Welcome Home everyone
My big idea for today is that in all seasons of life we should pray the “prayer of faith.” My prayer for us today is that by hearing this message that we might also learn to rejoice in our ability to interact with God and be glad in Him. If you have your Bibles today you can join me in James chapter 5, verse 13.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
James 5:13-18
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 2 sections or points.
Pray In The Good Times And In The Bad
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13
This is a moment in our lives when we choose to give glory to God. When we’re in trouble we trust God for the outcome. When we are happy when things are going our way. We choose to not get carried away by the situation/ circumstance that surrounds our excitement, Rather we include God in our jubilation. We thank Him for the joy and blessing of what is happening.
Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:16-18
What is God’s will for you? Pray these prayers of faith! In Romans 1 Paul gives us the picture of the flipside of this…
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
Romans 1:21-23
Let us always remember the point and purpose of this life. Many of us are called to lead the next generation of ministry and we have to see this aspect of prayer as relevant and powerful. It is critical to our connection and communication to Christ.
I’ll move on to my next point.
Pray Over The Sick In Body And Spirit
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:14-16
This portion here clearly delineates the sick in body and the sick in spirit. The physical illness and the sin aspect that causes a spiritual sickness.
Jesus tech us in John’s Gospel:
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:12-14
We know that every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father. And this is no different. But how can we receive from him if we are distant from Him? How can we access god if we do not know Him?
Everything we know and have experienced of God flows out of the relationship we have that is made possible through Christ Jesus.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
Not my will, but His. Not my glory, but His. Not my joy, but His in me. Going where he goes. To the troubled. To the sick. To the sinners. Praying the prayers of faith. For a good outcome for those in trouble. Not escape but the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding us though to the very end. Comforting the sick and ushering in a supernatural healing. Forgiving the sins of the lost. And leading others in a love relationship with our precious savior.
I’ll close with this…
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
James 5:17-18
Aligned with the will of God, Elijah’s prayers were significant and yours are too. But this is not just about personal power but the Gospel itself.
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace.
Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values.
This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. But God has a plan! He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today?
Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late.
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’