1.
The
Heights of Spiritual Community
What we see here,
I believe, are the (rare) heights of spiritual community: expressions of
passionate prayer, joyful worship, open sharing, healing and forgiveness, and
an outgoing ministry. The way this is expressed, gatherings of the faithful
lead to prayer and honesty, which in turn leads to healing and experiences of
salvation. What potential there is here for good! This is something worth
striving for!!
When we enquire
about how the church should look and operate, we can turn to 1 Corinthians 12,
where Paul talks about the church being like a body, with all its
interconnected and interdependent parts, with Jesus as the head. Each and every
body part, in an ideal sense, functions in perfect cooperation with all others,
each spiritual gift coming together in harmony for the common good. Every body
part is needed, and each one has a unique contribution to make to the whole.
So, we, in the church are not religious consumers, but rather spirited
contributors.
We can also turn
to the early chapters of Acts, and sense the unity, and the commitment to
mission, in the early Christian movement. Great diversity came together on the
Day of Pentecost around the Lordship of Jesus, bringing thousands to faith.
People starting gathering in homes, to worship, eat together, share the bread
and the cup, to pray, to look after the sick and struggling; pooling their
resources for mutual benefit. We should never say ‘that was then’ and ‘this is
now’, and thereby miss the beauty and truth of what is conveyed there.
Then (in terms of
how the church should look and function) we can turn to these verses in James,
which to me convey the depth to which Jesus-following communities can go in
their mutual care. But this can also be scary (especially in places like verse
16). Yet we can come to understand this as a process, not something that
happens overnight, but something that can develop over time (given the right
environment, and the right nurture).
The church united
should present to the world a picture of what God looks like and the way God
functions. If we are all born in the image of God, what does God look like? The
best of all of us combined - the redeemed and sanctified people of God
together. Or, the best in each one of us combined - the redeemed and sanctified people of God together.
2.
Growing
in God Together
Last week we
talked about each of us growing in our relationship with God, and what might be
signs of ‘anti-growth’ that we have to be aware of (James chapter 4). This
week, the text of James 5 helps us to consider ways in which we grow in God
together. Growing in God is not just a personal pursuit with a vertical focus,
not when we have been purpose designed as social and relational beings.
Spiritual growth also has the horizontal component, where we come together as
God’s people to minister with and to encourage each other.
This is about
relationship building, not just for its own sake, but with real redemptive
purpose. This is about becoming mutual sharers and helpers … bearing one
another’s burdens. In so doing we experience more of God, and learn more of
God’s character. There is a great depth to God who operates in the community of
Father, Son and Spirit that we call the Trinity. [Building horizontal
relationships with each other helps us delve into the depths of this community
of God.] Through our interaction with each other we can become more clear about
how God is being active in our life.
Now there are
some realities that we have to acknowledge. This is not easy ground for
everybody; perhaps it’s not easy ground for anybody! People have been
hurt in the past. People have expectantly put themselves out there only to be
disappointed or hurt. Many people have very negative experiences of human
vulnerability. It’s natural for people to be a bit defensive, or afraid of what
others might think, in a world that is so often judgemental and critical. We
seem to even celebrate such negativity in producing and watching something like
“Gogglebox”. Then there are little personality clashes that seem to divide if
they’re not handled well. Sometimes high expectations aren’t met.
We can’t just
wave the Bible, or say a one-off simple prayer, and expect things to
immediately be different. But at the same time, any student of the Bible cannot
ignore the ideal presented before us. Why? Because it is the well-functioning
church, albeit warts and all, that will shine the light of Jesus and offer hope
to the community. Why would we spend such time and energy on organising public
events like FUSE and a community concert featuring Carter & Carter. It is
because our job description as a church is to share the light and hope of the
Gospel … the good news of Jesus. And we know that a church without a Gospel
mission is no church at all, it is only another social club. So, of
course, the Bible challenges us!
So, how can we be
the church that Jesus heads? How can we grow in God together?? How can we reach
the (rare) heights of spiritual community???
There’s something
here about being real, and allowing others to be real. When there is a
struggle, we don’t ignore it, but rather we pray. When there is a resolution,
we celebrate. What could have been a private struggle becomes a corporate
prayer; what could have been individual rejoicing becomes a community
celebration. In all things, especially when caught in unknown territory, we
trust wholly in God. I have seen this pan out magnificently in my days in Point
Cook. There were two days at that church where we did reach the rare heights of
spiritual community.
Also, in the
church, we should not be afraid of weaknesses being exposed. For it is in
our capacity to embrace, support (and transform) weakness that our real
strength can be shown. What could be seen as potential liabilities or deficits
through ‘worldly’ eyes can actually be our greatest blessings – for they reveal
the mighty works of God. Take for instance the formerly lame man who went
walking and leaping and praising God in the 3rd chapter of Acts, or
the corrupt tax collector Zacchaeus who became the great benefactor of the poor
(Luke 19), or the broken-hearted Peter (following his denials) being restored
and ordained to significant ministry.
3.
The
Environment of Faith
Creating an
environment of faith, prayer and worship will ultimately bring about healing,
forgiveness and restoration. When we gather together we should gather in this
mindset – that today’s collection of faith, prayer and worship will lead to
healing, forgiveness and restoration … in others and in ourselves. This is a
far cry to coming to fulfil a religious obligation, and a far cry from coming
to critically assess what’s going on. This is coming with an openness to the
Spirit of God that rises way above the many distractions and imperfections.
The passage
before us refers to where faith and prayer can lead:
(a)
Healing
– i.e. the Lord raising up the sick (v.15-16) – we know that, in the case of
serious illness or injury, this does not always mean an ultimate
cure, although sometimes it does work out that way (and we should never
discount this possibility). Generally speaking this is about God having the
space to work, and the opportunity for God to draw close to someone and offer
his intimate presence to them. This often takes away some of most serious
anxieties and replaces them with God’s peace. Healing really means … whatever
God wants to release or bring about in a person. We often sense how God is
working away bringing us back to full health, and also reassuring us in times
of despair.
It is
suggested that the sick seek out the “elders” for prayer (v.14), and this is a
very wise thing to do. It is likely that the pastors and elders have the
availability and discernment to carefully and wisely deal with even the most
complex situations. Like the laying on of hands represents the presence of the
Holy Spirit, the “anointing with oil”, mentioned here, symbolises God’s power
to restore and heal. Such prayer, though, is offered on behalf of the whole
church (with the “elders” as the functionaries or facilitators).
With such
prayer we commit a person to God’s best for them. We would of course hope and
pray for the best case scenario as we see it, but it is God who has all the
information from the whole landscape picture of a person’s life. We don’t limit
our expectations, nor do we limit God’s power. Prayer connects a person with
God’s will for them. We pray on their behalf, “Thy will be done”. This places
people into the hands of infinite love and wisdom.
(b)
Confession
and forgiveness (v.15-16) – there is also that side of ‘healing’ which is
really all about spiritual healing and renewal … beginning the process of
salvation … being released from the oppression of sin and entrenched
negativity. What is often required here is speaking it out … confessing what
has being going wrong, being prepared to talk honestly about our struggles. It
is confession that takes one properly down the road of repentance (i.e. new
direction) bringing God’s mercy into play. There might be inner struggles,
offences against the common good, or the sins of neglect. And there is nothing
more isolating and debilitating than guilty secrets. Sometimes it is only when
we give voice to our struggle that we can find release … “I’m struggling with this
– please pray with me”. There is an element here too of taking responsibility –
like the sportsperson who puts up their hand when they made a mistake badly
affecting their attempt to score … thus apologising to their teammates. When
the people of God admit their mistakes, we can all rejoice in the forgiveness
of God.
I have often said that James 5:16 is the most challenging verse in
the New Testament i.e. the ‘confessing your sins to one another’ bit. What was
in mind here? This could be a confession and apology to one offended person as
a step of reconciliation; but I think there is certainly more in view here (in
the broader context of our human struggles). Is this confession before a
congregation? Confession within a trusted small group? Confession to one other
person? Probably, ‘horses for courses’. It probably depends on what, case by
case, is the most appropriate, and will bring the most helpful and conclusive
results. There are some things that would not be appropriate to share
with the masses; while sometimes sharing something with a larger number of
people brings with it more far-reaching support. King David went pretty public
with his confession in Psalm 51 – we are still reading that one today (and
benefitting by it).
I have seen great burdens lifted when confessions are made within
small groups who have gained trust in one another. One-on-one accountability
relationships have also proven very effective. The point is: being prepared to
open ourselves to the wider resources of God that exist in other people. And
this, as relationships blossom, would likely become more mutual (rather than
just one-way traffic), and generally build the effectiveness of the church. The
church, or some sections of it, has become notorious for hiding their sins. To
turn this around, we may have to practice what Tim Gustafson (ODB
3.9.15) calls “a risky yet healthy honesty with each other and with the
watching world”.
(c)
Restoration
(v.20) – there are many people who wander away from God and the church over
time, and that is really sad. No one cares more about this than God. Jesus
tells the story about leaving 99 sheep behind (even in some danger) while
taking up a priority search for one lost sheep. When that sheep is found there
is much rejoicing and a huge party. The lost ones need supporters. Sometimes
people can be sitting right next to us, but are really a long way away and
disengaged from what is happening. They may also need a supporter. We might
need to be on the front foot here, acting gently; as long as we are truly tapped in to God’s
leading. So crucial is this, that we read success will “cover a multitude of
sins”.
What an
interesting way to end a letter! What a piece of motivational writing! Verse
20: “… whoever brings back a sinner from wandering … will cover a multitude of
sins”. Whose sins are covered?? The person being returned to God’s sheepfold …
certainly. The people who have gone out on a search – showing their commitment
and sincerity, and backing up their words with actions … I reckon yes! They are
clearly in harmony with God. To have neglected such a lost one would have been
a sin itself, but that is not the case.
But there
is a “multitude of sins” being ‘covered’! Perhaps this is where our actions of
today mean that future sins that might have been committed will no longer be
committed!! Mine, Yours, Everybody’s! This is the output of faithful spiritual
community!?! Extraordinary … do you get excited about teasing out little things
like this in the Bible? Did James finish here because he got tired of writing,
or was there a deeper reason. Proverbs 10:12 starts challengingly and then
finishes stirringly: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offences”.
This reference to a “multitude of sins” is not so much there to stress
prevalent wickedness, but rather to highlight the extravagance of God’s grace!
4.
The
Prayer of Faith
When James talks
about the “prayer of faith” (v.15), whose faith is he talking about?? OURS!!
The faith of the sufferer is still important, but it is more their willingness
to seek prayer that counts, and then the faith of the rest of us that makes the
difference. This is just like the faith of the four stretcher-bearers who
exhibited great faith in breaking through a roof to make sure their friend
could get to meet Jesus (Mark 2).
Verse 16b refers
to the “prayer of the righteous” being powerful and effective – and we might
think that this could exclude us … this notion of “righteous”. But actually a
“righteous” person is simply a person who is right with God i.e. had their sins
forgiven and can therefore be a clear channel of blessing to others. The
example is given of the great prophet Elijah, and the power of his prayers;
however James is quick to remark that Elijah was actually just human like the
rest of us. Elijah had times of fear and depression, yet his prayers were
powerful and effective, as he fully committed himself to God.
I would like to
say that my prayers were powerful and effective, and I would like to say that
the prayers of our Wednesday morning prayer group were powerful and effective,
and I would like to say that the prayers of our elders and board were powerful
and effective, but I would MOST like to say that the prayers of the community
called Bright Church of Christ as a whole were powerful and effective! And what
if we could say that for all the Jesus-following people and congregations of
our area … what a difference that would make!!
As prayers are
answered, as comfort comes, the Lord has blessed both the recipient and the
supporters, for together they have experienced the love of God and the Holy
Spirit’s power. That is how God builds the church (from: ET Welch in Side by
Side, p.117).
5.
Preparation
A bold question
would be: “Is our church a place where struggles can easily be shared”?
Another question:
“What is my role in complementing this??
Sharing openly,
or being a listener & supporter, or both!!
All of what James
has said in previous chapters forms the preparation for the heights of this
sort of spiritual functioning; especially the bits about how we view each other
and how we speak to each other. We build trust in each other as we practice
encouragement and use words that build up rather than tear down. We don’t judge
or grumble or criticise, but rather show patience, and seek to get to know and
understand each other, and then welcome each other’s unique contribution to the
‘body’. We pitch in and help! We especially show our credibility as
Jesus-followers when we support those in particular need, and without
reservation practice the ‘royal law’ – “love your neighbour as yourself”.
We also see the
priority of putting our faith into action; in this context, into a ministry of
compassion and prayer. First and foremost we humble ourselves before God,
receive Jesus into our lives, accept his work of grace for us, trust God (in an
undivided way) through thick and thin, reading his word and seeking his wisdom
all along the journey of life. As Richard Rohr comments, “The ‘unbound’ ones
are best prepared to unbind the rest of the world” (Breathing Under Water:
Spirituality and the Twelve Steps, p.49).
6.
Prayer
Loving God, this
is a difficult area of Your teaching for us to consider.
It is challenging
to think about sharing our faults and struggles with each other;
Not to mention
those who need to listen.
But you do
call us to wholeness, and to truly be Your people;
Empower us by
Your Spirit to live courageously in honesty and love.
Thank You that as
we serve others we engage with Jesus;
Help those around
us to recognise the presence of a loving and redeeming God,
And to also see
how a caring community can be formed around the person of Jesus.
Amen!
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