True Wisdom

James: A Christian's Guide To Living From Jesus  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Good morning. Welcome to CCC. We are very glad to have each of you here in person and those watching live on live stream. It is so good to worship with each of you this morning. If you are watching on livestream if you would when you leave the live stream after the message is over please go to the contact us tab and let us know you worshipped with us online today.
Also, for those that are on our live stream and live in the Nevada or surrounding area we would love to meet you and worship with you in person. I pray God brings us together in person soon.
This morning we continue with our James: A Christian’s Guide To Living From Jesus with the message True Wisdom
Lets Pray
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Last week we dealt with our tongues and allowing the Holy Spirit to control our tongues or risk being set on fire with the fire of hell because of and through our tongues.
I pray you spent time with Jesus this week in those scriptures in James as well as the others listed on the notes sheet from last week and any that the Holy Spirit led you to as you sought God this week.
If you are not seeking God each and every day
If you are not diving into the scriptures each and every day, that is how you seek God by the way
If you are not making excuses to be in the secret place daily
If you are not making excuses to be in a discipleship group each week
If you are not making an excuse to be here each week
If you are just depending on your short time in church on the Sunday mornings you make it
Then you are not growing and if you do grow it will be miniscule in comparison to faithfully doing the things I just mentioned
You as a child of God, which is what you are as a Christian, must seek Him all day every day
You as a child of God, which is what you are as a Christian, must be in the scriptures studying each and every day
You as a child of God, which is what you are as a Christian, must be in the secret place each day worshipping God and studying His Word and talking to Him and listening to Him talk to you
You as a child of God, which is what you are as a Christian, must be devoted to fellowship and discipleship......If you have accepted Jesus you are a disciple of Jesus and if you are not being discipled by Him and by other Christians who are more mature than you and discipling Christians who are less mature than you then you must question Did I truly accept Jesus? Am I truly a new creature?
Because if you have met the Jesus I have met you have no other response to Him other than to be discipled and disciple others because that is what He commanded us to do as His disciples
We see this in

Matthew 4:18–22

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“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.”
Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men
Follow me.....be my disciple.....that is what a disciple was....someone who left their homes and followed or moved in with the master or teacher to learn his ways
They left their way and learned Jesus’ way as they followed Him and were discipled by Him
Be Jesus’ disciple.......have you left your way....dead to the old you.....left your sinful ways and thoughts and beliefs and habits in the past?
I will make you fishers of me
Why be Jesus’ disciple.....to fish men....to disciple others
If you are not being discipled and discipling others you have to question do you truly know Jesus because that is the example that He set
He also was very clear with His instructions to His disciples and us before He ascended into heaven after His resurrection

Matthew 28:18–20

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“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Probably labeled as the great commission in most of your Bibles......this is Jesus command to His disciples and to us go.....teach....baptize....teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you....that is discipleship
Go…get out of your pew and into your community
Teach....share the gospel.....live your life as a true Christian....an ambassador of Christ so they, through the Holy Spirit can be awakened to the fact they are sinners and the wages of that sin are death and hell and that only Jesus can save them through His blood and He is the ONLY way to heaven
Once they are saved you baptize.....praise the Lord for Rowann this morning realizing that her baptism in the past was for show and she wanted to publicly proclaim she is all in and more importantly follow Jesus and be in obedience
Then you disciple them…teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you......you are discipled by Jesus....He teaches you and you teach or disciple others!.......Rowann if you are not plugged in to Monday nights with the women’s discipleship group or Wednesday nights with Bible study I strongly encourage you make an excuse to do one or both each week
If that is not one of the most important things in your life you will risk hearing Jesus say away from Me I never knew you
If your heart belongs to Jesus then your heart belongs to being discipled by Jesus and discipling others
Church this is so important that we hear and do....eternities hang in the balance including yours
I want to start this morning by going back to something we looked at very early in our James series

James 1:5

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“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
If you lack wisdom ask God!
Humble yourself and realize you don’t know what to do and you need God’s wisdom and then ask Him for that wisdom
God gives liberally without reproach
Life is hard
You and I face
tough
painful
sometimes horrible
circumstances and situations and will have no idea how to navigate those circumstances and situations
God does and God wants to tell you and show you how to navigate those circumstances and situations
He wants to liberally give you wisdom to handle everything
I don’t know about you but if the creator of the universe
God Almighty says He wants to liberally give me something and all I have to do is ask....I am all in
But so often we are all out instead of being all in
We seek wisdom from the world
self-help books
youtube
ticktok
falsebook
non-christian friends or family
seek worldly advice and you will receive worldly results
sin
pain
anguish
death
If any of you lack wisdom, then ask God.
So God is very clear on where to turn for wisdom
Prayer and His Word
also you can turn to
your pastor
your elders
Bible believing
Bible living Christians
God and God alone gives wisdom
If you lack wisdom ask
Now that we are very clear on that let’s make sure we can recognize Godly wisdom
Turn to James 3:13-18 in your Bible or a pew Bible or your phone or tablet or device....however you access God’s Word

James 3:13–18

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“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
My KJV Bible is a Life Application Study Bible and as I was reading and studying this week I came across this statement in regards to this section of scripture
“True wisdom can be measured by the depth of a person’s character”
That is so true and I believe the heart of God’s teaching here through James

James 2:18

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“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
You remember this from a few weeks ago when we discussed faith without works is dead faith
If you are not seeing spiritual fruit in your life you must again question are you saved.
The Holy Spirit produces those works and I got news for you, you cannot stop the Holy Spirit as He is God so if you are not seeing spiritual fruit, the work of the Holy Spirit then you are quenching Him at best and lost at worst
Godly wisdom is no different......because

1. Godly wisdom produces good works vs 13

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James 3:13

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“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
Godly wisdom without works or fruit is not Godly wisdom
Wisdom with fleshly fruit or works is not Godly wisdom
Godly wisdom will never produce sin
It will never lead you to sin
You will never be led to fleshly fruit or works as a result of Godly wisdom
So many Christians claim to be wise and run around acting a fool
Sometimes in behavior....claiming Christ and running the bars to all hours of the night getting drunk night after night
or claiming Christ but loudly and proudly living sinful lifestyles
living together before marriage or instead of getting married.....fornication
Trying to live a homosexual lifestyle and refusing to repent and all the while claiming to be Christian
Living for money....loving money.....putting money above all else including God
Putting work or recreation or kids’ sports or your hobbies before God and His people and the fellowship God calls you to as His children
So many more but these are just the examples God laid on my heart and mind
Your works with meekness of wisdom show if you are wise or not
I have preached on this before but feel led to talk about it again
Christians are not to have anxiety
Christians are not to have depression
No
Christians are to have faith and love and joy
Anxiety and depression are also both physical
You as a child of God a Christian are dead to the physical
God will give you the wisdom to overcome anxiety and depression if you will ask and then follow the Godly wisdom He gives you
God spoke on anxiety and depression and worry
Jesus spoke on them and I want to point you to God’s wisdom in regards to how you as a Christian are to defeat anxiety and depression and worry in your life

1 Peter 5:6–11

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“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Now I could preach several messages from this scripture but what I want you to see this morning is this

You must humble yourself under the mighty hand of God

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Quit trying to fix it on your own
When you face any thing, especially anxiety and depression and worry stop fighting and suffering alone....they are weapons of the devil designed to tear you down, isolate you and allow him to devour you
God wants to exalt you but He can’t exalt you when you exalt yourself
Humble yourself....realize anxiety and depression and worry and sin are bigger than you however through Christ they have no power over you because you are dead to them as a Christian
Humble yourself
You cast that anxiety and depression and worry upon God
Why
He cares for you!!!!!!!!!! Let that be enough.....God Almighty......God who created everything including you.....The Lord of lord and King of kings......cares for YOU! Let that be enough because when it is enough anxiety and depression and worry dont stand a chance and will leave you

Be Sober and Vigilant. Pay attention

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Look at 8-9
How do lions hunt
They stalk.....watch.....sneak....attack when it is in their favor....when they have the advantage
and who do they attack
The young
the sick
the weak
the old
the ones not paying attention
if you are so focused on your anxiety and depression and worry or the circumstances or situations around you then you are wide open to attacks from the devil that you will never see coming
You are not paying attention
you are week
you are sick
you are alone and vulnerable to attack
Anxiety and depression scream at you to isolate and keep to yourself and be quiet
God says humble yourself and seek Him and turn to your brothers and sisters in Christ
Now I also want to say this
God may lead you to a doctor or Christian counselor or therapist to heal you
God is God
Don’t fight that
God may heal you through medicine or Godly counsel
However God may leave it upon you.....after ye have suffered a while....remember this life is temporary and when you are made perfect…called home or Jesus returns anxiety and depression and worry will be defeated for eternity
I want to share something with you that I came across on a friends facebook. Nate lives in springfield and is a wonderful Christian man and husband and father chasing Jesus will all that he has and he posted this
(SHOW THE PICTURE OF NATE AND ISHMAEL)
This is my man Ishmael.
I met him this week while delivering groceries to his apartment. He had to come to the entrance to let me in and I was immediately struck by his smile... joy just seemed to radiate from him. As I was handing his groceries over to him I couldn't help but notice his shirt that said, "Jesus is King". I told him I loved the shirt and how fitting it was with Easter approaching.
He then told me that he had been diagnosed with MS a few years back (he was using a walker). He said that it had gotten so bad that he couldn't even do the most menial tasks. One day when he wasn't able to even get his socks on, he said he cried out to God for help. He then told me that God not only helped him that day, but everyday simce he had been able to do all the things that he needed to do ON HIS OWN. God had healed him.. just not completely.
After he shared his amazing testimony with me, he said he wanted to give me something. He reached into the basket on his walker and pulled out two of the wristbands pictured here. One side says "Endure" and the other side reads Philippians 4:13.... On the inside of the bracelet it has the verse. He told me it's to remind him that we can do all things through Christ, but it's also our job to endure the hardships that he still leaves with us. I was so encouraged by that.
(SHOW THE PICTURE OF THE BRACELETS)
Before I left we prayed together and I snapped this pic to remind me to "Endure" whatever it is I'm facing...because, the bottom line is that Christ will always give me the strength for it.
Praise the Lord!!!!!
If God leaves you He will give you the strength and endurance to continue to handle....battle anxiety and depression and worry in His strength
Godly wisdom produces works! Stand upon the Word of God

2. Worldly wisdom produces evil works. Vs 14-16

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James 3:14–16

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“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Godly wisdom never produces or results in bitterness
Godly wisdom never produces or results in envy
Godly wisdom never produces or results in anxiety or depression or worry
Godly wisdom never lies against the truth
No sir
No ma'am
That wisdom that wisdom is earthly and sensual and devilish
Worldly wisdom always produces evil works
Look around you
look at society
Some of the world’s “Wisest” people support abortion and same sex marriage and homosexual lifestyles and gender confusion and child molestation, child exploitation and fornication with children and adultery etc etc etc
Worldly evil works
Examine your works
Have God examine your heart
Examine your attitudes and reactions
Are you bitter?
Do you view everything from a negative perspective?
Do you talk about all that is wrong with things or people?
Are you never happy?
You have bitterness…worldly wisdom and works

3. How to identify Godly wisdom vs 17

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James 3:17

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“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Godly wisdom will be very recognizable
it will have very consistent characteristics
When you look back at situations and circumstances you can clearly see which wisdom you were using based upon knowing the characteristics of each
Unfortunately this week even as I was studying and preparing for this message on Godly wisdom I used worldly wisdom several times
It was obvious in me which wisdom I was using because I allowed my emotions to drive instead of my trust in God drive
On Tuesday I got an email that I was no longer being considered for the assistant principal position I interviewed for.........I was good with that.....it was a closed door and God closed it......where I went nuts and used worldly wisdom was in the fact it was an email. Pride and hurt feelings took over and Tuesday afternoon before I left school and up until I dealt with it with God was a complete hot mess train wreck for sure
Melody and I went for a drive Tuesday evening......this was the day that everything came to a head for me....we talked through it and pulled over and prayed and as I wrote and prepared I realized what exactly was happening
God showed me my contentment was not in Him but in my job......in my surroundings.....in my wants and my desires....in the things I thought I could control
That ought not to be
I asked God for forgiveness and expressed my desire to be fully content in Him and Him alone but I have no idea how to do that and prayed for Him to show me how to be fully content in Him regardless of job or situation or circumstance
i realize really what I am seeking is Godly wisdom
Lets look at what Godly wisdom is

Pure

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Comes from a two Greek words the first means properly clean, that is innocent
The 2nd means even…indeed so…verily.....this word often compounded with another word as is the case here to make pure is used to intensify the meaning
Innocent and clean....if your thoughts and actions are not pure it is not godly wisdom

Peaceable

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Greek adjective meaning pacific, salutary
Pacific in websters 1828 means peace making, suited to make or restore peace, calm, tranquil
Again what do your works show....I was anything but calm and tranquil and looking to make peace on Tuesday afternoon.....worldly wisdom and its fruit

Gentle

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Greek adjective means appropriate, mild, moderation, patient

Easy to be intreated

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Greek adjective good for persuasion, compliant

Mercy

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Greek noun compassion
When you look for the characteristics of Godly wisdom then
Godly wisdom is very easy to see
very easy to distinguish
but it must be sought after
When I think back to Tuesday afternoon because I used worldly wisdom not only did I lack being a peacemaker being gentle, mild and patient, being compliant and being full of compassion then many around me lacked that also due to my behavior and words and attitude
Monitor your works
Inspect your fruit through the Holy Spirit
Confess and repent when He reveals that you have been using worldly wisdom instead of Godly wisdom
Change your mind beliefs and direction and understand using worldly wisdom is unacceptable for a Christian

4. Godly wisdom produces peace vs 18

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James 3:18

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“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
Our nature
our humanness
our sinful wants and desires
our comfort is not as a peacemaker
This peace is not just something you feel
Godly wisdom produces peacemakers
Brother and sisters pursuing reconciliation from a God of reconciliation
What if God’s children lived like God’s children
What if we…the bride of Christ truly looked to be peacemakers
What if we truly brought peace and reconciliation to every situation and circumstance and conversation
Godly wisdom must be sown in peace resulting in those who make peace
As a Christian.......A son or daughter of God who uses Godly wisdom you must be a peacemaker.
Is your life marked by peace making or destruction
Are your relationships full of peace and calmness and tranquility or hurt feelings and anger and devastation?
Are you a peacemaker?
Are you seeking Godly wisdom?
Are you discerning and evaluating every situation and circumstance and interaction and conversation to inspect your fruits and works to ensure you are using Godly wisdom?
Are you humbling yourself to ask God for the wisdom you so desperately need?
Ask God to search your heart and works and fruits and show you where you stand!!!!!!!
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