Africa Study Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 82
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10 For
examples of patience in suffering,
dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We
give great honour to those who endure under
suffering. For instance, you know about Job,
a man of great endurance. You can see how
the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the
Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters,
never take an oath, by heaven or earth or
J A M E S 5 : 1 5
5:10
anything else. Just say a simple yes or no,
Matt 5:12
so that you will not sin and be condemned.
5:11
Job 1:20-22;
2:7-10; 42:10-17
The Power of Prayer
Ps 103:8
5:12
13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You
Matt 5:34-37
should pray. Are any of you happy? You
5:13
Col 3:16
should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick?
5:14
You should call for the elders of the church
Mark 6:13
5:15
to come and pray over you, anointing you
Mark 16:18
Jas 1:6
with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a
Applica ti on
Partnering with God • James 5:13-18
If you learn a trade but do not have the necessary tools to hardships? Let them pray. Is anyone sick? Let them be prayed
practise it, the skill will be useless. For example, a farmer in for. But it must be a prayer accompanied by faith to heal the
Africa needs farm implements to work his farm. So does a sick (James 5:14-15). Such prayers must include confession
carpenter need tools to build with wood.
of sins to God and one to another.
Prayer is a powerful tool to improve our lives and world.
Are you going through a rough time right now? Go to God in
When we pray according to God’s will, we are partnering prayer. The God we serve is still answering prayers the same
with him to cause his will to come to pass. Are people facing way he did for the people of old.
Lea r n
Healing
In Africa, both in the rural areas and the cities, many people medical treatment are also answers to prayer. The Gospels and
still consult traditional healers when they are sick. People seek Acts recount many supernatural healings, called “signs,” which
help from spiritual healers because they believe that there is a drew the attention of unbelievers. Such dramatic healings are
connection between their illness and spirits. Sometimes they fear most often seen when the gospel is being preached in new areas.
their ancestors are angry or that someone has cursed them. But They do not glorify the people who pray for healing (Acts 3:12God says, “Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or 13) but Jesus and his Kingdom (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20).
When John the Baptist heard about what Jesus was doing,
to those who consult the spirits of the dead” (Leviticus 19:31).
Undeserved curses have no effect (Proverbs 26:2), and we show he sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was the Messiah, “or
our trust in God by blessing those who curse us (Luke 6:28).
should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3).
Contrary to many of our traditional beliefs, most sicknesses Jesus answered by telling of the healings he had done. “The
are not God’s judgement of an individual. Epaphroditus almost blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf
died, but Paul said he was a true brother, co-worker, and fellow hear, the dead are raised to life” (Matthew 11:5; see also Isaiah
soldier (Philippians 2:26-30). Sickness may be a judgement on 35:5-6; 61:1). In addition to confirming that Jesus was God’s
the world’s sin as a whole (Romans 5:12), such as when pol- Son, supernatural healing was a blessing Jesus gave to people.
lution or wars cause illness or death. Such judgements do not It was one of the main activities that characterized his ministry.
necessarily fall on the person who sinned (1 Kings 14:12-13; He healed all kinds of diseases including blindness, hearing
Luke 13:2-5). When Christians die from disease or accidents, and speech impediments, disabled limbs, blood conditions, and
we cannot say it is a punishment from God. Remember, there seizures (Matthew 9; 17:14-18). He also healed those with
is no condemnation for people who belong to Christ (Romans fever and psychiatric and demonic disorders (Mark 1:30-31;
5:2-20). Jesus sent his disciples out to imitate his ministry,
8:1). Jesus bore God’s wrath for us (Romans 5:8-10).
But we know that Christians do suffer. God made our bodies including healing. “Then he sent them out to tell everyone about
strong, but viruses and other problems are part of this fallen the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:2). Even while
world. Sometimes Satan causes sickness directly, whether in training, the disciples were able to heal the sick (Luke 9:6)
using viruses or other means (Job 2:7; Acts 10:38). But God and after Pentecost, both Peter (Acts 3:1; 9:33-34) and Paul
often uses our afflictions for our benefit (Psalm 119:67, 71, 75). (Acts 14:8-10; 19:12; 28:8-9) continued to heal the sick.
The fact that everyone in this world eventually dies reminds
Supernatural healing sets aside the normal laws of nature
us that healing does not always occur. Our bodies wear down that God created. Although supernatural healings are not neces(2 Corinthians 4:16). Not everyone in the Bible was healed right sarily everyday occurrences in the life of the Christian, Jesus did
away (Philippians 2:26-27; 2 Timothy 4:20). God used Paul’s say that his followers would be able to do “even greater works”
bodily illness (Galatians 4:13-14). Elisha died of sickness yet (John 14:12). Jesus’ miracles were all instantaneous, complete,
was so full of God’s power that his bones revived a corpse and verifiable. If we are to experience supernatural healings,
(2 Kings 13:14, 21)!
they are likely to follow the same pattern as those of Jesus.
Whenever God heals anyone, all of us should be grateful, even
Although we may not know if God will heal, we are invited
to pray expectantly for healing (James 5:14-16; see also when it does not happen to us. Every gift God gives is a reminder
1 Corinthians 12:9). God’s answer may not be what we expect of his promise of a restored world where all believers will be made
or wish, but we cannot demand healing from a sovereign God. completely whole, with no more suffering (Revelation 21:3-4).
Healing is not always dramatic. Gradual healing and successful It cost Jesus everything to bring us these gifts (Matthew 8:17).