Our faith grows, and joy increases during suffering as we turn to God in prayer and praise. James instructs the church to pray with the elders. The literal and symbolic oil represents setting someone apart through prayer for special attention and care before God Who alone can heal. Not only should the elders pray for people, but so should the whole church because God answers prayer! He answered prayers for Elijah, and He’ll do it for us! Believers should pray for and help return those who wander and waiver in their faith back to God Who forgives and restores.
Faith That Prays
August 6, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 5:13–20
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Faith That Lasts
July 30, 2023 • Connor Erwin • James 5:7–12
Our faith is tested and strengthened in suffering. God desires believers to grow in patience. Like a farmer we are to wait on the harvest of fruit that comes from the seeds of patience. We must allow the Lord to change our hearts and we must refrain from grumbling to be found faithful by the Lord, the coming Judge. We should be unwavering like the prophets and steadfast like Job . Again (and above all), our speech reflects trustworthiness in persevering faith.
Faith That Is Surrendered
July 23, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 4:11—5:6
God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Pride manifests in various forms. It could be slander, boasting, or hoarding. Slander dishonors God and disheartens others. In contrast, Godly speech praises God and encourages others. Boasting about our future (short and long-term) by neglecting to ask God’s will is arrogant, foolish, and evil. Hoarding the resources God has placed in our lives is also prideful. We will be judged by God for how we have used what He has entrusted us. The things of this world are wasting away, but they can be invested for eternal purposes in His Kingdom. ELDER BLESSING By: Pete Lee Summit Church, I bless you, in Jesus' name, that you would be strong through the great grace that God gives you. That you would walk through every season of your life with a heart to please the Father in all things. I pray that you would be blessed with a unified mind (Phil 2:2) that remembers Jesus Christ and seeks to walk in His ways, not becoming distracted by lesser things. And as you remember Jesus, you would seek to live like him, having the same attitude that He had. For even though He was God, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even to the point of death (Phil 2:5-11). I bless your words, that they would be full of life (James 4:11&12) and would point others to the One who gives life. (Psalm 34:1-3). I bless your thoughts, that they would be pure, and would continually be turned to the Father in worship and praise. I bless your finances, that they would be seen as a means to worship the Father. May you live out the reality that true treasure is stored in heaven, not on earth (Matt 6:19-21). I bless your moments, each one, that they would be carefully submitted to the Lord. And may you find yourself ready to receive whatever He might bring your way. I pray, Summit Church, that you would be blessed with the heart of generosity and humility that is formed only by dwelling daily in the presence of Christ. Amen
Faith That Submits
July 16, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 4:1–10
There are two types of friendships – one with the world and one with God. Friendship with the world comes from sinful flesh, to be spent on earthly passions, and ends in being enemies of God. The Spirit longs for us to live for and in Him. Friendship with God comes from His grace as we submit ourselves to Him and resist the devil. Drawing near to God through humble repentance and grieving over our sin, results in being lifted by God. Elder Blessing By: Jason Cooney SUBMIT Knowing arrest and death were imminent, our Lord’s words in Gethsemane, “your will be done,” show his willingness to submit to the Father in the most difficult of moments. May your daily confession to God be “not as I will, but as you will.” RESIST THE DEVIL Our Lord, while in human form, looked satan in the face and refused to heed his instructions. So you, while in human form, and filled with the Spirit of our Lord can resist the devil, and watch as he flees in defeat. DRAW NEAR Hannah, weeping and distressed, approached the God of Israel and poured out her soul. He heard her cry, drew near to her, and gave her the desire of her heart. May you trust the words of our Lord when he says “Ask and it will be given to you…”