Title James 5:13-20 (2011.5.4)
Contents
Title: Last Advice to the Community
Text: (James 5:13-20)
Hymns: 364. my prayer time
Date: May 4, 2011 (Wednesday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
It is difficult for individuals and communities to carry out God's will and maintain their spirituality. James finally gives us a few exhortations, and he wants the saints to be victorious in their spiritual life. Let's take a look at the kind of life a believer must have for a victorious life.
1. Pray together (verse 13)
There is a reason why God allowed different people to meet as one community. It is for imperfect people to pray for one another and work together for good. Prayer has power. When we pray, God uses angels. Those who are particularly ill should ask the elders of the church for prayers. The prayer of faith heals the sick. Rather than worrying, we should pray to God, who is in control of everything. If the community has something to pray for, do not delay and pray immediately. We should pray in groups rather than alone. When we pray, the community will become one, and problems that seem difficult to solve will be solved beautifully within God's will.
2. Take care of the person who has been humiliated (verses 15-16)
We cannot confidently say that we belong to the body of Christ if we see a saint in trouble and do not feel any pain and do not try to help him. In the text, James tells us to ask the elders of the church to pray for the sick. It is an exhortation to take care of those in hardship with the utmost effort. True love between saints is sharing pain and suffering. There is a saying that sharing sorrow and pain is halved. When these lessons are deeply engraved and we look back at each other, the church can bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Are there any members we should do our best to care for? Please do not hesitate to give him time and material.
3. Save the soul (verse 20)
Another mission given to the saints along with prayer is to encourage and guide those who are going in the right direction. Saving souls is the reason God came down to this earth and is the command He has entrusted to us. Remember the parable of the shepherd who goes everywhere for one lost sheep rather than ninety-nine. Pray for those who have succumbed to temptation and stray from the path of truth, who are possessed by the spirit of darkness and live as slaves to sin, and exhort them with the Word so that they may return. The book of Daniel says that whoever leads many in the path of righteousness will shine like the stars in the sky. But in order to lead someone, we must first discover the truth and live a life that belongs to the truth. Because the blind cannot guide the blind.
Satan prowls around like a roaring lion to destroy the church and make the saints his slaves. We who have been saved must build a community of faith by praying and exhorting together. Through us, we hope that our church will worship God with all our hearts and become a community united by love.
<Prayer>
1. Let our church become a community of faith praying together!
2. Let the Wednesday worship revive and raise up the heroes of intercession!
3. Heal the weak patients and restore the family to faith!