Facts

Read entire book for examples of instability

Interp. How did these people become unstable?

self deceived--knew principles but chose to ignore them. Why? What did they use to measure their actions? self, not the law of liberty.

What attitude toward trials did these people take who became unstable?

Instability is basing religious experience on feeling

Such people consider themselves lost or saved depending on how they feel rather than on how God feels.

You may have royally messed some things up in you life, you might have not made it in your marriage or been dishonest to a friend, but God does not take away your salvation because you feel lost.

If Abe worked by feeling, would he have sac'd Isaac? Was he joyful about doing it? Did he consider it as joy?

Let's list sins James speaks against.

How might we categorize them?

Why is he dealing with this particular type of sins in this book?

Read 5:13-16

What three categories of people does James mention?

What trials were James's hearers suffering from? 5 mins read chp5 carefully.

Is this a valid reason to complain? I tricked you. v. 9?

Instead what three instructions does he give?

Where else in the book have we seen these three categories of people?

What unique instruction does he give the sick? (can be any type of sick.) Why?

What three things will result?

restore (save, heal)

Lord raise up

forgiven

Anyone here double-minded?

Ch 5

Review theme

Were the believers in James' day in crisis? What kind of circumstances did they find themselves in?

Witheld wages. What would that do to you? get mad and hungry

What else was happening even worse? condemnation and murder! Time of trouble, and it was effecting believers! Were persecutors believers? What sort?

Look at 7-12 and tell me how were the oppressed believers handling this? How were they responding?

Grumbling. Isn't that a legitimate reason for grumbling? I wish James was here to speak to you? It might be a reason, but is it for Xian a legit reason? What else?

Do not swear. Not about profanity, but taking of an oath.

What else that many are tempted to do when in crisis? Letting yes become no. Connect it with the theme? What could lead them to the point where there yes could become no? from the context.

Maybe won't work if no pay?

What beautiful counsel does James give these believers? 7-12

patient

stand firm

don't complain lest you be judged

What is the reason for not grumbling? Don't grumble that you may not be judged. When we judge we step over the line into sin.

take hope from the prophets, Lord is full of compassion and mercy

do not swear oaths

Big picture. About to see something revolutionary which few have seen 'cause there are few who work it through systematically.

What lies behind the strange instruction that he now gives in 13- 15? Keeping in mind the context. This is one of the most misunderstood passages in James.

Keeping in mind chapter 1 and the crisis and solutions he's recommending.

Facts?

suffering pray

Someone's about to give me the contextual understanding of that.

if any happy sing praise

sick? call elders, pray, anointing w/ oil in name of Lord and what will happen? What will it do to him?

restored or saved!

Lord will raise him up, sins forgiven -- this is a remarkable scripture

There are three classes of individuals and three categories of instruction being given here.

suffering, happy, sick

2 mins groups of 4 to tell me why in light of context, problems, difficulties and counsel, why does James suddenly come out with counsel like this? I hope we're about to have the greatest revelation of this whole weekend.

Communicate!!

Why is he bringing out those three categories? What does it represent right there in James? tie to theme...

Repeat. Think about it. Only thing you're asked to pray for in this whole epistle is wisdom to count it as joy.

What about this sick? Told to call for others, because apparently . . . Need help, others pray for them.

What does God offer them? Saved, sins forgiven,

what a tragedy if this ever came to focus solely on the physical. This is about those for whom the pressures of life have become overwhelming, they are doubting God,

Are you in need of healing this morning? Are the pressures of life building up? Are you seeing yourself in danger of getting out of balance. Is yoru mind feeling stressed out. Do you feel that youjust can't handle any longer the trials that are coming your way. The good news is that God wants us to care for one another. He wants us to realize through the grace of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that you can walk out of here counting it as joy. You have a heavenly Father who has tasted of suffering in your place. He was tempted in all points like as we are but without sin. And he's holding out the benefits to you.

Are you unable to follow through and do what you know to be right. Are you hearing and not doing, double-minded? Fighting same battles over and over. Doubting that God has the ability or compassion to help you.

I hope it's becoming increasingly clear that Christian people coming together in the spirit can arrive at correct interpretation