A Call to Prayer
A. OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD EFFECTS OUR STATE OF MIND.
1. Joy in our salvation (1 Pet. 1:6)
2. Comfort in our trials (1 Pet. 1:7; 5:7).
B. OUR TEXT IS A CALL TO SINGING AND PRAYER, BUT ESPECIALLY PRAYER.
A. FOR WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY?
1. For the REMOVAL of the suffering, if it be the Lord's will (2 Cor. 12:8).
2. For STRENGTH to endure, if that be the Lord's will (1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 12:9).
3. God may not remove our suffering, for it may be for our good (Psa. 119:67, 71, 75).
C. FOR WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY?
1. Certainly for ourselves, as implied above
2. And for our brethren (3 John 2).
3. But also for those who may be the source of our suffering (Matt. 5:44).
A. Phil. 4:4. REJOICE IN THE LORD (Isa. 65:14; Psa. 95:1-2; Psa. 105:2).
B. SINGING WILL CHEER THE FAINT HEART (Acts 16:25).
C. SINGING INCREASES KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH (Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16).
A. CALL THE ELDERS.
1. They are over you in the Lord (1 Pet. 5:2).
2. They are to make themselves ensamples (1 Pet. 5:3; Matt. 25:36, 40; Phil. 2:3-4).
B. “LET THEM PRAY OVER HIM, ANNOINTING HIM WITH OIL …”
1. Is he talking about Physical or Spiritual illness?
a. Consider the phrase "and IF he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
b. Physical Illness – "IF" indicates that it may not be accompanied by sin.
2. Is he talking about Miraculous or Providential healing by Nature?
a. Annointing with oil associated with miraculous healing (Mark 6:13).
b. Many first century Christians had the power to heal (1 Cor. 12:9).
c. Oil was also a typical treatment of the sick (Luke 10:34; Isa. 1:6).
d. I lean toward the latter explanation...
- The first assumes that elders in all churches possessed the gift of healing.
- We have no record of such in the New Testament (1 Cor. 12:28-30).
- - Their qualifications don’t require this gift (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
A. ILLNESS AND SIN CONNECTED HERE, ALSO HEALING AND FORGIVENESS.
1. A connection Jesus made (Luke 5:30-32).
2. Illness and healing can be a metaphore for sin and cleansing –
Sin is not merely a disease!
3. Prayer is useful for seeking both healing and forgiveness.
B. vs. 16. A 2-FOLD DUTY:
1. “Confess therefore your sins one to another” – Mutual Confession.
- Not to God here, though that is necessary (Prov 28:13; 1 John 1:8-10).
- Neither is it auricular confession to a priest … It is mutual, "one to another,"
and not on the one part only. Addressed to the brethren generally, whether
presbyters or ordinary members of the congregation. And it is only some sins
which it is proper to confess to our fellow-men.
- But we ought to confess
a. Wrongs done to brethren (Matt. 5:23-24).
b. Scandalous sins (1 Pet. 2:11-12; 2 Pet. 2:2).
c. Sins which deeply wound the conscience (Acts 8:21-24; 1 Thess. 5:11, 14).
Mutual aid against the Devil!
2. “And pray one for another.”
a. We are to pray for all (1 Tim. 2:1), but our brethren especially (Eph. 6:18).
b. vs. 16. God’s promise – “prayer of a righteous man”
(1 John 5:14-15; 1 Pet. 3:12) .… but (Psa. 66:18).
c. God’s demonstration (James 5:17-18).
A. James 5:19-20. OUR GREATEST APIRATION – TO SAVE SOULS.
1. Because of the horror of hell (Mark 9:48).
2. Because of the preciousness of the soul (Matt. 16:25-26).
B. WHAT ABOUT YOUR SOUL?
