🪨 Upon This Rock Church Blog
— A Wake-Up Call from James 5
Scripture Focus: James 5
By: Steven Jones II | UponThisRock.Church
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted… Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you…”
— James 5:1–3 (ESV)
💸 You Built a Kingdom—But Was It for God or Just for You?
Let’s not play games here.
We live in a world where people are chasing wealth like it’s the Savior.
We’ve made success our god, and comfort our highest goal.
But James 5 starts with a chilling warning to the rich who’ve hoarded, exploited, and forgotten the Judge.
“Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields… are crying out against you, and the cries… have reached the ears of the Lord.”
— James 5:4
Let’s get real:
- How many people who were born into wealth and never have to work while the poor work 2-3 jobs and can’t feed their kids?
- How many companies are exploiting workers for cheap profit?
- How many churches are full of cash, while the streets around them are full of broken people?
And yet most of us would still rather chase the lifestyle of the oppressor than live like the oppressed Christ.
⌛ He’s Coming Back. And He’s Not Taking Sides—He’s Taking Over.
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.”
— James 5:7
Jesus is coming back. That’s not just a nice bumper sticker—it’s a warning to the lukewarm and a comfort to the faithful.
But He’s not coming back for:
- People who built “Christian” brands while never submitting to His Lordship.
- People who silenced conviction in the name of tolerance.
- People who “went to church” but never became the Church.
“Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
— James 5:8
This isn’t the time to blend in—this is the time to wake up.
🗣️ Stop Complaining. Start Praying. Start Living Right.
“Do not grumble against one another… behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
— James 5:9
It’s easier to complain about other people’s sin than deal with your own.
It’s easier to curse the culture than pray for it.
But James reminds us: the Judge is at the door.
Let’s stop grumbling and start repenting.
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders… and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick.”
— James 5:13–15
We’ve gotten too used to venting online and not used enough to praying in private.
đź’” You Want Healing? Confess. Repent. Get Real.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
— James 5:16
We don’t just need healing in our bodies—we need healing in our minds, our marriages, our families, and our nation.
And it starts with repentance.
With confession.
With honesty.
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
— James 5:16
You don’t need more followers.
You need more fire.
🚨 Bring Someone Back Before It’s Too Late
James 5 closes with a call to action:
“If anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back… whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
— James 5:19–20
We’re not here to just “live our truth.”
We’re here to call people home.
You see your brother slipping into addiction? Say something.
You see your friend posting filth online? Reach out.
You see yourself sliding into lukewarm faith? Repent today.
“Now is the time of God’s favor; today is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2
🙏 Final Prayer of Repentance, Deliverance, and Surrender
Lord Jesus,
I’ve chased comfort when I should’ve been chasing You. I’ve stored up treasures on earth while neglecting my soul. I’ve looked the other way instead of calling out sin.Forgive me. Wake me up. Purify my motives. Help me live ready—like You’re coming back today.
I surrender my time, my words, my wealth, and my life. Use me to speak truth, to pray boldly, and to call people home.
I don’t want to be a spectator—I want to be a soul-winner.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
✝️ “Upon This Rock I will build my Church…”
🪨 If this message hit you where you live, don’t ignore it. Get right before you get left. And help someone else do the same.
Explore more truth and resources for real revival at UponThisRock.Church
“You better get right before you get left!” Is credited to Pastor Rick Harper as one of his life saving slogans presented to him by the Holy Spirit at San Leon Community Church.