{"id":6659,"date":"2024-08-15T17:08:18","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T17:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/?p=6659"},"modified":"2024-08-15T17:08:18","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T17:08:18","slug":"prayer-and-praise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/prayer-and-praise\/","title":{"rendered":"Prayer and Praise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click HERE for sermon audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him\u00a0sing praise.<\/em><\/span>\u00a014\u00a0<\/sup>Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him,\u00a0anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.<\/span>\u00a015\u00a0<\/sup>And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And\u00a0if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.<\/span>\u00a016\u00a0<\/sup>Therefore,\u00a0confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,\u00a0that you may be healed.\u00a0The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.[a<\/a>]<\/sup><\/span>\u00a017\u00a0<\/sup>Elijah was a man\u00a0with a nature like ours, and\u00a0he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for\u00a0three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.<\/span>\u00a018\u00a0<\/sup>Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. (James 5:13-18)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n

As James is concluding his letter in this final section, one of the things that stands out is the necessity of the church and our need for each other. Throughout this letter, and very clearly here, James has assumed that these brothers to whom he writes are church members, and they have elders; and thus he gives all these instructions for living amongst one another. James has written about a number of problems they face, and his assumption is that being church members does not erase problems and conflicts. James gives instructions for dealing with them. He also does not assume being a Christian will be easy, as we have seen his instructions for enduring trials. He does not assume that being a godly Christian means we will never be sick. He assumes there will be sickness at times among us, and he gives instructions for enduring through trials of sickness. James also does not assume that being a Christian means we will never sin. He gives us instruction to confess our sins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But it is not all difficulty and sorrow. He also assumes that we will have good cheer; and there will be times of joyfulness and singing. Indeed even in the midst of suffering and sickness, we may be of good cheer. And that is part of the benefit of belonging to a local body of Christ\u00a0 – at any given moment, some will be suffering, some will be rejoicing, some will be sick, and some will be well. And what each one of us may lack, the body can come beside us and be of aid and help as ministers of Christ to one another.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed James\u2019 vision of the church is that its members love one another and seek to help and serve one another as there is need, whether it is spiritual encouragement, or practical aid.<\/span><\/p>\n

As James concludes it is clear that his vision of the church is that the body is an important means for our endurance through trials of various kinds.<\/span><\/p>\n

When You\u2019re Suffering (v. 13)<\/b><\/p>\n

So in verse 13 James gives two brief instructions, and then a third instruction with more detail in verse 14 and following. First, James asks, \u201cIs anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are we to do when we suffer? So often it is in the midst of suffering, that we fail to think as objectively, clearly, logically, and scripturally as we normally would. Suffering has a way of disorienting us and challenging our very convictions. How often is it heard that someone questions God or the goodness of God because of all the suffering in the world or in their life? As we have learned, suffering is a test. And tests have some degree of difficulty. They present some level of challenge, in which we are required to put into practice what we have learned and what we know intellectually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So what are we to do when we suffer? James tells us very simply to pray. So often we would like others to pray for us when we are suffering, but we lack in prayer ourselves. Certainly it is good for others to pray for us, but James says, \u201clet HIM pray.\u201d Who is \u201chim\u201d? The one who is suffering. The one who is suffering is to pray! This is because prayer is not simply about having our circumstances changed, but it\u2019s about going to the Lord personally through Jesus Christ, exercising our faith, and being changed ourselves. When we spend time ourselves, with the Lord in prayer, we ourselves are changed, comforted, encouraged, or helped in some way, even if we still don\u2019t know the answers to our problems. Why? Because we have communed with the Lord. We\u2019ve spent time with Jesus. As we have prayed, the Holy Spirit has prayed in us and for us. As we have prayed, we have submitted our will to God\u2019s will. It could be any number of types of suffering that we go through, James subscribes us to pray in whatever type of suffering it may be, because prayer is good for us and helps us in our suffering. And of course God hears us and loves to answer our prayers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Think of our Lord Jesus. When He suffered, what did He do? He prayed. In the garden before His arrest, He sweated great drops of blood in prayer, praying \u201cnot my will, but thine be done.\u201d On the cross, as He suffers, He cries out to the Father in prayer, multiple times. \u201cMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?\u201d \u201cFather, forgive them, for they know not what they do.\u201d \u201cInto Thy hands, I commit my spirit.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is anyone suffering? Let him pray.<\/span><\/p>\n

When You\u2019re Cheerful (v. 13)<\/b><\/p>\n

James then asks, \u201cIs anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.\u201d Or the way the King James Version puts it, \u201cIs any merry? Let him sing psalms.\u201d Not only when we suffer are we to go to God; but also when we are full of cheer, we are to go to God in singing praise. It is God who gives suffering for our good, and it is God who makes us happy. God has given us a book of praises to direct our joy in praising Him aright. In all circumstances God is to be honored with our lips, either in supplication or in singing – in prayer or in praise. So often God sends us suffering so that we might call out to Him in prayer, and in prayer He comforts us and gives us good cheer that we might then call out to Him in praise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

God made us to enjoy singing when we are of good cheer. You all know this feeling, that when you are happy, you want to sing! God loves to hear His people sing and directs our cheer to Him in praise.<\/span><\/p>\n

When You\u2019re Sick (v. 14)<\/b><\/p>\n

The next question James asks in verse 14, \u201cIs anyone among you sick?\u201d Now the word for \u201csick\u201d is a word that is broad enough to include the idea of being wounded or injured, which makes a lot of sense in light of the context that some of them were tempted to murder and fight against their rich persecutors; or maybe they have or haven\u2019t done that, but they\u2019ve been persecuted, imprisoned, or beaten, and have been wounded from that. So we\u2019ll consider that as well as a range of other illnesses. But it does seem evident that the type of injuries or illnesses which are spoken of here are ones which have some level of severity such that the person is unable to go to the assembly, and likely not for some time, as ones in such a situation are instructed to \u201ccall for the elders of the church.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So the first part of the instruction is that such a one who is sick may call for the elders of the church. Now this is interesting because it shows that this is part of the common practice of the church. James doesn\u2019t say to call for the faith healer, or go to the healing meeting when it comes through town, or go touch a relic and be healed. No, he says just call for the elders of the church. Now, the elders of churches are not those who have some special healing power or gift – those are not part of the qualifications for an elder. Elders are those who are to be godly men, who govern the church, who preach the word, administer the ordinances, and shepherd God\u2019s people. So this shows us that this is not some miraculous supernatural ability, but it shows us that God normally works through ordinary means. It\u2019s not the elders who are going to heal you. They are coming to pray over you. But the fact that it is the elders who are called shows that there is a level of severity to this and weightiness to this. If the prayer of a righteous person is powerful as it is working, you want a godly righteous person praying for you, and that is what elders are supposed to be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now certainly others in the church may be just as godly and righteous, or more, and their prayers may be powerful and effective for you as well. So I believe that a big reason why it is the elders who are called upon in such a case is because it is connected to the anointing with oil. Now, I do not see this as a sacrament or ordinance. For as Reformed Baptists, we believe in two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord\u2019s Supper; an ordinance being that which is ordained directly by Christ for the continued practice in the Church. As our confession states, \u201cBaptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church to the end of the world.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But the Roman Catholics have made the anointing of the sick a sacrament and call it the sacrament of \u201cextreme unction;\u201d wherein when someone is sick or near death they are anointed with oil wherein God may heal them or they may be imparted dying graces and forgiveness of sins. This is not a sacrament for reformed churches, and many reformed have not seen this as an abiding or as a literal practice to be continued in all ages. This is because it is not something that is commanded, but something which may be requested, and so it is implied there was a temporary use and practice of anointing oil, and James gives instructions for them in their time.<\/span><\/p>\n

So when the elders are called for, they are to pray over the sick person and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. Now as I mentioned, this is not something that every reformed church practices. It may be something that is foreign to many of you. But while we may not understand all the reasons why anointing with oil is given here, because of the fact that elders may be called upon to do it, it is certainly something that Marc and I will do for you if you ever have need of it and desire it. And note, it is something that a sick person must call for and request, the elders don\u2019t come and require this of anyone. So if you don\u2019t believe this is a continuing practice, it is not something that would be required of you. But if you do believe it is continued, we are willing to do this for you and we\u2019ll trust that God will honor that and use that.<\/span><\/p>\n

While we may not have all the answers as to why this was done, or why it still may be done, it will help us to understand a bit of the significance of oil and anointing oil in the Bible. Anointing oil is a huge theme in the Bible and we talked some about it when we were back in Exodus, and we sing about it in various ways in the Psalms, such as our current Psalm of the month, Psalm 92.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Old Testament kings and priests were anointed with oil, and even some prophets, such as Elisha. These of course are the three offices of Christ, and Christ means and is the Anointed One. He is God\u2019s Anointed, which we sing of in the Psalms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oil also represents the Holy Spirit in the Bible, as we talked about in Exodus with the oil lampstands representing the Spirit of God in heaven in Revelation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anointing oil is also used in the laws for cleansing lepers, in Leviticus 14, lepers who were cleansed, were, on the 8th day, anointed with oil, as part of the cleansing ceremony to bring them back into the camp – which is interesting with this connection of anointing oil and the sick here in James.<\/span><\/p>\n

We also see in Mark 6:13 that when Jesus sends out the disciples, they cast out demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, we do not profess that there are any healing powers in the oil itself, just as there is not in the elders of the church, but at the very least, the oil signifies the reality of healing in the working of the Holy Spirit. And just as kings and priests were set apart with anointing oil, the sick who are anointed with oil are set apart for prayer in the body. And it is through the ministry of Christ and His Spirit that they are healed, and made to be part of the kingdom of priests that the church is.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is this for today?<\/b><\/p>\n

So is this something that is to be practiced today? I\u2019ve already shown my hand on that, but to bear it out further, I\u2019ll ask it again. Some, like Calvin and Thomas Manton, would say no, it is not for today, it was for those special apostolic times where the sign gifts were prominent. While I am sympathetic to such an argument and fault no one for taking such a position, I do see that it is given to the elders of the church to perform, and the elders are not required to have the gift of healing, as well as elders being a continued office in the church on earth. Having said that, the Mark 6:13 passage is very informative to my view. In that passage healing with anointing oil goes along with casting out demons. Are demons still cast out of people today? Yes, they are. But does that happen very often in places where the gospel is established and has taken root? No, it is not something that you see often in places where the church is thoroughly established. Likewise, I would take the anointing oil and healing, as something that may still happen, though not as prevalent where the gospel has taken root. And the testimony of church history bears that out.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lord Works through Prayer (v. 15)<\/b><\/p>\n

So after these instructions, James goes on to talk more about prayer, healing, and forgiveness of sins in verse 15-18, or really through the end of the chapter. The overall theme is that we are to pray for one another, for God works through prayer, and He answers prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sins and Sickness<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the difficult things about this passage is the connection it seems to make with sin and sickness. Verse 15 says the one who has committed sins will be forgiven – this is the one who is sick. So the question arises, are we sick because of sin? The answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no, but we are not to assume so. Let me explain.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul talks about the Corinthians\u2019 improper behavior surrounding the Lord\u2019s Supper, and says in verse 30, \u201cThat is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.\u201d Or think of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, they weren\u2019t ill, but they were killed on the spot by God for their sin. Or think of the Old Testament times when God sent plague upon the people for their rebellion, or sickness from serpent bites. This is a possibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But this is not always the case. Sometimes we are sick and die, not directly because of sin we have committed. Think of Job. He is the great example of this. Or think of the man born blind in John 9. Jesus\u2019 disciples asked him, \u201c…who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?\u201d Jesus answered, \u201cIt was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.\u201d Furthermore, James says, \u201c…IF he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So the reason for sickness is typically not something we can know, nor is it ours to peer into the mysteries of divine providence. Therefore, the testimony of Scripture would lead us to assume the best about others, that their sickness is the Lord\u2019s good providence to show His glory in some way; and also be sure that we confess our own sins, while not scrutinizing ourselves to despair; but trusting in the mercy of God to be great enough for us in Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the emphasis from James is that there is forgiveness and healing from sin, that is the great promise to be had. I don\u2019t believe that James\u2019 purpose here is to make us think we are sick because of something we have done; but rather, to comfort us when we are sick with the reality and promise of the forgiveness of sins. If God gave us a virus for every time we sinned, we would always be sick.<\/span><\/p>\n

One commentator puts it this way, \u201c…sickness, especially life-threatening sickness, almost always tempts a Christian, especially those with tender consciences, to fabricate a connection in their own minds between their physical suffering and their own sin. Forgiveness of sin is offered to the sick as an assurance that their suffering is part of God\u2019s providence and good will in their life, not as a penalty for something they have done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What if we are not healed?<\/b><\/p>\n

Now, what do we make of the statement in verse 15, that is a seeming promise of healing, \u201cAnd the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.\u201d? In other words, what if we are sick and call for the elders and they pray over us and anoint us with oil, and yet we are not healed? Is it a lack of faith, because it says the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick? No, certainly not. In all of this James is not guaranteeing physical health, he is guaranteeing that in confessing our sins and praying in faith we will be saved, the Lord will raise us up, and He will raise us up on the last day, even if not from our sick bed in this life. That is the great promise and comfort for the sick one who feels close to death and eternity. Often in the gospels when Jesus healed someone He also forgave their sins in the same breath. The physical healing was a sign that pointed to the reality of the forgiveness of sins and salvation from death. Now, we have the substance of that sign in the resurrection of Jesus and the eternal life that believers have and possess even now. So even if we are not healed, we still have the sign of the resurrection of Christ.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact is, sometimes God heals us miraculously, sometimes he does so through common means of nutrition, rest, and good medicine and doctors. And sometimes He waits to heal us until a good old resurrection from the dead. It certainly may be the case that we are lacking in faith or weak in faith, but a lack of healing does not equal a lack of faith. Consider the testimony of faith in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. It recounts how many by faith conquered kingdoms, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the power of fire, etc. But it also recounts how many, by faith, suffered mocking and flogging, chains and imprisonment. Some were stoned, sawn in two, killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated. Providence is not an indicator of a lack of faith. Sometimes faith suffers, sometimes faith rejoices.<\/span><\/p>\n

So in this, we ought not think of the prayer of faith as some magical formula or guaranteed promise of earthly prosperity and health. Instead, the prayer of faith is one that prays aright, according to God\u2019s Word and will. Think of our Lord in the garden, who prayed that if there was any other way let it be, but not my will, but thine be done.\u201d It was God\u2019s will that Christ be afflicted and suffer and die. But it was God\u2019s will and promise to raise Him from the dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even in our praying for healing, we must remember what prayer is. Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Prayer of a Righteous Person (v. 16-18)<\/b><\/p>\n

James then gives us an example of the power of prayer from a righteous person, in the example of the prophet Elijah. In 1 Kings 17-18 is where Elijah prayed that it might not rain for three and half years, and so it did not rain for that time, and then Elijah prayed for rain, and the heavens opened up. James uses this example to show us that there is power in the prayers of a righteous person.<\/span><\/p>\n

But James says that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. In this he shows us that we are not to think men like Elijah are so far above us, we could never pray like that, but he shows us that he was a man like us, and just as God heard and answered Elijah, so He may hear and answer us. Elijah did not work the drought and rain like a miracle from some power in himself, but through prayer it was granted, which is given to us as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

This shows us that as men, if we are in Christ and righteous in His sight, by prayer, we may have the ear of Heaven, to answer our prayers. Righteous men can effect change in this world by calling to God in prayer, and the very heavens may open up for us as it were. Righteous men in this world have access to the throne of God in the heavenly places through Jesus Christ, and heaven may come down as it were, God\u2019s will may be done in earth as it is in heaven, as Jesus taught us to pray.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, we may think that we are not a righteous person like that for our prayers to be effective. But in this way that the Bible talks about a righteous person is not in terms of sinlessness. For if we were sinless, we would not be a man on earth. And this is for men on earth. Rather a righteous person is one who walks in the ways of God by faith, and when he sins, he confesses his sin and receives forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Just as we talk about someone being a \u201cfaithful Christian,\u201d we don\u2019t mean that they are perfect, but they are enduring in the faith and lead a godly life because we have been righteous through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Prayer from such a one is powerful.<\/span><\/p>\n

And notice that Elijah prayed persistently, which is how Jesus would have us to pray. For three and a half years, he prayed for one thing. So fervent prayer requires persistence. We keep praying and we do not give up.<\/span><\/p>\n

And in this we look to our Lord Jesus, who is the Righteous one. And He, the Righteous One prays for us. And His prayer is powerful and effective for us. As John says, when we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. His advocacy for us is powerful and effective. And this gives us encouragement to pray, and to pray fervently, for we are, even now, seated with Christ in the heavenly places and righteous in God\u2019s sight through Jesus Christ. He is the Anointed One in whom we are made kings and priests to God, so that we might turn and minister to others, praying for them and living a righteous life unto God for the good of our neighbor. This is wisdom for kings.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Click HERE for sermon audio Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him\u00a0sing praise.\u00a014\u00a0Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him,\u00a0anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.\u00a015\u00a0And the prayer of faith will save the one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":685,"featured_media":6660,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1582],"tags":[138,217,281,593,672,678,699,1388,967,969,1001,1114,1137,1146,1200],"class_list":{"0":"post-6659","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sermon","8":"tag-anointing","9":"tag-body","10":"tag-church","11":"tag-healing","12":"tag-james","13":"tag-jenkins","14":"tag-joshua","15":"tag-oil","16":"tag-praise","17":"tag-prayer","18":"tag-psalm","19":"tag-sermon","20":"tag-sickness","21":"tag-singing","22":"tag-suffering","23":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/08\/anointing-of-the-sick.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4505,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/the-altar-of-incense-the-smell-god-likes\/","url_meta":{"origin":6659,"position":0},"title":"The Altar of Incense: The Smell God Likes","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"June 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Introduction The Bible can sometimes be difficult to understand if we only read and try to understand a single passage by itself. The modern evangelical approach to Bible reading is designed to be very simple and easy. Many Bible reading plans or devotionals will pick out the nice sounding easy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/06\/altar-of-incense.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/06\/altar-of-incense.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/06\/altar-of-incense.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/06\/altar-of-incense.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4516,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/covenantal-prayer\/","url_meta":{"origin":6659,"position":1},"title":"Covenantal Prayer","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"July 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Introduction This afternoon, we will be looking at a few sections of verses at a time, so we will read them as we come to them. This High Priestly Prayer of our Lord is not a rambling disconnected assortment of thoughts that randomly come to Jesus\u2019 mind as He prays.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/David.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/David.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/David.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/David.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/07\/David.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6146,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/washing-your-hands\/","url_meta":{"origin":6659,"position":2},"title":"Washing Your Hands","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"December 4, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Click HERE for sermon audio\u00a0 The\u00a0Lord\u00a0said to Moses,\u00a018\u00a0\u201cYou shall also make a\u00a0basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing.\u00a0You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it,\u00a019\u00a0with which Aaron and his sons\u00a0shall wash their hands and their feet.\u00a020\u00a0When\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/12\/bronze-laver-priest.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6111,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/the-scent-of-heaven\/","url_meta":{"origin":6659,"position":3},"title":"The Scent of Heaven","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"November 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Click HERE for sermon audio\u00a0 \u201cYou shall make\u00a0an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood.\u00a02\u00a0A cubit[a]\u00a0shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height.\u00a0Its horns shall be of one piece with it.\u00a03\u00a0You shall\u00a0overlay\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/11\/Incense.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/11\/Incense.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/11\/Incense.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/11\/Incense.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2023\/11\/Incense.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3659,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/praying-great-prayers-with-great-confidence-because-we-have-great-assurance-from-our-great-god-who-has-given-us-a-great-gift-1-john-319-24\/","url_meta":{"origin":6659,"position":4},"title":"Praying Great Prayers, with Great Confidence, Because we have Great Assurance, from our Great God, Who has Given us a Great Gift: 1 John 3:19-24","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"November 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Prayer, we would all admit, is one of the most difficult disciplines to maintain in the Christian life. It is one of the most neglected means of grace, and methods of communion with God. And it is the most powerful aspect of the Christian life. Yet, for many, if not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/category\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2018\/11\/prayingman300px.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2018\/11\/prayingman300px.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2018\/11\/prayingman300px.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4323,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/a-pastoral-prayer\/","url_meta":{"origin":6659,"position":5},"title":"A Pastoral Prayer","author":"Joshua Jenkins","date":"January 10, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Pastoral Prayer for the Tenth of January, in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One, at Hope Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri 31\u00a0Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and let them say among the nations,\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0Lord\u00a0reigns!\u201d 32\u00a0Let the sea roar, and all that fills\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Pastoral\"","block_context":{"text":"Pastoral","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/tag\/pastoral\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/01\/prayer.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/01\/prayer.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/01\/prayer.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/01\/prayer.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/685"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6659\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/joshuajenkins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}