Two By TwoJames 5: 13-18

We are not meant to be aloneStruggle aloneFind joy alone

Win alone

Genesis 126 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 69 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.

19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.

The Bible tells us that success is difficult to accomplish alone

That a person without companionship is a sad thing

Ecclesiastes 47 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: 8There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!

9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Beating addictionLoosing weight

Surviving a difficult situationCompleting a task

Reaching a goalChanging long-held patterns

Mark 6Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

ConfessionWe often downplay it’s power

As a culture we see it as a weaknessOur military frowns on it

In football we hate itBut confession is life changing

Alcoholics Anonymous

75 years helping people recoverTHE 12 STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

James 513 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

James 516 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Why is confession important?It is the first step toward…

HealingSuccessControlSurvival

1. ConfessionWe share our secretWe share the burden

We begin to see we are not so differentWe acknowledge we need help

2. AccountabilityWe allow someone into our lives

See our heartKeep track of us

We volunteer to answer to themShare success and failure

3. Goals and ResponsibilitiesWe decide what we want to accomplish

How we measure successHow we deal with failure

4. Plans and Blue PrintsWe create an actual process

Not a wish list, but a clear planWe look at the details

We study past failures and come up with solutionsEscape plans

5. Healing, Success and CelebrationWe struggle together into healing

We get excited about small successesWe celebrate at major crossroadsWe keep encouraging each other

James 516 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Confession is an incredible giftAllow us to open up our souls to another

Gives someone permission to help us on a journey of healing and hope

Anyone can confess and walk awayHowever, to have healing…

Confession is often the first step of a long journey of faith in God and in humanity

Matthew 1818 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

When we confessWhen we trust God

When we trust that someoneThe doors of heaven begin to open

And hope takes root as we walk two by two