The James Series Conclusion Chapter 5 – “Prestige, Patience and Prayer”

The Two Big Questions? What does it mean to be a mature follower of Christ and how do we become one?

James 5:1-2 (NLT); Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.

Prestige: widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of a of their achievements or quality. (Google Dictionary)

Prestige can be good or bad based on the perception.

James 5:3 (NLT); Your gold and silver have become . The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as against you on the day of judgment.

Investing for this life or for eternity. Mature Christians have learned to invest in life; for purposes.

James 5:4-6 (NLT); For listen! Hear the of the field workers whom you have of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You have spent your years on Earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of . You have condemned and innocent people, who do not resist you.

God sees how you are treating others. Breaking the Rule:

Luke 6:31 (NLT); Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

A Mature Christian can have if; they are respected and admired because they Christ.

James 5:7,8 (NLT); Dear brothers and sisters, be as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be . Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

A Mature Christian has the expectation of Christ’s Return. A Mature Christian recognizes God’s plan for their as well as all including that of the of Jesus.

James 5:9 (NLT); Don’t about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be . For look-the Judge is at the door!

Christian maturity; evermore and too others.

James 5:10,11 (NLT); For examples of patience in , dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honour to those who under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to Him at the , for the Lord is full of and .

No one said; patience is . Patience isn’t easy. Maturity comes from God’s and seeing things from an perspective.

James 5:12 (NLT); But of all, my brothers and sisters, take an oath, by HhHeaven or Earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will sin and be .

Christian maturity is revealed; by , integrity, and . That leads to being

James 5:13-14 (NLT); Are any of you suffering hardships? You should . Are any of you happy? You should praises. Are any of you sick? You should for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with in the name of the Lord.

James 5:15 (NLT); Such a prayer offered in will the sick, and the will make you well. And you have committed any sins, you will be .

Spiritual, Physical and Emotional Healing and “If” you have sinned. (We all have sinned)

James 5:16-18 (NLT); your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be . The earnest prayer of a person has great power and produces results. was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that rain would fall, fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down and the Earth began to yield its crops.

Mature Christians can be with the of others and can pray for them.

James 5:19-20 (NLT); My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders from the truth and is back, you can be sure that brings the sinner back will that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of sins.

Mature Christians out. They do so in their words and actions as by the Holy Spirit.

Christian Maturity according to James; is not , it takes time and .

Answering the Two Big Questions: Christian maturity begins; by coming into relationship with God.

We must then become, disciples; growing with ; for God’s love, grace, forgiveness and more! We must live our faith in words and daily. To God and as an too and for others.

A Mature Christian both and the of salvation for anyone. Mature Christians for and are with others. A Mature Follower of Christ, can be with the of others and in their for others.

Mature Followers of Jesus, to the of the (God) in things, as by the Holy Spirit.

The Big Question for you is; are you in this process?