Living Victoriously by Louis Bartet

NEW TESTAMENT The Epistle of James EMAIL US

The University Of Adversity: Prayer

(James 1:5-8)

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INTRODUCTION

James does not give us Rambo instructions on how to get out of the fire.  To the contrary, he instructs us how to experience joy in the midst of and how to maximize the benefits of adversity.  Adversity is not an attempt to see how much pain we can endure, but a means of developing spiritual maturity. In this section James focuses on prayer by describing The Giver, The Casualty, and The Receiver.

 

OBJECTIVE

Negatively, it is to eliminate doubt and fear in approaching God.  Positively, it is to promote and encourage prayer, but especially humility and faith in prayer. 

 

I.    THE GIVER - "...ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

A.    The Giving God - The literal Greek phrasing in this passage is "let him ask the giving God"

B.    The Liberal God - The term "liberally" suggests bountifulness.  He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that    we ask or think.

C.    The Gracious God

1.    An additional meaning to the term "liberally" is simplicity and frankness of character.  He gives without requiring anything in return.

2.    The phrase "without reproach" declares that God does not give on the basis of merit, but as a grace act.  He does not revile or censure the asker.

II.   THE CASUALTY

A.     The Doubter - In Romans 4:20, the same word is translated staggered.  It is a faith that believes, but cannot bring itself to trust.

B.    The Circumstantially Affected - They are tossed by the winds of circumstances.  They move between faith and doubt.  This is their lifestyle.

C.    They Are Hopeless – "For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:7).

 

III.  THE RECEIVER

A.    Asks In Humility* - "If any man lacks...let him ask".  To admit "lack" requires humility.  Pride prohibits admission of lack and asking for help.

B.    Asks In Faith - The term faith here refers to full confidence in God's character.  It is perfect or complete trust in God.  Faith dispels fear of rejection.

CONCLUSION:

A.    Three things that hinder prayer

1.    Doubt concerning the giving nature of God.

2.    Pride that refuses to admit its need to One who can meet it.

3.    Fear of rejection.  This is similar to #1, but deals with emotion where #1 deals with the Intellect.

B.    Two things that help prayer

1.    Humility

2.    Faith

(C) 1999 by louis bartet, all rights reserved.