24 January 2010

James 5:7-20

7Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.

13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

A Fellowship of Concern - Rev. David Bisgrove

8th Sermon in Series - The Gospel in Community - The Book of James

• Essence of Christianity is not what you've done, but on what Jesus has done, yet its still based on how you live your life.
• Patience and prayer are important.
• Impatience happens when we don't get our way
• Patience flow from self-centerness and self absorption run amok
• Keep in mind how patient God is with you and be patient because eventually Jesus will make everything right
• Illness could be a method God uses to make you more spiritual by messing you up physically
• Prayer fosters love---its difficult to hold ill feelings for someone when you are praying for them
• You have to take your own prayers as seriously as God does