The Lord IS our focus – James 5:12-19

 James 5:12-14a But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. Is anyone suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him….

 Vs. 12 – Do not swear oaths  These were a means of promising things to God in exchange for His blessings in a particular matter.  Many made vows, but few fulfilled them.

 ”Is anyone among you suffering? He must pray.”  2 Timothy 2:3 – “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  2 Timothy 4:5 – “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

 …but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

 John 12:27 – “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.”

 Are you joyful? Sing praises.  Psalm 5:11 – But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.

 “I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

 Vs – Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders…and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick….

 Physical?  Spiritual?  In favor of spiritual:  Elders – care of the soul  Oil – sign of restoration, ceremonial

 Vs. 15“…and the prayer offered in faith WILL restore the one who is sick, and the Lord WILL raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.”  Can such always be said of physical sickness?

 Vs. 16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

 Do we have discreet hearts and servant hearts?  Are we more prone to add to the misery? Or look to God for help?  Do we have hearts ready to pray for one another?

 Elijah as an example  He had “a nature like ours”.  Point: God answers righteous prayer.

 V – My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.