Sermon Tone Analysis

James 1:4-8

Congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ,

 

If we remember last week we remember that the word of God teaches us that our trials are not without purpose or meaning.

God certainly uses them, as James teaches us, to make us complete, and mature - to make us whole.

In the following verses before us James continues to speak about this same theme of wholeness – the wholeness of wisdom.

It is significant that James introduces wisdom in the context of counting it all joy when you fall into various trials.

This morning we consider verses 5-8 dealing with asking God for wisdom.

Before we get into this though it is important for us to realize the connection between counting it all joy when we face trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience, and that this works in us according to the plan of God a maturity no that we would lack nothing.

Interesting when under trial we lack so much, yet the wisdom of God is that he has a divine fatherly purpose for us so that through persevering through these trials we might lack nothing.

The problem immediately apparent to any who have experienced the various trials of life is that while you are in the midst of them, it is hard to understand what is going on and to believe it is for your benefit.

It is easy to be the wise pastor or counselling friend assuring the hurting that they are being matured and to “hang tough.”

But it is another thing when I am the one being tested!

It’s much easier to say to someone else, “Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds” than to joyfully embrace my own trials.

James, understood this, and in the closely connected verses which follow (5-8), he instructs those who are suffering on how to get the wisdom necessary to plough victoriously through life’s many trials.

You will notice congregation that verses 2-4 don't have the word  “wisdom” mentioned in them do they, yet in a way God's wisdom is assumed.

It isn't always understood why he does the things he does.

But his wisdom is assumed, confessed, and in it we find comfort because we know that the Father has a fatherly plan, a good plan for his people.

It is especially in times of trial that we cry out not only with WHY Lord?

But we also cry out what are we to /do/ about this situation?

How can we move forward through trouble such as this?  James says go to the Lord for wisdom.

*1.

Wisdom for the asking*

 

v.5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

*a.

desiring wisdom~/ knowing the need:*

 

We notice that James begins this section with a conditional sentence.

The condition is "if any of you lacks wisdom."

Here the word of God is coming to us in a delicate way to delicate and sensitive people such as us.

The thrust of the passage here is: I know you perhaps won't admit that you need wisdom, but you do need it.

No person likes to hear that they are dim witted, or that he doesn't always act in the best way, or that he needs help.

Part of our stumbling block to seeking out wisdom is our own pride is it not?

We don't like people to think that we need wisdom.

It is the proud fool who is the hardest to counsel.

To proud to listen or to receive wisdom.

His own stubbornness is foolishness.

*With this “if” statement James is giving the reader a chance to examine himself* and to come to the conclusion that he or she needs wisdom, and then to follow his advice to go to the one who is wisdom Himself and ask God for these things.

*b.

what is this wisdom:*

 

Wisdom is more than having knowledge.

It is the practical use of knowledge in the right way.

Wisdom is far more than the accumulation of information and intellectual perception.

In our day we have more information at our fingers than ever before, yet it has done little to make man wise or give him true wisdom.

True wisdom is first of all rooted in true knowledge  and the source of knowledge and truth is God himself.

This year for our home visits have been using Psalm 1.

It is a psalm all about wisdom.

It shows two ways - the way of the wicked and the way the righteousness.

There are those who listen to the council of the wicked - the foolish, and those who meditate upon the word of God day and night.

The Scripture teaches us where the beginning of wisdom is found.

*Psalm 111:10* /The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

To him belongs eternal praise.

/

/ /

Believers need to remember that despite the many trials they find themselves in, they still remain in Christ.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

When we are born again we begin as babes to drink of the wisdom of God.

It is the beginning but it is not the end.

Christ is a giant treasure chest of wisdom.

You think of a giant trunk filled with gold coins, rubies, pearls, rings, diamonds – this is what Christ is to us –  his wisdom is pure treasure.

Wisdom is treasure for our lives.

*Colossians 2:1* /I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, *3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge*.

4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments./

/ /

If you scan down to verse 8 of Colossians 2 you see the warning against being deceived by the philosophy and empty deceit of the traditions of man according to the basic principles of this world, and not according to Christ.

These vain philosophies aren’t treasure.

Its like trading gold and silver for tinfoil and saran wrap.

*c.

Asking~/seeking for wisdom*

 

To ask is in the imperative mood.

It expresses a command, intention, or exhortation.

When we seek wisdom where do we go for it?

What does James say here?

If we were writing this letter about seeking wisdom what would be the first thing we would mention.

Perhaps we might say, if you want wisdom read your Bible.

This surely is true and very important.

But it is interesting here that James doesn't begin here.

No he begins with prayer.

It is remarkable.

It may even seem to some to be not really Biblical, but yet it is.

Ask yourself what value do you put on prayer?

Very often people can dump on this blessed gift that God has given us.

They may think prayer is really not anything at all.

But God uses prayer.

Prayer is a means by which God gives wisdom.

We need to have a robust, a strong view of this gift of prayer.

Are we wisdom seekers?

Are you a wisdom seeker?

Do you pray for it expectantly or doubtfully?

Very often people are content with their own ignorance and lack of wisdom, or with just remaining where we are in a holding pattern – no gain, no loss.

They may expect the church leaders to tie their shoe laces on a variety of issues while they remain passive.

If this is so then we may flounder through trial instead of diligently and prayerfully seeking the wisdom the Lord would have us ask him for.

We don't raise our children like this do we?

No we don't just seek to give them knowledge but we seek to train them to use knowledge in the right way.

God also would have his people filled with wisdom, as he delighted in Solomon delight for wisdom.

We ought to be fervent in prayer for this divine gift.

Set this down as a priority in your prayer life.

Pray for wisdom for yourself, for those around you, for the leaders of this congregation.

Young people, young men and women - know that the Lord has something special for you.

He promises that he will give you wisdom and cause you to grow in it.

There are lots of people in this world who claim to be very wise.

There are highly educated people, walking in high places, yet without Christ they are truly fools in spite of all their vast amounts of knowledge.

The fool says in his heart there is no god.

And then there are very simple people.

I think of the many men and women I met in Africa.