WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.719 I'll please open up James chapter 3, because that's where we'll be this morning. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:17.879 You know sometimes when you go to the doctor for a checkup, he says, stick out your tongue. 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:24.839 ! Let me have a look at your tongue. You maybe think to yourself, my mouth's fine, I don't 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:28.960 know what you're worried about my tongue for. But of course, he looks at the tongue because 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:34.420 the tongue reveals something about what's going on at a deeper level. There are things 00:00:34.420 --> 00:00:40.600 on the tongue that point to something else going on elsewhere. It's an indicator of things 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:48.159 that are otherwise hidden. Well, last week James showed us what was on our tongues. And 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:57.340 this week he follows what he sees there to the deeper problem, to the deeper issues. The 00:00:57.340 --> 00:01:03.280 Lord Jesus has told us that out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. So issues with 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:10.219 the tongue reveal issues with our hearts. And this morning James shows how our hearts operate 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:16.120 according to what we love and what we think is wise. What we love, our desires, and what 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:23.200 we think is wise. What is a prudent way to live our lives in the world. Our hearts are captivated 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:28.200 by those things. Our hearts lead in those, are led in those directions. And our tongue 00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:35.079 is simply an indicator of that. But do you notice there, James verse 13 asks, who is wise and 00:01:35.079 --> 00:01:40.960 understanding among you? He's shown us what was on our tongues and he's going now to the 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:46.400 deeper issue. And remember, when James talks about wisdom, he isn't merely talking about knowledge, 00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:51.219 about things that you might know. He is talking about something practical. He's talking about 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:58.039 an approach to life that you take. And what we see this morning is that he distinguishes between 00:01:58.039 --> 00:02:06.819 two types of wisdom. One, verse 15, that he says is from above, the good stuff that comes from God, 00:02:07.819 --> 00:02:15.620 or the alternative, verse 16, that is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. James' way of saying it's 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:23.560 from the world, the flesh, the tongue is an indicator that reveals which one of these approaches to life 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:29.360 that someone takes. In fact, it's not simply the tongue. It's not just our words. It's not just our 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:36.900 speech. But James connects this to what he's already said in the letter about how someone's whole life 00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:43.280 reveals their heart and the kind of wisdom that shapes their life. Do you see that? Verse 13 again, 00:02:43.420 --> 00:02:53.060 by his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. Verse 16, where jealousy and 00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:59.819 selfish ambition exist, those are conditions of the heart, jealousy, selfish ambition, there will be 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:05.859 a life that flows from that, and the life is one of disorder and every vile practice, James says. 00:03:06.840 --> 00:03:12.819 So, this morning, what's happening is we're being invited to go beyond our tongues and look at our 00:03:12.819 --> 00:03:19.659 lives and see what they tell us about the kind of wisdom we're allowing to shape and form us. The wisdom 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:25.519 that is informing the way that we live our lives. And James describes these two approaches to life, and as 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:32.120 he does so, I want to suggest that each one of them reveals, I want to suggest what each one of them 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:38.140 reveals about how we view God and how we view the world. You see, you can look at the approach to life 00:03:38.140 --> 00:03:42.620 that you take, and it reveals something about how you view God and how you see the world around you. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:49.500 And that's what I want to do. So, here's our first point this morning. Let's look at earthly wisdom. 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:58.139 This is a mindset. This comes from a mindset that says, God is there, and life is a contest. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:06.460 God is there, and life is a contest. Verses 14 to 16. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish 00:04:06.460 --> 00:04:11.699 ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:19.339 from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:26.519 there will be disorder and every vile practice. So, this person's heart is captivated by bitter 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:34.500 jealousy, envy, and selfish ambition, which creates in turn disorder, conflict, and what James describes 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:40.079 as every vile practice, which I take to be the behavior that we've heard James expose and rebuke in 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:46.759 the letter up to now. So, anger and division and political manipulation and cozying up to influential 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:52.939 people in the church, hoping that you might benefit, ignoring the needy. That's what he means by every 00:04:52.939 --> 00:05:00.439 vile practice. This person's heart, and therefore their lives, are like this because while they might 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:06.019 think that God is there, they haven't rejected God completely. They think that he is there. They don't like 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:10.579 where he has put them. Of course, this group are scattered, and they're persecuted, and life is 00:05:10.579 --> 00:05:16.079 difficult, and many of them have lost everything, and they are bitter about that. They've lost confidence 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:22.919 in the fact that God is meaningfully engaged in this situation, and he is so for their good. 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:34.160 So, when you lose sight of God in that way, life becomes a contest. It has to. You have to push ahead. 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:39.759 You have to do better than other people. God helps those who help themselves after all. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:47.060 So, we do what we can to get ahead and to be in control, and they use their tongues, verse 10, 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:53.060 to tear other people down. They curse rather than bless. It's also possible in the context here, 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:58.240 chapter 3, verse 1, that this group, or people that are like this, are ambitious to lead this 00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:03.180 scattered church. They would do a much better job in these difficult circumstances than this 00:06:03.180 --> 00:06:08.860 bunch of jokers. So, they're pushing themselves forward. God is there, but life's a contest. 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:15.639 You think about it, there's a logic to this, and I guess that's why James calls it a kind of wisdom. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:23.220 And, of course, it's certainly seen in the way, in this way in our culture today, isn't it? Don't we 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:29.819 celebrate those who go and get it? You deserve the best. Make it happen. No one's going to hand it to 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:36.500 you. You've got to tough it up and get on and make life for yourself. And when things get tough, 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:42.819 we're told, well, you've got to go and fight for what you want. But look at what that does to your 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:50.040 character. Look what that approach to life does to your character. Jealousy, envy, it's such a toxic 00:06:50.040 --> 00:06:58.019 thing. When you see others succeed, when they get the promotion or the pay rise or the thing that you 00:06:58.019 --> 00:07:03.620 want, and that thing that you want, it could actually be anything. When that happens, it eats you up. 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:12.360 You can't enjoy their success. Of course you can't. You can't even think of their name without your body 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:18.459 heating up with anger. You actually hate them, and you want them to suffer. 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:27.480 Look at what that does to you internally. There are people around you who, when you see them, 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:37.300 your heart is so taken up with envy that they steal your joy. There's an old story about two men. 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:45.540 One was envious. The other was covetous. And they're both granted a wish with the proviso that the one 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:51.740 who chose first would get exactly what he asked for, while the other man would get twice what the first 00:07:51.740 --> 00:08:00.920 man had asked for himself. The envious man was told to choose first. Well, that's going to cause him 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:07.019 great stress, isn't it? Because he wants to ask for something great for himself, but he realizes that 00:08:07.019 --> 00:08:14.280 this would lead to the other man getting more. He thought for a while, and he asked to have one of his 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:25.759 eyes poked out. That's exactly what envy does to us. We would rather suffer than have someone else thrive. 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:33.860 This is why selfish ambition comes up here as well. We push ourselves forward in order to beat others, 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:42.159 in order to win. We've got to win all the time. Well, if that's the way you live your life, 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:48.879 inevitably it leads to disorder, conflict with others. As long as those kinds of people don't 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:54.059 get what they want or think they deserve, there is a nastiness that grows. That competitive spirit 00:08:54.059 --> 00:09:01.299 will do anything to get ahead. So they treat people badly, especially those that they particularly envy. 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:11.139 Jealousy, envy expresses itself in a host of really unpleasant ways. A driveness to succeed, 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:19.639 boasting when you're winning, criticizing when you're not winning, complete misery when things don't go 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:27.919 well, joy at others' failure, and just a profound sadness when things don't go exactly as you want 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:36.779 them to. That sadness can sometimes work its way out in anger. We see it in our culture all the time 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:41.480 now. When other people don't have what you want, we insist that the state should do something to 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:44.120 give us what they have so that we can have what they have. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:54.100 When you see life as a contest or like a zero-sum game, that is, for someone else to have more 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:57.700 inevitably means less for you, you can't but be jealous. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:07.080 And that is why James identifies the source as earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:12.820 James is saying here again in his characteristic direct style, he's saying, 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:20.120 if your heart is captivated by envy in this way, the roots of that come straight from the demons of hell. 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:31.340 Because the reason for this approach is born out of a failure to see God as he really is. 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:39.240 It adopts an approach to life that fails to grasp how God really treats us. 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:43.240 Of course, there is a better way, isn't there? 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:49.460 Earthly wisdom, God is there, life is a contest. 00:10:50.180 --> 00:10:54.019 A much better way, secondly, is that we live according to heavenly wisdom, 00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:58.519 which sees God is good and life is gift. 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:02.779 God is good, life is gift. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:03.879 Look at verse 17, 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:24.460 Describing this wisdom, it's a beautiful picture, isn't it? 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:27.259 Qualities that we hear them read out and we think, 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:29.540 I just wish there was more of that in my heart. 00:11:31.420 --> 00:11:34.019 But when we discover that this wisdom is from above, 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:38.519 it's very obvious that it's then not something we can work up ourselves. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:41.420 We can try and create in our own strength. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:42.800 It is given by God. 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:46.480 It is another one of the good and perfect gifts that come down to us. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:49.560 Chapter 1, verse 17, from the Father of lights. 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:53.559 Every good gift comes to us from His hand. 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:58.159 And we receive wisdom by acknowledging that God is God. 00:11:58.599 --> 00:12:01.679 And we humble ourselves to ask for it. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:09.099 This beautiful list of qualities in verse 17 mark the life of the wise person 00:12:09.099 --> 00:12:12.379 because fundamentally they know that this is God's world 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:14.599 and they trust their lives to Him in faith. 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:18.860 They see that they don't have any claim on God. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:19.920 He can do what He wants. 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:22.540 That is completely up to Him. 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:24.180 We have no claim on Him. 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:25.840 We don't, He doesn't owe us anything. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:29.519 We can't twist His arm up His back to get things from Him. 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:32.620 These people don't assert any sense of rights. 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:35.080 Rather, they're grateful. 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:41.960 People who live according to heavenly wisdom are grateful that we get to be here. 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:45.060 We get to play in the game of life. 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:50.600 Of the billions of people who could have been born but weren't, 00:12:51.400 --> 00:12:53.379 we get to go on the roller coaster. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:56.120 We get to go up and we get to go down. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:13:00.340 We get to scream in terror and we get to cheer with delight. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.639 We get to play. 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.320 Life is a gift. 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:09.560 When you know that God is good and He gives it all as gift, 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:12.119 your life displays this good conduct. 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:12.939 Verse 13. 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:18.899 What this looks like then is fleshed out. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:19.699 Verse 17. 00:13:20.079 --> 00:13:22.500 The wisdom from above is first pure. 00:13:23.599 --> 00:13:24.059 Pure. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:29.000 Heavenly wisdom creates a moral purity in our lives. 00:13:29.119 --> 00:13:31.339 Those who have been cleansed by Christ's blood 00:13:31.339 --> 00:13:35.459 have received His purity and live lives of purity as a result. 00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:40.200 I think that James is more interested here in the devotional purity 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:41.740 that flows from heavenly wisdom. 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:44.240 Remember, this is one of the big targets in the letter, 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:47.120 the double-mindedness in these Christians. 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:50.980 And he's reminding them that heavenly wisdom is single-minded 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.120 about the things of God. 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:56.280 We don't bow the knee to God 00:13:56.280 --> 00:13:59.360 and then bow the knee to other things as well. 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:01.620 We don't gather today and worship God 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:03.840 and then leave and give ourselves 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:06.039 to the invented gods all around us. 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:09.779 We don't come to church and lift our voices 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:12.460 to the living, one true and living God 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:14.460 and then leave here Monday morning, 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:16.399 get back into it with the gods of status 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.639 and cultural acceptance 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:20.139 and the gods that allow you to be yourself 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.940 and free yourself and express yourself. 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:27.480 No, our religion, our devotion, our worship 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.899 is pure. 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.639 And why wouldn't it be? 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.620 If God is good and life is gift, 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:37.659 there's no need to look anywhere else for the good life. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:41.120 Why would we give ourselves to those other things 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:42.279 hoping that they will deliver 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:45.440 what the seedier corners of our heart want 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:46.879 when in actual fact, 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:49.320 we're giving ourselves to the God who is good 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:51.320 and who gives us all that we have 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.879 from His hand as a gift. 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:56.360 Peaceable. 00:14:58.440 --> 00:14:58.899 Peaceable. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:01.019 When you've received peace with Christ 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.500 as a gift, 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:04.200 again, not because you've earned it, 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:07.120 you have all the resources that you need 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:10.019 to live out the peace of Christ towards others. 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:13.240 If you believe that God is good 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:15.320 and that He holds you in His hands, 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:17.320 if you believe that He is trustworthy, 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:18.879 you don't need to make sure 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:20.320 that everything goes your way. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:23.279 You don't need to be in the contest 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:25.279 to get ahead of that other person. 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:29.639 The thing that causes so much of our conflict 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:31.399 is a need to have things our way 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.659 and to be better than other people. 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:36.259 A need to prove yourself as the winner. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:40.220 Being peaceable doesn't mean 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.759 that you don't stand up for what is right. 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.699 Caring for the weak in society 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:44.879 will involve a fight. 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:47.079 Pursuing justice where clear wrongs 00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:48.139 have been committed the same. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:50.199 We get our hands dirty 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:51.639 and we go into battle, as it were, 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:52.360 in those cases. 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.939 But at a personal level, 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.819 heavenly wisdom releases you 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:57.240 from the things that cause conflict. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:58.759 To verse 18, 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.600 be a peacemaker. 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:01.740 Make peace with others where possible. 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:06.500 Remember, again, 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.740 what Jesus taught us. 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:10.120 Remember the words 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.840 that James is simply drawing 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:13.600 his hearer's attention back to. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.580 Blessed are the peacemakers, 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:18.899 for they will be called sons of God. 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:24.240 It is peacemakers, verse 18, 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.200 that sow in peace 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:27.899 and reap a harvest of righteousness. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:29.680 I'll say more on that in a minute. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:29.799 Amen. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:31.799 Peaceable. 00:16:32.099 --> 00:16:33.479 This then also works out 00:16:33.479 --> 00:16:35.419 in gentleness or verse 13, 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.179 meekness. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.479 When you know the Lord Jesus, 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.459 the one who is gentle 00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:40.479 and lowly of heart 00:16:40.479 --> 00:16:42.899 and that he has met you in your sin 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:44.859 and that he has redeemed you 00:16:44.859 --> 00:16:45.459 from that sin. 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.199 And by the way, 00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.079 you know that he doesn't 00:16:47.079 --> 00:16:48.039 just do this once. 00:16:49.459 --> 00:16:50.899 The Lord Jesus doesn't just meet you 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.799 in your sin once. 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.120 We can think that he was gentle 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.199 and gracious to us 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:55.859 when we first came to Christ. 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:58.000 We can talk about it in the past 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.599 and say, yes, 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.620 the Lord was merciful to me. 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:03.200 I was a sinner running away from him. 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:05.120 I was living my life on my terms 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.779 and he met me in my sin 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:08.339 and he saved me. 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:10.480 He was gracious to me. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.079 He forgave my sin. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.640 But we think now, 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.460 when we sin, 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.460 Jesus shakes his head. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.740 Up in heaven, 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.680 he's shaking his head 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.019 and he's kind of sucking his teeth. 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.319 Not again. 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:25.779 He's in heaven taking deep breaths. 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.980 I think lots of us think about 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:30.919 the Lord Jesus like that. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.579 We think that, 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.619 we think that, 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.619 yes, he saved us 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:37.439 by his grace that first time, 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:40.000 but he's kind of really fed up 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.619 with us now. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:43.879 And because he keeps his promise, 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.179 that promise that he made 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:47.159 that he would never leave us 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:47.960 or forsake us, 00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:49.220 he's keeping his word 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.099 through gritted teeth, 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.699 if not at all. 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:54.719 The Lord Jesus meets our repentance 00:17:54.719 --> 00:17:57.559 with gentleness and grace 00:17:57.559 --> 00:18:00.599 every single time. 00:18:03.939 --> 00:18:06.000 When that reality hits your heart, 00:18:06.919 --> 00:18:08.879 when the magnitude of this gift 00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:10.519 actually lands with you, 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.899 when you feel it in the depths 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:12.719 of who you are, 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:15.579 you treat others the same way. 00:18:16.459 --> 00:18:18.139 You can't but be kind 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:20.680 and make allowances for people. 00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:22.160 You make allowances 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:23.000 for their weaknesses, 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.520 for their failings, 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:26.120 for their stupidity. 00:18:27.060 --> 00:18:27.400 You say, 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.880 oh, that doesn't sound very nice. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.320 That's not very kind. 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.360 No, let's be honest. 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:33.080 People can do stupid things. 00:18:35.040 --> 00:18:36.500 Being kind isn't about 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.860 pretending that stupidity 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:38.540 isn't stupid. 00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:41.380 But it means that you overlook it. 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:43.280 It means that you forgive it. 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.140 It means that you move on 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.660 without resentment. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.720 You are gentle 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:49.580 rather than harsh. 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:52.180 Gentleness. 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.920 Open to reason 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:56.700 is next in there. 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.380 Heavenly wisdom is seen 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.880 in the person 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:00.460 who is open to reason. 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:01.320 They're teachable. 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.400 Literally, it is 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.700 they are persuadable. 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:06.440 The person who will admit it 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.140 when they're wrong. 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:10.380 They know that they're not God 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:12.420 and so they can change their mind. 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.340 They can admit fault. 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:16.339 They can say sorry. 00:19:16.439 --> 00:19:17.319 They can be okay 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:18.279 when they're not right. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.579 In their marriage, 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.500 with their children, 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.859 in church life, 00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:24.759 in their relationships. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.079 I'm sorry. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.519 I was wrong. 00:19:29.659 --> 00:19:31.240 Oh, I hadn't seen that before. 00:19:31.919 --> 00:19:33.379 I didn't understand that. 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:35.760 You're right. 00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:37.860 Let me ask you. 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.720 How hard do you find it 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.700 to change your mind? 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.720 Or to have your mind 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.040 changed by someone else? 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.420 How hard do you find this 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.060 as a measure 00:19:51.060 --> 00:19:52.840 of how heavenly wise you are? 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:55.220 If God is good 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.220 and life is gift, 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.919 you recognize 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:58.199 that he puts other people 00:19:58.199 --> 00:19:58.720 in the world 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.419 to teach you 00:19:59.419 --> 00:20:00.720 and to correct you 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:03.179 and even give you 00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:03.799 more wisdom 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.799 than you have today. 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.359 An openness 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:11.059 to your own finitude 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.299 and your own weakness 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.480 is essential 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.639 if you're going to discover 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.939 or grow in the wisdom 00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:16.659 that God gives 00:20:16.659 --> 00:20:18.419 because it requires you 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:19.819 being open 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.799 to having your mind 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.759 changed about him 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:23.119 and how he wants you to live. 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.720 Can God's word 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.519 correct you? 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.539 I ask you, 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.299 even those of you 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.000 who have been Christians 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.879 for a long time, 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.140 will you let the Bible 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:36.220 change how you think 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.740 and act? 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.180 Persuadable 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:44.059 and then full of mercy 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:44.779 and good fruit. 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:46.099 Those who have received mercy 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:47.339 are merciful to others. 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.920 A good way to think 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.519 of this quality 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.299 is that mercy 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.399 is compassion 00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:53.519 in action. 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.720 Compassion in action. 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.819 It sees a need, 00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:57.619 it feels sympathy 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.059 or pity 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.119 and it acts on it. 00:20:59.419 --> 00:21:00.619 Mercy moves towards 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.299 those in need 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.359 like widows and orphans, 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.159 127. 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.180 Those who have no protection 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:05.759 under law, 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:06.599 those who suffer 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.940 and no one seems to care. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:08.899 Heavenly wisdom 00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:10.019 is seen when you move 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.240 towards people like that. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.240 God is good. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:15.519 And in doing so then, 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:18.339 it expresses the impartiality 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:20.140 that James mentions next. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.880 Wisdom from heaven 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.579 is consistent 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.880 in the way that it treats people. 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:23.779 Rich and poor, 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.500 just the same, 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.640 completely impartial 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:27.019 because heavenly wisdom 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.799 recognizes 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:29.120 that we're all equal 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:30.140 at the foot of the cross. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.740 In the life of the church, 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.839 we are all equal 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.480 at the foot of the cross 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.480 and that is why 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.019 we can be impartial. 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:41.440 God is good. 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.220 Life is gift. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.299 It's not a contest. 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.119 And then finally, 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.720 James says, 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.599 wisdom from above 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.799 is sincere. 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.879 It's genuine. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.240 What you see 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.599 is what you get. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.819 You're the same person 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.839 behind closed doors 00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:57.859 as when you're with others. 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.519 You're the same person 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.480 online 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.819 as you are 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:03.039 in the real world. 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.559 Your social media 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:06.500 reflects who you really are 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.519 and shows what you 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.779 actually look like. 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.500 Sincere. 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.259 Heavenly wisdom 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.079 has no hint 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.799 of hypocrisy. 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.440 It demands 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.139 the sincerity 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:22.019 and the consistency 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.619 of Christ. 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.599 And in the context 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.160 of this letter, 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.039 it is the antidote 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.619 to the problems 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.779 that James has been addressing. 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:29.579 Who is really wise 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:30.319 and understanding 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.900 among you? 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.920 He's asking this group 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.480 and he's saying, 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.759 I've looked at your tongue. 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.980 These are the problems 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.420 I see underlying your tongue 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.380 and I've seen it 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.100 in your behavior. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.039 And what you need 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.140 is heavenly wisdom. 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:44.420 When you boil it down, 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.519 the wisdom from above 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.200 looks like, 00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:46.740 chapter 1, 00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.340 verse 19, 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.340 a bridled tongue. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.560 It looks like 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:52.320 care for the poor 00:22:52.320 --> 00:22:53.000 and needy 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.180 brothers and sisters 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.279 who are suffering, 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:55.779 127. 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.160 It looks like 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:58.940 refusing to show 00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.660 partiality, 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.400 hoping that you will 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.360 benefit in some way, 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.160 2, 1 to 7. 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:05.240 It is seen in courageous 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.340 and costly decisions 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:07.340 for the sake of obedience 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:07.800 to God, 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.440 2, 24. 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.440 And it sounds like 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.460 using your words 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.220 to bless 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.700 and encourage 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:16.180 and build up 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.240 and not curse 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:19.220 even when things 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.840 are tough, 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.700 3, verse 10. 00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:24.940 Here's the thing. 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.420 James closes out 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:27.940 this chapter 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.660 with a reference 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.500 to sowing 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.440 and to harvest. 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.140 Do you see that, 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:31.740 verse 18? 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:33.080 And a harvest 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:33.740 of righteousness 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.019 is sown 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.759 in peace 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.980 by those who make peace. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.440 And he's saying, 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.960 if you sow 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:45.560 into the ground 00:23:45.560 --> 00:23:47.340 the sort of life 00:23:47.340 --> 00:23:48.340 that he describes here 00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:48.759 as marked 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.740 by heavenly wisdom, 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:52.140 you can look forward 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.740 to a harvest 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.380 of righteousness. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:57.180 Do you know 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.000 that your life 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:00.000 could really count 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.540 for something? 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.900 You have the ability 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.800 to change things 00:24:04.800 --> 00:24:05.320 for the better, 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.500 to leave this place 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.340 in a better state 00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:08.060 than you found it, 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.180 to live a life 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.500 that makes a difference. 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.880 Is this on YouTube? 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.060 I could get sponsors 00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:13.920 for this kind of message. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.160 This kind of message sells. 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.120 You know 00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:16.700 that your life 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.340 could really count 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:17.820 for something. 00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.440 Click here. 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:22.980 But it's true. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:25.160 Your life 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.539 can leave 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.759 a legacy for good 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.380 in the world. 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.019 That's what James 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.500 is saying. 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.740 That surprises us. 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.920 We know that there are 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:35.000 a few special people 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.779 out there in the world, 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.180 don't we? 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.700 Like that chap 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.539 Nicholas Winton, 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.799 the subject of the 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.440 recent Anthony Hopkins 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:41.839 film, 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.440 One Life. 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.920 A remarkable man 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:45.500 who rescued 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.759 more than 600 children 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.539 from the Nazis. 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.079 We know that there are 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.740 a few of those 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.079 out there. 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.980 amazing people 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.359 who do amazing things 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:53.539 and leave a legacy. 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:55.039 But we ask ourselves, 00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:55.759 is that possible 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.659 for ordinary folk, 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.839 just regular people 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.480 like you and me? 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.419 Can I do that? 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.379 Look at verse 18. 00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:05.919 James talks about 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.819 the life that produces 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:08.779 a harvest of righteousness. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.359 That is a life 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.079 that leaves behind 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.119 a legacy of goodness 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:13.419 and truth and beauty. 00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:14.319 A life that when 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.019 it's effected 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.939 or gathered up 00:25:15.939 --> 00:25:16.980 has made a difference 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.199 to the people around whom 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.259 and the place in which 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.899 it was lived. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:24.639 But for a harvest 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.819 to be reaped, 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:27.859 there first needs 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.539 to be a sowing. 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:29.919 Something needs 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:30.639 to be planted 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:32.519 if there's going 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.039 to be fruit. 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:34.720 So, 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.259 we sow 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.559 in peace, 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.460 James says, 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.159 this life 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:40.339 of heavenly wisdom. 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.939 And if we do that, 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:45.279 we can look forward 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:45.939 to the harvest. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.000 harvest. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.779 And of course, 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.620 we do this in hope 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.140 because, 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.680 like any harvest, 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:56.340 the bit at the beginning 00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:57.820 and the middle 00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:59.400 doesn't often look 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.059 like very much. 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:06.539 while life marked 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.240 by this wisdom 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.980 and these qualities 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.059 doesn't always appear 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.079 to have much impact 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.139 on the world around you, 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.919 James assures us here 00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:15.000 that while for a long time 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.859 there might not be much 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.399 to see, 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:18.919 one day then 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:19.759 something sprouts 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:21.159 and then grows 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:23.000 and then comes 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:24.080 the harvest. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.960 And of course, 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.820 this is all resting 00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:29.019 on the promise 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.480 of Jesus 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.360 that He will make 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:31.380 all things right. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.000 So, 00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:34.560 we must live 00:26:34.560 --> 00:26:35.200 by faith. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.140 Wait patiently 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.800 while there's little 00:26:38.800 --> 00:26:39.660 or nothing to see. 00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:41.040 The influence 00:26:41.040 --> 00:26:41.779 of our lives 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.840 marked by heavenly wisdom 00:26:42.840 --> 00:26:43.900 on those around us 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.360 and the place 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:44.980 that we live. 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.300 But we rely 00:26:46.300 --> 00:26:46.900 on the Spirit 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.420 to work 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:48.540 rather than take matters 00:26:48.540 --> 00:26:49.440 into our own hands. 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.700 Rather than to decide 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.720 on a different way 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.519 of viewing God 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.059 and viewing 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.580 how we get on in life 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:55.640 and we look forward 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.180 to the day 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.279 when our peacemaking 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.440 will vindicate us 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.299 as sons and daughters 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.819 of God. 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:02.200 A day when our meekness 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.039 will bring in 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:04.059 our inheritance. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.720 A day when our mercy 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.340 will return mercy to us. 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:10.580 And when our daily fight 00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:11.880 for purity of heart 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:12.799 will open the door 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.380 for us 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:14.900 to see God. 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.700 So, 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.100 this morning 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.980 I want to encourage you 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.899 to sow the life 00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:22.740 of heavenly wisdom 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.519 wherever the Lord 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.199 has placed you. 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.359 And the first step 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:28.659 in that 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.359 is making sure 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.859 that you think 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.759 rightly about God 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.599 so you see Him 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.980 as a loving Father. 00:27:34.219 --> 00:27:34.980 He is good. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.219 He is a loving Father 00:27:36.219 --> 00:27:37.119 who has saved you 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.699 from your sin 00:27:37.699 --> 00:27:38.539 and reconciled you 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:38.959 to Himself 00:27:38.959 --> 00:27:40.319 and who looks on you 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.500 chapter 1 verse 18 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:42.299 as His first 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.980 and His best. 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:44.259 You're His first fruits. 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.439 And you see Him 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.420 as a generous Father. 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:50.420 A generous Father 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.000 who gives you 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.059 everything you have. 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.960 All of life 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.460 is gift. 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.559 And He is working 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.380 the circumstances 00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.100 of your life 00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:59.519 even the hard bits 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:01.160 for good. 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.740 When you see God 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.240 this way 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.840 He is good 00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:07.500 and He is generous. 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:09.240 It will change 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:09.720 how you live 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.200 because it will 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.840 change your heart. 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:13.399 And you'll choose 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.379 the wisdom from above 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:14.879 that shapes 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:15.720 a beautiful life. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.579 So go to God 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.220 who is loving 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.959 and generous. 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.000 Yoke yourself 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.799 to Jesus 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.039 whose life gave us 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.220 the example to follow. 00:28:25.459 --> 00:28:26.319 And the harvest 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.899 will follow. 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.859 Let's pray together.