James 5.19-20
I.
Introduction
A.
Hero worship
: we have a lot of respect for those who enter dangerous situations and save those who are in harms way.
B.
James wants us to be mature in every way as Christians
1.
And he has saved one of the most important lessons for last.
2.
It’s not difficult to understand, but doing it is a whole other thing!
3.
Those who are immature may wander from the truth, what is the Mature Christians response to that situation?
C.
Text: James 5.19-20
1.
“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
II.
When One of Us Strays from the Truth
A.
Among You:
1.
While seeking those who are not Christians is very important
2.
It is just as important that we help brothers in Christ who have strayed.
B.
Stray
1.
“Wander” = gradually moving away from the truth
2.
OT = backsliding
3.
Matthew 18:12-14,
NAS95 “12 “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13 “If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 “So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.”
C.
From the truth
1.
John 17:17, NAS95 “17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
2.
Hebrews 2:1, NAS95 “1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”
3.
Hebrews 3:12,13, NAS95 “12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
III.
Mature Christians Turn Them Back
A.
Understanding the Danger
1.
Death (20)
2.
Worse than before being saved: 2 Peter 2:20-22
a.
“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.””
3.
No more sacrifice for sins: Hebrews 10:26-31
a.
“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
4.
Spewn out by Jesus: Revelation 3:15,16
a.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
B.
Turning Back the Straying
1.
I must seek them: Matthew 18.15-17
1.
“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17 “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
2.
Too often we wait for them to come to us (otherwise they just won’t be ready)
3.
Don’t gossip about their sin to others and ignore the one who needs to be talked to.
b.
Confront them with sin and proof
1.
Every fact confirmed: two or three witnesses
2.
Don’t bring presumption and rumor.
c.
Make sure they understand where they stand: in sin
1.
If necessary withdrawal of fellowship in love to help them turn again.
2.
I must be careful: Galatians 6.1-2
d.
Galatians 6:1,2, NAS95 “1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
e.
Spiritual: be mature
f.
Gentleness: God’s word is a sword, but we must be careful how we use it!
1.
Meekness: God’s power in my life under His control.
2.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
, NAS95 “24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”
g.
Aware of danger
1.
Those who have strayed from the truth have been deceived.
2.
I can be deceived too, especially if they use the Bible (wrongly).
h.
Bear their burdens: help them overcome the deceit.
2.
I must point them back to the truth!
a.
2 Timothy 4:2-4
“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
b.
In love: Ephesians 4:15
1.
“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,”
C.
Restoring Relationship (20)
1.
Proverbs 10:12, NAS95 “12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.”
2.
2 Corinthians 2:6-8, NAS95 “6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.”
3.
When we do this, there is cause to rejoice!
a.
Matthew 18:13, NAS95 “13 “If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.”
D.
Challenge: We have members who have strayed from the truth. Are willing to help them?
E.
Do it this week, and be persistent: Bring them back to Jesus!
IV.
Conclusion
A.
Maturity in James!
1.
Be a bond-servant; Endure Trials; Endure Temptation; Overcome Favoritism; Living by Faith
2.
Speech; Wisdom; Peace; Planning; Money; Patient Endurance; Prayer; Soul-Saving
B.
Will you be a mature Christian?
Modified from David Stewart’s lesson