WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:03.020 James five for us is a body of believers. 00:00:03.100 --> 00:00:09.760 I don't know about you, but in going through the book of James together, I can say this has been like a spiritual boot camp for me. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:12.830 James is just cut to the chase. 00:00:12.940 --> 00:00:14.910 This is what it looks like to walk with Jesus. 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:16.520 Go for it. 00:00:16.520 --> 00:00:17.460 Or just call. 00:00:17.880 --> 00:00:19.160 Call yourself a quitter, right. 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:27.440 And he just outlines for us when we when we recklessly abandon all of our life for ourself 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:28.990 and give it to Christ. 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:30.500 This is what it looks like. 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:37.720 That's James chapter one, temptations and trials that we go through thinking of widows and orphans, those who can't give 00:00:37.720 --> 00:00:39.100 in return. 00:00:39.100 --> 00:00:45.960 Chapter two treating how we treat everyone regardless of where they are in life, rich or poor, sickness and health. 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:48.760 Whatever you said in your marital vows, it doesn't matter. 00:00:48.760 --> 00:00:52.000 God has called us to love them in the in the world. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:55.140 They are created in God's image and we are all made equal in him. 00:00:55.220 --> 00:00:57.620 And we reflect that in the way that we treat one another. 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:03.720 In chapter two, it ends with saying this your faith is intended to be seen. 00:01:04.459 --> 00:01:09.580 The Bible very clearly tells us that faith alone is that is what saves you. 00:01:09.600 --> 00:01:11.160 It's faith alone that saves you. 00:01:11.460 --> 00:01:14.700 But faith that saves you should never be alone. 00:01:14.960 --> 00:01:19.660 We demonstrate it and we show it by the works in our lives. 00:01:19.800 --> 00:01:24.420 What Christ is doing on the inside demonstrates itself on the outside. 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:31.440 And so, James, when he talks about that relationship with God being reflected into the world in chapter three, he starts talking about the words that we express 00:01:31.440 --> 00:01:32.700 the tongue. 00:01:33.600 --> 00:01:39.260 A good way to examine our own heart is found in the way that we choose to demonstrate it by the words that we say. 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:44.360 Sometimes we have this tendency of fooling ourselves into thinking, when I said the bad things, that really wasn't me. 00:01:44.360 --> 00:01:45.380 The good things were me. 00:01:45.380 --> 00:01:47.400 But the Bible says, no, it's all you. 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:50.440 Yes, you were created in God's image, but you're also a fallen creature. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:52.920 And there's this war that's taking place within you. 00:01:52.940 --> 00:01:56.040 In fact, at the end of chapter three and four, he talks about that war. 00:01:57.020 --> 00:01:59.700 And there's a place for us to be honest with that. 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:05.500 And in fact, at the end of right in the middle of chapter four, he tells us this, that we should take time to grieve over our sin. 00:02:06.740 --> 00:02:14.100 And it's not for the purpose to say, I'm a really bad person or it's not to wallow in that sin, but the purpose of us examining 00:02:14.100 --> 00:02:21.140 our life and sin is to recognize that while sin may have power, and while we may fall into the temptation 00:02:21.140 --> 00:02:24.080 of sin, the glory and grace of Christ is far greater. 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:31.640 And no matter how deep the sin may go, Jesus's grace far outweighs all of that. 00:02:31.760 --> 00:02:33.380 Christ can set us free. 00:02:35.040 --> 00:02:35.730 And it was our sin. 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:38.790 Our sin that put him on the cross. 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:42.400 And sometimes we like to undermine it. 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:44.620 You know, we sin. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:46.180 We think, ah, no big, no big deal. 00:02:46.640 --> 00:02:47.820 Go down the streets way worse than me. 00:02:47.880 --> 00:02:48.290 I'm all right. 00:02:50.460 --> 00:02:54.900 But the set for a minute in the midst of that sin and just think it was my sin. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:02:57.740 Cost. 00:02:57.800 --> 00:02:57.920 Jesus. 00:02:58.980 --> 00:02:59.380 His life. 00:03:02.180 --> 00:03:02.900 That's serious. 00:03:05.020 --> 00:03:12.160 But how beautiful the grace of God is seen, that he would demonstrate his love to me and giving 00:03:12.160 --> 00:03:12.920 his life. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:21.260 And no matter how great sin may look, the glory and grace of God that wants to be made known in my life is far greater. 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:25.050 End of chapter four and chapter five. 00:03:25.200 --> 00:03:29.650 Then James talks about the way that we choose to live our life, and he addresses that of a job. 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:33.680 And we said this good, good doesn't necessarily mean godly. 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:39.080 Just because you live a good life, it doesn't mean that you live a godly life. 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:47.780 In the chapter four, James is talking about a businessman who's going to the world, and he's working and he's providing, and he and he has means 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:51.680 in his family's taken care of, and he's got the boat, he's got the cars, he's got the house. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:55.330 And everyone in America would look back and say to that, he's got a good life. 00:03:55.900 --> 00:03:56.700 He's not a mean guy. 00:03:57.020 --> 00:03:58.100 He's not he's not a bad guy. 00:03:58.180 --> 00:03:58.710 He's a good neighbor. 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:00.440 Moses lawn once a week. 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:02.900 In fact, he tells me when I haven't mowed mine, he's a good guy. 00:04:03.420 --> 00:04:04.480 Picture perfect. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:04.640 Right? 00:04:05.820 --> 00:04:06.580 But good's not godly. 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:14.060 And the only way that we get to a life that lives in godliness isn't by trying, trying to be more good. 00:04:14.600 --> 00:04:15.200 Is that even possible? 00:04:15.620 --> 00:04:16.100 We're good. 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:16.839 Trying to be better. 00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:20.490 It's by giving your heart to Christ. 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:25.100 So the transformation that takes place isn't on the external, but it's from the inside out. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:32.220 And I can go in my life and I can live good all the days of my life, but none of it will ever be to the glory of God, and none of it will ever be for his intentions and purposes. 00:04:33.540 --> 00:04:40.600 All the plans that you make are good, but the way that we learn to use our plans before the Lord is to make them with hands open, saying, 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:41.500 God, I'm making these plans. 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:43.780 I'm doing the things that I think that you called me to do in this world. 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:45.880 But Lord, if they're not, take them from me. 00:04:46.700 --> 00:04:50.820 Because ultimately, God, the best place for me to be is in the center of your will. 00:04:52.340 --> 00:04:53.080 And that's James. 00:04:55.630 --> 00:04:58.300 Good life isn't godly life, but one centered in Jesus. 00:04:58.700 --> 00:05:00.170 That's what God has called us to. 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:06.220 James comes in a chapter five today, and he concludes with this thought again. 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:08.450 He talks about the idea of suffering. 00:05:10.200 --> 00:05:16.780 He comes in suffering, and then he couples that with a thought of prayer, maybe intertwined with that of suffering. 00:05:16.780 --> 00:05:19.370 How do we endure in the midst of suffering? 00:05:19.580 --> 00:05:24.960 And I can tell you this morning, if you feel like, if you feel like you're in that place, you'll find some things that are applicable to you, to your life. 00:05:24.960 --> 00:05:28.480 But I just want to set this basis for the text to be true to the text. 00:05:28.520 --> 00:05:34.560 When James is writing this in chapter five, he's writing to believers who have, and are risking their lives for Christ. 00:05:35.880 --> 00:05:43.500 And they're being beaten and battered by their relationships in this world and maybe even at risk of their family relationships 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:50.020 to the point that it could even cost their lives, their family turns them into to the Jewish people, and they find themselves killed. 00:05:50.020 --> 00:05:52.280 In fact, that's the result of James life. 00:05:52.340 --> 00:05:54.160 James dies as a martyr for Christ. 00:05:55.500 --> 00:06:02.760 And so he's answering this question on that backdrop when life's pressure is just insurmountable by my strength, 00:06:03.020 --> 00:06:04.980 how do I endure that suffering? 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:14.720 Jesus promised in John 1633 says this in this world you will have much 00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:15.440 tribulation. 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:21.900 The Apostle Paul in Acts 14 said we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:24.720 And so how do you endure? 00:06:24.880 --> 00:06:31.880 Suffering is an important question for us to answer, because life will provide temptation and escape from what God 00:06:31.880 --> 00:06:34.440 has called us to do in relationship to him. 00:06:37.020 --> 00:06:40.820 When you see Jesus's plan for the world as we endure. 00:06:43.020 --> 00:06:50.580 We are God, we see that God is not going to address all wrongs in this world necessarily now, 00:06:50.580 --> 00:06:52.340 but rather when he returns. 00:06:54.200 --> 00:06:58.410 When Christ returns, he reconciles and brings justice. 00:06:59.820 --> 00:07:01.540 For sin. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:03.940 But until he returns. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:08.800 Ultimately, we rest in the question, Lord, how do we endure? 00:07:11.320 --> 00:07:14.300 A biblical approach to suffering reminds us of this. 00:07:14.440 --> 00:07:21.440 It does not necessarily dictate that the suffering itself will end, but God rather shows us how to have strength through the suffering 00:07:21.440 --> 00:07:23.180 and gives it purpose and meaning. 00:07:25.380 --> 00:07:27.240 I believe this about God's people. 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:30.820 God will never waste the suffering of his saints. 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:34.900 God ultimately always brings redemption to it. 00:07:36.140 --> 00:07:39.840 And the example that we always pull from when we think of that is Christ on the cross. 00:07:41.700 --> 00:07:49.140 If God could take such a despicable moment, such a despicable way of torture, and make it the emblem of 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:57.020 pronunciation and glory of the church, thought of the cross to us, no longer as one of shame, but 00:07:57.020 --> 00:07:59.100 a reminder of the glory to come because of Jesus. 00:08:00.340 --> 00:08:04.380 If God could take such a horrendous thing and turn it into something glorious for him, what? 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:05.700 What could he do for us? 00:08:07.430 --> 00:08:08.260 How do you endure suffering? 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:17.400 James, when he starts this passage, he draws three illustrations for us and James chapter five and verse seven, 00:08:17.460 --> 00:08:18.860 the first example he gives. 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:22.290 You're going to have to click for me. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:23.260 Mike, I don't have power. 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:28.340 The first example that he gives is one of a farmer. 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:32.799 When you think about the thought of a farmer, my mind, my mind tends to think this way. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:35.820 Those are tough guys and they like to work and sweat. 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:35.940 Right? 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:39.809 Those are those are the good old boys and they endure. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:41.080 Excuse me. 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:43.780 Endure, but enjoy just laboring from the hand. 00:08:44.420 --> 00:08:48.920 The thought of a farmer is a good reflection back into Genesis three when the creation story takes place. 00:08:49.020 --> 00:08:49.540 Man sins. 00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:56.290 God says, by the sweat of our brow and by the thorns you know the thorns of the ground, you will be reminded of this curse. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:09:00.220 This is to say, if you're a farmer, that's a great way to put hair on your chest, right? 00:09:00.560 --> 00:09:02.800 So ladies, don't do don't farm. 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:07.680 But farmers are seen as a great picture of a man's man. 00:09:07.680 --> 00:09:10.260 You know, when I think about farming today, I see it that way. 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:23.400 And then when I think about farming 200 years ago, it 00:09:23.400 --> 00:09:23.620 just blows my mind. 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:23.620 Could you imagine someone says to you, here's rocky soil, we want you to take this ox and this plow and dig all of that up. 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:27.920 I would sit back and say, where's the tractor with the air conditioning, I don't do I don't do animals that can think for themselves. 00:09:28.260 --> 00:09:30.060 I don't walk behind things that poo as they go. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:31.660 I don't, I don't I don't do that. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:35.020 The farmers. 00:09:36.640 --> 00:09:37.200 They're built tough. 00:09:39.040 --> 00:09:39.900 And they think about the prize. 00:09:41.540 --> 00:09:43.240 And you can ask the question about the farmer. 00:09:43.260 --> 00:09:44.760 How does a farmer do that? 00:09:44.780 --> 00:09:50.500 And you think about today we have all these tools and heavy machinery and stuff, simplicity to life they're supposed to bring. 00:09:50.760 --> 00:09:53.620 And I think when you look at the size of a farm, sometimes they enhance that. 00:09:54.020 --> 00:09:59.480 But you consider just a few hundred years ago the resources they had to use to till up the ground. 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:07.340 And you look at that today and you think about your desk job, you say, ah, ah, how do I think about getting through this? 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:11.360 What do I need to have on my mind to endure that labor in the field? 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:14.040 And for the farmer. 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.650 It's always the thought of the rewards. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:25.450 And it's no wonder at the end of harvest season that most cultures have some sort of celebration that takes place. 00:10:26.640 --> 00:10:31.280 All of that hard work culminating to joy about what's been accomplished in that field. 00:10:31.300 --> 00:10:37.000 Just thinking about the goal all season long, to see it take place and to celebrate with the family because everything's been provided for. 00:10:39.140 --> 00:10:40.920 And for the life of the Christian, it's the same thing. 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:43.880 God sees us as farmers. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:49.640 Going into this world, sowing seed, enduring knowing that we're going to face hardship. 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:52.500 Knowing sometimes you're walking behind the ox and he has dropped something. 00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:54.740 How do you make that? 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:56.020 How does it work? 00:10:57.920 --> 00:10:58.900 We think about the prize. 00:11:00.880 --> 00:11:08.080 At the end of the season, there will be a harvest of great joy and we will be celebrating of what God 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:10.520 has done in us and through us. 00:11:10.540 --> 00:11:16.140 And so he says this therefore be patient, brethren, look what they say in this passage three times James reminds us of this. 00:11:16.660 --> 00:11:20.040 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.840 This is the goal. 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:26.200 The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it until it gets the early and late rains. 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:30.240 You to be patient, strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 00:11:30.380 --> 00:11:33.920 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. 00:11:34.020 --> 00:11:36.560 Behold, the judge is standing right at the door. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:38.900 Jesus is coming at any moment. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.380 Just think of the reward. 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:42.060 Think of the goal. 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:43.500 Think of the prize. 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:49.600 As a farmer, you endure because in the moment of that suffering, the reward is far greater. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:53.260 Walking in faithfulness and Jesus is far better than simply giving up. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:56.540 Because if you give up, what do you have on your side? 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:58.620 It's about pursuing him. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:05.300 Think about that goal in chapter or excuse me, chapter five, verse 7 to 8. 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:12.280 When James talks about this word patience, he uses two different words in the Greek text in chapter seven and or excuse me, verse seven, eight and ten. 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:19.560 He uses the word patience for long suffering, but when he gets to chapter five and verse 11, the same word means to remain under. 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:24.260 It's saying to us to stay put when you feel like running away. 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:28.780 To remind yourself of the labor. 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:33.830 And to work for what Christ has called us to the ultimate glory in him. 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:37.880 God takes our hardships. 00:12:39.380 --> 00:12:40.520 And uses it for his glory. 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:42.800 In life. 00:12:42.800 --> 00:12:46.280 We're going to face hardships no matter what, and we can't escape it. 00:12:47.140 --> 00:12:48.210 We live in a sinful world. 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:54.060 But in Christ your suffering is redeemed for a greater glory to come. 00:12:56.180 --> 00:12:57.310 Knowing you're in suffering. 00:12:57.460 --> 00:13:01.160 If you're like me, I am really good at bringing out the flesh in trials. 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:09.300 I, I have an ability sometimes when bad things go wrong, to have this short temper or thought 00:13:09.300 --> 00:13:11.060 or fleshly thinking about it. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:14.750 And I think James knows that's human tendency and all of us. 00:13:14.780 --> 00:13:20.940 And so in verse nine, this is what he says to us, do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. 00:13:21.040 --> 00:13:23.920 Behold, the judge is standing right at the door. 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:29.780 So not only are we thinking about farming, but we think in that trial it becomes difficult for us. 00:13:29.880 --> 00:13:31.560 And you can have the ability to snap. 00:13:33.160 --> 00:13:34.220 In pressure. 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:37.080 Some of us don't always respond correctly in pressure. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:42.140 Some of us do respond correctly, but we look down upon those who don't. 00:13:42.140 --> 00:13:42.240 So. 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:46.440 But some of us just under pressure, we just we just snap in general. 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:53.710 And James is saying, don't get stressed out to the point you miss what God is ultimately doing. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:14:01.480 I heard a quote that says this conflict is inescapable because of the major differences between human beings. 00:14:02.540 --> 00:14:09.640 But the problem is not conflict itself, but how people relate to one another when they are enduring 00:14:09.640 --> 00:14:11.180 such conflict. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:15.660 When you go through seasons of pressure. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:18.960 Of stress, of suffering. 00:14:20.880 --> 00:14:28.740 That's a good opportunity when you know those times are upon you just to stop in those moments, come before the Lord and say, God, it's 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:33.800 not my power that will make it through here because it's about your glory being seen. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:40.880 It's not the fruit of the spirit working by my power, but the fruit of your spirit working by your power in me. 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:45.900 God, I'm not going to do this by being good, but rather I'm going to do this by being godly. 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:50.240 And God, I know what I'm about to go through is going to be hard. 00:14:51.900 --> 00:14:57.080 But no, Lord, I know that the fruit of your spirit is love and joy and peace and patience and goodness and kindness. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:15:01.780 And so, God, because your spirit bears that fruit, I'm surrendering that right now. 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:03.340 And God. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:06.960 So as I go through the suffering, help me to endure the way that you've called me to. 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:13.040 And James leaves the thought of the farmer, and then he goes on to the thought of the prophets. 00:15:13.280 --> 00:15:15.190 Go ahead and give me the next line of Scripture. 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:15.410 It says this. 00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:21.060 And as an example, brethren of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 00:15:22.380 --> 00:15:25.480 Anytime you want to think about godly individuals in the Old Testament, it's the prophets. 00:15:26.380 --> 00:15:29.350 Anytime you want to think about people that suffered in the Old Testament, it's the prophets. 00:15:30.140 --> 00:15:37.140 If you want a job that will surely, probably or most more than likely end in the loss of your life, or at least the loss of 00:15:37.140 --> 00:15:37.620 your friends. 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:39.490 In the Old Testament, it was the prophet. 00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:46.620 When God gave a prophet a message, it was generally to tell the people something that they weren't doing in recognition to the relationship with him. 00:15:47.640 --> 00:15:53.520 It was always a bad news bearer, or most of the time a bad news bears records in Scripture and he knows people. 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:53.840 You know what? 00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:56.580 We don't like to hear you telling me what I need to do. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.460 I'll sock you upside your head, son. 00:15:59.880 --> 00:16:00.540 That's the prophets. 00:16:01.280 --> 00:16:02.740 And that's the response that they got. 00:16:04.520 --> 00:16:07.780 And James says, just consider their example. 00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:16.180 You know, in my life right now, when I, when I read stories about even today in the church, Christians that are 00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:23.340 just being faithful, no matter the expense, I see that the loss of life takes place because of people of faith in Christ, and my heart grieves. 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:25.940 But there is a piece of me that rejoices over that. 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:31.280 To think, yes, they're faithful in Christ, even to the end. 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:38.960 And what encouragement that brings to my own life to hear that even though they're enduring such hardships that they're standing and so 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.720 can I stand just as they've stood. 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:47.060 You may not be aware of this, but right now in Iraq, you know that we've sent troops back to Iraq and they're fighting. 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:52.670 But one of the reasons they're fighting is because this Islamic power is now persecuting people, and they're going after Christians. 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:55.300 And this is taking place right now. 00:16:55.400 --> 00:17:02.620 Today, they're running into homes of people that they know are Christians, and they're tagging the Arabic word for in. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:06.960 It's like a down, a smiley face with a little dot on top, like a one eyed Cyclopes. 00:17:08.280 --> 00:17:10.869 And they're tagging on all the homes they know of people that are Christian. 00:17:11.280 --> 00:17:12.819 And that letter is the letter N. 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:15.560 What it stands for is a follower of the Nazarene who is Jesus. 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:19.700 And they have an option recant or die. 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.160 And you hear the stories. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:32.020 People who know that the reward to come is far greater than what this world has to offer. 00:17:33.760 --> 00:17:35.020 And they're laying down their lives. 00:17:37.560 --> 00:17:41.540 And James is saying to us, do you need encouragement in the midst of the things that you're going through? 00:17:43.800 --> 00:17:51.060 Your suffering on your part is a profession that is demonstrated that your faith isn't simply just a profession, but it's a possession. 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:58.740 And when you're tested in your life, it is validating for you that your faith is indeed genuine. 00:18:00.300 --> 00:18:07.400 When nothing is making sense and things are falling apart, and you're at a position where you can walk away from Christ and trust in your flesh, or just 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:09.480 stay the course in Jesus. 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:14.660 If you choose to stay the course in Christ, the genuineness of your faith is being made known. 00:18:15.760 --> 00:18:18.550 And just like the prophets, your life becomes an example. 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:25.440 The faithfulness of those before us as an example for godly living. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:30.760 Paul said in Romans 15, for everything that was written in the past was written to. 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:33.900 To teach us so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures, we. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.220 We might have hope. 00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:42.720 James then goes on and describes job, and he says in verse 11, we count those blessed who endured. 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:49.440 You have heard, heard of the endurance of job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:56.300 It's like to say this to us, uh, if I say, hey, think of an example of suffering in the Bible, and then everyone just says, job. 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.580 Yeah, that's it. 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:59.980 When you think of suffering, the answer is always job. 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:02.400 Job endured such difficult hardship. 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:03.440 And you know what I find in Scripture? 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:10.180 When job was enduring that sometimes he questioned God's will, but he never forsook his faith. 00:19:12.040 --> 00:19:19.100 In job 13, he had it out with the Lord and just talking to him about what he was going through, it says this in verse 15 Though he slay 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:20.950 me, I will hope in him. 00:19:21.760 --> 00:19:23.740 Nevertheless I will argue my ways before him. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.620 When he is talking to the Lord. 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.860 But his faith is there. 00:19:28.540 --> 00:19:36.420 He may not have all the answers, but he's trusting in him and suffering because he knows, regardless of the circumstance, God can take even the difficult moment and 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.480 use it for his glory. 00:19:38.800 --> 00:19:39.700 He did so at the cross. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:41.860 Bible tells us. 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:44.940 Give me a click in James or excuse me, Psalms chapter 23. 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.850 You guys know this. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:51.120 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:53.710 It gives us these promises as we're going through hardships. 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.450 One you're going to walk through difficulty. 00:19:56.040 --> 00:19:58.220 You're in the valleys, it says in the Psalms. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:19:59.260 But. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:06.780 But it also tells us that God is present with you, that God cares about you, and God is watching over you, that he will never 00:20:06.780 --> 00:20:08.900 waste the suffering of his saints. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.880 We go back for just a moment. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:18.960 So he concludes with verse 12 above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, not by heaven or by earth or anything else. 00:20:19.340 --> 00:20:21.140 All you need to say is a simple yes or no. 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:22.660 Otherwise you will not be condemned. 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:26.440 You always get to this place in our lives when not always. 00:20:26.540 --> 00:20:30.800 But we get to a place in our lives where sometimes things are so bad and we just make these promises to God. 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:34.660 God, if you just fix this, I'll go to church every day and it lasts like a month. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:39.340 God, if you just take this out, I promise, I promise, I promise. 00:20:40.540 --> 00:20:40.660 And. 00:20:42.080 --> 00:20:46.160 And there's a place where we need to just question our character in that. 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:51.630 Question her heart in that I don't doubt that the motivation for heart at that moment is genuine. 00:20:54.140 --> 00:21:00.140 But if you're at a place in your life where you've got to make promises to see something happen, it might be suggesting something about the consistency of your character in the past. 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:04.530 You haven't done it. 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.600 That's now while you're at a place where you've got to promise. 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:10.610 Why don't just let your yes be yes and your no be no. 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.280 God's promise. 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.070 He's with you. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:15.660 God's promise? 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.900 You're going through the valley, but he cares about you. 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:19.040 He's watching over you. 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:22.210 And just trust that he brings it for his greater good and glory. 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:27.490 And so then James comes, and James chapter five and verse 13, you can skip ahead to those passages. 00:21:27.780 --> 00:21:28.900 And he shares with us about prayer. 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.090 He says this. 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.480 Is anyone among you in trouble? 00:21:31.560 --> 00:21:31.800 Hey. 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.420 Suffering. 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:32.560 Right. 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:33.800 Let them pray. 00:21:33.800 --> 00:21:34.680 Good idea. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.870 You know, they say this. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:40.960 You get to a place in suffering where you realize prayer is just all that you have. 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:46.320 But when you're in that place, you realize prayer really is all you need. 00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:52.220 I need to connect with the one who is watching over me in these moments. 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.780 Has anyone among you suffering? 00:21:55.780 --> 00:21:56.760 Let him praise anyone. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.510 Is anyone happy? 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:59.180 Let them sing songs of praise. 00:21:59.180 --> 00:21:59.770 You know, when I look at that. 00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:02.290 And that's also a prayer to me in this whole context. 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:08.610 James talks about prayer and then all of a sudden he inserts this thought of song, and I see the song just as a thought of praise. 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:11.800 It's a prayer of praise to God and celebration. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:15.600 So it's saying to us as believers when things go wrong, pray. 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:17.010 God provides answers. 00:22:17.020 --> 00:22:18.940 Sing praises when things are going right. 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:21.800 When you're on the mountaintop, just continue to sing those praises regardless. 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:23.650 God is glorified in either way. 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:29.340 Whether you seek him in the valleys or you're celebrating him on the mountaintops, God is always glorified because you're walking with him. 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:31.240 And so he says, is anyone among you sick? 00:22:31.260 --> 00:22:36.970 Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord God, and give me one more click. 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:40.240 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:41.420 The Lord will raise them up. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:43.490 If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:47.920 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:51.560 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:53.160 Let me let me just tell you what this passage means. 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:55.000 Let me tell you what it doesn't mean. 00:22:55.080 --> 00:23:02.080 First, this passage does not mean, as sometimes television might say, if you give me 49.95 a week for the next 00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:06.560 few months, I will pray over you and anoint you with my special juice, and everything will be well. 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:08.620 That's not that is not what this passage says. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:12.040 Okay, I will take 49.95 and I will go to lunch with that. 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:14.140 But that's not what we're talking about here. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.460 Okay. 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:17.400 Let me let me just break down what this passage says for us in the scriptures. 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:24.940 It says, when James is talking about suffering and when James is talking about this anointing, there's a there 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:26.760 is a few words that are used here. 00:23:26.760 --> 00:23:29.370 Now, I will tell you as we go through this passage, this is what I believe. 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.940 If we pray, God can heal. 00:23:32.020 --> 00:23:34.040 If you pray, God can certainly heal. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:39.080 When James talks about praying in this passage of Scripture, he presents the thought of bringing the elders together. 00:23:39.320 --> 00:23:42.320 There's some some commentaries that think this is just the older saints within the church. 00:23:42.320 --> 00:23:46.620 Others think it's the position of elders within the church, but they're bringing godly people. 00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:49.180 It says the righteous, righteous person. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.760 His prayers are heard before the Lord. 00:23:50.780 --> 00:23:52.620 The prayers of a righteous man will heal. 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:55.000 And so these people are coming together and they're praying. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.380 They're praying for healing. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:24:02.360 And the word for anointing in this passage of Scripture is the word for medicinal anointing. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:02.600 Okay. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:09.980 So what's happening in this passage is that these people are praying for healing, but they're bringing medication and they're bringing their prayers before God. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:17.100 And so they're saying this to the Lord God, rather, whether it be by medicine or whether it be by prayer, Lord, we're here to honor and glorify 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:19.680 you, that you would heal this individual God. 00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:22.020 We're praying on their behalf. 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:25.250 I can tell you God works either way. 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.980 God can sometimes miraculously heal. 00:24:30.260 --> 00:24:38.080 And God chooses sometimes through that miraculous healing, to use medicine, to use this anointing, 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:39.160 this medicinal anointing. 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:43.350 It's different than other anointings that are talked about in the Scripture for taking care. 00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:45.660 Of saints. 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:52.560 When I read this passage of scripture I see in verse, excuse me, where are we? 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:54.000 Go back. 00:24:55.280 --> 00:24:55.660 There we go. 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:59.980 When it says in verse 615, it says in the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.920 The Lord will raise them up. 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:03.450 If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.360 When? 00:25:05.540 --> 00:25:10.380 When it's talking about this passage, I think what James is referring to here is one of two things taking place. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:19.320 I think either it's talking about salvation or of an individual, or the healing of a person, okay, the salvation healing of an individual, 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:23.820 or even the physical healing of a person or the emotional spiritual healing of a person. 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:31.980 So when James talks about raising them up in the last day in this passage, that God, when he raises them up, is 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:34.420 referring to the resurrection that happens because of faith in Christ. 00:25:36.060 --> 00:25:37.320 They've put their faith in the Lord. 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:39.750 And it says in this passage, the Lord has forgiven their sins. 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:47.780 But in addition to that, sometimes we encounter problems in life because we're sinning against God. 00:25:48.080 --> 00:25:51.260 Some things that we do that harm our body are because of sin. 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:53.720 And then other things that we do aren't because of sin. 00:25:54.600 --> 00:26:01.760 But if someone's doing something to themself physically that's harmful and he's called the people together, put his faith in Christ, and he's praying with the leaders and they're seeking 00:26:01.760 --> 00:26:04.570 God, that he is forgiven and he's healed physically. 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:08.080 Or spiritually or emotionally. 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:16.140 You think that the person that they're talking about in this passage of Scripture is one who's suffering, and the suffering may be outward oppression from a world that's 00:26:16.280 --> 00:26:17.060 persecuting them. 00:26:17.060 --> 00:26:22.800 And so they may be at the place where they're so emotionally harmed by this that it's affecting their physical life. 00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:27.670 And they know that they just need prayer, and they're at the place that they want to walk away from God, but they want to keep trusting in him. 00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:31.860 And so they ask the elders to come together, and they and so they pray over this need. 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:36.220 And God heals them physically because he's healed them spiritually. 00:26:37.040 --> 00:26:39.700 And their faith rests in Christ. 00:26:42.560 --> 00:26:45.280 This passage does not always mean that a person is healed physically. 00:26:47.040 --> 00:26:48.010 And let me give you just a few examples. 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:50.220 Why? 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:53.160 The Apostle Paul in Second Corinthians going to give me a cloak. 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.340 Nick. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.040 I like how that runs, right? 00:26:55.540 --> 00:26:57.600 Second Corinthians 12 says this in verse seven. 00:26:57.600 --> 00:27:04.660 This is about the Apostle Paul praying over his own need, he says, or because of the surpassing great revelations he's talking about, he saw the third 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.210 heavens. 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:11.180 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:13.820 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:17.720 But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:23.260 Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:24.680 What? 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:28.740 Paul is saying this yes, Jesus healed me, but it wasn't physically. 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:32.580 Jesus gave me the strength to endure this. 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:35.280 And it's to say this to us as people. 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:39.500 It is possible to have the perfect body and lose your soul. 00:27:41.520 --> 00:27:42.300 But to gain your soul. 00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:47.520 The Bible promises that Jesus one day resurrect and heal the body. 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:50.800 God loves both body and soul. 00:27:50.840 --> 00:27:56.880 But right now, at this time, God brings the spirit to life and he will resurrect the body in the future, bringing them together. 00:27:58.840 --> 00:28:01.660 Paul wasn't healed physically, but rather he was healed spiritually. 00:28:02.020 --> 00:28:05.600 With Timothy and first Timothy five it says, this can give me another click. 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:12.260 First Timothy 523 it says, stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illness. 00:28:12.280 --> 00:28:13.730 This is Paul writing to Timothy. 00:28:13.760 --> 00:28:16.740 You know Paul, the guy that walks around and heals people. 00:28:16.840 --> 00:28:17.970 You think he walks with the apostles? 00:28:18.260 --> 00:28:21.600 And it says in the early book of acts that Peter walked around and his shadow healed people. 00:28:21.780 --> 00:28:23.260 I mean, that would be amazing, right? 00:28:23.260 --> 00:28:24.140 Magic shadow man. 00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:25.980 And then he comes to Timothy. 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:30.120 And Timothy's done ministry with Paul, and Paul knows as they've gone around, Timothy's got a stomach problem. 00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:30.460 He's a pastor. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.860 He stresses out all the time. 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:34.660 And so he says to Timothy, Timothy, you want it healed in this? 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:36.750 Listen, how about some how about some medical healing? 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:44.600 Drink some wine right now, let me just say for preference sake, that Welch's did not take fermentation out of wine until the 1800s. 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.800 So this has alcohol in it. 00:28:47.020 --> 00:28:47.660 Timothy. 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:50.040 It's medically healed. 00:28:51.800 --> 00:28:52.780 His faith is in God. 00:28:54.060 --> 00:28:55.520 God's also provided a way. 00:28:57.840 --> 00:29:03.940 Both Timothy and Paul, ones that walk with God, find solutions in things, and I'm sure in either way they give God praise. 00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:08.480 And so Second Corinthians 416 says, says this to us, therefore we do not lose heart. 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:14.240 Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:17.150 As soon as you're born, you're dying. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:22.380 I'm you're born spiritually dead and the body decays. 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:27.640 Jesus and James 15 resurrects our bodies spiritually in him. 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:29.800 He may heal mentally, physically, spiritually. 00:29:29.800 --> 00:29:35.060 But ultimately one day when we see him face to face, there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears. 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:37.480 And it rests in Christ alone. 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:47.480 Remember as we go through this passage, the anointing is medical in this passage that God can heal no matter what, but the healing may not always be physical. 00:29:48.560 --> 00:29:50.720 So what's the application for us? 00:29:50.820 --> 00:29:53.460 As you draw to the end of James, you can go ahead and click one more time. 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:56.540 James gives a couple illustrations for us. 00:29:56.780 --> 00:30:03.840 He gives the idea of Elijah saying, he's saying this to us, guys, if you're not praying in difficult circumstances, train yourself 00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:04.700 to do so. 00:30:05.020 --> 00:30:05.890 Prayer has power. 00:30:06.520 --> 00:30:08.740 And so he says, Elijah was a human being even as we are. 00:30:08.760 --> 00:30:12.300 He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:15.500 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:23.160 So then he says to us, my brothers and sisters, if one one of you should wander from the truth, and someone should bring that person back, remember this whoever turns from 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:28.310 a sinner from the error of their ways will save them from death and will cover over a multitude of sins. 00:30:29.540 --> 00:30:36.740 Listen, suffering is not easy, but think about the power of prayer, because Elijah saw power and prayer and think about those who are facing such 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:39.180 challenges that may wander from the faith and pray for them. 00:30:39.800 --> 00:30:41.630 And God's called us to be a family in this together. 00:30:41.760 --> 00:30:43.240 And suffering is not easy. 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:49.260 But rather, as James says in chapter five and verse 13, call the elders together and pray together. 00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:50.800 Don't do this alone. 00:30:51.840 --> 00:30:53.460 Notice when it talks about the suffering. 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:55.080 It's never on its own. 00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:57.460 It's always done collectively. 00:30:57.460 --> 00:31:02.020 And walking with God and walking with a body, praying together, sharing our needs, saying in this moment there's praying. 00:31:02.300 --> 00:31:05.950 It's not just complaining about it, but let's say, hey, let's take it to God and pray. 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:11.190 Because in this moment, regardless, I believe that God can turn this for his glory and he can heal me emotionally. 00:31:11.300 --> 00:31:11.820 He can heal me spiritually. 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.670 He could heal me physically. 00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:15.840 But either way, one day Jesus will heal me. 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:23.220 And like a farmer behind the ox, right now, I'm just trusting in him because I know whatever is to come is far greater than what this 00:31:23.280 --> 00:31:24.320 world has to offer. 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:28.240 Endure hardships in Christ. 00:31:30.040 --> 00:31:31.760 And there is a farmer on the prize. 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.320 Don't bite people's heads off. 00:31:35.300 --> 00:31:36.580 Be an example as a prophet. 00:31:37.520 --> 00:31:41.740 You may question God's will like job, but don't lose face. 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:46.840 Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, Christ is with you. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.880 Don't lose hope. 00:31:49.020 --> 00:31:51.760 But together, gather with God's people and in prayer. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:54.060 Let your requests be made known to God. 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:58.560 Seek him, that God may lift you up. 00:32:01.520 --> 00:32:04.200 If anyone here this morning feels like they're in that place. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.700 Can I just encourage you? 00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:08.630 Get with some friends. 00:32:10.020 --> 00:32:10.470 Pray.