Untitled Sermon

I - A time I was right

TRANSITION:

Y - What would it be like to be a truly wise person? OR Our I’m Right Culture

TRANSITION:

G - True Wisdom is People First

G - True Wisdom is People First - Being “Right” vs Being Wise. True wisdom says, “Sometimes it is better to be good, than to be right.”

TRANSITION: When you add scripture to the mix in a long history of “I’m right.” It becomes a hammer instead of a mirrior....

Many of us if we are being honest have seen *this* used as a hammer, a club, or a last word...

Condeming someone

correcting somoeneo

But if you spend a little more time reading the story, you learn *this* was intended to be used like a mirror instead of a stone....

James a book that has sometimes been used in that same way. Drives at a very foreign way of understanding wisdom...

lets take a look

but you have to look closely (explain)

The New International Version Chapter 3

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

The New International Version Chapter 3

14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

The New International Version Chapter 3

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

The New International Version Chapter 3

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James starts with the wrong kind of wisdom

The New International Version Chapter 3

14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

This is so full of churchy words. But what he is trying to say is really important

bitter “envy” - ζῆλος - Zeal or passion for what you know to be right. Jealous for truth. Bitterly jealous for truth.

“selfish ambition” - εριθεια

James says one kind of wisdom. The kind that has it’s source in evil and falleness. Curropt wisdom. Is played out in two ways. Bitter Zeal and Selfish Ambition. James says that leads to disorder and every evil practice.

James is saying if your “wisdom” looks like Bitter Zealos and erithea. Bitter Zeal and selfish ambition it doesnt come from GOD and it leads to disorder and evil.

SO keep that in your head as James describes what real wisdom looks like.

The thing that seperates Rightness from Wisdom is the place of people

The difference between Self-Righteousness and Righteousness is People

The difference between Being Right and Being Wise is all about PEOPLE

The wisest people I can think of put people first

Y - How can I begin to grow in that kind of wisdom? - V13

TRANSITION: This is so hard b/c our culture LOVES rightness but struggles with wisdom.

elaborate

Pray-Other’s first prayers: Lord help me to see other people and remember they count.

Ask: How will this action, behavior, philosophy, choice, argument, or fight impact people that God made and Loves?

Trust: God is able to take care of my needs, I can afford to lose, submit, and be taken advantage of.

Evaluate: The voices, teachers, information sources, heroes, and leaders I listen to. Are they always right? Do they disregard PEOPLE for ‘the greater good?’ or do they put people first? Do they treat everyone with respect and dignity? When they disagree with someone do they do it with chairty? Do they ever admit they are wrong? Do they always reinforce what I already think or do they challenge me? Do they care about people, or use people? Do they leave a wake of wounded behind them? Do they run over people who disagree with them? How do they treat people when they are clearly wrong? How do they talk about the hurt and the helpless? Are they driven by ZEAL or Love?

Look: For wise people and invite them to speak into your life. Let wise people instead of people who are merely “right” influence your decisions. Let them teach you wisdom. Do you want to be a “wise old man or woman?” Start by being a wise young one

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