HOFC Sermon Archive: Book of James Part 12: Heavenly and Earthly Wisdom

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction to the Book of James

2. Trials and Temptation

3. Gaining Wisdom

4. Poverty & Wealth

5. Dealing with Temptation

6. Slow to Anger

7. The Implanted Word

8. Pure & Undefiled Religion

9. Sin of Partiality

10. Three Kinds of Faith

11. A Warning about Teaching

12. Heavenly & Earthly Wisdom

INTRODUCTION

Today is Sunday. August 4^th, 2024

Over the last couple weeks we examined what James said about the three different types of faith, and how not everyone is meant to be a teacher. Of the three types of faith he says there is;

Dead faith, which was the faith that has knowledge of the Word, but no action and produces no fruit. This “dead faith’ is called such because it cannot save.

Demonic faith, which James says “believes” in God, and even has an emotional response. The demons believed and tremble. Yet, again, demonic faith, though there is belief and trembling, does not save because there is no action, and produce no fruit.

Saving faith, on the other hand, is knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word, belief and response to God, followed by actions that produce fruit. This is the walking in the spirit, living faith that saves.

Be sure to check out last weeks message if you missed it!

JAMES PART 10: DEAD FAITH, DEMONIC FAITH & SAVING FAITH

We are now looking deeper into James 3 and the difference between heavenly wisdom and earthly wisdom and the striking contrast between them.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

James 3:13-18

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom.

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

15 This wisdom is not coming down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruits, without doubting, without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”

I. CONTRAST IN THEIR ORIGIN

a. Earthly wisdom is not from above (James 3:15)

i. It is worldly

1. It is according to the worlds standards

2. This wisdom is foolishness to God

a. 1 Corinthians 1:20 “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

ii. It is sensual (of the flesh)

1. Appealing to the senses, emotions, passions

2. It is wisdom according to what FEELS right

a. But that does not always mean it is right

iii. Earthly wisdom is demonic

1. It is the kind of wisdom possessed by the devil and his angels

2. A wisdom that often finds its origin in the influences of Satan

b. Heavenly wisdom is from above (James 3:17)

i. It comes from God

1. James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

ii. It comes through prayer

1. James 1:5-8 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

2. Remember when we first looked at this a few weeks ago and talked about the Greek for double-minded actually says of two souls.

a. Meaning, one who is trying to follow their own way (the flesh) but also live by the spirit.

b. Jesus said you cannot serve two masters

3. These people, unstable in all their ways, try to follow their flesh and its desire while sprinkling in a little bit of godly stuff here and there for effect.

You cannot walk the line with God. You are either on the narrow path walking in the spirit, or you are not. This false convert, worldly Christian, nice guy walk is either the Dead Faith or Demonic Faith of James 2, neither of which can save you.

Knowing the origin of heavenly and earthly wisdom should be enough to encourage us to select the right one. Listen to how James describes them and their contrast in nature.

II. CONTRAST IN THEIR NATURE

a. Earthly wisdom (James 3:14; 16)

i. Earthly wisdom is full of bitter envy

ii. Earthly wisdom possesses self-seeking in the heart

1. Self-seeking insists on their own way, or their own rights

2. They want what they want and that’s all that matters

3. Self-seeking is NOT CHRISTIAN LOVE

4. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient, love is kind, is not jealous, does not brag, is not puffed up; 5 it does not act unbecomingly, does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered…”

iii. Earthly wisdom admires virtues such as;

1. Power / authority

2. Position / title

3. Privilege / treatment

4. Prestige / respect / status

iv. This is exactly the kind of wisdom and virtues which prompted Satan and his angels to rebel against God

v. And prompted the disciples to argue over who would be the greatest in the kingdom

Those who insist on using a long list of letters and titles with their name so that you know their position and title.

Tall hats and colorful robes with lace and embroidery in regal colors to display their position and assumed authority to all who see them.

They demand special treatment and believe they are entitled to whatever they want because they deserve it.

They demand respect and status from everyone they know, and because they are self-seeking, if they do not get what they want from someone, they cut them out of their lives because they “deserve” better.

This sure does not sound like the Jesus Christ from the bible. More like nothing to do with Jesus, and more to do with self.

b. Heavenly wisdom (James 3:17)

i. It is PURE

1. In every sense of the word

a. Not mixed with anything else, free of contamination

2. It is TRUE to God’s will

3. It does not compromise truth for the sake of peace

ii. THEN, it is PEACEFUL

1. Holding firm to truth making every effort to be at peace

a. Romans 12:18-19

2. Speaking truth in an attitude of love (Ephesians 4:15)

iii. GENTLE

1. Kind when dealing with others, not harsh

iv. Willing to YIELD

1. NOT in matters of truth, but opinion

a. Romans 14:1 “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on opinions.”

v. Full of MERCY

1. Quick to forgive the offenses of others

vi. Producing GOOD FRUITS

1. Notice verse 13, where it says we are to show by our conduct our true wisdom and understanding

a. This wisdom takes one beyond being a HEARER to being a DOER - James 1:22

b. Understanding that "faith without works is dead" - James 2:26

2. WITHOUT PARTIALITY

a. Showing no respect of persons - James 2:1-13

b. Rather, treating all fairly, on the same basis

3. WITHOUT HYPOCRISY

a. Indicating that all of the above is not an "act", a "show"

b. But that it comes from a heart desiring to please God, not man

The wisdom from above is far superior to earthly wisdom. Wisdom from the home of creation and salvation should always be sought over earthly wisdom from the world in which Satan rules. (the god of this age 2 Corinthians 4:4-5

III. CONTRAST IN THEIR FRUIT (what fruit are you producing?)

a. Earthly self-seeking wisdom (James 3:16)

i. Causes confusion

ii. And every evil thing

1. Cults based on the Holy Bible

2. False teachings using the Holy Bible

3. Denominationalism

b. Heavenly wisdom from above (James 3:18)

i. Produces peace instead of confusion

1. If you need more peace in your life, then you need less worldly self-seeking wisdom and more heavenly wisdom from God

ii. Bears the Fruit of Righteousness

1. As opposed to evil things

CONCLUSION

When we look at the origin, nature and fruits it is obvious we want heavenly wisdom in our lives.

SO ASK YOURSELF RIGHT NOW…WHAT KIND OF WISDOM DO YOU HAVE?

Those who have earthly wisdom have selfish ambition (they want what they want and put themselves first) (James 3:14)

Heavenly wisdom shows good conduct done in meekness, they are humble (James 3:13)

We must seek heavenly wisdom from God, and this godly wisdom comes from the Word of God through reading, prayer and submitting to the Spirit of God, which is in opposition to your flesh and its desires.

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