Sunday School Lesson
July 24
Lesson 8 (KJV)
The Word Resurrects
Devotional Reading: John 11:20–27, 38–44
Background Scripture: John 11:17–44
John 11:17–27, 38–44
17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27. She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
38. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Key Text
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?—John 11:25–26
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Recount the sequence of events in the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
2. Explain how Jesus’ raising of Lazarus proves the truth of Jesus’ claim in John 11:25.
3. Contrast his or her life as now lived in confidence that Jesus is “the resurrection, and the life” with his or her prior life.
HOW TO SAY IT
| Bethabara | Beth-ab-uh-ruh. |
| Bethany | Beth-uh-nee. |
| Judea | Joo-dee-uh. |
| Perea | Peh-ree-uh. |
Introduction
A. The Point of No Return
The phrase the point of no return originated in the early days of powered flight. Technically, it is that place on a flight path where the amount of fuel remaining makes it impossible to return to the airfield of takeoff. When we use that phrase in other contexts, we usually mean that we’ve reached a point where it is impractical or even impossible to turn back and start over.
Our Bible story today is about a person named Lazarus who seemingly had reached the ultimate point of no return: death. Death is the last stop for all our hopes and dreams in this world, the final and unavoidable end to every plan and purpose. As we’ve all been told, the only two things that are certain in this life are death and taxes. While we theoretically can avoid taxes, there’s simply no coming back from the grave.
Or is there?
B. Lesson Context
This week’s lesson finds Jesus back in Judea after having withdrawn to minister in Perea, on the eastern side of the Jordan River (John 10:40).
Often noted is the fact that there are seven famous “I am the [something]” sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of John. These are found in John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; 14:6; and 15:1, 5. Today’s lesson concerns the fifth of those seven, uttered by Jesus’ in the third year of His ministry as a preface to the raising of Lazarus.
I. Faith at a Funeral
(John 11:17–27)
As today’s text opens, Jesus was already aware of the death of Lazarus (John 11:1–6, 14).
A. Status (vv. 17–19)
17–18. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.
The Lazarus of this account appears in the Gospels only here and in the story that immediately follows in John 12. The fact that Lazarus had been in the grave four days already is significant. Ancient Jews believed that the souls of the dead hovered near their bodies for three days, after which time they departed. Therefore, the Jews in this account likely assumed that Lazarus had passed the point of no return, with no hope of recovery. For reasons to be seen, Jesus had been in no hurry to travel to Bethany after hearing of Lazarus’s illness (John 11:6–7).
Before moving on, we note that this particular Bethany is the one that is about fifteen furlongs distant from Jerusalem. A furlong is 202 yards, 9 inches in length. Thus the distance from this Bethany to Jerusalem is 1.72 miles. John’s note on distance thus serves to distinguish this particular town from the Bethany that is on the other side of the Jordan River (also called Bethabara in the King James Version; see John 1:28).
19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
John 11:1–2 also establishes Lazarus, Martha, and Mary to be siblings. The sisters are known from the famous story in Luke 10:38–42. In another well-known episode, this Mary was the one who would later anoint Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume (Mark 14:3–9; John 11:2; 12:1–8). The presence of many of the Jews who came to mourn Lazarus’s death indicates that the family was well established in the community. It appears that the entire village of Bethany, and perhaps also some residents of Jerusalem (compare 11:45–46), had come to pay their respects.
| What Do You Think? What lessons have you learned from occasions when others tried to comfort you in a time of loss? Digging Deeper Which Scriptures support your conclusions? |
B. Frustration (vv. 20–22)
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
This verse allows us a peek at the personality differences between Mary and Martha. As in Luke 10:38–42, Martha seems to have been the more assertive of the two. The fact that Martha met Jesus on the road, before He got to the house, allowed for a time of private discussion.
21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Martha’s words are a little difficult to interpret. Some see them as an accusation (as in, “Why weren’t You here to help?”). Others see them as a statement of faith (as in, “If You had been able to come, I know You could have helped”).
We note that the sisters had sent word to Jesus when Lazarus fell ill, but Jesus purposefully delayed His return by two days (John 11:3–6). Yet the fact that Lazarus had been dead for four days by this time (11:17, above) means that he still would have been dead for two days even if Jesus had not delayed.
Of course, Jesus could have healed Lazarus from a distance (as in Matthew 8:5–13). But Jesus allowed Lazarus to die because Jesus was planning to raise him from the dead (see John 11:4, 11). Naturally, Martha did not know this. Thus as is so often the case, emotions can overwhelm us before God reveals His larger plan.
| What Do You Think? Without giving directive advice, how would you counsel a friend who is distressed that the Lord does not answer her prayers as quickly as she would like? Digging Deeper How would insights from Job 2:13; 16:1–5; and 26:1–4 improve your counseling technique? |
Not What I Expected
I was leading a new church near New York City. At first we met in a rented facility, but we soon we found a building to purchase—a former funeral home that was for sale at a price our young congregation could afford. We mused about how God would bring new life to a place previously devoted to death. We dreamed about how our ministry would grow in this new location. But just days before we finalized the deal, another buyer made a better offer, and we lost the opportunity to buy the building.
Congregation members were disappointed, and I felt like a failure as a leader. We had invested a lot of effort into the failed purchase, and I wondered why God hadn’t answered our prayers. I asked, “Lord, if You love our church, why didn’t You help us get this building?”
Looking for solace, I met with an older, experienced church leader who had served in the area for many years. I expected him to comfort me, but instead he challenged me, saying, “A leader’s character shows in the way you handle adversity.” That counsel wasn’t what I expected—but it was what I needed.
We persevered. Eventually, God led us to purchase a wonderful facility. This time it wasn’t a funeral home; it was a church building. We bought it for half the asking price, and the church thrived there. What God had in mind wasn’t what I expected. It was better. Will you trust Him when you don’t understand Him?
—D. F.
22. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
At first glance, this statement may look like a veiled request: “Jesus, You can still save Lazarus if You want to.” But John 11:39 (below) indicates that Martha was not thinking along that line. Thus Martha’s statement here should be taken as a general expression of confidence in Jesus rather than as a particular expectation regarding Lazarus. Martha still respected and believed in Jesus. Her faith during a time of loss is noteworthy.
| What Do You Think? Which of the psalms are good models for you of how to express faith during frustration? Digging Deeper How can you ensure that your frustration doesn’t end up as seen in Job 38:1–2; 40:1–5? |
C. Life (vv. 23–26)
23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus often says things that are subject to more than one interpretation. The ambiguity may have been intentional on Jesus’ part to test peoples’ levels of faith and understanding (example: John 3:3–4). Jesus could take the discussion to a deeper level if the person latched onto the wrong meaning.
24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Some first-century Jews did not believe in resurrection (Mark 12:18; Acts 23:8). But many did believe that the righteous are to rise to eternal life at the end of time (Daniel 12:2), and Martha was one who so believed. Thus Jesus’ words “Thy brother shall rise again” of the previous verse was a comfort in that regard. But Martha’s faith affirmation in the verse at hand reveals that she did not detect that Jesus had something else in mind.
25a. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life.
Here we see the fifth of Jesus’ seven “I am the [something]” sayings in the Gospel of John (see the Lesson Context). Jesus was attempting to push Martha’s understanding to a deeper level. Earlier He had affirmed himself to be the one who raises the dead (John 5:25). But Jesus not only had the ability to perform resurrections; He is the resurrection.
The phrase and the life adds even more. Whereas many may think of eternal life as something that begins after we leave this world, John’s Gospel insists that eternal life begins when a person is reborn spiritually. That being the case, Jesus told people that eternal life was immediately available through Him (John 5:24).
The Final Mile
While driving to work I noticed a semi emblazoned with the words Final Mile. Underneath those words was a slogan stressing that the customer’s last mile was the company’s top priority. In the transportation industry, “the last mile” refers to the final leg of the supply chain as products reach their intended destinations.
We encounter many bumps, potholes, and detours as we journey through life. The road takes many twists and turns. But in the end, death cannot confine a follower of Christ to the grave. The Lord will see to it that those who trust in Him will arrive at their destination, making it home safely—for eternity. Our final mile is Jesus’ highest priority. Is it ours as well?
—D. F.
25b–26a. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Jesus pressed harder. In the phrases though he were dead and yet shall he live, He used the word dead in a literal, physical sense and the word live in a spiritual sense: even if a person died physically (as was the case with Lazarus), he or she would live forever spiritually, based on belief in Christ.
The phrases that follow state the same things in reverse: anyone who believes in Jesus while physically alive, as Lazarus had believed in Him, shall never die spiritually. In other words, the person of faith has an eternal hope that goes beyond the grave.
All this makes sense to us in hindsight. But for Martha, full of grief over her loss, the entire matter may have seemed hopelessly confusing. Perhaps she wondered why Jesus was waxing philosophical when what she really needed was a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on. Little did she realize that Jesus would soon provide a source of comfort beyond her wildest dreams!
26b. Believest thou this?
This is not a question about Martha’s belief in resurrection. She had already affirmed belief in that. This is, rather, a question about her personal trust in Jesus. Her answer follows.
D. Belief (v. 27)
27. She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
The Gospel of John is filled with situations where people responded in varying ways to something that Jesus said or did. Sometimes the response was in faith, but sometimes the response was that of confusion or downright disbelief. These give us a chance to think about our own response to Jesus.
Martha serves as a model of faith in the face of loss. Despite her grief and confusion, she seems to have come closer to a genuine understanding of Christ’s identity than any other character in John’s story at any point before Jesus’ resurrection. John 20:30–31 indicates that this Gospel was written to lead the reader to believe that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God”; Martha’s words here closely echo John’s stated objective, although it seems doubtful that she fully understood all the implications of her own words.
As a faithful Jew of her day, Martha probably believed that the Christ would come to deliver Israel from political bondage (compare Acts 1:6). She may also have thought that the Christ would be the Son of God in the same sense that the great Jewish kings were sometimes called sons of God in the Old Testament (example: 2 Samuel 7:13–14). The Jews as a whole were certainly not expecting a Messiah who would actually be God in the flesh (John 1:11, 14)!
Some may find fault with Martha for not sorting through Jesus’ intentionally ambiguous words to answer in a deeper way. But sometimes a simple affirmation of trust that Jesus is the promised Messiah is the best position to adopt in the face of grief and confusion. Whether or not we understand why a tragedy has happened, we can still turn to God with faith and trust, believing that He has everything under control.
| What Do You Think? What situations in your life are most in need of a faith response right now? Digging Deeper How do you decide when to rest in childlike faith vs. when to probe deeper for “answers”? |
II. Freed from the Grave
(John 11:38–44)
John 11:28–37 (not in today’s text) deals primarily with Jesus’ interaction with Mary, sister of Martha. This interaction and certain comments by others who were present (11:36–37) set the stage for the resurrection of Lazarus.
A. Emotion, Cave, Stone (v. 38)
38. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
Jesus was experiencing heavy emotions, described as groaning in himself. We should remember that even though Jesus was God, He was also a human (John 1:14). So He experienced human emotions.
The place of interment was a cave that was probably located in a stone outcropping on the lower eastern side of the Mount of Olives. Other family tombs were likely there as well, tombs that were caves—having been prepared to be suitable as underground rooms for the remains of the dead.
Such tombs were sealed with heavy stones, and the tomb of Lazarus was no exception. Ancient family tombs have been found having disk-like stones that are three or four feet in diameter. Such stones would often be on a track across the entrance.
However, the language here indicates a stone laid over the entrance. Not all tomb-caves have upright entrances. Sometimes such caves descend vertically rather than extend back horizontally. This may be the case here. Artists sometimes portray Lazarus’s subsequent exit from the tomb as coming up a stairway that has been chiseled out of the stony ground.
B. Request, Objection, Response (vv. 39–40)
39. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
To open a tomb is a serious matter. Such action can be construed as a desecration of the grave, so it must be ordered by a family member. That may be why Martha rather than Mary was the one to respond when Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. She seems to have been the older of the sisters, in charge of the family’s business following the death of her brother.
Martha was not eager to agree to Jesus’ request. Four days had passed since the death of Lazarus, and she assumed that his body was in its smelliest phase of decomposition. What we see are the limits of faith. Martha fully believed that Jesus could have healed Lazarus of his sickness and prevented his death (John 11:21, above), as did her sister (11:32). But their faith could not imagine what was about to happen. For them, resurrection was a future event, a promised time when all of God’s righteous people would be raised from the dead (11:24). Had the two sisters not heard of the raising of the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11–17) or that of Jairus’s daughter (8:40–56)?
40. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
In response, Jesus reminded Martha of their earlier conversation. His challenge to her was that a person who believed in Him would never die (John 11:26). Death is sad, but it is not the end for those who trust in Jesus. This was a crucial moment, for the tomb might not have been opened if Martha’s faith faltered. Her faith was challenged by the trauma of being asked to have a beloved relative’s grave disturbed—and the smell that would accompany it.
We are reminded of John’s later conversation with the risen Christ, who declared himself to hold “the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18); He is capable of breaking the hold that death has over humanity. To believe in and understand Jesus’ power over death is to be aware of the glory of God, and this glory was about to be revealed to Martha in the resurrection of her dead brother.
In the Old Testament, “the glory of the Lord” is synonymous with God’s presence, something that was observed at Sinai (Exodus 24:17), at the tabernacle (40:34), and in the temple (2 Chronicles 7:1). God was present in the person of Jesus, and this was revealed earlier in glorious fashion at the transfiguration (see Matthew 17:2; compare 2 Peter 1:16–17). Although what has unfolded thus far in our text may seem little more than a humble human drama witnessed by a few dozen people in an insignificant village, no one present there should doubt the power of the Lord after what would happen next.
C. Prayer, Belief, Command (vv. 41–44)
41–42. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jesus uttered a prayer that revealed the ultimate purpose of the miracle that followed: that they may believe that thou hast sent me. While many of Jesus’ miracles demonstrated compassion, all are intended to point people to God through Christ. There can be no doubt about the source of Jesus’ power, as He directed all credit to the Father for what was about to happen.
| What Do You Think? In what ways should you change your prayers so that God is more likely to honor them? Digging Deeper To what extent will James 4:3 apply to those needed changes? |
43. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
This verse is a graphic illustration of what John envisions happening at the end of time, when Christ will call all the faithful to Him at His return. In John 5:25–28, Jesus promised that a time is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and be raised to eternal life. Lazarus’s resurrection (next verse) was thus a foreshadowing of what will happen to all who believe.
44. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
In ancient times, dead bodies were wrapped in strips of cloth with spices before burial to control the odor of decay. Many comparisons have been drawn between the graveclothes and napkin (or “sweat cloth”) of Lazarus and Jesus (John 20:6–7). We can only wonder how the crowd reacted while watching Lazarus emerge from the tomb, wrapped in these items! The fact that he was bound hand and foot brings a comical image to mind: Lazarus, unable to remove the wrappings, perhaps was able only to hop as he emerged. Clearly, when Jesus calls, you come!
Conclusion
A. Pleasant Surprises
While it’s always nice to get what you’ve worked for, sometimes a pleasant surprise goes a long way. Things we don’t expect—like a bonus at work or a letter from an old friend—make us feel appreciated. Martha received the ultimate pleasant surprise as she saw something unfold that was humanly impossible.
Since Jesus really does have power over death, why should we fear anything? Since He secures our eternal destiny, can He not also provide everything else we need in this world now?
B. Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to trust You more in the face of death. We pray in the name of the one who conquered death, Jesus. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
The grave is not the end.[1]
July 31
Lesson 9 (KJV)
The Word Gives Peace
Devotional Reading: John 14:15–29
Background Scripture: John 14:15–31
John 14:15–29
15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
25. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Key Text
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.—John 14:16
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize Jesus’ promise regarding the Holy Spirit.
2. Explain the link between the presence of the Holy Spirit and living in obedience to Christ.
3. Write a prayer of thanks to God for the presence of the Holy Spirit in his or her life.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Abandoned!
B. Lesson Context
I. Promise of the Spirit (John 14:15–17)
A. Initial Requirement (v. 15)
B. Firm Promise (vv. 16–17)
In Our Corner
II. Assurance by the Son (John 14:18–24)
A. Presence (v. 18)
B. Life (v. 19)
C. Knowledge (v. 20)
D. Obedience (v. 21)
“If You Really Loved Me, You’d …”
E. Clarification (vv. 22–24)
III. Purpose of the Spirit (John 14:25–26)
A. Son’s Present Message (v. 25)
B. Spirit’s Future Ministry (v. 26)
IV. Insight of Jesus (John 14:27–29)
A. Peace Bestowed (v. 27)
B. Failure Rebuked (vv. 28–29)
Conclusion
A. Abandoned? Never!
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
| Judas Iscariot | Joo-dus Iss-care-ee-ut. |
| Pentecost | Pent-ih-kost. |
| Thaddaeus | Tha-dee-us.[2] |
KID’S CORNER
God Hears our Prayers and Praises
Sunday, July 24, 2022
James 5:13-20
James 5:13-20
(James 5:13) Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
The first action to take when suffering begins is to turn to God in prayer. God will sometimes work a direct miracle and remove the cause of the suffering. God may not choose to work a direct miracle and remove our suffering, but in answer to our prayers He may show us what to do, who to go to, or what to stop doing, so we can find relief and perhaps remove the cause of our suffering. When we are cheerful, we can thank and praise God for the attitude and circumstances that bring us joy. Praise and prayer should always go together no matter what our circumstances.
(James 5:14) Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
The Bible does not direct us to quietly bear our suffering alone. The Bible encourages us to ask the elders or spiritual leaders in our church to pray for us and help us. Anointing with oil may be the application of oil or an ointment known for its healing properties that might be too expensive for one family alone to own so it is shared by the church. In Jesus’ parable, the good Samaritan brought healing to the man he found on the road by applying oil and wine to his wounds. The anointing with oil may also represent an act of obedience that the elders perform and the sick person requests and receives in the name of the Lord. Whenever oil or medicine is used to help someone, Jesus deserves our thanks for their provision.
(James 5:15) 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.
The prayer of faith in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will save the sick: sometimes God will heal them in this life; at other times, He will heal them in heaven. After He raises His followers from the dead, He will give them healed and glorified human bodies. However God chooses, He will demonstrate His faithfulness to the sick in answer to their prayers and the prayers of others. Perhaps more importantly, since Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins, believers have the assurance that if they sin they can repent and pray in faith to Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and God will forgive them.
(James 5:16) 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.
The church knows that not everyone can be trusted with the secrets of others when people ask for prayer or make confession of their sins; so, we do not share with one another the sins and secrets of others, which is gossip, unless the secrets and sins are such that others need to be protected and warned, which is a part of church discipline that is conducted by responsible church leaders. If we sin against someone in the church, we need to repent and confess to them and ask the one we have wronged to forgive us (and make amends to them, if possible). Sometimes our sins against another have resulted in many people being hurt or misinformed; in that case, confession and efforts to right our wrongs are required in relation to all concerned. Some will not be healed until they deal rightly with their sins through faith in Jesus Christ. Right living makes right praying possible for believers. Right praying is powerful and effective for believers, especially with the help of the Holy Spirit, who prays for us from within us, and the help of Jesus, who prays for us from heaven as our High Priest.
(James 5:17) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
Elijah prayed for people to recognize that they were sinning. He wanted people to repent, confess their sins, turn back from idolatry to the true God, and seek forgiveness from God. For the sake of unrepentant sinners who needed God, Elijah prayed fervently that there would be no rain; perhaps if they suffered without rain they would turn back to God.
(James 5:18) Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
When the people repented and turned back to God, Elijah prayed for them and God heard his prayer. God forgave His people and sent the rain they needed for their crops and fresh water to drink. Both Elijah and God had good reasons for Elijah to pray as He did and for God to answer Elijah’s prayer as He did (see 1 Kings 17 and 18).
(James 5:19) My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,
It is possible for a believer or member of a church to be misled or wander away from the truth. Such “wandering” can be the result of sin, and such “wandering” can lead to sin or more sins. Prayer for the wanderer and teaching or reminding the wanderer of the truth can influence them (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to turn back to the true God and the truth. The Bible encourages us to pray and do what we can to lead people back to God and to trust in the truth of His word.
(James 5:20) 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.
The wanderer may remain on the path that leads away from God and the truth; the Bible calls this path the broad road that leads to destruction, or he can be led to turn around and go back to God and the narrow way that leads to life (See Matthew 7:13-20). The soul that persists in walking away from God will walk away from God forever, and that is eternal death, eternal separation from God: the person will receive what they have wanted in this life – a life away from God, but this will bring them eternal sorrow. Whenever someone returns to the Lord in repentance and faith, and whenever someone leads a sinner to saving faith in Jesus Christ, a multitude of sins will not be committed and a multitude of sins will be forgiven. A multitude of sins and their deserved punishment will be covered and the sinner will be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
God Hears our Prayers and Praises
Sunday, July 24, 2022
James 5:13-20
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:13, 14—KJV).
Is anyone among you 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, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:13, 14—NASB).
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:13, 14—NRSV).
No matter what happens to us or others, we can go to God in prayer. When believers suffer, prayer comes spontaneously to their minds and often to their lips. When believers experience reasons to rejoice and feel cheerful, they may need to remind themselves to “praise God from whom all blessings flow.” Those who follow Jesus Christ may suffer in a variety of ways for their loyalty to their Lord and their confession of faith in Him. In some places, Christians literally die daily at the hands of their persecutors. But believers do not, or need not, suffer alone. When they are sick, they can ask the church to pray for them. They can call their pastor, their elders, and other church leaders to come to their sick bed, anoint them with oil, pray for them, and give them counsel. In the early church, elders sometimes served as doctors and gave medical treatment as they prayed. With mass communication today, believers can pray for the oppressed and persecuted around the world the moment they hear of their plight. In this life, we may never learn how many the Lord has healed, delivered, and sustained in faraway lands because believers have prayed the moment they have heard about devastating diseases or disasters. Whatever terrors or tragedies beset us or others, we can still sing with confidence these words of Joseph Scriven: “Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.”
Thinking Further
God Hears our Prayers and Praises
Sunday, July 24, 2022
James 5:13-20
Name ________________________________________
1. Compare James 5:13, Philippians 4:4, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
2. Read James 5:14-15. In what other ways do Christians do this today?
3. When we pray for those who have committed sins, what can we pray for them?
4. Is sickness always the result of sin? Can some sickness be the result of sin? Give reasons for your answer.
5. Is there a relationship between the way we live daily and the way God hears and answers our prayers?
Questions for Discussion
1. Compare James 5:13, Philippians 4:4, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Those suffering should pray and the cheerful should sing songs of praise. Everyone in all circumstances can rejoice in the Lord always. We can pray without ceasing for a variety of concerns; and even though we are suffering, we can give thanks in all circumstances. Why do we do all of these things? One reason the Apostle Paul gives is: “For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Other reasons can include love and appreciation to God the Father for the gift of His Son and the saving faith in Him that we will enjoy forever by His grace.
2. Read James 5:14-15. In what other ways do Christians do this today?
They make prayer requests of the whole church to pray. They send out doctors and nurses and build hospitals and send out other caregivers to the sick and needy around the world. What other ways can you think of?
3. When we pray for those who have committed sins, what can we pray for them?
We can pray that they will repent of their sins, make restitution where possible, trust in Jesus Christ to forgive them and save them from their sins and future commission of sins. Pray that they will confess their sins in the right way and for the Holy Spirit to help them live right in the future.
4. Is sickness always the result of sin? Can some sickness be the result of sin? Give reasons for your answer.
No. For example, Job had not sinned, but he was made sick. God showed that Job was a man of integrity. Yes. Job’s friends sinned against God and 2 Job by what they said and did, and they were made sick until Job prayed for them as God commanded and they were healed.
5. Is there a relationship between the way we live daily and the way God hears and answers our prayers?
Yes. See James 5:16.
Word Search
God Hears our Prayers and Praises
Sunday, July 24, 2022
James 5:13-20
Name ______________________________________
G S D C G Y G N I R E F F U S
D U W K W N Q R K J K J X A C
G V H G U J I W A W P G F P N
Q T L M H E K T U Q M F Z R O
V K Q N D V D C N W L S W A I
M I F M O N W U I I T D U I S
N E X U C V Q E C S O S L S S
D A R J Y A N T L S G N R E E
E C I R X K E U H N U E A S F
L M F T Y D F J I A V S L V N
A N A W S R B S G E I N E H O
E M I P E I S M I H Z W M J C
H S T E Z E R L S R E Y A R P
V P H Q L H E H J X U N O I L
B C Y B X B I B C B R Z V N D
Prayers
Praises
Afflicted
Suffering
Merry
Rotted
Cheerful
Sick
Anointing
Oil
Blessings
Confession
Faith
Believer
Healed
True and False Test
God Hears our Prayers and Praises
Sunday, July 24, 2022
James 5:13-20
Name ________________________________________
Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.
1. When Christians suffer, they should immediately complain that God is being unfair to them. True or False
2. Songs of praise should only be sung with other happy people in a praise or worship service. True or False
3. If you are sick or suffering, you should keep it to yourself and not bother anyone else. True or False
4. Only elders in the church can pray for the sick and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. True or False
5. Anointing oil does not need to be magic or a special formula. True or False
6. Prayer to God and confession of sins to God and those we have wronged is all some people need to be healed from some diseases. True or False
7. The prayers of those living in sin are just as effective with God as the prayers of anyone else. True or False
8. The prayers of the righteous are power and effective. True or False
9. Ezekiel prayed and it did not rain for three years and six months. True or False
10. The prayers of righteous people can bring rain and a good harvest. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- False
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to trust You more in the face of death. We pray in the name of the one who conquered death, Jesus. Amen.