The Sower, the Seed, and the Soil

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This sermon is based on the parable told by Jesus in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8 about the four kinds of soil upon which the seed of the Word has fallen. The message uses the interpretation Jesus provided regarding each of the soils and applies them to the present day. Emphasis was given for listeners to do what is necessary to make sure the soil of their own hearts is properly prepared to produce a good harvest.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

The passage of Scripture we will be looking at today is one of the parables that Jesus gave to teach an important point about salvation and the kingdom of God. Parables were usually realistic stories about different facets of life that included a life lesson. They were not necessarily real incidents, but they were reflections of real life. They always brought out a vivid bit of truth to illustrate key principles of the Kingdom of God.

Today’s parable is a story that clearly relates to farming or gardening. Any farmers/gardeners here? This is a teaching story that shares some great insights about the effectiveness of God’s Word in the lives of people who receive it.

I want to turn our attention first of all to the Sower and the Seed because they are constant amid a description of soil that is changing.

1. The Sower – In the parable itself, every hearer would understand the sower to be a farmer, gardener, or some other tiller of the ground. 

The sower is not identified in the parable or even in the explanation of the parable provided by Jesus. The closest we find to any kind of identity for the sower is given in the parallel passage of Mark 4:14, “The sower sows the word.”

Who sows the word? Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, teacher, and every disciple of Jesus. All followers of Jesus are called to make disciples. That includes spreading the word.

2. The Seed – The seed represents the Word of God. 

Luke 8:11 (NKJV)  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Just a couple of weeks ago I spoke about the Word of God. It is authoritative; reliable; and effective. 

It is given by inspiration of God – literally “God-breathed.”

It is an instrument of conviction – Heb. 4:12, “quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.”

It is an instrument of instruction and enlightenment. Ps. 119:105 “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

It is forever established. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Word shall never pass away.”

When we talk about this story and the effectiveness of the seed, we are not just talking about today’s newspaper or headline news, but we are speaking about the infallible and all-important word of God.

3. The Soil – When Jesus gives the explanation of the parable, He describes the condition of the soil and how it reacts to the seed. 

There are four different kinds of soil that Jesus describes for us that represent the four different kinds of reactions the Word of God has in the hearts and lives of individuals who receive the Word.

A. Wayside Soil – The first kind of soil mentioned is described in the KJV as along the “wayside.”

Some other translations use the word “path” or “road.”

This description highlights the fact that Jesus was probably describing a sower that is “broadcasting” seed; not planting it under the surface of the soil as we normally would do in our culture.

In Matthew’s portrayal of the parable, Jesus says the seed by the path/wayside represents the Word that is heard but is not readily understood. In Mark and Luke’s reports, it emphasizes the fact that Satan comes and snatches the Word before it has a chance to get down into the ground.

There is the implication of “hardness” because of the path/road that has been traveled so much it has packed the earth. So the seed cannot penetrate the soil before the birds/devil comes and snatches the seed away before it can take root.

The “soil” of this heart needs to be plowed, dug up and softened in order to take the Word in.

B. Stony Soil – The heart of a person who hears the Word and receives it with joy (gladly). To him it is good news!

There is no depth. Stones haven’t completely prevented the introduction of seed into the earth, but they prevent the seed from getting any roots deep after germination.

The stones would represent all those things that rob a person of the amount of time and attention it would take to dig deeply so the roots of faith can grow deeper and stronger.

Jesus says the thing that destroys the seed/Word in this person’s life is persecution and opposition.

C. Thorny Soil – This soil is described as soil that has something else growing alongside the seed of the Word.

The soil isn’t hard, and it isn’t shallow apparently, but it is producing thorns and thistles right along with the good seed.

Jesus said that the thorns represent two/three different things:

1) Cares of life – Everyday cares, burdens and pressures of life. Anything that seems legitimate, but it takes our focus and vision off of spiritual priorities and onto material/physical matters.

2) Deceitfulness of riches – Just a little bit more will be enough.

I’ll just postpone attending to spiritual needs for a little while until I acquire… / until I accomplish…

Every time a decision is made to neglect the attention needed for spiritual development and growth it becomes easier to do it again. Procrastination is contagious.

3) Desires for other things/Pleasures – Matthew does not add this third category, but it is mentioned in Mark and Luke.

Things that appeal to the desires of the flesh and can be bought with the deceiving riches.

The effect of these thorns is fruitlessness. The plant has grown, but it is bare. It is good for nothing. It has produced no fruit to bless and benefit anyone.

This is the person that lasted much longer than the ones who encountered persecution and tribulations and died out. But over the course of time allowed other priorities to choke out the attention to the Word and the fruit that it should naturally bear.

(JFB) They still have the form or profession (the plant) but it doesn’t bring any fruit to ripened condition.

D. Good Soil – The implication is that the good soil has the opposite conditions and qualities of the previous three.

Not hard. Not stony (has depth). Not overrun with thorns.

Fruit – the proof of good soil and proper nurture of the seed and plants.

Conclusion:

Which kind of soil are you? Which kind of soil am I? 

We can rely on the work of the Spirit to help us properly prepare “the soil of our hearts,” but He won’t do it for us.

There is some responsibility on our part to tend to the heart soil. God won’t take away the stones and cause us to have some depth. He won’t remove the thorns that choke out the plant life, so we stay focused on spiritual things rather than worldly things.

Those are our responsibilities. May the Lord help us to take care of our heart life.

The seed is powerful and wonderful if we give it the proper attention and care.

Closing song: Wonderful Words of Life

A Normal Christian Life

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In recognition of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, this sermon was given based on 2 Timothy 3:12, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." The message emphasizes the fact that suffering for the name of Christ was a normal expectation for first century Christians and for thousands or millions of Christians today.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

What is normal? Someone said, “’Normal’ is the setting on your washing machine!” Some psychologists have promoted the idea that no one is “normal.” Every person has some psycho-social hang-ups, or personality quirks. I think this might be a definition we all can agree on: Normal is whatever I am; abnormal is whatever you are!

How do we apply the word “normal” to the Christian Life? What is normal for the Christian? I suppose we could develop another series of messages on this topic, couldn’t we?  If we took a poll of all the Christians we know and asked them what the Christian life is normally like, we probably would get some very interesting responses.

Among all of the different answers we could provide for what a “normal Christian life” involves, there is one answer provided for us in the Bible. It is normal for Christians to face opposition from the enemies of Christ.

Today, as we give recognition to the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, I wanted to take this opportunity to briefly look at some of the passages in the Bible which describe persecution as a normal part of being a Christian.

In Paul’s 2^nd letter to Timothy he literally states, “all who will live godly shall suffer persecution.”

With the help of God’s Spirit, I want to speak about the conditions that foster persecution; the Christian expectation of persecution; and the preparation to overcome persecution.

The Conditions that foster persecution:

2 Tim. 3:1-9

This section of chapter three the Apostle Paul describes the conditions of the “last days” and “perilous times.” 

For a long time, people have debated about what exactly Paul means by the term “last days.” Some believe it is referring to the end of time, while others point out that biblical writers (Hebrews for example), considered their own era as the “last days.” 

“God has, in these last days, spoken unto us by His Son.” (Heb. 1:2)

My purpose today is not to discuss the exact period of time Paul is describing, but to simply point out the kind of time he is describing. It is a time when people have turned away from the truth in pursuit of all types of pleasure and self-gratification. Those conditions are ripe for evil to excel and righteousness to be attacked. 

We have seen limited instances of people suffering legal attacks and even some physical attacks for their faith in this country. I believe with all my heart that if we do not experience a genuine revival and spiritual awakening in our country then we will witness a continuing rise of persecution that will progressively get more severe.

The Christian expectation of persecution:

2 Tim. 3:10-13

Paul clearly indicates that persecution is a normal expectation for the child of God living in a spiritually hostile world. Paul isn’t the only one that felt persecution was a normal part of the Christian’s life.

John 15:20 (NKJV) Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Acts 14:21-22 (NKJV) And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

The Preparation to overcome persecution:

2 Tim. 3:14-17

It is not accidental that Paul emphasizes the value of Scripture in this context of suffering persecution in an environment of evil. It is as if he is blaring the truth out – the most reliable remedy against persecution is immersion in the Word of God.

Mark 4:16-17 (NKJV) These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; ^[17] and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.

Contrast the condition of these represented in the parable with the people Paul is describing when he writes to the Corinthian believers.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NKJV) We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

Conclusion:

We need to be praying for our brothers and sisters who suffer for Christ. 

We need to be preparing ourselves for the potential time we may also suffer for Christ. (Immerse ourselves in the Word of God.)

We must realize that no amount of persecution can separate us from the love of Christ.

Romans 8:35 (NKJV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Our closing song asks a question: “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?”

Am I prepared to fight the good fight of faith, recognizing that there are going to be hard battles and that it is not going to be easy? Am I prepared to endure hardship as a good Soldier and even suffer at the hands of those who hate our Lord? Neither Jesus nor the Apostles presented the gospel message and the Christian life as something that was going to be nice and easy, or a “bed of roses” as we sometimes say.

Why Do I Feel this Way?

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This sermon is based on Psalms 77 in which the author describes a time in his life when he felt alone and abandoned by God. Even memories of past blessings raise more questions about why the present circumstances are so different. However, focusing his thoughts on what is revealed about God's character and miracles for Israel brings him present comfort and confidence for the future.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

In November of 1942 US and Japanese forces were engaged in a heated battle for Guadalcanal in the Pacific. US ships had arrived to resupply Allied forces when word was received that the enemy ships were closing in. 

A fierce battle ensued between the ships in the night. Ships on both sides were sunk, and the light cruiser USS Juneau was torpedoed. The next morning the cruiser was limping along with five other ships when they encountered a Japanese submarine. Once again, the USS Juneau was torpedoed near the previous hit and its munitions magazine exploded causing the ship to break in two and sink.

Due to the tremendous explosion and the ongoing threat from the enemy sub, the other ships pulled away without looking for survivors, assuming all had perished. However, out of the nearly 700 crew members on the USS Juneau, approximately 115 had survived, but were abandoned to fight for survival in the waters for days. By the time a rescue was made 8 days later, there were only 10 survivors.

This was the ship on which the five Sullivan brothers perished.

This story is just one example out of thousands in which people have been abandoned to die. It is hard to imagine the thoughts and feelings in the minds and hearts of those sailors as they realized they were being left behind.

The Psalm that was read earlier in the service seems to imply that the author knows all about how abandonment feels. However, he didn’t allow those feelings to destroy him. He found a way to rise above them and come through the dark times victoriously.

Let’s look at the Psalm to discover how he rises above the darkness and fears.

I.        Circumstances in life cause a feeling of abandonment. (vv. 1-9)

(verses 1-2) The song of Asaph begins with a lament. He doesn’t specify what the problem is that has distressed him so much, which makes it a perfect pattern for later worshipers to use it also in their unique situations. (Tyndale Commentary)

Whatever has caused his distress, it drove him to cry out to God throughout the night. He cries out to the Lord with outstretched hands. His soul refused to be comforted which may be another way of saying, “I haven’t found any satisfactory answers for the overwhelming problems I face right now.”

Perhaps some of us have been in these kinds of circumstances where we find ourselves in such distressing situations that all we seem to be able to do is lament over the situation. Nothing seems to be providing a satisfactory answer.

Other expressions of abandonment in the Psalms:

Psalm 74:1 (NKJV) O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? 

Psalm 88:14 (NKJV) LORD, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? 

(verses 3-6) In these verses the Psalmist remembers God’s actions in the past and it continues to cause him pain, at least for now, because it seems to be contrary to what is happening now.

These thoughts keep him awake at night. (4)

Initially, these memories do not comfort him, but raise even more questions.

(Tyndale Commentary) “The contrast between the happy past and the agonizing present just seem to heighten his sadness.”

Sometimes we feel like saying, "Lord, just last year (or some other time frame), you demonstrated your power and you provided relief; or you provided deliverance, or healing… (whatever He did. You fill in the blank.) So, why aren’t you doing something now?"

(verses 7-9) he asks a series of questions that give expression to the true feelings of his heart. 

One source (Tyndale) seems to view these questions as the Psalmist peppering God with questions, trying to “prod Him into action.”

Another writer (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Revised), says the questions are actually therapeutic for the Psalmist because they essentially cause him to realize that none of them can be true. 

It does us good sometimes to just allow ourselves to think through our feelings and push our thoughts to their logical conclusions. Do I really think God has forsaken me forever? Has He really lost His power? Has He stopped His mercy toward me? Have His promises failed? Well, no. That would be ridiculous! I’ve always believed the Word of God and I’ve found Him to be faithful time and time again.

II.            Reviewing God’s mighty deeds produces comfort and confidence. (vv. 10-20)

This section testifies to a turnaround in the psalmist’s thinking. He appeals to the past, and in particular to God’s great acts in history (the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand). Rather than concentrating and obsessing on his present condition, he resolves to look to the past when God worked his miracles of rescue. (Tyndale Commentaries)

A few stanzas earlier the Psalmist was reminiscing about what God had done in the past and it seemed to bring more sadness over the current circumstances because of the contrast between then and now. But it’s almost as though the tough questions in 7-9 prompted Asaph to expand his thinking to recall God’s miraculous deeds that have been recorded for everyone to know.

There is a lot more to know and remember about the past than just my own experiences. What about all of the other things God has done; especially the things recorded in Scripture?

(verses 10-12) The remembrance of the age-old acts of God is the basis for faith. God has been, is, and will always be. The reflection on his acts in the past is comforting to those who need him in the present…. The psalmist chose his words carefully so as to create the impression that he is reflecting on the Lord’s works in their great variety: in creation, redemption, judgment, and salvation. (Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised)

v. 11 – “I WILL remember…” (emphasis mine) A willful decision about what I am going to concentrate on.

(verses 13-20) As Asaph begins to think about all that God has done for the Israelites in the past, he is reminded that there is no other god that compares to the Lord. No one is so great. No one is so strong. No one has brought a nation out of bondage and redeemed them like the God of Jacob. Now, with his focus clearly on the works of God, the Psalmist poetically describes the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and bringing them through the Red Sea.

Illustrations of God’s power in OT  = Exodus; in the NT  = Resurrection

When he gets focused on these mighty acts of God in the past, it does bring comfort and it also brings confidence, knowing that God is still the same and will bring about a deliverance in His own time and in His own way. 

Important to move from comforting stage to confidence stage.

Conclusion:

Have you had those times when you felt like God had abandoned you? 

Do our current feelings cancel out all the miraculous wonders God has performed in the past? Do they disprove all that the Bible reveals about His nature and character? NO!

Like the Psalmist, let’s choose to focus on who God is and the miraculous power He has often displayed in order to bring us comfort today and confidence for tomorrow.

Closing Song:   O God, Our Help in Ages Past

The Spirit-Led Life

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This sermon was given on Oct. 13, 2019 and uses the account of Jesus Christ's temptation in the wilderness as recorded in Luke 4 to describe what the Spirit-led life involves. While the Bible clearly urges believers to be "Spirit-filled," that usually gives a little different connotation than to be "Spirit-led." In Christ's example, we learn that the Spirit sometimes leads us to situations in which the devil brings severe temptations against us.

Written Excerpts:

Luke 4:1-2 (NKJV) Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² being tempted for forty days by the devil….

Introduction: I imagine that most of us have heard numerous sermons on the subject of the “Spirit-filled Life.” There are plenty of Bible references that emphasize the necessity of being filled with the Holy Spirit and to continue living in the Spirit. My message today will emphasize that same theme to a degree, but I want to point out a little different angle than we might usually hear, which prompted my title “The Spirit-led Life” (not “spirit-filled life”).

I don’t know if you think in the same mode that I often have, but whenever I think of a Spirit-filled life, I generally think of accomplishing tremendous exploits for God; winning stunning victories; and overcoming all types of obstacles and troubles. I think of a life that remarkably demonstrates wisdom, courage, love and power.

However, I think there is another side that we need to understand. It is a perspective that we normally would classify as routine or average. More than that, it involves struggles and spiritual battles. A truly Spirit-filled person isn’t supposed to struggle and get scarred – so we think. With the help of God’s Spirit, I want to speak to you today about a life that is LED by the Spirit into all kinds of situations we usually wouldn’t consider being part of God’s plan and will for our lives.

For these lessons I want to direct your attention to the example of the Lord Jesus as He was tempted in the desert for 40 days. As we look at this remarkable time of testing in the life of our Lord, I want us to notice the role of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of Jesus. (I’m going to be using the account in Luke.)

I.          Anointed with the Spirit

For the first role of the Spirit we will go back a short time prior to the wilderness temptation. Let’s look a moment at Jesus’ baptism.

Luke 3:21-22 (NKJV) ²¹ When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. ²² And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."

Because the Spirit is invisible, He must take bodily form for human beings to see Him. In the OT we have various accounts where God appeared to men in a “human” form. Here in the NT baptismal account, the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove.

Why a dove? (Lenski) Luther thinks this was done because of its friendliness, because it is without wrath and bitterness, because the Spirit desires to show that he has no anger toward us but is ready to help us to become godly and to be saved. Others point to purity, innocence, and meekness as being symbolized by the dove. … We content ourselves by saying that the dove-like form intended to convey the idea of the graciousness of the Spirit.

Lenski goes on to explain: He who was conceived by the Spirit, now receives the Spirit as a permanent gift for the ministry He is to perform. The anointing of the Spirit is purely for His human nature since His divine nature was always one with the Father and the Spirit.

The voice of the Father as the Spirit descends testifies, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” This confirmation of the Father and the descent of the Spirit mark the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry - anointed to “preach good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening of prison to those who are bound.” (Is. 61:1)

II.        Filled with the Spirit

Luke 4:1 (NKJV) ¹ Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan…

After the baptism account recorded in chapter 3, Luke begins chapter 4 with the words, “being filled with the Holy Spirit…” Jesus was not only anointed by the Spirit and confirmed as the Son of God, but He was filled with the Spirit to perform the ministry He had been anointed for. 

To be filled with the Spirit implies controlled by the Spirit, and aided by the Spirit to accomplish God’s will, including miraculous signs and wonders. Jesus, as a human being, is fully equipped by the fullness of the Spirit to embark on the mission assigned to Him by His Father.

III.       Led in the Spirit

Luke, as well as Matthew and Mark, describes the next event in the life of Jesus being a severe time of testing in the desert / wilderness area. 

Luke 4:1 (NKJV) ¹ Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 

When we read the first half of the verse we may think, “Yes, the Son of God has been confirmed and affirmed by the Father. He’s been anointed by the Spirit descending upon Him, and now He is filled with the Holy Spirit to take on the ministry tasks assigned before He ever came as a baby in the manger.”

But… the very next phrase in the verse brings a shocking reality. The same Spirit that is filling Him is leading Him to the desert. The Spirit is bringing Him to the place of testing.

As I said back at the beginning of the sermon, whenever we think of a Spirit-filled life, we generally think of accomplishing tremendous exploits for God; winning stunning victories; and overcoming all types of obstacles and troubles. We think of a life that remarkably demonstrates wisdom, courage, love and power. But wait, the Spirit-filled life is a Spirit-led life and sometimes He leads us to be tested. Sometimes He brings us into the wilderness where it isn’t very easy to feel God’s presence. This is a reminder that walking with God and being led by His Spirit isn’t always going to be times of glory and hilarity, but it will be getting stretched to the limit or feeling the breath of Satan.

The wording here indicates that Jesus was being tempted (tested) during the entire 40 days. It doesn’t seem to imply that He was intentionally fasting, but simply that He hadn’t eaten. One writer says He had “no breathing spell” during the 40 days so His mind was kept from even thinking of the wants of His body. (Lenski) The three temptations we have recorded were probably the final three of the entire 40-day period of temptations.

(Leon Morris, Tyndale Commentaries) Clearly, he faced questions like: What sort of Messiah was he to be? Was he to use his powers for personal ends? Or for the establishing of a mighty empire that would rule the world in righteousness? Or for working spectacular, if pointless, miracles? He rejected all these for what they were, temptations of the devil. 

Some people may quote the words from the Lord’s prayer, “Lead us not into temptation,” and say it goes contrary to this idea that the Spirit led Jesus to be tempted. Jesus does instruct us to pray to not be led into temptation, but that prayer like every other prayer we make must be made with the qualifier – “not my will but Thy will be done.” Sometimes God leads us to the season of testing to prove our loyalty and trust in Him.

Overview of the Temptations: (Adapted from Lenski’s Commentary)

1. Make stones from bread.

“If you are the Son of God…” – Casting doubt on what God had just said about Him at His baptism. (Satan to Eve, “Has God said?”) God will allow us to be tested to show whether we really trust what He has said.

Jesus’ Response: Man shall not live… - The devil’s suggestion to mistrust the Father is met with a response showing the greatest trust. Man shall live by every word of God. Jesus resisted the temptation to make stones into bread by emphasizing the truth (from Scripture) that spiritual needs have priority over physical needs. Yet, Satan is still too often successful in getting people to satisfy physical needs before seeking to have spiritual needs met – to cater to the flesh while their souls are malnourished.

2. Have all the world’s kingdoms.

(Lenski) The whole proposition intends to appeal to the human nature of Jesus. Jesus can rule at once like a god.… Yet the whole proposition is false through and through. Satan does not bow to God in worship as Jesus is to bow to Satan. Satan has not received the kingdoms from God, he rules them as the enemy of God, as a rebel against God, as a usurper whom God is dethroning through Jesus. By this one act of worship Jesus would also become a rebel against God and at the same time a tool of Satan. The kingdoms, authority, and glory promised by Satan would remain Satan's. The transfer would be a delusion. Instead of becoming a king Jesus would become the slave of Satan.

The way in which Satan tried to buy Jesus is the way in which he bought Eve: "Ye shall be as gods." 

Just like Jesus, we will be tested to see what is the core of our devotion – all the possessions and power the world can offer or loyalty, devotion and obedience to God?

3. Prove God is protecting you.

Satan tempts Jesus to prove one Scripture by violating another. It is a mockery of humble trust to take one precious promise from God and challenge God to see if He will do as He said He would, or act as I presume He must act in order to prove that He keeps His word.

All lack of trust and all false trust are closely [related]. Both tempt and challenge God with their presumptions as to what he must really do to keep his promises.

Jesus responded by using a verse that references the wilderness experience in the Exodus from Egypt. The people “tempted” God by demanding that He change the way He cared for them and do it the way they wanted.

We are often tempted to demand that God prove Himself and His care in specific ways, but genuine trust in His nature and His heart allows Him to decide just how He will demonstrate His care and protection. That doesn’t mean we don’t need to engage in spiritual warfare through intercessory prayer to overcome the schemes of the devil.

IV.       Empowered by the Spirit

After the temptations are over, Luke continues the describe the ongoing ministry of Jesus (v. 14ff). According to John 1:35-4:1, there was a great deal of ministry happening between the time of the baptism and temptations and the return to Galilee that Luke mentions here in v. 14.

Luke 4:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.

It is only the Holy Spirit who can give us power to continue in ministry and witness after we have been sorely tested. We are often prone to think in the time of testing and immediately after, “I surely need a fresh visitation of God’s Spirit after just coming through this desert place under the attack of the enemy.” But, we need to remember that it is the Holy Spirit who led us into the desert place and the Holy Spirit that carried us about and protected us during the enemy attacks. 

He hadn’t abandoned us and then shown up again to strengthen us afterward. No, He has been with us the whole time and kept us from falling. He gave us the ability to overcome all of the enemy’s temptations and tricks intended to destroy us.

Conclusion:

We have talked about the various ways the Scripture describes the work of the Spirit in the life of Jesus. We noted His anointing by the Spirit; His filling with the Spirit; His being led by the Spirit and His empowerment through the Spirit. In all of these ways, the activity of the Spirit was crucial in the life and ministry of Jesus. We too need the Holy Spirit. We received the Spirit when we were born again and saved. But we also need to be filled up and keep on being filled with the Spirit in order to be the kind of disciple and follower of Jesus that we are called to be.

I hope everyone of us make it a regular practice to pray and earnestly seek God for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit into our hearts and lives.

The closing song I’ve chosen is one that is not in our hymnals. It is a song written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. 

Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God

A Fruitful Death

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This is a sermon that was preached on Oct. 6, 2019 for a worship service in which the sacrament of communion was shared. It is based on Colossians 1:6 & 21-22 and discusses the benefits of Christ's death on the cross. His death seemed to be a tragedy at the time by His closest disciples and followers, but was proven to be a fruitful benefit to all humanity because of the redemption and reconciliation it provided.

Written Excerpts:

Colossians 1:21-22 (NKJV) And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

Introduction: When we are facing tragedy and calamity in our lives, we may wonder what good can ever come out of this situation? Having said that, I’m sure that most of us have heard various individuals speak about the good that has come about from some tragic event they have experienced. 

When we are experiencing the adverse or tragic event, probably the last thing we want to hear at the moment from anyone is how much good may result from the situation. At the time of the tragedy, it too often seems trivial and insincere when we are reminded of the blessing that may eventually come out of all the chaos. Yet, there is a substantial reason why we can exercise faith and proclaim to the world that God is able to bring good out of evil and blessing out of tragedy. It is based on the message of the cross.

The title of today’s message may sound silly and paradoxical. The mental images that the words “fruitful” and “death” convey would probably seem totally incompatible. The word “fruitful” implies life, promise, productivity and reward. The word “death” implies everything opposite of that. In normal life situations their incompatibility would be confirmed, but when we look at the cross of Jesus Christ, we find the one exception and discover how death produces a fruitful (blessed) outcome.

There are 2 or 3 verses in Colossians 1 which stress this theme I would like to present.

Colossians 1:6 (NKJV) ⁶  which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; [The pronoun “which” at the beginning of v. 6 refers back to the word “truth” in verse 5.]

Colossians 1:21-22 (NKJV) And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

I want to draw your attention to this passage in Colossians to explore how Christ's death on the cross turns out to be a fruitful death for each of us.

I.          The Theme of Paul’s Letter

Paul’s letter to the Colossians is one of four letters he wrote while in prison in Rome. The other 3 letters are Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. Ephesians and Colossians are the most similar of the four. We are told that Ephesians emphasizes the church as the body of Christ, and Colossians emphasizes Christ as the head of the church. 

Here in the first chapter of Colossians especially, Paul has been driving home the message of the preeminence of Christ. See v. 15 and following. One thing we need to see clearly is the preeminence of Christ. There are so many different texts in the Bible where Christ is exalted, and the “spotlight” is shone on Him by the Father as well as the Apostles. In all of Paul’s teaching and preaching he tries to stress the priority of Christ. Nothing can change or has changed without Christ.

II.        The Tragedy in the Past

A. The tragedy of their condition.

v. 13 under the “power of darkness”

v. 21 alienated and enemies; wicked works

B. The “tragedy” of Christ's death.

v. 20 – the blood of the cross

The cross was a well-known instrument of death. It involved a bloody death. You can’t accurately speak about the benefits of the gospel without including the gruesomeness of the cross. 

v. 22 – the body of his flesh through death

Tyndale Commentaries - For Paul, the word ‘flesh’ (sarx) frequently describes not merely the physical aspect of human nature, but humanity as it opposes God. ‘Body’, on the other hand, which also describes man as a totality, not merely as a physical entity, is morally neutral. 

The point here seems to be to emphasize the identity of God with humanity in the “flesh” so that the punishment for sin could be legally and adequately assumed by the perfect human – Jesus Christ. That could only be accomplished by a literal death – the stated consequence for sin by God in Genesis.

III.       The Benefit in the Present

v. 14 – redemption and forgiveness

vv. 20, 21 – reconciliation 

IV.       The Prospect for the Future

v. 22 – presentation as holy people

Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised - Like animals suitable for sacrifice, the Colossians are to be found “holy and blameless” in his presence (cf. Eph 1:4). Like prisoners set “free from accusation” (NIV) by a judge in a court of law, the Colossians are to be irreproachable in God’s sight. Christ’s sacrificial, guilt-incurring death has made such a presentation possible (2Co 5:21; Gal 3:13).

v. 28 – present every man perfect in Christ Jesus 

The fruitful end of Christ's death is to present us to God as perfect in Christ. We are perfect as we stand “in Christ.” And… we are being made perfect in the sense that God’s purpose and design for each believer is to transform us into the image of His Son.

Not works of darkness but fruits of the Spirit.

(Expositor's Bible Commentary) The crucifixion (past time) affords reconciliation (present time) and enables presentation before God (future time).  

Conclusion:

As we prepare to share the Lord’s Supper, let us offer our thanks to the Lord for the positive spiritual fruit that has come about in our lives because of His death. May this sacrament not only remind us of His suffering and what He went through in death, but may it also remind us of the fruit it produced in our redemption, reconciliation and transformation.

Let us sing our closing hymn before we share communion together.

Are You Washed in the Blood?

God Is Not Silent

(To download an MP3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon attempts to explore several issues regarding the Holy Bible, God's special revelation to humanity. It addresses the topics of reliability, authority, and effectiveness. It is hoped that this message will help the listener/reader to be strengthened in his or her faith in the Word of God as recorded by men who were miraculously aided by the Holy Spirit.

Written Excerpts: (Due to technical difficulties experienced during the delivery of this sermon, these notes contain more information than what is contained in the audio recording above.)

2 Tim. 3:16-17 _(KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly (entirely) furnished unto all good works.

Introduction:

Many Christian philosophers and apologists have capably argued for the existence of God. My sermon today is not intended to be an apologetics argument for the existence of God, but the subject I wish to speak to you about is related to the field of Apologetics (defense of the faith).

Not long ago I realized that even though I try to present the Word of God every Sunday with a strong assumption regarding its authority and reliability, yet I don’t remember clearly explaining an accurate view of Scripture and divine revelation.

I got the idea for my sermon title from the title of a book written by Dr. Francis Schaeffer, He Is There, and He Is Not Silent. 

With God’s help I want to talk to you today about the Bible as the authoritative and reliable revelation of God’s will to us so we do not need to “grope in the dark” for some speck of guidance about all the big questions in life. As we explore this topic together, I hope to reinforce our respect for and confidence in the Holy Bible as the written Word of God to humanity. I doubt there has ever been a time when the view of Scripture was at a lower level than it is today.

I.      God has spoken.

I have often stated that the Creator is a God who desires to be known. He doesn’t remain hidden and secluded; laughing at our attempts to find Him and discover what He is like or what He desires for us. The Bible is very clear about the fact that God has revealed Himself to humanity in a number of ways. He wants us to know Him.

A. He has spoken through nature.

Rom. 1 – Very clearly the Apostle Paul expounds on the fact that the natural world has clearly revealed the existence of God and certain truths about Him.

Romans 1:18-21 _(NKJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Psalm 19:1-4 _(CEB) Heaven is declaring God's glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork. ² One day gushes the news to the next, and one night informs another what needs to be known. ³ Of course, there's no speech, no words— their voices can't be heard— ⁴ but their sound extends throughout the world; their words reach the ends of the earth… 

The natural world speaks to us about the power of God, the creativity of God, and the fact that creation reveals order, design and purpose in what He created. The natural world doesn’t reveal very much about the character of God.

B. He has spoken through His word.

Since we can gain a basic knowledge of a Creator by looking at the natural world, we strive to know more about the Creator and His character. We strive to know if He expects anything from us, and if so, what does He expect? Thankfully, we have ample evidence in the Scriptures of the fact that God clearly and personally spoke to various individuals to reveal exactly who He is, what He is like and what He desires from us.

The first person to record this kind of information was Moses. He is credited with writing the first 5 books of the OT. Moses gives first-hand accounts from time to time about the fact that he is not writing fiction, but he is describing face-to-face encounters with God and personal directions or instructions from God.

Heb. 1:1-2 _(NKJV) God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds 

2 Peter 1:16, 20-21 _(NKJV) For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty…. ²⁰ knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Clearly meaning that they were not giving their own opinions but were giving out the word of the Lord.

C. He has spoken through His Son.

Heb. 1:1-2 _(NKJV) God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds 

The Bible makes it clear that God not only revealed Himself and His will through the prophets and apostles by inspiring them to write down what God said, but God also sent His own Son into our world as the living Word. John 1 describes the Word becoming flesh and living among us to reveal God to us in human form.

D. He still speaks through His Spirit.

In addition to all we’ve said about God speaking clearly through the inspiration of His prophets and apostles, and speaking through the physical, fleshly revelation of His Son, God continues to speak to individuals through His Spirit. The messages we receive today through the Spirit do not have the same authority as Scripture, but God’s Spirit truly enlightens and illuminates us as we read the Word and hear the Word. Why? Because God wants to communicate His will to everyone.

John 16:13 – …When the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth…

II.    The Bible is reliable. (Material in this section is borrowed from Josh McDowell – Evidence for Faith video series.)

A. The New Testament

The Bibliographical Test –Two factors: 

1. The Time Factor – Asks the question, how far removed are the oldest manuscripts from the time of the original writing? A predominant “rule of thumb” says, “the closer the copy is to the original, the more accurate it is.” 

·     Aristotle’s Writings – time gap is 1,200 years.

·     Tacitus’ Writings – time gap is 1,000 years.

·     Plato’s Writings – time gap is 1,200 years.

·     Aristophenes’ Writings – time gap is 1,200 years.

·     New Testament Writers – time gap is about 80 years.

2. The Number of Manuscripts Available – The general rule is the more manuscripts there are, the easier it is to check out possible discrepancies and inaccuracies.

·     Ceasar – 10 manuscripts.

·     Plato – 7 manuscripts.

·     Tacitus – 20 manuscripts.

·     Sophocles – 193 manuscripts.

·     Suetonius – 8 manuscripts.

·     Herodotus – 8 manuscripts.

·     Thucydides – 8 manuscripts.

·     Aristotle – 49 manuscripts.

·     Aristophenes – 10 manuscripts.

·     New Testament – 24,633 manuscripts.

B. The Old Testament

1. The lack of manuscript copies in no way takes away from the reliability of the Old Testament because of the exact guidelines used by Jewish scribes.

2. Until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest manuscript of the Old Testament was the Leningrad Manuscript written approximately 1,008 A.D. The Dead Sea Scrolls were dated about 100 B.C. The text of both manuscripts was nearly exact. The accuracy was miraculous.

3. These are some of the rules that had to be followed by scribes:

    a. Manuscript pages had to come from the skins of a clean animal and tied together by strings made from clean animals.
    b. Each skin (page) must contain specific number of columns.
    c. The ink must be made from a specially prepared recipe.
    d. Between every consonant (letter) there had to be a space the width of a hair or thread, but they couldn’t touch each other.
    e. Between each book of the OT there had to be 3 empty lines.
    f. The Pentateuch had to end exactly at the end of a line or it must be recopied.
    g. The scribe had to sit and work in full ceremonial dress.
    h. If a king entered the room while the scribe was writing the name for God, the scribe could not acknowledge the king.
    i. They must use an authorized manuscript to copy from and no part could be copied from memory (that is, scribe must look at source copy for every single letter).
    j. Accuracy was checked by counting nearly everything:
       Counted the verses, words, and letters of every book.
       Calculated the middle word and middle letter of each book.
       Counted the number of times each letter occurs in each book.
       They identified the middle letter of the Pentateuch and the middle letter of the whole Hebrew Bible.
    k. If more than three mistakes were found, they could not merely correct them, they had to destroy the manuscript and start over.
    l. New manuscripts were given the same authority as the one it was copied from because of all these safeguards. Previous copy was used for readings in Synagogue until too worn.
    m. When a copy got too old and worn to read clearly, then it was destroyed to avoid corrupting future copies.

III.   The Bible is authoritative.

2 Tim. 3:16 _(KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God…. That is, God-breathed.

Throughout the Books of the Law we repeatedly read, “The Lord spoke unto Moses.”  The prophets often stated, “Thus says the Lord.” Or, “Hear the word of the Lord.” If it truly is the word of God (and I wholeheartedly believe that it is), then it is the highest authority that we will ever be accountable to.

Heb. 2:1-3 _(NKJV) Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. ² For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 

2 Peter 1: 21 _(NKJV) ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

When we read the Word and we hear the Word, we need to keep in mind that this is not men’s words or men’s ideas but God’s.

Revelation 22:18-19 _(NKJV) For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Even though these verses primarily refer to the prophecy of John in this book, yet the message is applicable to the entire Word of God. i.e. It is a very grave offense to add to or take away from what God has said or revealed.

It really doesn’t matter what I think or what any other preacher thinks. It doesn’t matter what the “scholars” say. It only matters what God says.

IV.   The Bible is effective.

Not only is the Word of God reliable and authoritative, but it is also effective.

2 Tim. 3:16 _(KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Isaiah 55:11 _(KJV) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Heb. 4:12 _(NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Deut. 8:3 _(NKJV) So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

We must realize that God never intended for us to exist as mere physical beings who are sustained by physical nourishment only. He created us as spiritual beings who were created to thrive on spiritual food.

We have often heard testimonies especially from representatives of the Gideons International organization who have shared stories of individuals who were converted and dramatically transformed by reading the Word of God.

Conclusion:

I hope that the Lord has spoken to each of us today through His Holy Spirit and reminded us of at least two things:

I hope we have gained a renewed confidence in the reliability of God’s Word. There is so much more we could say, but don’t ever let anyone convince you that we can never know for sure if we truly have the words that God wanted us to have.

I also hope we have gained a renewed confidence in the authority of the Word. When we stand before God, none of us will be held accountable for what some person said. We will be held accountable for what God said.

The closing song I’ve chosen for today is an appropriate reminder of God’s revelation of Himself to humanity.

God Has Spoken by His Prophets

Living Faith: Reaching the Goal

(To download an MP3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen online, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This sermon is the ninth and final message in a series of sermons on the New Testament book of James. The sermon speaks about the topics of patience, prayer, and restoration in the believer's quest to reach the final goal - eternity with Christ.

Written Excerpts:

James 5:7 ^(NKJV) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

Introduction:

Today I hope to conclude our series of messages in the book of James. (This is the 9^th sermon in the series.)

We have repeatedly mentioned that James is writing about faith that is genuine and living because it is a faith that applies to everyday life. It is a faith that is practical and impacts one’s values, choices and conduct.

In this brief letter James addresses a number of practical admonitions for his readers to follow in order to show their faith is living and genuine. Remember that we pointed out in the very beginning that there were over 50 imperative verbs (commands) in this letter, which demonstrates that the admonitions James offers are not mere suggestions. In the closing verses of chapter 5, James exhorts his readers to keep practicing their faith in the long-term pursuit of the final goal – eternity with Christ.

Let us look at James 5 to learn important details on…

Reaching the Final Goal (5:7-20)

In the first verse of this section James says, “Be patient… until the coming of the Lord.” 

Writing to Christian believers that are dispersed throughout the whole region, James wants them to understand that opposition and adversity will come in all kinds of ways and from different sources. They must have a persistent determination to keep practicing faith with all the endurance necessary until life is done.

The final goal is the end of this life – the coming of the Lord.

A.  Patience is necessary to reach the goal. (7-12)

This section starts with the word “therefore” which links it to the previous verses. In contrast to the disappointment and judgment that the rich will experience, he urges his readers to endure until they are rewarded.

1. Patience is encouraged. (7-8)

Actually, in the outline we’re using for this study, I should have typed “Patience is commanded” rather than “encouraged.”

“Be patient” – (in v. 7 & v. 8) imperative verb; endure with expectation.

Just like the farmer waits with patient expectation for the “early & latter” (autumn & spring) rains in order to get his crops, they also must practice patience or endurance. 

“establish your hearts” – imperative verb; fortify, prepare your hearts for the wait, however long that may be.

This can only be done by God as we “fortify ourselves” through studying the Word of God. The Word of God and the Spirit of God produces stability in our faith.

1 Thess. 3:12-13 ^(NKJV) And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

2. Patience is practically applied. (9, 12)

Probably two of the most common expressions of impatience are: grumbling and swearing, although the discussion about swearing in this context probably does not refer to cursing or vulgar talk, but rather the practice of invoking the name of God to support one’s claims.

a. Do not grumble. (KJV, Grudge not) Do not allow yourself to nurse and/or express critical feelings. 

Typically done “against one another.” (Tyndale) … [it means that] believers should not grumble to others about their difficulties, or that believers should not blame others for their difficulties (cf. NEB). It is entirely possible, however, that both ideas are involved.

It is a natural human tendency to grumble about what we’re going through. Yet, everyone of us have probably acknowledged at times that other people have problems far worse than ours. So, James says let us refrain from grumbling (which, by the way, expresses doubt concerning God’s care), and let us trust the Lord to give us grace to make it through the test.

b. Do not swear.

v. 12 may or may not be directly connected to the discussion about patience. (Some think so, and others don’t.)

One author (Tasker, Tyndale Commentary-earlier edition), says this, “What James is denouncing is the levity with which the name of God… tended to be uttered when men’s minds were disordered by impatience, and self-control was abandoned.”

 “above all” – i.e. take care of this problem before anything else.

“do not swear…” – Probably referring to the practice of invoking the name of God to “prove” I’m telling the truth. It often was done precisely because they were NOT telling the truth, or they could not always be trusted to tell the truth.

“any other oath” – any of the common substitutes people use in place of God’s name, but still accomplish the same purpose – i.e. emphasize that what I say is REALLY TRUE!

“let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’…” – speak and live in such a manner so everyone who knows you will be confident of your integrity and the truthfulness of what you say.

We’ve all probably met those people who often share “information” that we must take “with a grain of salt” because we’ve learned from experience that the actual truth is sometimes different than what they shared.

3. Patience is illustrated. (10-11)

James refers to the OT prophets and to Job as examples of people who practiced endurance and patience in order to let God’s will and God’s timing to be accomplished. God was faithful to all of them to not only bring them through the trials and adversities they faced, but in some cases, He also caused their latter situation to be far better than what it had been. For every Christian who endures to the end, our latter situation (eternity with Christ) will be far better than our present situation!

B.  Prayer is necessary to reach the goal. (13-18)

If we want to maintain our faith all through life until we reach the final goal, then we not only need endurance, but we also need prayer. The topic of prayer is a logical conclusion to the book by indicating that the Christian faith finds its center of power in a vital relationship with God through prayer in all the experiences of life.

1. Prayer is appropriate for all circumstances. (13-15)

Kinds of circumstances:

Afflicted? i.e. suffering; same word used in v. 10 in reference to the prophets. It is a general term denoting all sorts of afflictions and trials. (Tyndale)

Merry? i.e. cheerful; it is the same sense of well-being that the Apostle Paul encouraged his shipmates to have in the midst of the storm. (Tyndale)

Sick? i.e. without strength, illness.

Appropriate responses:

Pray – take our burden/problem to the Lord

Sing – singing a psalm = prayer of praise

Call – for others to pray; grammatically = call for oneself. i.e. the one who is sick should call for the elders.

Calling indicates faith.

Anoint – Some disagreement whether it is speaking of literally using oil when we pray for healing, or if the reference to anointing with oil was reference to the common “medical practices” in that time. Thus, it could be a reference to use the common medical practices of the day, but it was more than that because the elders (not doctors) were to anoint. But the healing comes from the Lord. In any case, the wording in the original language refers to “real” anointing with oil, and not a spiritual anointing such as Jesus mentioned when He quoted Isaiah, “… the Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor...”

Mark 6:13 _(NKJV) And they [the twelve disciples] cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Prayer of faith…heal the sick – God is the one who heals.

Sins… forgiven – lit. it will be forgiven, i.e. the fact that sins have been committed. Sometimes illness is caused by sins committed. When praying in such cases, pray for forgiveness and healing both.

2. Prayer hindrances need to be removed. (16)

Confession of sin. i.e. sins that may have caused the sickness, but also any sins.

“confess” – lit. say the same thing; admit the truth about ourselves.

Confession removes obstacles to faith and enables the Lord to move in our situations and in our lives.

cf. 4:6 “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

“effectual, fervent prayer” – lit. prayer in its working; a supplication or petition. Probably meant to have a connection with the first part of the verse, i.e. to be effective and fervent prayer needs to be preceded with confession.

3. Effective prayer is illustrated in real life. (17-18)

“prayed fervently” – lit. he prayed with prayer. Emphasizes the fact that the OT prophet wasn’t some kind of superhuman but was like all the rest of us. God answered his prayers. The implied truth is that God will do the same for anyone. We must always believe in the effectiveness of prayer and practice it faithfully in order to endure through life until Jesus returns.

C.  Even the wayward may reach the goal. (19-20)

These last two verses are a call to action (per Tyndale Commentary) and emphasize the importance of everyone making it, even the ones who have strayed. Part of our desire to endure to the end should be to help everyone else to make it as well.

“cover a multitude of sins” – probably referring to the sins of the one who has been restored to salvation and saved from death. But could also include the blessings God gives to those who minister to others. The notion that our efforts to bring others to repentance will bring benefit to our own spiritual standing is certainly biblical. – (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries)

Gal. 6:1 _(NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 

When we attempt to restore a wayward brother, we are to consider our own condition, so we do not stray as well. This process will help “cover a multitude of sins” in our own lives as well.

Conclusion:

In these closing paragraphs of James, we have emphasized the importance of patience and prayer in order to keep our faith alive until Jesus returns.  We need to keep the right perspective on our trials (they’re only temporary), and a right perspective on our deliverance (only through the prayer of faith).

It seems significant that James ends up the letter with an appeal to restore any wayward brother (or sister). Jesus was always concerned with the lost and James shows the same concern.

As we finish up this series of messages over the book of James, I want to ask you today if your faith is really alive? Does your faith enable you to live out God’s will in a practical way day by day? Or are you living in willful violation of God’s Word while at the same time comforting yourself in the fact that you still believe in God? Have you wandered away from the truth like James describes in the closing verses?

Whether you have discovered that your faith really wasn’t genuine at all, or if you have wandered away from the faith you once practiced, I want to invite you to give Christ your whole heart and life today. We are going to sing an invitational hymn to close the service today. If anyone realizes you have a spiritual need, I hope you will come forward and seek the Lord today.

Jesus, I Come