Sermon Tone Analysis

HOW TO MAKE good decisions

*Developing a Faith That Works *

*James 1:5-11*

*April 13, 1997 p.m. - Tim McGhee*

1A.

THE PROBLEM: ______________________________

"A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways."

(vs.

8 KJV)

Indecision causes ...

Unstable ______________________________

Unstable ______________________________

Unstable ______________________________

* *

* *

2A.

THE PRESCRIPTION:  __________________ (vs.

5-6a)

STEP ONE: ______________________________

"If any of you lack wisdom ..."  (vs.

5a)

Definition of Wisdom:

/ /

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

Prov.

11:2

 

 

STEP TWO: ______________________________

" ... he should ask God ..."  (vs 5b)

 

"It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from Him comes knowledge and understanding."

Prov.

2:6 (GN)

 

STEP THREE: ______________________________

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt ..."  (vs.

6)

 

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Heb.

11:6

 

 

3A.

THE PROMISE:  GOD WILL GIVE IT!

"... Ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

(vs.

5c)

1B.

How God say He'll give: _____________

____________________

 

____________________

 

____________________

 

2B.

Two Guidelines for Making ________ Decisions

God _____________ to make the decision for you.

God's wisdom is found in __________________.

(Psalm 119:105)  "God's word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

It shows the way.

\\ HOW TO MAKE Good Decisions \\ Developing a Faith That Works

James 1:5-11

Life is full of decisions and life is basically a series of choices we make every day

A young businessman went to an executive one day and asked for his wisdom, "What is the secret of business success?"

The man said, "Wise decisions."

"How can I learn to make wise decisions?"

"Experience."

"How do you get experience?"

"Dumb decisions!"

James talks about how to make decisions

He gives us the problem, then he gives us the prescription, then he gives us the promise from God.

\\ 1A.

The Problem:  Indecision

(James 1:8)"A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways."

"double minded" = "two souled" -- pulled apart in different directions, divided loyalties, divided priorities.

The Guy who Couldn't Make Up His Mind \\ Story  by Dr. Seuss:

Did I ever tell you about the young Zoad \\ Who came to two signs in the fork of the road \\ He looked one way and the other way too \\ The Zoad had to make up his mind what to do.

\\ Well, the Zoad scratched his head, \\ And his chin, and his pants.

\\ And he said to himself, \\ I'll be taking a chance.

\\ If I go to Place One, that place may be hot \\ So how will I know if I like it or not.

\\ On the other hand, though, I'll feel such a fool \\ If I go to Place Two and find it's too cool \\ In that case I may catch a chill and turn blue.

\\ So Place One may be best and not Place Two.

\\ On the other hand, though, if Place One is too hot, \\ I might get a terrible earache and die.

\\ On the other hand, though, if Place Two is too low, \\ I might get some terrible pain in my toe \\ So Place One may be best."

\\ And he started to go.  \\ Then he stopped and he said, \\ "On the other hand though, \\ On the other hand, other hand, other hand though...  \\ For thirty-six hours and one half that Zoad \\ Made starts and made stops at the fork in the road \\ Saying, "No, don't take a chance.

It may not be right.

\\ Then he got an idea that was wonderfully bright.

\\ "Play safe," cried the Zoad, "I'll play safe, I'm no dunce.

I'll simply start off to both places at once." \\ And that's how the Zoad who would not take a chance \\ Went no place at all with a split in his pants.

\\ Three ways indecision makes you unstable:

Unstable emotions.

Ø      It's a strain when you can't decide.

Ø      You wonder, "Did I do the right thing?"

Guy goes to a psychiatrist.

The psychiatrist says, "Are you indecisive?"  Guy says, "Yes and no."  "What do you mean by that?"  "I used to be but now I'm not sure."

Unstable relationships.

Ø      Lack of commitment destroys relationships.

Unstable spiritual life.

(7)

"That man will not think that he'll receive anything from the Lord."

Ø      It blocks your prayers.

Ø      Double mindedness can lead to a double life.

A spiritual schizophrenia

Ø      That's when you want to do your will and God's will at the same time.

On Sunday you come and sing "Onward Christian Soldiers" and Monday you go AWOL

\\ 2A.

The Prescription: Get Wisdom

(James 1:5)"If any of you lacks wisdom you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him."

1B.

Admit your need.

(5)

We all lack wisdom.

Wisdom is different from knowledge.

Ø      Wisdom is knowledge put into practice.

Wisdom is seeing life from God's point of view

Ø      The Bible talks a lot about wisdom.

But all we're interested in is knowledge.

Ø      The world is impressed with knowledge.