WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.899 Thank you for this opportunity to share God's word with you. 00:00:04.299 --> 00:00:08.740 As Alistair said today, it's a bit different for me and for yourselves, 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:11.179 as I had hoped to join in the building. 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:15.120 But yes, due to a holiday down to Costa del London, 00:00:15.740 --> 00:00:18.859 we were contacted by Track and Trace and asked to self-isolate. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:25.120 So hopefully the wonders of technology being live over Zoom will be acceptable. 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:30.859 So we are continuing our study in the book of James, 00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:34.260 the book that focuses on Christian maturity. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:38.140 Today in this passage, we will be looking at wisdom. 00:00:38.840 --> 00:00:42.640 And more accurately, we will be looking at two different kinds of wisdom. 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:47.900 Wisdom from above, as James titles it, and earthly wisdom, 00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:52.299 comparing the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God. 00:00:52.299 --> 00:00:56.619 We will look at the two sources of these wisdoms, the roots, 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:01.059 and what they look like and show in our lives, the fruits. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:06.439 So to reflect this, I have titled this sermon, Two Roots and Two Fruits. 00:01:09.199 --> 00:01:11.679 So I would like you, in your mind, 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:16.340 to picture the most clever, intelligent person you can think of. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:21.019 Who is it that pops into your head when you think clever, intelligent? 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:25.659 Some of you may have thought of Albert Einstein, 00:01:26.739 --> 00:01:27.959 Marie Curie, perhaps, 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:29.840 Leonardo da Vinci, 00:01:30.780 --> 00:01:32.019 maybe Stephen Hawking. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:39.659 How about if I now ask you to picture the wisest person you can think of? 00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:42.200 Are you still thinking of the same person? 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:45.340 Or someone completely different? 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:48.060 Did anyone picture King Solomon? 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:50.180 How about dad? 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:51.420 Maybe granny? 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:56.579 Can we see a difference between being clever and being wise? 00:01:57.280 --> 00:01:59.620 A difference between knowledge and wisdom? 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:02.079 On the flip side, 00:02:02.460 --> 00:02:04.939 I'm sure we can think of people who are intelligent, 00:02:05.340 --> 00:02:08.020 but have no wisdom when it comes to relating to people. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:11.879 This is what James is tackling in this passage. 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:16.360 The stark difference between earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom, 00:02:16.860 --> 00:02:19.500 and their results in the life of the Christian. 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:21.759 It's a practical wisdom. 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:28.699 I find this study challenging as I look at my own life, 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:30.560 especially at the moment, 00:02:30.959 --> 00:02:32.899 going through, as many others are, 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:35.359 being locked in the house, 00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:37.199 stuck with my nearest and dearest. 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:43.819 And I'm reminded of how much I struggle with my own heart and tongue, 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:45.620 and how much I need God's forgiveness. 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:49.539 And James doesn't pull any punches here, 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:50.379 as we will see, 00:02:50.980 --> 00:02:54.340 but it also has a message of hope and love, 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:57.860 that God can and will change our heart 00:02:57.860 --> 00:02:59.640 as we mature as Christians. 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:03.240 I hope we will all come away with this too. 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:07.879 So the first question is, 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:08.740 who are the wise? 00:03:08.740 --> 00:03:13.920 James asked this at the start of the passage in verse 13, 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:17.020 who is wise and understanding among you. 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:19.360 So to answer this, 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:22.379 let's have a quick recap of this chapter as a whole. 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:25.620 At the start of the chapter, 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:28.800 James first states his argument in verse 1, 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:31.640 that not many of you should become teachers, 00:03:32.160 --> 00:03:34.000 because you will be judged more strictly. 00:03:35.040 --> 00:03:37.120 This was to address the problem of false teaching 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:38.260 in the early church. 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:42.420 James then goes on to illustrate this argument 00:03:42.420 --> 00:03:44.560 in verses 3 to 12, 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:47.560 where he gives examples of the power of the tongue, 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:50.980 the power to destroy or the power to delight. 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:55.020 And now, in this section that we are looking at today, 00:03:55.660 --> 00:03:56.920 he applies his argument 00:03:56.920 --> 00:04:00.360 and shows how this should affect our lives as Christians. 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:05.300 What are the true motives behind how we speak and act? 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:08.560 In this chapter, as a whole, 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:11.120 he is asking us, 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:12.760 how can I carry my faith 00:04:12.760 --> 00:04:14.460 from the bottom of my heart 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:16.100 to the tip of my tongue? 00:04:16.100 --> 00:04:21.879 So, as we can see from verse 1, 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:24.439 the wise that James is looking to 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:26.700 are the mature Christians and the teachers, 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:29.720 those with influence over others, 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:31.180 and as a result, 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:33.320 those that will be watched more closely. 00:04:34.320 --> 00:04:35.160 In these verses, 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:36.920 he's giving us illustrations 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:40.500 of how wisdom should be displayed in their lives. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:44.259 Now, this can equally be applied to all of us 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:48.060 as we all have positions of teaching or influence. 00:04:48.839 --> 00:04:50.259 This may be teaching our children, 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:52.259 our tasks at home, 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:54.259 our position at work, 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:56.540 or in our role in church. 00:04:56.540 --> 00:04:58.900 And also, 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:00.660 wisdom is a gift from God 00:05:00.660 --> 00:05:02.560 that we should all ask for. 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:05.040 In chapter 1, verse 5, 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:06.560 we already heard that 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:08.280 if any of you lacks wisdom, 00:05:08.820 --> 00:05:09.560 you should ask God, 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:12.720 who gives generously to all without finding fault, 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:14.640 and it will be given to you. 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:17.759 This wisdom is something we should all seek. 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:22.620 So, James starts off today's passage, 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:23.500 in verse 13, 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:25.120 with a strong challenge. 00:05:26.219 --> 00:05:29.279 The wise should show it by deeds done 00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:31.539 in humility that comes from wisdom. 00:05:32.639 --> 00:05:33.779 What does this mean? 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:37.879 Deeds and humility that comes from wisdom? 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:41.680 Well, that no task is beneath us. 00:05:42.599 --> 00:05:44.579 We should humbly realise 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:46.339 that if we are able to serve, 00:05:46.339 --> 00:05:47.560 then we should. 00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:50.759 Let our lives show the love 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:52.539 that God has put into our hearts 00:05:52.539 --> 00:05:54.099 by serving each other, 00:05:54.579 --> 00:05:56.399 and also serving those 00:05:56.399 --> 00:05:57.339 that are not Christians. 00:05:58.519 --> 00:05:59.719 Let us show our wisdom 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:00.879 by our deeds. 00:06:02.359 --> 00:06:03.379 Is there something we know 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:04.799 that we can do to help a brother 00:06:04.799 --> 00:06:05.719 or sister at church? 00:06:06.239 --> 00:06:06.759 Then do it. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:08.099 Don't wait for others, 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:09.599 but humbly do it. 00:06:10.779 --> 00:06:12.759 James is spurring us into action here 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:14.319 at the start of this section. 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:18.079 Can we help with an outreach? 00:06:18.799 --> 00:06:20.060 Can we be in contact 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:21.500 with those that are on their own 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:22.299 or lonely? 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:24.359 Do we pray for our elders 00:06:24.359 --> 00:06:25.579 and those that teach? 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:29.199 The wise are the ones who serve. 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:32.659 Let our wisdom show by our deeds, 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:34.019 done in humility. 00:06:35.059 --> 00:06:36.679 James is challenging us again, 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:38.059 as in previous chapters, 00:06:38.419 --> 00:06:40.439 to act out our faith. 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:44.439 So what is this wisdom 00:06:44.439 --> 00:06:46.459 that James urges us to seek? 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:49.620 Today, we seem to confuse 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:51.759 having knowledge with being wise. 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:53.920 This is not the wisdom 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:55.939 James is discussing in this passage. 00:06:56.519 --> 00:06:57.659 It is more than knowledge, 00:06:58.100 --> 00:06:59.339 or even knowledge of the truth. 00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:01.060 It is living a life 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:02.759 that points others to God. 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:05.680 It is a life lived by God's standards, 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:07.259 not those of man. 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:09.560 It is a practical wisdom. 00:07:10.599 --> 00:07:11.560 How our needs, 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:13.019 and those of others, 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:14.839 all fit within God's plan 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:16.000 for us as Christians. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:21.039 So we now come to the roots 00:07:21.039 --> 00:07:22.039 and the fruits. 00:07:23.039 --> 00:07:24.699 Let us look at the roots and fruits 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:25.860 of the different wisdom 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:27.579 found in this passage. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:30.240 What is the purpose 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:31.839 of a plant's root? 00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:33.300 What do the roots do? 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:36.139 Well, they supply the plant 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:37.680 with moisture and nutrients. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:39.800 The food it needs to survive. 00:07:40.340 --> 00:07:41.160 They feed it. 00:07:42.460 --> 00:07:43.420 I remember at school, 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:44.980 they were studying plant structures. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:46.660 So we placed celery 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:48.060 into a glass of water 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:50.100 with black food colouring in it. 00:07:51.080 --> 00:07:51.960 After some time, 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:53.160 we could see the black colour 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:54.560 moving up the celery 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:55.920 from the root end 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:57.540 towards the leaves at the top, 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.060 spreading throughout 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:00.180 the whole plant. 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:03.660 This is similar with wisdom. 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:05.500 The type of wisdom 00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:06.340 we are rooted in 00:08:06.340 --> 00:08:07.639 will spread through us 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:08.480 and will be evident 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:09.340 in our lives. 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:11.139 We need to ask ourselves, 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:12.780 and I include myself in this, 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:14.340 what kind of wisdom 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:15.879 are we feeding on? 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:17.680 Where is it rooted? 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:20.040 Is it rooted in the value system 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:20.699 of this world? 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:22.160 Or is it rooted 00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:23.280 in God's wisdom? 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:26.199 James shows us here 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:27.699 that these are two 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:28.979 completely different, 00:08:29.539 --> 00:08:30.739 opposite types of wisdom. 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:32.959 They have very different roots, 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.860 leading to very different fruits. 00:08:37.959 --> 00:08:38.919 So firstly, 00:08:39.419 --> 00:08:41.319 let us look at the wisdom 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:42.919 that is rooted in this world. 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:45.459 So let's remind ourselves 00:08:45.459 --> 00:08:46.399 of the passage. 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:47.919 So in verse 13, 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:48.860 who is wise 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:49.659 and understanding 00:08:49.659 --> 00:08:50.620 among you, 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:51.979 let them show it 00:08:51.979 --> 00:08:52.879 by their good life, 00:08:53.339 --> 00:08:54.159 by deeds done 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:54.939 in the humility 00:08:54.939 --> 00:08:55.939 that comes from wisdom. 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:57.779 But if you harbour 00:08:57.779 --> 00:08:59.079 bitter envy 00:08:59.079 --> 00:09:00.120 and selfish ambition 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:00.899 in your hearts, 00:09:01.459 --> 00:09:02.519 do not boast about it 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:03.439 or deny the truth. 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:04.879 Such wisdom 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:06.039 does not come down 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:06.579 from heaven, 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:08.019 but is earthly, 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:09.139 unspiritual, 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:10.099 demonic. 00:09:11.199 --> 00:09:12.679 This is worldly wisdom, 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:14.120 if we can call it 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:14.899 wisdom at all. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:16.959 We see this 00:09:16.959 --> 00:09:17.740 in verse 15. 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:18.819 Such wisdom 00:09:18.819 --> 00:09:19.779 does not come down 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:20.340 from heaven. 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:22.139 By this, 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:23.399 James means 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:24.199 the world system 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:25.120 which is opposed 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:25.819 to God, 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:27.159 the system that wants 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:28.439 nothing to do with God 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:29.419 and his son. 00:09:30.459 --> 00:09:31.100 He says here 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.159 it is earthly, 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:33.759 unspiritual, 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:35.500 and it is from the devil. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:36.439 It's demonic. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.259 These are the three 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:39.600 enemies of the Christian. 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:40.919 The world 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:41.840 is earthly, 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:43.500 our desires 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.720 is unspiritual, 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:45.600 it's the opposite 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:46.699 of being spiritual 00:09:46.699 --> 00:09:48.399 and it's from the devil. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:49.279 It's demonic. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:51.240 So these are the three 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:52.759 enemies we have to be 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:53.659 aware of. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.500 The wisdom of this world 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:56.399 rejects God 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.360 and it rejects 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:58.259 the gospel of God. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:00.159 1 Corinthians 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:01.419 chapter 1 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:02.480 verse 18 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:03.559 tells us, 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:04.699 For the message 00:10:04.699 --> 00:10:05.360 of the cross 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:06.179 is foolishness 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:06.759 to those 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:07.639 who are perishing, 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:08.960 but to us 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:10.019 who are being saved 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:11.079 it is the power 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:11.659 of God. 00:10:12.579 --> 00:10:13.159 For the message 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:13.620 of the cross 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:14.319 is foolishness 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:14.740 to those 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.360 who are perishing. 00:10:16.200 --> 00:10:16.820 And that's just 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:17.480 the way the devil 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.080 wants it, 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:19.160 for people 00:10:19.160 --> 00:10:19.940 to reject 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:20.560 God's wisdom 00:10:20.560 --> 00:10:21.780 and the life 00:10:21.780 --> 00:10:22.820 that only God 00:10:22.820 --> 00:10:23.780 can offer. 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:26.440 And also, 00:10:26.800 --> 00:10:27.300 when we look 00:10:27.300 --> 00:10:27.820 at the fruits 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:29.040 in this passage, 00:10:29.300 --> 00:10:30.020 we can see 00:10:30.020 --> 00:10:31.140 that this 00:10:31.140 --> 00:10:31.820 worldly wisdom 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:32.840 has a very 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:33.800 proud, 00:10:34.140 --> 00:10:34.560 selfish 00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:35.720 line of fruit. 00:10:36.260 --> 00:10:37.020 In a word, 00:10:37.160 --> 00:10:38.280 it's self-serving. 00:10:38.820 --> 00:10:39.680 It is the opposite 00:10:39.680 --> 00:10:40.560 of God's wisdom. 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:40.599 wisdom. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:41.719 For we read 00:10:41.719 --> 00:10:42.239 in James 00:10:42.239 --> 00:10:43.099 chapter 4 00:10:43.099 --> 00:10:44.159 verse 6, 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:44.699 which you'll be 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:45.119 looking at 00:10:45.119 --> 00:10:45.659 in a few weeks 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:45.899 time, 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:46.939 that God 00:10:46.939 --> 00:10:48.039 opposes the 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:48.319 proud, 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:49.439 but shows 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.199 favour to 00:10:50.199 --> 00:10:50.619 the humble. 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:53.739 So what are 00:10:53.739 --> 00:10:54.099 the fruits 00:10:54.099 --> 00:10:54.539 of this 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.359 worldly wisdom? 00:10:56.819 --> 00:10:57.339 Well, 00:10:57.359 --> 00:10:57.599 firstly, 00:10:58.159 --> 00:10:59.019 it's the wrong 00:10:59.019 --> 00:10:59.619 motives. 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:00.739 If you look, 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:01.239 we can see 00:11:01.239 --> 00:11:02.219 that it comes 00:11:02.219 --> 00:11:02.759 from bitter 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:03.500 envy and 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.199 selfish ambition 00:11:04.199 --> 00:11:05.039 in their hearts. 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:06.539 many today 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:07.919 are full of 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:08.240 knowledge, 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:08.819 but empty 00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:09.319 of wisdom. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:10.719 This is a 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:11.419 wisdom meant 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:12.179 to impress 00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:13.240 rather than 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:13.719 to help 00:11:13.719 --> 00:11:14.459 in any sort 00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:15.079 of practical 00:11:15.079 --> 00:11:15.459 way. 00:11:16.719 --> 00:11:17.219 The world's 00:11:17.219 --> 00:11:18.159 way to get 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:18.819 up is by 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:19.699 climbing up 00:11:19.699 --> 00:11:20.599 over others. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:21.620 It doesn't 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.179 matter what 00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:22.699 it takes to 00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:23.019 get you 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:23.240 where you 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:23.779 need to be. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:24.719 It's about 00:11:24.719 --> 00:11:25.279 showing that 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:25.779 you've done 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:26.299 this by 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:26.819 yourself. 00:11:27.459 --> 00:11:28.099 No help. 00:11:28.699 --> 00:11:29.259 You are the 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.620 best. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:31.980 And this 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:32.799 may also be 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.419 evident in 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:33.839 the church. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.680 jealousy of 00:11:35.680 --> 00:11:36.259 how God 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:36.720 is using 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:37.080 a fellow 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:37.519 Christian, 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:38.420 but not 00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:38.740 us. 00:11:39.540 --> 00:11:39.860 Or it 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:40.220 may be 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.320 envy of 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:41.720 another's 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.120 gifts, 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.379 gifts that 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:43.740 God has 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.160 given them 00:11:44.160 --> 00:11:44.740 to strengthen 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.240 the church. 00:11:46.660 --> 00:11:47.300 Do we 00:11:47.300 --> 00:11:47.860 want what 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:48.300 they have? 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:49.980 This is not 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:50.399 the way to 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:50.800 get it. 00:11:51.160 --> 00:11:51.440 We will 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:51.879 see this 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:52.259 as we 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:52.519 look at 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:52.840 God's 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:53.100 wisdom 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:53.800 later. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:56.580 Worldly 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:56.940 wisdom 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:57.980 also leads 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:58.660 to the 00:11:58.660 --> 00:11:59.000 wrong 00:11:59.000 --> 00:11:59.660 standards. 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:00.960 It is 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:01.480 boastful 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:02.200 and it 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:02.720 denies 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:03.400 the truth. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.480 So it 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:04.820 is rooted 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:05.360 in self 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:05.759 and self 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.280 interest. 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:07.440 Pride 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:08.300 loves to 00:12:08.300 --> 00:12:08.580 boast. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:09.820 We can 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:10.300 sometimes 00:12:10.300 --> 00:12:10.800 pretend 00:12:10.800 --> 00:12:11.360 that 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:11.720 everything 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:11.980 we 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.360 have 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:12.940 is 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:13.160 from 00:12:13.160 --> 00:12:13.320 our 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:13.639 own 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:13.940 hard 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.360 work. 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:15.080 It's 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:15.399 not a 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:15.740 gift from 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.040 God. 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:17.259 Look what 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:17.580 I have 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:18.060 achieved 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:18.840 with my 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:19.280 hands. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:20.259 We boast. 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:22.460 It 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:23.060 denies the 00:12:23.060 --> 00:12:23.379 truth. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.060 What is 00:12:25.060 --> 00:12:25.500 truth was 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.200 asked of 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:26.480 Jesus 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.399 2000 years 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:27.639 ago. 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:28.780 This is 00:12:28.780 --> 00:12:29.300 still the 00:12:29.300 --> 00:12:29.500 case 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:29.820 today. 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:31.019 If you 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:31.379 don't like 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:31.820 the truth 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:32.559 you can 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:33.220 just invent 00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:33.639 your own 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.159 version of 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:34.320 it. 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:35.659 We measure 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:36.639 things by 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:37.059 our own 00:12:37.059 --> 00:12:37.539 standards 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.600 not God's 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:38.860 truth. 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:39.740 We do 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.120 what is 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:40.980 right in 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:41.259 our own 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:41.580 eyes. 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:45.700 It also 00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:47.059 exhibits the 00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:47.360 wrong 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.059 characteristics. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:49.480 James 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.179 describes it 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:51.179 as unspiritual 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:52.159 earthly. 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:53.419 This is 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.539 animal-like or 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:54.840 essential, 00:12:55.179 --> 00:12:55.620 the absolute 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.919 opposite of 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:57.299 spiritual. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.439 It is 00:12:58.439 --> 00:12:59.579 focused on 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:00.299 fleeting 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:00.839 superficial 00:13:00.839 --> 00:13:01.559 feelings 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:03.019 rather than 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:03.500 in genuine 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:03.959 love. 00:13:04.959 --> 00:13:05.419 There is 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:06.000 nothing deep 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:06.240 there. 00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:07.139 It is 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:07.759 about using 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.199 people, 00:13:08.599 --> 00:13:09.159 not loving 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:09.519 people. 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:11.159 Can we 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:11.479 see this 00:13:11.479 --> 00:13:11.679 in the 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:12.179 world today, 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:12.979 the shallow 00:13:12.979 --> 00:13:13.379 superficial 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:13.839 love? 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:14.839 Do we 00:13:14.839 --> 00:13:15.299 see this 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:15.819 in our 00:13:15.819 --> 00:13:15.979 own 00:13:15.979 --> 00:13:16.259 lives? 00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:19.879 Ultimately, 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.099 it ends 00:13:21.099 --> 00:13:21.539 with the 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.319 wrong results. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.379 If we 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.019 look at 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:24.799 verse 16, 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:26.799 we 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.099 have 00:13:27.099 --> 00:13:27.559 envy 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:28.240 and selfish 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:28.740 ambition, 00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:30.259 there you 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:30.699 will find 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:31.479 disorder in 00:13:31.479 --> 00:13:32.039 every evil 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:32.539 practice. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.039 It affects 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.639 the Christian 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:37.059 as spiritual 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:37.519 growth is 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:37.939 stopped, 00:13:38.579 --> 00:13:39.079 our witness 00:13:39.079 --> 00:13:39.699 to others 00:13:39.699 --> 00:13:40.519 is destroyed 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.959 and ultimately 00:13:41.959 --> 00:13:42.579 our intimacy 00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:43.359 of Christ 00:13:43.359 --> 00:13:43.899 is broken. 00:13:45.979 --> 00:13:46.799 We can 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:47.419 see the 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:48.059 overlap with 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:48.679 last week's 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:49.120 message. 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:50.279 Jonathan 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:51.039 challenged us 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:51.719 how we use 00:13:51.719 --> 00:13:52.179 our tongue 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.959 and he said, 00:13:54.079 --> 00:13:54.259 are we 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:54.599 causing 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:55.080 our feeling 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:55.680 conflict? 00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:57.480 Our words 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:57.940 and actions 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:58.420 can cause 00:13:58.420 --> 00:13:59.040 others to 00:13:59.040 --> 00:13:59.700 disregard 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.340 the gospel 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:01.480 and that 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:01.980 the tongue 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:02.399 is the 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:02.639 outward 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.159 showing of 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:03.580 the heart. 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.139 We can 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:05.600 see here 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:05.940 in this 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.580 passage 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.420 that the 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:07.980 fruit of 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.259 worldly 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:08.600 wisdom 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.259 leads to 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:09.659 disorder 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.440 and we 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:10.720 can see 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:11.040 that all 00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:11.580 these fruits 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:11.920 are a 00:14:11.920 --> 00:14:12.820 result of 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:13.279 the trap 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:13.600 of being 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.100 rooted in 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:14.379 wisdom 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:15.100 from this 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.360 world. 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:16.899 And as 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.159 we heard 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:17.560 last week, 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:17.960 we need 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:18.519 God's 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:18.879 grace. 00:14:22.160 --> 00:14:23.000 So as 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.720 we go 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.179 on now 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:24.539 and look 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.240 at wisdom 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:25.840 from above, 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:26.340 we can 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:26.639 see the 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.240 contrast 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.080 in verse 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.639 17, 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:29.539 where we 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.039 are presented 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:30.480 with the 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.220 wisdom rooted 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:31.759 in heaven, 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:33.019 the wisdom 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:33.759 from above, 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.279 which is like 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:36.259 a breath of 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:36.759 fresh air 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.559 compared with 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:38.059 what we have 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:38.559 just read. 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:39.799 Let's read 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:41.220 this together. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.080 So in verse 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:42.639 17, 00:14:42.639 --> 00:15:02.699 What a list! 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:03.980 This is the 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.659 complete opposite 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.580 from earthly 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:05.919 wisdom. 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.659 This is very 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.360 evident when we 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.759 look at the 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.039 fruits. 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:09.960 This wisdom 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:10.720 is a gift 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.259 from God. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.480 it is humble 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.539 and it is 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:14.200 evident by 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.039 how we 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.620 serve others. 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:18.980 Likewise, 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:19.919 the fruits 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:20.379 of the 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:20.659 wisdom 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.340 from above. 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:23.799 Heavenly 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.319 wisdom is 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:24.960 first of 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:25.500 all pure. 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:26.919 This is the 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.919 idea of 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:28.120 having 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.779 integrity 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.799 and principles 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.559 that won't 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.259 be compromised, 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:32.659 of being 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.799 set apart. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:35.600 It's 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.059 interesting 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:37.019 that being 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:37.600 pure is 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.399 first in 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:38.679 God's 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.340 list. 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:40.319 Peace 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.040 loving comes 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:41.480 next. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.360 Sometimes in 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:44.820 our life, 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:45.480 there may 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:45.740 come a 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.480 time when 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.240 we need to 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:47.600 take a 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.420 stand for 00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:48.860 living a 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.540 holy life, 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.379 for being 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:50.740 pure. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.460 And there 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:52.879 are certain 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.740 things that 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.320 we can't 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:54.900 give into. 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.040 And I'm 00:15:56.040 --> 00:15:56.360 not just 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:56.960 talking about 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.600 in a war 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:57.920 with the 00:15:57.920 --> 00:15:59.060 world when 00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.400 we're fighting 00:15:59.400 --> 00:16:00.040 against the 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:01.860 world's ways. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:02.700 We may 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.220 think of 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.740 Paul's 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.280 disagreement 00:16:04.280 --> 00:16:05.160 with Peter 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:06.200 in Galatians. 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:07.200 Paul took a 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.100 stand for 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.200 truth and 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:09.720 peace 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.100 followed. 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:11.860 So firstly, 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.440 be pure 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.140 with the 00:16:13.140 --> 00:16:13.759 holy life 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.700 and this 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.300 ultimately 00:16:15.300 --> 00:16:16.440 will bring 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:16.820 peace. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.120 And as we 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.780 continue to 00:16:20.780 --> 00:16:21.140 look at the 00:16:21.140 --> 00:16:21.740 fruits from 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.420 heavenly wisdom, 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.560 they are all 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.560 relational wisdom, 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.520 how we relate 00:16:25.520 --> 00:16:26.379 to and 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.120 treat other 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:27.420 people. 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:29.740 This wisdom 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.379 is peace 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:30.620 loving, 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:31.940 the idea 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:32.259 that we 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:32.660 will not 00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:33.420 antagonize 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:33.780 others. 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.360 Earthly 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:35.860 wisdom we 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.200 have seen 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:36.460 puts 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:36.780 ourselves 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:39.000 first and 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.500 doesn't care 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:39.799 for the 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.199 feelings of 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:40.559 others. 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:41.259 Well, 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.779 this wisdom 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:42.819 from above 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:43.579 will have 00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:43.919 us put 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:46.179 others before 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.360 ourselves and 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:47.980 seek peace. 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.139 It is also 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:51.059 considerate, 00:16:51.459 --> 00:16:51.939 the opposite 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:52.399 of being 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.059 self-centered. 00:16:54.339 --> 00:16:54.679 We will 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.740 consider all 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.319 the joys and 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:57.319 pains that 00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:57.740 others have 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.179 gone through. 00:16:58.959 --> 00:16:59.579 We will 00:16:59.579 --> 00:17:00.000 put their 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.019 feelings before 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.500 our own. 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.519 We will not 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.240 respond based 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:03.799 on just one 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.180 incident, 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.600 but we'll 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.100 consider the 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.640 whole picture 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.120 of what 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:08.380 they are 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:08.880 going through 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.660 and up 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.060 until this 00:17:10.060 --> 00:17:10.460 point, 00:17:11.320 --> 00:17:11.640 we will 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:11.940 cut them 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.420 some slack. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:12.920 We will 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.480 not go 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.440 nuclear when 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.460 someone makes 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.000 a mistake 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.660 or wrongs 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:16.900 us. 00:17:17.560 --> 00:17:18.060 It's been 00:17:18.060 --> 00:17:19.160 considerate. 00:17:21.340 --> 00:17:22.120 It is 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:22.980 submissive or 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.299 gentle. 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.320 Now, 00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:24.880 this is not 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:25.640 a weakness 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.720 or being 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.440 a pushover. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:28.900 It conveys 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.759 the idea of 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.700 avoiding harsh 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.560 criticism of 00:17:31.560 --> 00:17:31.980 others. 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.080 It makes 00:17:33.080 --> 00:17:33.560 allowances. 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:37.460 wisdom from 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.100 above is 00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:38.940 also full 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.420 of mercy 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.460 and good 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:40.820 fruit. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.720 If God 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.019 had not 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.539 been merciful 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.120 to us, 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.080 where would 00:17:45.080 --> 00:17:45.420 we be? 00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:47.140 The idea 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:47.880 of not 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.360 dishing out 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:48.720 punishment 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.100 when it's 00:17:49.100 --> 00:17:49.360 due, 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.299 but being 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.820 forgiven. 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.880 This brings 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:53.160 to mind 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:53.620 the Lord's 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.299 prayer when 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:54.720 we ask 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.180 God to 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:55.660 forgive our 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.080 sins in 00:17:56.080 --> 00:17:56.400 the same 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:57.279 way that 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:57.700 we forgive 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.240 those who 00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:58.680 have sinned 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.240 against us. 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.120 We must 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:00.600 be forgiven. 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.360 Are we? 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.039 And it's 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:06.200 also an 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.700 impartial 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.279 wisdom. 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:07.799 It treats 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.680 all as 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.080 equals. 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.580 James covered 00:18:10.580 --> 00:18:10.920 this in 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.580 chapter 2 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.019 with the 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.440 treatment of 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:12.799 the rich 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.720 and the 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:13.980 poor. 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.299 And in 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.740 this world 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:17.080 where people 00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:17.700 aren't always 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.140 treating as 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:18.480 equals, 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.200 as Christians 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.640 we should 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.279 realise that 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:20.640 this is 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.140 something that 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:22.140 should be 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:22.660 displayed in 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.120 our lives 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:23.560 to treat 00:18:23.560 --> 00:18:23.980 all as 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.380 equal and 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.779 to be 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.640 impartial. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.340 It's a 00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:29.820 sincere 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:30.920 wisdom. 00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:31.440 we also 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:31.740 read, 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.700 being genuine 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.340 without 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:35.019 ulterior 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.560 motives. 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:36.700 Basically, 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:37.740 don't be a 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.160 hypocrite and 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.000 hide behind 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.500 a mask. 00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:43.160 And what 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.779 does this 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.320 wisdom lead 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:44.480 to? 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.320 Well, we're 00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:46.880 peacemakers 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.340 who sow 00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:47.800 in peace 00:18:47.800 --> 00:18:49.060 and ultimately 00:18:49.060 --> 00:18:50.039 leading to 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.180 a harvest 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.980 of righteousness. 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.039 Harvest of 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.440 righteousness. 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.480 This brings 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.320 to mind the 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:57.680 words of 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.480 Jesus found 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.200 in John 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.200 chapter 15 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:01.519 verse 5 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.840 where Jesus 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:03.319 says, 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.340 I am the 00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:04.640 vine, 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.640 you are the 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:06.080 branches. 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.140 If you 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:07.640 remain in 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.500 me and 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.000 I in 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.259 you, 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.039 you will 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.539 bear much 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:10.880 fruit. 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.120 Apart from 00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:12.440 me, you 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:12.740 can do 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.120 nothing. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:15.480 Does that 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:15.779 make us 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.259 think of 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.380 today when 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.640 we're more 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:19.180 disjointed 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:19.819 possibly than 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.100 we ever 00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:20.500 have been 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.140 with COVID 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.559 and being 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.460 isolated from 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:23.799 each other? 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.880 We really 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.400 need to 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.600 meet together 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:26.900 as a 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.180 church, 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.480 be peacemakers 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:28.920 together, 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.980 and sow 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.259 in this 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.840 harvest of 00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.220 righteousness. 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.320 Do this 00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:33.580 through Jesus. 00:19:35.060 --> 00:19:35.500 Let's not 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:35.779 give up 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.320 meeting together. 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:37.720 So how 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.880 amazing would 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:39.240 it be to 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.940 be described 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:41.060 in this 00:19:41.060 --> 00:19:41.960 way as 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.900 peace-loving, 00:19:43.360 --> 00:19:44.200 as considerate, 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.180 as full of 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:45.500 mercy. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:46.940 Very 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.360 challenging, 00:19:47.560 --> 00:19:48.400 but it's an 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.039 amazing list. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.680 But has 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.400 James just 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:52.840 given us 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.420 these two 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:53.820 lists, 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:55.100 one list of 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:55.820 earthly wisdom 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.879 to make us 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:57.460 feel guilty 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.179 and that 00:19:58.179 --> 00:19:58.519 God is 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.119 angry when 00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.899 he sees 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:00.179 these in 00:20:00.179 --> 00:20:00.639 our lives? 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:01.679 And this 00:20:01.679 --> 00:20:02.279 other list, 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.019 the list of 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.980 heavenly wisdom 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:05.359 being things 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.019 that will make 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.599 God happy 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.059 when we try 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.500 to grasp 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:07.720 them? 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:08.759 Because let's 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.179 be honest, 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.159 some of them 00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:10.859 are almost 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.559 impossible to 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:11.759 meet. 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:12.980 Is that what 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.639 James is 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:14.319 intending here? 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.220 Is it a 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.839 balance weighing 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.339 good fruits 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.019 against bad, 00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:17.799 seeing what's 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.259 active in 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.879 our lives? 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.579 Absolutely 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.039 not. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.480 James is 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.119 showing that 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:24.240 on our own, 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.460 it is impossible 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.099 to meet 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:26.380 God's 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:26.759 standards, 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.980 just as it 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.519 is to 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:28.900 tame the 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.120 tongue. 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:30.559 We need 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:30.880 God's 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.240 forgiveness 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.279 and grace. 00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:34.660 How do we 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.579 apply all 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.059 this in our 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.519 lives as 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:36.880 Christians? 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.960 I don't 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.500 think we 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:39.900 can deal 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.500 with this 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:40.940 section of 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.240 scripture 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.960 without 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.380 addressing 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.120 the passage 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:43.859 as a 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.140 whole. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.000 So the 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.859 course of 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.259 the chapter 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:47.900 flows as 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.339 follows. 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:49.859 Not everyone 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.740 should become 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.900 teachers as 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.279 they will be 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:53.079 judged more 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:53.420 strictly. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.600 due to the 00:20:54.600 --> 00:20:55.060 position of 00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:55.560 influence that 00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:55.900 they have. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.519 This is 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:57.980 shown by 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.420 the power 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:58.720 of the 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:58.960 tongue, 00:20:59.539 --> 00:20:59.840 which has 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:00.240 the power 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:00.660 to build 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:00.940 up our 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:01.900 witness and 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.240 build up 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.440 other 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:02.940 Christians, 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:03.820 or the 00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:04.340 power to 00:21:04.340 --> 00:21:04.700 destroy 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.640 this when 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:05.940 we get 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.279 it wrong. 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.080 So we 00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:08.320 need to 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:08.640 tame the 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:08.860 tongue, 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:09.740 but we 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.200 can't. 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.080 And what 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:12.220 flows from 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.700 our tongue 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.820 shows what 00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:14.279 is in our 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.600 heart. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.960 The only 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.340 way to 00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:16.800 change our 00:21:16.800 --> 00:21:17.779 tongue is 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.180 to change 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:18.680 our hearts. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.000 And this 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.680 can only come 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.180 from God. 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:24.180 God is 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:24.740 here in 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.500 this section 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.220 from verse 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.360 13 that 00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:28.420 James gives 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:28.860 a solution 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:29.240 to this 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:29.700 impossible 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:31.440 problem of 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:31.799 taming the 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.759 tongue, of 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.180 changing our 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:33.440 heart. 00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:34.539 Godly wisdom 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.680 comes from 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.380 knowing God. 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:37.820 We've read 00:21:37.820 --> 00:21:38.460 this already in 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:39.019 chapter 1 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.720 verse 5. 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.880 If any of 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.519 you lacks 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.799 wisdom, you 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.140 should ask 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:43.440 God. 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.160 How do we 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.720 ask God for 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.240 what we need? 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.039 Through prayer. 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.079 prayer. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.359 It is 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.180 spending time 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.960 with God 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.579 in prayer 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.500 and reading 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.019 his word. 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:53.960 It is 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:54.920 serving others. 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.319 The more 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:56.740 time we 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.399 spend getting 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:57.779 to know 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.799 God, the 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.460 more important 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.259 God's love 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.920 and forgiveness 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.519 becomes to 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.559 us, the 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.200 more important 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.159 his grace. 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:05.940 He has 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.619 forgiven us 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.480 through Jesus' 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.359 death on the 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:08.680 cross. 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:09.899 When we 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.720 think on what 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.059 it costs 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:12.220 Jesus and 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.019 how much we 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.299 have been 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.759 forgiven, the 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.500 less important 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.139 our own 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:16.940 pride and 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.859 ambition becomes. 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.879 the more 00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:19.819 we want to 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.279 serve him. 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.480 Now a 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.519 friend sent 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.019 a little 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.480 message to 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:25.899 my wife 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:26.700 during the 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:26.940 week. 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.460 Don't you 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.159 love friends 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:29.960 who encourage 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.240 you with 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.599 things like 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:30.859 that? 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:31.659 You should 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.299 try to be 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.859 a positive 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.879 influence in 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:34.319 the lives 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:34.700 of others. 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.000 So this 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.639 little message 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.700 was titled 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.480 Be Rooted 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:40.379 and it 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:40.960 goes as 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.339 follows. 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:43.759 The more 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.200 you know 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.059 God, the 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.379 more you 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:45.819 will learn 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.339 to trust 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.559 him. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.779 the more 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.019 you know 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.179 him 00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:48.700 personally, 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.679 the more 00:22:49.679 --> 00:22:49.960 you will 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.419 love him. 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:51.859 The more 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.480 you love 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.059 him, the 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.440 more you 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.019 will serve 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.259 him. 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.659 When we 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.119 spend time 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:58.419 with him, 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.519 when we 00:22:59.519 --> 00:22:59.799 get to 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.159 know him, 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:01.639 when we 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.359 respond to 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:02.940 his grace, 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.099 God can 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.500 work on 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:04.919 our hearts 00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.919 and the 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:06.639 fruits of 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:06.940 godly 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.440 wisdom will 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:07.779 grow in 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.279 our lives. 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.179 It's not 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:10.099 from us or 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.599 anything that 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:10.940 we do. 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.659 It's God 00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:12.319 working in 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:12.779 our lives, 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.980 giving us a 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.559 heart transplant. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:16.720 we will 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.079 want to 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.480 share this 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:17.839 love with 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.319 our family, 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.200 with our 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.599 friends, 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.460 with our 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.039 enemies even. 00:23:22.659 --> 00:23:23.399 Just as the 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:23.980 food colouring 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.639 rose from 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.319 the root of 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.740 the celery 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.359 through the 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:26.919 whole plant, 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.220 if you spend 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.759 time getting 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.039 to know 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.220 God, in 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.099 prayer, reading 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.700 his word, 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.460 if you spend 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.099 time with 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:33.759 other Christians, 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:34.740 God will 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.500 act on our 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:35.779 heart. 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.200 We will be 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.599 rooted in 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.119 God's wisdom 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.940 from above 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:40.099 and its 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.720 fruits will 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.079 show in 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.519 our lives. 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:43.079 Now that 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:43.400 doesn't mean 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.639 that we're 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.799 perfect, but 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.379 we are 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:45.839 forgiven. 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.279 What does 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:49.700 this passage 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.000 mean? 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:50.740 If you're 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.079 not a 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.299 Christian, 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.440 friend, this 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.000 section may 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.619 seem like a 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.859 heavy, gloomy 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.240 chapter. 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.079 There are 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.420 lots of 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:56.900 things in it 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.119 that are 00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:57.759 impossible to 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:57.960 do. 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:58.720 It even 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.220 tells us 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:01.139 this, such 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:01.519 as no man 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:01.859 can tame 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.200 the tongue. 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.079 Or it 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.920 may seem 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.200 like a 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.920 checklist of 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.339 things to 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.779 try and 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.200 do to 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.700 earn God's 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.019 approval. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.200 I won't 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.440 harbour envy. 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.619 I will try 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:10.879 and be 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.519 considerate. 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:12.719 But this 00:24:12.719 --> 00:24:13.239 is a point 00:24:13.239 --> 00:24:13.879 that James 00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:14.279 is making. 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.059 We need 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.559 to realise 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.059 that we 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.519 are broken 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.259 and sinful. 00:24:17.919 --> 00:24:18.219 There is 00:24:18.219 --> 00:24:18.739 nothing that 00:24:18.739 --> 00:24:19.359 we can do 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:19.959 to earn 00:24:19.959 --> 00:24:20.479 God's favour 00:24:20.479 --> 00:24:20.979 and fix 00:24:20.979 --> 00:24:21.359 our heart. 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:22.699 God's 00:24:22.699 --> 00:24:23.139 standard is 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.619 perfection, 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.719 not one 00:24:24.719 --> 00:24:25.239 mistake. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.500 And this 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.279 is impossible 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.979 for us to 00:24:27.979 --> 00:24:28.399 achieve. 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.579 But Jesus 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.039 did it. 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.179 He died 00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:32.139 to take the 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:33.179 punishment that 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:33.779 we deserve, 00:24:34.399 --> 00:24:35.159 that we can 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:35.819 have life 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.599 and God's 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.039 justice. 00:24:37.719 --> 00:24:38.019 The need 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.439 to punish 00:24:38.439 --> 00:24:38.899 my sin 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:40.019 was paid 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:40.559 by Christ. 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:42.539 The fruits 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:42.779 that we 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.139 have looked 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:43.439 at in 00:24:43.439 --> 00:24:44.099 James should 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.519 not make 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:44.859 us feel 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.419 guilty, 00:24:45.959 --> 00:24:46.759 but grateful. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.279 The cross 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:48.859 of Jesus 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.459 shows us 00:24:49.459 --> 00:24:49.879 just how 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:51.199 important we 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:51.479 are to 00:24:51.479 --> 00:24:51.739 God. 00:24:53.419 --> 00:24:54.239 I think 00:24:54.239 --> 00:24:55.219 the second 00:24:55.219 --> 00:24:56.079 verse of 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.379 the hymn 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.919 before the 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.299 throne of 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.959 God above 00:24:57.959 --> 00:24:58.819 sums us 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.199 up much 00:24:59.199 --> 00:25:00.179 better than 00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:00.599 I can. 00:25:01.979 --> 00:25:02.539 It reads, 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:14.920 God is 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:29.559 offering us 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.339 his true 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.679 wisdom. 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:32.159 It is a 00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:32.460 gift. 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:33.700 We don't 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.179 have to 00:25:34.179 --> 00:25:34.639 worry about 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.279 gaining the 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.000 right grade 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.099 or pass 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:37.599 mark to 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.179 earn it. 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.379 The only 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.899 marks we 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.179 need to 00:25:40.179 --> 00:25:40.779 focus on 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.379 are the 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:41.799 marks on 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.059 Jesus' 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.220 body as 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.440 he was 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.679 crucified so 00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:45.159 that we 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:46.000 can live. 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.539 The only 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.460 entry requirement 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.339 as we have 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:50.059 heard is 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.659 humility. 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.319 This humility, 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:54.259 admitting that 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.879 we have wronged 00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:55.339 others and 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:55.919 sinned against 00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:56.299 God, 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.440 admitting that 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:57.720 we need 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.080 God's 00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:58.420 forgiveness. 00:25:59.320 --> 00:25:59.620 This is 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.120 the humility 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.860 that comes 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:01.420 from God's 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.600 wisdom and 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:03.180 which changes 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.759 our heart. 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.380 Friend, if 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:05.920 you have not 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.440 done this, 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.740 come and 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.039 know the 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.519 peace and 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.259 reassurance that 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.700 comes from 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.400 trusting God 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.340 with your 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:12.539 life and 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.380 with your 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:13.720 future. 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.680 Just let 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:17.080 us pray. 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.180 Father, we 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:20.880 thank you for 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:22.140 your son and 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.700 his sacrifice 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.299 for us on 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.740 the cross. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.420 It is humbling 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:25.980 to think of 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.539 what it cost 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:26.820 you. 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:27.740 That we 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.059 might be 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.460 forgiven and 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.860 be called 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.500 children of 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:30.779 God. 00:26:31.580 --> 00:26:32.000 We thank 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.240 you for 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.620 your work 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:32.940 that we 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.480 can study 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.220 and learn 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.960 more about 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.420 you and 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:35.860 your love. 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.380 Help us to 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.019 live a life 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.940 that points 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.620 others to 00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.799 you, that 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.220 they may 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.799 also know 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.220 the peace 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.660 that comes 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:42.960 from your 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.539 love and 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.420 presence in 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.900 their lives. 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:46.000 In Jesus' 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.259 name, Amen.