Senior Pastor Dan Willis dives into his Life Lessons From James series and examines prayer. What does prayer do? What is the source of the power of prayer? What are the conditions of prayer?

Changing Situations With God-Power

James 5:13-16

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

When suffering: Pray. (v. 13)

Suffering has always been part of life.

All people have trouble.  (Job 14:1)

Sometimes people suffer because of their own sins.

Christians will suffer simply for being Believers. (2 Timothy 3:12)

Sometimes suffering just happens. (John 9:1-3)

How should we handle suffering?

Wrong ways:

Right ways:

When Cheerful: Sing Praises. (v. 13)

What exactly is Cheerful?

Sing Praises.

When Sick: Call the Elders of the Church. (vv. 14-15)

Is this miraculous or providential?

Why call the elders? 

Who are the “Elders?”

What are they to do?

When in Sin: Confess. (v.  16; 1 John 1:9)

Sin affects fellowship:

With God.  (1 John 1:6)

With other believers.  (Ephesians 5:11)

We are called to fellowship with both.

We are to confess sin to those with whom fellowship is affected:

FLCC Senior Pastor goes deep into study looking at John 5:13-16 and examining "God-Power".

FLCC Senior Pastor goes deep into study looking at John 5:13-16 and examining "God-Power".

Patience

James 5:7-11

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Patience. (vv. 7-8)

Definition: The English word “patience” comes from the Greek word Makrothumeo.

The fact is...we are anything BUT patient today.

This is why Paul writes that it is important to be humble and gentle.

We aren’t really being patient with people or God.

Second Definition: Additional Greek Word for “patience”: Hupomone.

Refers to the internal heart of the individual, rather than just their attitude.

Why? “The Lord’s Coming.” (vv. 7-9)

The belief in the Lord’s return gives us reason to patiently endure. (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Endure what?

Why?

We must be completely blameless, and wait in patient endurance.

His coming is near. (v. 8)

The Bible says it is.

Jesus has spoken but are we listening?

He is always near. (v. 9)

What does this mean?

What is (Jesus) doing there?

To see the wickedness of mankind.  (Hebrews 4:13)

To answer the prayers of the afflicted who belong to Him.  (1 Peter 3:12)

Impatience causes condemnation.  (v. 9)

Grumbling.

We can do this.

Examples.

All of the Prophets.  (James 5:10; Matthew 5:10-12; Job; James 5:11; Job 1-2; 13:15; 42:7-17)

FLCC Senior Pastor Dan Willis dives back into the Life Lesson From James series. This week he discusses that one topic we don't want to pray for - Patience.

FLCC Senior Pastor Dan Willis dives back into the Life Lesson From James series. This week he discusses that one topic we don't want to pray for - Patience.

FLCC Senior Pastor Dan Willis dives back into the book of James examining money and possessions.

FLCC Senior Pastor Dan Willis dives back into the book of James examining money and possessions.

Evil Thoughts and Words

James 4:11-12; Matthew 15:19 NLT

From evil thoughts, come evil words.

Why do we have evil thoughts?

Evil thoughts are the natural condition of sinful humanity. (Genesis 6:5)

Evil thoughts are due to a sinful mind. (Matthew 9:4)

Evil thoughts come from one place.  But there are two reasons:

Jealousy and pride are the two main culprits.

Some people just love gossip and drama.

God wants to transform our evil thoughts. (Romans 12:2)

We must allow God to do it.

What happens when we have evil thoughts? (Luke 6:45 ESV)

We speak evil things.         

We’re given over to a debased mind.  (Romans 1)

Eventually, we’re separated from God.

What are evil words? (v. 11)

Evil words are whatever we speak that isn’t pleasing to God.

Evil words don’t include rebuke when it’s necessary:

It does include gossip and slander. (Psalm 15:1-3)

Why we shouldn’t speak poorly of others. (vv. 11-12)

We’re playing God. (v. 11)

We cannot determine, nor judge God’s law.

Yet, we are required to judge people in some ways. (John 7:24)

And still, some judging is sinful.  (Matthew 7:1-6)

Sinful judging is the result of pride. (v. 10)