Live Different: Wisdom
Today, we talk about Wisdom. It is interesting that in the Old Testament – mainly in the Book of Proverbs (a book of wisdom sayings) – The ever-enduring value of WISDOM is contrasted with the fleeting and often allusive value of silver & gold:
Proverbs 3:13-14
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
Proverbs 8:10-11
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Proverbs 8:18-19
18 With [wisdom] are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. 19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
Proverbs 13:18
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Today we focus on WISDOM. In order to Live Different, one of the major goals of our lives must be the seeking of wisdom. Proverbs is full of verses calling us to the pursuit of wisdom. It is an essential ingredient to the successful Christian life.
James 1:5 “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.”
1. The Invitation
James 1:5a
“If any of you…”
God’s wisdom is available to his children, but they must sense the need, ask, and receive it. Wisdom, like patience, is not automatically applied. Not just the rich, not just the poor, not just the ones who serve God, not just the babes in Christ. It says, “if ANY of you” – ‘anyone.”
So, right off the bat, this message is applicable to everyone in this building and listening to me by TV, internet, or radio. Fathers, Mothers, Children, Grandmothers, Grandfathers – anyone.
2. The Application
James 1:5a “If any of you lacks wisdom…”
It says, “If any of you” find yourself in this situation, THEN let me tell you what you have to do…you are going to have to do something…you will need to take some action, take some steps, to find what it is that God wants you to do in seeking wisdom. In gaining this all important tool in living the life that God has for us.
We need to realize that while God is the source of our strength, the source of our power, we don’t automatically have everything we need right off the bat in order to face life. We must tap into that power, tap into that strength.
In Matthew 10:1, when Jesus chose his 12 Disciples, He gave them the power & authority to do miraculous things: “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.”
So, they had authority, right?
Yes.
They had access to the power, right?
Yes.
So, they’ll always be victorious in overcoming the challenges they faced, right?
Wrong.
Matthew 17:14-21 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Just because God provides the power, you must tap into that power! You must seek it with all of your heart.
James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Remember, last Sunday, I said that this phrase “lacking nothing” means that if you learn patience, you will “not deficient with regard to spiritual strength.” You will be made perfect and complete.
BUT NOTICE THE VERY NEXT PHRASE IN VERSE FIVE -
James 1:5a “If any of you lacks wisdom…”
So, which is it?? Will I lack nothing…OR… am I lacking something??
HERE’S THE POINT: Wisdom, like patience, is not automatically there!
You must seek it, you must learn it, you must ask for it, you must grasp for it!
3. The Request
James 1:5b “…he should ask God...”
“he should continually be asking God”
God, what do I do? God where do I go? God, what do you want me to do? God, show me the right thing in this situation…a never-ending request of God!
“Today, there is no scarcity of preachers who deliver eloquent sermons on the need and nature of revival, who advance elaborate plans for the spread of the kingdom of God. But the praying preachers are rare. The greatest benefactor this age can have is a person who will bring the preachers, the church, and the people back to the practice of real praying. The reformer needed just now is the praying reformer. The leader Israel requires is one who, with clarion voice, will call the ministry back to their knees. There is considerable talk in the air about revival, However we need the vision to see that the revival we need, and the only one worth having, is the one that is born of the Holy Spirit. This kind of revival brings deep conviction for sin and regeneration of those who seek God’s face. Such a revival comes at the end of a season of the Holy Spirit operating in His distinctive office, and this is conditioned on much earnest praying. Such a revival will begin in pulpit and pew alike; it will be promoted by both preacher and layman working in harmony with God.” [EM Bounds]
Seeking God’s face will bring us to the point of absolute dependence on Him…which is exactly where our weakness is made strong.
4. The Promise
It is available to all who desire it. And if you are willing to daily, continually ask for it;
He’ll give it to you!
James 1:5c “…God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
A. He will give generously!
James 1:5 “…God, who gives generously”
This word “generously” is used in
1. II Corinthians 8 to describe how the Macedonian churches gave “generously” or “liberally” to help others in need!
2. II Corinthians 9 to describe how the Church of Corinth should sow “generously” so they will reap “generously.”
So this word means that God will give “liberally…out of an abundance of” his riches!
Phil. 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
B. He will give graciously!
James 1:5 “…without finding fault”
This is a very important part of this verse. I know it may have seemed a little odd when we first read this and you may have been wondering all this time what this phrase has to do with wisdom?
This means that God gives to us regardless of our condition, regardless of our status, regardless of our actions. He finds no fault in us when we come to Him, laying down our lives before Him. Remember, when we pray (as I taught you during our iPray lesson two weeks ago) God is our Father – Abba – Dad! And any true loving Father who sincerely wants the best for his children would be SO proud that we are coming to him for counsel and guidance on how to live our lives!
5. The Evidence
James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17 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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
If we go through life with God’s wisdom…we will have a power source that will deliver us during the trials, will guide us in the victories, and will help us to help others in their lives as well.
6. The Purpose
FATHERS: Your family needs a wise Father! MOTHERS: Your family need a wise Mother! CHILDREN: You need wisdom beyond your years! GRANDPARENTS: You need to freely give your wisdom to those who are coming up behind you!
You’ll remember on May 13, Mother’s Day, my dad stood where I stand right now and made the statement that “HIS JOB AS PASTOR WAS TO RAISE UP GODLY FATHERS AND GODLY MOTHERS AND GODLY CHILDREN.”
Godliness comes from seeking His wisdom in our lives. In Proverbs 1:20-33, Wisdom is referred to as calling out to us, saying, “Please listen to me…or you will fall into utter ruin!”
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
22 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.
24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.
29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
The heart of revival…the heart of a wise Christian…always results from the power of the Holy Spirit in that heart. I can stand up here all day and tell you what you need to know about salvation, about living a Godly life, about living a victorious life, about how to live different. But my friend, unless YOU take a step of faith and tap into the power of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, my words will be wasted…and so will the power that is there for the asking. Seek Him today!
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
