Two Pictures of Wisdom

Introduction

We are the book of James which is one of the most practical books on how to live the Christian Life.

James, who the half brother to Jesus is writing the Jewish Christians who had been dispersed due the persecution by the Jews.

His letter is likely the first book written after the ascension of Jesus.

Last week we covered verses 1-12 in chapter 3.

It started out as a warning to teachers, but really applies to all Christians.

Since there was not formal training, most anyone could become a teacher and that was ripe for misuse of their function and opened the door to false teaching.

So James give some warnings

Stricter judgment is a reality (cf. 3:1);

There is danger in human speech (cf. 3:2);

Life must reflect teachings (cf. 3:13);

Proper attitude is a must (cf. 3:15);

There is a demonic counterfeit (cf. 3:15).

James wrote this section because of the presence of unqualified teachers in the early church who claimed to be spiritual and have special revelations from God.

However, we need to be reminded that although the context may speak especially to teachers, it addresses all Christians.

All Christians can ask for wisdom (cf. 1:5).

All Christians must walk and talk in wisdom.

When we talk about wisdom, we’re not talking about intelligence.

We are talking about lifestyle and proper motivation of our behaviors as reflecting the transformation we underwent when we committed our lives to Christ.

One Pastor shared this story to show the difference between intelligence and wisdom.

It occurred in a survey of the New Testament class.

It was a favorite because there was no homework, no reading, and no tests before the final.

And on the final, for 25 years, the same professor had always presented the same question: “Describe the Missionary Journeys of Paul.”

A young man by the name of “Meathead,” a star on the school’s football team, took the course. And a tutor helped him prepare, all semester long, for the final exam. When the day of the test came, Meathead was ready. He knew everything about every journey Paul ever took. He knew about Philippi and Thessalonica, Rome and Tyre. He knew about Timothy and Barnabas and Luke. He was ready.

But when the final exam was passed out, students all over that great auditorium were stunned to see a new question. For the first time in a quarter-century, the professor decided to ask a different question. Instead of a question about Paul’s missionary journeys, there was this question: “Critique the Sermon on the Mount that was preached by Jesus.”

The shock was felt across the room. And a young man got up, took his blue book – a little book that was designed to hold his essay – and threw it down on the professor’s desk. It was empty. He didn’t know how to answer the question. And one by one, all of the students left, none of them able to answer the question … except for Meathead.

Meathead opened his blue book and began to write. He wrote and he wrote and he wrote. The professor’s assistant came back an hour later, and Meathead was still writing. Two hours later, and Meathead was going at it. For a full three hours, Meathead filled up his blue book.

That afternoon, the professor had two stacks of blue books. On his right, a tall stack of empty blue books, all with the grade of F. On his left, one, single blue book, with a big, bold A+ right on top. It was Meathead’s.

“What in the world did you write about?” Asked a classmate. “Read it,” said Meathead. And on the first page was the opening sentence. “Who am I to criticize the Sermon on the Mount? Instead, let me tell you about the missionary journeys of Paul.”

Meathead . . . had discovered wisdom. Andy Cook

James 3:13–18 CSB

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

A Challenge To Demonstrate Wisdom Verse 13

The word “Who” gives us an indication that this passage relates to the previous section.

Once again we find another of James’ rhetorical questions which he answers for us.

This answer to this question will show us how to have wisdom.

Godly which is good.

Worldly which is bad.

Wise does not mean you have a lot of knowledge.

Wise refers to someone with moral insight and skill in deciding practical issues of conduct.

They know what is right and lives out what is right with no compromise.

Understanding

Here’s where knowledge comes into play like meathead in the story.

As we learn more about Christ and how He wants us to live, we become somewhat of an expert Christian living.

As we learn, comes wisdom from God, that should be seen by good deeds practiced in humility.

Obedient deeds, not just talk, prove the presence of wisdom.

Humility or gentleness

This refers to a submissive spirit opposed to arrogance and self-seeking.

Now don’t misunderstand, a humble person is not a doormat to be run over by others and their desires.

It means one that controls and overpowers the natural human tendency to arrogant and selfish.

Jesus calls these people the “Meek” in the sermon on the mount and He said they will inherit the earth.

How do you respond in an argument?

Do you want to win the argument?

Are you willing to stand your ground no matter what?

Humble people are the opposite, they have a gentleness and kindness of attitude to reach a win-win for all involved.

Remember, we show the presence of spiritual wisdom by deeds of humility and goodness.

The Wrong Picture - False Wisdom Verses 14-16

There is a wisdom that comes straight from Hell. It’s of the devil.

As we grow in our walk with Christ, we find that wisdom can come from two perspectives: worldly or Godly.

Worldly wisdom views life from a limited perspective.

It doesn’t see things in light of eternity but what is the immediate impact.

What is best for me, my self-advancement and self-pleasure now.

This is dangerous, and it is motivated by self-centered ambition.

Worldly wisdom measures everything by how it affects you.

It’s concerned with how you can advance yourself, promote yourself, or assert yourself.

When looking at conversations and circumstances, the question is always, What can I get out of this?

James says this is from the Devil.

Remember the favoritism James confronted in chapter 2, a favoritism that was driven by nothing but self-centered ambition.

People were ignoring the poor because they could not get anything from them.

That’s the wisdom common in the world, and it is common in us, yet we don’t even see it.

Is selfish ambition at the root of struggles in marriages, jobs, social status, even where sit on airplanes?

You’ve seen the videos of people fighting on a plane over very mundane issues.

“What’s best for me?” is the question we ask.

This is the root of the entire American dream—climb the ladder, achieve your dreams, assert yourself, promote yourself, advance yourself?

And yet, Jesus says, “Deny yourself.”

Self-centered ambition is at the heart of worldly wisdom, and it is demonic.

It is filled with envy, always comparing itself to others to see who is better or worse.

James says this results in disorder and evil (v. 16).

Think about this, in a home that is marked by self-centered ambition, you have disorder and evil.

In a church that is filled with men and women driven by selfish ambition, you have a recipe for disorder and evil.

There is a danger in all of our families and our churches whenever we pursue selfish concerns or partisan causes to the neglect of the good of others, and so we need to be on guard.

Such wisdom produces anger, bitterness, resentment, divisions, and divorce.

It robs us of love, intimacy, trust, fellowship, and harmony with others.

The Right Picture - Godly Wisdom Verses 17-18

We need Godly wisdom that comes from heaven.

You remember in James 1:5-6 it says, ““Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.”

You can’t get wisdom from intellectual effort or even practical experiences in life.

You get the best wisdom from being with God.

It’s a wisdom which has eternity as the end goal and can only come from God.

To receive that wisdom we must go to Him is prayer and in His word.

We must pray and cry out for Him to give us His wisdom.

God gave Solomon wisdom and James tells we can receive wisdom like him if we just ask.

James wants to know what this wisdom looks like so he gives us eight characteristics of Godly wisdom that are very similar to the sermon on the mount.

The first is purity. People with true wisdom are pure in that they have put aside their self-seeking nature and divisiveness. This trait provides the secure foundation for all that follows.

Peace-loving is the first of 5 that relate to to others and it means to demonstrates a desire to promote peace between struggling factions.

Gentle or Considerate refers to being reasonable in the demands it makes on others.

Compliant or Submissive indicates a willingness to learn from others by being open to reason.

Full of mercy is revealed by offering compassion to those in distress.

Full of good fruit is shown by kind actions and helpful deeds to others.

The next describes the nature of wisdom beginning with It is impartial, without prejudice and unwavering in its commitments.

True wisdom is sincere, genuine and open in its approaches to others. Jesus particularly showed his genuineness in his dialogues with Pilate (John 18:33–37).

So what is the effect of godly wisdom?

Verse 18 gives us a description.

True wisdom results the fruit or harvest of righteousness or a conformity to God’s will.

True wisdom also results in peace, the enjoyment of harmonious relationships.

What’s In It For Me?

Think about how the peace James talks about can affect your life at home, on the job, or really any relationship you have.

When a husband and wife are humbly going before God and pursuing wisdom that is pure and honoring to God, it produces peace in that home.

When men and women are humbly going before God, leaving self-centered ambition behind and pursuing wisdom that is pure, it produces peacemaking and righteousness in that church.

It doesn’t mean you always agree on every single detail, but it does mean that together you are humbly seeking God’s wisdom and putting aside selfish ambition.

The only way for us to really obtain Godly wisdom is by yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit and live out our life in Christ.

Let’s Pray!

Lord’s Supper

As the elements are being passed out I’d like to read what Paul said

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, “On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your love and the plan you have for all of mankind. From the beginning, you loved each of us so much that you sent your son to us. We thank you for the life he led, and we are deeply grateful for his sacrifice on the cross.

Help us remember with wonder and awe how he suffered for us; how he paid the price, and it was at such a great cost. Through the crowns of thorns and scourging, and through the cross, you carried our sins.

May we never forget what Christ did for us. Like a lamb to the slaughter, clothed in humility and grace, he willingly offered himself to death so that we might live forever. We are truly thankful for his love, stretched out on a cruel wooden cross. We come to you in repentance and reconciliation and forgiveness. Through the power of the cross, you have redeemed us.

Heavenly Father, how great and how gracious your great redemption plan for mankind. We thank You greatly as we commemorate the great love and sacrifice of Your beloved Son Jesus at this time of communion, following His command to remember. In Christ’s name, we pray, amen.

Take and eat in remembrance of His sacrifice.

Take and drink in the remembrance of the new covenant He brought us in His death.

Business Meeting

Approval resolution for loan from the NWBF for $30,000 to finish building.

6.8%; 15 year no balloon; Monthly payment $266.31

Well within our budget/income and monthly building giving.

RESOLUTION

Be it resolved that we, the members of Parkland First Baptist Church, authorize financing a loan with the Northwest Baptist Foundation, not to exceed the amount of $30,000. We hereby agree and pledge ourselves to see it is promptly repaid as agreed. We agree to use our influence and contribute our money, that there may be no default of interest or principal until the loan is fully paid.

This loan application was reviewed in regular church conference and was approved by a majority vote of the church with a legal quorum of members present and voting.

Number for ;

Number against ;

Number of adults voting .

The following persons are authorized to sign loan documents on behalf of the church, as indicated in our church governing documents (*Please list legal name and church position):

Alan Daws, Pastor and President

Teresa Meyers, Secretary

Diana Sweatman, Treasurer.

Done by order of PFBC in a called business meeting.

Date July 31, 2022

__________________________________ _________________________________

Signature of Church Clerk Signature of Moderator