Communion

We will be celebrating communion together this morning during worship. The ushers will distribute the elements at that time, but for those who need a gluten-free or sealed option, those are available at the Welcome Center right outside of the doors you came in today.

Jump Start Elementary Ministry

After much prayer and consideration, we are changing the format for our Jump Start Elementary Ministry 1st-6th graders starting on Sunday, February 5th.

Parents will check in as usual upon arrival, but kids will then go into the worship service with their families. They will be dismissed right before the sermon to meet their leaders in the hallway out the side doors to head up to Jump Start. After service, you will still head upstairs to Jump Start with their security pick-up tag to pick them up.

Kindness through Prayer
(James 5:13-20)
Yearly Theme: “Kindness is… Action”
Series Title: “Kindness is a Verb”
January 22nd, 2023

Something to think about:

Tradition states that “early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, ‘Brother, the grass grows on your path.’”

Closing out his letter, James explains the importance of prayer and it’s place within the community of faith. Let’s take a closer look:

So, why should we pray?...

Here’s the takeaway this morning:

Key Point: “Praying for someone is a kindness that can lead to healing and forgiveness.”

Prayer is not some rite of passage that Christians do because it is expected of them. Rather, prayer is the means by which believers in Christ approach the throne-room of GOD in order to commune with Him, worship Him, and petition Him. In addition to changing the person who prays, as well as moving the heart of GOD, prayer draws the community of faith together into an intimate fellowship of people who look out for one another. According to this passage in James, prayer brings certain positive qualities and changes to the fellowship of believers, and they are as follows:

· Prayer brings ______ _________.

James 5:13-15 (NLT), 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

· Prayer brings ___________ which brings _______.

James 5:16 (NLT), Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

· ______ and _______ can bring people back to GOD.

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

Something to take home:

James 5:16b (NLT), The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Terms like, “When there’s nothing else to do, pray!” or “When all else fails, pray!” may sound nice, but they are wholly inaccurate and unbiblical. Prayer should be the first and last thing we do in any and every situation. Prayer is more than a lifeline to GOD, and it’s more than spiritual discipline. Prayer is communion with the Father in heaven. Prayer is connection with our Creator. Prayer is the beckoning for GOD’s kingdom to invade the kingdoms of this world. Prayer is life altering not only for the pray-er, but also for those being prayed for. Prayer can change the mind of GOD, it can heal the sick, it can bring deliverance from evil, it can bring forgiveness of sin, and it can restore what is broken. The kindest thing any of us can do is to pray.

Key Point: “Praying for someone is a kindness that can lead to healing and forgiveness.”

What if learning the will of God in Romans 12:2 is intentionally tied to finding out your spiritual gifts in Romans 12:3-8? How does one discern God’s will for life and what is God primarily interested in that may cause us to adjust our thinking on His will for our lives?

Read verses 3-8. How ought we to think of ourselves? Why? How ought we to think of others? Why? What are the gifts mentioned? How should they be used? How can we see and respect the greatness of others?

In what ways ought we to treat others as more important than ourselves?

What instructions does God want us to observe in our relationships?

JOURNAL

What does it mean to be conformed to this world?

Why should we not be like the world?

Who runs the world?

Are you tempted to try to be like or be popular to those around you in the world? Why?

Name one way the world tries to press you into its mold.
In what area does the world try to press Christians into its mold?

Name a few key issues where the world’s way of doing things is very different from God’s way.

APPLICATION
What are some resources that you have that you could contribute to needy people in our church? Don’t just think about money. You have more resources than that!

MEMORY VERSE:

Romans 12:10
“Love each other with genuine affection,
and take delight in honoring each other.“

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm

The office will be closed 12/25-1/2 for the holidays