Our Prayer

Our Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You and that my sins separate me from You. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to You for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of You. My greatest purpose in life is to follow Your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Class Lesson August 4, 2024

 Week 11 of the Book of James




Throughout his letter, James consistently reminds his readers that trials, temptations, and persecutions are sure to come in the life of a believer. Yet, even in the face of such opposition, we should not fear because the return of the Lord will soon be here. This simple truth should encourage us and push us to endurance. As we wait for the coming of the Lord, we should do so in the community of God, praying faithfully for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

How does your life look different after studying 

the book of James?




The Point: 

Christians wait patiently until the coming of the lord.

 

James 5:7-20

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), James 5:7-20.


Study Notes

As James continues his message from the preceding passage (5:1-6), where Christians are being taken advantage of by the rich and haughty, he concludes his letter with the expectant hope of the impending Day of the Lord. To “wait patiently” implies believers are longing, ready for the return of the Lord. In the face of worldly opposition and trials in which James has already discussed, the return of the Lord isn’t something to dread, but a moment we should look forward to with eager anticipation and excitement.




Stand Firm

In the face of trials, temptations, worldly opposition, fights, and quarrels, believers must be ready to stand firm as we wait for the appearance of our Lord. James commands us to “Establish your hearts,” meaning that we should cling to Jesus and the truths of our faith when we face opposition and tribulation. James warns against grumbling and complaining as a wrong response to such trials. Rather, we are to be long-suffering as we seek to wait for and obey King Jesus.



Seek Community

And while we are called to stand firm as we wait for our final vindication at the return of the Lord Jesus, we’re not called to do so in isolation. We live in an individualistic and experiential culture. Truth is subjective to one’s opinion and experience. Perhaps more than ever, the Church must be a people united not only in mind and deed, but also in prayer. As is consistent with the message of James, “truth” doesn’t simply refer to right doctrine, but right doctrine combined with right action. Here, James instructs us to guard our brothers and sisters not only from wrong belief, but also to snatch our brothers and sisters back from sinful action.

 

Pray Faithfully

Finally, as we’re called to stand firm against this world in the community of the local church, James instructs us to be faithful in prayer. While there is much that could be said about this passage of Scripture, what is clear is the necessity of both the church and believer to stand firm and pray fervently for the return of the Lord and fellow believers. James reminds us that those who have placed faith in the crucified and risen Jesus are now declared righteous by His blood, and it’s the righteous man’s prayer that has “great power as it is working.” Thus, in so doing, we can not only withstand the fiery trials of this life, but we will be a people who patiently and faithfully wait for the return of the King as we seek to live a life of holiness in this world.


 

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

 

What stood out to you from this passage?

 

Read v.8. What does this passage say is our hope during living in a lost and unjust world? Read v.9. What is the wrong way to wait for our vindication at the coming of the Lord?

 

Why is community so essential in the Christian life? How do we see this played out in the passage?

 

What does this passage tell us about prayer?

 

Read v. 15. Do you think this guarantees bodily healing when we pray? (The word “save” in this passage refers to salvation, not physical healing.)

 

Why do you think our prayers have “great power as it is working?”

 

How and when does this passage prompt us to pray?

 

END

Teacher Notes:


I finally found a cartoon that explains Susan & me:


This is our final lesson on the book of James...

So, I wanted to show a quick review...



Click Play to Watch

The book of James emphasizes faith in action. Right living is the evidence and result of faith.

The church must serve with compassion, speak lovingly and truthfully, live in obedience to God’s commands, and love one another.

We ought to be an example of heaven on earth, drawing people to Christ through love for God and each other.

If we truly believe God’s Word, we will live it day by day.

God’s Word is not merely something we read or think about, but something we do.

Belief, faith and trust must have hands and feet – ours!



How should your life be different after studying the book of James?

Remember: James’ goal is to get into your business and challenge how you live.








































As we wait for the coming of the Lord, we should do so in the community of God, praying faithfully for our brothers and sisters in Christ.




In the 2014 movie The Judge, Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr.), a successful lawyer returns to his hometown to defend his estranged father, Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall), a judge accused of murder.


At the end of the film, they both gained a newfound respect for each other and started fishing again. Hank learns his father has terminal cancer. Hank also learns that his father was tough on him because he wanted him to learn to succeed with integrity, and Joseph learned that his son was really a good lawyer but needed to know something from his father.



Just before passing away, Joseph tells his son what a great lawyer he is - he says, "I choose you!" 


Where are you in relation to the average life span?



How are you going to spend the remaining time you have left - on yourself?


What would James’ message be to us all today?




 

No comments:

Post a Comment