WORKING FAITH studies from the book of JAMES ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ JoLynn Gower 493-6151 jgower@guardingthetruth.org
WORD FOR THE JOURNEY v James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. v It is important to not only have faith, but also do to the things God wants you to do v It is also important to not just do “godly” things but to also be able to share your faith in words v It is important to do and share within the boundaries of the wisdom of God v When you ask for God’s wisdom, be sure your motives are right v Don’t presume to know God’s plan for your future v Make sure that you get, guard, and give your money appropriately v Keep checking your inner condition v Physical and spiritual restoration
ANOINTING v James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. v Anointing: aleipho: usually thought of as more medicinal or comforting than spiritual v 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. v Anointing: chrisma: usually thought of as a calling or dedicating v Prayer offered in faith: euche pisteos : public request offered by a faithful person v Restore: sozo: save; make whole again
COMMITTED SINS?? v If anyone is sick: asthaneo: physically ill, weak v Prayer offered in faith will restore: sozo: save v The one who is sick: kamno: to grow weary v …and if he has committed any sins they will be forgiven him v THEREFORE James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. v Confess: exomologeo: confess to each other; say the same thing about something to each other v Pray: proseuchomai: oral petition usually in a group v Healed: iaomai: physical or spiritual healing v Effective and accomplish: energeo: working
EFFECTIVE PRAYER v James 5:17-18 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. v 1 Kings 16:31-32 It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him. So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria. v 1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."
RESTORATION v When we are weary, it is easier to fall into sin v James 5:19-20 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. v James 1:1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, T o the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: v He is writing to dispersed Jewish believers v The Jewish people do not believe in original sin v The sacrifices they offered were for sins they committed or general praise to God v The Day of Atonement was for sins committed in ignorance v Hebrews 9:7 … but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.
OUR LOOK AT THE LAW v APART FROM CHRIST, THE LAW CAN’T SAVE ANYONE! v Galatians 2:19-21 "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." v Galatians 3:21-22 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
ABOUT JEWISH BELIEFS v If any turned away, previous righteous acts were believed to be negated—the reason seems to have been because the rabbis didn’t want there to be a balance scale v Some rabbis taught that some sins were not forgiveable v Matthew 12:25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. v Matthew 12:30-32 "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters. Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
THE ROLE OF RESTORATION v Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness ; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. v Restore: katartizo: to make whole again; repair; mend v A spiritual restoration that helps someone get back on track again: the confrontation that discusses the sin v Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” v James 5:15 … and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL v Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. v Luke 10:33-34 "But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. v Luke 7:44-46 I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
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