Thoughtful Thoughts 13.12.24 by John Dunning. 

James Part 7 Chapter 5:7-20

Introduction… 

James was murdered for being a Messianic Jewish follower of Jesus, as the Christ. He was thrown off the Temple roof and stoned. He died forgiving his murderers. What we read from him, he put into practice.

A). 5:7-12: Patience in suffering…

James returns to the topic of not giving up when temptation and trials come, in James 5:7-12; (having been mentioned at first in James 1:2-4.) He encouraged his spiritual ‘brethren’ to wait patiently for the appearance of Jesus. James used the illustration of a farmer waiting patiently for the harvest to grow.

James uses an example of the faithful who have gone before… in this instance, Job, who patiently trusted in God throughout the time of his trial. God thought so highly of Job, that He praised his faithfulness. Job was sure that a day of comfort would be coming (5:7-11). God’s faithful people should be inspired by the faithfulness of those who have gone before us… and copy them. 

The ungodly, the rich, and even other some Christians may make life very difficult for the faithful, but God is trustworthy and true and a day is coming when God will put wrongs right, (5:7-11). James reminds us to stick to the truth (5:12) and do what we promise; (ie to have integrity.) 

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B). James 5:13-20 The Power of Prayer

Be a witness in times of trial, through singing and prayer. (5:13-15). Pray for one another, confessing sin to each other, as God hears the prayer of the righteous, (5:16-18). If a fellow believer gives up, help win them back, in order to save them. (5:19-20).

James finishes by appealing to believers not to swear oaths, and he quotes Jesus who said, “let your ”yes” be yes and your “no” be no...”

—James reminds them of the value and power of prayer. If anyone is sick, they should call on the elders to anoint them with oil and pray for them; (and part of that is to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

— James tells them to remember that the prayer of a righteous person has “great power” and reminds his Messianic Jewish readers about Elijah the prophet, whose prayers stopped rain from falling on Israel for six months.

—Lastly, James wrote about the beauty of repentance and the importance of appealing to those who desert  their faith in Jesus. James promises that “Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

James puts flesh on the meaning of discipleship… making discipleship, meaningful…

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Summary of James…

Revision!  

Listen to the audio of James at the link provided in the epilogue below…

Faithfulness in our faith 1:1-2:26

Chapter 1 Keeping on, keeping on

1:1-12 Perseverance 

1:13-18 Overcoming temptation 

1:19-27 Faith shown

Chapter 2 Faith demonstrated

2:1-13 Favouritism 

2:14-26 Faith’s faithfulness

Chapter 3; Faith’s qualities

3:1-12 The tongue

3:13-18 Wisdom

Chapters 4 - 5:6 Faith’s conflicts

Pleasures/temptations/judging 4:1-12

Money 4:13-5:6

James 5:7-20.  Patient faithfulness & prayer

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Epilogue

How can we ever attain such high standards?

Some may think they are clever enough to hide their deeds from God. Adam thought that too after he sinned… Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

In Acts 2:37, a man asks Peter what to do to be saved… Peter answers in Acts 2.38 that he had to repent, get immersed in water, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is better to be humble before God, by repenting and confessing our sins and finding forgiveness in Jesus, rather than the alternative…

Jesus said; “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

Jesus said the Holy Spirit will; “be with you forever… He dwells with you and will be in you”; (John 14:16-17).

God puts His Spirit in His disciples to create new creatures. The answer is to submit to God.

If disciples go back to a past life, pursuing selfish passions, the Holy Spirit can leave. But if we resist the devil, he will “flee” from us. 

We will finish looking at the book of James here. 

As Jesus came at the time of Tabernacles at the end of September/beginning of October, we will look next week at what happened to the original story of the incarnation…!

It would be encouraging should you wish to write in, at media@inspirational.org.nz

This is John Dunning signing off from “Thoughtful Thoughts” for another week.

a). Audio of the book of James at this link… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgfkdA3fjqk

b). For all the James teaching videos in MP4 format to download, click- HERE -

c). If you would like a “taster” of what Christians have done, Rev. Dr. Victor Pierce has made a study of it, which you can see here…

https://www.inspirational.org.nz/products/what-the-world-owes-to-christians

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