James 5:13-20

DO YOU THINK WE OUGHT TO CALL FOR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH TODAY TO ANOINT US WITH OIL AND PRAY OVER US WHEN WE ARE SICK?

A. I’m having trouble Lord. What do I do with that?

1. What kind of trouble do think this is? V. 13

2. What should we pray for? “Take it away” (2 Cor. 12:8) or “help me endure it”? (1 Cor. 10:13)

3. What if we are suffering at the hands of another person? For whom should we pray?

Luke 6:28

B. I’m flourishing and happy God! What do I do with that?

1. What kind of cheerfulness is this? V. 13

2. Does this mean in the church house only?

3. Why don’t some Christians sing praises more often and more fervently?

a. Are they afflicted?

b. Aren’t we flourishing? Hasn’t God done enough to prompt our praise?

c. What are some good excuses for not singing praises?

(1) “I cannot sing” - is this a good one?

(2) “God’s command to sing doesn’t apply to me” - v. 13??

(3) “I’m not a singing Christian” - (you are a rebellious one)

d. Does it matter how we sound? What does matter?

Conclusion: Pray about problems and sing when you’re happy!

C. I’m sick Lord. What do I do with that?

1. What are some questions we have about verses 14-16?

a. Is the sickness physical or spiritual?

b. Is the anointing with oil medicinal or symbolic?

c. Is the healing through providential means or miraculous?

d. Is the healing spiritual or physical?

D. Why call the elders?

1. Who are the elders? (Phil. 1:1; Acts 20:17&28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9)

2. What do they do? (Lead the church)

3. Why not call someone else?

a. What does the title “Bishop” or “Overseer” suggest?

b. What does 1 Pet. 5:1-4 suggest about them?

c. What kind of prayer is most effective? V. 16

E. What are the Elders to do?

1. What does it mean to “pray over” someone? V. 14

2. What do you think is the purpose of the oil?

a. What was it used for in Luke 10:34? (Medical - Part of the kindness and caring)

b. What does Mark 6:13 suggest?

c. What kind of healing do you think this was?

(1) Physical?

(2) Spiritual?

(3) Both?

3. Why was this to be done “in the name of the Lord”?

F. What does James predict as the result?

1. Why does he call it the “prayer of faith” or the “prayer offered in faith”? v. 15

2. Does the oil play no part in the raising up? v. 15

3. Is the healing or “raising up” miraculous or providential?

4. Why does James mention forgiveness of sins for the sick person?

a. Why did Jesus mention forgiveness sins after a miraculous healing? John 5:14

b. Why does James say “if” you have committed sins?

c. Can forgiveness happen without repentance?

d. The word “save” or “saved” used in verse 15 carries the meaning of “made whole.”

5. How could al these events turn a brother or sister from the error of their ways? V. 19-20

Conclusion

· In times of sickness we are to call for the Elders.

· Ask the Elders to pray for you. You and the Elders must pray with faith and fervency.

· Make sure that appropriate medical aid is being provided

· Confess your sins (if any are unconfessed) to the Elders

G. How is the example of Elijah an encouragement to us? V. 17-18

Conclusion

· When in trouble we should ______.

· When cheerful we should ______.

· When sick and unable to go to them we should call for the Elders because…

· We are commanded to

· Prayers of the righteous (Elders most likely) are powerful

· The Elders oversee us in the Lord

· Prayer for the sick should be prayed with ___________ and ______.

· Sins should be confessed to ___ ________.