Asking God for Wisdom

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Sermon

Testing of your Faith

Joy = Better self perception (think positively / postive attitude)

Difficulties build

FAITH

steadfastness

Asking for Wisdom

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Need: If any of you lacks wisdom

By nature man is independant (self worshipping)

Man does not like to admit inperfection, need or inability (e.g. needs help and makes mistakes)

Any - tactful approach, giving chance to reader to examine themselves

Request: Let him ask God

Wisdom (Logic) comes from God

To become mature & complete we must ask

James and the Epistles of John 2. Asking for Wisdom (1:5–8)

Donald Guthrie, “If wisdom is the right use of knowledge, perfect wisdom presupposes perfect knowledge.”

Proverbs 2:6 ESV

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Return:

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Gift: Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him

God never fails the one who asks in Faith

Asking in Faith

James 1:6–8 ESV

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Asking in Faith

With no doubting (towards God)

NB: We can often doubt (perplexity) our own sinful desires, and our failure to seek the Will of God

If we have no faith, how can we expect to receive from God

Father of Boy with unclean spirit

Mark 9:24 ESV

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Taking Pride

James 1:9–11 ESV

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Consider the Beatitudes (Next week)

We need to be spiritually minded

Do not boast & brag in what you have

Sustaining the Test

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Blessed - Assurance from God of His Acceptance

Is the one who remains steadfast under trial (the trial is our entire life)

For they have stood the test (remained faithful till the end)

They will receive the crown of life

Which God has promised to those who love him

Hymn -

Q&A

Hymn -

Closing Prayer

Doxology

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