elders; it is not the oil;
• It is not even the praying church that heals.
• It is Jesus!
• Step #4. Healing comes.
• Verse 15 is such a good verse.
• “…and the prayer offered in faith WILL make the sick person well.”
• James refers to this as the “prayer offered in faith”
• That expression is only mentioned one time in the Bible;
• Here in chapter 5 of the letter of James.
Notice:
• The verse does not say anything about how the healing will take place.
• It doesn’t rule out medical care alongside prayer,
• Healing is healing.
• God heals through medicine as well as supernaturally.
• Some people heal quickly others may heal slowly,
• Whether the miracle is by prayer or medicine or by some combination of the two,
• God is able to heal His children.
• God should be the one praised.
(3). Prayer When We Have Sin in Our Lives (vs 15b-16).
“If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”.
Ill:
• One day a t a Church elders meeting;
• One of the elders said; according to James chapter 5 verse 6;
• We should be confessing our sins to one another… so here goes…
• The first elder said, “My secret sin is I just love to gamble.
• When I pass by an amusement arcade, those machines are calling my name;
• And it’s cha-ching cha-ching, let the machines ring.”
• The second elder said,
• “My secret sin is that I just hate working.
• I copy all my sermons from the internet and repackage them.”
• The third elder said,
• “My secret sin is gossiping and, oh boy, I just can’t wait to get out of this room!”
TRANSITION: There is something in this verses that most of us don’t practice today;
• The early Church may have confessed their sins to each other;
• But most of us would say, “I’m blowed if I am going to do that!”
• Because we are… far more reserved and private compared to the Christians of that day.
• We may be comfortable talking to God and confessing our sins to him in prayer;
• But confessing to each other, that’s a little too risky.
• What will people think if I told them THAT about ME!
• Confess your sins to each other.
• We don’t usually do this because it is difficult for us to trust others in this fashion.
• The Christians James wrote to were a more closely bonded group;
• The persecution that all of them were facing brought them together.
• Many of them lived together in groups,
• Sometimes underground, in hiding.
• In small communities, living together;
• Nothing is private, people are aware of your faults and failings.
Ill:
• Missionary Randolph Richards says in one of his books;
• When he was in Indonesia, if ever a person was caught up in a sin,
• Everyone in that village knew before he did.
• That’s is what happens in small communities;
• He was always the last to know and he had to then deal with the problem publicly;
• Because it was already public knowledge.
• TRANSITION: You and I live separated lives;
• We can hide our sin and if we are found out,
• We can keep it hidden among just a few.
• Not so in James’s day, many times, your sins were known to others;
• And it would be important to confront those situations in order to move forward.
• Especially if those sins involved each other.
• Principle in these verses is:
• Unconfessed sin hinders prayer;
• Righteousness compliments prayer.
Ill:
• I love the illustration he uses regarding Elijah the prophet of God.
• Verse 17-18:
“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops”
• When we read about Elijah we think:
• He's in the big league.
• I'm still an amateur.
• He's a giant.
• And I'm a pig me, dwarf.
But look again at what the text says: "Elijah was a man .......
• Who was as a mighty prophet of God – NO!
• Who was a powerful worker of miracles – NO
• Who was a model believer that none other could match – NO
• Who was very unique & special – NO
• NO! It says; “Elijah was JUST LIKE US".
• "Subject to like passions as we are" (K.J.).
• "Completely human like we are" (L.B.).
Question: But what did he do?
Answer:
• Verse 17: "He prayed earnestly”.
• Verse 18. "Again he prayed".
• He was a man who relied on his God:
• He was a man who drew power from his God:
Quote:
“Prayer is not a check request asking for things from God. It is a deposit slip – a way of depositing God’s character into our bankrupt souls.”
• Elijah was a man who relied on his God:
• Elijah was a man who drew power from his God:
• James was so impressed with the effectiveness of Elijah’s prayer life;
• That he sought to follow his example.
• Remember the tradition that tells us that James was nicknamed “camel knees”
• Because he too was a man of fervent dedication to prayer.
(4). Prayer When We See Believers Straying (vs 19-20).
“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins”
• Few things are sadder to witness than people we know (or family members);
• Who once professed the faith leaving it all behind.
Ill:
• She was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson,
• She is known professionally as Katy Perry, and is an American singer and songwriter.
• Her childhood was spent singing in church;
• She even pursued a career in gospel music as a teenager.
• But later on in her teens something went wrong;
• And she wandered away from the faith.
• Her parents Keith and Mary Hudson are both Pastors of a Church;
• Keith is on record as saying;
• “I want you to pray for my daughter, don’t judge her, pray for her.”
• TRANSITION: James says exactly the same thing:
• Prayer is implied here;
• As James encourages us to seek to restore those believers wander from the truth.
Ill:
• Philip Keller was a sheep farmer who wrote a book called,
• "A Shepherd Looks at the Twenty-third Psalm,"
• One of the things he says in that book is this;
• Sheep have no homing instincts.
• If lost a dog, horse, cat, or a bird can find its way home,
• But when a sheep gets lost, it’s a goner unless someone rescues it.
• TRANSITION: The Bible describes you and me as sheep.
• We too need to help one another, especially help those who wander off.
• The King James Bible has the word ‘convert’ in verse 19;
• The N.I.V. translates it better as, “bring that person back”
• It is not talking about conversion but restoration.
• The word implies a “reversal” of course, a 180-degree turnabout.
Whenever a Christian wanders away from the Lord:
• We should be concerned and pray and through loving friendship;
• Seek to win that person back to the Lord.
Note: The phrase in verse 20:
“…whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
• This phrase “will save a soul from death”
• Is too often misunderstood as dealing with eternal salvation.
• However, in the language of the day, the word “soul” (psuche) meant “life”
• We would paraphrase it today by saying, “save them from a wasted life”
In conclusion:
• The final appeal of James is for each one of us;
• To be those who pray and those who seek the lost.
• We should be about bringing people to faith and helping them stay ‘in the faith’.
A few minutes of silence and a few questions to think through:
• What sin do you need to confess today?
• Do I need to pray alone or to talk with someone?
• Do you need to pray for someone who is hurting?
• Do you need to pray for someone who is sick?
• Do you need to pray for someone who is Lost or straying?
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=iRo706a59nV5ODhixnlkyBCQdilE0wIm
