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the  Preachers  blog

Blogs are posted every Wednesday, except in July and August

The Health of the Body by Pastor Dave

12/2/2020

 
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you ill? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
James 5: 13-14
 
James 5: 13-20
 
     Our bodies are amazing, when we are in good health it is remarkable and the possibilities are great. When we have an injury or health issue the body still performs but with restrictions dependent on the ailment. The body of Christ is just the same, read 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 if you require a deeper explanation. In the last section of his letter James calls on the functions, the ministries, of the Body to work well for the benefit of all and God’s glory. He covers: prayer; praise; pastoral care; confession; teaching; and salvation.
     The Church is to be the Body of prayer whether in petition, supplication, praise or for specific needs such as healing (vs. 13-14). Prayer is powerful and if spoken in faith by a believer (made righteous by Christ’s work) it ‘availeth much.’ The practical example of Elijah is referred to (vs. 16b-18, 1 Kings 17-18). Praise is always a powerful prayer that brings God into a situation and helps us to see the same from His perspective; it reminds us who is sovereign.
     Pastoral care for one another and prayers for healing under the authority that God has given the Church are vital ministries of the Body (vs. 14-15). As well as physical health, spiritual health is vital, confession provides real freedom and the ultimate healing of the soul (vs. 16). The truth of Christ (vs.19) needs to be taught as the foundation of the Church; believers and non-believers alike need the salvation that God offers in Christ (vs. 19-20). In a short passage James has managed to summarise the role of the Church and what will lead to the health of the Body.
     The reality that we now face in some ways raises the importance of these ministries but equally makes it harder for them to function. As the aforementioned passage in Corinthians tells us we are all part of the Body. The Body needs each part to fulfill God’s calling upon them, when one suffers, we all suffer. In these times of trial let us look to God and one another. Let us connect with one another by all the means available and work to support the health of the Body of Christ. Let us prayer, praise, care for one another, make our confession, stand on the truth and share that Great News with all who will listen.
    
To Ponder: What role has God called you to in the Body of Christ? How is it being affected by the pandemic; how might you fulfill your calling in different ways in these trials (and yet also opportunities!)?
 
Pray: Almighty Father, grant that your church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
 
Praise: The Church’s One Foundation sung by St. Aidan’s Church
Here I am to Worship sung by St. Aidan's Church

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St Aidan’s Anglican Church
274 Campbell Street | Winnipeg, MB R3N 1B5
Phone: 204.489.3390 Email: [email protected]
  • Home
  • Worship Online
  • The Preachers Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Prayer Requests
  • Request Pastoral Care
  • Youth
  • Give
  • Statement of Faith
  • Video Archive
    • 2025 Videos
    • 2024 Videos
    • Real Lives
    • 2023 Videos
    • 2022 Videos
    • 2021 Videos
    • 2020 Videos
  • Sermon Audio Archive
    • 2020 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centered Eternities November 2019
      • The Real Joy of Easter - Holy Week 2019
    • 2018 Sermons
    • 2018 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centred Church Spring 2018
      • A Gospel Shaped Church Fall 2018
    • 2017 Sermon Series >
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
      • The Saviour King Lent 2017
      • The Victorious King Holy Week 2017
      • The Living King Easter 2017
      • The Brother King Fall 2017
      • Worship the King Advent 2017
    • 2016 Sermon Series >
      • Real Obedience Lent 2016
      • Unity of the Church
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
    • 2015 Sermon Series >
      • Real Gifts 2015
      • Real Mission 2015
      • Mission Discerned
    • 2014 Sermon Series >
      • Real Church 2014
      • Real Lives 2014
    • 2013 Sermon Series >
      • Real God 2013
    • Sermon Archive From 2014 - 2017
  • Christianity 101