Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. —James 5:16-17

Introduction:

James is the little brother of Jesus, the Bishop of Jerusalem, and martyred in AD 62.

James writes to

us to live up to our profession and commitment of faith in Jesus.
(Barclay)

Chapter 1:

God does not tempt anyone and all good things come from God. (James 1:17)

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, and be

of God’s will, not merely hearers. (1:27)

Chapter 2:

God shows no favoritism and faith without doing God’s will is

. (James 2:14-17)

Chapter 3:

We are to use our words for

: to bless, to affirm, and to create peace. (James 3:16-17)

Chapter 4:

We are to

ourselves and commit our lives to doing good in Jesus’ name. (James 4:10)

“James is demanding a voluntary restraint from lavish luxury and excessive comfort. He is talking to people who are in love with the world, and he is pleading with them not to make luxury and comfort the standards by which they judge all life.” —William Barclay

This Week in chapter 5:

James attacks the

rich. (1:1-3 The Message)

James warns that Jesus’ return could be unexpectedly painful for

. (James 1:4-6 The Message)

We will be judged for every from of self-assertion that seeks advantage at the

of another.

“The world is not, as the arrogant suppose, a closed system whose prize goes to the most ruthless. It is an open system answerable to the God who creates it.” —Professor Luke T. Johnson

James is telling us to

everything we have learned about how to get ahead in life.

James believed Jesus was coming back in his

to establish God’s rule/heaven on earth. (James 5:7-8)

Don’t

about others because God is around the corner and knows everything about everyone. (5:9)

Let your language be

. (James 5:12 NRSV and Matthew 5:37 NRSV)

Instructions for Life: If you are hurting

Reveal Answer

.

If you are feeling great,

.

If you are sick,

your God people to pray for you.

If you are well, go

the sick person and pray for them! (James 5:13-15 The Message)

“James calls for a community that rallies around the sick and sinful in order to heal and save them.” —Professor Luke T. Johnson

We sin in

but we heal together. (James 5:16-17) The Message end with “reckoned with.”

“Most people prefer a form of secret slander to the open and candid correction of another in love.” —Professor Luke T. Johnson

We do the praying and God’s goodness does the

. (James 5:19-20 The Message)

With God, nothing is wasted, no one is hopeless, and no situation is beyond the loving reach of Jesus.

Action Step:

Pray this prayer for every person in worship with you today:

“May the power of God’s indwelling presence heal you of all illnesses – of body, mind, spirit, and relationships – that you may serve God with a loving heart. Amen.”

“My additional notes:

”.