James Chapter 5: Prayer and Praise

Outline of Service 24^th March 2019

James Chapter 5:  Prayer and Praise – Jas 5:13

Faith at Work – helping and waiting

Hymn105:  Saying Thanks!  

The Lord’s Prayer from Luke 11:2-4

Psalm 19:7-14 – Following God’s Way

Bible Readings: -                                             

·     Oppression and Discrimination are Wrong!  James 5:1-6

·     Elijah’s Power through Prayer:  1 Kings

·     Patience and Prayer: James 5:7-20

Hymn 26:  God has a Plan – Wait for It.

·     In chapter 5 James firstly points out that oppression is wrong, just as he did about discrimination in chapter 2; he uses the term “riches” to refer to not only money, but attitude and life-style

·     He exhorts us to be patient, “for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (8) and like the farmer waiting for the crop to mature, God will fulfil His plan in His time 

·     James recommends that we pray and praise (13) whilst we are waiting, and that we seek to help others in need

·     James uses the example of God’s Prophet Elijah who, although just like us, was used by God through his prayers

·     Remember – God is in control, and nothing is too big for God 

·     Using the keys that James has given let us establish a relationship with God, and seek to be preserved in spirit and soul and body until Jesus Christ returns.

Hymn 132:  A Permanent Resident?

Doxology

James Chapter 4: Submit Yourselves to God

Outline of Service 10^th March 2019

James Chapter 4:  Submit Yourselves to God – Jas 4:7

Faith at Work - against Worldliness and Strife

Hymn 90:  Waiting on God  

The Lord’s Prayer from Luke 11:2-4

Psalm 130:1-8 – Waiting on the Lord

Bible Readings: -                                             

·     Beware the Influence of Others!  Deuteronomy 8:1-20

·     Draw Near to God:  James 4:1-12

·     Let God do the Planning: James 4:13-17

Hymn 122 (Tune 123):  An Inside Problem!

·     James tells us that “friendship of the world is enmity with God” (4) – this was what Moses told the Israelites!

·     God humbled Israel because of their disobedience – James said for us to humble ourselves before God

·     Moses exhorted Israel to follow God’s commandments, and James said to draw near to God 

·     God planned Israel’s journey through the Wilderness, and we should make our Plans loosely, saying, “If the Lord will”

·     In humility we should submit ourselves to God and seek to Him to fulfil His Will in our lives as we wait for Him to carry out His Plan for this World.

Hymn 59:  God’s Plan for Us

Doxology