Points of Meditation & Reflection
Sermon Title & Text “Wandering From Jesus” James 5:19-20
1. Faith is in Action when it is concerned about the spiritual health of others. We are called to care that a person that wanders from the faith is at risk of spiritual death and losing their soul.
2. Today’s message covers a very difficult passage. As a church we believe that when God saves us, He does so for eternity. God doesn’t save us and then rescind His salvation from us! We also believe that when a Christian decides to no longer follow Christ they are treated as an unsaved person. As James 5:19-20 shows, a Christian that “wanders” away is subject to death and is lost in their sins. Therefore, it is our responsibility to continually persevere Christ.
3. The word for “wander” is used for any straying/deviating from the way of righteousness, cf. 2 Tim 2:18, 1 Pet 2:25, 1 Tim 1:6; 6:21, 2 Pet 2:15
4. The “truth” the Christian is not to wander from, is the entire message of Christianity. Every example of wandering from the truth (Christianity) in the Bible starts from external pressure in/of the world.
5. [Brings back a sinner] can mean turn from error {Mk 4:12, Lk 1:6; 22:32} or turn from sin for the 1st time {Ac 14:15, 15:19, 26:18; 1 Thess 1:9}.
6. When a Christian turns a sinner back to Christ they:
a. Save their soul from death
b. Cover a multitude of sins
7. How to return to Christ from Wandering:
a. Recognize Error: Admit. Confess. Ask God for Help
b. Repent: Go the other way
c. Rejoin: Become part of a Christ following community
d. Re-Engage: Daily prayer & devotion
8. James final words of his letter, are tying together the entire letter. He has outlined how we are to live our lives under pressure and maintain our soul. Re-read the book of James and put your faith into action!

Notes:

Edward

Everyday Jesus: [James 5:19-20]
Christians can wander from their faith in Christ. This week we want to seek God’s restoration, transformation & saving power on behalf of those that are wandering in their faith.

• Monday: Read James 5:19-20 At the end of service you were asked to get the names of those on both sides, behind & in front of you. Today, begin to pray that their soul be saved and their sins be forgiven – by God.
• Tuesday: Read James 5:19-20 James’ instruction on wandering is challenging. Check out some parallel passages elsewhere in the Bible that mention some form of wandering Hebrews 2:12-19, 6:4-8, 10:26 & 39, John 6:66-7, 2 Tim 2:17-19, 1 Tim 1:3-7. Notice that each passage has an element of willfully not obeying God’s word. Ask God to continually strengthen & keep you in Him as the truth of His word grows in you.
• Wednesday: Read James 5:19-20 See Sermon Notes #7 (back of this page) As you continue to pray for those from Sunday, are there others in your family, job or social group that you desire God to bring back.
• Thursday: Read James 5:19-20 while James’ instruction is for those that have wandered, today pray for your own soul. Ask God to keep you from distractions that would cause you to wander.
• Friday: Read James 5:19-20 Wandering is a result of not obeying Christ’s word. Today, ask God to strengthen you to be able to consistently obey the Lord’s Word.
• Saturday: Read the Book of James. Write out what you learned and what you would like God to continue to strengthen in.