James 5:12-18

1. How we should speak to one another - v12

“When James says, ‘Do not swear’, it is not coarse or vulgar speech he prohibits but invoking God’s name to guarantee the reliability of what a person says.” —Douglas Moo

2.How we should speak to God
a. With Prayer and Praise - v13

“The Christian does not always live on the mountaintop of faith.” —Simon Kistemaker
“Heaven’s great harbor of refuge is prayer, thousands of weather beaten vessels have found a haven there, and the moment a storm comes on, it is wise for us to make for it with all sail.” —Charles Spurgeon
“Many hours are spent with men, how many with your Maker?” —Charles Spurgeon
“A reminder to turn to God is needed even more in times of cheer than in times of suffering. When our hearts are comforted, it is all too easy to forget that this contentment comes ultimately only from God.” —Douglas Moo

b. With the Elders - v14-15

“Somewhere in our prayers we must find a balance between never expecting God to heal and requiring him to heal on demand.” —Craig Bloomberg

c. With others - v16

We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We will walk together in brotherly love, as become the members of a Christian Church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require. We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. —Portion of EBC Covenant

Above all, I would say pray for the glory of God. If you think of God glorifying Himself in history and you say, where in all of history has God most glorified Himself? He did it at the cross of Jesus Christ, and it wasn’t by delivering Jesus from the cross, though He could have. Jesus said, “Don’t you think I could call down from my Father ten legions of angels for my defense?” But He didn’t do that. And yet that’s where God is most glorified. —Pastor James Boice (after sharing that he had cancer)
d. With encouragement - v17-18
“He could rise to the heights of faith and commitment (1 Kings 18:36-38) and fall into the depths of despair and depression (1 Kings 19:4). He could be brave (1 Kings 18:17-19) and then fly for his life at a whiff of danger (1 Kings 19:3) He could be selfless in his concern for others (1 Kings 17:19-24) and then filled with self-pity (1 Kings 19:10). In other words, he was an ordinary person, but he was right with God…his faith was active in his works.” —Alec Motyer

Conclusion

“that there is no time in which God does not invite us to himself.” —John Calvin