WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.200 Good morning, church. Thank you, Alex and the band, for those leading us in those songs. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:13.700 What an excellent morning to be here. So glad to see you all here that you survived the sickness going around and the bad storm that came through last night. 00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:22.260 If you don't know who I am, my name is Colson Rivers. My wife and I have been members here at Christ Family Church for five years and some change. 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:26.839 And I'm honored to be opening God's word with you this morning. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:34.299 Before we get into our primary text this morning, I'd like to give you a roadmap of where we're going. 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:38.560 First, we're going to read through the entirety of James chapter three. 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:48.700 This will either re-familiarize you with a text that you've heard before or give you a great first impression of this wonderful, practical and applicable passage. 00:00:49.320 --> 00:00:55.100 We'll be looking at four sections of this chapter summarized into these four points. 00:00:55.100 --> 00:01:05.120 We all stumble, warning of the power of the tongue, working for purity and wisdom from above or below. 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:13.560 After that, we will zoom out a bit and look at some context for James chapter three, the broader context for the letter. 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:24.879 As we move more thoroughly to examine chapter three, we will also reference some other touch points of some key themes, those four points, as James is carrying them through this letter. 00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:31.960 As we're kind of just taking a snapshot of the central chapter in this letter that James has written. 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:41.979 And what the goal is today is for you to see the wisdom that God has given us through his word for his glory and our good. 00:01:42.539 --> 00:01:43.199 Let's pray. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:53.700 Dear Lord, thank you for your kindness to us to give us the means and ability to gather here. 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:57.680 Thank you for providing this building for us to gather into together. 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:06.140 Thank you for your generosity in all that you've given us to steward well for your glory, to expand your kingdom. 00:02:07.080 --> 00:02:14.060 Thank you for your working in us through your spirit, working in believers to make us more like your son. 00:02:14.540 --> 00:02:21.140 Father, we strive for that and we need your help, your strength and your wisdom to be more like Jesus. 00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:30.399 Lord, for those here in this room that do not know you, I pray that you would continue to draw them to yourself, that they would see your wisdom today. 00:02:30.959 --> 00:02:34.939 They would see the great generosity and graciousness that you have for your children. 00:02:35.619 --> 00:02:41.319 And they would know there's a gap in their relationship between where it is and where you have offered it to them. 00:02:42.719 --> 00:02:49.500 Father, I pray that they would act, that they would not harden their hearts today, but would receive your grace. 00:02:49.500 --> 00:02:51.219 In your son's name I pray, amen. 00:02:52.620 --> 00:03:02.919 So, turn with me if you would to James chapter 3 and we're going to go through our read through of the chapter just to get us all in the same ground. 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:05.319 Starting in verse 1. 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:13.800 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:17.240 A verse that I read with a lot of trepidation this morning. 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:18.539 Verse 2. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:20.939 For we all stumble in many ways. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:26.459 If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 00:03:26.919 --> 00:03:32.280 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 00:03:32.859 --> 00:03:33.959 Look at the ships also. 00:03:34.239 --> 00:03:41.539 Though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 00:03:42.019 --> 00:03:46.519 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:50.300 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. 00:03:50.300 --> 00:03:53.800 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. 00:03:54.160 --> 00:04:02.060 The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:09.020 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:11.920 But no human being can tame the tongue. 00:04:12.580 --> 00:04:15.259 It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 00:04:15.259 --> 00:04:21.680 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:24.180 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:26.620 My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 00:04:27.420 --> 00:04:31.159 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:35.379 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? 00:04:36.039 --> 00:04:39.019 Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 00:04:39.019 --> 00:04:41.759 Who is wise and understanding among you? 00:04:42.219 --> 00:04:45.979 By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 00:04:46.899 --> 00:04:53.180 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:59.319 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:06.039 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:16.280 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 00:05:16.900 --> 00:05:21.560 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:31.120 So now that you all have that memorized, we're going to expand a little bit into some context for the letter of James to his audience. 00:05:31.200 --> 00:05:33.740 So first, just our place in redemptive history. 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:39.540 This is happening after the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. 00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:51.759 The good news of Jesus' substitutionary atonement and the new life that can be provided by God through faith in Jesus Christ is spreading out from the epicenter of Jerusalem. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:06:00.439 The audience of this letter, with the spread of the good news, the good news, and more people are following after Christ. 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:05.399 Many of whom are Jewish people that have been waiting for their prophesied Messiah or Christ. 00:06:06.039 --> 00:06:10.639 James was a half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the church of Jerusalem. 00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:16.740 He is writing this letter to these new Jewish Christians spread out across their world. 00:06:16.740 --> 00:06:22.639 So now as we look to verse 1 and 2, our first section, we all stumble. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:27.379 Verse 1, James is cautioning aspiring teachers. 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:32.540 We could consider this to be a balance to what Paul is writing in Timothy in 1 Timothy 3.1, 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:33.280 where he says, 00:06:33.279 --> 00:06:46.559 Jesus also gives an illustration more in line with the caution of James in Matthew 8.6, 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:47.259 where Jesus says, 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:50.159 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:56.479 it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 00:06:56.959 --> 00:06:58.819 Again, great trepidation. 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:06.639 So that ought to make us very grateful for the excellent elders that we have and pastors over us 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:13.159 that have weighed the solemnity of their task and accepted the invitation to serve the body in this way. 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:16.300 Now before we continue to verse 2, 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:20.680 I think it's important to consider some of the foundations that James has throughout the letter 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:23.579 as he's making his point in verse 2. 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:28.519 So first, if you'll just flip a page over with me to James 1, verse 13. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:30.360 It says, 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:34.959 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God. 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:38.779 For God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:43.079 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:46.039 Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin. 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:49.680 And sin, when it has fully grown, brings forth death. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:52.480 Consider also chapter 2, verse 8. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:56.620 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, 00:07:57.020 --> 00:07:59.020 you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:07:59.840 You are doing well. 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:05.780 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 00:08:06.020 --> 00:08:12.100 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:21.760 So, by this point in chapter 3, James has made a clear foundation that by the time he asserts in verse 2 of chapter 3, 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:24.180 for we all stumble in many ways, this audience is going, 00:08:24.520 --> 00:08:26.700 Yep, yep, yeah, we got that. 00:08:26.820 --> 00:08:29.980 We've all broken the law, and now we're guilty for all of it. 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:34.420 So, from the very first, you know, temptation through entire law breaking, 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:38.379 we all do it, and we are all solely responsible for our sin. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:42.440 So, looking now at verse 2, we all stumble in many ways. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:45.519 Again, we should be able to nod our heads and say, yes, that is true. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:49.259 And then continuing, if anyone does not stumble in what he says, 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:52.480 he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:55.940 Some of the easiest sins that we commit come from what we say. 00:08:55.940 --> 00:09:00.340 Therefore, they require the most diligence and sanctification to restrain. 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:03.480 We shall not be wholly sanctified in this flesh, 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:07.380 but James instructs us that if we can get this unruly muscle straight, 00:09:07.540 --> 00:09:09.940 we can better follow after our Lord. 00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:17.860 Jesus also assumes and asserts and tells us that we are going to be making mistakes with the words that we say. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:20.340 In Matthew 12, 36, Jesus says, 00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:25.820 I tell you, on the day of judgment, people will give account for every careless word they speak. 00:09:26.300 --> 00:09:31.500 Not if they speak a careless word, or every careless word they may speak, 00:09:31.760 --> 00:09:34.720 but rather, every careless word they speak. 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:38.420 Jesus knows that we will be guilty of saying these careless words. 00:09:39.660 --> 00:09:43.140 Continuing to our next section, in verses 3 through 8, 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:47.080 considering James' warning of the power of the tongue. 00:09:47.880 --> 00:09:53.300 Now we're going to actually back up a little bit and consider the letter context before getting into these verses. 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:56.779 Flipping again back to chapter 1, verse 19. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:10:03.479 Know this, my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. 00:10:04.099 --> 00:10:07.259 For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:09.339 Also verse 26 in chapter 1. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:21.519 Moving also now to chapter 2, the first four verses. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:51.500 Here in chapter 2, James is drawing a clear look. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:54.519 There's a line of connection between the words that are said. 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:56.079 You sit here in a good place. 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:57.639 You stand over there. 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:02.500 And the internal heart condition of the people that are saying that thing. 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:04.879 In verse 4, 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:17.460 So for James, those statements of judgment partiality are coming from their hearts with evil thoughts. 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:22.360 Looking actually beyond our chapter, in chapter 4, verse 11, James says, 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:24.779 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:31.060 The one who speaks evil against a brother or judges his brother speaks evil against the law and judges the law. 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:35.440 But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:41.019 Again and again, James is warning these Christians to be careful with their words. 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:49.460 Now a quick flag for some wayward destinations that could come from me speaking about the power of the tongue or the power of words. 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:55.579 James does not at all have in mind here the idea that our words in and of themselves have power. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:59.079 He is not teaching against speaking a bad word over someone, 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:02.779 nor is he teaching about naming and claiming some aspiration of ours. 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:08.339 In fact, he devotes a section of this letter to help us put ourselves in the right understanding. 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:11.439 James 4, starting in verse 13, 00:12:11.439 --> 00:12:13.620 Come now, you who say, 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:18.860 Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit. 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:21.659 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:22.939 What is your life? 00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:26.759 For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.740 Instead, you ought to say, 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:31.539 If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:34.259 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:36.779 All such boasting is evil. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:41.240 Our words have no cosmic power to call things into being. 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:43.659 That is exclusively God's power. 00:12:44.099 --> 00:12:45.099 Look at Genesis 1. 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:50.539 To claim anything other than this for ourselves is evil, boastful arrogance. 00:12:50.959 --> 00:12:52.939 Back to verse 3 of chapter 3. 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:58.539 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:00.620 Look at the ships also. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:07.620 Though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:12.940 Now, I'm taking these two illustrations of James together because I think they're of a similar nature. 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:18.539 A small object is controlled by a rider or a pilot to steer a much larger thing, a horse or a ship. 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:26.799 If that small object or the person wielding it is not there, the venture or objective is not going to go very smoothly. 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:37.179 If the rider of a horse doesn't have his bit or the horse loses the rider entirely, that horse is not going to get to its intended destination, most likely. 00:13:37.719 --> 00:13:45.899 Even worse, could you imagine being on a cruise ship and over the intercom, you get the message that the steering capability of the ship is gone. 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:48.159 And beyond that, there is also not a captain anymore. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:50.360 That would certainly incite some panic. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:56.259 So, there is some good first part of verse 5 being accomplished by these small members in these illustrations. 00:13:56.939 --> 00:14:02.279 And now in the first part of verse 5, James kind of takes a pause from his illustration to drive his point home. 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.259 He says, 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:13.100 James did not want to lose his audience as they started to exchange their sailing stories. 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.879 Didn't want them to get off track. 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.639 Hey, this is what we're talking about. 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:19.360 The tongue is small and it's going to do great things. 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:23.460 And then he brings it down even more solemn in the end of verse 5. 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:27.600 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:33.779 That's a much more serious, catastrophic illustration. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:40.120 As terrible as forest fires are often today, think about all the infrastructure we have to combat them. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:43.759 That did not exist 2,000 years ago when this was written. 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:47.639 These were even more catastrophic and damaging than what we know. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:54.480 So, we ought not to toss out careless words like lit matches into dry forests. 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.279 Can we just talk about this later? 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:00.440 Or, that's what you always say. 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.340 It's not that big a deal. 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:05.139 Or, if you're in a corporate space. 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:07.500 Per my last email. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:12.340 To run with this forest fire analogy for a second, 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:17.279 an accidental match in a well-kept forest is unlikely to start a fire. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:23.860 However, when there's a lot of old, flammable things on the ground, it inevitably will. 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:27.019 So, we ought to keep our relational forests clean. 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:30.820 And keep short accounts with our fellow image bearers. 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:35.540 Our families, our siblings, our co-workers, everyone in our lives. 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:38.519 We should be quick to forgive and ask forgiveness. 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:40.960 Proverbs 15, 1. 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:46.699 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:50.740 Verse 6 of chapter 3. 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.740 And the tongue is a fire. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:54.919 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. 00:15:55.220 --> 00:16:02.100 The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.360 The tongue affects all our body through it. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:10.080 From the moment we are born until the moment we die, it is a dominant member of our body through it all. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:14.240 Unless Christ returns, we are not going to be the ones to break that cycle. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:21.659 There's some confusing or unfamiliar phrases in this verse as well that I'd like to maybe give a little explanation to. 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:27.339 The tongue is a fire at the start of verse 6 and then at the conclusion, and set on fire by hell. 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:37.559 So the tongue's sinful fleshly nature is coming from the forces that oppose God. 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:42.419 So that's illustrated here by James by the use of the word hell. 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:45.659 So set on fire by sin we could read as well. 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:53.639 So this is the source of that inflammation that comes, that fire that comes, that our tongue is presently. 00:16:53.959 --> 00:16:58.759 And therefore we have a hope that this can be redeemed, extinguished, and then used for good. 00:16:59.959 --> 00:17:01.740 Looking at verse 7 and 8 together. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:08.259 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:10.980 But no human being can tame the tongue. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:13.720 It is a restless evil full of deadly poison. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:19.100 If you think that you have mastered your tongue in this life, you have not. 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:26.720 Jesus Christ is the master of his tongue, but we will not be holy like him until we see him as he is. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:30.220 1 John 3, chapter 3, verse 2. 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:35.839 So we turn to the third section, working for purity. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.819 Looking at verses 9 through 12. 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:40.700 Reading verse 9 and 10 together. 00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:56.360 James is pleading for the sanctification of these Christians. 00:17:57.080 --> 00:17:59.880 For some, it's easy to think that they are humble before God. 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:04.120 They may understand him to be their creator and offer some trifling respect. 00:18:04.560 --> 00:18:08.220 We can think back in James, chapter 2, verse 19, where he says, 00:18:08.300 --> 00:18:10.500 You believe that God is one, you do well. 00:18:10.800 --> 00:18:12.760 Even the demons believe and shudder. 00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:14.920 That's not good enough, in other words. 00:18:16.760 --> 00:18:23.380 Immediately, this takes me to Matthew 18, where Jesus tells the parable of the wicked and unforgiving servant, 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:28.780 who's forgiven an unfathomable amount of money from his master, 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:34.540 and then turns to his fellow servant that owns him some cash, and he chokes him out for that cash. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:37.860 And so we're saying one thing, we're doing another. 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:40.640 There is not purity in our hearts. 00:18:42.060 --> 00:18:47.360 Considering the theme of purity, single-mindedness, versus double-mindedness in the letter of James, 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:49.579 there's a few texts I'd like us to consider in this letter. 00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:53.519 Flipping back to chapter 1, starting in verse 6, 00:18:54.399 --> 00:19:09.119 Looking then at verse 22 of the same chapter, 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:28.139 And then, finally, chapter 2, verse 14, 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:58.120 James says, 00:19:58.140 --> 00:20:04.280 James continues to hammer home his point that we are to be singly focused on faithfulness, 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:08.960 and that that faithfulness bears fruit in keeping with true faith. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.600 Verse 11 and 12, 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:14.800 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening, both fresh and salt water? 00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:18.380 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or grapevine produce figs? 00:20:18.800 --> 00:20:21.420 Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:26.039 James is echoing a similar teaching of Jesus in Matthew 15, 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:28.380 where I'm going to read verse 11, 18, and 19, 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:29.720 where Jesus says, 00:20:29.800 --> 00:20:32.200 It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:35.060 but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a person. 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:37.880 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:39.640 and this defiles a person. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.140 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.380 murder, adultery, 00:20:43.560 --> 00:20:44.279 sexual immorality, 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:44.720 theft, 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.460 false witness, 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.640 and slander. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:51.120 The fruit that comes from our heart 00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:54.620 comes from the nature of our heart. 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:56.120 If our hearts are rotten, 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.720 they will bear rotten fruits. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.340 But if our hearts have been renewed, 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:02.400 they ought to produce good new fruit. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.100 Our final section, 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.940 verse 13 through 18, 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:08.220 Wisdom from above or below. 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.680 So James is contrasting 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:12.380 these two kinds of wisdom that he's defining. 00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:13.720 So first, 00:21:14.020 --> 00:21:15.900 we're going to read verse 13, 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:18.240 Who is wise and understanding among you? 00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:19.740 By his good conduct, 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:21.040 let him show his works 00:21:21.040 --> 00:21:22.420 in the meekness of wisdom. 00:21:22.540 --> 00:21:23.100 So again, 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:25.840 James is really working to blend this idea 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:27.660 of what is said by these people 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:30.540 and how that compares to their actual works. 00:21:30.800 --> 00:21:32.920 He's linking these together 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:35.180 so that what comes out of the heart 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.160 and what we say 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:38.380 is a natural byproduct of the heart 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:40.580 and also links to what we do. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:43.919 So let's look at these signs and source 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:45.699 of the wisdom that James discusses 00:21:45.699 --> 00:21:47.199 in verses 14 and 15. 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:49.720 But if you have bitter jealousy 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:51.619 and selfish ambition in your hearts, 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.759 do not boast and be false to the truth. 00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:55.119 This is not the wisdom 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.240 that comes down from above, 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.220 but it is earthly, 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.199 unspiritual, 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.119 and demonic. 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:03.759 So the signs of this earthly wisdom, 00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:05.779 bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.279 and then the source of it, 00:22:07.439 --> 00:22:08.679 it is not from above, 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.840 rather it is from, 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:11.500 as he says in verse 15, 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.279 it is earthly, 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.320 unspiritual, 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:14.580 and demonic. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.380 So you could say 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:17.259 the conventional wisdom 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:19.080 of this world in a sense. 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.940 Now let's look at the signs 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.039 and source of, 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.640 and let's talk about the signs, 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.799 is first pure, 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.519 then peaceable, 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.060 gentle, 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.000 open to reason, 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:29.340 full of mercy and good fruits, 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:31.120 impartial and sincere. 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.759 The way this is constructed, 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:34.619 James is putting up 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:37.720 two groups of signs 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.460 for this heavenly wisdom. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:41.059 So group A is purity, 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.740 and then group B 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:44.000 is everything else in the verse. 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.160 So group A is purity, 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.079 so this comes first, 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:48.559 and then all these other characteristics. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:51.279 So from the purity of this wisdom 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.519 comes peaceable, 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.079 gentle, 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:53.920 open to reason, 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.160 full of mercy and good fruits, 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.420 impartial and sincere. 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.860 So now let's look 00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.640 and contrast this 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.700 against the fruits 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:02.960 of earthly wisdom, 00:23:03.060 --> 00:23:04.259 or the wisdom from below. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.980 James tells us these fruits 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.900 in verse 16. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.500 For where jealousy 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.800 and selfish ambition exist, 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.980 there will be disorder 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.740 in every vile practice. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.220 And we can contrast this 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.980 against the fruits 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.340 of heavenly wisdom, 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.759 as James describes them 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.039 in verse 18. 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.740 And a harvest of righteousness 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:23.039 is sown in peace 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:25.600 by those who make peace. 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:27.419 A harvest of righteousness 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.980 is sown in peace 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.980 by peacemakers, 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.339 relating back to 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.459 the Sermon on the Mount 00:23:32.459 --> 00:23:33.379 from Jesus. 00:23:33.959 --> 00:23:35.559 A wealth of good works 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.919 done in faith, 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:38.359 prepared beforehand 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:40.759 that we may walk in them. 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.879 Considering the themes 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:44.459 of wisdom from above 00:23:44.459 --> 00:23:45.719 and below in this letter, 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:46.980 we're going to again 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:48.500 go back to chapter 1, 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.699 this time in verse 5, 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.859 where James says, 00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:52.619 If any of you lacks wisdom, 00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:54.199 let him ask God 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.620 who gives generously to all 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.640 without reproach, 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:58.019 and it will be given him. 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.360 That is a promise 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:01.200 that we need to hold tightly to. 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.880 Verse 16 and 17 of chapter 1, 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.460 Do not be deceived, 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:07.440 my beloved brothers. 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.420 Every good gift 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.519 and every perfect gift 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.220 is from above, 00:24:10.340 --> 00:24:11.000 coming down from 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.799 the Father of lights, 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.539 with whom there is no variation 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.920 or shadow due to change. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:17.500 Here, I'm going to take this 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:19.940 and apply this to today's sermon. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.460 If there's anything good 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.660 that comes from me 00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.900 being here before you today, 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.400 that is from the Lord. 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.340 Anything bad, 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.500 that is due to me. 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.799 Looking at the wisdom 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.700 from below, 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:32.720 as James is going to expand this 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.579 throughout the letter, 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:35.340 he does in a couple places. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.539 First, in chapter 4, 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.539 the first four verses, 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:40.240 What causes quarrels 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.420 and what causes fights among you? 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.559 Is it not this, 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.319 that your passions 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.420 are at war within you? 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:47.200 You desire and do not have, 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:47.779 so you murder. 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.440 You covet and cannot obtain, 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.400 so you fight and quarrel. 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.500 You do not have 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.360 because you do not ask. 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.519 You ask and do not receive 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.660 because you ask wrongly 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.900 to spend it on your passions. 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.320 You adulterous people, 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.000 do you not know 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.000 that friendship with the world 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.519 is enmity with God? 00:25:01.040 --> 00:25:01.380 Therefore, 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.220 whoever wishes to be 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.960 a friend of the world 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.680 makes himself 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.920 an enemy of God. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.400 Are we going to align ourselves 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:08.280 with the wisdom of this world 00:25:08.280 --> 00:25:09.700 and be friends of this world? 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:12.420 Looking at chapter 5, 00:25:12.560 --> 00:25:13.480 the first six verses, 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:14.960 and these are, 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:16.720 this is a severe admonishment. 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:18.620 Come now, 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.180 you rich, 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.160 weep and howl 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.900 for the miseries 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.900 that are coming upon you. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.539 Your riches have rotted 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.299 and your garments 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.200 are moth-eaten. 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.799 Your gold and silver 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.539 have corroded 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.500 and their corrosion 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.940 will be evidence against you 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.160 and will eat your flesh 00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:31.860 like fire. 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:33.500 You have laid up treasure 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.480 in the last days. 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.279 Behold, 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.680 the wages of the laborer 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.500 who mowed your fields, 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:39.079 which you kept back by fraud, 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:40.720 are crying out against you. 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:42.519 And the cries of the harvesters 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.559 have reached the ears 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.420 of the Lord of hosts. 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:46.440 You have lived on the earth 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.039 in luxury 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.259 and in self-indulgence. 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.779 You have fattened your hearts 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.620 in a day of slaughter. 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:52.340 You have condemned 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:54.320 and murdered the righteous person. 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.960 The righteous person 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:57.240 does not resist you. 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.259 God is ready 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.840 to generously give us 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.640 his wisdom 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:04.420 that James further defines 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.539 in chapter 3 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.620 that he mentions first 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.500 in chapter 1. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.840 And all wisdom 00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.740 of that nature, 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:12.060 described as he does 00:26:12.060 --> 00:26:12.860 in verse 17 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.899 of chapter 3, 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.259 comes from God. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.939 The counterfeit wisdom 00:26:16.939 --> 00:26:18.199 of this world 00:26:18.199 --> 00:26:19.379 tells us to look out 00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:20.079 for ourselves, 00:26:20.979 --> 00:26:21.959 trust no one, 00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:23.479 put ourselves first, 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:25.339 hoard for me and mine, 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.439 and reach out 00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:28.059 and take and take and take. 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:30.359 That counterfeit wisdom 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:31.779 bears bitter, 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:32.779 painful, 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:33.899 sad, 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.579 and eternally tormented 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.479 fruit. 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:40.079 Let us consider 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.339 what we are to do now 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:41.960 with the wisdom 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.740 of this text. 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:44.059 Look moving to our applications. 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:44.660 First, 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.380 we must strive 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.900 to control our tongues 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.960 and if we do, 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.779 the rest will follow. 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:53.079 Control over our tongues 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.339 does not mean silence, 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.860 though sometimes it may. 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.420 It looks like 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.940 the signs of heavenly wisdom, 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.079 pure, 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.140 peaceable, 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.039 gentle, 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.220 open to reason, 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.259 full of mercy 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.900 and good fruits, 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.920 impartial and sincere. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.000 Is this how those 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.579 in your life 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.259 would describe 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.220 your words 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.019 and actions? 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.539 Pure, 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.299 no ulterior motives, 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.440 singly focused 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.319 on God's glory. 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.900 Gentle, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.579 self-controlled, 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.259 not short-tempered, 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.519 open to reason, 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.440 not stubborn 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.220 and insisting 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.180 on our own way, 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:31.259 full of mercy 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.220 and good fruits, 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:34.400 taking opportunities 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.940 to serve others 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:36.880 in your life 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.620 and rejoicing 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.360 in your ability 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:39.180 to serve them. 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.700 Impartial, 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.900 steadfast character 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:44.220 regardless of 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.640 who is around. 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.120 And finally, 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:49.480 is it all for show 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:51.600 or is it sincere? 00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:54.339 Our second application, 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.160 we cannot control 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.839 our tongues 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.660 by ourselves. 00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:59.360 We must seek wisdom 00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.459 and strength 00:28:00.459 --> 00:28:01.240 from the Lord. 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:03.399 Don't forget, 00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:05.299 it is a restless evil, 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:05.979 the tongue, 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:07.279 too great for us 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.299 to bear alone. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.000 The theme of 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.119 self-deception 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:12.259 is strong 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.859 through the letter 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.599 of James. 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.039 And he says it 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.179 three separate times 00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:17.079 in the first chapter, 00:28:17.219 --> 00:28:17.759 and I think we can 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.959 insert it correctly 00:28:18.959 --> 00:28:20.219 into verse 7 and 8, 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.759 that no human being 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.899 can tame the tongue. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.799 Don't be deceived 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.519 by that. 00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:27.639 An easy observation 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.360 about wisdom 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:29.100 from above 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.960 is that it is 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.540 from above, 00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.600 it is not from us. 00:28:32.300 --> 00:28:33.520 Looking at Proverbs 2, 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.220 verse 6, 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:35.360 for the Lord 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.160 gives wisdom, 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:37.259 from his mouth 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:38.080 comes knowledge 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:38.840 and understanding. 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.680 And for proof 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.460 that God gives wisdom, 00:28:41.540 --> 00:28:42.320 we don't need to look far. 00:28:42.520 --> 00:28:44.000 We have his entire 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.340 holy word. 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.660 And again, 00:28:49.800 --> 00:28:50.740 I'll remind you 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:52.280 of James 1, 5, 00:28:52.280 --> 00:28:53.160 if any of you 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.020 lacks wisdom, 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.480 let him ask God 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.140 who gives generously 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:57.880 to all without reproach 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.900 and it will be given him. 00:29:00.520 --> 00:29:01.000 And so, 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.600 throughout Scripture, 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:03.660 and particularly 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.600 in the Sermon on the Mount 00:29:04.600 --> 00:29:05.620 and the letter of James, 00:29:06.080 --> 00:29:06.820 we're instructed 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:08.180 to ask God 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:09.480 and ask God rightly. 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.620 But that is 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:12.320 of his children. 00:29:12.560 --> 00:29:13.240 And maybe today 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.220 you know that you 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.540 are not a child of God 00:29:15.540 --> 00:29:16.360 or you're not sure. 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.300 Maybe you know 00:29:17.300 --> 00:29:18.180 that you have a problem 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.080 with the words 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.680 that you say, 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.980 maybe how you act too. 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.360 Maybe you tried 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:22.920 for a while 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.480 to be better 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.340 but it didn't stick. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:26.439 But I assure you 00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:28.279 that a dead heart 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.459 can only produce 00:29:29.459 --> 00:29:30.439 rotten fruit. 00:29:30.919 --> 00:29:32.559 No matter how many layers 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:34.000 of paint and wax 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.939 human effort 00:29:34.939 --> 00:29:35.919 we put on top. 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.879 Before we can begin 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.799 taking steps 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.619 towards producing 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.859 faithful fruit, 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.220 the Lord must 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.159 give us a new heart. 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.939 If you are tired 00:29:44.939 --> 00:29:45.899 of striving 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:47.299 and constant stumbling, 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.480 James gives 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.419 plenty of actions. 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:50.939 Submit yourself 00:29:50.939 --> 00:29:51.399 to God. 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.879 Draw near to God. 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:54.180 Humble yourself 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.900 before God 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:56.280 and ask God. 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.680 Dear church, 00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:00.060 beloved of God, 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.880 let our renewed hearts 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:02.520 overcome 00:30:02.520 --> 00:30:03.980 our clinging flesh 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.000 and show 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.340 God's generous wisdom 00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:07.740 through us 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:09.500 by our faithful words 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:11.240 and faithful works. 00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.400 Let's pray. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:12.400 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:12.400 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:12.400