A Faith that Works Seeks Wisdom from God
Faith that Works • Sermon • Submitted
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HOOK
HOOK
Seeing what’s going on around us feels like they’s going forever— the cycle of events could be very exhausting
When nothing seems to work— we need “A Faith that Works”— and the faith that works:
Perseveres
It is more than just words
and it is more than just what we feel
When things feels like they’re endless, it could drive you crazy if you do not have the wisdom to understand what lies beneath what’s going on around you, and in you
To make sure we’re on the same page— let me share what the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible says about wisdom [Karunungan, Dunong, Talino]
Wisdom is a capacity of the mind; in the OT it involves both knowledge and the ability to direct the mind toward a full understanding of human life and towards its moral fulfillment
Easton Bible Dictionary said— wisdom is rather moral than an intellectual quality
Lexham Bible Dictionary said— Biblical wisdom refers to practical skills associated with understanding and living a successful life
Speaking of wisdom— let me share some WISDOM OF CHILDREN
Patrick aged 10: "Never trust a dog to watch your food."
Michael aged 14: "When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him."
Joel, aged 10: "Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat."
Andrew aged 9: "Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a mint."
Taylia aged 11: "When your mum is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair."
Mitchell aged 12: "Don't sneeze in front of your mum when you're eating a cracker."
Michael aged 14: "Never tell your mum her diet's not working."
A faith that works:
Perseveres— [adversity, testing of faith, maturity]
It is more than just words— [3 Things about good works. Cannot save. Genuine faith produces. The Lord rewards]
and it is more than just what we feel— [mean what you say. Religion that serves. Free from the influence]
Let me end this Lord’s series from the letter of James by saying that— A Faith that Works Seeks Wisdom from God
Vance Havner said these...
“If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge.”
Earlier on in James’ letter he said..
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
Job said that wisdom is given by God alone
13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.
Wisdom is received through God’s Word
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Isaiah said it is received through submission to God
6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Paul said it is imparted by the Holy Spirit
17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
And finally, Paul also said that wisdom is revealed through the church
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
In his letter, James listed 7 virtues [katangian, kabutihan] of wisdom from God
He offered guidance on what Christian wisdom looks like in action
Let’s take a look
BOOK
BOOK
13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
LOOK
LOOK
WORKS WITH THE HUMILITY THAT COMES FROM WISDOM
Those who are wise should demonstrate their wisdom in how they live
By deeds done in humility
JEALOUSY AND SELFISHNESS ARE NOT GOD’S KIND OF WISDOM
Jealousy is a strong feeling of possessiveness— intolerance of rivals
Paul said that Jealousy is an evidence of being wordly
3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?
Selfishness— Self interest
Paul warned Timothy that in the last days people will be lovers of themselves— they look only after their own
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
James said, such things are earthly, unspiritual and demonic
Earthly refers to wisdom that is inferior to wisdom from God
Unspiritual— the Greek adjective psychikos refers to what is, by nature, human— things not inspired by the Holy Spirit
Demonic— describe the ultimate origin of earthly wisdom
YOU WILL FIND DISORDER AND EVIL OF EVERY KIND
Isn’t these what we are seeing around us these days?
These are brought by jealousy and selfish ambition
Earthly wisdom leads to jealousy and selfish ambition
THE 7 VIRTUES OF WISDOM FROM GOD
Pure
Peace Loving
Gentle at all times
Willing to yield to Others
Full of Mercy and Good Deeds
No Favoritism
Always Sincere
TOOK
TOOK
I SHALL NOT BE JEALOUS OF ANYTHING OR ANYONE
Jealousy denies your uniqueness
it divides your attention
it’s a waste of your time and energy
And it leads to every other sin
13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
I MUST NOT HAVE SELFISH AMBITIONS
Because you will use people to get where you want to go
You will always take the credit
You will always compare yourself to others
Your need to win will be greater than your need to love
You will always be insecure
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
I WILL LIVE OUT THE 7 VIRTUES OF WISDOM FROM GOD
Pure
Peace Loving
Gentle at all times
Willing to yield to Others
Full of Mercy and Good Deeds
No Favoritism
Always Sincere
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
PRAYER
PRAYER