Remember This
James 5:19-20
Pastor Jerry Koller

If any among you strays from the truth…
• To understand better what the verb “strays” means, James mentions what the individual is straying from: the truth.

In other words, don’t stray to the right or to the left. Keep on the path.

Backslider: To revert to a worse condition, to retrogress, to relapse into bad habits or undesirable activities.

The verb “strays” means to wander or deviate from the truth.
• Truth is that which has been revealed by God, about God, about His creation, and about man and his responsibilities.
• It is rooted in the character of God.

The emphasis of this final comment from James is not all about the one straying. It focuses on the one who brings the wanderer back.

• “Turns...back” has to do with making a decisive change of direction—physically, mentally, or spiritually.
• Every use of this phrase carries the sense that one reality is left behind and another embraced.

• “Let him (that person) know” is directed toward the individual who helped with the turning.
• The phrase “he who turns a sinner” is a reference to anyone who has carried out this task.
• The Greek word for “turns” is the same as the word “turns” in verse 19. It is a reference to the same action.
• Sin is anything that deviates from what God has revealed to us. It is an act of rebellion.
• “the error of his way” is a reference straying or wandering from the straight path (in this case truth).
• “Ways” has to do with a way of thinking, feeling, or deciding which results in a course of action.

The turning will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
• The word “saved” is to be understood as “being delivered out of danger and into safety.”
• It also has to do with “keeping one safe and sound.”

The word “soul” is a reference to a person’s seat of feelings, desires, affections, and fears.
• The soul is the immaterial part of man.
• It is a death that relates to the soul of a believer—the innermost part of him, the part that also relates to and interacts with God.
• Wandering from truth, continuing in a path of sin by choice can kill one’s ability to relate and interact with God and one’s ability to live for His glory.

The word “cover” means to veil, to hide, to hinder the knowledge of a thing.
• Truth will cover the lies of sin.

• The idea of restoring one caught in any trespass is to be done before
• Spiritual is a reference to those who are filled with and governed by the Holy Spirit.
• Restoration should be done in a spirit of gentleness.
• It should be done in humility as well knowing you too could be tempted to sin and eventually be caught up in it.

Perhaps James made this last comment to the end of his letter to point out how much we need one another if we hope to live out our faith to the glory of God.
• Restoring or turning someone back requires us to get involved in one another’s lives.
• Restoring is a way to show we care for one another.
• It is a wonderful expression of love.

Together, we can help one another live out our faith for the glory of God.

mission café
Sundays | 9:00-10:15am | Mission Cafe

worship
Sundays | 10:30am | Sanctuary
• If you're unable to join us in-person, you can watch live on Facebook or view later in the week on Facebook or YouTube or listen to an audio only version on Archive.

children’s worship
Sundays | 10:30am | Children’s Worship Room
• Ages 5 years old through 5th grade
• Does not meet on the first Sunday of each month.
• Contact Alyssa Newell for questions or more information.

men’s bible study
Tuesdays | 7:00-8:30pm | Mission Café
• Contact Paul Fitton or Larry Dobberstein for questions or more information.

church office open
Wednesdays | 11:00am-4:00pm

theology class
Wednesdays | 7:00-8:00pm | Main Foyer
• Closed course.

bible study
Thursdays | 9:30-11:30am | Conference Room
• Studying Joshua; open to new participants at any time.
• Contact Tina Wilburn for questions or more information.

women’s craft group
Thursdays | 6:30pm | Craft Room
• Contact Tracy Marshall for questions or more information.

• Bruce Ferguson received digital test results that showed "high risk prostate cancer." He has an appointment to discuss the test results and a PET/CT scan scheduled for later this month. Please pray for peace as he and Vasha wait for the next appointments.
• John Seitz has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Please keep him and Susan in prayer as they make decisions about his care and treatment.
• Vincent Bryant still has a small area on his foot that hasn't healed. He is also having eye problems and is able to see very little right now. Continued prayers for the foot sore to completely close and heal as well as his vision to be restored are appreciated.
• Miriam Bryant is recovering from a successful hand surgery. She is pleased with the results and expects to have the stitches removed on 1/30.
• Sandi Cagle is recovering from surgery on her shoulder. Please pray for a speedy healing and that the pain will be manageable.
• Mike Rooker has returned home and is continuing outpatient therapy.
• Carson Rooker is recovering from surgery to repair his clavicle that was broken in 3 places following a skiing accident.
• Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com