GO BOLDLY: GOD’S WISDOM

SERMON SERIES FOR OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP ON THE LORD’S DAY, October 30, 2022: We continue our sermon series Go Boldly with the sermon God’s Wisdom.  Where do we turn for wisdom in our present circumstances?  Each day we are confronted with a divergent flow of ideas, thoughts and attitudes.  The “wisdom” we follow will impact how we live and interact with others.  At times, people will refer to “conventional” wisdom, but this wisdom is based upon the idea that a majority of people follow this wisdom to a level of success.  We may discover that conventional is not always the wisest choice, because people and circumstances are not always “conventional.”  It is obvious that we need guidance in the world around us.  We are more divided than ever and frustration and anger continues to grow in the hearts and minds of many of people.  People feel confused about which direction to pursue and where they are headed in life.  This is not new.  This week we turn to James 3:9-18.  The Apostle James is writing to believers in order to help them find God’s direction and strength for their lives.  These believers had accepted Christ but they were not yet Christ-like.  This is a timeless problem and he could see it in how they were struggling with anger, conflict, and treating each other.  Chapter 3 focuses on how they were talking to each other and he says that the tongue is full of poison.  The image is one of a snake that it ready to strike with its venom.  Most of us have felt the power of this venom in our lives, or we have lashed out at others with our own venom!  What can empower change for our lives?  It is a wisdom that can only come from God, and it can change our speech, our attitude, as well as our heart and soul!  James gives us great direction to find the power of this wisdom in our lives.  As you read James 3:9-18, it is our most earnest prayer that you will find the life changing power of God guiding you toward peace as you experience the wisdom of God in Jesus Christ!

James 3:9-18: ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their 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, demonic. 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 reap a harvest of righteousness.