A remarkable thing that Elijah should pray and the rains stopped and then he prayed again and the rains came
Looking at James
It talks about prayer
Do you know what to do in times of trouble?
Do you know what spiritual comfort is available when you are weak and sick?
Have you thought about the best way to express joy?
Have you ever considered the healing value of spiritual openness with appropriate people?
Do you really believe in the power of prayer?
James 5:13-18 deals with all these matters
Last week – practical matters in regard to waiting for the second coming
For example our speech
This week – again practical matters
Pastoral comfort and pastoral counsel for you and me
Reading James 5:13-18
Introduction
Pastoral counsel for suffering
Suffering/trouble
The Greek words suffering and evil
Explanation of what this means
Pastoral counsel – let him pray
Of course there are times when action is needed
But first and foremost – you need to open your heart to God, to pray
"cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" – 1 Pet 5:7
Look at examples from the Bible where people sincerely cry out to God
Example of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness
"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses" – Ps 107:6
Medical treatment may be appropriate – but cannot change your circumstances
Cry out to God
Pastoral counsel for cheer
Cheerful – good spirits
Praise in times of joy
Christians – sing psalms and songs
Example of the Hallelujah Psalms
Sing praises to the Lord
Col 3:16-17 – "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Thank God for answered prayer
Do not be like the 9 lepers
Have you praised Him, are you cheerful, are you thankful
Bring God glory
Pastoral counsel for sickness/weakness
This can be a controversial part
v14
One interpretation – not speaking about sickness at all
The word can be translated weakness
God’s power is made perfect in weakness
Another interpretation – sickness?
What type of sickness?
It seems to be extreme sickness
What about the oil?
Is is special or medicinal?
Anoints means to rub oil
Mark 6:13 – "And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them"
Oil symbolic of the Holy Spirit – not medicinal
There is no magic/miraculous oil
In Apostolic times people had gifts of healing but this was then withdrawn
It was to authenticate the word of God
There is a lot of debate and confusion over this passage
Some things are plain / some things are mysterious
There is hope for every person – whatever their weakness or sickness
There must be real faith
Praying in the name of the Lord
Symbolic oil (a common theme in the Bible)
Healed – could be ‘made well’ but also ‘healed spiritually’
Example of Jayne
Does this apply today?
Every part of Scripture applies today
There are principles that apply
If you are struggling – call for the leaders of the church to pray for you
Pastoral counsel for personal sin
v16a
For some people their sickness is related to personal sin – but not all
Example of alcohol, 1 Cor 11
We also live in a sinful world
Healing is a sign of repentance
Confession of sin
It is not wise to air your dirty laundry publicly
It is not about special rituals
Open sins within the Church
Example of James 2 preference to the rich, James 5 – rich land owners, sins of the tongue
Accountability between limited individuals
Pastoral counsel for your prayer life
Everything so far has been about prayer or praise
v16b – "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"
Example of Elijah
The secret of the believers life is his strength in God through prayer
Examples
Elijah
Elijah’s ministry was difficult and a lack of rain for 3.5 years was a very significant example of God’s power – yet he persevered in prayer
Elijah was a man like us – he had great difficulties
