Sermon Tone Analysis

NSB – 4.22.07 - PM

 

Haley Burchard and Christina Landreth

            Please read 13-17

 

NTSK (Verse 14 only) – TBKC – Believer’s Bible Commentary – JFB – Ironside Commentary on James 3:14-18 – Plain Talk on James by Gutzke – The Deeper Life Pulpit Commentary on James – The NIV Application Commentary on James by Nystrom – Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible commentary – KJV Bible Commentary – Black’s NT Commentary on the Epistle of James – The BE Commentary by Wiersbe – The Bible reader’s Companion – KJV Bible Commentary – John MacArhtur Study Bible – Nelson Study Bible NKJV – Wordsearch – NAC on James -

 

Verse 14 begins with, “but.”

Introducing a contrast between what was just said in verse 13 and what is being introduced in verse 14.

 

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Wednesday we talked about a faith that does not save because it is not of God and tonight we want to talk about a wisdom that does not come from God as James talks to us about…

 

*FALSE WISDOM*

 

INTRODUCTION

 

There is a false wisdom in the world just like there is a false faith in the world.

James 3:15 tells us that there is a wisdom that does not come from heaven, but comes from three other origins

earthly, natural, and demonic.

And we might expect this wisdom to be in the world but remember who James is writing to – Christians

 

And so he it warning us against allowing this sort of wisdom to manifest itself inside the church.

The world seems genuinely hungry for wisdom and the seem to be willing to look everywhere for it except where ti comes from

 

            In the 1960’s people began to seek out Eastern mystics and Gurus and maharashis

Later on they began to seek out men of higher learning who had lots of degrees on their walls.

Now we have movie stars who have followed science fiction writers – and they are wanting to be your guide into eternal things.

And between here and Hixson there is a Palm reader who will tell you everything she knows about you and eve stuff that she does not know about you.

And then of course, if you are too busy to leave the house then you can call the Psychic Hotline.

Fortunately for us, James has already reminded us that true wisdom comes from God.

*James 1:5** (KJV) **5**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.

*

 

So – False Wisdom – James begins with…

 

I.

ITS DESCRIPTION – V. 14

 

           Look at verse 14 where he gives us some of the things that false wisdom produces.

Envy and strife –

Two things that are indicators of troubled communities, whether they be churches or otherwise.

And not just envy, but…

           A.

*/BITTER/* ENVY

 

That is, “a harsh, resentful attitude toward others…”

 

           It can be a burr under the saddle of any church.

It only takes a couple of envious people to keep the entire body upset.

And the thing about envy is that the person that we have to watch out for is our own self.

Envy here is misdirected zeal – so strong that it overrides good judgment at times.

Dateline…

DETROIT, Jan. 6, 1996 — U.S. national champion figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, a 1992 Olympic bronze medalist and one of the favorites to win the gold medal at next month's Winter Olympics, was attacked by a man wielding a blunt object after a practice this afternoon at the U.S. Olympic trials.

That was envy -

 

There was envy in the Garden that was in Eden.

The serpent told Eve that the reason that God did not want her to eat from the tree of knowledge was that when she did, she would become as a god herself.

Elsewhere in the OT, Rachel envied her sister.

Joseph was envied by his brothers

 

            Jesus was delivered to Pilate because of envy.

The Apostles were put into prison because of envy

 

So…

            The first evidence of false wisdom – envy

 

           Now what is there in the church for people to be envious of?

You would be amazed –

           · position in the church

           ·preaching and teaching ability  - Corinth

           · recognition of any kind

           ·some other sort of attention

 

The point is that….

This envy that results from false wisdom leads to division.

So, regarding envy, here is what we want to ask ourselves…

 

Do we rejoice when others succeed?

Do we feel burdened when others fail?

Our family here must be on guard against envy –

 

And then…    

           B.

STRIFE

 

 

Paul told the Corinthians that their jealousy was an indicator that they were of the flesh – that they were carnal.

This Gk.

Word was used to describe anyone who entered politics for selfish reasons and sought to achieve his agenda at any cost (i.e., even if that meant trampling on others).[1]

The \\ word “strife” (erithian) means selfish ambition.

It is not so much me wanting what you have as me being willing to use you to get what I want.

It comes out of a proud heart.

And that comes from the world’s wisdom focusing on self.

Even in God’s house there are those who are ambitious for selfish reasons.

Even in the OT there were those who wanted to be elevated for selfish reasons.

Let’s look at -

                        Aaron and Miriam.

– Numbers 12

 

If there are going to be disturbances in the church, let us be disturbed over the cause of Christ or the people of Christ but not because of selfish ambition.

*“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness \\ of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every \\ man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” \\ (Phil.

2:3-4).

*

 

Paul told Timothy to remind the leaders in his church not to strive about words – there is no profit in it.

Once this gets into our family it can be hard to overcome…

 

In the Bible we see people who desired the best seats at church and we even see some who wanted to make sure they had the best seats reserved for where they would sit in heaven.

But, the Bible says…

      *“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the \\ eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 \\ John 2:16).

*

 

And then, false wisdom, whether it is displayed as –

           Selfish ambition that leads to strife or

           Zeal that leads to envy…

 

           C.

LEAVES NOTHING TO BOAST ABOUT

Are you with me?

You can’t boast about having wisdom if you have these traits in verse 14

Because if you have envy and strife in your hearts, those things did not come from God.

If you are just the type of person who needs to boast, boast about God.

What a mighty God we serve…

 

           And if anyone is going to boast about you, let it be God

Paul told the Corinthians that it is not the one who commends himself who is approved but it is the one whom God approves

 

               The wisdom of this world exalts man and robs God of His glory.

“He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor.

1:31).[2]

So, that is the *DESCRIPTION* James gives.

Now, look at…

          

II.

WHERE FALSE WISDOM COMES FROM – V. 15