I’ve enjoyed preaching from the Book of James for the last month or so and have learned some valuable lessons.
While preparing for the message this week I was looking at the verse about healing towards the end of the book.
But it was something else that really jumped out at me as I was reading about healing.
It was the fact that as a believer we need to be in church.
If a believer is sick James tells them to call for the elders of the church (James 5 v 14).
This implies that they should firstly be in church and secondly be in church that has a Biblical authority structure i.e. one that has elders.
When I say church I mean a body of believers, not a building; the body (or church) could meet in a house, hall, cinema or old warehouse. I don’t even say that you have to attend every service, or at all on a Sunday, but you should be in fellowship with other believers.
What is also important is that the “church” has recognised elders, in other words leaders.
It is a Biblical principle to have leaders (or elders) in church; Paul always set in place leaders when he planted a church.
People meeting with no appointed or recognised leaders and calling themselves a church is not Biblical; how can you call upon the elders if there are no elders?
Now, I’m not saying this out of a need for control, I am saying it as I believe it is Biblical.
Christianity is not a solo occupation, it never has been, and if you are “doing church” on your own you cannot live out James 5 v 14 if required.
Speak this out today…..”Thank you Lord that you have set in place a Biblical structure for church, and thank you that this include elders and leaders”.
James 5 v 14…..Is any sick among you? 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
Heilan Word Ministries 