Our Faith Engages God’s Activity

By John Offutt, October 09, 2022

Our Faith Engages God’s Activity

Scripture: James 5:13-16 - 13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

  • James 5:16b = “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”
  • Heb. 4:16 (NLT) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
1. Action of Personal Responsibility

James 5:13-14 (CSB) 13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Is anyone suffering? Pray

  • “suffering” = “in distress”

Is anyone cheerful? Praise

Is anyone sick? Call

  • “sick” = “without strength”
  1. Spirit of Submission & Humility

    James 5:14b = “anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord”

    Mark 6:12-13 (NIV) 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

  1. Heart of Faith & Assurance (vs. 15)

    James 5:15a (CSB) = “The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.”

    James 1:6 (NASB 1995) 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

    Matt. 9:20-22 (NKJV) 20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

    Mark 2:1-5 (NIV) 2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

When the answer to our prayer is delayed…
  • Wait on the Lord…Actively
  • Be persistent…Don’t give up
  • Trust in God…regardless of circumstances

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