For the Lord Gives Wisdom
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Intro:
Scripture Intro:
Scripture Reading (“Please stand…”)
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...
Intro:
Intro:
From VBS (rising 6th graders, you may remember this)...
ILL. Two kings (Rehoboam and Jehoshaphat)
We learn about them from 2 Chronicles.
Contrast of the two kings
Contrast of two ways of living our your faith
Rehoboam
When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.
And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.
Compare that with Jehoshaphat...
2 Chron. 17-20
"he sought the Lord"
"you have set your heart to seek God." (ch 19)
Culminating in 2 Chron. 20...
a great army of Moabites and Ammonites came up against him.
Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
Watching for what God will do…
Listening for what he says…
Search for wisdom…
By humbling yourself before God.
What is Wisdom?
Knowledge - a right understanding of life.
Wisdom - a proper application of that knowledge.
One author - “skill in the art of godly living”
Alec Motyer
Wisdom is “the ability to apply what he knew to the problems of life” (Alec Motyer)
Wisdom is NOT simply describing rules to follow.
Rules are limited.
When the context changes,
often times rules don't make sense anymore.
The Need of Wisdom
The Need of Wisdom
(Timer: ___ minutes left)
(Usually between 8:15 and 12:30 to get to 1st point)
(v. 5) “_______ If any of you lacks wisdom”
There is a Greek word that isn’t translated in the ESV and NIV.
Some of the English translations do have it in there.
It’s a Greek conjunction (connecting word)...
the Greek word for “and”
Yet, when it’s a contrast it is translated “but”
Bible Study Principles:
Read Multiple Translations
Why is that conjunction important?
It connects v. 5 to the preceding verses.
As a result, in order to understand verse 5...
you must look at v. 4.
Bible Study Principles:
Read Multiple Translations
Context is King
Todd preached last week on the opening 4 verses of James.
“Outcome of Our Trials”
Let me pick up right where he left off.
So let’s read (v. 4 and right in to v. 5)...
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [But] if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
“Let steadfastness have its full effect...”
“that you may be perfect and complete”
“full”, “perfect”, “complete”...
all pointing at the same thing.
This is the outcome of our trials.
That we would be mature, complete, lacking nothing.
“full” and “perfect”
The word for “end” or “goal”
More than just the same root word
But also the same lemma.
Lemma - the word you look up in a dictionary.
In the manuscript,
it may be used various ways.
“end, ends, ending”
“full” - completing effect
NIV - “finish its work”
“perfect”/”complete”
There is a desired goal that God has in mind to be brought about through trials.
Todd (last week) - “The goal allows us to push through the pain of trials.”
Bible Study Principles:
Read Multiple Translations
Context is King
Word Studies
“lacking nothing”
“But… if you lack wisdom”
The Lack of Wisdom
The Lack of Wisdom
(Timer: How much time left?)
(v. 5) “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God”
This means that you don’t have everything you need in this life.
You are in over your head.
You don’t know.
Humility is needed to navigate this life.
“If you lack...”
That’s every single one of us.
“lack wisdom”
App. Choosing a career
Pursuing a spouse
Planning for your retirement years (financially, health, location)
Parenting (each stage seems to require brand new wisdom)
Marriage
Friendships
“ask God”
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Wisdom starts with humbling yourself before God...
“God knows more than me.”
“I think I know better, but actually God knows better.”
“The only place to look for real treasure is in God’s word.”
yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
Wisdom is something to pursue...
ask for it
search for it
go before the face of God.
Dig/Search...
Bible Study Principles:
Read Multiple Translations
Context is King
Word Studies
Diagram the Flow of Logic
(v. 5)
(v. 5-8)
(v. 5-6a)
(v. 6-8)
“Faith, not doubting”
The Gift of Wisdom
The Gift of Wisdom
(Timer: How much time left?)
(v. 5b) “and it will be given him.”
God...
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
who gives generously
to all without reproach
“to all” is qualified by the manner of asking in v. 6...
“ask in faith, with no doubting”
Close in Prayer
Close in Prayer
Closing Song:
Closing Song:
“Great are You, Lord”
You give life...
You bring light...
You give hope...
You restore...
All that we have comes from him...
Even our praise back to him...
comes from the breath that he gives to us.
Benediction:
Benediction:
