Sermon for 9/19/21 15 Minutes "Christian Wisdom"

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8

This morning I'll be reading James chapter 3 beginning in verse 13 and reading to chapter 4 verse 3,,, then I'll skip down and read verses 7 and 8. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. James 3:13-4:3, 7-8 James was written by the half brother of Jesus even though some have argued against it. But the evidence seems to lead us to say that he was the author,,, along with several of the early church leaders. James probably didn't become a believer until after Jesus' resurrection since we know that Jesus appeared to James according to 1 Corinthians 15:7. And we also know that James became a pillar of the church according to Paul in Galatians 2:9.

James 3:13–4:3, 7-8(HCSB) 13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. 1 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. James 4:7–8(HCSB) 7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ----------------------------------------------------------- Last Sunday we looked at Proverbs 1:20-33 and we seen how wisdom will guide us in the right direction if we will listen.

We also talked about the men and women that perished that terrible day on September 11th and the plans that they probably had for that day,,, week,,, month,,, and on and on!

And we understand that because of Jesus’ sacrifice,,, we have the opportunity to make the wisest decision ever,,, because this is one that our physical death will never change.

This morning we will look at these verses in James,,, and see how they can help us in our walk with God this week.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 13 says: 13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness.

James begins to talk about the difference between true wisdom and false.

When he speaks about wisdom,,, he is not thinking of how much knowledge a man has,,, but how he lives his life from day to day.

It is not the possession of knowledge,,, or how many degrees,,, but the way that he is able to correctly apply his knowledge,,, or use that knowledge.

And it says that If a man is wise and understanding,,, he will demonstrate it by his good conduct coupled with the humble spirit that comes from wisdom.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 14 through 16 say: 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.

If you are only concerned with yourself,,, dealing with any or all of these,,, bitterness,,, envy,,, and/or selfish ambition,,, these come from the world,,, and you are going in the wrong direction!

God doesn’t give these types of self-centered thinking.

If you find yourself worried about yourself more than others,,, it’s time to step back and see where your heading,,, talk to God and ask for direction so that He can help you turn and go in the right direction.

So many of our worldly problems could be fixed if we didn’t have these problems prevalent in our society today.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 17 and 18 say: 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

The wisdom that comes from heaven,,, is first “pure”,,, or “holy”.

Then peace-loving,,, gentle,,, compliant,,, full of mercy and good fruits,,, without favoritism and hypocrisy.

All of these come from above.

We can’t do these things for very long at a time with our own strength,,, we must have the help of the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we can live this way on a consistent basis.

And it’s through these things that we sow the seeds of righteousness,,, and others can witness our Christ-like life.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 1 through 3 of chapter 4 say: 1 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.

James ended chapter 3 with,,, those who cultivate peace,,, are sowing righteousness,,, and then,,, begins chapter 4 with fights and quarrels.

James is saying that we cannot accomplish our job as Christians,,, if we are fighting and quarreling,,, amongst ourselves.

Oh my goodness,,, this is a message that Christians everywhere need to hear and understand!

And what is the cause of all of this quarreling and fighting?

Envy,,, wanting the things of the world,,, things that we don’t have,,, but think that we need,,, and we get “mad” if we don’t get them,,, because we think that we deserve them.

James says that,,, You do not have because you do not ask.

Seems like,,, all you need to do,,, is pray in faith,,, and you will receive anything that you want,,, right?

Read the next verse,,, 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.

When you pray for something,,, you will receive what you are wanting,,, if you ask with the right motive!

If whatever you are wanting is prayed for and you don’t receive it,,, examine your heart,,, and be sure of the reasons for whatever you desire.

Be sure that you want it to help the kingdom of God instead of just wanting it for selfish reasons.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 7 says: 7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.

James has been crying out against the sins of Christians and here he gives instructions of what we need to do.

The first thing,,, is to submit to God,,, meaning,,, we give Him control,,, of our life,,, our wants,,, being sure that we are listening to the Holy Spirit as He guides us daily!

Then we must resist the “devil”,,, and we do that by closing our ears and hearts to his suggestions and temptations.

We also accomplish this by using the scriptures as the Sword of the Spirit to repel him,,, and if we resist him,,, he will flee from us.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 8 says: 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

Then James tells us to,,, Draw near to God.

And we do this by prayer.

We go to Him with our hearts open to receive His love,,, our ears open so that we hear His words,,, and we tell Him everything that is on our hearts.

And as we Draw near to God, we see He will draw near to us.

We always think that because of our sins that God is far from us,,, but He’s not,,, He’s right there,,, waiting for us to come to Him in prayer,,, and He forgives us,,, and restores us.

Then James tells us,,, Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!

Hands,,, speak of our actions,,, and hearts represent our motives and desires.

We cleanse our hands and purify our hearts through confession and forsaking of sins,,, both outward and inward.

As sinners we need to confess our sins,,, and,,, as double-minded people,,, we need to confess our conflicting,,, or,,, indecisive emotions.

----------------------------------------------------------- Now that we have looked at James’ words on “Christian Wisdom”,,, we can see how these words can help us as Christians.

We need to be sure that our hearts are in the right place and we are doing what God wants instead of trying to obtain things of this world,,, because of the envy we experience,,, even as Christians,,, it can cause problems.

We also spend many hours worrying about our short time on earth,,, when our focus should be on our eternity,,, which will never end.

And that begins,,, with our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior.

----------------------------------------------------------- If you have never made the commitment to allow Jesus to be your Personal Savior,,, please make that decision today.

We aren't promised tomorrow,,, so the choice must be made today.

We don't know the hour or the day when Jesus comes back nor do we know if we will be called home,,, we are just told to be ready.

And to be ready,,, you must have made the decision to follow Jesus,,, be sure that you have made that decision today!

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So as we sing our final hymn,,, let me remind you that the alter is always open,,,

If you feel God speaking to you,,, don't hesitate to come,,, maybe you just have questions,,, God will answer,,, you just have to ask Him,,, whatever the need may be,,,

As we sing the final hymn,,, come if needed!

----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: ----- - Seminary - Projector Benediction ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------