James helped them and us see that our faith is more than just a set of beliefs or religious boxes to be checked. Our faith is active, impacting every area of our lives.
- How we see and handle trials.
- How to treat others.
- How our actions need to match our words.
- That our faith causes us to walk in wisdom, humility and in contentment.
Our faith is active, it’s visionary and risky. It allows what you believe about God to DRIVE your whole life. Faith affects…
- How you parent.
- How you date.
- How you handle your career.
- How you express your sexuality
- How you spend your time & money.
James concludes his letter with his final words of encouragement to help them live out their faith and finish strong.
- TO BE PATIENT
[James 5:7]
“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return.”
Waiting patiently for anything isn’t easy! I HATE waiting!!! We live in a culture that wants everything NOW.
Physical transformation doesn’t happen overnight and James knows that spiritual transformation doesn’t either. It’s a process of becoming more like Jesus
[Romans 12:1-2]
“And so, dear brother and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
James gives an Example of patience:
[James 5:7b-8]
“Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, to, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
[James 5: 10-11]
“For example of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.”
Our greatest growth happens when we patiently endure trials.
[James 5:9 &12]
“Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look- the judge is standing at the door.” “But most of all, my brothers and sister, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.”
2 – TO PRAY
So instead of losing patience we grumble and complain and say things we don’t mean when suffering comes… James says to pray!
[James 5:13-15]
“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.”
Prayer puts us in our place. God first, me second.
[Proverbs 3:5-6]
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
[James 5:16-17]
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS, BECAUSE PRAYER CHANGES PEOPLE WHO PRAY.
[1 John 5:15]
“And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.”
[James 5:18]
“Elijah was a human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and half years. Then, he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield it’s crops.”
3 – TO PURSUE THE WANDERERS.
[James 5:19-20]
“My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”
_____________________________________________________________
Application Questions
- What stood out to you from this message and why?
- What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
- What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
- How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?