There is Wisdom available from Above

We need wisdom.

At the beginning of a football game their is a coin flip. The the refs say “play however you want just don’t violate these rules” Nope.

Three truths to look for as we read.

Wisdom is truth displayed not just delineated. v.13

The wisdom of the world wreaks havock. v.14-16

Wisdom from above brings a life of peace. v.17-18

James 3:13–18 (KJV)

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Sermon Introduction

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of Solomon?

2 Chronicles 1:7 “7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.”

Solomon was aware of the task in front of him. 2 Chronicles 1:8–9 “8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.”

Solomon knew what he would need. 2 Chronicles 1:10 “10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?”

From a young age Solomon was taught about the value of wisdom

Proverbs 4:3–5 “3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not (whatever you do); neither decline from the words of my mouth.”

Solomon taught where to start in his pursuit of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 “10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

God is still answering this prayer.

James 1:5 “5 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.”

Wisdom is truth displayed not just delineated.

The use of knowledge by a wise man will be demonstrated in his works.

James 3:13 “13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

The search for the wise man ends by seeing a man demonstrating a life of living out His faith.

Most likely still in reference to that group we say in James 3:1 “1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”

Wisdom shows us how to do good works

Chainsaw Illustration: [slide of electrical pole]

Knowledge is knowing what a chainsaw is and the ability to name its parts.

Understanding is knowing how to start it up and cut down a tree.

Wisdom is knowing that those brown straight trees with wires strung between them are trees you should not cut down.

It is to be lived out not just talked about.

James 3:13 “13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

Delineated: describe or portray (something) precisely.

Demonstrating wisdom through impressive oratory was the common style for both Greek and Jewish “wise” men.

The Jewish Christians were still trapped in the Pharisaical pattern of giving others the lectures on holiness but without practicing it themselves. Matthew 23:1–3 “1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”

Response. v.13

Like the story of an old miser who had no friends except his doctor, his pastor and his lawyer. Just before he died he asked these men to gather around him at his bedside.

"I have always heard that you can't take it with you. But I want to disprove that theory," he said. "I have $90,000 under my mattress, and when I die, just before they throw the dirt on me at my burial, I want you each to toss in an envelope with $30,000 into my grave."

The three attended the funeral and each threw his envelope in the grave. On the way back from the cemetery, the pastor said, "I must confess. I needed $10,000 for my new church, so I only threw in $20,000."

The doctor then said, "I must confess too. I needed $20,000 for a new hospital I was opening up, so I only threw in $10,000." The lawyer looked at them both and shook his head. He then said, "Gentlemen, I'm surprised, shocked, and ashamed of you. I don't see how you could dare to go against that man's final wish. I’ll have you know I threw in my personal check for the full amount!”

Wisdom is not only doing right, but there is a right way in which it does the right things

James 3:13 “13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

Meekness is humility with a sense of submitting to God.

Such meekness is the exact opposite of selfish ambition; meekness is not self-impressed or self-important.

True godly wisdom lived out is never prideful or arrogant or self-serving or rude or critical

This will be unpacked for us in the last portion of this chapter.

Transition: Are there any wise among us? If so their lives will be an example of the humility that is born of true wisdom

The wisdom of the world wreaks havock.

James 3:14–16 (KJV)

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

There is another narrative being told; wisdom of the world.

This story comes not from above but from this world. Colossians 2:4 “4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.”

“But if you have...” “this wisdom descendeth”

This wisdom is foolishness with God. 1 Corinthians 3:19 “19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”

Don’t lie to yourself if these things are present in our lives we are not living in a wise manner. (bitterness, strife, confusion, and evil)

Remember pride is what made the devil the devil.

Description of worldly wisdom

Earthly: Having this life only in view.

Sensual: Animal like desired for gratification.

Devilish: Demoniacal- inspired by demons, and maintained in the soul by their indwelling influence.

1636, Harvard is founded; 1642, the student handbook is published, in which every student at Harvard is called to be “plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, [that] the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life … and therefore to lay [hold of] Christ … as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning.”

Contrast to today. “Issues of divinity,” he says, “do not influence me in my professional capacity, nor do they play any part of significance in my private life.”

We are given four results of living according to the wisdom of this world.

Bitterness is the result of living according to the worldly wisdom of not forgiving one another.

Bitterness: Unresolved violation of your justice system

When the seed of offense lands in the soil of your heart, you can respond either Biblical or sinfully.

Unkind words

Unexplained loss

Unjust actions

Unfilled expectations.

At every cross road in life there is a decision on which form of wisdom you will take.

Strife is the result of living according to the worldly wisdom of pride.

1 Corinthians 6:4–5 “4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?”

Simply between two spiritual people a small child should be able to settle disputes.

True wisdom doesn’t come from years of experience, it comes from simply setting aside your own interests and trusting God.

Confusion is the result of wrestling with the acceptance worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom.

1 Corinthians 14:33 “33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

God’s message to you does not contradict itself.

Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is far more interested in building your character than he is anything else.

Every evil work is the result of accepting worldly wisdom and rejecting the ways of God

Romans 12:2 “2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Sin is simply conformity to wisdom that rejects God.

This is why sin is always a personal offense to our God.

We all know what it is like to have someone not listen to the advice we give them. If feels like they question our love for them or question our knowledge.

Our rejection of God’s wisdom grieves the Holy Spirit and brings harm into our lives.

Transition: You may not be the president of Harvard but you may rcognize your lack of respect for God’s wisdom has brought you to a place of confusion.

Wisdom from above brings a life of peace

James 3:17–18 “17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

Wisdom from above is heavenly

James 3:17 gives a brief summary of the type of life we are to live by faith but it isn’t describing the type of life we live but the type of wisdom we are to receive.

Pure

First pure - it guides the rest

undivided devotion to God

Heavenly wisdom brings order to chaos and confusion because it is wholeheartedly devoted to God’s purposes.

Peaceable and gentle

It leads us to avoid unnecessary conflict and refrain from violence and quarrelsomeness.

Heavenly wisdom may lead us to fight and to defend what is good and true. But it does not love to fight for fighting’s sake.

‘Sweet reasonableness’ and it is the ability to extend to others the kindly consideration we would wish to receive ourselves.

God is introduced to us in the Bible as the God of peace on numerous occasions; therefore, it stands to reason that God’s children would themselves be peace-loving people.

Easily intreated

If given the choice, the wise and understanding are eager to live at peace with all men.

The wise are willing to be friends with the one who is truly friendly.

Heavenly able to distinguish when it is time to stand and when it is time to yield.

Full of mercy and good fruits

Heavenly wisdom rejoices when prodigals come home.

It cares more about the person than it cares about winning an argument.

This wisdom can be seen by the fruit it produces

Without partiality, and without hypocrisy

Heavenly wisdom abhors all hypocrisy and partiality.

Heavenly wisdom’s character is consistent and persists through all manner of circumstances.

Beneath every response lies sincerity and refreshing honesty.

Your attitude in sowing will effect your harvest

The results of sowing peace is more peace

James 3:18 “18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

The wise are peace-makers, who go on quietly sowing —in other people and in themselves.

The seed is there and available. 2 Peter 1:3 “3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

The results of sowing the wind is reaping a whirlwind

Hosea 8:7 “7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind..”

This path to peace is not by minimizing truth, but minimizing anger.

To better understand or meditate on this passage we look at it negatively: Sowing in anger will not produce a life of peace.

Leads to the thought of this verse. James 1:19–20 “19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Story of the farmer who had a fox eating his chickens. Sets the tail on fire and the end result is burning down his barn and his fields. Moral of the story: It is dangerous to be an angry farmer.

Longing for wisdom from above in this broken world

Do you feel this world is broken?

We pause and consider a world that live in rebellion to the good and heavenly wisdom.

It has caused incredible confusion among our young people.

It brings fighting and strife not just between countries but between neighbors and generations.

Bitterness separates families and breaks marriages.

Do you feel your life is broken? If it is, it does not have to be.

Envy, bitterness, strife and confusion may be the words you would use in describing your life.

When we reject God’s wisdom we are turning a deaf ear to our Shepherd.

We will live as sheep without a shepherd.

Do you long for such wisdom to fall upon us?

Jesus is wisdom from on high.

The wisdom that we need is found in Jesus. Colossians 2:2–3 “2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Was anyone ever as pure and holy as he?

Was anyone ever as gentle and meek as He?

His gentleness with burdened sinners was astonishing.

The weary and heavy laden found rest in his meekness.

For all of his zeal and purity, he did not despise the weak and lowly.

Was anyone ever as full of mercy?

Look how often he moved with compassion to care for his people and meet their needs.

Was anyone ever as impartial and sincere?

Jesus is the Wisdom from Above, the Wisdom from on High, and he came as our Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor, sowing and reaping a harvest of righteousness in a land of deep darkness.

Transition: A rejection of Jesus is the rejection of the fear of the Lord and the beginning of a life devoid of wisdom and all that it brings.

Conclusion

Decision to make as a church

Let this be a place and a people that demonstrate the wisdom of God. Ephesians 3:10 “10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”

Decision to make a believer

Wisdom is truth displayed not just delineated. / We are not asking if you know a great deal about the Bible. Is God’s wisdom on display in your life.

The wisdom of the world wreaks havock. v.14-16 / Are you feeling the effects of accepting worldly wisdom in your life?

Wisdom from above brings a life of peace. v.17-18 / Do you desire a life of peace that submission to God’s way brings?

Decision for an unbeliever

Are you ready to start your journey of peace today?

You can choose to reject God from your life, but you do not get to choose the consequences that come as a result.

Today is a day for reverence to our Lord. Today could be the beginning of a life of heavenly wisdom for you.