WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.040 Wonderful to see you tonight, folks. 00:00:02.160 --> 00:00:07.140 Thank you so much, Hannah, for reading and for Al for praying for us as we set into this passage. 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:10.740 I just think you'll agree this is a non-controversial passage. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:12.280 I'm sure you'll see as we've read it there. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:16.280 But if we've got years to listen tonight, this is a fantastic passage. 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:20.839 It will challenge us, it will confront us, and I hope it will encourage us as well. 00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:23.760 So tune in if you can tonight. 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:25.280 We'll bring this home, this whole series. 00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:27.500 We've been in this letter of James for a while. 00:00:28.699 --> 00:00:29.600 Let's finish it. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.060 Together as we get into chapter 5 then. 00:00:32.979 --> 00:00:35.700 So we're definitely going to need our Bibles tonight. 00:00:35.700 --> 00:00:40.060 So please make every effort to get God's Word in front of you. 00:00:40.519 --> 00:00:42.079 We'll be in James chapter 5. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:46.500 Heads up, we'll also be in 1 Kings chapter 16 and 17. 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:48.280 And 18 as well, I think. 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:49.299 You might want to turn there. 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:52.280 Just as we're setting off tonight. 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:55.939 We'll get to it in maybe 15 or so minutes time. 00:00:55.939 --> 00:01:01.979 But there's just a heads up so you're not frantically looking for 1 Kings at that point in the sermon. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:04.719 But, okay, let me level with you. 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:11.759 Here is the song that has been in my head over the last couple of weeks of being James chapter 5. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:12.780 See if you recognise it. 00:01:12.859 --> 00:01:14.320 Okay, here's the lyrics go like this. 00:01:15.380 --> 00:01:16.140 So sad. 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:17.939 So sad. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:19.180 And see if you can get the song right. 00:01:19.300 --> 00:01:19.740 So sad. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:20.359 So sad. 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:23.000 It's a sad, sad situation. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:26.060 And it's getting more and more absurd. 00:01:27.060 --> 00:01:27.900 So sad. 00:01:28.040 --> 00:01:28.900 So sad. 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:30.920 Why can't we just talk it over? 00:01:31.980 --> 00:01:38.659 Sorry seems to be, sorry seems to be the hardest word. 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:40.379 Okay, yeah. 00:01:41.700 --> 00:01:42.359 Hardest word. 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:45.039 Vintage Elton John wasn't it back in the day if you remember it. 00:01:45.060 --> 00:01:50.579 If you're my age, you remember there was a dodgy boy band called Blue that sang a cover of it back in the 90s. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:51.760 The less said about that, the better. 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:54.100 But there's the song that's been in my head all week. 00:01:54.160 --> 00:01:56.260 I wish I had something more spiritual for you, but I don't. 00:01:56.660 --> 00:01:57.760 It's just how my brain works. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:01:59.760 But it's a sad, sad situation. 00:02:00.540 --> 00:02:02.040 Why have those words been in my head all week? 00:02:02.859 --> 00:02:10.340 Because those words could have easily been penned by James as he thinks about the Christians that he's writing to. 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:11.560 Okay. 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:14.140 Now if James was a TV show, again this is how my mind works. 00:02:14.480 --> 00:02:19.060 James was a TV show, this letter, this would be called Christians Behaving Badly. 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:19.520 Right. 00:02:19.520 --> 00:02:22.219 This would be world's deadliest Christians. 00:02:22.380 --> 00:02:24.540 This would be church uncut. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:28.780 Now if you remember this way back at the start, we thought about the context of this letter who he's writing to. 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:33.120 These people, as a church, are all over the shop. 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:39.140 All the way through this letter, James has exposed the visible symptoms of their life together. 00:02:39.600 --> 00:02:40.800 And man alive is ugly. 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:41.200 Okay. 00:02:41.540 --> 00:02:43.939 If you've been tracking with us, we've seen this over the weeks. 00:02:44.020 --> 00:02:45.040 We've seen quarrels. 00:02:45.420 --> 00:02:47.360 We've seen fights, fisty cuffs. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:48.620 We've seen disputes. 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:49.880 We've seen conflicts. 00:02:49.980 --> 00:02:51.439 And we've seen rage. 00:02:51.620 --> 00:02:58.360 And if this church had a website, right, and it was honest, you wouldn't see people hugging one another on the front page. 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:01.200 You would see people having each other in a headlock on the front page, wouldn't you? 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:04.339 This is what we've seen is going on in this church. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:13.599 Now it was Albert Einstein, I think, who said famously, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:14.939 You heard that quote? 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:19.299 Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:25.160 Here's what I want us to notice is that James the pastor has not just said, be better. 00:03:25.660 --> 00:03:25.780 Right? 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:28.100 I can tell you for free as a parent, that never works. 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:28.560 Okay? 00:03:28.660 --> 00:03:30.520 Just saying, be better. 00:03:31.420 --> 00:03:37.900 Because if James had just said that, if this book was all about morals, then how long do you think that would have lasted? 00:03:37.980 --> 00:03:40.980 We know our own hearts well enough to know, don't we, how long that would have lasted. 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:43.140 It wouldn't have lasted long. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:49.279 But James' pastoral heart shines through in this letter. 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:55.099 He is not content simply with labeling and identifying the symptoms that he wants them to see. 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:56.959 He goes way deeper than that. 00:03:57.859 --> 00:03:58.119 Okay? 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:01.739 He's got them to think about why these things are happening. 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:04.739 It's a great question in our own lives when we see things. 00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:05.839 Know my own heart. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:10.119 Lord, asking me often when I'm angry, why are you angry? 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:12.580 He says it to Cain, doesn't he? 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:13.259 Genesis 4. 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:15.039 Why are you angry? 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:18.860 Chapter 4, verse 1. 00:04:18.920 --> 00:04:19.740 Have you got James there? 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:21.780 Give you an example of this. 00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:25.600 What causes fights and quarrels among you? 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:26.579 Why? 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:28.860 Why does this stuff happen in your hearts? 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:29.439 What's going on? 00:04:30.100 --> 00:04:33.899 Don't they come from the desires that battle within you? 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:34.500 Do you see it? 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:38.959 So this is not search for the hero inside yourself. 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:42.599 This is be honest about the Frankenstein inside yourself. 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:43.859 That's what he's gone for, isn't it? 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:46.500 The problem is a heart problem. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:49.620 So he's gone from the symptoms to the heart. 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:57.740 He's talked about the pride and the jealousy and the envy and the rage which goes on in their lives. 00:05:00.599 --> 00:05:01.799 What does he encourage? 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:06.420 He encourages them to know who God is. 00:05:07.420 --> 00:05:08.699 That's the solution, isn't it? 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:15.840 To know who this God is and to know and to savour the gospel of his free grace. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:25.379 So if anyone's got a heart transplant going on, if these are the things that are going on in their hearts, pride, jealousy, envy, rage, what he wants to be going on in their hearts. 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:26.939 And this can only happen by grace. 00:05:27.479 --> 00:05:28.500 The fruit of the Spirit. 00:05:29.859 --> 00:05:31.699 Some of the words that he's used. 00:05:32.059 --> 00:05:32.419 Grace. 00:05:33.739 --> 00:05:34.139 Humility. 00:05:35.599 --> 00:05:35.959 Meekness. 00:05:37.059 --> 00:05:37.419 Prayer. 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:37.500 Prayer. 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:41.580 And prayer is everywhere in this letter, particularly the beginning, the middle and the end. 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:43.220 And patience. 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:49.720 It's only going to come by God's work of grace through his indwelling Spirit. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:52.819 As you cast yourselves upon the Lord. 00:05:54.700 --> 00:05:57.780 But James goes even deeper than that. 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:08.699 What has been the big issue that's been right at the heart of everything that James has been saying is this issue of double-mindedness. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:10.479 Double-mindedness. 00:06:10.559 --> 00:06:12.059 Now let me just try and illustrate again. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:13.719 So what I've been thinking of this week. 00:06:14.559 --> 00:06:15.639 What's double-mindedness? 00:06:15.719 --> 00:06:17.239 Now if you've ever been to a sports event, right? 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:19.439 You get these at rugby grounds all the time. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:20.599 Football grounds as well. 00:06:20.899 --> 00:06:24.099 People outside the grounds and they're selling 50-50 scarves. 00:06:24.539 --> 00:06:25.500 You ever seen that before? 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:27.039 50-50 scarves. 00:06:27.780 --> 00:06:27.939 Right? 00:06:28.260 --> 00:06:31.020 See when I was growing up going to football games, that was not a thing. 00:06:31.460 --> 00:06:31.600 Okay? 00:06:31.640 --> 00:06:32.660 A 50-50 scarf. 00:06:33.080 --> 00:06:35.740 If you'd ever done that, I don't think you would have made it out to tell the tale. 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:36.379 Okay? 00:06:36.640 --> 00:06:37.780 A 50-50 scarf. 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:40.840 Half of the scarf that you've got, half is for one team. 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:42.860 And half is for the other team. 00:06:43.200 --> 00:06:43.920 Blue and red. 00:06:44.080 --> 00:06:44.680 Blue and green. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:47.160 Whatever colours you want of the two teams that are playing. 00:06:47.840 --> 00:06:49.640 One team scores a goal, you're cheering. 00:06:49.640 --> 00:06:51.540 The other team scores a goal, you're cheering. 00:06:51.660 --> 00:06:52.879 How does that work? 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:54.560 This doesn't work. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:57.000 And that's these people. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:06:59.340 With a 50-50 scarves. 00:06:59.400 --> 00:06:59.540 Right? 00:06:59.580 --> 00:07:02.780 They're trying to love the world and they're trying to love God. 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:05.840 And they think that they can do both at the same time. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:06.920 Track with me. 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:07.120 Okay? 00:07:07.260 --> 00:07:08.879 Chapter 1, verse 7. 00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:11.140 Such a person. 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:11.820 It's from a prayer. 00:07:12.200 --> 00:07:14.220 Such a person is double-minded. 00:07:14.340 --> 00:07:14.980 There's a phrase. 00:07:15.460 --> 00:07:18.560 Double-minded and unstable in all they do. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:21.160 Chapter 4, verse 4. 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:22.379 Just showing you a few of these. 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:23.959 He calls them. 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:24.540 See it? 00:07:25.339 --> 00:07:26.639 You adulterous people. 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:33.560 Don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:38.860 So you cannot be holding up the 50-50 scarf in the Christian life. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:39.160 Okay? 00:07:39.660 --> 00:07:40.699 So Jesus says, isn't it? 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:42.079 You can't serve two masters. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:43.800 This doesn't work. 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:45.920 You'll love the one and hate the other. 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:49.139 Or you'll hate the other and love the other one. 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:49.660 Right? 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:52.680 But what is James' pastoral heart then? 00:07:53.520 --> 00:08:01.000 It's that these people who he knows and who he loves would rededicate themselves wholly to the Lord. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:05.760 And be restored to one another. 00:08:07.140 --> 00:08:07.700 Okay? 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:13.680 And so here's what I want to suggest as we make our way through this passage. 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:20.439 With all its rabbit holes, with all its peculiarities, and potentially all its speculations. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:21.819 Here's what I want to suggest. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:28.340 That these are not some random verses about healing that have come out of nowhere. 00:08:28.939 --> 00:08:31.920 And he's tagged on to the end of his letter to cover his bases. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:35.320 Just in case at some point in the future these prove useful. 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:42.620 What I'm suggesting is that James is very much thinking about the sad, sad situation. 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:46.879 To these Christians behaving badly. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:55.419 And he's not changed his tune when it comes to the thrust of the issue of double-mindedness. 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:56.159 Right? 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.339 That 50-50 scarf. 00:08:57.439 --> 00:08:58.419 Just keep that in your mind. 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:00.120 That's what he's going after. 00:09:01.199 --> 00:09:02.659 Now let's just deal with Dumbo. 00:09:02.959 --> 00:09:03.159 Okay? 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:05.739 Watch Dumbo with the kids just there. 00:09:05.959 --> 00:09:06.099 Okay? 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:06.759 Deal with Dumbo. 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:07.679 The elephant in the room. 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:08.859 The Dumbo. 00:09:08.979 --> 00:09:09.099 Right? 00:09:09.839 --> 00:09:10.639 Let's deal with Dumbo. 00:09:10.719 --> 00:09:12.539 Come with me to verse 15 of chapter 5. 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:13.740 Here's probably the question you're asking. 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:15.139 All of us has read this through. 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:18.159 James writes, okay? 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:22.919 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:25.439 And the Lord will raise them up. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:26.639 Now what is that all about? 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:27.939 Right? 00:09:28.199 --> 00:09:29.039 What is that all about? 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:33.299 Now there's a verse that at its best is potentially confusing. 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:37.699 And I think at its worst is potentially open to horrendous abuse. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:41.339 And it's a verse that's loved by faith healers all over the world. 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:43.819 Remember my time in Malawi. 00:09:44.319 --> 00:09:45.319 This guy called TB Joshua. 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.240 Huge in Nigeria. 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:46.779 They all... 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:47.959 Everyone was talking about him. 00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:50.379 All on the radios as you walked around people's houses. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:52.299 This guy was into faith healing. 00:09:53.319 --> 00:09:55.079 It's horrendous using this verse for that. 00:09:55.080 --> 00:10:02.120 Because if you take it that way, then you run into all sorts of thorny questions, do you not? 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:05.160 What does it mean to be healed? 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:08.060 What level of healing can I expect? 00:10:08.160 --> 00:10:09.180 What if I'm not healed? 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:12.000 What counts as a healing? 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:13.560 How much faith do I need? 00:10:13.560 --> 00:10:15.560 What does my faith need to be in? 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:18.100 It's confusing. 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:27.139 But also it's potentially hugely psychologically, spiritually, and maybe even physically damaging for us to take it that way. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:31.120 Of course, friends, even someone is ill in our church. 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:31.700 We pray. 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:33.440 Of course we pray. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:34.279 Right? 00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:35.560 We do it every single Sunday. 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:36.920 We'll be doing it tomorrow night and Monday. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.860 People in our church family who are sick. 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:41.120 We will pray for them. 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:42.220 Why will we pray for them? 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.320 Because we love them. 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:44.220 Right? 00:10:44.420 --> 00:10:45.680 We love one another. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:49.539 When part of the body is hurting, we are there in presence. 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:51.159 But we are there in prayer. 00:10:51.979 --> 00:10:52.939 Because we love one another. 00:10:53.339 --> 00:10:56.500 We're praying more, aren't we, than just that they'll get physically better. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:59.099 We're praying that God's presence would be with them. 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:03.059 That they would know Jesus as their all-in-all, as we were singing just there, in their situation. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:09.539 And that the thought, the hope of heaven and what's ahead when Christ comes to make all things new. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:11.679 We're praying that people would know that. 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:14.079 By God's Spirit at work in us. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:19.060 We pray for people that might get better, that people would get better. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:20.080 Of course we do that. 00:11:21.400 --> 00:11:29.000 But I don't think the general call to praying for the sick is what James is primarily encouraging here. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.860 There's way more to it than that, I think. 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:40.720 And I think the key is seeing the Old Testament incident that James draws upon to make his case. 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:46.500 Do you see how James brings in Elijah to illustrate his point in verse 17? 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:52.399 And at this point, why don't you turn in your Bibles to 1 Kings 17? 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:54.660 I'll give you just a few moments to do that. 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:57.019 I think it's crucial that we see this just to get it right. 00:11:57.700 --> 00:12:00.180 1 Kings 17. 00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:03.899 So why is he brought in Elijah? 00:12:03.979 --> 00:12:04.879 That's the question, isn't it? 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:06.539 Why is he brought in Elijah? 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:14.139 Now, if James did have catch-all physical healing of the sick in his mind, 00:12:14.219 --> 00:12:16.839 and he wanted to use Elijah as an example, 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:22.960 surely he would have gone for that wonderful moment in Elijah's life that you can read about, 00:12:23.040 --> 00:12:25.180 we can read about in 1 Kings 17, right? 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.720 Hopefully you've got it right there in front of you. 00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:27.820 What happens there? 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:32.019 Verses 21 and 22, God working through Elijah. 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:32.820 He's his prophet. 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:36.340 Elijah raises a widow's son back to life. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:37.800 It's an incredible story. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.300 Incredible story. 00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:43.539 He cries out to the Lord in prayer, and God hears him, 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:46.699 and the child's life came into him again. 00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:49.299 That's the way the author puts it there. 00:12:49.339 --> 00:12:50.219 It's a wonderful story. 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:51.439 It's an incredible miracle. 00:12:53.199 --> 00:12:54.759 And here's the point, I think. 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:57.539 If the point, if you were James, 00:12:57.659 --> 00:13:01.240 if the point you were making was about general physical healing, 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:06.659 then surely the book he's favourite for a passage that you would go to in Elijah's life 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:09.099 would be this one, would it not? 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.639 It would be this one. 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:13.240 If you were trying to rally the troops for a big prayer meeting, 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:17.539 for the sick to be cured, that's the one that you would go for. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:21.959 But that's not the example that James draws upon. 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:26.719 The example he uses is the time in Israel's history 00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:32.659 when they were apathetically drifting along spiritually as God's people, 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:35.279 and they were sliding into rebellion. 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:38.139 Okay, what were the nation marked by? 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:40.419 You can read about this in just the next chapter. 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:43.939 What was the defining feature of their life as a nation? 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.279 Double-mindedness. 00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:49.080 As a nation, Israel drifting along. 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:50.899 Remember, they're meant to be the light to the nations, 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:52.899 that the nations of the world look in and say, 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:55.299 isn't Israel's God great? 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:57.019 Surely he is the true God. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:01.159 Well, Israel at this point are holding their 50-50 scarves, right? 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:05.100 Thinking it was perfectly fine to worship Yahweh at the weekend 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:06.839 and in Baal during the week. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:10.819 And all the while, the nation at this point in the story, 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:13.799 first king's story, are led by King Ahab, 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:18.179 who is heavily influenced by Queen Jezebel, 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:22.899 who has fallen into disastrous idolatry and rebellion himself. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:25.720 This is a dark, dark moment for God's people. 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.600 That's what's going on. 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:32.740 And so in order to rouse them at this point in the story, 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:35.019 first kings, from their double-mindedness, 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:38.699 chapter 17, verse 1 of first kings, 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:44.920 Elijah prophesies that God would send a drought on Israel 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:47.800 as a judgment on them, right? 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.200 This is what God is going to do. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:51.600 So it's almost like a wake-up call 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:55.060 to arouse them from their spiritual half-heartedness. 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.820 This is what God is doing, okay? 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:59.980 And God does so for three years. 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:02.320 Jump into chapter 18 if you've got it there. 00:15:02.400 --> 00:15:03.140 You'll see it, okay? 00:15:03.780 --> 00:15:05.600 Three years this goes on for. 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:09.980 Until that is, and this is one of my favorite chapters 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:11.320 in the whole of the Bible, right? 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:15.620 If you're wanting a serious chapter to read 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:18.220 when you go home, a thrilling bit of narrative and drama, 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:21.960 get into the first kings 17, 18, 19 chapters, okay? 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:26.340 What happens in chapter 18 is that they have a show, 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:27.960 there's a showdown in Mount Carmel 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:31.940 between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, right? 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:34.480 And Elijah challenges them, the prophets, 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:36.519 it's in 1 Kings, the people, sorry, 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:38.480 1 Kings 18, verse 21. 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.840 Here's what he says. 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:41.659 What's this all about? 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:44.960 How long will you waver between two opinions? 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:46.860 This is Elijah challenging Israel, right? 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:49.980 How long will you waver between two opinions? 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.860 If the Lord is God, follow him, 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:53.680 but if Baal is God, follow him. 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:55.220 In other words, make up your mind. 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:58.440 Stop wearing the 50-50 scarf. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.379 It doesn't work. 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:01.360 And so what does he say? 00:16:01.439 --> 00:16:04.879 The God who answers by fire is the true God. 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.439 So Baal and his prophets, 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.899 Baal and his prophets, 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.879 they should win this one easy, right? 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.919 They're on their home turf. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:12.279 It's all going for them. 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:15.419 And they do their thing for ages and ages and ages. 00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:16.919 Does Baal answer by fire? 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.860 No, he doesn't. 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:19.500 There's nothing that goes on. 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:24.519 And Elijah mocks him sarcastically. 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.759 Again, we said that this morning, right? 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.500 So there's sarcasm in the Bible. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:30.120 You will notice it there in that chapter. 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:33.899 But he turns to Elijah. 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:35.840 Elijah prays to Yahweh. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:40.019 And verse 38, the fire of the Lord falls. 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:43.500 And the whole chapter, the whole scene is about God 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:47.500 being declared, vindicated in front of all the people watching on, 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:50.000 that he is the true God. 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:53.480 And the whole scene ends with the people of Israel 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:55.919 rededicating themselves to the Lord. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.000 Elijah prays again. 00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.340 Verse 45, if you've got it there. 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:02.919 And behold, the rains come, 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:06.859 and the land bears fruit once more. 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:08.400 Now, back to James. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:14.960 Isn't it interesting that the example that James picks 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:21.180 isn't an example of how prayer can heal the generally physically sicks, 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:23.319 although he could have easily opted for that one. 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:29.100 Isn't it interesting that the incident that he opts for in Elijah's life 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:31.940 is all about the power of prayer 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:35.700 to restore the spiritually rebellious and wayward 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:40.420 who have, as a result, come under God's judgment? 00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:45.960 And so could it be that as he thinks, 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.200 remember this, he's the pastor, 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:47.900 pastor, sorry, 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:51.420 as he thinks about the sad, sad situation 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:53.120 into which he is writing, 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:57.779 is it that James is strongly implying 00:17:57.779 --> 00:18:01.060 that something similar to what was happening 00:18:01.060 --> 00:18:03.160 with the nation of Israel in the first kings 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:06.820 is happening to the people in James' church? 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:12.679 Could it be that some people in this church 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:15.379 have fallen seriously sick 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:19.579 as a direct result of their bad behavior towards God 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:22.919 and more particularly because of their bad behavior 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:25.200 towards others in the church? 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:28.720 It's sad, so sad. 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:30.539 It's a sad, sad situation, 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:33.700 and it's getting more and more absurd. 00:18:34.419 --> 00:18:35.879 It's sad, so sad. 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:37.420 Why can't we talk it over? 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:39.040 Oh, it seems to me, 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:42.760 sorry seems to be the hardest word. 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:46.140 James' pastoral heart here for this people, 00:18:46.280 --> 00:18:47.800 whom he knows, whom he loves, 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:51.980 is that they would rededicate themselves wholly to the Lord 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:54.980 and they would get right with one another. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:58.940 So let's just take that interpretive lens 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:00.460 that I've just presented this with 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:02.099 and let's just read the verses 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:05.460 and let's see if they begin to make a little bit more sense 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.380 in that context. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:09.039 Okay, verse 14, James chapter 5. 00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:12.160 Is anyone among you sick? 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:16.539 Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:19.440 and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:21.000 Now I take it here, 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:23.660 James is calling for the elders, 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:27.000 again I take it just as the representatives 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.700 of the church as a whole, 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.519 to be the ones who go after those 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:33.400 who are falling into sickness 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:34.820 because of their disobedience 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:38.259 and are leading them in repentance 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:41.340 and seeking to restore them relationally 00:19:41.340 --> 00:19:42.400 to the church family. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:47.280 Now perhaps the oil is symbolically representing 00:19:47.280 --> 00:19:51.100 that person being set aside 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:53.060 and rededicated themselves to the Lord. 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.220 Could it be that the hands on them 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.780 are just again, 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:57.440 just that symbolic identifying 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.000 on behalf of the church 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:01.440 what's going on in this situation, right? 00:20:02.620 --> 00:20:03.400 Verse 15, 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:06.240 And the prayer offered in faith 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:08.320 will make the sick person well. 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:10.259 The Lord will raise them up. 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.879 If they have sinned, 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.900 they will be forgiven. 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.539 Again, could it be 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:17.299 that the prayer of faith 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:19.319 that James has in mind 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.799 is the one of repentance, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.599 of knowing forgiveness, 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:26.480 and of rededication to the Lord? 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.700 Two more of these. 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.660 Okay, verse 16, 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.900 Therefore confess your sins to each other 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:33.559 and pray for each other 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:35.240 that you might be healed. 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.500 Could it be 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:38.500 that there are individuals 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:40.140 in this church family 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.300 and you'll begin to see 00:20:41.300 --> 00:20:43.180 where the application of this is going, okay? 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:45.880 Who have fallen out badly. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:50.320 And it is influencing the church 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.740 in negative ways 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:54.820 and they are suffering as a result. 00:20:56.020 --> 00:20:57.400 And what is James encouraging? 00:20:58.340 --> 00:21:00.560 He's encouraging that they humble themselves 00:21:00.560 --> 00:21:02.540 to the point that individuals 00:21:02.540 --> 00:21:04.180 are willing to get together, 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:05.560 confess, 00:21:05.560 --> 00:21:05.880 confess, 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:06.980 repent, 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.680 hug it out, 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.680 and forgive one another. 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:15.980 Because the prayer of the righteous person, 00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:16.759 I take it, 00:21:16.820 --> 00:21:17.779 just all that stuff, 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.779 is powerful and effective. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.799 Culminating in verse 19, 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.740 my brothers and sisters, 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:25.740 if one of you should wander from the truth 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:28.500 and someone should bring that person back, 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.960 remember this, 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:31.039 whoever turns a sinner 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.480 from the error of their way 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:34.559 will save them from death 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:37.700 and cover a multitude of sins. 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.279 Friends, 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:38.720 and of course, 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:40.380 what is the heart of the gospel? 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:42.120 What is the heart of our faith? 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.600 Reconciliation. 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.880 Isn't it? 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:49.120 Being right with God, 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.840 our creator, 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.940 and being right reconciled 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.539 with one another. 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.799 When we looked at Ephesians 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.600 not so long ago, 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:57.919 it was the wonderful heart 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:59.299 of Paul's understanding 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.839 of the gospel, 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.399 wasn't it? 00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:01.959 That by his blood 00:22:01.959 --> 00:22:03.879 you have peace with one another. 00:22:04.939 --> 00:22:05.939 The walls of hostility 00:22:05.939 --> 00:22:06.639 broken down 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.839 because of what Jesus has 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.299 on the cross. 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:09.000 Two parties, 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:09.779 Jew and Gentile, 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.480 who would never come 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.339 under the same roof, 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:12.119 yet in Jesus, 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.740 united, 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.819 and more than playing happy families, 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.579 united in the same family 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.259 by his blood. 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.559 How powerful a witness 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.759 is it to the world 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:22.259 when our community 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.259 defies logic? 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:25.039 It can only be explained 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.659 because of what Jesus has done. 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.659 It's the very heartbeat 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.539 of our God. 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.519 The very heartbeat 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.240 of the gospel. 00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:31.819 Reconciliation. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.740 Friends, let me just say 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.579 the Bible never encourages us. 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:39.740 Remember this is a specific situation. 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.579 The Bible never encourages us, 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.039 never, 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:45.839 to draw straight lines 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.920 between sickness 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:49.579 and our sin, right? 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:51.079 Everything we've been thinking about 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.759 in Job, isn't it, 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.220 in the mornings. 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.940 The Bible never encourages us 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.759 to draw a straight line 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.019 between those things. 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.379 Okay, so I think 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:59.279 the application of this, 00:22:59.379 --> 00:23:00.759 if somebody we know 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.460 in the church family 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.279 is sick, right, 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:02.859 we've not to go 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:04.059 mm-hmm to one another, 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.299 right, that's not the application 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.539 of this passage. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.079 And yet, 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:09.779 I still think 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:12.559 there are two big principles 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:14.559 very close to God's heart 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:16.379 that we as a congregation 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:17.400 can learn from 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:19.799 this specific situation. 00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.019 And with this, 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.599 I'm just going to try 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.059 and give us two 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.900 really quick things 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.860 and maybe pull a lot 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.500 of the strands 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.680 of the letter together 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.980 as we leave this tonight 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:29.200 and as we feel the challenge 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.900 that God makes us 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:32.080 as a church congregation 00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:33.160 as we respond 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:34.160 to the letter of James 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.620 as a whole. 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:35.800 Right? 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.100 Two of these really quickly. 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.980 Here's the first one. 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:38.640 Here's what I think 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.500 what we need to take 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.680 really seriously. 00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:42.460 Number one, 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:43.320 and it's the call 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:45.400 to single-mindedness. 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:48.820 How much of this letter 00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:49.700 has been James 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.780 helping them see 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:52.240 how serious a thing 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.559 it is in the Lord's sight 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:55.279 when we try and wear 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.519 the two halves, 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.599 two halves, 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.879 50-50 scarf. 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.220 And how damaging 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.160 a thing that is 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:04.639 to our own hearts 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.859 and souls as well. 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.619 But what is it then 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.960 that James has consistently 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:11.500 brought his congregation 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.619 back to see 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.759 all the time, 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.319 all the way through 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:14.879 this letter, 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:16.559 is the very character 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.160 of God. 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.899 Remember what we said, 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.599 this is not just 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.700 trying to be better. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:20.700 Right? 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.920 Be better. 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.660 Why can't you be better? 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.079 No, no, no. 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.220 We've got to have 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.680 an encounter 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.559 with the living God 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.299 who loves us. 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.119 That's what's going 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:28.899 to change our hearts. 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.960 The indwelling spirit. 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:31.119 It's why he's brought it out, 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.559 hasn't he, 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:33.180 in chapter four. 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:36.000 God yearns jealously 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.720 for the spirit 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.359 that he has made 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.079 to dwell where? 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.299 In us. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.379 He's brought them back 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.519 to the very character 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.379 of God, right? 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:44.099 The all-wise, 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.240 generous, 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.240 and unchanging 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.319 father 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:49.200 of chapter one. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.180 God 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:52.299 whose implanted word, 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.420 and I love that phrase, 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.980 the implanted word 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:56.600 at work in us 00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:57.440 has the power 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:59.120 to save our souls 00:24:59.120 --> 00:25:00.460 and has the power 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:02.620 to transform us. 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.059 The God who, 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.019 chapter four, 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.240 longs to give 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.600 more grace. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.799 Longs to give 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.279 more grace. 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:14.100 Love that image. 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:16.420 Just longs to give it, 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.680 longs to bestow it 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.500 upon his people. 00:25:21.560 --> 00:25:22.380 The merciful 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.100 and compassionate 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:24.600 God of chapter five. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.060 Again, 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:26.500 do you see it? 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.259 He's just brought them 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.320 back to the character 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.060 of God. 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.700 And so when we, 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:32.220 when the call comes 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.340 for complete devotion 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:33.880 to him, 00:25:34.080 --> 00:25:34.960 the call is not 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.400 to come begrudgingly 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:38.519 to a headmaster, 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.039 right? 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.980 You ever had that experience 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.700 of your headmaster 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.019 at school? 00:25:41.080 --> 00:25:41.800 I remember mine. 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.900 I knew the power 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.380 he had. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.240 I knew who he was. 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.980 I saw him coming 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.519 up the corridor 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.200 and didn't stop 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.779 for a chat. 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.559 I legged it 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.519 into another classroom, 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:48.940 right? 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.500 But that's not 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.599 the image of God 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.960 that James is 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:54.000 describing here 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.079 as a compassionate 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.620 father. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.380 Our sins, 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:56.740 friends, 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.579 we shouldn't run 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.140 from him. 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.079 We should run 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.920 to him knowing 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.299 that he will 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.700 bestow grace 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.559 upon us. 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.880 And this God 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:07.079 does not share 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.620 the throne 00:26:07.620 --> 00:26:08.420 of his people's 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:10.299 hearts with anyone. 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.019 And let me just say 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:13.299 it's for our joy 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.379 that God 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.159 is like that. 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.339 This letter 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:18.980 is a call 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:21.519 to single-mindedness. 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.200 And flowing 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.720 from that, 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.259 secondly, 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.019 this letter 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.879 is a call 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:28.879 to relational 00:26:28.879 --> 00:26:30.119 oneness. 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:31.539 In other words, 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.159 our relationships 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:32.879 with one another. 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.139 One of the big 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.559 challenges 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.180 that's laid out 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.740 in this letter 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.559 is the challenge 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.759 to have a serious 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.680 think 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:41.660 in all of 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.600 every area 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.380 of our lives. 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.519 Have a think 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.320 about the way 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:46.400 in which we view 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.600 and we treat 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:49.039 other people. 00:26:49.820 --> 00:26:51.160 And to see 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:52.500 how seriously 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:54.420 God takes that. 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:56.539 It was Francis Schaeffer, 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.500 famous American 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.519 evangelical thinker 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.240 back in the day 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.279 who famously said 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.660 that with God 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.380 there are no 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:03.279 little people. 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:05.079 right? 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:05.940 And what he meant 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:07.899 was that 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:09.299 every human being 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.819 has been made 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.259 in the image 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.759 of God. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.160 Every single 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.720 human being 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.440 made in the image 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:13.879 of God. 00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:15.899 And therefore, 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.200 friends, 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.960 we have not to do, 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.680 and he's outed this 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.160 in this church, 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.420 hasn't he, 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:18.680 all the way 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.259 through the letter, 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.019 we're not to play 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.639 favorites 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.579 with who we love. 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:22.259 We're not to pick 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.899 and choose 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:24.240 who we're kind to, 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.899 who we consider. 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.779 It's why, 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.279 and I love it 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.559 as you read 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.279 through the Gospels, 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.399 it's why the disciples 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:30.879 find it so baffling 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:32.360 that Jesus would 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:33.240 encourage the little 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.160 children to come to him. 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.780 You ever read that bit 00:27:34.780 --> 00:27:35.380 in the Gospels 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.880 and you thought, 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.740 what's going on there? 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.260 Of course, 00:27:38.300 --> 00:27:38.980 it's a very different 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.780 cultural setting, 00:27:39.860 --> 00:27:40.220 isn't it? 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:42.040 Children in our day 00:27:42.040 --> 00:27:43.420 treated very differently 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.560 from children in that day. 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.060 Children, 00:27:46.320 --> 00:27:47.280 people who had nothing 00:27:47.280 --> 00:27:48.480 to offer you in return, 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:50.000 people who were considered 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.720 not high up 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.660 in the social ladder, 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:53.000 and yet Jesus 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:55.380 uses them, 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:56.340 welcomes the children, 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.060 and uses it 00:27:57.060 --> 00:27:57.820 as an opportunity 00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:59.040 to show his followers 00:27:59.040 --> 00:28:00.860 that how we treat 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.479 the least in our society 00:28:02.479 --> 00:28:04.179 is a measure 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:05.500 of greatness, 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.079 according to him. 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.819 He just flips it 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.299 on his head, 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:09.579 doesn't he, 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:10.759 his definition of greatness. 00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:11.639 How we treat 00:28:11.639 --> 00:28:12.779 and how we view 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.539 other people 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.979 matters to God. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.559 And I take it now, 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.879 just as we're speaking here, 00:28:18.939 --> 00:28:19.579 that God's Spirit 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.639 will be moving amongst us. 00:28:20.719 --> 00:28:21.639 Maybe, friends, 00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:22.139 there's something 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.879 that we need to do 00:28:22.879 --> 00:28:24.119 in response to this tonight. 00:28:24.199 --> 00:28:25.119 Was there a harsh word 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:25.639 that we said? 00:28:25.699 --> 00:28:25.819 You know, 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.299 I think about it 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.259 all the time sometimes. 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:29.139 When you're going to Tesco 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:30.019 to buy your groceries, 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.700 or you're at cost 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.200 to buy your coffee, 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.019 whatever it is you're doing, 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:32.220 right, 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.259 you're speaking to people. 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:33.879 Friends, 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:35.079 do we stop and consider 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.859 that this person 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.639 is made in the image 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.139 of God? 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:38.940 Right? 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.660 We don't just take it 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:40.099 for granted. 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.720 They're not just there 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.400 to serve us. 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:41.759 No, no, no. 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.180 We are there 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:43.099 to serve them. 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:44.220 How about tomorrow 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.980 when you go about 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.420 your business? 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.119 You ask people 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.720 how they're doing. 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.440 How was your day? 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.359 Right? 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.180 Always love it when I, 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.619 you know you've got 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:50.200 the name badges 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.000 with the names on it. 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:52.039 Always kind of freaks people 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.660 out when you use 00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.240 their names, right? 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.319 But it's that way 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:54.879 of doing it. 00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.940 I'm actually interested 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.860 in who you are 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:58.380 because you are a human being 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.519 made in the image of God. 00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:00.740 Christ died for you. 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.740 I want to get to know you. 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.000 But just call and courtesy 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.799 in the way that we go 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.660 about our lives. 00:29:06.840 --> 00:29:07.600 Jesus says, 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:09.100 how we treat the least 00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:11.740 is the very definition 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.779 of greatness. 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.519 Our willingness 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.680 to get involved 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:16.140 and really care 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:16.880 for those 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.940 who have, 00:29:18.100 --> 00:29:18.740 so to speak, 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:20.059 nothing to offer us 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.799 in return. 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:22.279 How counter-cultural 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.740 is that? 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:22.900 You know, 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.039 I get emails all the time. 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:24.779 Do you know who from? 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.660 I've never signed up 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:25.900 for it. 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.259 LinkedIn. 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.160 All the time. 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.340 Would you like to? 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.180 This person wants 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.820 to be your friend. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.240 LinkedIn. 00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:31.900 What is LinkedIn 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:33.300 all about, right? 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.680 It's this website 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.440 where you're actively 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.440 encouraged to put 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.460 yourselves out there. 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.460 Remember when the law 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.019 firm I worked for 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.500 down south, 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.279 business cards, 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.980 on your desk, 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.900 packets of them. 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.400 Just give them 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:43.060 out to everybody. 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:44.120 What are we encouraged 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:45.160 to do in this world? 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:48.060 Promote ourselves, right? 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.500 Always use people 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.440 to get ahead. 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.900 Climb the pole. 00:29:52.800 --> 00:29:53.720 Advance yourselves. 00:29:54.300 --> 00:29:54.960 See how Jesus 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.900 just flips it 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.660 on its head. 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.279 Maybe in particular 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.000 in the context 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.680 of this letter 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.380 as we think about it, 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.000 how we treat 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.460 one another 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.279 in the church. 00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:08.660 How we use 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.340 our words. 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:10.860 You know, 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.360 I've got a friend 00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:11.940 who says we should 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.559 have a license 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:14.380 for our words. 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.740 You've got a license 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:18.299 because there's just 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.640 so much harm 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.960 can come from our words 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:22.720 and particularly 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.560 how we use them 00:30:23.560 --> 00:30:24.700 when we're thinking 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.360 about our brothers 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:26.080 and sisters. 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.300 Right? 00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:29.500 Friends, 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.100 it would do well 00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:30.420 to remember 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.940 that we are in 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:32.320 a spiritual battle. 00:30:33.320 --> 00:30:33.800 And would the devil 00:30:33.800 --> 00:30:35.120 not just love it 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:36.680 if he could somehow 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.380 get in between 00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:38.080 our relationships 00:30:38.080 --> 00:30:38.880 with one another? 00:30:39.300 --> 00:30:40.460 Wouldn't he love it 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.500 if for the next 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.240 number of years 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.580 that you were 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:43.400 in this church family 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.220 that one person 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:45.000 sat over there, 00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:46.660 one person sat over there 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:48.060 and never spoke 00:30:48.060 --> 00:30:48.700 to one another? 00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:50.240 And that rift 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.740 that existed 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.320 between them, 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:53.480 it went unchallenged, 00:30:53.540 --> 00:30:54.480 it went undealt with 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.620 for years and years 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.540 and years and years. 00:30:59.840 --> 00:31:01.560 We are in a spiritual battle 00:31:01.560 --> 00:31:02.920 but we need to see 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:04.480 that damaged relationships 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:06.680 are a big thing 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.720 in the eyes of the Lord. 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:10.160 I take it, friends, 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.019 is there someone, 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.000 as we think about it 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.400 just now, 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.259 in our lives, 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:17.079 is there someone tonight 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.900 that we need to make 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:19.160 the first move towards? 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.160 You know, 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:21.700 let me just ask, 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.440 I ask myself this 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.079 all the time, 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.480 when was the last time 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.379 you said sorry? 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:27.980 Right? 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.859 Just, you said, 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:30.700 put your hands up, 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.460 I'm so sorry 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.220 I got it wrong. 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.200 When was the last time 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.680 we did that 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:35.299 with one another? 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:36.420 You know, 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.059 are there people 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:38.099 in this church family 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:39.339 who we need to get 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:40.900 right with? 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:41.680 You know, 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:43.299 that niggling thought 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:43.759 about somebody 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.640 that's been lingering 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.600 in the bottom of your heart, 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.640 this passage tonight 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.620 says deal with it. 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.980 Deal with it. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:49.880 Who do you need 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.720 to text tonight? 00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:51.220 Who do you need 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.880 to ring later in the week? 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.340 Who do you need 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:53.820 to visit? 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.060 Who do you need 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:56.240 to go out your way 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:58.420 for to make sure 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.040 that you are 00:31:59.040 --> 00:32:00.640 right with one another? 00:32:01.280 --> 00:32:01.420 You know, 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.240 it was D.A. Carson 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.259 and I love this quote, 00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:03.640 he said, 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.980 all of us would be wiser 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:06.540 if we would resolve 00:32:06.540 --> 00:32:08.100 never to put people down 00:32:08.100 --> 00:32:09.680 except to put them down 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.620 in our prayer lists. 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:14.859 How many of our disagreements, 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:16.159 our misunderstandings, 00:32:16.239 --> 00:32:17.379 our feelings of bitterness 00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:19.719 and lack of forgiveness 00:32:19.719 --> 00:32:20.979 in the body of Christ, 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.279 friends, 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.119 would disappear 00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:25.319 if we looked at our conflict 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:27.299 in light of eternity? 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.759 Does it really matter? 00:32:30.959 --> 00:32:31.619 What are we getting 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:34.139 all tight about, 00:32:34.459 --> 00:32:35.399 thinking about 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:36.699 what is ahead of us, 00:32:36.739 --> 00:32:38.019 what Christ has accomplished 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:39.419 for us on the cross? 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:41.860 James' pastoral heart here 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:43.759 is that these people 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:45.019 who he knows 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:46.300 and who he loves 00:32:46.300 --> 00:32:48.779 would rededicate themselves 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:50.420 firstly to the Lord, 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:52.440 single-mindedness, 00:32:52.820 --> 00:32:55.539 and secondly to one another, 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.519 their unity. 00:33:00.100 --> 00:33:00.400 You know, 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.600 we started with Elton John. 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:02.360 Let me just finish 00:33:02.360 --> 00:33:03.519 with Stuart Townend, 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:03.980 right, 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.880 to finish on a spiritual note. 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:08.620 As Stuart Townend wrote, 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:10.279 he's written this wonderful song 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:12.739 about the unity 00:33:12.739 --> 00:33:13.459 that we're to have 00:33:13.459 --> 00:33:14.439 as brothers and sisters 00:33:14.439 --> 00:33:15.519 because of stemming 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.739 from our unity with God. 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.119 Friends, 00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:18.099 let me just read these words 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.479 to us, 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.119 and then we're just going to have 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:20.959 a few moments of silence, 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:23.439 particularly before we 00:33:23.439 --> 00:33:24.859 come before the Lord 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:25.639 and take communion 00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:26.459 together tonight. 00:33:26.719 --> 00:33:27.719 Wonderful thing to, 00:33:28.459 --> 00:33:29.719 space for us to reflect 00:33:29.719 --> 00:33:30.319 on the challenge 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:30.959 that's come from 00:33:30.959 --> 00:33:31.879 God's word tonight. 00:33:31.979 --> 00:33:33.239 The words of Stuart Townend, 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:34.779 Oh, 00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:35.960 how good it is 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:38.420 when the family of God 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:40.880 dwell together in spirit 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:42.480 in love and unity, 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:44.900 where the bonds of peace, 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:47.220 of acceptance and love, 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:50.160 are the fruits of his presence 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:51.660 here among us. 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:53.180 And so with one voice, 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:55.539 we'll sing to the Lord, 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:57.319 and with one heart, 00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:58.980 we'll live out his word, 00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:01.720 till the whole world sees 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:03.920 the Redeemer has come, 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:06.339 for he dwells 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:08.599 in the presence of his people. 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.420 Why don't we just be silent 00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.139 for a few moments, 00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:12.179 and then I'll lead us in prayer. 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:21.079 Psalm 16. 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:24.119 You show me the path of life. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.539 In your presence, 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.940 there is fullness of joy. 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:30.219 In your right hand 00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:32.820 are pleasures forevermore. 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:34.320 And so, Father, 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.880 I pray tonight for us all, 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:37.260 Lord, as a church family, 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:39.719 Lord, that we would be marked 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:42.059 by a devotion to your son, 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:42.820 the Lord Jesus. 00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:44.719 Father, thank you 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:46.099 for that wonderful description 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:47.719 of him in John chapter 1, 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:49.659 that he is one full 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:52.079 of grace and truth. 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.460 Father, for some of us 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.000 here tonight, 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:55.559 as we've maybe responded 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:57.820 to James chapter 5 this evening, 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:59.420 as we've maybe mulled 00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:01.019 on all that James' letter 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.800 has contained. 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.580 Father, I pray for us, 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:04.500 perhaps tonight, 00:35:04.600 --> 00:35:06.120 some of us who have gone cold. 00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.019 Father, would you, 00:35:08.100 --> 00:35:08.700 by your spirit, 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:12.200 ignite that deep love for you 00:35:12.200 --> 00:35:14.160 as we grasp more 00:35:14.160 --> 00:35:15.260 of the magnitude 00:35:15.260 --> 00:35:16.720 of what you have done for us 00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:17.620 in sending Jesus. 00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:19.820 Father, there is no one like you. 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.180 And Father, 00:35:21.240 --> 00:35:22.460 I pray for our relationships 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:23.559 with one another as well, 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.500 Lord, that you would be 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:26.159 at work in our lives. 00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:28.759 Prompt us by your spirit, 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:29.820 challenge us, 00:35:30.279 --> 00:35:31.579 put people on our minds. 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:33.199 Father, help us, 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:33.960 mould us, 00:35:34.139 --> 00:35:34.860 challenge us, 00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:36.420 make us into the people 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.860 that you have called us to be. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:39.299 Thank you, Father, 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.400 for your commitment 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:41.659 to us as your people. 00:35:42.799 --> 00:35:44.059 And we pray all these things 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:45.559 in Jesus' wonderful 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:47.099 and precious name. 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:47.960 Amen.