Rare Breed: Wise

Rare Breed: Wisdom

INTRODUCTION

ILL- Rare white animals (some albino)

Alligator: https://images.boredomfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Albino-Alligator.jpeg

Gorilla: https://images.boredomfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Gorilla.jpg

Lion: https://images.boredomfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Lion.jpg

Tiger: https://images.boredomfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Tiger.jpg

Peacock: https://images.boredomfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/white-peacock.jpeg

White animals like these seldom live in the wild. Vulnerable to predators. Stand out.

We are called to be different. We must stand out. When we are righteous as our Savior is righteous, we will not look like the world. The world will want to take us out.

How do we know the best way to live in a world that doesn't make sense? We must ask for wisdom.

READ James 3:13-18

James 3:13–18 ESV

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 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. 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.

Pray

Good and evil has been blurred in our society.

The Avengers- Is Iron Man a good guy or bad guy?

Civil War- They team up and fight each other. Who was right and wrong?

Godly Wisdom produces black and white in a grey world.

3 Proofs of Godly Wisdom

Control (13)

James 3:13

James 3:13 ESV

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Wisdom= know how to apply truth skillfully.

Just because someone has a degree in medicine does not mean that they need to be performing open heart surgery.

King Solomon- Cutting baby in half.

Meekness= power under control

F250 Diesel- pulls our 30’ Travel Trailer like it isn’t even back there.

What if David was driving?

“show works in the meekness of wisdom”

Use skill under complete control.

Selflessness (14-16)

James 3:14-16

James 3:14–16 ESV

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.

Jealousy Or Envy= a desire to be like or better than another.

Selfish Ambition= exploiting the church for personal gain.

Disorder (16)

A church of jealous, self-seekers will have disorder.

People only do what gets them ahead.

Competition and chaos in the church.

God is about order

Universe is orderly

Look at all the details needed for life to exist.

ILL- Child’s Bed Room

When it is all about you, you only do what is fun and rewarding.

Cleaning is never fun.

you live in selfish disorder.

When life is all about you your life will be characterized by selfish disorder.

It’s Origin (15) = demonic

A selfish life= a life living on the wrong team.

You cannot live for self and God at same time.

Surrendered life.

Rare (17-18)

Unique qualities found in godly wisdom.

Wisdom produces character.

Characteristics of Righteousness

Pure- genuine, heart motivated- Correct Motives- it’s not about you!

Peaceable- peace promoting- not stirring controversy- Not taking sides

Helps make peace when others are at odds.

Considerate- lit. goes through trials without seeking revenge.

Submissive= teachable, surrenders to God’s standards even when you don’t understand.

Full of Mercy- Doesn’t hold things against others- quick to forgive.

Good fruit= lives like a Christian.

impartial= not judgmental, doesn’t take sides. Context: of those fighting within the church.

Sincere= without hypocrisy- you are who you are.

Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

The Results of righteous living (18)

Proof= harvest of righteousness-

Galatians 6:7-10

Galatians 6:7–10 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Peace= spiritual peace

Opposite of disorder (13-14)

Heavenly peace is different than world peace

Heavenly peace is surrender to God, no compromise.

Worldly peace never lasts because of compromise.

Heavenly peace= we all get what we want= God’s Glory.

CONCLUSION

Is your life unique to those around you?

Is your life the result of surrender to God or surrender to self?