James 5:13-15

Introduction:

1. Every one of us is susceptible to the spiritual and physical ills James addressed.

2. In Christ, God has graciously granted us access to His throne (Hebrews 4:14-16).

3. James now focuses on the need for us to be in constant contact with God and to use the tools He has put at our disposal to be made whole.

Discussion:

I. Approaching God In Sorrow and Joy

A. When we are suffering, prayer is the prescription (vs. 13a).

B. When we are cheerful, praise is the prescription (vs 13b).

II. The Prayer of Faith

A. This section has produced no shortage of questions and criticisms.

B. Is the sickness considered physical or spiritual?

C. Is the anointing medical or symbolic? Is the healing miraculous or through providential means?

D. Does James guarantee healing to the faithful, and if so, why do so many faithful Christians continue to be sick and die despite prayers offered?

III. Physical or Spiritual Sickness?

A. The Bible uses the terminology of sickness and healing in both the physical and spiritual sense (Matthew 10:1; Luke 5:27-32; James 5:16).

B. The context suggests physical sickness is in view:

1. The “…if he has committed sin…” of verse 15 implies sin may have no part of the sickness under consideration.

2. The pivot to spiritual healing in verse 16 supports this view as well.

IV. Medicinal or Symbolic Anointing?

A. Anointing with oil had multiple purposes in the Bible.

B. Symbolically, it was used:

1. To anoint prophets, priests, and kings (Leviticus 8:12; 1 Kings 19:16).

2. In events where miraculous healings occurred (Mark 6:13).

C. Oil was also used medicinally (Luke 10:34).

D. The unqualified promise that the prayer of faith will save the sick lends itself to the symbolic use of oil in miraculous healing.

V. Providential or Miraculous Healing?

A. James wrote at the height of the miraculous age of the first century.

B. As the apostles planted congregations, they imparted miraculous spiritual gifts (Acts 8:14-19; 14:23; Romans 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Corinthians 12:9-10).

C. It seems most fitting that the elders here mentioned had such gifts.

VI. Physical Healing Guaranteed?

A. Skeptics call God and the Bible fraudulent when people do not get well despite prayers for their healing.

B. Many brethren have lost their faith in this way.

C. We must recognize that the miraculous age in which this promise was given has ended.

D. The call for prayer is still relevant (3 John 2; Philippians 2:27; 2 Corinthians 12:7-8).

VII. Effectual Fervent Prayer Is…

A. “In the name of the Lord” or by His authority (John 14:14; James 5:14)

B. With confidence that God hears (James 1:6; Matthew 21:22; 1 John 5:14-15)

C. Persistent (Luke 11:5-8; 18:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

D. Without selfish motivation (James 4:3; Matthew 26:36-46)

E. Of a righteous person (James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:7, 10-12; John 9:31; 1 John 3:21-22)

F. According to God’s will (1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 26:36-46; Hebrews 5:9)

VIII. Only God Knows

A. Only God knows if our prayers meet the above criteria.

B. Furthermore, He knows what we do not know, and so He knows what is needed to promote our ultimate good (1 John 3:20; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

C. Therefore, we must trust that God uses even our suffering and sorrow to produce our eternal good (2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Romans 8:28).

Conclusion:

1. Though we cannot always understand God’s plans, we can trust that He is working out what we need to be faithful.

2. Prayer is powerful, but we must go about it properly.

3. Though He does not always answer as we want Him to, He always answers as is best for us in the big picture.

The secret things still belong to the Lord our God, but what He has revealed is sufficient to carry us into eternity (Deuteronomy 29:29).