1. The Importance of Spiritual Health
A study in the
book of James

2. The Jewish Wedding The engagement ceremony The preparation phase
The return of the groom for his bride

3. James 5:7-9
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the

4. James 5:7-9
Lord is near. 9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! 

5. Our spiritual health depends on our understanding of the immanent return of Jesus Christ

6. 2 Corinthians 11:1-3
I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. 3But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be

7. 2 Corinthians 11:1-3
corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

8. John 14:1-3
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so

9. that you will always be with me where I am.
John 14:1-3
that you will always be with me where I am.

10. 1 Thes. 4:15-18
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the

11. 1 Thes. 4:15-18
trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we

12. 1 Thes. 4:15-18
will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

13. 3 Things we must do as we wait
Be patient
Stand firm
Don’t grumble

14. James 5:10-11
For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the

15. James 5:10-11
Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. 

16. As we wait for the return of Jesus, we must persevere through whatever life throws our way

17. We will face hardships
God will bring about good from every circumstance
His ultimate plan for us is greater than ours

18. James 5:12
But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned. 

19. As we wait for Jesus to return we must guard what we do and what we say

20. Do not swear – do!
What we say should be what we do

21. How well are you doing? Are you ready for Jesus to return?
Are you willing to stand regardless of what life throws your way?
Are you willing to live it boldly until He comes?