Wise=Holy

ME

Tony Allison pic

Tony Allison is a wise guy.

He’s only a few years older than me, but has always seemed like 20 years ahead of me in wisdom.

When I was a young Christian, his insight on how to live like Jesus meant so much to me.

Since I moved away from home, we only talk every few years, but every time we do, it’s a long talk and we pick right back up like we never stopped.

Tony isn’t a pastor, but he’s one of the most important examples of Christ in my life.

He’s a successful businessman who uses godly principles in the business world.

He’s incredibly intelligent, good with money, computers, and business consulting.

But his greatest skills are the way he listens and ask questions.

Will all those smarts, he ain’t full of himself.

Tony continues to grow in wisdom because his ears are always open, first listening to the voice of God while learning from His Word and then being humble enough to listen and always learn from others.

WE

Title Slide

We all know people who are really smart.

But you ever wondered why some smart people do well in life while others make a wreck of their lives?

Or some people who aren’t all that smart at all make great life decisions that put them ahead of people who are smarter than them?

The answer is WISDOM.

the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.

GOD

A guy named James grew up with literally the fountain of wisdom, his brother Jesus Christ.

And in that time, he learned a lot about wisdom because he saw it in action every day.

So who better to give us words of wisdom than him?

James 3:13–18 NIV

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

The way you live shows your how wise you are

James 3:13 (The Message)

Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.

Anyone can talk a good talk and maybe even convince you that they’re wise, but hang around them long enough and you’ll find out the truth...

Matthew 11:19 (NIV)

“But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Matthew 11:19 (The Message)

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

We’ll get back to what a wise person looks like in a minute...

Right now, we’re going to take a look at what they aren’t:

Jealousy and Selfishness

James 3:14–15 NCV

But if you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, do not brag. Your bragging is a lie that hides the truth. That kind of “wisdom” does not come from God but from the world. It is not spiritual; it is from the devil.

You ever notice that most people who brag a lot don’t really do half of what they say they do?

James picked up on that too...

Or that jealous people are some of the worst people to be around?

James didn’t like that either...

He literally says it’s from the devil.

Btw… the devil was the first individual in existence to become jealous...

Isaiah 14:12–14 NIV

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

Lucifer, later known as satan, was once an angel of God who wasn’t content with what he has so he went for it all.

He was eaten up with jealousy towards God.

And that jealousy and pride led to his demise.

And that’s what jealousy will do to you too if you let it.

Here’s one way you can guard against jealousy: learn to celebrate when others do well.

EVEN IF YOU DON’T LIKE THEM!

Y’all may think I’m crazy and say there’s no way you’re doing that.

But just try it and see what happens.

It works!

Wisdom from Above

James 3:17–18 NCV

But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right-living.

James lays out what wisdom is for us:

Purity= a life free from sin that imitates Christ.

Peace= a calm, quiet Spirit

Gentle= kind and compassionate towards others

Wisdom is always helping others, doesn’t play favorites and works for peace.

And living in this way lets people know that they can trust you, and they want to start living that way too.

Because when people are whole, are who they are created to be, it’s contagious.

In a world fool of foolishness, anger, hate and everything wrong, God calls you to live a life of wisdom.

And that can only be found when His Holy Spirit dwells within you.

LIVING WISE LEADS TO HOLY LIVES

YOU

Check out the story of Nazarene Pastor Charles Johnson, who lived a life of wisdom and humility that made an incredible impact on those around him:

Show Video

Dr. Johnson showed humility by the way he loved others, encouraged them, and looked out for those others were attacking. That's a life well-lived.

How will you live your life?

Full of jealousy, selfishness and sin?

Or a life full of wisdom, humility, grace and love?

Which way do you think is the best way to live?

WE

What if we all lived with godly wisdom and grace?

How would it change the world around us for the better?

Just imagine what kind of impact it could make in the lives of people- here on earth and for eternity.

*Small group intro question*r