WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning, church.

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 Turn with me in your Bibles, if you have a Bible, to the book of James.

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 We're looking at James chapter 5, verses 13 through 18.

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 This summer we've been going through this very practical book written by the brother

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 of Jesus himself, who was the leader of the early church in Jerusalem, and we're coming

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 to the end of it.

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 So let me read James chapter 5, verses 13 through 18 this morning.

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 Is anyone among you suffering?

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 Let him pray.

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 Is anyone cheerful?

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 Let him sing praise.

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 Is anyone among you sick?

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 Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with

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 oil in the name of the Lord.

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 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.

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 And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

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 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed.

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 The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

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 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain.

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 And for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.

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 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

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 I'm just going to say up front, I was outside all day yesterday.

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 It was dusty, and I have allergies.

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 So, just to hopefully reassure you.

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 Moving on.

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 The sermon is about prayer.

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 Over the years, I've had several conversations with people who have come to Trinity from all

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 different parts of this country and all over the world.

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 And many people have shared with me about other churches that they've been part of in

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 other places and how God has ministered to them and helped them through other churches that

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 they've been part of in other places.

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 And many people, especially, I've noticed a pattern that many people, especially from other

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 parts of the world, have mentioned how important prayer is to their churches back home.

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 So, in Korea, many churches have early morning prayer at 5 or 6 a.m. every weekday.

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 That's a common thing.

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 Many people attend these daily early morning prayer meetings.

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 In Africa, many churches meet to pray and worship for hours on end, multiple times a week.

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 In this church, for several years, we've had a ministry to Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrants.

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 They worship in the Amharic language.

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 And they often, I would say, at least a few times a year, they set aside a day or even a whole week

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 where they encourage the whole church to fast and pray.

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 And when they do that, they usually set up prayer three times a day, morning, noon, and night.

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 They do it over a conference call because they live all over Connecticut.

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 But that's just a normal, a pretty regular thing that they do.

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 And sometimes, as I've been talking with our brothers and sisters in Christ who've come to Trinity

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 or come to the United States from other parts of the world, they'll ask me a question.

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 Now, almost nobody asked it directly.

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 But the question that they basically ask is,

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 do American Christians really feel like they need to pray?

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 Or why don't Christians here seem to value prayer that much?

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 And again, very few people say that directly,

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 but many people over the years have raised that concern with me in one form or another.

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 Now, we could say a few things.

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 I sometimes say that, you know, we can't completely measure our attitude toward prayer

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 by the number and length of organized prayer meetings each week

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 or even by the length of our own personal prayer time, right?

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 Jesus warned his disciples not to heap up empty words in prayer

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 or think that they'll be heard for their many words.

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 And at Trinity, we try not to over-program our life together,

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 even when we're not in the midst of a pandemic

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 and a lot of the things we normally do we can't do.

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 Or have to limit in other ways.

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 But we try not to over-program our church life, right?

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 We don't want people to feel like I have to be at church every single night of the week

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 for something or other.

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 We try to integrate prayer into the rest of the things that we do.

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 But even with all those caveats,

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 I think that our brothers and sisters in Christ

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 who have raised this question

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 and expressed this concern

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 are noticing a real problem,

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 a real issue.

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 For many of us, if we're honest,

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 prayer is not the engine that drives our spiritual lives.

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 Instead, it's more like an afterthought.

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 We sometimes get to it, sometimes don't.

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 We don't always feel much of a need to pray.

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 Some of us might say,

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 well, you know, I've tried to understand how prayer works.

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 I mean, if God knows everything in advance

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 and He sovereignly orders our lives,

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 then He's going to do what He's going to do anyway.

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 Like, why do I have to pray?

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 But here's the thing.

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 Even if we don't completely understand

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 all the mysteries of prayer,

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 there are all kinds of things that we use

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 and benefit from every day

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 that we don't mostly understand how they work.

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 Right?

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 Most of us, we go to the doctor

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 and the doctor prescribes some medications.

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 Okay, 10 to 20% of you out there

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 are in the health professional field.

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 You might understand it,

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 but the other 80, 90% of us don't.

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 At least, we don't really understand

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 how all the chemical reactions work.

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 Right?

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 In depth.

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 But we still take the medicine.

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 And most of us don't really fully understand

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 how our car engines work.

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 But we still get in cars

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 or ride buses

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 and benefit from them.

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 Right?

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 We use and benefit from all kinds of things

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 that we don't completely understand.

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 And so why not with prayer?

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 The passage we're looking at today

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 does not explain all the mysteries of prayer,

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 but it calls us to be people of prayer.

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 As we've said throughout this series,

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 the book of James was written to people

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 who are experiencing trials of various kinds.

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 And really one of the questions James is addressing is,

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 how do we not just survive,

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 but thrive spiritually through trials?

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 And James begins and ends

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 with two themes.

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 The themes of patience and prayer.

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 So beginning in chapter one,

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 one of the first things he says is,

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 let steadfastness finish its work

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 so that you may become mature and complete.

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 Patience.

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 Right?

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 Hanging in there.

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 Persevering.

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 And prayer.

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 At the beginning,

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 James says,

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 if any of you lacks wisdom,

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 let him ask God.

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 And again,

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 last week we looked at patience.

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 And patience doesn't just mean being passive

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 and not doing anything.

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 It means actively trusting

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 and waiting upon the Lord

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 and sowing to the future,

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 but waiting for God to do what only he can do.

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 And today we're looking at prayer.

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 Patience and prayer, of course, go together.

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 Right?

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 It's hard to sustain a life of patience

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 apart from prayer.

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 So what we'll see today

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 is the importance of prayer

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 for different people

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 facing different circumstances.

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 We'll see first,

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 in verse 13,

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 individual believers

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 praying through life's ups and downs.

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 Second,

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 verse 14 and 15,

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 we'll see the church elders

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 praying for those in special need.

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 Third,

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 verse 16,

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 we'll see fellow Christians

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 praying for one another

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 as we confess sins.

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 And four,

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 verse 17 and 18,

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 we'll see the power of prayer

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 in all circumstances.

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 So first,

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 individual believers

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 praying through life's ups and downs.

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 Is anyone among you suffering?

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 Let him pray.

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 Is anyone cheerful?

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 Let him sing praise.

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 The pronouns in this verse

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 are all singular.

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 Right?

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 So James is speaking

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 to every one of us individually.

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 And he uses two words

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 that cover the whole range

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 of human emotions.

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 Suffering,

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 which literally

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 could be translated

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 feeling bad.

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 Right?

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 Some of us might be feeling bad.

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 We're in pain

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 or we're afflicted

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 or troubled

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 or anxious.

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 And James says,

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 pray.

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 And the next word he uses

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 is cheerful.

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 Right?

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 It's a word that means

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 confident,

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 enthusiastic,

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 happy.

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 And James says,

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 if that's where you are,

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 sing praise.

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 Right?

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 Some of us pray

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 when we're suffering.

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 Right?

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 When we hit a crisis.

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 That's what really

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 drives us to pray.

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 God, help me.

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 I really need you.

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 But then once we're feeling better,

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 we get complacent

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 and we just,

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 our prayer life dwindles.

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 Others of us

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 might be the reverse.

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 Right?

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 Maybe you love to sing

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 praise songs.

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 Maybe you just

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 thank God every day

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 for your food

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 and the daily blessings

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 that he gives us.

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 But then when

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 life really goes bad,

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 maybe that's where

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 you struggle

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 to pray.

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 Right?

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 To be honest with God

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 in the seasons

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 of disappointment,

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 to talk with,

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 to submit to the Lord

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 when we

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 maybe don't

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 like how things

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 are shaking out

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 for us.

00:10:09.020 --> 00:10:09.460
 Right?

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 But whether we're

00:10:10.640 --> 00:10:11.200
 feeling bad

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 or feeling great,

00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:12.820
 our faith in God

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 is being tested.

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 In both situations,

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 the temptation

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 is to retreat

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 into ourselves

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 and our feelings.

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 Right?

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 Either retreating

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 into our bad feelings

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 and just sitting there

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 in our own cave.

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 Right?

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 Or to retreat

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 into our good feelings

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 and become very

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 self-satisfied

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 and self-focused

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 and all about

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 self-fulfillment

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 and that's all about

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 what our life

00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:40.860
 sort of revolves around.

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 But James says,

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 no, in both of these

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 circumstances,

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 in both of these feelings,

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 there's an invitation

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 from God

00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:50.600
 to bring our emotions

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 before him.

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 Prayer helps us,

00:10:53.799 --> 00:10:54.519
 one person said,

00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:55.060
 prayer helps us

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 to sanctify our pleasures

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 and consecrate

00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:59.120
 our pains.

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 And let me just say,

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 prayer doesn't come

00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.480
 completely naturally

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 to any of us.

00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:06.799
 Right?

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 All of us

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 are still learning

00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:10.639
 to pray.

00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.720
 And we'll all be

00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:13.940
 learning to pray

00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:15.299
 until the day

00:11:15.299 --> 00:11:17.539
 we see Jesus

00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:19.120
 face to face.

00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:20.480
 The one who

00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.220
 our prayers

00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:21.840
 are ultimately

00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:22.759
 directed towards.

00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:25.120
 But one of the best ways

00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.200
 to learn to pray

00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:27.340
 in all circumstances

00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.460
 is to spend time

00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.320
 in the biblical book

00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:30.600
 of Psalms.

00:11:31.160 --> 00:11:32.460
 Now the Psalms speak

00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:33.680
 out of all kinds

00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:34.940
 of outward circumstances

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 and inward emotions.

00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:36.920
 There are Psalms of Lament.

00:11:37.040 --> 00:11:38.320
 About a third of the Psalms

00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:40.200
 fall in this category.

00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.320
 The Psalmist is

00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:42.639
 crying out in agony,

00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.639
 troubled by uncertainty,

00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:45.960
 oppressed by enemies,

00:11:46.160 --> 00:11:47.360
 betrayed by friends.

00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:49.060
 And on the other hand,

00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:50.160
 there are Psalms of Praise

00:11:50.160 --> 00:11:51.280
 where the Psalmist is

00:11:51.280 --> 00:11:52.960
 filled with gratitude

00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:54.920
 and overcome with wonder

00:11:54.920 --> 00:11:56.580
 and dancing for joy.

00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:59.560
 And the Psalms help us

00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:00.759
 to put,

00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:01.920
 to verbalize

00:12:01.920 --> 00:12:02.720
 our prayers

00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:03.639
 and praises

00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:05.560
 in all the seasons

00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:06.280
 of life,

00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.020
 in all the seasons

00:12:07.020 --> 00:12:07.660
 of our soul.

00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:10.600
 Back in the 4th century,

00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:12.440
 the Egyptian church leader

00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.440
 Athanasius wrote

00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:15.020
 a treatise on the Psalms.

00:12:15.160 --> 00:12:15.780
 And it's a great,

00:12:16.040 --> 00:12:16.879
 it's not that long.

00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.100
 You can find it online

00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:19.540
 if you just look for

00:12:19.540 --> 00:12:20.680
 Athanasius on the Psalms.

00:12:20.920 --> 00:12:22.180
 And he wrote this.

00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:23.180
 This is part of what he wrote.

00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:23.460
 He said,

00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.160
 in the Psalter,

00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:24.740
 in the Psalms,

00:12:24.780 --> 00:12:26.060
 you learn about yourself.

00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:28.300
 You find depicted in it

00:12:28.300 --> 00:12:29.280
 all the movements

00:12:29.280 --> 00:12:30.320
 of your soul,

00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.560
 all its changes,

00:12:31.800 --> 00:12:32.980
 its ups and downs,

00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:34.879
 its failures and recoveries.

00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.420
 Moreover,

00:12:36.780 --> 00:12:37.800
 whatever your particular

00:12:37.800 --> 00:12:39.000
 need or trouble,

00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:40.840
 from this same book

00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:41.460
 you can select

00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.639
 a form of words

00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.379
 to fit it

00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.780
 so that you learn

00:12:44.780 --> 00:12:45.780
 the way to remedy

00:12:45.780 --> 00:12:46.379
 your ill.

00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:46.759
 He says,

00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:47.879
 you can take its words

00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.840
 upon your lips

00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:51.040
 as if they were your own.

00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:51.900
 You see,

00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:53.039
 the Psalms can teach us

00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:53.699
 how to pray

00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:54.439
 over the course

00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:55.279
 of our lives.

00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.299
 Some people have said

00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:56.819
 that the people

00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:58.480
 who appreciate the Psalms most

00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.819
 are elderly people

00:12:59.819 --> 00:13:01.079
 who have been through

00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:02.480
 a wide range

00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.899
 of life's experiences.

00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:05.360
 Because,

00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:05.779
 you know,

00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:07.079
 sometimes you'll read a Psalm

00:13:07.079 --> 00:13:07.779
 and you'll think,

00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:08.459
 boy,

00:13:08.579 --> 00:13:10.199
 the Psalmist is really angry here.

00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:11.620
 Or,

00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.480
 you'll read a Psalm

00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:12.899
 and think,

00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:14.519
 the Psalmist is so happy

00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:16.399
 and I'm not there.

00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.019
 Or,

00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:19.259
 he expresses this pure

00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:20.220
 trust in the Lord

00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:21.039
 and I'm struggling.

00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:23.159
 Right?

00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:24.659
 So,

00:13:24.819 --> 00:13:25.519
 but you see,

00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:27.059
 the Psalms are teaching us.

00:13:27.459 --> 00:13:28.379
 Teaching us to pray

00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.519
 over the course of our lives

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:29.819
 and so,

00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.459
 many people who have been,

00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:32.899
 who have walked with the Lord

00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.759
 for a long time

00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.959
 and walked with the Psalms

00:13:34.959 --> 00:13:35.819
 for a long time

00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:37.860
 have come to treasure them

00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:39.199
 more and more

00:13:39.199 --> 00:13:40.679
 because they help us

00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:41.720
 put into words

00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.100
 our prayers

00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:44.079
 in all circumstances.

00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:45.980
 So,

00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:46.939
 that's the first thing.

00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.360
 Our individual prayers

00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:50.019
 help us remain steady

00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:52.460
 and seeking the Lord

00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:54.300
 through life's ups and downs.

00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:56.519
 Second theme,

00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.080
 verse 14 and 15,

00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.220
 James talks about

00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:00.460
 the elders' prayer

00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:02.019
 for those in special need.

00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:03.180
 Is anyone among you sick?

00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.360
 Let him call

00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.220
 for the elders

00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:06.080
 of the church.

00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:07.600
 Now,

00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:09.100
 James uses two different words

00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:09.980
 in verse 14

00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.960
 and verse 15,

00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:11.820
 both of which

00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.860
 are translated sick.

00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.899
 The word in verse 14

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.759
 can be translated

00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.319
 either sick or weak.

00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:18.720
 So,

00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:19.340
 in other places

00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:19.860
 in the Bible,

00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:20.539
 the same word

00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.299
 refers to people

00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.240
 who were blind,

00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.100
 lame,

00:14:23.579 --> 00:14:24.000
 paralyzed,

00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:24.959
 frail,

00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:25.759
 needy,

00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.579
 or weakened by old age.

00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:29.699
 The word in verse 15

00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:30.819
 has a sense of being

00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:32.779
 weary and worn out.

00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.199
 So,

00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:34.759
 you know,

00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:35.620
 think about that

00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.439
 sort of

00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.939
 set of ideas,

00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:38.319
 right?

00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.120
 Being sick

00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.079
 or weak,

00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:40.879
 weary,

00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:41.939
 or worn out.

00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.159
 In this passage,

00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:44.259
 James seems to be

00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.600
 envisioning a situation

00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.240
 where someone is

00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.360
 pretty seriously

00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:49.139
 sick or weak,

00:14:49.819 --> 00:14:50.019
 right?

00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.299
 Possibly even bedridden,

00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:51.600
 right?

00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.539
 He doesn't say

00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.580
 go to the elders.

00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:55.039
 He says call for the elders.

00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:55.539
 In other words,

00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.220
 the elders are going to

00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:56.879
 come to you

00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.580
 because you can't

00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:58.240
 go to them,

00:14:59.460 --> 00:14:59.840
 right?

00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.679
 Perhaps someone's even

00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:03.139
 confined to bed,

00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:03.919
 right?

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:06.120
 They can't leave their house

00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.980
 or the hospital.

00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.419
 And when somebody

00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.819
 is sick or weak,

00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:13.159
 weary or worn out,

00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.039
 whether it's physically,

00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:14.799
 emotionally,

00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:15.539
 or mentally,

00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.299
 or spiritually,

00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:17.240
 they can easily

00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.500
 become disconnected

00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:20.219
 from the Lord

00:15:20.219 --> 00:15:21.219
 and from the rest

00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.599
 of the church body.

00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.980
 And so,

00:15:25.099 --> 00:15:25.719
 James tells them

00:15:25.719 --> 00:15:27.019
 call upon the leaders

00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:28.279
 of the local church body

00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.559
 to come and pray

00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:30.279
 over them

00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.259
 so their connection

00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:31.740
 with the Lord

00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.539
 is not weakened,

00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.379
 but rather strengthened,

00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:35.719
 right?

00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:37.639
 Their trust in the Lord

00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:39.279
 can be not weakened,

00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:40.240
 but rather strengthened

00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.980
 through this trial.

00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.620
 And James says

00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.399
 the elders should pray

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.779
 anointing the sick person

00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:45.399
 with oil

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.879
 in the name of the Lord.

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:48.580
 Now,

00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:49.720
 oil isn't magic.

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.419
 The book of Acts

00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:51.200
 records some,

00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.139
 several instances

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.159
 where people were healed

00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:53.960
 through prayer

00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:55.220
 and God's miraculous work

00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:56.399
 apart from any oil.

00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:59.080
 But oil was a symbolic act

00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.440
 of setting someone apart

00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:02.200
 for God's special attention

00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:03.000
 and care.

00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.220
 Throughout the scriptures,

00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:06.500
 oil is a symbol

00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.860
 of the Holy Spirit's

00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.100
 presence and power.

00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.340
 So,

00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.920
 the elders in anointing

00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:11.879
 someone with oil

00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:14.440
 are very powerfully

00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:15.720
 reminding them

00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:17.639
 that God's Holy Spirit

00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.600
 is with you

00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.740
 and upon you

00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:21.480
 and here with us

00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.680
 as we bring you

00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.580
 before the Lord.

00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.019
 Just like people would

00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:26.120
 bring people

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.840
 before Jesus

00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:28.279
 like the four men

00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:29.279
 brought their paralyzed

00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.420
 friend to Jesus,

00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:31.460
 right?

00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.440
 And lowered him down

00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.100
 through the roof,

00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:34.279
 right?

00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:35.879
 That's what the elders

00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.879
 are doing in a situation

00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.379
 like this.

00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:39.080
 It's bringing the sick person

00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:42.460
 before the merciful Savior.

00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:45.080
 So, let me say to you,

00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:45.960
 right,

00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:46.879
 for those of you

00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.700
 who I can see here,

00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:48.360
 right,

00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.899
 you're all well enough

00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.779
 to come out to church,

00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.279
 right?

00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.299
 And many of you at home

00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.919
 are still able to,

00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:55.519
 you know,

00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.320
 go for a walk,

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.939
 get outside of your house,

00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:58.259
 right?

00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.559
 But if you,

00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:00.100
 let me say,

00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.179
 you might become

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.840
 seriously ill someday.

00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.180
 Weak, weary,

00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:05.980
 worn out.

00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:07.440
 Maybe it's an acute

00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.620
 and life-threatening illness.

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:10.360
 Maybe it's a chronic condition

00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:11.819
 that just wears you down

00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.440
 over time.

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.180
 And if,

00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:16.480
 especially if you find yourself

00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.900
 becoming more and more

00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.759
 disconnected

00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:21.000
 from the rest

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.920
 of the church body

00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:24.000
 because of

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.519
 your illness

00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.640
 or weakness,

00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.539
 do what this verse says.

00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.940
 Call for the elders

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.519
 of the church.

00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.140
 We will come

00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:31.960
 and pray with you.

00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:33.559
 If we can't come right away,

00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:33.980
 we'll pray,

00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:34.700
 or, you know,

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.339
 if we're prohibited

00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:35.879
 from coming

00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:36.639
 because the hospital

00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.439
 isn't allowing visitors

00:17:37.439 --> 00:17:37.879
 at the point,

00:17:37.939 --> 00:17:38.459
 we'll pray with you

00:17:38.459 --> 00:17:38.939
 over the phone

00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:39.740
 at the very least.

00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:40.919
 Right?

00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.559
 Some sicknesses

00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.559
 are so debilitating

00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.199
 that it becomes

00:17:45.199 --> 00:17:45.980
 hard to think

00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.259
 and hard to even

00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.599
 put a sentence

00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.119
 of prayer

00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:49.859
 into words.

00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.779
 Sometimes the mental fog

00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:53.339
 is completely overwhelming.

00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:54.559
 Right?

00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:54.819
 And you,

00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:55.639
 and it's,

00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.279
 and it,

00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.539
 it's hard to even

00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.379
 pray for yourself.

00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:58.980
 That's where you need

00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.139
 to ask others

00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:00.819
 to come

00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:01.599
 and pray

00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:02.939
 with and for

00:18:02.939 --> 00:18:03.539
 you.

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.559
 So let me encourage

00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.059
 you to,

00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:07.839
 to,

00:18:07.919 --> 00:18:08.799
 to ask

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.539
 for prayer.

00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:10.579
 Don't be too proud

00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.039
 to ask for prayer

00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.919
 when you really need it.

00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:14.719
 In verse 13,

00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.539
 verse 15,

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:15.799
 sorry,

00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:16.679
 we see the result

00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:17.819
 of the elder's prayer.

00:18:17.939 --> 00:18:18.599
 The prayer of faith

00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.399
 will save the one

00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:19.959
 who is sick

00:18:19.959 --> 00:18:20.759
 and the Lord

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.659
 will raise him up.

00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.259
 And if he has

00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.859
 committed sins,

00:18:23.919 --> 00:18:24.899
 he will be forgiven.

00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:25.339
 Now,

00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:26.719
 this verse

00:18:26.719 --> 00:18:28.000
 raises a few questions.

00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.819
 So let me address

00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.339
 three of them

00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.259
 before we go on.

00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:31.899
 First,

00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.919
 what is the prayer

00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:33.599
 of faith?

00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:35.839
 Some people say

00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:37.039
 that this is a special

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.379
 kind of prayer

00:18:38.379 --> 00:18:39.460
 where God

00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.500
 on certain occasions

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.299
 gives his people

00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.460
 a special kind

00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.079
 of faith

00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:44.980
 to confidently believe

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.099
 that the sick person

00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:47.379
 will be physically healed

00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:48.399
 in response

00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.319
 to that prayer.

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.240
 But you know,

00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.099
 that's not how

00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.179
 James describes

00:18:53.179 --> 00:18:53.819
 faith

00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:55.799
 in other places.

00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.779
 Whenever James

00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.779
 talks about faith,

00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.519
 he's not talking

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.400
 about confidently

00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.639
 expecting a certain

00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.400
 outcome.

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.019
 He's talking

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.940
 about confidently

00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.279
 trusting the character

00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.339
 of God.

00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.500
 You see,

00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.639
 when we put our faith

00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.599
 in outcomes,

00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:12.000
 we may be disappointed.

00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.759
 We may become

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.859
 very disillusioned.

00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:17.000
 But when we place

00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.579
 our faith

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.579
 in the character

00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.339
 of God,

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.660
 even when the outcome

00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:22.299
 may or may not

00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.460
 be what we want,

00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:27.039
 God is still there.

00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:29.299
 And he's still with us.

00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.579
 And he always is

00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:31.819
 who he always has been.

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.559
 Now,

00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.220
 if you look back

00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:35.000
 at chapter 1,

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.639
 verse 6,

00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:37.740
 James uses a similar phrase.

00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:38.119
 He says,

00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.299
 if you lack wisdom,

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:41.700
 ask God in faith

00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.639
 with no doubting.

00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.079
 And we explained

00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.399
 that phrase back then

00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:45.799
 when we looked

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.419
 at that passage.

00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.759
 But what James means

00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.359
 there is

00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:49.579
 ask in faith,

00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.599
 in trust,

00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:52.259
 trusting God's generosity

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.180
 and goodness.

00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.899
 And with no doubting.

00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:56.139
 That means not wavering

00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:57.440
 in our loyalty to him.

00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.259
 We might feel

00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.680
 uncertainty, of course,

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:01.220
 and worry at times.

00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.240
 But James says,

00:20:02.340 --> 00:20:03.740
 don't be double-minded.

00:20:04.780 --> 00:20:04.980
 Right?

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:05.960
 Don't waver

00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.700
 in your loyalty

00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.420
 to the Lord.

00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.460
 But ask God,

00:20:09.540 --> 00:20:11.160
 trusting his generosity

00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:11.920
 and goodness.

00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.279
 So,

00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.980
 the prayer of faith here,

00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:14.560
 I think,

00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.380
 means trusting

00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.779
 that God will hear our prayer

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.660
 and give us,

00:20:17.800 --> 00:20:18.680
 whether it's wisdom

00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.620
 or healing

00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.860
 or whatever it is

00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:22.039
 that he knows

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:23.320
 we truly need.

00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:24.759
 So,

00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.420
 I think that's

00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.060
 the prayer of faith.

00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.140
 Second question,

00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.200
 what does it mean

00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:30.100
 that the sick person

00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:31.820
 will be saved

00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:32.779
 and raised up

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.460
 by the Lord?

00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.420
 Now,

00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.200
 some people say

00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.080
 this is a promise

00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:37.560
 of physical healing

00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:38.980
 as long as we pray

00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.500
 in faith.

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.579
 And then,

00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.380
 if we don't see

00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.180
 physical healing,

00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.720
 then maybe we didn't pray

00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.460
 with faith

00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.759
 or with the right kind of faith.

00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.299
 But again,

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.799
 that's not what James says here.

00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:52.200
 At the end of chapter 4,

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.839
 James has already reminded us

00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.819
 that our lives

00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:56.000
 and our circumstances

00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.279
 are in the Lord's hands.

00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:57.660
 He says,

00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.400
 we should say,

00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.119
 if it is the Lord's will,

00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.759
 we will live

00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.859
 and do this or that.

00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.200
 So,

00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.759
 our plans

00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.420
 and our prayers

00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.539
 are ultimately subject

00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.680
 to God's sovereign will.

00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:08.119
 And here,

00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:08.779
 in verse,

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.720
 chapter 5,

00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.279
 verse 15,

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.559
 James uses two verbs,

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.940
 save and raise up,

00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.440
 that can mean

00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.619
 a whole range of things.

00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.500
 Sometimes,

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.180
 those verses refer to

00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:19.960
 someone being physically healed

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.680
 or made whole

00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:22.079
 or getting up out of bed.

00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:25.259
 But those verbs

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.920
 can also have

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.619
 a spiritual

00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:29.379
 and an eternal sense.

00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:29.899
 In fact,

00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:31.079
 James uses the word save

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:32.299
 in four other places

00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.460
 in the book

00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.720
 and they all refer

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.160
 to eternal salvation.

00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.399
 Right?

00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.500
 Someone being right

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.000
 with God,

00:21:39.280 --> 00:21:40.340
 being rescued

00:21:40.340 --> 00:21:42.460
 by God forever.

00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.440
 So,

00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.080
 what does this mean?

00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:46.120
 The Lord will save

00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:47.100
 and raise up

00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:47.820
 the sick person.

00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.700
 I think

00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.360
 we need to let the Lord

00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:51.940
 in every circumstance

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.820
 define

00:21:52.820 --> 00:21:54.980
 precisely how

00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.540
 and when

00:21:55.540 --> 00:21:56.160
 he chooses

00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.420
 to save

00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.380
 and to heal,

00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.759
 to raise up

00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.560
 and to renew

00:22:00.560 --> 00:22:02.240
 his sick

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.060
 and weak

00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:03.860
 and weary

00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.580
 children

00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:06.160
 whom he dearly loves.

00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.480
 Right?

00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:08.019
 Sometimes,

00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:09.200
 God answers prayers

00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:10.240
 with physical healing

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.000
 even immediately

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:13.440
 and there are people

00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.320
 who can legitimately

00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:15.540
 testify to that

00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:17.380
 and we can pray boldly

00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:17.840
 for that.

00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.880
 We don't have to apologize

00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:20.100
 about praying

00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.340
 for physical healing.

00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:24.019
 But God also answers prayers

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.759
 by giving emotional healing

00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.820
 or resilience

00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:28.140
 that we,

00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.580
 bringing us through

00:22:29.580 --> 00:22:30.420
 a hard situation

00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.259
 that we never thought

00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.120
 we could make it through

00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:34.040
 or restoring

00:22:34.040 --> 00:22:35.040
 broken relationships.

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.899
 I've seen examples

00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:36.899
 where relationships

00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:38.240
 that had been broken

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.659
 or estranged

00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.480
 for years

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.519
 were reconciled

00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.639
 and strengthened

00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.980
 through someone's

00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.779
 physical illness

00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:48.759
 or giving renewed

00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.740
 spiritual insight

00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.720
 and vitality.

00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:52.519
 Right?

00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:53.619
 God sometimes answers

00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.180
 our prayers

00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.440
 in all kinds of ways

00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.759
 that aren't always

00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.639
 what we would expect

00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.819
 but any and all

00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.480
 of those

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.339
 are reasons

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.980
 to praise God.

00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:04.259
 This week we sent out

00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.759
 a written reflection

00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.900
 to the church email list

00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.799
 from Rick Schneider

00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.460
 who Matt prayed for

00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.380
 earlier in the service.

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.299
 Rick has been at home

00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:11.920
 with ALS

00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.039
 for almost two years now.

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.079
 So some of you

00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:14.640
 may know him

00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.079
 but some of you

00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.799
 may not know him

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.980
 if you've come to the church

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.059
 more recently especially.

00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.819
 And the elders of Trinity

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.660
 have done exactly

00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.720
 what this passage says.

00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.680
 We've gone to his house,

00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:24.160
 we've anointed him with oil,

00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.240
 we've prayed over him,

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.319
 we've actually done so

00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.140
 multiple times

00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:28.579
 and many others

00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.500
 have prayed for

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.440
 and with him as well.

00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:32.460
 And the Lord so far

00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.960
 has not healed him of ALS

00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:36.160
 but the Lord has responded

00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.480
 to our prayers

00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.940
 and the prayers of many

00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.500
 for him.

00:23:40.580 --> 00:23:41.700
 Let me just share

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.340
 an excerpt

00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.220
 from what Rick wrote

00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.920
 recently.

00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:47.059
 You can read the whole thing

00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.640
 if you got it

00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.640
 through the church email list

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:51.200
 or ask us for it

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.660
 if you didn't.

00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.980
 He wrote this

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.019
 a couple weeks ago.

00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.320
 He said,

00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.200
 Recently I heard about

00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.100
 a major breakthrough

00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:57.440
 in ALS treatments.

00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.400
 I was encouraged to think

00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:00.340
 that maybe this would be

00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:00.980
 the way the Lord

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.720
 might free me

00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.779
 from this pestilence.

00:24:03.459 --> 00:24:04.859
 But I also was surprised

00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.459
 to realize

00:24:05.459 --> 00:24:06.419
 that my own hope

00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:07.559
 did not seem to waver

00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.399
 or change

00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:10.159
 even after I discovered

00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:11.359
 that the treatment

00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.519
 probably wouldn't apply

00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.919
 to my own specific type

00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:14.939
 of ALS.

00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.919
 And then I realized

00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:18.319
 that this hope within me

00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:20.179
 that seems to have been produced

00:24:20.179 --> 00:24:21.639
 over this last year

00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:23.559
 has almost nothing to do

00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.220
 with the certainty

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.039
 of my healing

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.319
 whether that is here

00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.259
 or in eternity.

00:24:28.199 --> 00:24:29.139
 Instead I realized

00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.060
 that I am more and more

00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:31.500
 certain that God's love

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:33.580
 will still be alive

00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:35.020
 in my heart tomorrow.

00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.960
 That is a new sort

00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.600
 of hope for me.

00:24:38.520 --> 00:24:39.420
 Much of my life

00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.100
 I've been amazed

00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:40.940
 at God's gracious

00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:41.720
 and loving work

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.400
 in saving me

00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:43.220
 and giving me a wife

00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.720
 and family

00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.720
 and working some amazing

00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.820
 miracles in our ministry.

00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:48.040
 But I have always been

00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:48.720
 tempted to think

00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.259
 that someday

00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:51.180
 maybe that love

00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.820
 would grow cold.

00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:54.400
 My love would grow cold.

00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:56.100
 And now I realize

00:24:56.100 --> 00:24:56.759
 that my hope

00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.620
 is not in any

00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:59.019
 of these miraculous works

00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.820
 or in the history

00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:00.820
 of God's faithfulness

00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:01.220
 to me

00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.500
 but it really is

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.100
 in the fact

00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:04.080
 that he will be

00:25:04.080 --> 00:25:05.100
 faithful tomorrow.

00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:07.420
 And in every tomorrow

00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.300
 after that

00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:09.920
 no matter what

00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.160
 comes along.

00:25:12.820 --> 00:25:13.620
 The prayer of faith

00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:14.560
 will save the one

00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:15.160
 who is sick

00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.820
 and the Lord

00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:17.220
 will raise him up.

00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.780
 And the end

00:25:19.780 --> 00:25:20.420
 of the verse says

00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.360
 if he's committed sins

00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:21.900
 he'll be forgiven.

00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:23.040
 Well that's the last question

00:25:23.040 --> 00:25:23.960
 I want to deal with

00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.680
 before we go on

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.300
 to the next verse.

00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.140
 What's the connection

00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.900
 James is making

00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.680
 between sickness

00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.640
 and sin?

00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:31.200
 Now not every sickness

00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:32.100
 is a result of sin

00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:32.960
 that's why James says

00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.300
 if.

00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.900
 On the other hand

00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.880
 some sicknesses

00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.980
 are directly connected

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.440
 to specific sins

00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.240
 otherwise James

00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.840
 wouldn't make this

00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:41.540
 comment at all.

00:25:43.320 --> 00:25:44.460
 And if our sinful

00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.820
 patterns have contributed

00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:47.420
 to our physical

00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.600
 illness or weakness

00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.900
 we shouldn't ignore

00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:51.400
 those sinful patterns.

00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:53.120
 We need to face them

00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.960
 and deal with them.

00:25:54.060 --> 00:25:54.920
 In fact sometimes

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.920
 dealing with our

00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.740
 sinful habits

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.820
 is even harder

00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:58.500
 than dealing

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.700
 with the unpleasant

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.820
 symptoms of a physical

00:26:00.820 --> 00:26:01.240
 illness.

00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.140
 But this verse

00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.960
 gives us a great

00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.620
 encouragement.

00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.420
 Even if our

00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.019
 physical illness

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.860
 is completely

00:26:07.860 --> 00:26:08.460
 the result

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.420
 of our foolish

00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:09.960
 choices

00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:11.000
 or ungodly

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.420
 habits

00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.860
 we can come

00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:14.180
 boldly to Jesus

00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.080
 who is merciful

00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.700
 and mighty

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.400
 to save.

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.660
 His power

00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.220
 is sufficient

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.280
 not only to heal

00:26:19.280 --> 00:26:20.460
 our broken bodies

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.180
 but to forgive

00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.720
 our sins

00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.340
 and save

00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:22.860
 our souls.

00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.580
 See Jesus

00:26:23.580 --> 00:26:24.519
 didn't just come

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.200
 to heal people

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.940
 who get sick

00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:26.680
 through no fault

00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.279
 of their own.

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.620
 He came to heal

00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.420
 and save

00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.340
 and show mercy

00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.259
 to guilty

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.779
 sinners

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.680
 like us.

00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:34.980
 And that

00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:36.060
 is good

00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:37.120
 news.

00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.940
 We can come

00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.440
 boldly

00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.360
 before him

00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.140
 and pray for

00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.779
 all these things.

00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.380
 And that leads us

00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:43.120
 to our third point.

00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:43.740
 Right?

00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.600
 We've seen individuals

00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.240
 praying through

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.060
 life's ups and downs.

00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.720
 We've seen the elders

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.440
 praying for those

00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.160
 in special need.

00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:48.779
 Third,

00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:50.039
 we see fellow

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.860
 Christians praying

00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:51.680
 for each other

00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.519
 as we confess sins.

00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.220
 Confess your sins

00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.759
 to one another

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.740
 and pray for one another

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.660
 that you may be healed.

00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:58.120
 James is going

00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:59.700
 from specifically

00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.940
 focusing on the elders

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.200
 praying for those

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.080
 in special need

00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:04.500
 to generally focusing

00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.100
 on any Christian

00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:07.759
 praying for

00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.140
 any other Christian.

00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:12.480
 And not just

00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.180
 the sick person

00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:15.060
 who has sinned

00:27:15.060 --> 00:27:15.620
 can be forgiven

00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.620
 but any Christian

00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.620
 who has sinned

00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.940
 can be forgiven

00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.640
 through confession

00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.799
 and prayer.

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.320
 So James' assumption

00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:24.880
 here is that

00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.380
 Christians will

00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.320
 sometimes sin.

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.759
 Right?

00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.960
 And he's telling us

00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.700
 how to deal with it.

00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.720
 And the right way

00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.320
 to deal with sin

00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:34.640
 is by acknowledging

00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.680
 it for what it is

00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:37.740
 and receiving prayer

00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:39.140
 so that we are

00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:40.259
 freed from

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.860
 its toxic influences.

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:42.620
 Right?

00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.399
 Now what does this

00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:44.139
 look like practically?

00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:45.119
 James doesn't spell out

00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:45.879
 the details of what

00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.659
 this looks like

00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:48.099
 but from other

00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:49.039
 biblical passages

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:51.399
 we can flesh this

00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:51.819
 out a bit.

00:27:52.739 --> 00:27:53.539
 So what might this

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.179
 look like

00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:56.399
 if we have wronged

00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:57.279
 another Christian?

00:27:58.439 --> 00:27:58.619
 Right?

00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.659
 So example.

00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.879
 Chapter 1 James says

00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.639
 we should be quick

00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.139
 to listen,

00:28:03.719 --> 00:28:04.359
 slow to speak,

00:28:04.719 --> 00:28:05.519
 and slow to get angry.

00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.619
 Well, guess what?

00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.719
 Probably many of us

00:28:09.719 --> 00:28:10.379
 have fallen short

00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.279
 in one of those ways.

00:28:11.959 --> 00:28:12.159
 Right?

00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.119
 I can think of

00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:15.759
 we can all

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.839
 probably all of us

00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.479
 can think of times

00:28:17.479 --> 00:28:18.099
 where we haven't

00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.759
 lived up to that.

00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:18.959
 Right?

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.619
 We've said things

00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.579
 in haste

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.439
 and in anger

00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:25.159
 that may not be

00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.839
 completely true

00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.459
 and certainly

00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:27.059
 weren't completely

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.419
 helpful.

00:28:28.479 --> 00:28:28.899
 Now,

00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.599
 what do we do?

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:30.979
 Well,

00:28:31.179 --> 00:28:32.459
 as Christians

00:28:32.459 --> 00:28:33.179
 we shouldn't just

00:28:33.179 --> 00:28:33.799
 pretend it never

00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.239
 happened

00:28:34.239 --> 00:28:36.000
 and go on

00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.219
 and just act

00:28:37.219 --> 00:28:37.739
 like I never

00:28:37.739 --> 00:28:38.199
 said it.

00:28:38.719 --> 00:28:39.000
 Nope.

00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:40.680
 And we

00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.119
 shouldn't

00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.779
 make excuses

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.480
 for ourselves.

00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:43.980
 Right?

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.299
 No.

00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:44.920
 The Christian way

00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.799
 is go to the person

00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.559
 that we have offended

00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.359
 and say,

00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.500
 I was wrong.

00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.759
 I'm sorry.

00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:51.079
 Will you forgive me?

00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.240
 That's a good way

00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.960
 to begin an apology

00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.439
 by the way.

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.119
 I was wrong.

00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.720
 I'm sorry.

00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.599
 And don't add

00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.379
 the word but

00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.919
 after that.

00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:00.319
 Right?

00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:00.819
 You might need

00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.639
 to explain

00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.859
 exactly what you

00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.339
 are saying

00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.799
 that you're sorry

00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.119
 for.

00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:05.879
 So people know.

00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:08.120
 but maybe

00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.560
 if the person

00:29:09.560 --> 00:29:10.320
 responds well

00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:10.740
 especially

00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.460
 you might even

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:11.760
 say,

00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.440
 can you pray

00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:12.820
 for me

00:29:12.820 --> 00:29:13.340
 because I

00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:14.120
 realize this

00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.960
 is an area

00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:16.280
 that I need

00:29:16.280 --> 00:29:17.120
 to grow in.

00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:19.060
 Now,

00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:19.600
 I just want you

00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.040
 to stop and

00:29:20.040 --> 00:29:20.620
 think about

00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.740
 how unusual

00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.580
 that kind of

00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:23.500
 conversation is

00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:23.980
 in the world

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.680
 that we live in.

00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.960
 First of all,

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.880
 to confess

00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.980
 wrongs

00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:30.340
 without minimizing

00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:31.080
 or making

00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:31.680
 excuses.

00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.360
 That's pretty

00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:34.760
 unusual.

00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:37.480
 And second,

00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.740
 for someone

00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.680
 who has been

00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.780
 wronged

00:29:40.780 --> 00:29:42.660
 to not only

00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:45.440
 forego

00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.400
 retaliation

00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:48.100
 but actively

00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:48.840
 pray

00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:49.620
 for that

00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.180
 person's

00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:50.520
 healing

00:29:50.520 --> 00:29:51.600
 and growth.

00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.080
 Extending

00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:54.580
 forgiveness

00:29:54.580 --> 00:29:55.900
 and blessing.

00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:58.120
 That's also

00:29:58.120 --> 00:29:58.760
 pretty unusual.

00:29:59.820 --> 00:30:00.240
 And you know,

00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.040
 both of those

00:30:01.040 --> 00:30:01.520
 things are

00:30:01.520 --> 00:30:02.180
 empowered

00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:04.220
 by the love

00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.780
 and transforming

00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.420
 power of

00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:06.759
 Jesus.

00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.920
 That we can

00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:09.599
 honestly

00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.599
 acknowledge

00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.839
 our faults

00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.879
 and shortcomings.

00:30:13.619 --> 00:30:14.440
 And that we

00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.379
 can graciously

00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:16.160
 pray

00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:18.099
 for someone,

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.839
 even someone

00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:19.240
 who has

00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:20.099
 wronged us.

00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.599
 Especially when

00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.519
 they acknowledge

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.259
 that and repent,

00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.119
 that we can pray

00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:25.079
 specifically with

00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:25.720
 them and for

00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.779
 them in that

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.139
 way.

00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.359
 We can even

00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.079
 pray for someone

00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.720
 who hasn't yet

00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.359
 acknowledged it.

00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:31.359
 Sort of from,

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.319
 that's more from

00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:32.759
 a distance,

00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.160
 right?

00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.220
 But that's a

00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:35.900
 testimony to

00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.480
 the love and

00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:36.900
 power of

00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.160
 Christ,

00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.440
 right?

00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.160
 Every one

00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:38.680
 of our sins

00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.359
 is a grievous

00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.119
 offense against

00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.339
 him,

00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:41.039
 but Jesus

00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.819
 doesn't only

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:43.379
 forgive our

00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:43.660
 sins,

00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.700
 he blesses

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.220
 us and

00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.000
 prays for

00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.400
 us and

00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.200
 intercedes

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.900
 and advocates

00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.660
 for us and

00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.200
 seeks our

00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.759
 healing and

00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.220
 growth.

00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:53.379
 Now,

00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:53.799
 what about

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.220
 secret sins?

00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:56.559
 Right?

00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.339
 Secret sins

00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.279
 in our thoughts,

00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.200
 in our hearts,

00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:01.140
 or private sins

00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.540
 that nobody

00:31:01.540 --> 00:31:02.440
 else knows

00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:02.720
 about?

00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.220
 Things like

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.020
 jealousy,

00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.020
 self-pity,

00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:08.820
 lust,

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.080
 greed.

00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:10.780
 What do we

00:31:10.780 --> 00:31:11.259
 do with those

00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.700
 things?

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.680
 How does this

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.280
 verse apply in

00:31:13.280 --> 00:31:14.080
 those situations?

00:31:15.300 --> 00:31:15.640
 Well,

00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.620
 it is not wise

00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.740
 or helpful to

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:20.180
 confess all of

00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:21.020
 our secret sins

00:31:21.020 --> 00:31:22.200
 to a large group

00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.580
 of people,

00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.400
 all at once,

00:31:23.540 --> 00:31:23.780
 right?

00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.920
 Or to anyone

00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.700
 indiscriminately,

00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.259
 right?

00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:29.160
 That's not wise.

00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.759
 But if we are

00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.600
 struggling with

00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:32.259
 secret sins,

00:31:32.340 --> 00:31:32.900
 if there are

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:34.279
 sins in our

00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:34.740
 thoughts and

00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.259
 our hearts that

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.100
 we are repeatedly

00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:37.279
 falling into,

00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:39.100
 that have a

00:31:39.100 --> 00:31:40.279
 hold on us,

00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:42.019
 it is unwise to

00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.779
 keep that struggle

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.680
 completely within

00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.259
 ourselves.

00:31:45.820 --> 00:31:46.300
 Because

00:31:46.300 --> 00:31:48.400
 it's going to

00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:48.880
 go one way or

00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.220
 the other.

00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.860
 And if those

00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.560
 sins are,

00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.480
 if we are not

00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.160
 putting those

00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:54.000
 sins to death

00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.800
 by the power of

00:31:54.800 --> 00:31:55.440
 God's word and

00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:55.920
 prayer and his

00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.420
 Holy Spirit,

00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:58.140
 they will fester

00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.040
 and grow within

00:31:59.040 --> 00:31:59.780
 us and one

00:31:59.780 --> 00:32:00.320
 day they will

00:32:00.320 --> 00:32:00.920
 explode.

00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.720
 And that will

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.440
 be very ugly.

00:32:05.600 --> 00:32:06.259
 And there will

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.860
 be a whole lot

00:32:06.860 --> 00:32:07.480
 of damage to

00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:07.980
 clean up.

00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.240
 Especially when

00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:10.620
 they've been

00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.240
 festering and

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.900
 growing for

00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:12.980
 weeks,

00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:13.400
 months,

00:32:13.540 --> 00:32:13.920
 years,

00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:15.500
 without being

00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.160
 brought into

00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.660
 the light.

00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.759
 So find a

00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.340
 trusted brother

00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:20.040
 or sister in

00:32:20.040 --> 00:32:20.380
 Christ,

00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.340
 tell them what

00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:21.880
 sins you are

00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:22.759
 struggling with

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.720
 or falling into

00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.440
 and ask them

00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:24.960
 to pray for

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.300
 you in the

00:32:25.300 --> 00:32:25.640
 name of the

00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:25.920
 Lord.

00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:25.980
 Lord,

00:32:27.560 --> 00:32:27.840
 you know,

00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:29.000
 sometimes just

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.039
 doing that

00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:32.720
 pops,

00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.380
 it's like

00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:33.860
 popping a

00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:34.180
 balloon.

00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.880
 It deflates

00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:38.380
 the power of

00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.340
 a secret sin

00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:40.120
 that has become

00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:41.120
 overwhelming.

00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.600
 Right?

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.220
 And that's too

00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.940
 big for us to

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.360
 deal with on

00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:44.620
 our own.

00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.340
 Sometimes simply

00:32:45.340 --> 00:32:45.980
 bringing that

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.560
 into the light

00:32:46.560 --> 00:32:47.320
 in the presence

00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:47.880
 of a brother

00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:48.600
 or sister in

00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:49.400
 Christ who

00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.120
 can pray for

00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:51.380
 us and assure

00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:52.240
 us of the

00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.220
 truth of the

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.660
 gospel,

00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.560
 God can work

00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.039
 powerfully

00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.519
 through that.

00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.519
 And if

00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.039
 someone comes

00:32:59.039 --> 00:32:59.839
 to you and

00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.919
 confesses a

00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.559
 sin that they

00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.179
 are struggling

00:33:02.179 --> 00:33:02.919
 with secretly,

00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.419
 let me coach

00:33:05.419 --> 00:33:05.740
 you a little

00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:06.440
 how to respond.

00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:08.299
 Don't just

00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:08.700
 say,

00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.220
 okay,

00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:13.000
 that's really

00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.399
 weird that you

00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:13.720
 shared that

00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.059
 with me.

00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:15.899
 Right?

00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.079
 Don't say

00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.419
 that.

00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:18.059
 No.

00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.279
 Right?

00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:20.740
 You're,

00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:21.399
 I mean,

00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.019
 reality is,

00:33:22.139 --> 00:33:22.720
 you might be

00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.079
 no different

00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.500
 from them.

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.039
 Right?

00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.639
 You have

00:33:24.639 --> 00:33:25.859
 things you're

00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:26.319
 struggling with

00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:26.519
 too.

00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:27.480
 So,

00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:30.099
 but here's

00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.420
 what you can

00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:30.879
 do that is

00:33:30.879 --> 00:33:31.240
 helpful.

00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.980
 Remind them

00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:34.019
 of the

00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.859
 promises of

00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:35.240
 God.

00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.299
 1 John 1

00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:37.559
 9,

00:33:37.659 --> 00:33:38.440
 if we confess

00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.159
 our sins,

00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:39.819
 God is

00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.579
 faithful and

00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.539
 just to

00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.279
 forgive our

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.839
 sins and

00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:43.599
 purify us

00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.139
 from all

00:33:44.139 --> 00:33:45.099
 unrighteousness.

00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.359
 That's a

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:46.960
 good verse

00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:48.399
 to share

00:33:48.399 --> 00:33:48.859
 with someone

00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:50.019
 who confesses

00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:50.859
 a secret

00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.579
 sin that

00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:52.159
 they're struggling

00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:52.700
 with in their

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.379
 thought life or

00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:53.620
 in their

00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:55.260
 hearts and

00:33:55.260 --> 00:33:55.840
 remind them

00:33:55.840 --> 00:33:56.320
 of that.

00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.860
 And maybe

00:33:58.860 --> 00:33:59.420
 you take a

00:33:59.420 --> 00:33:59.820
 time to pray

00:33:59.820 --> 00:34:00.120
 together.

00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.540
 Maybe the

00:34:00.540 --> 00:34:01.700
 person who

00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:02.780
 starts by

00:34:02.780 --> 00:34:04.600
 just confessing

00:34:04.600 --> 00:34:05.040
 their sin to

00:34:05.040 --> 00:34:06.040
 God while

00:34:06.040 --> 00:34:06.560
 you listen,

00:34:07.080 --> 00:34:07.620
 and then you

00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.340
 pray for them

00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:09.180
 and use the

00:34:09.180 --> 00:34:10.539
 words of that

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.680
 scripture in

00:34:11.680 --> 00:34:12.300
 your prayer for

00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:12.440
 them.

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.180
 Even read that

00:34:13.180 --> 00:34:13.940
 scripture and

00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.059
 pray that they

00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:15.820
 would be assured

00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.380
 of God's

00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:17.539
 forgiveness and

00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:17.980
 that they would

00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.619
 know his

00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:20.059
 purifying power

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:21.759
 prayer on an

00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:22.679
 ongoing basis.

00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:25.199
 God can do

00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.340
 wonderful things

00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.759
 as we pray for

00:34:27.759 --> 00:34:28.539
 one another in

00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.179
 these kinds of

00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.519
 ways.

00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:31.639
 So, we've seen

00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.480
 individual Christians

00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.000
 praying through

00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.500
 lives up and

00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:33.759
 downs.

00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.179
 We've seen the

00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.860
 elders praying for

00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.420
 those in special

00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:35.759
 need.

00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:37.360
 We've seen fellow

00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:38.000
 Christians praying

00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.699
 for each other as

00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.320
 we confess our

00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.619
 sins.

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.199
 And finally,

00:34:40.299 --> 00:34:41.079
 James concludes

00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:42.099
 verse 16 through

00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.880
 8 or 17 and

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.739
 18, a reminder

00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:44.659
 of the power of

00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.719
 prayer in all

00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:46.360
 circumstances.

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.139
 The prayer of a

00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:47.879
 righteous person

00:34:47.879 --> 00:34:49.099
 has great power

00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:50.219
 as it is working.

00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:51.279
 It's one of the

00:34:51.279 --> 00:34:51.879
 means through which

00:34:51.879 --> 00:34:52.659
 God's power is

00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.819
 displayed in our

00:34:53.819 --> 00:34:54.639
 lives and in the

00:34:54.639 --> 00:34:54.940
 world.

00:34:55.279 --> 00:34:56.119
 And James urges us,

00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:56.679
 don't neglect

00:34:56.679 --> 00:34:57.799
 prayer, but exercise

00:34:57.799 --> 00:34:58.259
 it.

00:34:58.739 --> 00:34:58.859
 Right?

00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:01.179
 The prayer, make

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.900
 prayer a personal

00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:04.119
 habit, whether we're

00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:04.920
 feeling bad or

00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.839
 feeling great, call

00:35:05.839 --> 00:35:06.659
 upon the elders if

00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.279
 we have a special

00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:08.179
 need, pray for one

00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:09.699
 another that we,

00:35:09.839 --> 00:35:11.000
 that God, we would

00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:11.940
 not be led into

00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.659
 temptation but

00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.440
 delivered from evil.

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.440
 And James concludes

00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.400
 with the example of

00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:16.879
 Elijah.

00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:19.039
 Now, many of us

00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:19.879
 think of Elijah and

00:35:19.879 --> 00:35:21.639
 we think of him as

00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:22.699
 a larger-than-life

00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:23.059
 figure.

00:35:23.739 --> 00:35:24.000
 Right?

00:35:24.059 --> 00:35:24.599
 He did great

00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.019
 miracles.

00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:26.159
 He even got taken

00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:26.920
 up to heaven in the

00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:27.639
 chariot of fire.

00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.699
 That's pretty amazing.

00:35:30.779 --> 00:35:31.639
 But James doesn't

00:35:31.639 --> 00:35:32.719
 emphasize his heroic

00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:33.319
 exploits.

00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:35.039
 James says he was a

00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:36.980
 human being with a

00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:38.579
 nature just like ours.

00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:40.579
 You know, if you read

00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.679
 the story of Elijah at

00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:43.299
 the end of 1 Kings, you

00:35:43.299 --> 00:35:44.639
 will see he boldly

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.599
 declared the truth to

00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.400
 hostile audiences.

00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.260
 He was resilient

00:35:47.260 --> 00:35:47.840
 through trying

00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:48.480
 circumstances.

00:35:48.680 --> 00:35:49.579
 He was an example to

00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.700
 other godly people of

00:35:50.700 --> 00:35:51.180
 his time.

00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:52.440
 And God did powerful

00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.220
 things through him.

00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:54.940
 But he also got angry

00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:57.440
 and depressed and

00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:57.900
 afraid.

00:35:59.220 --> 00:36:00.480
 One day he ran into

00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:02.139
 the desert and he went

00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:03.660
 into a cave and he

00:36:03.660 --> 00:36:04.440
 said, God, I want to

00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:04.760
 die.

00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.019
 I'm done.

00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:07.619
 Take me.

00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:08.639
 No more.

00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:12.819
 God said, go to sleep.

00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:16.039
 God sent an angel to

00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:16.659
 cook him a meal.

00:36:17.759 --> 00:36:19.099
 God said, eat and

00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:19.440
 sleep.

00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.219
 Sometimes that's what

00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:22.199
 you need to do to

00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:23.179
 recover from certain

00:36:23.179 --> 00:36:25.239
 things.

00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:27.019
 It's a means of grace,

00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:27.460
 right?

00:36:28.299 --> 00:36:29.779
 And then Elijah keeps

00:36:29.779 --> 00:36:32.539
 traveling, but he's not

00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:35.039
 totally in a right head

00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.559
 space yet.

00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.779
 The next thing he says

00:36:36.779 --> 00:36:38.299
 is, I'm the only one

00:36:38.299 --> 00:36:39.019
 left, Lord.

00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:40.900
 I'm the only righteous

00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:42.139
 person left in the whole

00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:42.579
 world.

00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:44.420
 Everyone's against me.

00:36:45.259 --> 00:36:46.380
 Everyone's abandoned me.

00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:48.619
 You know, even your own

00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:51.239
 people have left me in the

00:36:51.239 --> 00:36:51.539
 dust.

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.900
 Now, that wasn't true.

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.059
 God said, uh-uh-uh.

00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:58.079
 There's like 400 people

00:36:58.079 --> 00:36:59.860
 who are still faithful and

00:36:59.860 --> 00:37:01.279
 still trusting me and

00:37:01.279 --> 00:37:02.420
 they're hiding out too,

00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:04.619
 but I've got plenty of

00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:04.960
 others.

00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.199
 Right?

00:37:07.279 --> 00:37:08.340
 Elijah was dealing with

00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:08.779
 self-pity.

00:37:09.820 --> 00:37:10.279
 Right?

00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:11.420
 I'm the only one left.

00:37:14.279 --> 00:37:14.719
 Right?

00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:15.579
 Here's the point.

00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:18.480
 Like the rest of us,

00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:20.480
 Elijah struggled with

00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:23.460
 anger and fear and

00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.599
 self-righteousness and

00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.099
 self-pity.

00:37:25.099 --> 00:37:26.539
 But through his trials

00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:27.539
 and despite his flaws,

00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.259
 he prayed.

00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:31.440
 And James reminds us of

00:37:31.440 --> 00:37:32.619
 a particular season in

00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.679
 Elijah's life when the

00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:34.539
 nation of Israel had

00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.779
 fallen into great

00:37:35.779 --> 00:37:36.699
 wickedness.

00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:38.059
 In fact, it says that

00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:39.139
 the king at that time

00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:40.259
 was the most wicked

00:37:40.259 --> 00:37:41.980
 king that there ever

00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:43.779
 had been in Israel.

00:37:44.319 --> 00:37:45.599
 Worse than all of the

00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:45.920
 rest.

00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.659
 The whole nation was

00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.860
 worshiping idols and

00:37:48.860 --> 00:37:50.659
 all kinds of things

00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.860
 were way out of whack.

00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:52.960
 People were, all kinds

00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:53.519
 of people were being

00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.079
 mistreated.

00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:56.340
 God's name was not

00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:57.000
 being honored.

00:37:58.039 --> 00:37:59.039
 Elijah prayed that God

00:37:59.039 --> 00:37:59.779
 would withhold the

00:37:59.779 --> 00:38:01.179
 rain from the land to

00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:02.279
 lead the king and the

00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:03.840
 people to repentance and

00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:04.759
 to acknowledge the one

00:38:04.759 --> 00:38:05.360
 true God.

00:38:06.500 --> 00:38:07.559
 And God answered his

00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:07.860
 prayer.

00:38:08.739 --> 00:38:09.639
 And then after a season

00:38:09.639 --> 00:38:10.519
 of judgment, Elijah

00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.360
 prayed that God would

00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:12.900
 pour out his mercy once

00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:13.940
 again and restore the

00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.759
 land to fruitfulness.

00:38:15.340 --> 00:38:16.219
 And God answered his

00:38:16.219 --> 00:38:16.480
 prayer.

00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:18.500
 You see, Elijah wasn't,

00:38:18.719 --> 00:38:20.079
 Elijah had a big problem

00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:20.860
 on his hands.

00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:22.480
 He wasn't just praying

00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:23.800
 for his own ups and

00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:24.480
 downs in life.

00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.280
 He wasn't just praying

00:38:25.280 --> 00:38:27.079
 for one other person in

00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:27.640
 special need.

00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.519
 He wasn't just praying

00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:30.180
 for some other Christians

00:38:30.180 --> 00:38:31.300
 or some other people in

00:38:31.300 --> 00:38:33.660
 his fellowship or church.

00:38:34.160 --> 00:38:35.240
 He was dealing with a

00:38:35.240 --> 00:38:36.539
 national disaster.

00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:39.519
 And God heard his prayer.

00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:43.099
 Even for a huge problem,

00:38:44.099 --> 00:38:46.360
 God hears and answers our

00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:46.740
 prayer.

00:38:46.739 --> 00:38:49.079
 Whatever the circumstances

00:38:49.079 --> 00:38:50.399
 we are facing, whatever

00:38:50.399 --> 00:38:51.839
 the circumstances the world

00:38:51.839 --> 00:38:54.779
 is in around us, he hears

00:38:54.779 --> 00:38:56.039
 our prayer not because we're

00:38:56.039 --> 00:38:57.699
 flawless, not because we're

00:38:57.699 --> 00:38:59.099
 experts in prayer, but

00:38:59.099 --> 00:39:00.459
 because Jesus has made a way

00:39:00.459 --> 00:39:01.019
 for us.

00:39:01.959 --> 00:39:02.159
 Right?

00:39:02.319 --> 00:39:03.319
 The prayer of a righteous

00:39:03.319 --> 00:39:04.619
 person is powerful and

00:39:04.619 --> 00:39:05.019
 effective.

00:39:05.719 --> 00:39:06.500
 What does it mean to be

00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:06.839
 righteous?

00:39:07.439 --> 00:39:08.279
 It means that we have been

00:39:08.279 --> 00:39:09.979
 made right with God through

00:39:09.979 --> 00:39:11.419
 the work of Jesus Christ.

00:39:12.279 --> 00:39:13.679
 And that we can come before

00:39:13.679 --> 00:39:15.319
 God through him with freedom

00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:16.360
 and confidence.

00:39:18.660 --> 00:39:19.460
 And through him we can

00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:20.640
 experience his power through

00:39:20.640 --> 00:39:20.980
 prayer.

00:39:21.300 --> 00:39:21.940
 So let's pray.

00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:27.740
 Father, thank you for this

00:39:27.740 --> 00:39:29.740
 exhortation and this invitation

00:39:29.740 --> 00:39:30.800
 to prayer.

00:39:31.720 --> 00:39:34.840
 In all circumstances, on our

00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:39.400
 own, with one another, we pray

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.820
 that prayer would come to

00:39:40.820 --> 00:39:43.920
 pervade our lives more and

00:39:43.920 --> 00:39:44.220
 more.

00:39:45.420 --> 00:39:48.880
 Teach us, Lord, to pray in

00:39:48.880 --> 00:39:50.940
 every season of our lives.

00:39:52.180 --> 00:39:53.440
 Teach us to pray for one

00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:54.780
 another and with one another.

00:39:54.940 --> 00:39:56.099
 Teach us to pray for our

00:39:56.099 --> 00:39:57.159
 nation and our world.

00:39:58.940 --> 00:40:01.559
 Thank you that you are a

00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:03.220
 gracious and merciful God who

00:40:03.220 --> 00:40:04.480
 hears and answers prayer.

00:40:05.700 --> 00:40:07.119
 We pray these things in Jesus'

00:40:07.320 --> 00:40:07.500
 name.

00:40:07.860 --> 00:40:08.139
 Amen.

00:40:08.139 --> 00:40:08.240
 Amen.

00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:08.300
 Amen.

00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:08.320
 Amen.

00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:08.380
 Amen.