WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.339 Well, even before I graduated to the seniors-only scooter that I'm currently using as a mode 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:12.300 of transport, old age had begun to encroach on me. 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:18.920 I turned 33 just a few weeks ago, but even before that, friends were very quick to point 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:24.219 out the few silver sprouts that had begun to appear in my hair. 00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:28.260 I tried to embrace it, tried to spin it positively. 00:00:28.260 --> 00:00:34.579 I even had a 30th birthday party that was themed Silver Fox, because I figured maybe there's 00:00:34.579 --> 00:00:35.939 an upside to the silver. 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:37.880 Maybe it's wisdom. 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:41.920 I figured it could be beneficial for my ministry to young people. 00:00:42.480 --> 00:00:47.700 Now when I talk to parents of teenagers who are clearly older than me and have more experience, 00:00:47.820 --> 00:00:54.320 I figure I can just point to my wisdom streaks, and perhaps they might buy that I know what 00:00:54.320 --> 00:00:55.120 I'm talking about. 00:00:55.119 --> 00:01:00.259 I mean, I've got a bit to go before I have the crowns of a Mike Kasson or a Ken Taylor, 00:01:00.599 --> 00:01:02.719 but I can only hope. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:04.739 I can only hope. 00:01:04.899 --> 00:01:10.920 But with that silver hair does go this perceived wisdom that I've tried to embrace. 00:01:11.179 --> 00:01:15.539 And with actual wisdom, thank you, Mike, for you perhaps. 00:01:15.540 --> 00:01:23.820 But with that silver hair, with things like that, there is a perceived wisdom and perceived 00:01:23.820 --> 00:01:30.060 authority that often goes with maybe physical traits or life experiences. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:36.780 But the question we need to wrestle with this morning is, who is actually wise? 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:42.799 That's James' question as he begins this passage, as he writes this letter to a whole group of 00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:43.799 churches scattered. 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:49.439 He begins with, who is wise and understanding among you? 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:54.760 It's a really significant question for the churches that he's writing to, because these 00:01:54.760 --> 00:02:02.000 churches have division and disunity and issues all throughout them because some people are 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:08.000 claiming to be wise, claiming to speak with authority and wisdom who actually lack it. 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:14.639 And the result is disunity, oppression, everything that's come up in the first part of this letter, 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:20.699 the need to stop showing favoritism, the need to use their tongues more carefully, the need 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:26.580 to listen to God's word and do what it says, the need to endure suffering, are rebukes. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:32.060 Because people who claim to be wise have been teaching something else. 00:02:33.980 --> 00:02:37.660 So, who is wise? 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:41.540 Who is it that we should listen to? 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:49.460 What does it look like for us to be wise, to live the life that God desires for us and has designed for us? 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:51.720 Do we look to the educated? 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:52.939 Are they wise? 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:59.400 Do letters after someone's name constitute that they are someone to be emulated when it comes to following Jesus? 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:05.879 Or perhaps the silver crown does experience a life lived? 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:09.800 What about the wealthy? 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:13.379 The successful when it comes to things like business? 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:16.780 Who is wise? 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:25.060 Wisdom is a significant claim and James calls out those who put it out falsely. 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:26.039 Verse 13. 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:27.719 Who is wise and understanding? 00:03:28.580 --> 00:03:30.580 Let him show it. 00:03:31.740 --> 00:03:33.960 Prove it is the call straight away. 00:03:34.580 --> 00:03:40.420 It's like those late night infomercials that you watch that apparently are made from the same thing as the space shuttle 00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:46.939 and can clean your house, cook your dinner, park your car and do your shopping and all will cost you only $9.99 a month. 00:03:47.379 --> 00:03:50.019 And immediately there's this bid in you that says prove it. 00:03:50.459 --> 00:03:51.939 I don't believe the ad version. 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:53.219 It could be TV magic. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:56.299 Big claims need proof. 00:03:56.300 --> 00:04:04.000 And so James says to anyone who would stand and claim wisdom, prove it. 00:04:04.760 --> 00:04:14.180 Let them show it by the good life, by the deeds that are done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 00:04:14.580 --> 00:04:16.879 Because wisdom is more than just knowledge. 00:04:17.460 --> 00:04:20.500 We live in a time where knowledge is rapidly increasing. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:22.780 Our world knows more than it has ever known. 00:04:22.779 --> 00:04:33.879 I heard a statistic just this week that apparently 90% of the information that currently exists in the world didn't exist two years ago. 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:38.279 Our knowledge is advancing rapidly. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:49.399 But it hasn't reduced the number of wars, the level of suffering, the amount of evil. 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:54.439 Wisdom needs to be more than knowledge. 00:04:55.500 --> 00:04:57.099 Wisdom has to be practical. 00:04:57.639 --> 00:05:00.719 James says show us your wisdom in the way that you live. 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:03.259 Show us the good life that you are enjoying. 00:05:03.479 --> 00:05:06.739 Show us the evidence of this wisdom that you hold. 00:05:08.099 --> 00:05:09.719 Wisdom needs to be practical. 00:05:09.720 --> 00:05:20.380 But it's important, especially for us as Christians, to recognise that wisdom isn't always as specific as maybe we want it to be. 00:05:21.320 --> 00:05:25.680 Have you ever been in that situation where maybe you're trying to decide this job or that job? 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:28.840 This potential spouse or that potential spouse? 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:30.680 This country or that country? 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:32.840 And so you ask God, show me. 00:05:33.400 --> 00:05:35.540 Give me wisdom in this situation. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:39.620 Strike one of the countries with a lightning bolt to tell me. 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:42.540 But that's not how God's wisdom works. 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:49.939 Wisdom in the Bible isn't the specific directions for every circumstance and situation that we may face. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:58.800 Wisdom is the ability to make the choices that please God regardless of situation or circumstance. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:09.240 It's something that stands outside of the specifics that come up in life but then equips us to make those choices and to make those decisions well. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:18.920 But in the church there is a false wisdom that gets lived out by many people who claim to be godly. 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:26.300 It's true in the churches that James is writing to and it's true for us here at St. Paul's. 00:06:26.660 --> 00:06:28.620 It's true for many churches today. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:32.200 Because remember this letter is written to the church. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:34.280 It's written to Christians. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:42.740 And yet James sees wisdom as an absolutely central issue for them to grapple with. 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:46.000 Have a look at verse 14. 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:48.000 At this false wisdom. 00:07:02.280 --> 00:07:07.220 Now, before we go on, it's really easy to look at that and go, of course that's bad wisdom. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:10.879 I mean, it's got adjectives like selfish and bitter. 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:13.279 Not to mention it's called demonic. 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:18.079 You read that and go, of course that's not the kind of wisdom that I want. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:20.360 That's not the kind of wisdom that I live with. 00:07:20.719 --> 00:07:24.259 But let's just strip out some of those adjectives for a second. 00:07:25.719 --> 00:07:26.199 Ambition. 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:31.819 That's something that is affirmed culturally, isn't it? 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:35.399 We're told to pursue our ambition. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:38.680 We're told that we can do whatever we want. 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:48.240 Isn't it important to always look after number one? 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:53.300 I don't know if you remember what it was like to be heading towards the end of school 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:55.620 and meeting with a careers advisor. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:59.879 I remember because I really had no idea what I was going to do. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:07.100 And the caring advice of my careers advisor was, do something that makes you happy. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:10.959 It was genuinely loving advice. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:12.079 He was looking out for me. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:14.740 But it was all about me. 00:08:17.039 --> 00:08:20.199 His caring advice to me was, look after yourself. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:23.359 Find a job that satisfies you and makes you happy. 00:08:23.419 --> 00:08:24.919 No reference to anyone else. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:28.519 No reference to the world that I lived in or the relationships that I had. 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:30.579 Look after yourself. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:35.840 You see it in the way that we treat situations in the world. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:41.100 Currently, I was watching the project on Channel 10 recently and they had some character. 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:44.580 I think he was a car, former car racer or something like that. 00:08:44.820 --> 00:08:47.600 And they were asking him about the Syrian refugee crisis. 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:50.759 And I was blown away by his response. 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:53.080 His parents were refugees. 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:56.920 But he said, I have two little girls who were born here 00:08:56.920 --> 00:09:00.040 and we need to worry about them before we worry about anyone else. 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:07.759 But on one level, that makes sense, doesn't it? 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:12.939 It makes sense to worry about yourself. 00:09:13.579 --> 00:09:15.339 That's the way the world works. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:16.659 Look after yourself. 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:20.459 It's the way we naturally respond in situations. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:23.899 When you're frustrated in traffic, why are you frustrated? 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:27.620 Because someone is hindering you. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:29.819 And where you want to be. 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:31.279 And your desire. 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:32.620 And your agenda. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:37.719 It's on one level, logical. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:41.159 To start with yourself at the centre. 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:44.839 It's considered virtuous even. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:48.620 To pursue your agenda above all others. 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:51.779 But it just doesn't work. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.599 That's why it's false wisdom. 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:59.159 That's why James can call it earthly and unspiritual and even demonic. 00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:01.339 Those are harsh words. 00:10:01.339 --> 00:10:03.259 But they're the Bible's words. 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:06.459 When we live. 00:10:07.059 --> 00:10:11.459 When we make decisions based on a worldview, based on a perspective, 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:13.139 where we're the centre. 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:15.759 Where we're the most important thing. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:22.299 That is earthly, unspiritual, demonic wisdom. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:29.379 It doesn't work because self-interest breeds issues. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:36.960 There's this underlying kind of narrative in society that thinks that everybody should be able to do what they want to do. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:40.840 You can believe whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt me. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:42.919 But life doesn't work like that. 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:45.439 If you believe what you want and I believe what I want. 00:10:45.539 --> 00:10:48.099 If you go after what you want and I go after what I want. 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:50.939 At some point we're going to be competing for the same thing. 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:57.439 At some point we're going to come into conflict about the fact that our desires don't line up. 00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:00.039 Because what's best for me won't always be best for you. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:03.339 And what's best for you won't always be best for the person next to you. 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:04.339 Or the people you live with. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.360 Or the people you work with. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:07.000 Or the people you're sharing the road with. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:10.480 And so when we are dictated by self-interest. 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:15.860 No matter how logical or obvious or first reactionary it is. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:19.399 It breeds disorder. 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:21.200 Verse 16. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:24.460 Where you have envy and selfish ambition. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:28.259 There you find disorder and every evil practice. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.240 You find tension. 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:32.379 You find relational issue. 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:33.919 You find anger. 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:35.179 You find bitterness. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:36.959 You find gossip. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:38.479 You find slander. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:40.179 You find favoritism. 00:11:40.319 --> 00:11:43.439 You find all the issues that have come up in this book so far. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.139 When we are at the center. 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:48.679 We get ourselves into trouble. 00:11:49.359 --> 00:11:56.279 We begin to treat people in ways that don't line up with those who claim to be followers of Jesus. 00:11:57.279 --> 00:12:00.939 Because the defining reality has become us. 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.919 And what we want. 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:09.239 Wisdom is the summary topic for the book of James. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:12.279 Everything that we've covered so far. 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.739 Everything that we will cover. 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:16.339 Is wrapped up in this idea of wisdom. 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:20.639 Wisdom is the bit behind listening to scripture well. 00:12:20.979 --> 00:12:24.099 Wisdom is the bit behind speaking words of life. 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:27.120 Wisdom is the bit behind not showing favoritism. 00:12:27.239 --> 00:12:30.120 It's the bit behind listening and doing scripture. 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:34.620 Wisdom is the category that sums up all these moral commands. 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:39.740 But wisdom starts as a character issue. 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:44.500 It plays out in morality, in specific obedience. 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:46.879 But it starts as a character issue. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:51.580 And so false wisdom here is not doing certain things. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:55.960 But it's the things that are done in selfish ambition. 00:12:55.960 --> 00:13:02.780 And conversely, heavenly wisdom, the good wisdom, have a look in verse 17. 00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:04.200 Sorry, verse 13. 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:06.519 Who is wise and understanding among you? 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:14.019 Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:24.019 Good wisdom is displayed not in specific deeds necessarily, but in the deeds that flow out of a character that is humble. 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:27.059 It gets unpacked for us in verse 17. 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:38.679 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. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:43.639 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. 00:13:44.239 --> 00:13:45.559 That is a huge list. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:48.739 And I'm not going to get to unpack each of those seven today in detail. 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:56.159 And can I encourage you, if you're in a community group this week, spend time talking about each of those categories. 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:59.039 Reflecting on how you go in each of those things. 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:05.899 If you're not in a community group, come and chat to Deb after church and she would love to make it possible for you to get into one. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:14.799 But notice that each of the things described there flow out of a place of humility. 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:22.439 Purity is achieved when we are drawn into Christ, when we are forgiven and washed clean. 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:28.600 And in doing so, we are conscious and aware of our lowly position before a holy God. 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:35.320 Being peace-loving and considerate are the opposite to demanding my rights. 00:14:36.040 --> 00:14:38.940 Are the opposite to putting my ambition first. 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:46.460 But humility has something that comes before it. 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:51.460 All these things sound so noble and sound like such a good idea. 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.900 To be peaceful. 00:14:53.160 --> 00:14:53.960 To be merciful. 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.440 To be submissive. 00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:58.680 Which means teachable and open to being convinced. 00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:00.280 To be impartial, sincere. 00:15:00.400 --> 00:15:01.820 It all sounds fantastic. 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:05.120 But it's really difficult, isn't it? 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:11.679 When you're wronged, being peace-loving is not an easy thing. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:18.519 When some people are nicer to you than others or more impressive in your eyes than others, 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:21.019 being impartial is not easy. 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:26.220 They come from humility. 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:26.300 Humility. 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:31.740 And humility is only possible when there is security. 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.660 Say that again. 00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:37.320 Humility is only possible when there is security. 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.440 Genuine humility. 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:41.399 Humility is a word that we often get confused. 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:45.420 We like to think some other Bible translations use the word meekness instead of humility. 00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:48.779 And we immediately go to the idea of weakness. 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:52.060 Or almost feebleness or inadequacy. 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:57.679 But humility and meekness are more like strength restrained. 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:04.419 It's more a conscious decision to deny rights than a lack of access to rights. 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:12.639 The humility that reflects heavenly wisdom is possible because there is absolute security 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:16.699 in the God who promises to provide for his people. 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:21.839 Selfish ambition places me at the centre. 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:26.219 But who's at the centre with humility? 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:30.139 It's not just everyone else. 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:36.699 The contrast here is between a wisdom that is demonic and a wisdom that is heavenly. 00:16:36.859 --> 00:16:40.519 A wisdom that is unspiritual and a wisdom that has come from God. 00:16:40.619 --> 00:16:43.599 And the unspiritual wisdom puts myself in the middle. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:49.440 But the spiritual wisdom is not just about everyone else's needs. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:54.080 It has to come out of security. 00:16:55.360 --> 00:17:02.759 It has to come from something at its core that gives you the foundation to be able to forego your rights 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:05.259 and love those who persecute you. 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:11.960 At the centre of heavenly wisdom and humility is God. 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:22.319 Heavenly wisdom is only possible in response to God showing himself to us, revealing himself to us. 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:30.339 Who God is must be the defining reality for what it looks like to live a wise life. 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:37.639 I don't know if you remember, it's a few years ago now, the movie franchise The Matrix that came out. 00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:42.720 And to watch Neo take the tablet, I can't remember which coloured tablet, 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:48.779 and suddenly have his eyes opened to the fact that he was just part of a big computer program, 00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:50.539 being harvested by robots. 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:53.480 He had been living in ignorant bliss. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:57.500 He thought that the world was the world and relationships were relationships, 00:17:57.720 --> 00:18:01.259 but actually it turns out he was just a battery for some other bigger system. 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:05.639 He took that pill and suddenly his eyes were opened to a truth, 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:10.440 which reshaped his understanding of everything else that he engaged with. 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:15.859 Every situation he was in from that point was defined by that reality. 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:22.939 For us as Christians, the defining reality is God. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:26.379 It's how he's revealed himself in the gospel. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:30.519 Jimmy talked about this in week one, when we were looking at James chapter one, 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:32.719 he talked about a gospel wisdom. 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:37.619 What that means is that the centre of everything we value and understand 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:43.199 is a God who has sent his son to die so that we can be forgiven. 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:48.860 Is a saviour who has risen to life and proved his power, 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:53.200 proved his desire to do us good and his ability to do us good. 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:59.259 And that becomes the lens through which we see every situation. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:06.660 When you are wronged and you look through the lens of a God who loves you unconditionally 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:10.000 and he's always working for your good and he's constantly faithful 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:12.200 and will never leave you nor forsake you, 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:17.420 you are released to not have to fight for your rights in that moment. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:25.539 To be able to, in humility, love the person, no matter how wrong they are. 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:31.039 Now that doesn't belie the possibility of interacting and pursuing truth, 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:36.399 but doing it from a place of security in God. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:40.119 We don't have to be threatened by opposition. 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:42.480 We don't have to fear for provision. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:48.759 Because in the gospel, God has promised and provided 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:52.319 everything that we could possibly need. 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:56.680 Humility flows out of security. 00:19:56.680 --> 00:20:03.620 It flows out of a revelation of how majestic and powerful and loving and good our God is. 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:08.759 And so Proverbs in the Old Testament tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:10.920 As we begin to see him, 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:17.380 only then can we begin to see life and situations and ourselves correctly 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:19.480 and therefore make wise choices. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:22.279 If we are looking at us, 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:27.200 we are looking at what is not the defining reality. 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:32.980 Wisdom is only found when we fix our eyes on God. 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.599 In chapter 1, verse 4, 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:38.099 we're told that perseverance must finish its work 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:41.500 so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:45.240 It was this picture of the end that God is preparing for his people. 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:48.579 And that end, that maturity, that completeness, 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:51.400 is a full knowledge of God. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:54.160 That's what the New Testament teaches us, 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:58.259 that we are working towards a time when we will know and taste and experience 00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:00.740 all of God's goodness and love completely. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.740 And then the next verse says, 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:15.640 Wisdom is us beginning to taste that goodness of God, 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:21.420 beginning to see that defining reality of a God who is sovereign over everything 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:26.180 and living our lives in light of him. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:31.299 I was discipling a guy in my previous church 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:34.000 who, he was about 18 or 19 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:37.060 when he started kind of thinking about becoming a Christian. 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:40.720 And he had a lot of peers who were a part of our church already 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:43.180 who'd been very involved for a long period of time, 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:45.299 had been trying to talk to him and get him along. 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:48.500 And he kind of got to the point where he wanted to be a Christian. 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:50.240 And he was trying to figure out, 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:52.259 who should I be trying to emulate? 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:54.900 Who are the wise ones? 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:57.420 Who are the ones who are getting this Christian thing right? 00:21:57.519 --> 00:22:00.160 Who I should be pursuing a similar path? 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:04.560 And in particular, there were two friends of his that were in front of him. 00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:07.900 One was a particularly smart guy. 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:09.180 He was active. 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.840 He was serving in church. 00:22:11.300 --> 00:22:13.200 He knew his Bible very well. 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.920 I was a pastor already at the time 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:17.280 and this guy would often come up and challenge me 00:22:17.280 --> 00:22:19.600 on some other smart person's writings 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:21.420 on a passage that I was talking about. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:24.400 He was just very sharp intellectually 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.940 and knew his Bible well. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:32.900 Our other friend is not a naturally academic person. 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.140 Lovely. 00:22:34.780 --> 00:22:35.440 Good guy. 00:22:35.860 --> 00:22:37.500 But just doesn't love reading. 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:41.640 Finds it hard work to wrestle with some complex ideas. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:44.740 But loves Jesus. 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:49.080 Actively tries to become more like Jesus. 00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:51.400 Regularly confesses sin. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:55.300 Actively pursues a Christ-like life. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:59.000 But to my friend who was just starting on the journey, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:04.460 academia and understanding seem much more impressive to him. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:07.700 It presented so well. 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:10.759 It was so intimidating to interact with 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:13.240 compared to my slightly less impressive, 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:18.039 but in my opinion, more godly friend. 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:23.559 Wisdom is more than a head issue. 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:25.539 In fact, in this passage, 00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:27.919 it's fundamentally a heart issue. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:34.619 It's not less than knowledge and understanding of God, 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:36.919 but it has to be a heart issue first. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:39.379 Have a look at the kind of language that James uses 00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:40.720 as he goes into chapter 4. 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:43.519 He's still talking about the fights and things 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:45.639 that are resulting from their selfish ambition. 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.379 He says, 00:23:46.380 --> 00:24:11.800 See, selfish ambition has now morphed 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:16.579 and been described in the words of desire and pleasure. 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:21.839 At the core of this false earthly wisdom 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:27.779 is a heart that loves me more than it loves God. 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:33.000 I mean, that's offensive language. 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:37.319 But according to the Bible, that's the reality. 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:43.000 When we find tension within our church community, 00:24:43.179 --> 00:24:44.500 within our relationships, 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:46.740 when there is fights and quarrels, 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.159 where do they come from? 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.980 From a false wisdom that says, 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:55.799 I'm the most important person in this situation, 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.639 in this relationship, 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:59.099 in this issue, 00:24:59.399 --> 00:25:00.439 in this church. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:04.460 And that's true for all of us. 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:10.720 The conviction is that 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:15.799 if we love ourselves more than we love God, 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:19.619 when we come to disagree or argue, 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:22.059 the only result can be disorder, 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:23.659 hurt, 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.119 pain, 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.439 evil. 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:31.839 The words get even stronger in verse 4. 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:36.539 You adulterous people. 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:41.899 Wisdom is not an intellectual category. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.559 It's relational. 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:48.500 When we live like we're at the centre, 00:25:49.959 --> 00:25:53.720 James is saying it's like we commit adultery against God. 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:55.659 This is a biblical theme. 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.439 Throughout all of Scripture, 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.980 particularly the book of Hosea, 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:02.160 our God is described as the faithful husband to his people. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.220 And meanwhile, 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:05.960 his people continue to cheat on God, 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:08.579 continue to ignore all that he has done 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:10.519 and all that he has shown himself to be 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:12.599 and place themselves at the centre. 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.539 But thankfully, 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:19.779 our God is a jealous God. 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:23.779 A God who refuses to be treated that way. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:25.819 Verse 5, 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:27.679 Do you think Scripture says without reason 00:26:27.679 --> 00:26:30.679 that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:36.779 But he gives us more grace. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:42.179 He gives us more grace. 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:45.039 As we fail, 00:26:45.419 --> 00:26:48.500 as we keep slipping back into that earthly wisdom 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:48.960 that says, 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.720 I'm at a most. 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:51.000 I come first. 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:53.500 He gives us more grace. 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:57.680 That's why it says God opposes the proud 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:59.140 but gives grace to the humble. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:03.380 God will sometimes pull us down 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:07.119 so that we might taste his grace and forgiveness again. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.539 So there is hope 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:12.880 for failures like you 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:14.579 and like me. 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:19.000 There's hope for selfish people like you and like me. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:23.579 Because in his grace, 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:27.539 God will open our eyes to see him clearly. 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:31.039 Selfishness is not an option 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:33.420 when you see a God who is creator. 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:36.579 Seeing yourself as the centre of the universe 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.599 is not possible 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.799 when you see a God 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.099 who became human 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:41.299 and gave his life 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.680 so that you might be forgiven. 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:47.680 The fix for our selfish ambition 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:49.640 is not self-denial. 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:52.680 It's seeing Jesus 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:54.920 in all his majesty 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:56.320 and all his power. 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.580 The only instruction in this passage 00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.740 from the way that I read it 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.880 comes now. 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:03.900 That list back there in verse 17 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:05.360 about pure and peace-loving 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:06.600 and considerate and submissive 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:08.100 and full of mercy and good fruit, 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.980 that's great 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.180 but it's not instruction. 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:14.740 The path to that 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:17.120 comes here in verse 7. 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:23.299 Submit yourselves then to God. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.539 Resist the devil 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.880 and he will flee from you. 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:29.180 Come near to God 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.700 and he will come near to you. 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:32.360 Wash your hands, you sinners. 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:34.980 Purify your hearts, you double-minded. 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.980 Grieve, mourn and wail. 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:38.640 Change your laughter to mourning 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.940 and your joy to gloom. 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:42.140 Humble yourselves before the Lord 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:43.420 and he will lift you up. 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.019 Repent. 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:49.039 That's what it means. 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:51.220 To resist the devil 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.440 and to draw near to God 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.880 is to come with your sin 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:57.279 and trust him to forgive you. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:29:01.879 To wash your hands and purify your hearts 00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:03.740 is to come to God with your sin 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:05.440 and trust that in Jesus 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:07.359 he can and will wash 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.519 not just your actions 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:10.139 but your heart, 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.200 your character. 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:14.980 To trust that he will open your eyes 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:16.359 to see him more clearly 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:18.660 so that you have the wisdom 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.579 in a situation 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:21.639 to love him more than yourself. 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:23.660 to put others first. 00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:26.860 To bear with the weaknesses 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:27.640 and failures 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.680 of brothers and sisters. 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.000 Remember, 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:30.960 this is written 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.420 to a church. 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.560 This is not a one-time step, 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.780 this resisting the devil 00:29:36.780 --> 00:29:37.920 and coming near to God 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.860 and washing yourself 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.780 and humbling yourself. 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.940 This is what it looks like 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.680 to be a Christian. 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:48.840 Come back to Jesus. 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:51.720 The wisdom and humility 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.640 and good life 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.940 and harvest of righteousness 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.740 that's on offer 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.360 is found 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:57.100 when we fix our eyes 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:58.420 on the gospel. 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:01.700 That Jesus died for sinners 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:03.580 and is risen 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:05.980 and sits on the throne in heaven. 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:09.320 When that is the defining reality, 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:12.980 wisdom is the result. 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:16.279 Righteousness is the result. 00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:20.559 Humility comes 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:22.019 and is only possible 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.720 in security. 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.339 And so verse 10, 00:30:26.439 --> 00:30:27.480 let it ring in your head 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.019 and your heart 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:29.139 today and tomorrow 00:30:29.139 --> 00:30:29.960 and every day 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:31.379 that you seek to live wisely 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:32.480 as a follower of Jesus. 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.399 Humble yourself 00:30:34.399 --> 00:30:36.839 before the Lord 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:39.659 and he will lift you up. 00:30:42.619 --> 00:30:43.779 Recognize your failure 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.159 before the Lord 00:30:45.159 --> 00:30:47.579 and he will forgive you. 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.279 Trust his provision 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:53.339 even when others 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:55.119 seek to oppose and hurt you 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:57.439 and he will always provide. 00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.679 Trust his goodness 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:02.199 even when you can't see 00:31:02.199 --> 00:31:03.259 how he is working 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:05.439 and he will never fail you. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:09.039 recognize that he is first 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:13.779 and in time 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.779 he will lift you up.