Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him(James 5:14 – ESV)
It should be the ordinary way of things that members come to the elders for special prayer in special situations (James 5:13-20). Many times we go looking for answers elsewhere first, when we should be availing ourselves of the means of grace first, including our elders (1 Peter 5:1-11). The truth is that the love of the elders for the flock is a covering for you (James 5:20 / 1 Peter 4:8). Of course if you run out from under the umbrella and into the rain, you will get wet. They cannot stop that, but they can call you back to shelter. They cannot pay for your sins but they can pray for your sins, and God has put them in place to help you back into the fold.
It is the role and responsibility of the elders to shepherd the flock of God humbly and ably. It is the role and responsibility of the congregant to call on, submit to, pray for, and abide by the elders and their care. Are we examples of humility to one another, knowing our roles and exercising them rightly, not using them for show or for selfish ends, and not to force people but that they are willingly submitting to each other? Are we humbling ourselves under the hand of God, which is demonstrated by a godly submission to each other in our roles and in our responsibilities to God and to one another? Are the elders eager to help (do they answer the call), and are the congregants willing to be helped (do they call at all)?
Don't assume that God will aid you in a way that avoids or evades the ordinary way. The elders are there for a reason. Their admonition and nurture is important. They don't dole out grace with a ladle, but God has appointed them to serve your spiritual needs. Do you recognize and submit to the authority God has placed them in due to their role? If you need special prayer because of trouble brought about by your sin, do you admit that you are to blame, not others, not the devil, and not some so-called generational curse, but you who are to blame? The world and the devil only enflame what is already there, and where there is no fuel the fire dies out. Will you confess your faults, all of them that pertain to the issue, the ones that have led to being prayed for, so that you may be healed?
We must realize that prayer is only part of the process, and that persistence (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9), and perspective (1 Peter 5:9 / James 5:17-18), are what lead to progress (James 5:15 / 1 Peter 5:10). You must then stay on the road, if you go back it is harder to get back, and the going will be worse than before (John 5:14 / Luke 11:24-26). Stay in the elderly care center.
17 comments:
Another excellent post, pastor.
The message a many a spoiled congregant needs to hear. The scripture said for the ailing to call the elders, not for the elders to somehow figure out that a brother/sister needed prayer. I have heard people dog out the pastor or elders for not coming to see them in the hospital or calling to check on them. When this has happened, I have simply asked them the following question. "Did you let them know you were sick?"I'm a plain spoken sort that will not entertain gossip or complaining against the leadership. The conversation is over when they begin to give excuses as to how they 'thought' the pastor/elders knew already.
As an fellow elder, thanks for this post.
Thanks to both of you for reading and commenting...blessings...
Good stuff. As an ex-elder I appreciate those encouraging thoughts.
Even elders need elders.
Have a blessed day in His joy.
Speaking of elders, I've been paying more attention lately at what scripture says about that topic. Right now, I get the impression that there is a tremendous gap between New Testament elders and people's basic concept today of what an elder is and should be.
Excellent post. I preached on this not too long ago. It was a good reminder for myself and the elders of our congregation, but also for the congregation that their responsibility is to call upon the elders for prayer.
You wrote, "It is the role and responsibility of the congregant to submit to, pray for, and abide by the elders and their care." Could I suggest adding, to make it clear, they they are also to call the elders when they are sick or in need. As mentioned above all to often people seem to think that pastors and elders can sniff out that they are ill.
First line...
It should be the ordinary way of things that members come to the elders for special prayer in special situations
Still you are right, I was just reading something yesterday, oh wait, yeah, it was Sista Cala's comment along the same lines, so, okay, I 'll add or reword or something, thanks for the tip, seriously, that is just the sort of thing I am looking for if needed, appreciate it brother (and Sista)...
Done...
both changes are in the second paragraph (added material in italics in this comment)...
First..
It is the role and responsibility of the congregant to call on, submit to, pray for, and abide by the elders and their care.
Also...
Are the elders eager to help (do they answer the call), and are the congregants willing to be helped (do they call at all)?
Let me know if this is good enough to be clear...
Again, thanks...Blessings...
Thank you, JD...
Are you ready for the fruit of this post? See you this weekend.
Yes, Paul, see you then, brother...
What if the elders accept the Bible as inerrant yet somehow also believe that healing isn't for today? Sounds like a sticky situation if a sick member comes to an elder with this verse in hand, huh?
This actually occurred in a local church years ago. They were so taken aback they had to hold a meeting to confer on how to proceed!
Well, it depends on how we define "healing for today"... whether we believe God can, or will, or must (I do not believe the latter) heal...
He will if He wills to...our prayer is in accordance with that, God be praised no matter the outcome...
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
People have a way of forgetting that our pastors and elders are not God. That they are human and don't know everything just like the rest of us.
JD,
Yeah, I saw a charlatan on TV just last week trying to tell me that based on Ps. 103:3, God will heal all my diseases. I guess Paul lacked this teacher's insight when he told his beloved Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach.
Well, He will heal all of them eventually, even if we have to wait till heaven, but He does heal some things now...it isn't helpful to swing the pendulum too far in either direction...but unfortunately, it seems to be one or the other these days...
I believe 103:3 means He can, & many times will, except when He has a greater purpose in mind (John 9:3), unrepentant sin is the cause (John 5:14), or when there is a simple lack of faith (Matt. 13:58).
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