Wisdom from Above

Introduction: Good morning. Thanks—wife and 2 daughters are well. . Read. Pray.

Good morning. Thanks—wife and 2 daughters are well. . Read. Pray.

Go ahead and turn over to . Read. Pray.

I can’t think of anything more important in our cultural moment than the church of Jesus Christ/Christians learning to live and walk in wisdom. Here’s why I say that:

James has already brought up the idea of Wisdom

It seems that on every level there are things happening around us that we just don’t know to respond to, right?

I’m talking about

In the same week: President Trump (who we should be praying for BTW)— gave a speech in which he promises to get rid of Somali refugees in Minneapolis, which is home to the largest refugee population in the U.S. — **Maybe politically you agree with him. But God’s Word is clear about how Christians should treat refugees—not as invaders to be dealt with; but as people created in the image of God to be loved and welcomed**

I won’t go into everything that I could go into—but when it comes to politics, when it comes to finances, when it comes to loving our neighbors, when it comes to sexuality, on and on...

I’m noticing that (in the west), followers of Jesus are taking one of two approaches.

You may be saying: Good. But the problem is is that God has some pretty strong feelings about refugees as well in that he calls his people to welcome them and care for them, not view them is problems or as the enemy.

Presidential Candidate Beto O’Rourke (who we should be praying for BTW)— in a town hall promised to take away tax exempt status if they hold to Biblical view of marriage, that God is the designer of marriage and it is a gift to be enjoyed between a man and a woman.

Beto O’Roarke promised that if he became president, he would revoke tax exempt status on churches/religious institutions that held to an historic, biblical sexual ethic regarding marriage being designed by God to be between a man and a woman.

Shrink back/hide. Against the culture. Us v. Them mentality. Idea here: we disagree with how you think, how you live, therefore, we are going to disengage completely and avoid anyone who isn’t like me.

Temptation for us: hand-wringing, angry tweeting, so that we feel morally superior on whichever side we land. Right?

this is where we get

Problem: Great Commission:: Hard to make disciples of people when you are avoiding them.

First of all: if our response, whatever side you may happen to lean, is hand-wringing, angry tweeting/facebooking, slander talking—then we are not walking the way of wisdom.

This group of people preaches a gospel without love. No gospel at all.

Join in. Accept the culture, regardless of what God’s Word says, in fact, God’s Word isn’t really all that important. What’s really important is that you live however you want—surely a loving God wouldn’t actually ask you to not be true to yourself.

In fact, when we hear things like that, our response should be prayer.

Idea here: we want to be on the right side of history. If this group had a campaign slogan: “Make Christianity Cool Again.” “Make Christianity Palatable Again.”

But we don’t need wisdom to understand how to act politically.

Problem: There is nothing cool or palatable about the cross.

SO there is, within the Christian church, an approval of sin,

BY the way: it does not honor God to approve of what is actually a corruption of his good gifts even if it is done out of a desire to be kind.

There is a

We need to ask: are we more concerned with honoring God, or the praise of man?

This group of people preaches a gospel without repentance. No gospel at all. Actually, can be more dangerous, because it offers the promise of heaven without calling people to submit to the King of Heaven. There is nothing loving about this approach to culture. In fact, this approach tends to be just as cowardly as the other.

So how do we respond? This is where I think James helps us by giving us a way forward and that is the way of wisdom.

If followers of Jesus would walk in the wisdom of Jesus, I believe we would s

Really, we could say that James’ concern here in regards to wisdom and the way of wisdom is actually about what it means for Christians to follow the way of Jesus.

Throughout Scripture, the bible links wisdom with Jesus. : Jesus, wisdom from God. : In Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

So I think it’s important that we understand what James is doing is actually calling followers of Jesus to follow Jesus. Novel idea. So let’s look at what James says the way forward is for us in this cultural moment.

Look at V. 13: Read Verse

So James is staying on this

Here’s what James is saying: Those of you who think you are wise and understanding should show it by walking in the wisdom you say you possess.

James starts with this rhetorical question that should cause us all to say: “Well I hope that I am.” Right?

There may be certain people who come to your mind that you think of.

Instead, he keeps sayi

I love this. This is kind of James’ M.O. Right?

You say you have faith? Prove it—show me your works.

But these are characteristics that I hope most of us would want said of us.

You say you love God? Prove it—love your neighbor as yourself.

But James goes on to say: here’s how you know who is wise and understanding among you: “By his good conduct—way of life—lifestyle—how he/she lives—let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

So this is where biblical wisdom and understanding is different than just knowing a lot of stuff. Right?

You say you are a Christian? Prove it—care for orphans and widows and walk in holiness.

It is absolutely possible to know a whole lot of information, even about God, about the Bible, and it have no effect on your life.

Over and over again, James is calling followers of Jesus to actually follow Jesus.

Not what James is after: James links wisdom and understand. The idea is that we have knowledge, but not in

In this way

Have you noticed that James seems to be awfully concerned with how we live? Care for people, have good works, tame your tongue, here he says if you are wise and understanding—you will have good conduct characterized by the meekness of wisdom.

But James links wisdom with understanding—And then he says that the proof of this wisdom is in your “good conduct” or “your good living”

Bothers us. If someone were to come up to you and say, I’m concerned about the way you’re living—temptation would be to say: “mind your own business.”

SO here’s the point: True wisdom is having knowledge that reshapes your life.

But the reason James is pressing in on our conduct and the manner in which we live is because our conduct is a barometer of our hearts.

Now let me just pause here because I want to look at what the Bible says about wisdom that will frame the rest of what James says.

IN , which is all about wisdom and how wisdom works, the writer of Proverbs says from the perspective of . 32-36 “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

So this is what I think Jame’s heart is for his people throughout his letter— that they would find life and obtain favor from the Lord!

EX: My daughter — running out to the street—I holler: “Get out of the road.”

You wouldn’t say: well, I don’t think you should be telling her what to do. She should live her life however she sees fit. Don’t try to steal her joy.

Why? Because you know that if she plays in the street, she could get hit by a car and injure herself or worse.

This is what is telling us. God in his wisdom is saying, “pay attention to me. Follow me. Obey my word. Live your life according to the way I have called you to live.”

We go: that doesn’t sound fun—but God isn’t trying to steal your joy! God wants to give you more joy! more life, more favor, more of himself.

Following Jesus isn’t just about trying to be a really good Christian— Following Jesus is about finding the good life!

So James is contending for us to have obtain the good life. And James is saying life, blessing, joy, is found in the way of wisdom.

The rest of the passage he is going to contrast false wisdom with true wisdom. We will start with false wisdom.

False .

This wisdom could also be consider worldly or demonic wisdom.

False wisdom is characterized by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition.

Right before this in V. 13, James calls us to good works in the meekness of wisdom. Meekness— self-subdued gentleness, both in relationship to God and to others.

Meekness is the willingness to be others centered. This is the way of true wisdom.

But notice the opposite path of false wisdom: Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition.

Godly wisdom has God as its center. False wisdom has self at the center.

So this is what James is warning us of: James is warning us against a type of lifestyle, a way of living that would have me at the center of everything.

If that is the way you are living, then you can’t claim to be wise and understanding. In fact, James says that you are actually being false to the truth. The Apostle John puts it this way.

Listen to : “Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him.”

Not keeping his commandments, disobedience is another way of saying “living with me at the center.”

James and John are both making it very clear that claiming to know God, or to be wise and understanding, is incompatible with this type of living. It is false to the truth.

This is where the Bible and Godly wisdom conflict with the wisdom of the world— Because living for yourself is the mantra of the culture right now, is it not?

mblessed are those who keep my ways.

blessed are those who keep my ways.

33  nHear instruction and be wise,

EX: Galaxy phone commercial. “It is your galaxy.” They are tapping into the popular wisdom of our day— we should live for self. the good life is found in personal autonomy, the good life is found in being the center of the universe. You are the point! (nothing wrong with having that phone). But this is the message.

33 Hear instruction and be wise,

and do not neglect it.

BTW—It’s always been the message: Genesis—what did the serpent say to Eve? First he convinced her to distrust the words of God and then said, “God’s holding out on you. He is trying to hold you down. He is keeping good thing from you. You should do what feels good to you. Don’t believe God, believe yourself.”

There is a temptation to believe things are so different now in 2019 than even 100 years ago, let alone since the days of Genesis. But trusting God and obeying his word has ALWAYS been good for people.

34  oBlessed is the one who listens to me,

and do not neglect it.

34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates,

So the wisdom of the world, the wisdom of our day stands feels right, it feels good, it even feels like something we should advocate, right? The church is called to love people. We are called to welcome people. We should even love our enemies.

watching daily at my gates,

waiting beside my doors.

So it almost makes sense to espouse this sort of wisdom that would encourage people to live for themselves.

35  For pwhoever finds me qfinds life

But look at what James says about it: earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

waiting beside my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life

and robtains favor from the LORD,

Earthly: According to the systems of the world, rather than the systems of the kingdom of God.

Unspiritual: Completely devoid of anything the Spirit of God approves of. Stands in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.

36  but he who fails to find me sinjures himself;

and obtains favor from the Lord,

Demonic: this is where we go: “whoa James, chill out. It may not be the best way to live, but demonic, really? Isn’t that a little strong?”

Look at what he follows it up with? the fruit of jealousy and selfish ambition: disorder and every vile practice.

That is, what results from living this way is disruption, instability, chaos, destruction and meanness. Which is the opposite the fruit of the Spirit.

Whenever Christians are being petty, anxious about defending themselves, concerned primarily about their own interests, filled with gossip trying to make themselves look superior to someone else, posting things on social media that is self-centered, mean-spirited, contributing to disorder: they are not following Jesus, they are following the devil.

Because when you are walking in false wisdom— you are categorically rejecting God as the center of the universe and seeking to put yourself in his place.

BTW: I don’t know if you’ve noticed this: when you live for yourself, don’t you find that it’s actually a miserable way to live? Don’t you just feel angry all the time. Irritable?

Chandler: “The more your life is all about you, the more miserable your life will be.”

Want a miserable marriage: care only about yourself, see how that goes.

Want miserable relationships with kids: be forceful and self-centered.

Want miserable, unstable friendships: expect much from them, do nothing for them.

Want to be miserable at Church: remove Jesus from the purpose and goal and insert yourself.

Some of the most joyful, free people I’ve ever encountered (many people here) are those who genuinely care about other people more than themselves.

Would you go to someone like that to seek wisdom? Like: “ Hey man, seems like every relationship you touch falls apart, can you help me out.” Here’s the secret— use everyone.”

No—you go to the people who are experiencing joy and delight and freedom in their relationships and they’ll say: “I love them more than I love myself.”

False Wisdom, the wisdom of the world, the wisdom of this age promises freedom, but only produces disorder and misery. There is no joy in living that way. There is no delight in that way of life.

Some of the most joyful, free people I’ve ever encountered (many people here) are those who genuinely care about other people more than themselves.

Look at V. 17-18.

True Wisdom

Notice what James says is the first characteristic of true wisdom: First Pure.

Pure=holy. The reason this is the first attribute, is because this is an important attribute of God—he is Holy. He is pure. He is undefiled. He is unlike anyone else in the universe.

So James is saying, True Wisdom, wisdom from above is altogether different because it comes from the One who is altogether different.

Then, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

36 but he who fails to find me injures himself;

all who thate me ulove death.”

Is this not the complete opposite of the types of characteristics that are prized in the culture around us?

Peaceable? Have you been on social media lately? It’s incredibly toxic place where whats in us is revealed 140 characters at a time and it has proved that our society isn’t concerned about peace as much as winning and winning at any cost.

all who hate me love death.”

Gentle? Meek? That’s not how you get ahead. You get ahead by brute force and power.

Open to reason? That’s great, as long as you agree with me.

on and on we could go.

But here’s what I want to point out to us: earlier I was talking about the two approaches to our culture: hide or join in.

We aren’t going to reach people and make a gospel impact in our community by shrinking back or joining in—but we will if we walk in purity, peace, if we are gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, impartial and sincere.

We don’t win the world by avoiding the world or becoming the world. We win the world by displaying the manifold wisdom of God in the world. Not only that:

How much better would our marriages be if we followed this type of wisdom?

How much more joy and unity would we experience in our church if this were our approach?

How much healthier would our friendships be? How would this affect our neighbors and their interest in the things we claim to believe?

How much

BTW— Isn’t James’s description of Wisdom just characteristics of Christ? Jesus is pure, Jesus is our peace, Jesus is gentle and meek, Jesus is open to reason—not seeking to confuse, Jesus is full of mercy and good fruits, Jesus is impartial and sincere.

And the result of Jesus’ life was a harvest of righteousness, that you and I now benefit from as we experience the Peace of God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus!

The Wisdom from above is Christ — and so wise living is learning to live as Christ lived and calls us to live.

If we want to see the world around us change, then it starts with us walking in this type of wisdom, rather than following the wisdom of the world and expecting it to make any sort of difference in our life or the lives around us.

V.18. Read. As I was preparing this sermon, I had a lot of time with my newborn early in the mornings, thinking about this passage—overwhelmed by the thought of the world she is entering— I just began to cry out to God on behalf of my daughters—4 years old and 10 days old— not that God would make them rich, successful, beautiful, popular, healthy— That God would make them wise. And that in that wisdom, they would experience a harvest of righteousness in their lifetime—Why? 2 reasons:

2 reasons:

1. that would be evidence that they belong to God. That’s my deepest desire as a father, that they would belong to Him, they would know him, love him, treasure him above all else.

2. Because I want my girls to have a life filled with joy and delight. That type of life only comes with the Wisdom from above that leads us to obedience to Christ.

Conclusion: Close with practical application on how to cultivate this type of wisdom in our lives. Not going to expound much, just give you some practical steps.

1. Spend Time With God in His Word.

2. Practice Listening to the Holy Spirit in your Life.

3. Commit yourself to Community.

(Wisdom is relational—how we relate to God and others, what better way to cultivate wise living than in the context of community around people who care for you, will encourage you, will call you to repentance, pray for you, etc.)

We don’t want to be against the culture around us but we also don’t want to join in— we want to reach the culture around us. We don’t do that through power, through popularity, through human means.

We do that through wisdom—living lives of purity, peace, gentleness, reason, mercy, goodness, and sincerity—so that those around us may see Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Let’s pray.