09/06/20 – The Truth About The Power of Faith And Prayers Pleasing To God

James 5:14-15 ESV

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

I. Sin and the Sick
A. All sickness is caused either directly or indirectly by sin. (1 Corinthians 11:27-30, John 9:1-3, Genesis 2:17)

II. God, Healer of the Sick
A. All healing ultimately brought about directly or indirectly by God be it by medicine or miracle.
B. Healing is a gift of God to the sick and the church but is not the focus or the norm for James. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

III. Jesus & Relationship Between Faith & Healing of the Sick|
A. Jesus hints that there is some relationship between faith in Him and the sometimes healing of the sick. (Mark 5:24-35)
B. Jesus also hints the faith of others in Him to heal can sometimes make the sick well. (Mark 2:1-12)
C. Jesus also refused to work when faith in Him was not present.(Mark 6:1-6, Matthew 13:53-58)

IV. Seeing Beneath Faith and Healing of the Sick
A. A lack of faith in Jesus does not limit Jesus’ power but a lack of asking Jesus for help limits the producing of His power in our lives.
B. Faith is not fuel for Jesus but is the front door by which we gain access to all the power of God.
C. Poor application of the relationship between faith, prayer, and healing turns a good thing like faith into an idol.

V. The Power of Faith and Prayers Pleasing to God
A. It pleases God to respond to the prayer of faith offered in Jesus’ name, which makes the prayer of faith powerful. (Hebrews 11:6, John 16:22-23)
B. The power in faith and prayer then is not in faith or prayer but the power rests in the one we pray to and through, which is Jesus Christ.