Thank you for this opportunity to share God's word with you.
As Alistair said today, it's a bit different for me and for yourselves,
as I had hoped to join in the building.
But yes, due to a holiday down to Costa del London,
we were contacted by Track and Trace and asked to self-isolate.
So hopefully the wonders of technology being live over Zoom will be acceptable.
So we are continuing our study in the book of James,
the book that focuses on Christian maturity.
Today in this passage, we will be looking at wisdom.
And more accurately, we will be looking at two different kinds of wisdom.
Wisdom from above, as James titles it, and earthly wisdom,
comparing the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God.
We will look at the two sources of these wisdoms, the roots,
and what they look like and show in our lives, the fruits.
So to reflect this, I have titled this sermon, Two Roots and Two Fruits.
So I would like you, in your mind,
to picture the most clever, intelligent person you can think of.
Who is it that pops into your head when you think clever, intelligent?
Some of you may have thought of Albert Einstein,
Marie Curie, perhaps,
Leonardo da Vinci,
maybe Stephen Hawking.
How about if I now ask you to picture the wisest person you can think of?
Are you still thinking of the same person?
Or someone completely different?
Did anyone picture King Solomon?
How about dad?
Maybe granny?
Can we see a difference between being clever and being wise?
A difference between knowledge and wisdom?
On the flip side,
I'm sure we can think of people who are intelligent,
but have no wisdom when it comes to relating to people.
This is what James is tackling in this passage.
The stark difference between earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom,
and their results in the life of the Christian.
It's a practical wisdom.
I find this study challenging as I look at my own life,
especially at the moment,
going through, as many others are,
being locked in the house,
stuck with my nearest and dearest.
And I'm reminded of how much I struggle with my own heart and tongue,
and how much I need God's forgiveness.
And James doesn't pull any punches here,
as we will see,
but it also has a message of hope and love,
that God can and will change our heart
as we mature as Christians.
I hope we will all come away with this too.
So the first question is,
who are the wise?
James asked this at the start of the passage in verse 13,
who is wise and understanding among you.
So to answer this,
let's have a quick recap of this chapter as a whole.
At the start of the chapter,
James first states his argument in verse 1,
that not many of you should become teachers,
because you will be judged more strictly.
This was to address the problem of false teaching
in the early church.
James then goes on to illustrate this argument
in verses 3 to 12,
where he gives examples of the power of the tongue,
the power to destroy or the power to delight.
And now, in this section that we are looking at today,
he applies his argument
and shows how this should affect our lives as Christians.
What are the true motives behind how we speak and act?
In this chapter, as a whole,
he is asking us,
how can I carry my faith
from the bottom of my heart
to the tip of my tongue?
So, as we can see from verse 1,
the wise that James is looking to
are the mature Christians and the teachers,
those with influence over others,
and as a result,
those that will be watched more closely.
In these verses,
he's giving us illustrations
of how wisdom should be displayed in their lives.
Now, this can equally be applied to all of us
as we all have positions of teaching or influence.
This may be teaching our children,
our tasks at home,
our position at work,
or in our role in church.
And also,
wisdom is a gift from God
that we should all ask for.
In chapter 1, verse 5,
we already heard that
if any of you lacks wisdom,
you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you.
This wisdom is something we should all seek.
So, James starts off today's passage,
in verse 13,
with a strong challenge.
The wise should show it by deeds done
in humility that comes from wisdom.
What does this mean?
Deeds and humility that comes from wisdom?
Well, that no task is beneath us.
We should humbly realise
that if we are able to serve,
then we should.
Let our lives show the love
that God has put into our hearts
by serving each other,
and also serving those
that are not Christians.
Let us show our wisdom
by our deeds.
Is there something we know
that we can do to help a brother
or sister at church?
Then do it.
Don't wait for others,
but humbly do it.
James is spurring us into action here
at the start of this section.
Can we help with an outreach?
Can we be in contact
with those that are on their own
or lonely?
Do we pray for our elders
and those that teach?
The wise are the ones who serve.
Let our wisdom show by our deeds,
done in humility.
James is challenging us again,
as in previous chapters,
to act out our faith.
So what is this wisdom
that James urges us to seek?
Today, we seem to confuse
having knowledge with being wise.
This is not the wisdom
James is discussing in this passage.
It is more than knowledge,
or even knowledge of the truth.
It is living a life
that points others to God.
It is a life lived by God's standards,
not those of man.
It is a practical wisdom.
How our needs,
and those of others,
all fit within God's plan
for us as Christians.
So we now come to the roots
and the fruits.
Let us look at the roots and fruits
of the different wisdom
found in this passage.
What is the purpose
of a plant's root?
What do the roots do?
Well, they supply the plant
with moisture and nutrients.
The food it needs to survive.
They feed it.
I remember at school,
they were studying plant structures.
So we placed celery
into a glass of water
with black food colouring in it.
After some time,
we could see the black colour
moving up the celery
from the root end
towards the leaves at the top,
spreading throughout
the whole plant.
This is similar with wisdom.
The type of wisdom
we are rooted in
will spread through us
and will be evident
in our lives.
We need to ask ourselves,
and I include myself in this,
what kind of wisdom
are we feeding on?
Where is it rooted?
Is it rooted in the value system
of this world?
Or is it rooted
in God's wisdom?
James shows us here
that these are two
completely different,
opposite types of wisdom.
They have very different roots,
leading to very different fruits.
So firstly,
let us look at the wisdom
that is rooted in this world.
So let's remind ourselves
of the passage.
So in verse 13,
who is wise
and understanding
among you,
let them show it
by their good life,
by deeds done
in the humility
that comes from wisdom.
But if you harbour
bitter envy
and selfish ambition
in your hearts,
do not boast about it
or deny the truth.
Such wisdom
does not come down
from heaven,
but is earthly,
unspiritual,
demonic.
This is worldly wisdom,
if we can call it
wisdom at all.
We see this
in verse 15.
Such wisdom
does not come down
from heaven.
By this,
James means
the world system
which is opposed
to God,
the system that wants
nothing to do with God
and his son.
He says here
it is earthly,
unspiritual,
and it is from the devil.
It's demonic.
These are the three
enemies of the Christian.
The world
is earthly,
our desires
is unspiritual,
it's the opposite
of being spiritual
and it's from the devil.
It's demonic.
So these are the three
enemies we have to be
aware of.
The wisdom of this world
rejects God
and it rejects
the gospel of God.
1 Corinthians
chapter 1
verse 18
tells us,
For the message
of the cross
is foolishness
to those
who are perishing,
but to us
who are being saved
it is the power
of God.
For the message
of the cross
is foolishness
to those
who are perishing.
And that's just
the way the devil
wants it,
for people
to reject
God's wisdom
and the life
that only God
can offer.
And also,
when we look
at the fruits
in this passage,
we can see
that this
worldly wisdom
has a very
proud,
selfish
line of fruit.
In a word,
it's self-serving.
It is the opposite
of God's wisdom.
wisdom.
For we read
in James
chapter 4
verse 6,
which you'll be
looking at
in a few weeks
time,
that God
opposes the
proud,
but shows
favour to
the humble.
So what are
the fruits
of this
worldly wisdom?
Well,
firstly,
it's the wrong
motives.
If you look,
we can see
that it comes
from bitter
envy and
selfish ambition
in their hearts.
many today
are full of
knowledge,
but empty
of wisdom.
This is a
wisdom meant
to impress
rather than
to help
in any sort
of practical
way.
The world's
way to get
up is by
climbing up
over others.
It doesn't
matter what
it takes to
get you
where you
need to be.
It's about
showing that
you've done
this by
yourself.
No help.
You are the
best.
And this
may also be
evident in
the church.
jealousy of
how God
is using
a fellow
Christian,
but not
us.
Or it
may be
envy of
another's
gifts,
gifts that
God has
given them
to strengthen
the church.
Do we
want what
they have?
This is not
the way to
get it.
We will
see this
as we
look at
God's
wisdom
later.
Worldly
wisdom
also leads
to the
wrong
standards.
It is
boastful
and it
denies
the truth.
So it
is rooted
in self
and self
interest.
Pride
loves to
boast.
We can
sometimes
pretend
that
everything
we
have
is
from
our
own
hard
work.
It's
not a
gift from
God.
Look what
I have
achieved
with my
hands.
We boast.
It
denies the
truth.
What is
truth was
asked of
Jesus
2000 years
ago.
This is
still the
case
today.
If you
don't like
the truth
you can
just invent
your own
version of
it.
We measure
things by
our own
standards
not God's
truth.
We do
what is
right in
our own
eyes.
It also
exhibits the
wrong
characteristics.
James
describes it
as unspiritual
earthly.
This is
animal-like or
essential,
the absolute
opposite of
spiritual.
It is
focused on
fleeting
superficial
feelings
rather than
in genuine
love.
There is
nothing deep
there.
It is
about using
people,
not loving
people.
Can we
see this
in the
world today,
the shallow
superficial
love?
Do we
see this
in our
own
lives?
Ultimately,
it ends
with the
wrong results.
If we
look at
verse 16,
we
have
envy
and selfish
ambition,
there you
will find
disorder in
every evil
practice.
It affects
the Christian
as spiritual
growth is
stopped,
our witness
to others
is destroyed
and ultimately
our intimacy
of Christ
is broken.
We can
see the
overlap with
last week's
message.
Jonathan
challenged us
how we use
our tongue
and he said,
are we
causing
our feeling
conflict?
Our words
and actions
can cause
others to
disregard
the gospel
and that
the tongue
is the
outward
showing of
the heart.
We can
see here
in this
passage
that the
fruit of
worldly
wisdom
leads to
disorder
and we
can see
that all
these fruits
are a
result of
the trap
of being
rooted in
wisdom
from this
world.
And as
we heard
last week,
we need
God's
grace.
So as
we go
on now
and look
at wisdom
from above,
we can
see the
contrast
in verse
17,
where we
are presented
with the
wisdom rooted
in heaven,
the wisdom
from above,
which is like
a breath of
fresh air
compared with
what we have
just read.
Let's read
this together.
So in verse
17,
What a list!
This is the
complete opposite
from earthly
wisdom.
This is very
evident when we
look at the
fruits.
This wisdom
is a gift
from God.
it is humble
and it is
evident by
how we
serve others.
Likewise,
the fruits
of the
wisdom
from above.
Heavenly
wisdom is
first of
all pure.
This is the
idea of
having
integrity
and principles
that won't
be compromised,
of being
set apart.
It's
interesting
that being
pure is
first in
God's
list.
Peace
loving comes
next.
Sometimes in
our life,
there may
come a
time when
we need to
take a
stand for
living a
holy life,
for being
pure.
And there
are certain
things that
we can't
give into.
And I'm
not just
talking about
in a war
with the
world when
we're fighting
against the
world's ways.
We may
think of
Paul's
disagreement
with Peter
in Galatians.
Paul took a
stand for
truth and
peace
followed.
So firstly,
be pure
with the
holy life
and this
ultimately
will bring
peace.
And as we
continue to
look at the
fruits from
heavenly wisdom,
they are all
relational wisdom,
how we relate
to and
treat other
people.
This wisdom
is peace
loving,
the idea
that we
will not
antagonize
others.
Earthly
wisdom we
have seen
puts
ourselves
first and
doesn't care
for the
feelings of
others.
Well,
this wisdom
from above
will have
us put
others before
ourselves and
seek peace.
It is also
considerate,
the opposite
of being
self-centered.
We will
consider all
the joys and
pains that
others have
gone through.
We will
put their
feelings before
our own.
We will not
respond based
on just one
incident,
but we'll
consider the
whole picture
of what
they are
going through
and up
until this
point,
we will
cut them
some slack.
We will
not go
nuclear when
someone makes
a mistake
or wrongs
us.
It's been
considerate.
It is
submissive or
gentle.
Now,
this is not
a weakness
or being
a pushover.
It conveys
the idea of
avoiding harsh
criticism of
others.
It makes
allowances.
wisdom from
above is
also full
of mercy
and good
fruit.
If God
had not
been merciful
to us,
where would
we be?
The idea
of not
dishing out
punishment
when it's
due,
but being
forgiven.
This brings
to mind
the Lord's
prayer when
we ask
God to
forgive our
sins in
the same
way that
we forgive
those who
have sinned
against us.
We must
be forgiven.
Are we?
And it's
also an
impartial
wisdom.
It treats
all as
equals.
James covered
this in
chapter 2
with the
treatment of
the rich
and the
poor.
And in
this world
where people
aren't always
treating as
equals,
as Christians
we should
realise that
this is
something that
should be
displayed in
our lives
to treat
all as
equal and
to be
impartial.
It's a
sincere
wisdom.
we also
read,
being genuine
without
ulterior
motives.
Basically,
don't be a
hypocrite and
hide behind
a mask.
And what
does this
wisdom lead
to?
Well, we're
peacemakers
who sow
in peace
and ultimately
leading to
a harvest
of righteousness.
Harvest of
righteousness.
This brings
to mind the
words of
Jesus found
in John
chapter 15
verse 5
where Jesus
says,
I am the
vine,
you are the
branches.
If you
remain in
me and
I in
you,
you will
bear much
fruit.
Apart from
me, you
can do
nothing.
Does that
make us
think of
today when
we're more
disjointed
possibly than
we ever
have been
with COVID
and being
isolated from
each other?
We really
need to
meet together
as a
church,
be peacemakers
together,
and sow
in this
harvest of
righteousness.
Do this
through Jesus.
Let's not
give up
meeting together.
So how
amazing would
it be to
be described
in this
way as
peace-loving,
as considerate,
as full of
mercy.
Very
challenging,
but it's an
amazing list.
But has
James just
given us
these two
lists,
one list of
earthly wisdom
to make us
feel guilty
and that
God is
angry when
he sees
these in
our lives?
And this
other list,
the list of
heavenly wisdom
being things
that will make
God happy
when we try
to grasp
them?
Because let's
be honest,
some of them
are almost
impossible to
meet.
Is that what
James is
intending here?
Is it a
balance weighing
good fruits
against bad,
seeing what's
active in
our lives?
Absolutely
not.
James is
showing that
on our own,
it is impossible
to meet
God's
standards,
just as it
is to
tame the
tongue.
We need
God's
forgiveness
and grace.
How do we
apply all
this in our
lives as
Christians?
I don't
think we
can deal
with this
section of
scripture
without
addressing
the passage
as a
whole.
So the
course of
the chapter
flows as
follows.
Not everyone
should become
teachers as
they will be
judged more
strictly.
due to the
position of
influence that
they have.
This is
shown by
the power
of the
tongue,
which has
the power
to build
up our
witness and
build up
other
Christians,
or the
power to
destroy
this when
we get
it wrong.
So we
need to
tame the
tongue,
but we
can't.
And what
flows from
our tongue
shows what
is in our
heart.
The only
way to
change our
tongue is
to change
our hearts.
And this
can only come
from God.
God is
here in
this section
from verse
13 that
James gives
a solution
to this
impossible
problem of
taming the
tongue, of
changing our
heart.
Godly wisdom
comes from
knowing God.
We've read
this already in
chapter 1
verse 5.
If any of
you lacks
wisdom, you
should ask
God.
How do we
ask God for
what we need?
Through prayer.
prayer.
It is
spending time
with God
in prayer
and reading
his word.
It is
serving others.
The more
time we
spend getting
to know
God, the
more important
God's love
and forgiveness
becomes to
us, the
more important
his grace.
He has
forgiven us
through Jesus'
death on the
cross.
When we
think on what
it costs
Jesus and
how much we
have been
forgiven, the
less important
our own
pride and
ambition becomes.
the more
we want to
serve him.
Now a
friend sent
a little
message to
my wife
during the
week.
Don't you
love friends
who encourage
you with
things like
that?
You should
try to be
a positive
influence in
the lives
of others.
So this
little message
was titled
Be Rooted
and it
goes as
follows.
The more
you know
God, the
more you
will learn
to trust
him.
the more
you know
him
personally,
the more
you will
love him.
The more
you love
him, the
more you
will serve
him.
When we
spend time
with him,
when we
get to
know him,
when we
respond to
his grace,
God can
work on
our hearts
and the
fruits of
godly
wisdom will
grow in
our lives.
It's not
from us or
anything that
we do.
It's God
working in
our lives,
giving us a
heart transplant.
we will
want to
share this
love with
our family,
with our
friends,
with our
enemies even.
Just as the
food colouring
rose from
the root of
the celery
through the
whole plant,
if you spend
time getting
to know
God, in
prayer, reading
his word,
if you spend
time with
other Christians,
God will
act on our
heart.
We will be
rooted in
God's wisdom
from above
and its
fruits will
show in
our lives.
Now that
doesn't mean
that we're
perfect, but
we are
forgiven.
What does
this passage
mean?
If you're
not a
Christian,
friend, this
section may
seem like a
heavy, gloomy
chapter.
There are
lots of
things in it
that are
impossible to
do.
It even
tells us
this, such
as no man
can tame
the tongue.
Or it
may seem
like a
checklist of
things to
try and
do to
earn God's
approval.
I won't
harbour envy.
I will try
and be
considerate.
But this
is a point
that James
is making.
We need
to realise
that we
are broken
and sinful.
There is
nothing that
we can do
to earn
God's favour
and fix
our heart.
God's
standard is
perfection,
not one
mistake.
And this
is impossible
for us to
achieve.
But Jesus
did it.
He died
to take the
punishment that
we deserve,
that we can
have life
and God's
justice.
The need
to punish
my sin
was paid
by Christ.
The fruits
that we
have looked
at in
James should
not make
us feel
guilty,
but grateful.
The cross
of Jesus
shows us
just how
important we
are to
God.
I think
the second
verse of
the hymn
before the
throne of
God above
sums us
up much
better than
I can.
It reads,
God is
offering us
his true
wisdom.
It is a
gift.
We don't
have to
worry about
gaining the
right grade
or pass
mark to
earn it.
The only
marks we
need to
focus on
are the
marks on
Jesus'
body as
he was
crucified so
that we
can live.
The only
entry requirement
as we have
heard is
humility.
This humility,
admitting that
we have wronged
others and
sinned against
God,
admitting that
we need
God's
forgiveness.
This is
the humility
that comes
from God's
wisdom and
which changes
our heart.
Friend, if
you have not
done this,
come and
know the
peace and
reassurance that
comes from
trusting God
with your
life and
with your
future.
Just let
us pray.
Father, we
thank you for
your son and
his sacrifice
for us on
the cross.
It is humbling
to think of
what it cost
you.
That we
might be
forgiven and
be called
children of
God.
We thank
you for
your work
that we
can study
and learn
more about
you and
your love.
Help us to
live a life
that points
others to
you, that
they may
also know
the peace
that comes
from your
love and
presence in
their lives.
In Jesus'
name, Amen.