Doubting the Goodness of God?

What does someone do when they find themselves too weak to believe in the goodness and lovingkindness of the father; when their faith feels almost gone? Paul describes it as those who are spiritually weak and sick. What does that person do? James tells him, call for your elders. You do not depend upon yourself. And what are those elders to do? Bring their own power and strength? No, they bring faith in the one who can heal. So James is going to address this in the next few verses, talking about sickness that I don't believe he means physical. I do believe he means a spiritual sickness. We'll look into the text and see why that is, and why it is it's so important we confess our sins to one another, and how in the midst of suffering, the church can use the power of prayer to restore the faith of those who are weak. And thankfully, we don't have to wait until next week to receive encouragement of our faith, for we can see and taste the gospel this morning. You remember the man that was lowered down through the ceiling by his friends? And when Jesus is standing there, obviously seeing this man laying on his bed, what does Jesus say? Your sins are forgiven. And people are confused. Obviously this man wasn't there to have his sins forgiven, and then they're upset at Jesus. Well, who are you to forgive sins? You don't have that power. Only God has that power. And then Jesus says, well, what is easier for me, to say get up and walk or your sins are forgiven? His point is I have the power to do both, and the one that matters is that his sins are forgiven, for now, he will live forever. We take communion every week, and as we hold the body and the blood of Christ and symbol in our hands, Jesus says this to you: Child, you will live forever because I died. Everyday Grace 051