walk the talk patience and prayer…walk the talk | patience and prayer jake barker | james 5:7-18...

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Transcript June 18/19, 2016

Walk the Talk | Patience and Prayer Jake Barker | James 5:7-18

GoodmorningTradersPoint.Wearegladtobewithyouthisweekend.Wearesogladyouarehereespeciallyifyouareaguestoritisyourfirsttimehere.Wearehonoredyouwouldspendpartofthisweekendwithus.Toallthedadshere,IwanttowishyouahappyFather’sDay.Weknowthat,againifyouarenewaroundhere,comingtochurchfortheveryfirsttimecanbeintimidating.Wejustwantyoutoknowthatwhenyouarereadytoconnectyou’vegotonesimple,easystep.YoucanstopbyConnectionCentralinthelobbyatbothofourcampuses.Therewillbesomeleadersaftertheservicetheretomeetyou.We’dlovetoansweranyquestionsyouhaveandpointyouintherightdirection.Wejustwanttohelpyouconnecttoagrouporaserviceopportunity,soswingbythere,ConnectionCentral.Thatwouldbegreat.RightnowIwanttowelcomeourNorthcampus.Northcampus,weloveyouguyssomuch.Youguysareincredible.WecouldnotbemoreproudofwhatGodisdoinginandthroughyouguys.Ipromiseyouthateachandeveryweekyourcampuspastor,Greg,shareswithmeastoryanditjustblowsmeaway.Sowearesoproudofwhatyouhavegoingon.Ifyouarewonderingwhywewoulddosomethingcrazylikebeingonechurchmeetinginmultiplelocations,wellreally,theexplanationisprettysimple.Thefirstthingis:WeloveJesus.AndsoweknowthatwehavebeencalledtoshareJesuswitheverybodyweknowandlove.Thenthesecondthingis:Weloveourcity.WeabsolutelyloveIndy.Weloveitsneighborhoods,anditsschools,itscoffeeshops,anditsrestaurants.Weloveitscultureandpeoplefromdifferentkindsofbackgrounds.WelovethatIndyhasallthecharmofChicagowithoutanyofthetrafficandabetterfootballteam.Bearsfans,youdidn’tseethatonecomingdidyou?Amid-Junefootballjoke.Weloveourcity.Wejustloveourcity.BecauseweloveJesusandweloveourcity,that’swhywedowildthingslikestartalocationonthenorthsideoftown,andlaunchourdowntowncampusinJanuary.WejustknowweareaverysmallpartofthebigplanthatGodhasforthecitythatwelove.Sowe’resoproudofyouNorth,keepitgoing.Thelastthingbeforewediveintoday.Nextweekwe’restartingabrandnewsermonseriescalledCrucialConversations.Aaronwillbebackandhe’llbekickingoffthatseriesandhere’swhatitis.Overthenextfewweekswe’llbetakingsnapshotsfromtheministryofJesusandwe’regoingtobelookingathowHeinteractswithdifferentkindsofpeople.Yousee,throughoutthelifeandministryofJesusHeinteractedwithantagonists,withskeptics,andHetalkedtopeoplewithextremereligiousbackgroundsandnoreligiousbackgroundatall.Nowwhatwe’regoingtoseeisthatJesusmetthemrightwheretheywere.Hedidn’tdemandtheymeetHimonHisturf.Hedidn’tdemandtheycleanuptheiractbeforeHewouldspeaktothem.Hemetthemrightwheretheywere.ButnoonewasthesameafterencounteringJesus.Theirliveswereforeverchanged.Sowhatwe’regoingtoseeoveraseriesofweeksishowJesusinteractswithdifferentkindsofpeopleandhowwecantoo.Thatstartsnextweek.Makesureyou’reback.WewouldlovetohaveyouforthekickoffofCrucialConversations.

WalktheTalk|PatienceandPrayer June18/19,2016

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ButfortodaywearewrappingupourseriescalledWalktheTalk.Overthelastsevenweekswe’vebeenaskingthisquestion:Whatwoulditlooklikeifwegenuinelywalkthetalkwhenitcametoourfaith?IfwehadsuchconvictionaboutwhomGodisthatitledtoalifeofconsistencyinthewayweliveoutourdailylives.ThiscrazyidealikewhatifthisonehourperweekwasnottheonlytimeyouinteractedwithGod?OrthatHeinfluencedyourdecisions?WhatifyouinteractedwithGodallthetimeandHeinfluencedeverydecisionyoumade,everywordyouspoke,andeveryrelationshipyouwerein?It’skindofthiscrazyidea.Whatifwewalkthetalk?Sowe’vebeenworkingourwaythroughtheBookofJames.AndifyouhaveaBibleoraBibleapp,I’dloveforyoutojoinmeinJames5.That’swherewe’regoingtobehangingout.Ifyoudon’thaveanyofthoseit’llbeonthescreen,it’snosweat.ButJames5,youcanheadthatwayandgetaheadstart.OnethingwesaidinweekoneofourseriesisthatinorderforustoeverfullyunderstandanybookoftheBible,wehavetofirstunderstandits’context;thecircumstancesinwhichitwaswritten.Because,muchlikethewayyoucommunicate,booksoftheBibleareinfluencedbytheircircumstances.Theywereeachwrittenbyapersontoagroupofpeopleinaparticularplaceinhistory.Soit’smuchlikethewayyourcircumstancesinfluencehowyoucommunicate.Ifyougetcutoffintrafficandyou’retextingyourfriendaboutit,you’reprobablygoingtousealotofcapitallettersandexclamationpoints.Let’shopethat’sasuglyasitevergets—capitallettersandexclamationpoints.Butifyou’reinsuperchillmodeyoumightjustuseanentireslewofemojis,justlittlepicturesthattellawholestory.Yourcircumstanceinfluencesthewayyoucommunicate.That’snolesstrueofJames.Soasaquickrecap,here’sthecontextinwhichJamesiswritinghisletter.Yousee,JameswasthehalfbrotherofJesusandhewasanearlyleaderinthechurchinJerusalem.AndwhenyouarerelatedtoJesusandyouhelpleadthechurchinJerusalem,inthechurchworldthatmeansyouarekindofabigdeal.Sothat’sJames.Andhe’swritingtothisgroupofpeoplewho’rebeingpersecutedfortheirfaith.They’veactuallyhadtoleavetown.They’vesplitandthey’velefttheircommunitytofindadifferentplacetolivebecauseofthewaytheywerebeingtreated.Theyweretiredandtheywereworndown,andtheyweretemptedjusttoquit.AndJamessays,“No,that’snotthelifeGodhascalledyoutolive.”Andeveninthemidstoftheirnewcircumstancesitjustwasn’tthateasytoliveouttheChristianlife.Foryouandmethat’sprobablysomethingwecouldagreewithtoday.Whereyou’vemaybeneverhadtoleaveyourhometownbecauseofwhatyoubelieve,youknowit’shardtoliveouttheChristianlife.Ifyou’vebeendoingitforanyperiodoftime,youknowitcanbeachallenge.Primarilyit’sdifficultbecausetheChristianlifecallsustodothingsthatarejustnotnatural.Likeourgutimpulse,ourgutreaction,thatisnotwhatGodcallsustodo.So,forinstance,intheBibleGodcallsustolaydownourpersonalpreferencesforthesakeofotherpeoples’personalpreferences.Yousee,that’snotnatural.That’snotwhatwenormallywoulddo.TheBiblealsocallsustobeopenhandedwithourresources,withourmoneyandourstuff.Again,that’snotthenaturaldecisionIwouldmake.ThentheBibleisgoingtocallustoconfessoursins,notjusttoGod,buttootherpeople,togetreallyvulnerableandtrustthemwiththedeep,darkstuff.Again,thisisnotstuffwewouldnormallydoifitwerelefttous.



Today,whatJamesisgoingtodoisheisgoingtopushintoanotherareaoflife.He’sgoingtocallustodosomethingthatmaynotbeournaturalresponse.But,becauseit’sintheWordofGod,wetrustitisgood.Beforewediveintoverse7Ineedtosetsomecommonground.Weallneedtoagreetosomething.Withthismanypeoplethat’susuallyprettyhardtodobutIthinkthisisoneareaoflifewecanallagreeto.It’sjustasimplestatement.Ourworldisimperfect.Ourworldisimperfect.Somepeoplewouldcallitbroken,andsomepeoplewouldcallitdepraved.Otherswouldcallitsinfulorfallen.Butwhateverwordyouwanttoputinthere,Ithinkwecouldallagreetothis:ourworldisimperfect.Youknowthisinmultipleareasoflife,likerelationships.Iknowthatnomatterwhoyouarethereisatleastonerelationshipthatisnotright.It’sjustalittleoff.Maybeyouhadanawkwardconversation,ormaybeoverdistanceandtimeyougrewfurtherandfurtherapartandit’sjustnotperfectanymore.Weknowthisculturallyinalotofoursystems.It’sjustnotperfectandit’snotthewayitoughttobebecausetherearepeoplewhoeverydaywhentheygotobed,theyhaven’thadenoughtoeatandtherearechildrenwhodon’thavehomesanddon’thavefamilies.Andwewouldlookatthatandsay,“That’snotright.”Certainpeoplearebornintoextremeprosperity,whileotherpeoplearebornintoextremepoverty.That’snotfair.Whydoesithavetobethisway?Andasifweneededmoreevidencetoprovethispoint,theeventsoflastweekendjustdriveitfurtherhome.LastweekendthelargestmassshootinginAmericanhistoryhappened.Lastweekend,notalongtimeago,notreallyfaraway,justthislastSundayin2016.Asaculturewe’vekindofboughtintothisideathatwe’regrowingasapeopleandthatwe’regoingtoevolveandwe’regoinggetbetter.Thenthingslikethathappenandjustslapusinthefacewiththerealitythatourworldisnotperfect,thatonepersoncouldhavesomuchhateintheirheartthattheycouldtakethelivesof49otherpeople.Andthenwewatchthewayourculturerespondsonthenewsandinsocialmediaandthenaturalresponse,thegutimpulse,istheypointfingersandassignblame.Theysay,“Ifthosepeopleoutthere,ifthosepeoplewouldjustgettheirstufftogether,”and“iftheywerejustalittlesmarterthisstuffwouldn’thappen.”Andprimarily,“IfthisgroupofpeopletowhichIdonotbelongwouldfinallyagreewithme,thenthisstuffwouldstophappening.”AndasChristianswehavetoaskabunchofquestionslike,“Howisthishappening?Whatcouldhavepreventedit?”Andprimarily,“WhatintheworlddoesGodsaywhenstufflikethishappens?”Ourworldiswildlyimperfect.TodayJamesisgoingtoaddressthatverything.Wedidn’tknowwhenweplannedthissermonseriesthisiswhatwouldhappenbeforewegottothissermon.IbelieveGodledustothispassagebecauseHeknowstheburdenonourhearts.Soifyoureadwithmeinverses7-9,Jamesisgoingtoopenitupandtalktopeople,talktopeoplewhoareinaverybrokenandimperfectworld.Andhesaysthis,“Bepatient,therefore,brothers,untilthecomingoftheLord.Seehowthefarmerwaitsforthepreciousfruitoftheearth,beingpatientaboutit,untilitreceivestheearlyandthelaterains.Youalso,bepatient.Establishyourhearts,forthecomingoftheLordisathand.”Sowhat’sJamesresponse?Hesays,“Iknowyou’relivinginabrokenworld.”Rememberthesepeopleareontherunfortheirlives,they’rebeingpersecutedfortheirfaith.Andhesays,“Bepatient.”He’stalkingtoagroupofpeoplewho’velosttheircommunity.Manyofhisreaderswerethepoorpeople



whowerebeingtakenadvantageofbytherichpeopleearlierinchapter5.Andhesays,“Eveninthemidstofallofthat,eveninthemidstofalltheimperfection,bepatient.”Nowifthereisawordthatdoesnotdescribeourcurrentculture,itisthewordpatient.We’vekindofgoneallinonimpatience.Wemarketourproductswithwordslikeinstantandondemand.Therewasameetingsomewheresomedayandsomeguystoodupandsaid,“Youknowwhat’swrongwiththeworld?Fastfoodisnotfastenough.Weneedtoaddasecondlanetoourdrive-throughtospeedthisup.I’vegottogetmyfriesfaster.”Somebodyinameeting,thisguy,saidthat.Youknowwhatthemostdifficultofathemeparkis?It’swaitinginalineforalltheserollercoasters.SotheyinventedthisthingcalledtheFastPass.AndtheFastPassiswherethethemepartelitecanwaltzpastallthesweaty,miserablepeoplewhoarestaringaholethroughtheirsouls.Andtheyjustgetonarideinfrontofeverybodyelse.Fortherecord,Ifullyendorsethat.Thatwasnotacritique.I’mallinontheFastPass.AndthenStarbucks—Starbucksdecidedthatforustowait90secondsforour$45coldbreweddoubleshotnowhiporganictriplesowcowespressowasuntenable.Wecannotwaitthislong.Sonowyoucanorderonyourappandjustgostraightpasttheline.OnadailybasisyouandIareinventingwaystowaitless,tobelessandlesspatient.Andsomedaywe’regoingtohavetohavethisbigsociologicalconversationwherewelookateachotherandsay,“Isthisbetter?Arewereallypositivethatwithalltheseadvancementswe’reactuallyimprovinglife?Areweaspeoplegrowingthroughthis?”Ihaveafeeling,myhunchisprobablynobutthat’sadifferentconversationforanotherday.WhatJamesispointingout—hesaystopeoplewhoaresufferingthroughlessthanperfectcircumstances,heissayingthis,“Bepatient.”SoourfirstquestionbacktoJameswouldbesomethinglikethis,“James,that’sfinebutforhowlong?Arewetalkinglikeaweek?Arewetalkingayear?Imeanwe’redefinitelytalkingaboutsomeshortseasonwithsomedefinedendinsight,rightJames?Becausethat’saslongasIcanbepatient.”IfyounoticewhatJamessaid,hesaid,“BepatientuntilJesuscomesback.”Nowifallthisisnewtoyou,ifyou’renotallthatfamiliarwiththeBibleandthisissomebreakingnews,letmejustkindofexplainthistoyou.TheGodoftheBibleisaGodofpromises.HemakespromisesandevenmoreimportantlyHekeepspromises.Soonethingweknowisthere’sanoutstandingpromisefromGodthatonedayJesuswillreturn.Helivedalife,He’sgoingtoreturn,andHewillreturnandfinishHisplanofsalvationandredemption.Essentially,Hewillcomebackandrighteverythingthatiswrong.AndasChristiansweliveineageranticipationofthatday.Forthelast2,000years,ChristianshaveeagerlyanticipatedthereturnofJesus.AndJamessays,“Bepatientuntilthathappens.”NoticeJamesdoesn’tsay,“Thereisalightattheendofthetunnel.”Hedoesn’tprovideanymagicformula,anymagicpotionthatallofthesuddencircumstanceswillbebetter.No,hesays,“Bepatientuntilthevery,veryendevenifourworldnevergetsbetter.Bepatient.”SoJamessays,“Bepatient,”andthenhegivesusanillustrationtofurtherdrivehomethepoint.Hesays,“Considerthefarmer,”andfarmingisanexerciseinlimitedcontrol.Afarmercanonlycontrolsomuchofwhatheistryingtopulloffaboutgrowingcrops.Yousee,afarmercancontrolhowhetillsthesoil.Afarmercancontrolwhatseedheputsoutandwhereheputsit.There’sonethingafarmercannotcontrol,heneedstheraintomakethecropgrow.



SoJamesissay,“Look,youarelikethat.Youaresomeonewhohasverylimitedcontrolandyou’reoutofcontrolofsomethingyouneedthemost.SotrustGod,muchlikethefarmertrust’sGodfortherain.”Nowforyouthismaynotbethemosteffectiveillustration.Forme,whenItrytogrowthingstheydie.I’mterrible.I’mnotafarmer.I’mnotagardener.Thisdoesn’tworkforme,itgoesovermyhead.ButforJames’readers,thiswouldhaveclickedsomethingintheirmemorybecausetheywerereallyfamiliarwiththeOldTestament.Theywouldsay,“Hey,I’veheardthatbeforesomewhereelse.”JamesisreferringtothisplaceinDeuteronomychapter11andwhatheisgoingtoshowthemisthatGodmadeapromiseverysimilartothisalongtimeago.Youcanreadalongwithme.Deuteronomy11says(thisisthepromiseofGod),“…Hewillgivetherainforyourlandinitsseason,”that’ssoimportanttohangontothat,inits’season.“Theearlyrainandthelaterrain,thatyoumaygatherinyourgrainandyourwineandyouroil.AndHewillgivegrassinyourfieldsforyourlivestock,andyoushalleatandbefull.”SoJames,yes,heistalkingaboutfarmingandheistalkingaboutrain.Heistalkingaboutcrops,yesheis,butheismakingabiggerpoint.HeismakingabiggerpointaboutapromiseGodhasgivenHispeopleanditgoessomethinglikethis:GodwillgivemewhatIneedwhenIneedit.GodwillgivemewhatIneedwhenIneedit.Jamesistalkingtoagroupofpeoplewhoarebeingpersecutedfortheirfaith,hadtoleavetheirhometownandhesays,“RememberGodpromisedHewillgiveyouwhatyouneedwhenyouneedit.”Nowifwearegoingtoreallyembracethistruth,likeifthisisgoingtobeafoundationalthingwebelieveandwe’reactuallygoingtomakedecisionsbasedonthistruththenweneedtofirstidentify,notonlywhatthispromiseis,butalsowhatitisnot.Sofirstofall,GodsaidHewillgivemewhatIneed,HedidnotpromisetogivemewhatIwant.AndyouandI,weliveinaculturewherethelinesbetweenwantsandneedshaveeitherbeenblurredorcompletelyobliterated.There’sreallynodifferencebetweenwantsandneedsforus,becausetheonlywayIcanthinktobehappyistogetwhatIwant,andthereforeIneedwhatIwantifIwanttobehappy.SogivemewhatIwant.That’sprettymuchthewayweseetheworld.Justaquickquizwithashowofhands:Howmanyofyouhaveeversaidyouwantedsomethingthatwouldnothavebeengoodforyou?Lookaround.Lookaroundateverysinglehand.Ifyou’renotraisingyourhandyou’relying.We’lltalkaboutthatlaterbuteverysingleoneofus...Therewasthispersonwhoyouwantedtodateandmaybeevenmarry.NowyouseethemonFacebookalongtimelaterandyouarelike,“Whew,dodgedabulletonthatone.”Therewasthatjobthatyouweresurewasgoingtobetheonetoincreaseyourprofile,butitwouldhaverequiredyoutomoveawayfromfamilyandfriendsandthechurchthatyoulove.Itwasthatpossessionyouthoughtwouldfinallysatisfyyou,butnowyouknowitwouldhaveletyoudown.WhatwewantisnotalwaysbestandGodislookingatusasafatherwouldtohischildrenandsaying,“Iloveyouenoughtonotalwaysgiveyouwhatyouwant.I’llgiveyouwhatyouneed.”Thenthesecondpartofthepromiseisthis.Hesays,“Iwillgiveyouwhatyouneedwhenyouneedit.”Whenyouneedit—we’retalkingabouttiming.YouseeJamessaidHewouldprovidetheearlyrainsandthelaterainsintheirseason.AndIcansaythatovermy20plusyearsoffollowingJesusmytimingisrarelythesameasGod’stiming.I’moftenimpatient.I’moftenlookingtorushthisstuff.AndGod’stimingisalwaysdifferentthanmine,andhere’sthekicker,alwaysbetter.



Yousee,GodhasthisthingcalledperspectivethatIlack.He’sbeenaroundforeternity,I’m32.Heseesintothefuture,Idonot.SothereforeIcantrustthatHegivesmewhatIneedwhenIneedit.Andthat’sreallywhatJamesisexposinghere.He’sjustsaying,“Doyoubelievethis?”Everysingleoneofushastoanswerthatquestion.DoIbelieveGodwillgivemewhatIneedwhenIneedit,oramIconvincedthatHemaybeneedsmyhelp?Haveyoueverhadamomentinyourlifewhenyou’vesaid,“God,I’mnotsureifYou’rewatching.I’mnotsureifYou’reseeingallofthis,andI’mnotsureifYou’vedottedallthei’sandcrossedallthet’s.Iwillstepin.IwillhelpYoufigurethisout.Iwillfixthecircumstancesaroundme.You’rewelcome,God.”AndJamesissaying,“Areyousure?Areyousureaboutthat?Areyousureyou’retheonewhoknowswhatyouneedandwhenyouneedit?Ormaybeyou’reaimingatwhatyouwantrightnow.”AndJamesislookingatpeoplewithcompassion.Heknowsthesituationthey’reinandhesays,“Trust.Trustandbepatient.Godwillgiveyouwhatyouneedwhenyouneedit.”Again,thisisnotnatural.Everysingleoneofus,whenwefindourselvesinadifficultsituationourveryfirstimpulseis,“HowcanIgetoutofthissituationasquicklyaspossible?HowcanIfixit?HowcanIrunaway?HowcanIgetridofthatperson,whateverittakes?HowcanIstopallofthis?”AndJamessays,“Bepatient.BepatientuntilJesuscomesbackbecausethatistheonlywayanyofthisgetsbetter,theonlywaythingslikeOrlando,andSandyHook,and911,andviciouspoliticalelections,andRowev.Wade,andheroinaddiction,anddrunk-drivingaccidents,andcancerwillend.TheonlywayanyofthatisoveriswhenJesuscomesback.SostaypatientandtrustGodhasaplanforredemption.”Jamessays,“Look,Iknowwhatyou’rein.Iknowwhatyou’restrugglingwith.Iknowthequestionsyouareasking.Bepatient.”Andthenparttwoofhisinstructioncomesinverses13-16.Youcanreaditalongwithme.Hesaysthis,hesays,“Isanyoneamongyousuffering?Lethimpray.Isanyonecheerful?Lethimsingpraise.Isanyoneamongyousick?Lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch,andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord.Andtheprayeroffaithwillsavetheonewhoissick,andtheLordwillraisehimup.Andifhehascommittedsins,hewillbeforgiven.Therefore,confessyoursinstooneanotherandprayforoneanother,thatyoumaybehealed.Theprayerofarighteouspersonhasgreatpowerasitisworking.”SoJamessays,“Look,Iknowthesituationthatyou’rein.AndIknowtheculture.Andallofourimmediateresponseistopointfingersandassignblame.Butyou,asChristians,staypatientuntilJesuscomesback.Andthensecondly,youwillpray:PatienceandPrayer.”Jamessayswearetopraywhenwe’resickandwhenwe’resuffering.Prayforhealing,prayforforgiveness,andprayforothersasChristiansinanimperfectworld.Wepray.Andsomeofyou,whenyouhearthisinstruction,youhavethissinkingfeelinginyourgut.Becausewhenitcomestoprayer,you’rejustnotthatgoodatit.It’snotyourforte.It’snotyourstrength.Infact,justsowe’reallhonesthere.Howmanyofyouwouldbebraveenoughatbothofourcampusesjusttosay,“I’mnotthatgoodatprayer?”Justraiseyourhand.Howmanyofyouwouldsay,“Thisisastruggleforme?”Lookaround.You’renotalone.Myhandisuptoo.Prayerisastruggleformeforabunchofdifferentreasons.PrayerisastruggleformebecauseIliketobeincontrol.AndwhenIprayI’mbasicallyadmittingthatIcan’tfixeverything.Andthey’resomeofus



whofeellikewhenweprayourwordsjusthittheceilingandtheydon’tgoanyfurther.Likewhat’sitevendoing?Andsomeofusjuststruggletostayfocusedwhenwe’repraying.Iknowthat’soneofmybiggestthings.Idon’tknowhowmanytimesI’vestartedoffaprayersowell.I’velockedit.“God,bewithmyfamily,andwiththechurch,andwiththecity,”AndthenextthingIknowI’mthinking,“LebronwentoffontheWarriorstheothernight.Thatdudeissogood.IwishIcoulddunklikeLebron.”Waitaminutes,I’msupposedtobepraying.Ithappensallthetime.I’mjustthinking,“God,whatiswrongwithme?Whyisthissohardforme?”It’sbecauseit’sunnatural.Itwouldbeeasierformetojumpinandfixsomestuffwithmyverylimitedperspectiveandmyverylimitedskillset.Sohonestly,ifwewerejusttocutthroughitall,ifweweretobesuperhonestwithoneanotherandlayitoutthere,Ithinkoneoftheprimaryreasonswestruggletoprayisthatwe’renotactuallyconvinceditisdoinganything.Wedon’tseeimmediateresults.Ididn’tgetwhatIwanted.Itjustkindoffeelsliketalkingoutloudtonooneinparticular,soarewereallysureit’sdoinganything?Jameshitsonthatverything.Heknowswe’reaskingthatquestion,sothat’swhyhewritesverses17-18.Soreadalongwithme.“Elijahwasamanwithanaturelikeours,”andthat’ssoimportant.Hangontothat,anaturelikeours,“andheprayedferventlythatitmightnotrain,andforthreeyearsandsixmonthsitdidnotrainontheearth.Thenheprayedagain,andheavengaverain,andtheearthboreitsfruit.”SowhatJamesisreferringtoisamomentintheOldTestamentwhenaprophetnamedElijahwastryingtocommunicatethetruthofGodtoakingnamedAhabandhiswifenamedJezebel.AndAhabandJezebelwerebadnews.TheydidevilinthesightoftheLord.Whenyou’retryingtocommunicateGod’struthtopeoplelikethatyoudon’tgetveryfar.Hegotstiff-armedbyAhabandJezebel.AndElijah’sburdenisthattheywouldsomedaycometorealizetheywerenotactuallyincontrol,Godwasincontrol.Andsowhathedidwasheprayeditwouldn’train,anditdidn’tfor3-and-a-halfyears.Andthenheprayedanditdidrainafterthat.Nowsomeofuswouldhearthatstoryandsay,“Well,goodforElijahIguess.That’sprettycool.It’sprettyimpressive.Hisprayerswereapparentlyprettypowerful.Theycouldcontroltheweather.Ican’tdothat.”Onetimeyouprayedthatitwouldnotrainbecauseyouweresittingoutsideforakid’ssoccergame,andthenitlikemonsoonedonyou.YouhaveoppositeElijahprayers.That’swhatyouhave.Andyou’rethinking,“What’sthedifference.WhydoElijah’sprayersseemsopowerfulandminesoweak?Ishedifferentthanus?WhathejustclosertoGod?”Andthat’swhyit’ssoimportanttonoticehowJamesdescribeshimthereinverse17.Hesaid,“Elijahwasamanwithanaturelikeours.”Hewasn’tsupernatural.Hedidn’thavemoredirectaccesstoGod’spowerthananyofusdo.Hejustsaidhewasanormalguy.SowhywereElijah’sprayerssopowerfulandouroftenseemsoweak?WhatIwouldliketodoisproposetoyouthattherewasafundamentaldifferencebetweenthewayElijahprayedandthewayweoftenpray,andthatifwewerewillingtobehonestaboutit,andifwewerewillingtoaddressitandattackitthenourliveswouldbefundamentallydifferent.Andthisworldwouldbefundamentallydifferent.Here’sthetruth:Elijah’sprayerlinedupwithGod’splan.Ourprayersareaboutourplan.



IfeelcomfortablesayingthatbecauseIknowit’strueinmylifesomuch.Elijah’sprayer,hewasprayingforwhatGodwanted,andIwasprayingforwhatIwanted.Yousee,Elijahwasn’tsomesupernaturalfreak.Hewasn’ttryingtocrippletheagriculturalsociety.Hewasn’ttryingtoembarrassKingAhab.HisgreatestburdenwasthatGodwouldgettherespectandthegloryHedeserved.Andthat’swhyheprayed.ElijahwaslockedandloadedonGod’smissionandGod’splan.AndoftenwhenI’mprayingit’slikeI’maskingGodtobeapartofmyplanandblessmydesires.HowmanyofyouliketheshowSharkTank?ArethereanySharkTankfansinthehouse?SoSharkTankisthisrealityshowwhereasmallbusinessownerentrepreneurshowsup,andtheypitchtoahandfulofinvestorswhythoseinvestorsshouldgivethemmoneysotheycanexpandtheirbusiness,sotheycanfranchise,orwhatevertheywanttodo.Sotheyhavetogivetheirbestpitchtothoseinvestorsastowhytheyshouldgiveuptheirhard-earnedmoneyandbeapartoftheirbusiness.WhatIrealizeisthatoftenwhenI’mprayingtoGod,it’slikeI’mgivingaSharkTankpitch.That’sreallywhatitsoundslike.Like,“DearGod,YouhaveaonceinalifetimeopportunitytobeapartofwhatI’vegotcooking.And,God,allYouhavetodois,fortheverylowpriceofgivingmeexactlywhatIwant,giveittomeandIwillgiveyoua10percentinvestmentinmyfutureearnings.God,YoucanbepartofwhatI’vegotgoingon.You’rewelcome.Amen.”That’sthewayIpray.Here’sthereasonIpraythis,andmaybeI’mtheonlyoneintheworldwho’severprayedaprayerlikethat.Soyoucanleavemehanging.That’sfine.Here’swhatIthink.Ifyou’veeverprayedsomethinglikethattoo,it’sbecauseyouandIstruggletobelievetheearlierpromisethatGod’salreadygivenus.GodwillgiveuswhatIneedwhenIneedit.ThatifyouandIweretotrulyembracethatfact,ifweweretotrulyembracethatpromise,thenwewouldn’thavetolobbyGodasifHeweresomekindofstingyinvestorwhohaseverythingweneedbutdoesn’twanttogiveittous.I’mtryingtopryHisfingersoffwhatIwantinlife,andHedoesn’twanttogiveittomebecauseHe’smadatmeorbecauseHe’skindofstingy.He’snotverygenerous.That’softenthewayIapproachGod.ButifIweretofullyembracethefactthatGodwantstogivemewhatIneedwhenIneedit,thennolongeramIlobbyingGodasifIhavetoconvinceHimtobepartofmylife.Icanstartfromaverydifferentfoundation.Nowitdoesn’tmeanyouandIneverpetitionGod,itdoesn’tmeanweneveraskforanything,itjustmeanswe’restartingfromaverydifferentplace.I’mbeginningfromthebeliefthatGodhasalreadypromisedtogivemewhatIneedwhenIneedit.Andfromthereit’saverydifferentprayer.AndifyouandIdon’tneedaSharkTanklobbyGodforthestuffweneedinourlives,thenwhatistheprayerweoughttopray?I’dliketoproposeadifferentprayerforallofus,myselfincluded.Ithinkifwecanpraythisprayerourliveswouldberadicallytransformed,andtheworldwouldberadicallytransformed.ButIhavetowarnyouthatthisprayerisnotaboutimmediatelygettingwhatwewant,it’snotaboutimmediatelyfixingthecircumstancesinwhichwelive.Infactthisprayerisabouttransformingusfromtheinsideout.Itgoessomethinglikethis:God,helpmewantwhatyouwant.God,helpmewantwhatyouwant.Thisprayerissimple,butitcouldbeabsolutelytransformationalandhere’show.God,helpmewantwhatyouwant.I’dhavetoadmittoyoutodaythatevenasapastortherearesometimesI’llreadstuffintheBibleandIdon’twantit.Idon’twantittobetrue.TherewasamomentwhenthisguynamedPaulwasprayingtoGodthatHewouldremoveathinghereferredtoasa“thorninhisflesh.”Andalotofpeoplethinkitwassomekindofphysicalstruggle,somekindofphysicalproblemhewashavingandPaulpleadedwithGodtoremovethatthornfromhisflesh.



AndJesuslooksbackathimandHeanswershisquestionasHesays,“No.No,I’mnotgoingtotakethatthornfromyoubecauseitmakesyoumoredependentonme.Andmygraceissufficientforyou,Paul.”AndIreadthatandI’vegottobehonest.Idon’twantthat.BecauseIkindofwishJesuswouldhaveremovedPaul’sthornsothatwayIcouldbankonJesusremovinganythornIhave.ButHedidn’t.SoIhavetopraythatGodwouldhelpmewantwhatHewants.TherewasanothermomentwhenJesus,talkingtoHisfollowerssaid,“Inthisworldyouwillhavetrouble.”Hedidn’tsayif,Hedidn’tsaymaybe,Hedidn’tsaywe’llsee.Hesaid,“Youwillhavetroublebuttakeheart.Ihaveovercometheworld.”AndIreadthatandIdon’twantthat.I’vegottobehonest.IreallywishJesushadsaid,“Inthisworldyouwillhavenotrouble,andyou’llhavenofrustration,andnodisappointment,andnoneofyouareevergoingtogetsick,andnoonewillevershootanotherperson,andnocancerwillexist,andyou’llneverfailatanything,andyou’llneverloseyourjob,andyou’llnevergetdivorced,andnothingwilleverbebadaboutlife,”butHedidn’tsaythat.Hedidsay,“InthislifeyouwillhavetroublebuttakeheartforIhaveovercometheworld.”AndIhavetoprayforthisbecauseIdon’tnaturallywant,“God,helpmewantwhatyouwant.”Yousee,thereasonyouandIareprayingthatprayerisnotbecauseitissomethingyouandIcameupwith,it’snotallthatclever,infactallwe’redoingisrestatingaprayerthatJesusprayedHimself.Yousee,therewasamomentinagardenwhereJesusknewwhatwascoming.HeknewHewasabouttobearrested.HeknewHewasabouttobecrucifiedandHecouldseeitonthehorizon.Heknewexactlywhatwasabouttohappen.HewasgoingtofacethewrathofGodthatyouandIdeserved.AndinHisstrifeandinHisdistressHeprayedthisprayerinLuke22.Hesaid,“Father,ifYouarewilling,pleasetakethiscupofsufferingawayfromme.YetIwantYourwilltobedone,notmine.”“IwantYourwilltobedone,notMine,”Jesusprayinginthefaceofimpendingtortureandexcruciatingdeath.Jesusprayed,“HelpMewantwhatyouwant,”andsoweprayittoo.Letmeaskyouafewquestions:Whatwouldchangeaboutourlivesifweweretofullyadoptthisprayer,“God,helpmewantwhatyouwant?”Whatwouldchangeaboutthewaywespendourtime?Yousee,JameshasalreadymadeitabundantlyclearinhisletterthatyouandIhavealimitedlifespan.We’renotevenguaranteedasingletomorrow.Sowiththattruthinfrontofus,“GodhelpmewantwhatYouwantwithmytime.”AmIbeingintentional?HaveIprioritizedmylifearoundthethingsthatreallymattermost?HowmuchtimeamIblowingoffstreamingshows,andpostingcatmemes,anddoingdeepdivesintoYouTubewormholes?That’salltooreal,mybad.I’llbackoff.Withmytime,GodhelpmewantwhatYouwant.Howwoulditaffecthowwehandleourmoney?Wetouchedonthislastweek.Godisn’tagainstushavingmoney.He’snotevenagainstushavingalotofit.Heisagainstuslovingitbecauseit’llstealourhearts.Soifweweretopraythisprayer,whatwouldchangeaboutthewayweseeourmoney?Areweaimingatenough,ormorethanenough,orsomuchmorethanenoughwedon’tknowwhattodowithit?Whenwelookatourmoney,doweseeitasagiftfromGod?Ordowelookatitasourhard-earneddollarsandit’suptoustodowithitwhatwewant.God,helpmewantwhatYouwant.Whenitcomestooursingleness,woulditchangethewayweseethislife?Wouldweseeitasaseasonoflifethatistobeescapedatallcost,evenifitmeanscuttingcorners?Evenifitmeanssacrificingsomeofourconvictions?Or,doweseeitasanopportunity?AnopportunitytoserveGodinawaynoteverybodycan?God,helpmewantwhatYouwant.



Howmightitchangeourmarriages?Wouldwespendsomuchtimetryingtofixourspouseandmakethemmorelikeus,becauseweknowthatwouldbeareallygoodthing?Orwouldwespendalotmoretimeappreciatingourdifferences?Wouldweshiftourviewofmarriagefromanentirelyself-servingendeavor,andinsteadseeitassomethingthatGodistryingtogrowusthrough.God,helpmewantwhatYouwant.Howwoulditchangethewayweseepeoplewedisagreewith?Asaquickrefresher—inMatthew5Jesustoldustolovepeoplelikethat.Sowhenitcomestopeoplewithadifferentpoliticalideology,doweattackthemwithsarcasticandsavageFacebookposts?Dowefillintheblankaboutthemandassumetheworst?OrdoweevencometotheconclusionthatitwouldbeimpossibletobeaChristianandhavethatleaning,ordoweprayforthem?Notthatsomedaytheywouldseetheworldjustlikeus,butthatsomedaytheywouldreceivethegraceofJesuslikewehave.God,helpmewantwhatYouwant.It’saverydifferentprayer.Sotorecap,here’sJames.Heistalkingtopeoplewholiveinaworldthatforcedthemtoleavetheirhomes,forcedthemtoabandontheircommunitiesbecauseofwhattheybelieve.YouandIliveinaworldwhereonepersoncantakethelivesof49people.It’sbroken.Jamestellsustostaypatientandpray.Listentome:Thisisnotwishfulthinking.Thisisnotacrutch.ThisisustrustingthatGodmakespromisesandHekeepsthem.AndthepromiseHehasmadetoyouandmeisthatsomedayHewillreturnandHewillrightallthewrongs.ThisishowhesaysitinRevelation7.Itsays,“…AndHewhositsonthethronewillgivethemshelter.Theywillneveragainbehungryorthirsty;theywillneverbescorchedbytheheatofthesun.FortheLambonthethronewillbetheirShepherd.”He’stalkingaboutJesusandhesays,“Hewillleadthemtospringsoflife-givingwater.AndGodwillwipeeverytearfromtheireyes.”AuthorSallyLloydJonesparaphrasedthisandshe’swritingfromtheperspectiveofGodtheFathertothechildrenHeloves.I’llleaveyouwithherwords.“Yes,someoneiscomingtorescueyou,butHewon’tbewhoanyoneexpects.HewillbeaKing,butHewon’tliveinapalace.Hewon’thavelotsofmoney,HewillbepoorandHewillbeaservantbutthisKingwillhealthewholeworld.Hewillbeahero.HewillfightforHispeopleandrescuethemfromtheirenemies,butHewon’thavebigarmiesandHewon’tfightwithswords.Hewillmaketheblindsee,Hewillmakethelameleaplikedeer,Hewillmakeeverythingthewayitwasalwaysmeanttobe,butpeoplewillhateHim.Theywon’tlistentoHim.Hewillbelikealamb,Hewillsufferanddie.“It’sthesecretrescueplanHemadebeforethebeginningoftheworld.It’stheonlywaytogetyouback,butHewon’tstaydead.IwillmakeHimaliveagainandoneday,whenHecomesbacktoruleforeverthemountainsandtreeswilldanceandsingforjoy.Theearthwillshoutoutloud.Hisfamewillcoverthewholeearth,asthewaterscovertheseaeverythingsadwillcomeuntrue,evendeathisgoingtodie.AndHewillwipeawayeverytearfromeveryeye.Yes,theRescuerwillcome.LookforHim,watchforHim,waitforHim.Hewillcome.Ipromise.Love,God.”Father,todaywecometoYouandwearenotcertainofmuch.We’renotconfidentthatthingsaregoingtogetmuchbetter.We’renotevensurewheretoturnattimes.Weaskquestionsthatfeelliketheydon’thaveanswers.Sointhemidstofthattruthwepray.WeprayYouwouldgiveusthecouragetotrustinYourpromises,promisesthatYou’vealreadykept,promisesweknowYou’llkeep.Letusputourfullhope,andourfulltrust,andourfullrestinYoubecauseYou’retheonlyOnewhocanhandleallthis.



WeeagerlyprayforthedaywhenJesuswillreturnandrighteverythingthatiswrong.Lord,comesoon.ItisinYourgoodnameIpray.Amen.

walk the talk patience and prayer…walk the talk | patience and prayer jake barker | james 5:7-18...

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