James 3 - Earthly vs Heavenly Wisdom
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
What is the theme of James? Living out your faith
How would this theme be seen in James 3?
Bridle your tongue diligently (3:1-12)
Live with one another peacefully (3:12-18)
Example - Charles Simeon
The Story of the Unwanted Vicar
The vicar of Trinity Church died in October, 1782, just as Charles Simeon was about to leave the university to live in his father’s home. Simeon had often walked by the church, he tells us, and said to himself, “How should I rejoice if God were to give me that church, that I might preach the Gospel there and be a herald for Him in the University” (Moule, 37). His dream came true when Bishop Yorke appointed him “curate-in-charge” (being only ordained a deacon at the time). His wealthy father had nudged the Bishop and the pastor at St. Edwards, where Simeon preached that summer, gave him an endorsement. He preached his first sermon there November 10, 1782.
But the parishioners did not want Simeon. They wanted the assistant curate Mr. Hammond. Simeon was willing to step out, but then the Bishop told him that even if he did decline the appointment he would not appoint Hammond. So Simeon stayed — for fifty-four years! And gradually — very gradually — overcame the opposition.
The first thing the congregation did in rebellion against Simeon was to refuse to let him be the Sunday afternoon lecturer. This was in their charge. It was like a second Sunday service. For five years they assigned the lecture to Mr. Hammond. Then when he left, instead of turning it over to their pastor of five years they gave it to another independent man for seven more years! Finally, in 1794, Simeon was chosen lecturer. Imagine serving for 12 years a church who were so resistant to your leadership they would not let you preach Sunday evenings, but hired as assistant to keep you out.
Simeon tried to start a later Sunday evening service and many townspeople came. But the churchwardens locked the doors while the people stood waiting in the street. Once Simeon had the doors opened by a locksmith, but when it happened again he pulled back and dropped the service.
The second thing the church did was to lock the pew doors on Sunday mornings. The pewholders refused to come and refused to let others sit in their personal pews. Simeon set up seats in the aisles and nooks and corners at his own expense. But the churchwardens took them out and threw them in the churchyard. When he tried to visit from house to house, hardly a door would open to him. This situation lasted at least ten years. The records show that in 1792 Simeon got a legal decision that the pewholders could not lock their pews and stay away indefinitely. But he didn’t use it. He let his steady, relentless ministry of the word and prayer and community witness gradually overcome the resistance.
(Recall David - how he waited for years for God’s timing to receive the throne)
“My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for Christ’s sake. When I am getting through a hedge, if my head and shoulders are safely through, I can bear the pricking of my legs. Let us rejoice in the remembrance that our holy Head has surmounted all His suffering and triumphed over death. Let us follow Him patiently; we shall soon be partakers of His victory”
1. To hear as little as possible what is the prejudice of others;
2. To believe nothing of the kind till I am absolutely forced to it;
3. Never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an ill report;
4. Always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed toward others;
5. Always to believe, that if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter.
1. The Fruit of Wisdom
1. The Fruit of Wisdom
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
“wisdom” - James views wisdom in ethical rather than intellectual terms (Dickson) - see Proverbs, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
“understanding” - to have expertise in a particular sphere. Remember Nicodemus, “the teacher of Israel”? These would be the people that the Jews looked up to.
“show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom” - gentleness, meekness - difficult to translate!
self-subduing gentleness, both Godward and manward
a quality rooted in such a conviction about the overruling sovereignty of a wise and loving God that it accepts his dealings and dispositions without resistance
2. Earthly Wisdom
2. Earthly Wisdom
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
“bitter envy” (zeal) - jealousy that cannot bear someone else’s popularity or success and, given the opportunity, will do anything it can to humiliate and degrade that person, regardless of who may get hurt in the process (Blanchard)
“selfish ambition” - a person willing to do anything to get himself elected to office
“in your heart” - which no one can see
“don’t boast” - that you are wise and understanding
“earthly” - of this earth, temporary
“unspiritual” - not of the Holy Spirit
“demonic” - opposed to God, lying, rebellious
The result - “disorder and every evil practice”
3. Heavenly Wisdom
3. Heavenly Wisdom
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
“pure” - innocence and moral blamelessness; *not willing to compromise moral principles
“peace-loving” - not a brawler
“gentle” - considerate, indicates a willingness to yield to others and a corresponding unwillingness “to exact strict claims”
compliant - submissive to those in authority over us
“mercy” - love for the neighbor that shows itself in action (“good fruits”)
“unwavering” - undivided loyalty
“without pretense” - sincere, not playing a part, genuine
“the fruit that is righteousness” - where does it come from? those who sow and cultivate peace
We must ask ourselves
do I have the envy and selfish ambition in my heart?
do I have the fruit that is righteousness?
This is not a little matter - Matthew 5:9 “9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
Discussion Questions
How would you define the two types of wisdom in your own words?
How do you see the characteristics of each wisdom playing out in our world today?
Have you been tempted to follow “false” wisdom lately? How so?
Why is false wisdom so alluring to us? Why do we choose it when we know where it will lead?
What is needed to gain “true” wisdom?
What is the main difference between true and false wisdom?
How can this group (community) help you to seek true wisdom?
What steps do you need to take this week to pursue this wisdom?