Thrive with Faith

Thrive with Vision FBC Wed Night

James 1:5-8

ILL- Jay Walking

In the 1920’s the auto industry was getting bad press as cars were killing a large number of pedestrians while they tried to cross the street. Auto industry came out with the idea of “Jay Walking”. “Jay” was a derogatory term referring to someone who wasn’t very smart. It was not long before news media began blaming the pedestrians for being killed by cars while crossing the street.

Propaganda/ Spin/ Fake news

Truth matters- It is truth that will set us free. Not news stories we hope to be true.

See the way God sees. Change your perspective.

READ James 1:5-8

James 1:5–8 ESV

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.

Pray

Context: How to have a good attitude in midst of hard days.

3 Ways to See Clearly

1. Pray for Wisdom (5)

Context- Wisdom to understand purpose of trials.

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.

Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

If you are having a struggle understanding why life is hard, ask for wisdom.

Wisdom leads to righteousness- right living.

James 3:17 ESV

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Wisdom leads to the right perspective.

Keeps away panic.

Panic happens when we don’t interpret the data biblically.

ILL- walking outside to see your child floating in the water face down.

They were just practicing holding their breath.

ILL- Men of Issachar

1 Chronicles 12:32 ESV

Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.

True wisdom is seeing the world the way God sees the world.

Not the way we want to see the world or the way we wish the world was.

God’s plan is not our plan. He sees a much larger picture than we do.

Romans 8:25–28 ESV

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

2. Pray with Faith (6-7)

James 1:6–7 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;

James makes it clear that faith and action go together.

James 2:17–18 ESV

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Praying in faith provides a strong foundation, unlike a wave in the sea that goes wherever the wind blows.

We can be so easily persuaded to follow anyone who is a good speaker.

With godly wisdom we will not be tossed around by every new political agenda or theological debate.

Build life on the rock- not the sand.

Solomon- in 2 Chronicles 1 - he asked God for wisdom

2 Chronicles 1 ESV

Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. And Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there. (But David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.) Moreover, the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of the Lord. And Solomon and the assembly sought it out. And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel. Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. And the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah. And Solomon’s import of horses was from Egypt and Kue, and the king’s traders would buy them from Kue for a price. They imported a chariot from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver, and a horse for 150. Likewise through them these were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

God gives him wisdom, knowledge and wealth.

verse 7- Doubting means we do not trust God. We are Unstable.

Hope is confidence that leads to faith.

Doubt leads to fear.

3. Pray with Purpose (8)

James 1:8 ESV

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

ILL- Jews leaving Egypt

Always looking back to Egypt and trying to look forward with God.

When stuck against Red Sea and Pharaoh's army approaching

Exodus 14:12 ESV

Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Moses’ Reply

Exodus 14:13 ESV

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.

Stay single-minded- look toward God and do not keep looking at the world.

APP- yes, things are hard right now

But this did not surprise God.

God is working these things out for his glory.

It’s not about us. It’s about God.

CONCLUSION

Elisha and servant- surrounded by army. Asked for servant to see.

2 Kings 6:15–17 ESV

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Let us see as God sees!