45. James: Wisdom

Introduction

General: Advice that seems counterintuitive but turns out to be right: “Everything my parents told me as a teenager” (Jo Barriga). It seemed off at the time but in reality it was wise.

Personal: Grace, Unity, Freedom, Joy… Wisdom. Wisdom is skill at life. Are you skilled at life? Do you have wisdom? Do you make wise decisions? Everyone gets their wisdom for life from somewhere. Where do you get wisdom? From God? Yourself (follow your heart)? Media?

Biblical: James. Most people think it’s about doing good works (I did until this week). But I think James is actually about wisdom. It’s the NT version of Proverbs. Proverbs + Sermon on the Mount = James… God’s wisdom is often counter-intuitive.

Scripture: James 1.

Body

James 1:2-4… Consider it joy whenever you face trials.

Exposition:

There are two ways to look at trials: (1) They’re an obstacle. (2) They’re an opportunity.

Trials test our faith, and that produces perseverance. And perseverance leads to maturity.

Maturity means becoming what you were meant to be. Trials give you an opportunity to become who God meant you to be.

Illustration: The year after I turned 40, I experienced a lot of health issues…

Application: “Within every adversity lies the seed of greater equivalency” (Harold Davis). We’re all going to face adversity and trials. How will you face them? It’s wise to see trials as opportunities to grow.

James 1:5-8… Wisdom comes from God (so, ask him for it).

Exposition: The world around us says to find wisdom by looking into yourself. But the Bible says wisdom comes from God.

Application: Notice that God “gives generously to all without finding fault.” No matter what mistakes you’ve made in the past, if you come to God in faith, he will give you wisdom without holding your past against you.

James 1:9-11… Poverty is wealth and wealth is poverty.

Exposition:

Having more money often leads to having less faith. And having less money often leads to having more faith.

Which is the better asset: money or faith?

Money fades away, but true faith in Jesus can never be broken.

Money can buy nice things, but you can’t buy your way into Heaven. Eternal life requires faith—not money.

Illustration: I grew up in “humble circumstances” and learned to trust God…

Application: Whether you have plenty or times are tight, trust God.

James 1:12-18… Don’t blame God for your problems but trust him for your life.

Exposition:

We have two choices in life.

When (not if) we face trials, we can (1) blame God or (2) trust God.

When (not if) we fail, we can (1) blame God or (2) trust God.

When (not if) we see suffering in the world around us, we can (1) blame God or (2) trust God.

The wise choice is to trust God. He is good—he can’t be anything else.

God uses trials to strengthen our faith.

It’s not God’s fault when we sin. We have to be willing to admit that sometimes we want things that aren’t good. But God doesn’t give us bad things. Everything good in our lives is a gift from God.

God is in the business of saving the world from the mess we’ve made of it. And it starts with God saving you.

Application: James 1:12… Do you trust God for your life?

James 1:19-21… Anger doesn’t lead to justice. But repentance, humility, and God’s Word do.

Application: If you want to be a force for justice in the world, come to grips with your own sin, choose to turn away from sin and follow Jesus, and be the change.

James 1:22-25… Studying the Bible is not the same as obeying the Bible.

Illustration: Reading the manual of the dishwasher instead of washing the dishes.

James 1:26-27… Religion without love and obedience is worthless.

Exposition:

If you haven’t surrendered your heart and life to Jesus, all the spirituality and religion in the world won’t accomplish anything.

True “religion” means loving God and loving others. It’s not social justice or obedience to God but social justice and obedience to God.

Conclusion

How do we respond? See James 4:8.