Need Wisdom?

Good morning. What a joy and blessing to be able to join in the celebration of Tony’s baptism. Tony, Gary, Kenny and I sat down Wednesday to look at scripture and talk about where he stood and God lead us to what we did this morning.

Baptism doesn’t save. Baptism doesn’t give you the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a step of obedience, usually the first step but not always. It is a public profession that you are dying to you and living a new life in Jesus! Very important step in growing as a Christian.

Anytime we get to witness or even partake in true spiritual growth and obedience it is a wonderful day and blessing in our lives. Tony I love you brother and I praise God for your obedience this morning!

I want to touch on two announcements very quickly. The sweetheart dinner set for Saturday Feb 17 at 6:30 pm is something designed to give couples a time to get away and have a nice meal and fellowship with church family. Yes you will need to find a sitter or someone to watch your kids but we have the meal taken care of for you. Please sign up in the fellowship hall.

The spreadsheets that are located on the coffee bar and coffee station as well as both entry tables to the sanctuary as well as the table under the tv in the back of the sanctuary are there to help us update and get missing information. I have sent out a google form and to those who filled that out thank you. The problem is not very many took the few moments needed to fill that out.

Please take the 30 seconds it takes to look at your information, make any corrections and add missing info like birth date and email. This will help us get info to you and stay in contact with you. Again please help us out. It doesn’t matter what sheet you look at and mark I will pull every sheet, every week they are out and make corrections. Please place a check mark by your name if your info is good.

Let’s Pray

START OBS

We are in week 2 of our James: A Christian’s Guide to Living from Jesus sermon series. Today we are looking at wisdom.

James 1:5–8

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“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

This morning I want to walk down through these verses together and point our some things that God laid on my heart this week

1. If You Lack Wisdom....Ask God vs 5

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It takes humbleness to ask…why?

First you have to realize you lack wisdom

Second You have to ask God for the wisdom you lack

So many of us struggling with asking for help.....why.....pride.....you can call it what you want

you can try to justify it all you want but it boils down to you would rather suffer than ask for help....that is pride and pride is a sin my friend

So many times you don’t receive because you don’t ask

God loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for your sin

To pay your sin debt

Sent His Son to die for His creation

That is love

If He didn’t spare Jesus why would He deny you wisdom?

He won’t

So many just expect God to be like a genie in a bottle..you ask…God provides…fully…completely and immediately

Now God’s provision is always full and complete but how and when are up to Him and Him alone

People.....maybe even some of you here in person or watching online expect Christian growth and maturity to be like that as well

You accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you immediately are perfect wanting nothing.

Hebrews 5:13–14

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“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Scripture says otherwise.....even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil........by reason of use.....putting in the work......doing what God calls you to do......allowing Holy Spirit to apply scripture to your life and your life changes as a result! This is not an overnight or instant process

Others think

I go to church

I pray

I am part of a discipleship group

I tithe

I must be mature in Christ

But if you are only doing those things to check boxes or because someone wants you to or to make yourself look better that is not how it works

Others think that since God loves them and Jesus died for them that life is going to be sunshine and roses when they become saved

Scripture teaches differently

Luke 14:25–33

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25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

This is why you must ask for wisdom because as we will see later Godly wisdom and man’s wisdom or the worlds wisdom are completely different

Jesus wants you to count the cost

In fact He says you cannot become his disciple if you do not count the cost and find Jesus worthy of all the sacrifices you must make to follow Him

The Navy Seals have a saying....the only easy day was yesterday

The Seals are bad......the baddest of the bad.....one of if not the best fighting force on the planet

These guys are very well trained and execute missions in the worst places on the face of the earth

No one wakes up one morning and says well I think I will be a Seal today.......no sir......they train

That training is hard, in fact just the process of becoming a seal, the training to see if you have what it takes runs off 70 to 85% of each class that tries

You have to count the cost to become a Seal.....once the initial training is over being a Seal consumes your life....you could be grilling with your family one day and the next day halfway across the world chasing one of the most evil, violent groups and people in the world.

Being a Seal is very costly

Being a Christian is the same way. Before you make Jesus your Lord and Savior you have to count the cost. Let’s look to scripture for a few of the costs of following Jesus

Matthew 8:20

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“And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

Jesus had no where to lay His head. No home…traveling doing the will of the Father! You, as a Christian, also have no home here on earth. We have a physical dwelling we call home and family who live there that we call home as well but remember when you accept Jesus you are now a citizen of heaven and an alien on this earth......this earth is not your home and if you are putting it above God and do not look at heaven as home you stand against scripture

Mark 6:1–3

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“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.”

Rejected by His own home town and people.

Who is this guy…isn’t He the carpenter?

Isn’t that the same guy who ran the bars and chased women

Isn’t that the same guy who was addicted to porn

Isn’t that the same guy who played music and chased his own glory

Isn’t that the person who was in jail

Isn’t that the same guy or lady who cheated on their spouse and got a divorce

Isn’t that the one who was all strung out and addicted to meth

Isn’t that the one who was the town drunk

Isnt that the same.....

No it isn’t because the old is dead and gone and the new is here but you will hear are you the same person who

You will be rejected because God fully forgives your sin and completely washes your past clean but people don’t. They hold on to your past and keep bringing it up and are offended just like the people of Jesus’ hometown

John 15:18

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“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”

The world hated Jesus....they killed Jesus.....if you have Jesus the world will hate you as well

Count the cost....as a Christian the only easy day was yesterday

This is why you need God’s wisdom.......ASK

God must come 1st in your life if you are a Christian

We looked in Luke where Jesus says He must come before your family

1st over everything including your family

So many say…I can’t serve at church because I have a family

I cant take time away from them

Most of the time this is a selfish excuse to justify you running away from conviction because God called you to serve and be present but you refused

I got news for you if you have kids or grand kids this is the best place you can have them!

I was filled with joy last Sunday night at worship night

God moved in a might way

Our brother Kenny shared his testimony and if you missed that you truly missed out

It was a beautiful time of true worship and fellowship

As much joy as I had I was also heartbroken over those who willingly missed that worship and fellowship.

Some will be upset at me as the pastor or the worship team and say if I had known I would have come.....shame on you for putting the Holy Spirit in a box like that and shame on you for blaming me or the worship team for your choice not to come

I had no idea it was going to happen until about 5 minutes before we started....that is usually how God works and if you miss you miss out

Count the cost

Wednesday night was our monthly prayer meeting and again God was present and moved in a mighty way.

So many say I never feel God move

Show up!

God moves in us in the secret place absolutely but also together

Matthew 18:19–20

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“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Need God....join together with believers and stand upon His Word!

Seek God

Make God first in your life

Don’t be a hearer of the Word only be a Doer!

That is the labor to enter into His rest.

That is the working out of your salvation

The process of sanctification

2. Godly Wisdom vs worldly/man’s wisdom vs 5

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Today is very loud.

There are lots of voices saying lots of stuff on the internet

on social media

in Christian music and preaching etc

You are called to discern

How?

Holy Spirit

Studying God’s Word

Never taking anything said about God and His Word at face value

Dig

Check it out

Search it out in scripture

Just because it sounds like a godly truth doesn’t make it one

Search for Godly wisdom

I have a life application study bible and the commentary summed up what to look for in Godly wisdom so well that I am going to use their points and then elaborate on them a little bit

What to look for in God’s wisdom

A. Practical

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No matter what is happening God’s wisdom applies and helps you know the correct path

As you truly pray

As you truly seek God in His Word

He shows you His path

It won’t usually.....in fact rarely is it a full picture right at first but He will lead you to the first, practical step to take or changes to be made etc

B. Divine

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God’s wisdom is so much more and so much beyond common sense

God’s wisdom always leads you to follow God and His guidance and His direction

God’s wisdom will NEVER.....EVER.....lead you to sin or go against God’s Word

That is an excuse and justification to continue sinning

God told me to move in with my girlfriend or boyfriend because we are going to get married

False

God told me that since He is love it is okay for me to be gay

False

God will NEVER.....EVER tell you to sin!

God’s wisdom is divine and will always show you His will for your life through the Holy Spirit!

C. Christ like

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God’s wisdom always makes you more like Christ

It will always lead you to Christ

This is why you must search God’s Word

This is why you must be on your knees in prayer and listening for God’s response

You and I cannot be more Christ like on our own it is only through the Holy Spirit and wisdom of God that we can be more Christ like

Back to James

3. God gives wisdom liberally vs 5

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God want His children to be wise

He wants them full of wisdom

Why?

Godly wisdom points to God and brings Him glory

Godly wisdom points to Jesus and the need for salvation

Godly wisdom points to Holy Spirit and brings spiritual growth and Christian maturity

God wants all of that

The question is do you?

Proverbs 2:3–6

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“Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

Look at the intensity here

Cries after knowledge

Not just asking

Not just talking

Crying out

Urgently

Intensely

Lifting up your voice for understanding

Be specific

Be passionate

Cry out

Lift your voice to God for wisdom!

If I gave you a treasure map with the location of a guaranteed treasure

Chances are you would do everything in your power to find that treasure

You would seek it

You would make that your first and top priority in your life

You would be consumed with finding that treasure

If you are running late for work and can’t find your keys you frantically look.....all that matters in that moment is finding your keys

So many of us want wisdom to escape our problems or circumstances but don’t truly want Godly wisdom

So many of us want the healing and not the healer

So many of us want redeemed and not the redeemer

When was the last time seeking God consumed you?

When was the last time you searched for God as you would for silver or treasures?

When was the last time you frantically looked at the scriptures and prayer for an answer?

This again is a heart issue

Do you really want to find God because if you do you will stop at nothing until you find Him

Jesus tells us we will find what we seek after

Matthew 7:7

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“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

Again this is intense

Ask

Seek

Knock

You have to ask

You have to seek

You have to knock

You have to want God enough to actively seek Him more than you seek anything else

4. Ask in Faith, Nothing Wavering vs 6

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When you seek with all that you have and all that you are that is asking in faith

So many say

Since I have faith and God knows so I just have to have faith and wait for Him to move I don’t need to ask

I don’t need to seek

I don’t need to knock

God knows and He will provide

You missed the point here....you never asked

Ask

Just saying I have faith and never asking is dead faith…faith without works

Ask

Seek with faith

The seeking shows the faith

Back to the treasure map…if you didn’t have faith that it was real you wouldn’t seek after the treasure

I watch a lot of shows on discovery channel, docudramas I think they call them

But one in particular is about two brothers who bought an island in Canada and have spent millions of dollars there trying to recover what could be a vast treasure

They have faith that the treasure is there and their efforts and money spent prove it

If you have faith that God is God your asking and seeking and knocking will prove it

When you don’t seek after God that says you don’t believe.....you lack faith

The asking and the seeking and the knocking are faith in action

5. Double minded people are unstable vs 6-8

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When you don’t ask in faith

When you don’t seek you are unstable in all you do

Most of us are unstable everyday

You claim to be a true Christian but seeking God is not even on your priority list

It might start at the top but then the alarm goes off and sleep is more important that God

Then you are late getting up and rushing around so getting kids ready for school and you for work is more important than God

As the day continues seeking God, asking God, having faith in God continues to fall further and further down the list until you are in bed asleep and never sought God at all that day

A way to see where you truly put your trust is monitor your natural reactions

When you have to react in an instant where do you

turn

you

the world

other people

or

God

Turning anywhere but God is double minded and unstable

You will continue to lack wisdom

You will continue to face troubles and issues without knowing Gods path for you

You will continue to reap sin and the consequences of sin because you continue to sow to the flesh

You will continue to lack wisdom because you are double minded and God says nope.....until you put me first you will continue to lack wisdom.

You are called to be in the world not of the world

Doubleminded people are of the world

They claim to be Christian

They pray

They study

They are usually active in their church

They look the part

However

They think like the world

They talk like the world

They behave like the world

They enjoy the world’s entertainment and evil

They are double minded and are unstable in all their ways and will receive nothing from God when they ask!

The minute you put God first and truly ask for wisdom He will flood you with His wisdom!

Where are you this morning

You have heard God’s Word proclaimed

Where are you?

What response do you need to make?

Seek

Move

Have faith

Come

STOP OBS

Invitation