WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.220 Amen. Amen. Thank you so much, Squire, for leading us and teaching us that song, He Will Hold Me Fast. 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:21.859 ! What a powerful message behind that song. What a powerful reminder that no matter what we're going through in this life, that Christ will hold us fast. 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:29.300 Such an encouragement. Over the last few months, we've been making our way through the book of James. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.060 And James is one of those books at first glance and really for many years of my life when I read through the book of James. 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:45.380 I think one of the reasons that I liked it so much and still many of the reasons I do today is because it's so practical. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:50.519 Because James does step on your toes a little bit. James does call you to do things. 00:00:50.519 --> 00:00:59.719 There is this wisdom literature aspect behind it that James makes very clear as we read through the book of James. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:08.879 But there's no doubt about these things. But I think at the heart of this book, it's a book about faith. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:16.780 It's a book about faith. That faith in Jesus is going to produce a life that follows Jesus. 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:25.459 The way that we've said it many times throughout this is faith in Christ produces faithfulness to Christ. 00:01:26.060 --> 00:01:35.719 Once we place our faith and our trust in Jesus, then it's going to produce a faithfulness in our life that we want to live for Jesus. 00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:44.620 And so while James is a book that calls us to do many things, while it is a book that is very practical, 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:50.140 it is ultimately a book that is strengthening our faith and our trust in Jesus. 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:53.180 James has the heart of a pastor. 00:01:53.180 --> 00:02:01.100 And even in some of those difficult topics that he addresses, he does so because he loves the church. 00:02:01.660 --> 00:02:10.020 He does so not out of a heart of trying to get a rise out of someone, not with a heart of just trying to point fingers, 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:18.060 but he does so with a heart that loves the people, that loves the church. 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:28.800 And so as we close out this book, you get to clearly see the heart and the importance of faith being displayed in the last eight verses of James. 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:36.180 And so for the last time, at least for a while, I invite you to open with me to James chapter 5. 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:42.939 We're going to start in verse 13, and we're going to close out and finish reading through the book of James. 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:49.039 So James chapter 5, starting in verse 13, this is what the word of the Lord says. 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:50.699 It says, 00:02:50.699 --> 00:03:18.500 And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:37.139 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain. 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:42.719 And for three years and six months, it did not rain on the earth. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:48.919 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:55.659 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 00:03:56.060 --> 00:04:06.419 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 00:04:06.419 --> 00:04:14.599 Now, before we get into this passage and figuring out what James is trying to communicate to us, 00:04:14.619 --> 00:04:21.180 I think it's helpful for us, especially with a passage like this that can be difficult to understand, 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:23.539 that can have a little bit of controversy there. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:31.599 I think it's important for us to understand what this passage is not saying as we go into what it is saying for us. 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:41.420 First of all, this passage is not an example of a healing rally or a particular healing ministry of someone. 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:45.740 For one, this is taking place in a sick person's home. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:48.260 It's happening in their home where they're laying. 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:50.100 It's happening in their life. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:58.180 And they are the one, the sick person is the one who is initiating the prayers to come to him. 00:04:58.180 --> 00:05:04.920 And the prayers that are coming are being offered up are by regular elders in the church. 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:08.860 They didn't reference the apostles, which at the time of this writing, 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:14.540 they could have referenced many of the apostles and asked for the apostles to come and pray with them. 00:05:14.819 --> 00:05:23.040 And we see that the apostles had an incredible ministry of proclaiming the gospel and also healing people as they went about. 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:24.700 But this is not the case here. 00:05:24.760 --> 00:05:28.140 We see this as regular elders in the church. 00:05:28.580 --> 00:05:35.520 And so whatever James is describing here, he is certainly not talking about a healing service, so to speak. 00:05:36.700 --> 00:05:42.379 Next, this is not teaching that prayer always leads to healing, 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:46.060 and especially the kind of healing that we may have in mind. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:51.640 We see examples in the Bible of godly sick people not being healed. 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:55.560 Timothy, for example, he was dealing with an issue with his stomach, 00:05:55.779 --> 00:06:01.599 and what Paul told him to do was to take a little wine for the issues that he was dealing with with his stomach. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:05.439 And also we see in Paul's life himself, 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:12.740 we see this thorn in his flesh that he prayed for for multiple times for this to be taken away, 00:06:12.919 --> 00:06:14.819 and it wasn't taken away. 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:21.939 And so this is not some kind of secret formula here that is going to guarantee healing. 00:06:22.899 --> 00:06:30.879 What we must remember in this is what makes our faith strong is not manufacturing intensity, 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:36.339 but understanding who is the object of our faith, and that's Jesus. 00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:41.359 It's not going to come about because we're trying to manufacture something, 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:43.879 we start making promises, and we're not going to do this, 00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:47.319 we are going to do this, and then maybe we'll have enough faith. 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:49.139 That's not the point of this. 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:52.679 The point for us is to trust Jesus more, 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:58.479 understanding that he does have the power and that he has the wisdom as well. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:08.060 If we forget this, we end up trusting in our faith and wondering if we have enough rather than trusting in Jesus. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:16.960 To think and to suggest that only certain people whose faith is intense enough can receive miraculous healing 00:07:16.960 --> 00:07:21.560 is both dangerous and it's not supported in Scripture. 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:24.420 Sam Alberi, he notes it this way, he says, 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:45.060 Some never recover from such teaching. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:52.180 They might reject God altogether for not keeping what they have been led to believe was his side of the bargain. 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:58.660 Or they might reject themselves, believing that they are such spiritual failures 00:07:58.660 --> 00:08:03.340 that there is no point in trying to keep up with the Christian life. 00:08:03.780 --> 00:08:09.759 So it is not teaching that prayer will always lead to the kind of healing that we think of. 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:17.819 That being said, there are some that suggest this passage is not referring to miraculous healing at all. 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:21.120 And well, this doesn't seem to be accurate either. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:26.240 And so as we look at this, we must see the balance of what James is trying to communicate. 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:30.439 And it's interesting to note, if you look at verses 13 through 18, 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:33.399 that paragraph or that longer paragraph that we read, 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:35.960 if you look at each one of those verses, 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:40.899 you're going to see prayer coming up in every single verse. 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:44.700 And so with such an emphasis on prayer and such a repetition, 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:50.980 clearly James is trying to communicate to us the importance of prayer in our lives. 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:54.180 And I think the first thing that he's trying to communicate, 00:08:54.180 --> 00:09:00.860 the first thing that he's trying to teach us about prayer is that we should pray in everything. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:04.320 That we should pray in everything. 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:06.360 Listen to verses 13 and 14. 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:27.700 James is clearly telling us to go to God in prayer. 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:32.020 No matter what's going on in our lives, he's saying, is anyone of you suffering? 00:09:32.280 --> 00:09:33.140 Go to God. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:37.500 Is anyone of you cheerful where everything is going well? 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:38.920 Go to God. 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:40.840 Is anyone of you sick? 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:42.700 Then go to God. 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:48.920 What he's clearly telling us over and over again is that we should have such a dependence on God 00:09:48.920 --> 00:09:52.379 that we go to him in everything that we say and do. 00:09:53.040 --> 00:09:54.360 Think about your lives. 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:56.340 Think about what's going on in your lives. 00:09:56.340 --> 00:10:02.660 If someone, think about the person that you would go to if something tragic happened in your life. 00:10:02.780 --> 00:10:04.759 Who's the first person that you're going to? 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:08.940 Who are you going to call when you're suffering and going through a difficult time? 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:13.759 And then also think about the person that you would want to be the first one to know 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:16.280 when something really great happens in your life. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:19.160 When something really exciting takes place. 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:21.620 Who's going to be the one you call for that? 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:29.240 And then also when you just get a bad diagnosis or someone close to you does. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:32.240 Who's going to be the person that you call? 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:37.980 And I have a feeling that in each one of these circumstances, the people that we're going to call 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:40.419 are those that we are closest to. 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:44.000 And that's the point that James is trying to make here. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:51.740 Have a relationship with God that is so close, that is so intimate, that is so dependent on him in our lives 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:56.679 that no matter what we're going through in this life, we are going to him. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:01.440 Our lives are going to be filled with ups and downs and everything in between. 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:06.919 What James is saying for us to do is to go to God in everything. 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:10.360 To go to him in everything that we say and do. 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:14.159 And I think this is something that James modeled very clearly for us. 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:21.220 I mean, how else are you going to get the nickname Old Camel Knees without constantly going to prayer in God? 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:24.480 You know, this was what we talked about the very first week. 00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:26.180 His nickname was Old Camel Knees. 00:11:26.300 --> 00:11:32.779 And just a couple of weeks ago, we took our family up to a circus in Clarksville. 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:38.000 Now, I don't know what you have in mind when you think of circus, but just have this in mind. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:40.299 The whole circus could fit on this stage right here. 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:42.100 It wasn't a very large circus. 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:51.000 But what they did have was they had several camels there that for a small fee, you could let your kids ride around the circle and those things. 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:56.539 And I can remember sitting there thinking, because we're going through the book of James and seeing these camels, 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:58.419 because you don't see camels that often. 00:11:58.419 --> 00:12:04.959 And so seeing these camels, and every single one of those camels had these giant calluses on all of their knees. 00:12:05.479 --> 00:12:08.979 From the constant getting up and down and using their knees for that. 00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:15.059 And it reminded me how incredible is it that this was James' nickname. 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:20.839 That he was known so much for being constant in prayer, going to God in everything, 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:24.899 that he had calluses on his knees that people began to call them Old Camel Knees. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:29.500 What an encouragement for us to go to God in everything. 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:34.360 The next thing we should do in regards to prayer is to pray for the sick. 00:12:35.079 --> 00:12:35.399 He says, 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:39.759 And the prayer of the faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:42.399 And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:48.519 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:53.139 The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:59.179 In verse 14, James, before this, was speaking of anointing with oil. 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:05.580 And there's a lot of speculation around anointing with oil, and the necessity of it, or the importance of it. 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:12.620 And the thing is, this is the only place where we see this emphasis placed on anointing with oil, 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:15.240 which leads to a lot of speculation. 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:24.159 But because of its infrequent use, we realize that it's not a necessity, it's not a requirement for praying for someone. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:27.019 Douglas Moo, he notes, he says, 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:36.919 Anointing, whatever it signifies, is clearly subordinate to James' main concern in these verses, and that's to pray. 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:41.959 Whether or not we use oil or not is clearly not the emphasis. 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:47.519 The emphasis in this passage is to pray for those who are sick. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.879 And it's important that we do this. 00:13:50.479 --> 00:13:54.599 Now, we already dealt with much of what this passage does not mean, 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:58.259 but we should never be dismissive with this passage either. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:14:01.259 We should never just think, well, since I can't really comprehend it, 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:04.699 we're just going to assume that it doesn't mean anything to us anymore. 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:10.140 If we go down that road, then what we're saying is that the Bible isn't relevant for us today. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:13.900 If we go down that road, what we're saying, what we're communicating is, 00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:17.900 is that we believe the Bible was relevant for a certain time, but not today. 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:21.580 And if we believe that, then what's the point in studying it? 00:14:22.040 --> 00:14:25.400 Then what's the point of diving in and going into it? 00:14:25.400 --> 00:14:28.840 But we believe that these words are God's word, 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:31.640 and we believe that it has a message for us today. 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:35.740 And I think it's clear that we are to pray for one another. 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:38.679 There is a clear call to pray for the sick, 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:42.600 but this is not a call to be dismissive about medical advances 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:45.799 or to not take medication or to go to doctors, 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:50.600 nor is it a call to only see miraculous quick healings. 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:55.199 It's not something for us to see only for the miraculous quick healings. 00:14:55.539 --> 00:15:00.059 Sometimes we understand that God heals over a long period of time. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:03.079 Sometimes it's a long process. 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:08.979 Also, we shouldn't see the power in the elders that are talked about in this passage. 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:12.179 Clearly, the elders are to go and pray, 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:17.019 and they are to be the ones who are setting the example and leading in this. 00:15:17.219 --> 00:15:19.959 But the power is not in the elders. 00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:21.759 The power is in God. 00:15:22.339 --> 00:15:26.379 And it's His power and sovereignty that we rely on in prayer. 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:31.100 And so this understanding of where prayer and authority lies 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:34.340 takes us right into verses 17 and 18. 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:37.159 And this next thing that we should remember about prayer 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:39.960 is honestly incredibly encouraging, 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:43.679 and we should remember to pray with power. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.679 Pray with power. 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:46.439 It says, 00:15:46.440 --> 00:16:08.100 This honestly, I think, is one of the most incredible verses, 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:10.900 incredible sections of this entire book. 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:16.139 James gives an example of who we would consider a hero of the faith, right? 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.779 Elijah. 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:19.720 This is the one who calls down fire from heaven. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:22.480 He's challenging all the bells on Mount Carmel, 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:24.959 and he's calling down fire from heaven. 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:27.679 And so, yes, this is a hero of the faith. 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.659 He's also one who prayed, 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:31.519 and for three and a half years, 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:33.740 it didn't rain because he prayed. 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:35.379 And then he prays again, 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:37.939 and heaven sent forth the rain. 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:40.400 This is somebody who has faith. 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:42.380 This is somebody who's incredible. 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:45.220 This is a hero of the faith if there's ever one. 00:16:45.900 --> 00:16:47.600 But then James says this. 00:16:48.140 --> 00:16:48.500 He says, 00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:53.180 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.860 In other words, 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.940 Elijah has nothing on you and me. 00:16:57.920 --> 00:16:58.740 Elijah doesn't have, 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:01.500 the power's not in Elijah. 00:17:02.020 --> 00:17:04.680 The power's in the God who Elijah serves, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.820 who has the infinitely great power, 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:10.659 and that same God is the God that we serve today. 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:13.579 And so we see that we can pray with power. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:16.639 He has a nature like ours. 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:19.599 Yes, he had these incredible things that happened, 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:22.679 but it's the same God that we serve today. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:26.119 Elijah had struggles like you and me. 00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:29.179 You would think after calling down fire from heaven, 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.819 you would think after praying 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:35.099 and God holding back the rain for three and a half years, 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:36.899 and then him praying again 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:38.759 and God sending the rain, 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:41.480 you would think that that would cause 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:43.039 a great amount of faith in him 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:44.519 that he wouldn't even struggle with faith. 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:48.319 He wouldn't even struggle with fears of other people anymore 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.859 because he had such great faith. 00:17:50.139 --> 00:17:52.879 But what you see happening immediately after 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:55.240 this great showdown on Mount Carmel 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.980 is him going on the run. 00:17:57.659 --> 00:17:58.959 You see him running, 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:00.379 being fearful, 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:02.980 going through bouts of depression 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:05.400 and struggling in his walk. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:07.940 You see it over and over again. 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.760 And so what we're reminded of is 00:18:09.760 --> 00:18:13.420 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, 00:18:13.540 --> 00:18:16.260 but he had a great faith in God. 00:18:16.760 --> 00:18:20.080 Let us pray with God's power in mind 00:18:20.080 --> 00:18:21.440 and not ours. 00:18:22.280 --> 00:18:25.340 If you let your strength and your power 00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:27.620 dictate what you pray for, 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:30.019 then your prayers are going to be far less 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.459 than what God desires. 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:35.799 If our prayers only look at our strength 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.459 and what we can do, 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:39.779 then they're going to be very ineffective. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:44.179 Let our prayers be God-sized prayers. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:47.239 Let our prayers do essentially what Elijah was doing. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:50.239 Let our prayers line up with God has already promised, 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:52.019 what God has already commanded. 00:18:52.219 --> 00:18:54.199 Finally, in regards to prayer, 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:56.379 we must pray for the lost. 00:18:56.380 --> 00:19:01.660 So pray with power as we pray for the lost. 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:05.120 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:07.560 and someone brings him back, 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:10.260 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner 00:19:10.260 --> 00:19:13.280 from his wandering will save his soul from death 00:19:13.280 --> 00:19:16.320 and will cover a multitude of sins. 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:19.340 You see, James closes the book here by saying 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:21.800 that we should be about the ministry 00:19:21.800 --> 00:19:25.060 of bringing people to faith in Christ, 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:27.639 going after those who are struggling. 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:30.099 If we see someone wandering away, 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:32.319 we are to go after them. 00:19:32.679 --> 00:19:35.879 If we see somebody struggling and pulling away, 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:37.559 we're to go after them. 00:19:38.179 --> 00:19:41.679 My girls, they love to play out in the woods at our house. 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.980 And we live in a neighborhood, 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:44.819 so there's not a whole lot of woods for them to play in, 00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:47.480 but they love to go out and play in the woods. 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.799 There's a little creek and things 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.319 they love to go down to and play. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:52.919 And sometimes it makes Catherine a little nervous 00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:54.659 for them to go play out in the woods. 00:19:55.179 --> 00:19:55.639 And I'm thinking, 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:57.259 you should have seen what I did growing up. 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:59.960 But sometimes it makes her a little nervous. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:01.679 And so she likes to be able to see them. 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.439 She likes for them to be able to hear her 00:20:03.439 --> 00:20:04.899 when they call their name. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:07.539 And so one time, not too long ago, 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:11.779 she had gone outside and she couldn't see them anywhere. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:14.019 And so she started calling their name 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.639 and they didn't respond. 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.200 They didn't call back. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:19.840 Well, I'll tell you what she didn't do. 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.180 She didn't go inside and say, 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:23.140 well, hopefully they'll come back at some point. 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:26.400 No, she started screaming loud enough 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:28.380 that if they were in a neighbor's house, 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:30.440 they would have been able to hear from inside the house. 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.500 It was quite embarrassing for me, 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:34.019 but it was one of them. 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:36.620 But the kids heard and they came back very quickly. 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:38.140 They were scared as well. 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.900 But that's what we're gonna see. 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:44.559 Somebody who's wandering away is not an inconvenience. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:47.740 A brother or sister wandering is not an inconvenience. 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.919 It's an emergency. 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:53.200 If we hear a brother and sister wandering away, 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:55.000 struggling with some sin, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:58.220 our job is not to gossip about them. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:01.039 That's what James has already warned us about. 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:03.599 Our job is not to gossip about them. 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.139 It's not to ignore them. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:07.240 It's to go after them. 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:11.039 If we hear of people that have never heard the gospel, 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:14.319 it's our job to take the gospel to them. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:20.139 This is where those God-sized prayer happen in a powerful way. 00:21:20.899 --> 00:21:22.659 You see, God does the saving, 00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:25.899 but he uses us in this process. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:28.099 God does the saving. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.700 It's all him, 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:32.579 but he's chosen to use us to be a part of it. 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.539 Paul, he tells us, he says, 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:36.720 if you've been reconciled, 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:39.659 then you've been given to the ministry of reconciliation. 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.319 In other words, if you've been saved, 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:47.019 God wants to use you in the process of saving others. 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:50.279 This is an important thing for us to remember here. 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:52.779 James wrote one letter, 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:55.700 and what is on his mind at the end of the letter 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:57.339 is straying people, 00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:59.079 people who are walking away, 00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.879 who are leaving. 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:02.679 He has the heart of a pastor, 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:05.100 and James, in doing this, 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:08.160 reminds us of the heart of his older brother. 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:11.320 In going after those who are wandering, 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:14.279 James reminds us of the heart of his older brother, 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:14.799 Jesus. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.100 Because you see, 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:19.640 Jesus is the ultimate good shepherd that came for us. 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.220 When we were lost, 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.480 when we were wandering, 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.740 when we were not, 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:26.240 when we were dead in our trespasses and sins, 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:28.880 that's when Jesus came for us. 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.779 He didn't ignore us and hope, 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:32.620 well, hopefully they'll come back at some point. 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:36.000 No, he left the glory of heaven, 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:38.500 lived the life that we couldn't live 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:41.299 so that we could have a relationship with him. 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:45.120 This is the heart of our Savior. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:48.059 This is the heart of James. 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:50.500 This is the heart that he wants us to have, 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:53.579 those who are wandering to go after them. 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:55.500 When we were lost, 00:22:55.659 --> 00:22:56.819 Jesus came for us. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:23:00.859 May our prayers reflect this heart. 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:03.980 I'm sure that you've probably heard this question 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:06.039 a hundred times from a hundred different pastors, 00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:08.500 but it's still very powerful and telling. 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:11.960 If God were to answer every single prayer 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.720 you prayed over the last week, 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:17.879 if he just blanket answered every single prayer 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:19.379 you prayed over the last week, 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:21.879 how many people would come to faith in him? 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:26.040 How many people would be saved 00:23:26.040 --> 00:23:27.480 because of our prayers? 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:31.520 We should pray for those who are lost. 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:33.640 We should pray with power for those. 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:37.180 For James, prayer is never in isolation for him. 00:23:37.520 --> 00:23:39.500 Now, I don't mean that James never prayed alone. 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:42.080 I don't think you get a nickname like old camel knees 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:44.060 if you're not constantly in prayer with others 00:23:44.060 --> 00:23:46.160 and alone by yourself. 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:48.120 But what I mean when I say, 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.280 for James, prayer is never in isolation, 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.940 is that James understood 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:54.619 that we are the hands and feet of Jesus. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.759 That yes, we pray, 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:59.859 but we also put that prayer into action. 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:02.299 James has made it abundantly clear 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:04.519 as we've made our way through this text. 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:08.119 And this is why context is so important 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:10.019 because it helps us to understand 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.480 these difficult passages. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:13.000 He's made it very clear 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:14.440 that prayer should be something 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:16.839 that is very, very important in our lives. 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.439 from chapter one 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:20.519 and then now here in chapter five, 00:24:20.659 --> 00:24:24.139 he has put an emphasis on prayer in our lives. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:27.000 But what he's also done all throughout this 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:30.359 is show the need for putting our faith into action. 00:24:30.459 --> 00:24:32.039 Don't just be hearers of the word, 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:33.659 but be doers of the word. 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:37.079 Don't just hear about a need of somebody 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:39.179 and just say, hey, go in peace, 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.139 be warmed and filled 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:42.399 without giving them the things needed for the body. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:44.059 He says, don't do that. 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:47.879 He says, yes, pray, yes, put it into action. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.299 And so for James, 00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:51.960 there's always this connection of prayer 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:54.859 and being the hands and feet of Jesus. 00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:57.980 But then he also says in 127, 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:01.879 religion that is pure and undefiled before God, 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.559 the father is this, 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:06.740 to visit orphans and widows in their affliction 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:10.519 and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:13.480 James clearly calls us to pray in this book. 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:16.759 And James clearly calls us to act in this book. 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:20.819 Prayer and action almost always go hand in hand. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.660 Throughout this book, 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:25.860 James returns repeatedly to how faith 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:30.200 not only impacts the details of our lives, 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:32.559 but also the lives of those around us, 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:34.779 both locally and globally. 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.980 Platt notes, he says, 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:39.920 faith moves Christians to lead Bible studies 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.279 in workplaces and neighborhoods. 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:45.720 It leads us to help addicts in rehabilitation centers, 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:47.639 to serve food in homeless shelters, 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:50.200 teach orphans in training and learning centers, 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:52.160 care for widows in retirement homes, 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.339 provide hospice care for the elderly, 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.500 train men and women in job skills, 00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:57.859 tutor men and women in reading, 00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:00.000 rock sick babies in hospitals, 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.839 help patients in AIDS clinics, 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:04.180 teach English to internationals, 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:06.500 and the list goes on and on. 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:10.920 Faith moves Christians to take steps of radical obedience 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:15.299 to make the gospel known all around the world. 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:18.779 Faith leads us to action. 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:21.920 And it's our hope and prayer as a church 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:23.980 that not only do we teach this, 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:27.400 not only do we teach that faith leads to action, 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:31.740 but we also give opportunities to actually put this into practice. 00:26:32.280 --> 00:26:36.019 About three weeks into our study of the book of James, 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:38.660 we were talking about this verse 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:41.100 and this pure and undefiled religion 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:43.360 and what it is of caring for orphans, 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.320 caring for widows, 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.700 doing these types of ministry. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:48.980 And what we did was we highlighted a ministry 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.740 that was being reestablished then, 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.820 shepherd staff, 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:56.200 of those who are going out to visit people within our church 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.960 who are no longer able to attend 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.740 as much as they would like to 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:01.200 because of health concerns. 00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:02.779 And in doing so, 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:06.220 we had over 60 people sign up 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.960 to be a part of shepherd staff. 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:10.000 Over 60 people sign up 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:12.240 to want to be a part of this ministry. 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:16.980 Well, today we want to bring another need before us as well. 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:19.379 Today we're going to provide another opportunity 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:22.440 for ministry and caring for the least of these. 00:27:23.320 --> 00:27:26.440 Compassion International is a well-respected organization 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:28.580 in the sponsorship community 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:31.220 and is known for their accountability 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:33.040 and transparency in finances. 00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:35.540 In addition to this, 00:27:35.620 --> 00:27:38.940 I love their three-cord approach to ministry, 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:41.120 which states we are Christ-centered, 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:44.620 church-driven, and child-focused. 00:27:45.040 --> 00:27:47.700 Everything they do is centered around Christ 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:49.060 and what He's done for us. 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:52.520 And they do this by partnering with churches 00:27:52.520 --> 00:27:53.880 all around the world 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:56.720 and their focus is on children 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:58.540 and providing physical needs 00:27:58.540 --> 00:28:00.840 but ultimately spiritual needs for them. 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:04.300 My family has had the joy of sponsoring two children 00:28:04.300 --> 00:28:05.320 for many years now, 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.200 Hector and Desire, 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:09.220 and it's an encouragement for us and our family 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:12.160 to be able to get these letters from these children. 00:28:12.800 --> 00:28:14.360 Just about a month and a half ago, 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:14.800 I saw, 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:16.260 I didn't even realize they were doing it, 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:18.519 but I saw a letter going out 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.900 that was on our kitchen table 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.640 that was getting ready to be put in the mail 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:23.819 and where the kids had written letters 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:25.180 to the sponsored children. 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:27.160 It's an incredible opportunity. 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:29.200 I remember many years ago, 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.879 Tim Hale standing right here, 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:34.720 getting up and sharing about how he had sponsored some kids 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:37.420 and actually had the opportunity to go visit them 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:39.220 in the countries where they lived. 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:41.259 And it had an impact on me 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:43.400 and it caused me to step out and say, 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.839 you know what? 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.940 I think we can do that. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:48.680 And it's made an impact not only in our life, 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:51.059 but it's making an impact all over the world 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:53.160 in Hector and Desire's lives 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:56.079 where they're getting a gospel message presented to them. 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:58.620 Compassion also provides the opportunity 00:28:58.620 --> 00:29:00.200 for this correspondence 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:03.740 where you get to have that interaction with them. 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:07.539 When we were talking with compassion about this day, 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:12.359 they asked us where we wanted the sponsored kids from. 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:14.480 They said, is there a specific region 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:17.740 that you would like for us to send you cards from? 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:20.519 Or would you just like us to send you 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:24.139 the ones who are in most desperate need right now, 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:27.799 who've been waiting on a sponsor for a long time? 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.700 And I hope you know what we said. 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.700 We said, we want you to send us the ones 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.279 who've been waiting. 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:34.180 We want you to send us the ones 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:37.240 who've been longing for a sponsor for quite some time. 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:40.079 And so they sent us 50 of the most urgent needs. 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:43.579 And they also sent us 50 that are specifically from Kenya 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:46.460 because they heard of an ongoing efforts 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:48.960 to try to send teams to Kenya as well. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:51.920 And so today you have an opportunity 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:55.900 to be a part of partnering with other churches, 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:58.940 partnering with other churches around the world 00:29:58.940 --> 00:30:00.920 to be a part of the Great Commission, 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:04.039 to getting the gospel to the nations, 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.899 to getting the gospel to places 00:30:05.899 --> 00:30:07.899 that it would be very difficult for us 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:09.839 to go to on a regular basis. 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:13.359 And so I want to encourage you to pray about 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:16.339 the opportunity to be a sponsor today. 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:19.539 Now, this doesn't, I don't think that God 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:21.740 is necessarily calling every single person in here 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.440 to do that. 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.779 If that were the case, 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:25.819 we'd have got a lot more than 100 cards. 00:30:26.379 --> 00:30:28.879 But I do believe that God is calling some of us 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:29.960 to be a part of this. 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:32.539 And it's an incredible opportunity 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:35.660 where we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus, 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:38.160 where we get to share the gospel 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:40.319 with those all around the world. 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:43.120 And so I want to encourage you with that today. 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:45.019 But I also want to encourage you, 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:46.059 if you're here today, 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:49.340 you've never placed your faith and your trust in Jesus, 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:52.799 understand that we have a good shepherd. 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:55.220 That while we may be wandering, 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:57.980 while we may be trying to figure out 00:30:57.980 --> 00:31:00.380 what that next step is from our lives, 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:04.860 we have a Savior who left the glory of heaven for us. 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:07.079 And it's my hope and prayer 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:10.460 that today, if you have never placed your faith 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.259 and your trust in Him, 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:13.099 that today would be the day. 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:16.900 Today would be the day you go from death to life. 00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:19.079 Today would be the day that you begin 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:21.500 placing your faith in Jesus 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:24.720 and living a life that is faithful to Jesus. 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:27.740 Heavenly Father, we thank you so very much 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:30.680 for all that you do for us each and every day. 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:32.819 Lord, we thank you for the book of James. 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:36.880 We thank you for how James challenges us. 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:39.579 We thank you for how James encourages us. 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:44.000 And we thank you ultimately how James points us to you 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:45.319 as the source of our hope. 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:48.500 And so Lord, I pray that as we read through James, 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:51.640 that we would be reminded over and over again 00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:54.340 that faith in Christ, faith in you 00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:56.640 always produces faithfulness to you. 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.900 And so Lord, we thank you for that. 00:31:59.360 --> 00:32:02.060 And Lord, I pray that you be with us today, 00:32:02.540 --> 00:32:05.060 be with us, help us to be encouraged 00:32:05.060 --> 00:32:07.180 that there are needs all around the world 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:09.700 and that you have called us to be the hands and feet 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.980 to help meet those needs. 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:13.500 So thank you so much for organizations 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:15.120 like Compassion International 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:16.640 that give us those opportunities. 00:32:17.300 --> 00:32:18.540 But Lord, I also pray 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:21.960 that if it's not sponsoring through compassion, 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:23.440 that you would make our minds 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:26.000 and hearts aware of those needs 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:29.180 and to give us wisdom and guidance 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:33.079 as we think about how we can be your hands and feet 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:34.559 and meet those needs. 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:35.799 We love you. 00:32:35.899 --> 00:32:36.940 We thank you for Jesus. 00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:38.700 And it's in his name we pray. 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.379 Amen. 00:32:39.379 --> 00:32:39.619 Amen.