Wisdom from Above
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
James 3:13-18
James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The Big Question
The Big Question
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Slide
James starts with the big question for tonight
Who is wise and understanding among you?
How do we know a person is wise?
How we need wisdom!
How many books have been written with authors trying to answer that question.
How many PodCasts are there every day with the speakers trying to answer that question.
How much on TV or Radio or the Internet is trying to answer that question.
Trump. How you spin it. What is wide to one person, is not to someone else.
James is about to help with the answer!
The Answer to James’ Big Question
The Answer to James’ Big Question
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How would you answer the Big Question?
It is a rhetorical question.
Slide
The “Good” Life
The “Good” Life
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Greek word study for tonight.
Two words in Greek for Good
καλός kalos
καλός kalos
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7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
ἀγαθός agathos
ἀγαθός agathos
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17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Kalos vs Agathos
Kalos vs Agathos
Agathos means ‘that which is intrinsically good’, ‘possessing the quality of goodness’.
Good Teacher. Agathos Teacher.
The word in James 3:13 is kalos, ‘good, lovely’
James speaks here of the loveliness of goodness, the outward attractiveness of the good life, its wholesomeness and helpfulness, as seen in the Lord’s people.
A good way of life that is plain to all.
Wisdom and Understanding is measured, and shown, by what we do outwardly.
Humility and Wisdom
Humility and Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Why does someone have to be humble to be wise, and in what ways does being wise articulate humility?
False Wisdom
False Wisdom
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
Slide
Characteristics of False Wisdom
Characteristics of False Wisdom
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What are the characteristics of False Wisdom? (Relational)
Bitter
Envious
Self Seeking
Boastful
Lying
Confusion
Every evil thing (just in case James missed something).
It is earthly wisdom, it has its boundaries in this world. It begins and ends in this world. It does not consider eternity.
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What is the source of such Wisdom?
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When we allow ourselves to be driven by false wisdom, we are allowing Satan to slip into the driver’s seat!
Wisdom from Above
Wisdom from Above
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Slide
Where is it from?
Origin is from above. Not bound by our time and space.
What are its Characteristics ?
Pure; free from all the things that characterise false wisdom.
Peaceable; It delights in peace and promotes peace.
Gentle; It is not combative and abrasive. It is reasonable and courteous.
Willing to yield; It is open to reason. It doesn’t insist on its rights and its own way
Full of mercy; it shows compassion to those who are in need. Mercy triumphs over judgement.
Full of … good fruits; fruits of the Holy Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Without Partiality; it does not play favorites.
Without Hypocrisy; It is sincere and genuine. It doesn’t put on a front.
This is a wise list to examine thoughts and actions.
What are the results?
A harvest of righteousness and peace.
In Conclusion
In Conclusion
James started this chapter with warnings about the tongue.
How that small, yet powerful body part in our mouth can so easily make us big hypocrites.
James end this chapter with two types of wisdom. One earthly and the other from above.
Earthly wisdom leads to every king of evil (though don’t expect everyone to agree with what James calls evil).
Wisdom from above leads to a Harvest of Righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (But again don’t expect everyone to agree with what James calls wisdom).
Remember our basis for absolute truth is the bible.
Spurgeon said, “Let the lion out of the cage”.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.