Sermon Tone Analysis

Who is wise and knowledgeable among you?

Let him show, by his good conduct,  his works in humility of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealously and selfish ambition in your heart, You should not boast and tell lies [to yourselves] against the truth!

This is not the wisdom that has come down from above but [it is] earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

For where there is jealously and selfish ambition; there [is also] disorder and every kind of evil deed.

But, the wisdom, from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentile, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and without hypocrisy.

And [the] fruit of the righteous is sown in peace among those who make peace.

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Title: The Lifestyle of Wisdom

Text:

Theme: Wisdom/Lifestyle

Series: An Authentic Faith: Study of James

Introduction|

Attention:

How many of you consider yourself to be a wise person?

Need Element: 

Everyone wants to be known as a wise person.

No one wants to be known as a fool.

However, our lifestyle often reveals a different picture than our picture of ourselves.

This morning, I want you to examine the authenticity of your faith by seeing if your life has the marks of godly wisdom or ungodly wisdom.

In our time together this morning, I want to show you the marks of an unwise life and a wise life in order to challenge your claim of faith.

Background:

James writes his letter to explain the various aspects of an authentic faith: 1) an authentic faith rejoices in trials; 2) an authentic faith recognizes the goodness of God; 3) an authentic faith obeys the word of God; 4) an authentic faith embraces true worship; 5) an authentic faith does not show partiality; 6) an authentic faith controls his speech.

Textual Idea: 

James reminds his readers that an authentic follower of Christ who possess an authentic faith reveals his faith through a lifestyle of wisdom 

Big Idea: 

An authentic faith lives a life of biblical wisdom () ()

An authentic faith lives a live of wisdom () ()

Interrogative:

What does a lifestyle of wise and knowledge look like?

Outline |

I.

The Marks of an Unwise life (vv.

14-16)

Explanation:

First, I want you to notice the declaration of the unwise (vv.

14).

The word glory (κατακαυχᾶσθε) suggests the idea of exulting something or someone over something or someone else (BDAG, 517).

The word lie (ψεύδεσθε) suggests lying to someone about something spiritual ( and ).

However, the person who has bitter jealousy (the envy of their heart has brought them to a place of bitterness) and selfish ambition (they are only concerned about themselves: their goals, their wants, their plans, etc.) should not boast and lie about being wise because their attitude and actions reveal a different picture.

Next, I want you to notice the description of the unwise (vv.

15).

This type of wisdom is earthly.

The word earthly (ἐπίγειος) suggests that which is opposed to the things of heaven (BDAG, 368).

So, this type of wisdom is anti-Spirit, anti-scripture, and anti-savior.

This type of wisdom is also unspiritual/sensual.

The word earthly (ἐπίγειος) suggests that which is opposed to the things of heaven (BDAG, 368).

So, this type of wisdom is anti-Spirit, anti-scripture, and anti-savior.

This type of wisdom is also unspiritual/sensual.

The word unspiritual (ψυχικός) suggests a lack of the Spirit’s presence.

Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, these people lack the divine wisdom of God.

Finally, this type of wisdom is demonic.

This word is rare that suggests something being demon-like (A.T.

Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), ) or demon-inspired (Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 174).

This type of wisdom is described as completely devoid of heavenly influence.

The word unspiritual (ψυχικός) suggests a lack of the Spirit’s presence.

Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, these people lack the divine wisdom of God.

Finally, this type of wisdom is demonic.

This word is rare that suggests something being demon-like (A.T.

Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), ) or demon-inspired (Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 174).

This type of wisdom is described as completely devoid of heavenly influence.

Finally, I want you to notice the delusion of the unwise (vv.

16).

When the attitudes of jealously and selfishness exist within the life of the believer, they only deceive themselves into thinking they are wise.

Jealously and selfishness only produce disorder and evil practices.

One translation says: “For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice” (, CSB).

Illustration:

Harry Randall Truman was a homeowner at the foot of Mount St. Helens in the state of Washington.

In 1980, the volcano was showing signs of a major eruption.

As a matter of fact, one expert at the time declared that the chance of a major eruption was virtually 100 percent.

Truman’s home was located at the southern end of Spirit Lake at the foot of the mountain.

Because of his location, he was living in the most likely path of the volcanic flow.

Governmental officials implored him to leave his home and property.

Many of his friends told him that his failure to leave was suicide.

His family begged him to leave lest he die.

On May 18, 1980, the massive volcanic eruption took place spewing lava and ash into the atmosphere and the surrounding landscape.

On May 18, 1980,Harry Randell Truman died because he could not let go of his home, even if it meant certain death.(https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/get-out)

Harry Randall Truman was a homeowner at the foot of Mount St. Helens in the state of Washington.

In 1980, the volcano was showing signs of a major eruption.

As a matter of fact, one expert at the time declared that the chance of a major eruption was virtually 100 percent.

Truman’s home was located at the southern end of Spirit Lake at the foot of the mountain.

Because of his location, he was living in the most likely path of the volcanic flow.

Governmental officials implored him to leave his home and property.

Many of his friends told him that his failure to leave was suicide.

His family begged him to leave lest he die.

On May 18, 1980, the massive volcanic eruption took place spewing lava and ash into the atmosphere and the surrounding landscape.

On May 18, 1980,Harry Randell Truman died because he could not let go of his home, even if it meant certain death.(https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/get-out)

Application:

A lifestyle of wisdom embraces the humility over jealously and selfishness.

This passage summons us to self-examination about the nature of our faith.

Our claim of faith must agree with the our lifestyle of faith.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you life should be guided and governed by the leadership of the Spirit, Savior, and Scriptures.

Our wisdom must extend from our relationship with savior under the supervision of the Spirit and under the direction of the Scriptures.

Godly wisdom is not disorderly.

It will also never lead you to practice things that are not biblical.

Do you have bitter jealously in your heart?

Are you a selfish person?

Are you led by the wisdom of the world over the wisdom of God?

Does your life reveal a lifestyle of evil practices?

It might be time for a spiritual check-up because you might not have meet the Great Physician!

II.

The Marks of A Wise Life (vv.

17-18)

Explanation:

First, I want you to notice the description of the wise (vv.

17).

Heavenly wisdom is pure.