Follow Along with the Message

A Great Double Play

Pastor Tom Lundeen

Today we're wrapping up our series which has been for everyone, no matter where you are at in your spiritual journey, because God wants us to experience new life, and He wants to help us grow and mature in this gift of new life He  offers (note Hebrews 6:1a).

We know we are growing when we are becoming:

1. More Patient and   (Note James 5:7-8)

One of the most common themes in the entire Bible is that God uses  as one of His primary tools to grow our faith and character. 

If you can't wait, patience will be . 

A central part of  is patience. 

Note James 5:16

This helps us understand more about the importance of, the , and the vital significance of prayer in every aspect of life. 

Our praying for each other grows:

A. By Praying (note James 5:9, 12, 13a; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) - While every genuine Jesus follower would affirm how important prayer is, I think we'd also affirm that having a consistent and meaningful prayer life is challenging/. Sometimes our struggle with prayer is because we've made it a religious duty/formality. Prayer is a  that grows out of our personal relationship with God. The goal of prayer is not how many , but to pray continually, to be so sensitive to the Lord that He can speak to us and we can speak to Him anytime/any place/about  (note James 5:13-15a). When prayer becomes our first (and not last) , it's an evidence of growth and maturity. 

B. By being  (note James 5:16a) -  doesn't mean go to a pastor/priest to obtain forgiveness, nor does it mean to stand up in church and list all our failures. Major idea = confess those matters where we have offended others to those we have offended, seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, restored fellowship, and able to  together without any obstacles or hypocrisy. May also sometimes be specific issues God wants us to deal with with others to help us overcome these faults with the assistance of prayer and . 

2. What Happens When We Pray for One Another?

A.  needs are met (note James 5:14-15) - we know that in this broken world, Jesus followers get sick, hurt, and sometimes dies. But just as God gives us a  of what heaven will be like...spiritually and emotionally, He also can give us a  of heaven by healing our bodies. 

B.  needs are met - praying for each other is not the only thing we can do for each other; it's the best thing we can do for each other. 

C.  are changed (note James 5:17-18 and 1 Kings 18:36-38) - ...we need to be careful to not simply put our hope in who wins elections to  the spiritual, moral, and ethical change our nation needs. When we pray for each other, and for our communities and nation and the world, then we  into the only real source of power...God Himself, who can produce genuine transformation. No institutions/practices in this nation are  in the wake of persistent and sincere prayer for spiritual renewal and awakening. 

D.  are changed (note James 5:19-20; John 6:44).

So let's GET Growing:

• Patience and prayer are God's great double play in our lives that deepens our character,  our heart, gives us a passion for His mission, helps us care more for others...
• ...and this is why it's such a  part of what it really means to grow and mature spiritually. 
• What part are patience and prayer taking in your daily life?

Tell someone about the next step you took today in your spiritual journey! Let us know, too, and fill out our digital connect card.