A Righteous Prayer Is Powerful

MAY 27, 2020 STUDY NOTES JAMES 5:16 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES A RIGHTEOUS PRAYER IS POWERFUL Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Some modern translations read “Therefore” at the beginning of verse 16 “Therefore” connects the thoughts of the previous verses with verse 16 But the connection with the previous verses is clear to see anyway In the preceding verses he spoke of affliction, sickness, and healing James spoke of sin and forgiveness, He spoke of joyfulness, singing and praising God He spoke of the Church Family and prayer, prayer is mentioned in each verse The praying and the “anointing with oil,” is to be in the “name of the Lord” The “Prayer of Faith” is prayer in the “Name of the Lord” Our relationship with God and our relationship with one another is important to James Our personal prayer life is of utmost importance to James He is now going to show us how powerful prayer can be He is also going to teach us how great a hindrance sin can be to prayer Unconfessed sin can be a cause of physical sickness and a hindrance to prayer Unconfessed sin can also cause division among the Church Family Confession of sin, is a must, confession of sin must be a part of the “Prayer of Faith” Being truthful to God and to others is a must for the healing of the mind and soul So, James says--Confess your faults one to another, He does not instruct us to share with others every evil thought and deed that we have committed If that were a regular part of church services today, the divorce rate would be even higher Lawyers would be making more money than they are now, number of court cases would increase Confession of sin is a must when you come to Jesus for salvation To “confess” is to admit that you have been wrong, and you are now agreeing with God Within a true confession of sin is also repentance, which is more than I am sorry I sinned Repentance is turning to God and turning from sin, it is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God John the Baptist came preaching repentance, Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Those who came to John believing in God, confessed their sins and were baptized, Mat 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Their baptism identified them with their repentance and confession of sin If they had not confessed their sins and repented of sin their baptism would be meaningless So, when the lost come to Jesus for salvation, they are to confess sins and agree with God Sinners must agree with God that they have sinned, Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Lost sinners are to confess their sins before God and agree that Jesus is the One who saves The classic passage on that subject is found in Romans 10, where the subject is salvation Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. Paul called the message of salvation that he preached, “the word of faith” He said it is as close to you as your mouth and heart is, Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; And then Paul explained it, Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Here the word “confess” has the thought of a public announcement, which is used also in, Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. The beginning of a salvation experience is confession of sin and the heart’s desire for God The desire to share your confession unto salvation is a sure sign of spiritual birth and new life To confess the Lord Jesus is more than saying you believe there is a God somewhere To confess the “Lord Jesus” is to make a deep personal commitment to Jesus as your Savior To “believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead” is to confess that He lives And it is your desire that He will live in you and you desire to live your life for Him, 1Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. Those who are lost are to confess their sins before God and receive Jesus as their Savior Those who are saved are to confess their sins unto God in-order to live right before God, 1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Those who are saved are to continually confess their sins in-order to have fellowship with God, 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank God for His mercy, Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Again, we find that to confess sin is to forsake sin God’s will for our life is righteousness, James will show us how powerful righteousness can be James does not teach that we are to go before a priest and confess our sins Nowhere in the NT do we find the Apostles inviting people to come to them and confess their sins We are to confess our sins unto God, a lost man by the name of Simon was told, Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. He was to pray to God Jesus gave us a model of prayer, we are to speak to God, Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. We are to ask for God’s forgiveness, Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Sin is a debt before God that must be paid Jesus paid that debt for us, 1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Jesus gave us an example of a tax collector who faced his sin honestly before God, Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. If we are to pray to God and confess our sins unto Christ, why does James say, “Confess your faults one to another?” The KJV says “faults,” some translations say, “sins” If the KJV is correct in translating the word “fault,” we have a good contrast The word “fault” means “to trespass,” you have stepped outside the bounds of God’s Law Righteousness is being right with God and living according to His Law Both “fault” and “sin” refer to being out of step with God, walking out of the will of God The difference does not matter, the instructions from James are the same James has in mind a sin or fault that has wronged someone in the Family of God When we have specifically wronged someone, committed a sin personally against them James is referring to offences that are against another Christian We can say things or do things that will break fellowship with another Christian Things that result in hard feelings toward one another happen too often When that happens, it becomes difficult to worship and serve God together As Christians, we are to come together to encourage one another, Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: As Christians we must pray and worship together, Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. When that can no longer be done, something must be done about it When relationships among Christians are broken, they must be healed as soon as possible The Christians who are involved in the disagreement must come together and confess They are to confess to one another their faults and sins that caused the division Agreeing that they have been wrong and then pray together Jesus had something to say about our relationship with one another, Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Disputes among Christians must be settled, there must be immediate reconciliation It is wrong when Christians are not right with one another Someone must take the first step toward reconciliation Paul said, Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Paul knows that we will not always be at peace with everyone else But he says if there is not peace with someone, do not let it be because of you If it is impossible to be at peace with someone, let it be their fault, never allow it to be your fault If others will allow it, do everything possible to live in peace Do not have an enemy because you “have not loved,” or because you “have not forgiven” Do not let the separation between you and another Christian be because you have not been patient Do not let a relationship be out of control because you are out of control You cannot control others, but you can control yourself Do not let it be your signature that is missing on the peace treaty The main reason we are to confess our faults to one another is so that we can pray for one another and pray one for another, The prayer is for one another, the one who was wrong is to pray The one who was wronged is to pray, each one must pray for self-first And then they are to pray for each other On behalf of each other you pray for forgiveness and a forgiving spirit A good example of this kind of prayer is found in, 3Jn 1:2 Beloved, I wish (same word) above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Let your prayer for others be a wish for their physical health and their spiritual health James tells us that kind of prayer is good for your own health--that ye may be healed. Does James have in mind the healing of the body or the healing of the spirit? The same Biblical truths apply to both, James probably has both in mind The word translated “healed” means to cure, to heal, to restore It is used figuratively, speaking of deliverance from sin and the consequences of sin Referring to spiritual restoration, spiritual renewal, a revival of the Christian life It is most often used in a literal sense, deliverance from physical diseases and healing of the body It is often used when referring to the miraculous healing ministry of Jesus, Luk 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present “to heal” them. Jesus combined His healing and teaching ministry, Luk 5:24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. Luk 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and “healed” them that had need of healing. Peter spoke of the power of Jesus over Satan and the demonic forces as “healing,” Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and “healing” all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. The same word is also used to refer to the healing of the spirit, Joh 12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Joh 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, Joh 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and “I should heal” them. In this passage to heal Israel would be to bring them to belief and obedience to God So, James probably has both physical healing and spiritual healing in mind And just as James has already presented, they are both in the “name of the Lord” Listen to what Jesus had to say at the beginning of His earthly ministry, Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, The teaching, preaching, and healing ministry of Jesus confirmed that He was the Messiah James told us to pray for one another and now he tells us how powerful prayer really is--The effectual fervent prayer So, what kind of a prayer is “Effectual Prayer?” It is not the time, the place, the phrases used, or the length of prayer that makes it powerful “Effectual” describes a prayer that is filled with energy, a prayer filled with power Prayer that works in a supernatural way, prayer that will accomplish great things Paul prayed that we know that kind of power, Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Eph 1:20 Which “he wrought” in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, He told us how powerful that power is, Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power “that worketh” in us, The Thessalonians had experienced the power of God’s Word, 1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which “effectually worketh” also in you that believe. Prayer must be put into practice in-order to be powerful, it cannot be occasional, Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. God wants us to make known unto Him every personal need that we have We are to pray for others the way we pray for ourselves, Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; An “effectual fervent prayer” is the way that Zacharias prayed for his barren wife Elisabeth, Luk 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. The way that Anna prayed for the long-awaited Messiah, Luk 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. The way the Philippians prayed for Paul, Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, The way Paul prayed for Timothy, 2Ti 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; The way that we should be praying today, Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. The way that we should pray for the leadership of America, especially for their salvation, 1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. The way that Jesus prayed while He was upon the earth, Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; The kind of praying that the Lord is waiting to hear, 1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. God wants to hear from those who are righteous-of a righteous man Who does James have in mind when he speaks of “a righteous man?” Praying a powerful prayer is not limited to the saints of old or to church leadership today James is encouraging every Christian to believe in prayer and to pray believing We must understand the meaning of “righteous,” which begins with realizing, Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: It is impossible for sinful man to obtain righteousness before God through good behavior No one is justified by observing the law, Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Only by faith in Jesus Christ do we stand justified before God, Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: All believers are credited with the righteousness of Christ, but we must offer ourselves as “instruments of righteousness,” Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. That is who James is referring too, the Christian who is committed to living for Christ Those who are walking in a right relationship with God, obeying God and trusting God, 1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. God’s eyes are open that He might bless the righteous when they do good God’s ears are open to the prayers of the righteous, those living a holy and God-fearing life Joseph was that kind of a man, Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. God answered his prayers, Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius was a man who sought God, Act 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. God answered his prayers, God sent Peter to the home of Cornelius James says that the prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much availeth much. The word “availeth” means to be strong, powerful, mighty, the ability to accomplish much It also means to be useful for something, a prayer that has value and can do something special The opposite is something that is no longer good for anything Such as salt that loses its saltiness, Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Some Christians today are like that kind of salt, our world today needs powerful Christians The Word of God has power, Act 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. If prayer is powerful and the Word of God is powerful The Christian who prays and obeys the Word of God can be powerful, Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. When a righteous man prays their prayer can be powerful, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” In our world today we need Christians who are right with God praying with power Be sure you are right with God and be sure you are praying right A right prayer is the “Prayer of Faith” HAVE FAITH IN GOD