James: Wisdom From Above
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Who here has ever had to go through an orientation when hired for a new job?
When joining a new company there are many things you have to learn.
When joining a new company there are many things you have to learn.
*See employee orientation checklist
If some one works at Spirit and then gets hired at Koch, you have to learn what it is to be a Koch employee.
YOu cannot take the habits and culture of Spirit, you have to learn the right habits and culture of Koch.
There are a lot similarities when you move to a new country
you have to learn language, customs, culture etc.
Throughout the Bible we see God likewise bringing people from an old world to a new world, from an old identity to a new identity, from an old king to a new king.
When we are redeemed from our sins, we are brought out of the old city, and we have become citizen of a new city, a new kingdom.
Peter says that we are a royal priesthood and a holy nation.
So then we ask, how do we live within this new city?
What are the customs, what is the language, what is the culture.
And this is what so much of the NT is about, teaching citizens of the new city to learn what it is to follow King Jesus.
James:
How to walk through trials and hardships
How to treat the poor
How to resist temptation
How to interact with people (quick to hear slow to speak)
Social dynamics, how not to show favoritism
Living out what you beleive
Learning how to speak, how to tame the tongue.
This morning James talks about wisdom, and how the people of God who are citizens of the kingdom are to seek wisdom from God
So we will be in
And James talks about
The meekness of wisdom
the danger of jealousy and selfish ambition
and finally the wisdom from above.
Lets pray.
The Meekness of Wisdom
The Meekness of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
James asks a rhetorical question, “who is wise and understanding among you?”
This is not a question without purpose
James wants to identify the leaders of this community and call them, along with all the people, to live according to wisdom and understanding.
God desires his people to reflect his character on earth. And God is a wise and understanding God. Therefore, he wants us to be a wise and understanding people.
We see in the OT that God wanted leaders who were wise and understanding,
And to be a godly leader your life must be distinguished as one who is wise and understanding.
When Moses was appointing leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel, wisdom and understanding was the criteria.
Look at Deut. 1:13
13 Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’
In the same way for the new covenant people of God, those who are in leadership are to be wise and understanding.
And this leadership is not just in the church…
Leadership in the family
Wisdom and Understanding around your calendar
Don’t overcommit yourselves.
Don’t be lazy
Go to bed tired.
Wisdom and Understanding around your finances
Managing debt.
Controlled spending
Wisdom on how to raise your kids.
Knowing when and how to discipline.
It takes wisdom to know how to raise your kids to be worshipers of God.
Wisdom on proper expectations.
There is wisdom in proper expectations and there is foolishness in having faulty expectations.
What are they watching on TV
What are they being taught at school?
Who are they hanging out with?
Wisdom within the marriage
Does your marriage reflect Christ and the Church? This is what its supposed to do.
Husbands, do you love your wives as Christ loves the church and give himself up for her?
Wives, do submit yourselves to your husbands leadership as the church is to do to the leadership of Christ?
Husbands, do you as Peter says, live with your wives in an understanding way?
To you pursue wisdom and understanding in your relationship?
Wisdom and Understanding is not just for the family, but for every sphere of life.
Workplace, community, friends, etc.
leadership in the community
This wisdom and understanding within the family, workplace, and community results holistic health. And this is a testimony to the world of the greatness of our God, and through you God will be glorified.
after Moses appointed leaders who are men of wisdom and understanding. In chapter 4 he reminds them to follow the the words of God and if they do they would be a testimony to the nations.
6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
Deut 6
Notice what Moses says here,
Keep them and do them (that is to faithfully follow the words of God)
he doesn’t say to just agree with the word of God
He doesn’t say to intellectually comprehend God’s word.
He says to keep them (watch over and guard them)
They are the focus of your attention.
and do them
and do them
(which means God’s word affects the way you live.)
He then says, “For that (obedience to God’s word) will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples.”
Wisdom and understand comes only from conformity to God’s words.
Wisdom and understand are not found outside of God’s word.
And to pursue wisdom and understanding, as we all should, is to pursue the word of God, and to do so in the context of community - where there are men and women who are further down the road of wisdom and understanding.
When our lives are marked by pursing God and all that he is through his word we will be a testimony to the nations.
Moses goes on to say, speaking of the nations,
“when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people”
And this is what James wants to see in this young church...
6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?
8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
wise and understanding leaders who seek the words of God with all their hearts, and thus a wise and understanding church that will be a testimony to the nations of the greatness of God!
6-
So what does it look like to be wise and understanding?
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
Is this someone who is well trained in greek and Hebrew?
Deut 4:
15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes.
Is this someone who has studied systematic and historical theology?
New Testament XI: James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude By Your Good Life Show Your Works
For someone who lives in a humble and wise way will give more evidence of his standing before God than any number of words could ever do
Is this someone who has great influence and sway within the church?
What does it look like to be wise and understanding?
Driving in the snow yesterday
Yesterday morning I left my house around 7:15am to come to the church for the work day.
If you learn all the specs
I walked out to start my car, and had to crawl in from the back because all the doors were frozen shut. And I, as I’m sure many of you did, noticed that there was a layer of ice on my drive way about an inch thick.
If study your car to the point where you can take the engine apart and put it back together blindfolded
Without a doubt the roads were going to be bad. So I got in the car and began to drive.
If you know what country the leather came from for the seats
I tested the breaks to see how bad the roads were
If you know all the ratio’s for the transmission and rear end
And payed very close attention to my speed.
I passed five cars off the road before i got to the church.
If you knew every detail of the car would that make you a wise owner of the car?
you know what i was not thinking about?
NO!
I was not thinking about how my car is rated for the snow.
I was not thinking about how much horse power my car has
I was not thinking about how much horse power my car has
I was not thinking about the speed ratio of my windshield wipers
I was not thinking about my transmission nor was i thinking about the clunk in the front end.
Wisdom for driving a car has far less to do with knowing facts about the car and much more to do with learning to be a good driver,
knowing how to slow down when you see break lights
knowing how to merge on to a highway
knowing how to turn without sliding sideways
Wisdom when driving is when you simply try to see and do the right thing in the actual situation that presents itself.
This is the same idea that James has in mind when he speaks of wisdom, it is to do the right thing in the actual situation of life.
In order to drive well, you need to keep your eyes wide open to what is before you and use your head.
Preaching the Word: James—Faith That Works Wisdom from Below ( James 3:13-16 )
In order to drive well, you need to keep your eyes wide open to what is before you and use your head. To live wisely, you must be clear-eyed about people and life, seeing life as it is, and then responding with a mind dependent on the wisdom of God.
Preaching the Word: James—Faith That Works Wisdom from Below ( James 3:13-16 )
In order to drive well, you need to keep your eyes wide open to what is before you and use your head. To live wisely, you must be clear-eyed about people and life, seeing life as it is, and then responding with a mind dependent on the wisdom of God.
To live wisely, likewise you must be clear-eyed about people and life, seeing life as it is, and then responding with a mind dependent on the wisdom of God.
In Chapter 2 James argues that faith cannot exist apart from works.
18 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.
James invites the readers in chapter two to try and show him their faith without works… and its impossible.
In the same way James wants those who would consider themselves wise and understanding to show their wisdom and their understanding by their good conduct
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Wisdom and understanding are shown through good conduct.
Its not only the person who believes discipleship is a good thing, but the wise actually make disciples.
Its not the person who knows theology, but the wise are the ones who live out their theology
Wisdom and understanding is not just an intellectual endeavor, but it is a holistic commitment to Christ.
The Venerable Bede wrote,
“For someone who lives in a humble and wise way will give more evidence of his standing before God than any number of words could ever do.”
So to live wise and understanding is not just an intellectual endeavor, but it is a holistic commitment to believe and practice the word of God.
Deut
But James also tells us how we are to live this out.. He says we are to show our good works in the meekness of wisdom.
1 cor
He says we are to show our good works in the meekness of wisdom.
There is no room for arrogance and pride when walking arm in arm with lady wisdom.
22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
To live with understanding and wisdom is to recognize who we are in relation to God.
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Solomon says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
When we taste and see the greatness of God, when we come into the presence of his glory on the fool would dare be self-exalting.
For the glory of God humbles men and women.
So we are to demonstrate wisdom and understanding by our good works, and we are to do this in the meekness, or humility, of wisdom.
However, our wicked hearts don’t easily bow in humility before God. For we all struggle in wanting the glory only God deserves.
We have our own self-ambitions that will keep us from meekness of wisdom
We have our own jealous impulses that will keep us from the meekness of wisdom
And this is what James address in verse 14-16, where he talks about the danger of jealousy and selfish ambition.
The Danger of Jealousy and Selfish Ambition
The Danger of Jealousy and Selfish Ambition
Jealousy is a powerful monster that rages inside all of us. We must, with every ounce of effort with prayer and hard work, seek to kill the sin of jealousy in our lives.
The stories of jealousy in the bible never end well - in fact, stories of jealousy in your life have never ended well.
Jealousy is a fierce emotion, it is one that is not easily tamed, and it will destroy everything if let loose.
Jealousy led cain to kill his brother Abel
Jealousy led Joseph’s brothers to abuse and sell him to the Egyptians
Jealousy led to king Saul losing his mind and running away from God.
Solomon, says that Jealousy rots the bones
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Prov
When jealousy and envy set in, it mentally, spiritually, and even physically causes you great harm.
Solomon also says that its more severe than wrath or anger...
4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
James says that Jealousy and selfish ambition are what stands opposed to wisdom and understanding..
Look with me at vv.14-16
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Here is the the thing...
We all have jealousy and selfish ambition in our hearts.
And if you are not struggling with it right now, get ready because its coming for you more than likely by the end of the day.
how often do jealousy in some form creep into your life?
How often do does selfish ambition show itself?
the desire to make yourself look good so others will like you?
The need to promote yourself, or justify yourself.
Not wanting to stand up for whats right because others might view you in some negative way.
We all struggle with jealousy and selfish ambition in our hearts from time to time… does that mean we cannot walk in the wisdom of God? NO!
Rather, James says, “if these things are in your heart, do not boast and do not be false to the truth”
Wisdom is to know thyself well enough to realize when jealousy or selfishness is present and not feed these wicked monsters that want to destroy your life.
And we feed jealous and selfish ambition by boasting, and being false to the truth.
The truth is often not that flattering.
the truth is your kids may not be the best students
the truth is you may not be the best at what you do
The truth is you may not be the best husband, wife, employee, boss...
Each and everyone one of us wants to be seen for more than we know we are… And what James is saying is,
“don’t be false to the truth”
“don’t exalt yourself over the truth”
Don’t let jealousy and selfish ambition grow in your hearts by feeding them.
Because, selfish ambition and jealousy are not in keeping with the wisdom that comes down from above
Rather, they are earthly, unspiritual and demonic.
In other words, they stand opposed to the wisdom from God.
And, if these monsters are fed, they produce disorder and every vile practice.
You don’t need to look very far to see jealousy and selfish ambition recking havoc on our world today.
jealousy of and ambition toward wealth:
Think about the insidious nature of our hearts when money is involved. With selfish ambition and jealousy people will ruin their lives to make one more dollar.
Men will ignore their wives, they will despise their children, and they will cheat, steal, lie, threaten and more just to make more money.
And depending on the type of work they are in, they can ruin other peoples lives as well.
If jealousy and selfish ambition are let lose, if they are fed, they will destroy friendships, families, businesses, churches.
If we boast over and are false to the truth, we bring a type of wisdom into our lives that is earthly, unspiritual and even demonic.
Social Skills: those people who are able to get anyone to like them, to get members of the opposite sex to hit on them, and who have friends everywhere
Happiness: people who are always happy, and always seem to bounce back despite failures or depressing moments
Careers: who isn’t jealous of someone who works at Google, even if you don’t want a career in technology, or someone who’s a famous movie star, even if you don’t want to be in the lime-light?
Health: those people who never get a disease, never need glasses or braces, never had to go through speech therapy
Looks: those people who have a high-metabolism and can eat whatever they want and always have a six-pack, or those people who never seem to have bedhead
Accomplishments: those people who have made a name for themselves in their chosen careers, or who have been instrumental in changing the way the world lives
So how do we guard ourselves against this demonic wisdom? how do we keep it from destroying our lives?
And how do we keep these things from ruining our lives?
we seek wisdom and understanding
Seek the wisdom and understanding that comes from God
Show your wisdom and understanding through good conduct
Follow God with the humility of wisdom
Follow God with the humility of wisdom
We seek to bring our whole lives under submission to God’s Word.
Don’t boast and don’t be false to the truth.
Reputation: those people who have never done anything wrong and can be trusted no matter what
A sign of Godly wisdom is when you let the truth testify against your pride
And finally, we are to seek the wisdom and understanding that comes from above.
Talents: those people who can sing well without warming up, who can write well without editing, or who can speak languages fluently by hearing a foreign sentence once
And in verses 17-18 James describes this wisdom that comes from above.
The Wisdom From Above
The Wisdom From Above
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James
The theme of wisdom prominent throughout the bible.
We see God wanting to grow us and mature us in wisdom
The bible unfolds in a pattern that shapes the way the people of God, you and me, are to mature.
Priest
It starts with the priestly books.
priests, like children, listen and obey to the words of God.
There is very little that priests have to figure out, if you read the first six books of the OT you’ll see that God does everything for the people, they only need to listen and obey.
And this is the early stages of development, as young Christians we listen and we obey.
There is very little ambiguity.
King
As the bible continues it moves into the kingly books
These books follow the lives of of the kings, Saul, David, Solomon and so on.
The kings are not given clear instruction in the same way the priests are. The kings have to use wisdom, they have to decearn good from evil.
king often have to choose from the lesser of two evils.
And this is moving toward further maturity.
In the same way when kids move into adulthood, they are no longer given a clear yes and no on life’s decisions.
They have to use wisdom...
Do I buy this car or not? Is this a good career move? How many kids should we have? How big of a house should we look for?
Prophet
The final portion of the OT is the prophetic age.
the prophets are mature, they don’t seek wisdom like kings do, they speak wisdom.
They are the ones who advice the kings on what to do.
They are the ones who have wisdom and understanding and the often times speak for God, by speaking the wisdom of God.
This is elderly stage in life.
Where the elders speak into the lives of the younger
Older men and older women discipling younger men and younger women.
This is how wisdom progresses throughout the OT, and when we come to the NT we see that wisdom finds it perfect fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus comes as the perfect priest, the perfect king, and the perfect prophet. Thus is he is the perfect man, who is the very image of God.
Paul says that Jesus is the wisdom of God
Even in Proverbs Wisdom is often personified as God himself.
22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
So when we seek the wisdom from above, what are we seeking?
Look at the passage again,
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The wisdom from above is
pure
peaceable
gentle
open to reason
full of mercy and good fruits
impartial and sincere.
This is a description of Jesus himself! Each of these traits of wisdom are found perfectly reflected in the person of Christ.
When we see the wisdom from above, we are not seeking some hidden knowledge, we are not seeking some etherial idea, we are not trying to receive some good advice.
When we see the wisdom from above we are seeking the very person of Christ.
For he is the word of God made flesh.
And when we seek the wisdom from above, and when we understand who this wisdom is, we do so with humble hearts.
Church, As you go this week, go seeking wisdom.
Look everywhere for him
Learn to listen to him
Learn to rest in him
Learn to follow him, and live for him, and pledge your whole life to him.
Seek the wisdom that is from God, see Christ and do so in the meekness of wisdom for he is God!