WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.360 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:04.299 --> 00:00:08.320 It's good to have you joining us this morning, whether you're at home or you're here in the sanctuary. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:15.080 Our sermon passage today is James chapter 3, verses 13 through 18. 00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:19.219 James chapter 3, verses 13 through 18. 00:00:19.320 --> 00:00:25.219 We've been walking through the book of James this summer, and we're going to continue doing that today. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:29.640 Let me pray, and then I'll read this passage for us. 00:00:29.640 --> 00:00:30.500 Let's pray together. 00:00:33.500 --> 00:00:46.799 Our Father, we confess that in our own human reason and understanding, God, the things of you remain dark and cloudy. 00:00:49.040 --> 00:00:54.579 But we thank you that by the gift of your Spirit, you come and you give light to our minds, 00:00:54.579 --> 00:01:01.159 and more importantly, you bring light to our hearts and to our wills, that we might embrace all that you are. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:05.439 And to do just what we've sung, to worship your holy name. 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:09.140 Your name, who you've revealed yourself to be. 00:01:09.539 --> 00:01:13.799 And all of your grace and majesty and justice. 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:19.719 Oh, Lord, would you come through this passage that we're about to read and meditate on this morning. 00:01:19.759 --> 00:01:21.039 Would you come and do just that? 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:29.019 Empower our hearts to worship your holy name and to live lives as a result that are honoring to your name. 00:01:29.239 --> 00:01:30.459 We ask this in Christ's name. 00:01:30.579 --> 00:01:30.759 Amen. 00:01:31.900 --> 00:01:32.459 All right. 00:01:32.459 --> 00:01:34.579 James 3, verses 13 through 18. 00:01:34.679 --> 00:01:35.559 Let me read this for us. 00:01:35.559 --> 00:01:40.359 Who is wise and understanding among you? 00:01:41.839 --> 00:01:47.359 By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 00:01:48.959 --> 00:01:55.259 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 00:01:55.260 --> 00:02:02.620 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 00:02:03.500 --> 00:02:09.240 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:21.780 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, 00:02:21.780 --> 00:02:27.099 full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:34.620 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:39.539 So what does real wisdom look like? 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:43.060 That's what James wants us to consider in the text before us. 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:46.759 Picture in your mind maybe someone who embodies wisdom. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:49.080 What do they look like to you? 00:02:49.080 --> 00:02:55.240 Are they an old scholar, a wise sage with a big gray beard? 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:05.220 But keep in mind, in the Bible, wisdom means something more than just intelligence or learning. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:08.760 Wisdom actually means something more like skill. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:13.100 The skill of living life as it was meant to be lived. 00:03:14.220 --> 00:03:17.600 Now that includes knowledge, but it means a lot more. 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:24.200 It's like a sailor who knows how to read the winds and the waves, 00:03:24.480 --> 00:03:30.720 and she can position her sails and her rudder just right to bring the ship safely home through the storm. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:32.300 That's biblical wisdom. 00:03:33.220 --> 00:03:38.080 Or the weaver who can bring all the threads together to make a beautiful whole. 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:40.480 That's the sense of wisdom. 00:03:40.480 --> 00:03:44.720 Not just knowledge, but living skillfully in God's world. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:50.960 And for James here in chapter 3, this is a very practical question. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:53.840 It's a very practical question for us as a church. 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:57.039 Because as the context of chapter 3 and 4 show us, 00:03:57.400 --> 00:03:59.340 in the communities to whom James was writing, 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:03.900 conflict and dissension were on the rise. 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:08.920 As external pressures mounted around them, 00:04:09.020 --> 00:04:12.240 perhaps trial, hardship, economic oppression, 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:15.939 as those things happened around these young churches, 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:19.540 internally conflict started to rise up. 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:22.800 In verses 1 through 12 of chapter 3, 00:04:23.340 --> 00:04:24.600 what we looked at last week, 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:29.240 James has been talking about the power and the danger of the uncontrolled tongue. 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:32.199 And from chapter 3, verse 1, 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:35.480 it seems that the problem even involved their teachers, their leaders, 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:42.180 some of whom were perhaps claiming to be wise. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:46.199 But what really is wisdom? 00:04:48.040 --> 00:04:49.860 And as we seek to be the church today, 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:52.879 what should it look like for us to be wise? 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:57.819 Now remember, for James, in this book of James, 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:04.000 his vision of the church is that it's meant to be the first fruit of God's new creation. 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:05.939 Remember that from chapter 1, verse 18? 00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:10.100 We've been brought forth by the word of truth, the gospel, 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:11.500 into new life. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:13.800 We've been brought forth by the word of truth 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:17.639 in order to live out what James calls the law of liberty, 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:18.920 the law of love. 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:23.000 But as we follow that call, 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:26.220 a question comes. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:27.860 What sort of wisdom 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:30.480 are we going to employ? 00:05:32.640 --> 00:05:33.939 What sort of wisdom 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:35.180 are we going to use 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:37.460 as we seek to live out 00:05:37.460 --> 00:05:40.100 the church calling 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:40.840 that we have? 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:43.700 Because you see in our text, 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:45.500 James describes not just one, 00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:47.139 but two kinds of wisdom. 00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:49.560 There's one from below 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:51.060 and there's one from above. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:52.139 He makes a contrast. 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:53.039 He makes a distinction 00:05:53.039 --> 00:05:54.699 between two kinds of wisdoms. 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:55.139 Why? 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:56.959 Because here's James' big idea 00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:58.019 in our text. 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:01.060 He's essentially saying 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:02.500 we cannot be 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:04.259 a heavenly people 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:07.180 and live according to earthly wisdom. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:10.039 The church cannot be 00:06:10.039 --> 00:06:11.060 a heavenly people, 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:12.300 the people it's meant to be, 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:13.379 the new creation, 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:16.279 and live according to earthly wisdom. 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:20.199 The way we do life, 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:21.000 our skill 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:21.919 in living, 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:23.019 in leading, 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:24.579 our practical approach 00:06:24.579 --> 00:06:25.879 to everyday matters 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:26.979 and to being together 00:06:26.979 --> 00:06:27.539 in community, 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:29.199 it has to be different, 00:06:30.159 --> 00:06:30.699 James says. 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:33.539 So let's take a look 00:06:33.539 --> 00:06:34.939 at these two kinds of wisdom. 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:36.539 James says there's a wisdom 00:06:36.539 --> 00:06:37.259 from below 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:37.879 and there's a wisdom 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:38.519 from above 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:39.599 and for each one 00:06:39.599 --> 00:06:40.639 he's actually going to show us 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:41.579 three things 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:43.579 about these two kinds of wisdom. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:44.620 For each one 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:45.379 he's going to show us 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:46.659 first its nature, 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:47.620 what it's like, 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:49.180 and then second 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:49.980 he's going to show us 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:50.759 its source, 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:51.740 where it's from, 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:53.199 and then third 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:53.800 he's going to show us 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:54.399 the results, 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:55.360 what it brings. 00:06:56.899 --> 00:06:57.519 So first, 00:06:57.600 --> 00:06:58.579 let's look at the wisdom 00:06:58.579 --> 00:07:00.040 from below. 00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:01.540 James starts off 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:02.399 this text by saying, 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:03.319 who is wise 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:04.180 and understanding 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:05.040 among you? 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:06.279 Then he says something 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:07.219 that just sounds 00:07:07.219 --> 00:07:08.240 so James, 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:08.699 doesn't it? 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:10.439 Let them prove it, 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:11.920 not by their intellect, 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:13.199 not by their credentials, 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:14.979 but by their life. 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:17.439 Not just their work too, 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:18.519 not just their conduct, 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:20.259 but also their character. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:21.579 He says, 00:07:21.819 --> 00:07:22.680 real wisdom is seen 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:23.639 in good conduct, 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:24.579 brought forth 00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:25.420 in humility. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:28.740 But James is kind of 00:07:28.740 --> 00:07:29.539 jumping ahead there. 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:30.399 First, 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:31.980 he wants us to see 00:07:31.980 --> 00:07:32.959 what this false wisdom, 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:34.039 this wisdom from below 00:07:34.039 --> 00:07:34.659 looks like. 00:07:36.159 --> 00:07:37.459 So in verse 14, 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:39.560 he begins with his three points. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:39.860 He says, 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:40.060 okay, 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.099 here's what it's like, 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:42.039 here's its character, 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:43.039 here's its traits, 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:43.420 he says, 00:07:43.780 --> 00:07:44.660 if you have 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:45.620 bitter jealousy 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:46.680 and selfish ambition 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:47.660 in your hearts, 00:07:48.220 --> 00:07:49.120 do not boast 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.620 and be false to the truth. 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:53.800 Bitter jealousy 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:56.260 and selfish ambition. 00:07:56.960 --> 00:07:57.879 Now bitter jealousy, 00:07:58.160 --> 00:07:59.160 that's the sort of thing 00:07:59.160 --> 00:07:59.759 that says, 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:01.720 I want what you have. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:05.120 And selfish ambition says, 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:07.300 I'm willing to divide 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:07.920 and conquer 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:08.900 in order to get it. 00:08:08.899 --> 00:08:11.219 In fact, 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:11.859 that phrase, 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:13.139 selfish ambition, 00:08:13.139 --> 00:08:14.379 means something like 00:08:14.379 --> 00:08:16.519 using divisive means 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:18.139 to promote 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:19.359 your own interests. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:21.699 You exploit rivalry 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:23.399 or develop a kind of 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:24.439 party spirit 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:25.939 in order to get ahead. 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:28.240 Now, 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:31.120 I'm imagining 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:32.879 that very few of us 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:34.019 walk around 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:35.840 explicitly saying, 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:37.820 I want what you have 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:38.539 and I'm willing 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:39.440 to divide and conquer 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:39.960 to get it. 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:42.860 I've never had 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:43.740 that kind of conversation 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:44.240 with someone. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:45.960 But notice, 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:46.980 James says, 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:49.159 in your hearts. 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:51.659 What's underneath 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:52.620 your words 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:53.320 and your actions? 00:08:53.320 --> 00:08:55.580 Take, for example, 00:08:55.680 --> 00:08:56.600 maybe a Christian leader. 00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:58.300 On the surface, 00:08:58.440 --> 00:08:59.360 they might be teaching 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.379 true things. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:01.960 Even putting forward 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:02.620 what seems like 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:03.660 a great concern 00:09:03.660 --> 00:09:04.560 for God's kingdom. 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:05.700 But underneath, 00:09:06.920 --> 00:09:07.940 they can be driven 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:09.420 by jealousy. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:11.640 A desire 00:09:11.640 --> 00:09:12.580 to want to be 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:13.300 the biggest 00:09:13.300 --> 00:09:14.260 and the best. 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:15.580 To get the praise 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:16.580 that other ministries 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:17.900 or ministers receive. 00:09:19.660 --> 00:09:20.740 And along with that, 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:21.360 they can be driven 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:23.000 by selfish ambition. 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:26.220 They could cast 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:26.920 dispersion 00:09:26.920 --> 00:09:27.920 on whole groups. 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:28.879 They could create 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:29.820 an us-versus-them 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:30.500 mentality 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:31.820 in order to get ahead. 00:09:33.520 --> 00:09:34.180 And now, 00:09:34.220 --> 00:09:34.820 here's the danger. 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:37.260 On the surface, 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:39.320 that sort of approach 00:09:39.320 --> 00:09:40.860 can produce 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:42.080 what looks like, 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:43.379 at first, 00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:44.379 good results. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:46.020 The word is preached. 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:47.180 The church grows. 00:09:47.640 --> 00:09:48.160 People's lives 00:09:48.160 --> 00:09:48.680 are impacted 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:49.280 for the good. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:51.639 But James says, 00:09:51.939 --> 00:09:53.539 don't boast 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:54.899 and be false 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.819 to the truth. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:58.539 And by truth here, 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:00.079 he probably means 00:10:00.079 --> 00:10:00.939 the same thing 00:10:00.939 --> 00:10:01.699 that he meant 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:02.519 back in chapter 1, 00:10:02.579 --> 00:10:03.079 verse 18, 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:03.779 when he talks about 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:04.659 the word of truth, 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.740 which is the gospel. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:08.699 In other words, 00:10:08.959 --> 00:10:09.699 if underneath 00:10:09.699 --> 00:10:10.579 what drives you 00:10:10.579 --> 00:10:11.500 or characterizes you 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.079 is jealousy 00:10:12.079 --> 00:10:13.159 and selfish ambition, 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:14.419 then you're actually 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:16.019 betraying the truth 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:17.219 of the gospel itself. 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:21.620 But this isn't just 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.039 a problem 00:10:22.039 --> 00:10:23.439 for Christian leaders. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:25.860 It's a problem 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:26.620 for all of us. 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:28.139 And James is talking 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:28.899 to all of us. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.480 From the classroom 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:32.819 to the workplace 00:10:32.819 --> 00:10:34.319 to our neighborhoods, 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:36.620 in any sphere, 00:10:37.839 --> 00:10:38.199 jealousy 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:39.779 and selfish ambition 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:40.699 can be 00:10:40.699 --> 00:10:41.799 what drives us. 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:44.339 I want what you have 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:45.479 and I'll do what 00:10:45.479 --> 00:10:46.419 it takes to get it. 00:10:49.059 --> 00:10:49.819 And again, 00:10:49.959 --> 00:10:50.539 in the beginning, 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:51.799 it can look like 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.459 it's working. 00:10:53.599 --> 00:10:54.559 We move to the top 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:55.219 of the class, 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.479 we get the promotion 00:10:56.479 --> 00:10:57.019 at work, 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.139 we get elected 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.000 for an office, 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.939 but deep down, 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:03.099 we're being false 00:11:03.099 --> 00:11:04.039 to the truth. 00:11:06.699 --> 00:11:08.099 Because as James shows us 00:11:08.099 --> 00:11:08.859 in the next verse, 00:11:08.979 --> 00:11:09.579 verse 15, 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:12.160 we need to realize 00:11:12.160 --> 00:11:13.320 the source 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:15.100 of this so-called wisdom. 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:16.020 He's just shown us 00:11:16.020 --> 00:11:16.680 what it's like 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:17.440 in verse 14. 00:11:17.660 --> 00:11:18.040 Now, 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:18.680 in verse 15, 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:19.240 he shows us 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:19.940 where it's from. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:21.840 Verse 15, 00:11:21.920 --> 00:11:23.220 this is not the wisdom 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:23.960 that comes down 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:24.540 from above, 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:25.759 but is earthly, 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:27.340 unspiritual, 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:28.800 demonic. 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:31.820 Whoa. 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.620 James does not pull 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.700 any punches 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:35.460 in this book, 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:35.920 does he? 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:38.539 Each of these three words, 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:38.939 earthly, 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:39.799 unspiritual, 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:40.559 demonic, 00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:42.159 they each describe 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:43.639 different aspects 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:45.199 of the created order 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:46.579 without any reference 00:11:46.579 --> 00:11:47.079 to God. 00:11:48.059 --> 00:11:48.740 Take earthly, 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:50.079 or what James 00:11:50.079 --> 00:11:50.779 and other New Testament 00:11:50.779 --> 00:11:51.639 writers elsewhere 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.099 call the world. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.000 Now, 00:11:54.059 --> 00:11:55.199 that is our corporate 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:56.399 or our social 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:57.519 or our structural 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:58.500 life together 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.679 without reference 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:00.139 to God. 00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:02.579 Take the word 00:12:02.579 --> 00:12:03.279 unspiritual, 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.419 that's our personal 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:04.919 life 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:06.220 without reference 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:06.720 to God. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.500 Then, 00:12:08.579 --> 00:12:08.939 demonic, 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:09.819 of course, 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.639 that's the spiritual 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.100 world 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:12.299 without reference 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:12.779 to God. 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:16.240 How tragic 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:16.720 that people 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:17.659 claiming to be 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:18.079 the church, 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.139 claiming to be 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:20.159 God's new creation 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:21.179 in their practical 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:22.120 everyday lives 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:22.740 can be living 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.759 according to the wisdom 00:12:23.759 --> 00:12:25.179 of the very opposite. 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:28.419 Now, 00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:29.079 you might be thinking, 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:30.500 demonic? 00:12:31.439 --> 00:12:32.539 That's a little harsh, 00:12:32.579 --> 00:12:33.019 isn't it? 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:36.500 But do you remember 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.179 in the Gospels 00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:39.679 when Jesus turns 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:40.539 to his disciples 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.959 and he says, 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:42.899 who do people 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:43.759 say that I am? 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:46.519 And the disciples 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:46.899 say, 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:47.120 well, 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:47.799 some people are 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:48.339 saying this 00:12:48.339 --> 00:12:48.799 and some people 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:49.459 are saying that. 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:50.899 And then Jesus 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:51.179 says, 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:51.779 well, 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:52.379 who do you say 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:52.839 that I am? 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:54.879 And then Peter, 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:55.579 speaking for all 00:12:55.579 --> 00:12:55.919 the rest, 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.259 says, 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:57.439 Jesus, 00:12:57.579 --> 00:12:58.179 you're the Christ, 00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:58.959 you're the Messiah, 00:12:59.100 --> 00:12:59.679 you're the Son 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:00.620 of the living God. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:03.220 And at that moment, 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:03.860 what does Jesus 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:04.960 teach them about next? 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.360 Now that they're 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.139 professing him 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:08.080 to be the Son of God, 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.500 what does he go on 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:09.940 to tell them 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:10.519 and to teach them? 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:11.580 At that moment, 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.740 he starts teaching them 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:13.740 about the cross, 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.379 that he must be 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:15.940 delivered over 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.659 to the authorities 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:17.440 and crucified. 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:19.139 And then what does 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.639 Peter say? 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:22.700 He rebukes Jesus, 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:23.000 right? 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:23.740 He says, 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.299 Jesus, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.740 no way, 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:26.480 this is not 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:27.480 a winning strategy. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:28.639 Messiahs don't 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.279 get crucified. 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.519 This is not 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.039 the plan. 00:13:33.680 --> 00:13:34.560 And then Jesus 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.060 says, 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.080 get behind me, 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:38.080 Satan. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.659 You see, 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:43.100 Peter wanted 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.759 the Messiah 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.360 to come 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.600 and divide 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.120 and conquer. 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:49.300 Jesus had come, 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:49.620 however, 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.519 to make peace 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.360 by the blood 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.039 of his cross. 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.420 Peter's wisdom 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:55.000 in that moment 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.820 was from below, 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:56.840 earthly, 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:57.740 unspiritual, 00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:58.280 and according 00:13:58.280 --> 00:13:59.280 to Jesus himself, 00:13:59.379 --> 00:13:59.700 demonic. 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.379 Of course, 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.200 Jesus' wisdom 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:04.399 looked like foolishness 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:04.820 in the eyes 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.300 of the world. 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.420 And in that moment, 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:07.320 it looked like foolishness 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:07.660 in the eyes 00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:08.300 of the disciples, 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:08.759 too. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:10.920 But what they 00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:12.060 would soon find out 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:14.259 is that the cross 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:16.300 is actually 00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:17.399 the wisdom of God 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.740 and the very power 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.240 of God. 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.680 God's wisdom 00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.639 is the truth. 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:25.340 But what does this 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:27.100 wisdom from below 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:28.759 result in? 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.539 We've seen what it's like. 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.759 We've seen where it's from. 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.639 What's the outcome? 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:34.100 Now, 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:34.680 we've already said 00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:35.720 that in the short term, 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.180 this wisdom from below 00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:38.019 can produce 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.220 what looks like success. 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:40.100 But what about 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:40.840 in the long run? 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.620 Verse 16. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.120 James says, 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.759 for where jealousy 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.360 and selfish ambition 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.299 exist, 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.080 there will be 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:52.039 disorder 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:53.700 and every 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.940 vile practice. 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:57.980 Disorder. 00:14:58.659 --> 00:14:59.100 Chaos. 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.179 Churches will splinter 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:00.840 and split. 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:02.019 People will be torn apart. 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:03.399 Communities will be torn apart. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.320 Communities will turn 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.220 against one another 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.019 and implode. 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:10.060 Disorder. 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:11.960 And then he says 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:12.919 every vile 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:14.759 or every evil practice. 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.799 What will be on the rise? 00:15:17.060 --> 00:15:17.779 Selfishness. 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.019 Malice. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:20.039 Gossip. 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.039 Greed. 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.139 Discrimination. 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.220 Apathy. 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:27.320 That's what the real 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:28.320 end result is. 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.379 You see, 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:32.159 sometimes we foolishly think 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.480 that the ends 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:35.179 justify the means. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.919 But what James 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.799 is telling us here 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:40.419 is that the ends 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:41.799 will never escape 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.379 the means. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:45.659 the means 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.639 that we use 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.019 will be the ends 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.700 in the long run 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:49.480 that we produce. 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.799 Eugene Peterson 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.980 puts it this way, 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.759 paraphrasing verse 16. 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:56.659 He says, 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.860 whenever you're trying 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.759 to look better 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.320 than others, 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:01.460 that is jealousy, 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.220 or get the better 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.820 of others, 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:05.419 selfish ambition, 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.580 things fall apart 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:09.220 and everyone 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.860 ends up 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.600 at the other's 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:10.940 throats. 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:14.120 Whenever you're 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:14.620 trying to look 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.320 better than others 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.520 or get the better 00:16:16.520 --> 00:16:17.040 of others, 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:18.540 things fall apart 00:16:18.540 --> 00:16:19.860 and everyone 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.500 ends up 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.360 at the other's 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:21.720 throats. 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.420 So that's the wisdom 00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.220 from below. 00:16:28.520 --> 00:16:29.520 But thankfully, 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:30.700 James doesn't 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.340 stop there. 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:33.680 We don't 00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:34.879 have to stay 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.139 in the wisdom 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.600 that's characterized 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.740 by trying to look 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.399 better than others 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.160 and get the better 00:16:40.160 --> 00:16:40.639 of others. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:41.980 You see, 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.740 the good news is 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.500 there's another 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.519 kind of wisdom. 00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:46.580 There's a wisdom 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.200 from above. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.860 A wisdom 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.920 whose source 00:16:50.920 --> 00:16:52.820 is God himself. 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.860 As James says 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.580 in chapter 1, 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:56.139 verse 17, 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:56.600 James says, 00:16:57.040 --> 00:16:57.480 every good 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.259 and perfect gift 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.259 is from above, 00:16:59.540 --> 00:17:00.160 coming down 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:00.680 from the Father 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.219 of lights. 00:17:01.599 --> 00:17:02.559 That's the source. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.319 That's where 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:03.799 this wisdom 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.299 is from. 00:17:05.919 --> 00:17:06.619 But what does 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.000 this wisdom 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.539 look like? 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.379 And what does 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.059 it result in? 00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:11.159 Let's look first 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:11.619 at what it looks 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:11.960 like. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.919 Verse 17, 00:17:13.419 --> 00:17:13.899 but the wisdom 00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:14.779 from above, 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.460 James says, 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.619 is first pure, 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.519 then peaceable, 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.039 gentle, 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:22.359 open to reason, 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.200 full of mercy 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:25.059 and good fruits, 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.759 impartial 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.399 and sincere. 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:30.560 Now, 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.500 James is sort 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:33.019 of like a word 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.519 artist 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.500 at this moment. 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:35.380 He's sort of 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.360 painting a picture 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.160 with these words. 00:17:37.860 --> 00:17:39.259 In the Greek text, 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.019 there's lots of 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.660 alliteration, 00:17:40.780 --> 00:17:41.860 there's lots of 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:42.800 assonance among 00:17:42.800 --> 00:17:43.160 these words. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:43.960 They sort of sound 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.640 like they're strung 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:45.140 together. 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.259 And that would 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.259 have made this list 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:47.840 of virtues 00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:48.600 very memorable 00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:49.800 and very powerful 00:17:49.800 --> 00:17:50.759 to the original 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.200 listeners. 00:17:51.300 --> 00:17:51.740 So what James 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.259 is trying to do 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.980 here is he's 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.680 trying to paint 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.640 a picture of the 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.580 heart of true 00:17:55.580 --> 00:17:55.980 wisdom, 00:17:56.080 --> 00:17:56.900 of God's wisdom. 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:59.000 And we won't 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.360 be able to 00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:00.560 unpack every 00:18:00.560 --> 00:18:01.519 stroke of that 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.200 painting that 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.100 he's doing here, 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.360 but let's just 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:04.880 focus on the 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.620 first two words. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.640 First pure, 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:10.160 then peaceable. 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.820 Now, 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:13.120 when something 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:13.900 is pure, 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:16.160 it's clean, 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:16.759 right? 00:18:18.780 --> 00:18:19.920 There's honesty, 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:20.980 there's integrity 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.560 to it. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.200 There's nothing 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.759 that's sort of 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.680 diminishing it 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.820 or weakening it. 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.559 Think of metal 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:29.099 ore that's been 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.839 dug out of the 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.139 earth. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.019 And then it gets 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.980 put into a fire 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:34.779 and the dross, 00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:35.439 the impurities, 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:35.879 are kind of 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.599 burned away. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.779 And the pure 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.619 metal that comes 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.819 out is not just 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.619 more brilliant, 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.619 but it's also 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.460 more resilient. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.019 It's stronger. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.480 So this wisdom 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.460 from above 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.799 is first of all 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.439 pure. 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.439 It has no 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:52.439 mixed motives. 00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.439 It has no 00:18:53.439 --> 00:18:54.379 conflicting 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.359 agendas. 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:57.240 In other 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:57.679 words, 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:59.839 it's not 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:00.639 riddled 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:02.099 with the 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.460 bitter 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.720 jealousies 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.779 of the 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.399 old wisdom 00:19:05.399 --> 00:19:06.059 from below. 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.279 Beneath 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.720 that old 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.019 wisdom, 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:10.399 that old 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:10.859 wisdom from 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:11.099 below, 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.480 was the 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:11.919 fear and 00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:12.379 pride of 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:12.639 how I 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.200 looked before 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.500 others, 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:13.939 comparing 00:19:13.939 --> 00:19:14.480 myself to 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:14.679 others, 00:19:14.919 --> 00:19:15.179 wanting to 00:19:15.179 --> 00:19:15.559 be better 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:15.939 than others, 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:16.419 wanting to 00:19:16.419 --> 00:19:16.960 be praised 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.399 by others. 00:19:17.399 --> 00:19:18.000 But the 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.500 wisdom from 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:18.919 above is 00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:20.139 free of 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:20.639 all that. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:21.819 It's 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.500 pure. 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:22.579 more. 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.720 The other 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.160 word that 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:26.940 James gives 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.339 for this 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:27.640 kind of 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.660 purity is 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.240 found back 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.579 in verse 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.279 13 where 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.680 he calls 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.019 it the 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.920 meekness 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:33.160 of wisdom. 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.000 In the 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.339 Old Testament, 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:36.720 this word 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.559 meekness does 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:37.960 not mean 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:39.140 cowardice or 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:39.940 passivity. 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:40.819 It means 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.359 being set 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:42.640 free from 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.700 our anxious 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:45.039 self-promotion. 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:48.339 It means 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:48.920 genuine 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.279 humility. 00:19:51.659 --> 00:19:52.339 It means 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.019 being free 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.460 from our 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.019 obsession 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.599 with the 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:54.940 self. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.279 Can you 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:58.619 imagine 00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.099 living a 00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:01.240 life without 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.960 the constant 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:04.139 undercurrent of 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:04.500 wanting to 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.240 promote yourself? 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.359 Without that 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.579 constant anxiety 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.639 of self-assessment 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.940 and self-comparison 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.039 and self-regard? 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.359 Can you 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:12.819 imagine a 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:13.960 life lived 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.859 rather, 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.619 in the 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.920 purity of 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.659 genuine 00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.700 humility? 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.079 Wouldn't 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.220 that be 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.259 wisdom 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.019 indeed? 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.159 To not 00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:27.779 be enslaved 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.399 to your 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.200 desire to 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:29.859 be seen, 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.680 to be praised, 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:30.940 to be 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.519 acknowledged, 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.700 but release 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.119 from all 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.940 that to 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.319 live a 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.200 life of 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.920 love 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.460 toward 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:36.899 others? 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.339 Socrates 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:41.819 apparently 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.159 called 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:42.759 jealousy 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.159 an 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:43.779 ulcer 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.680 of the 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.100 soul. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.680 Imagine 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.320 the deep 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:50.880 burning 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.640 pain 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.539 of 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.480 self-interest 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.759 at last 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.180 being 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.779 healed. 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.799 What would 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.160 that be 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:58.519 like? 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.700 Well, 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.100 James says 00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:02.440 it's first 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:02.860 pure, 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.779 then it's 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.220 peaceable. 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.799 That's what 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.279 it starts to 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.759 look like. 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:07.680 Freed from 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.120 jealousy, 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:08.960 we become 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.600 peaceable. 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:11.159 if the 00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:11.379 wisdom 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:11.659 from 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.299 below 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.000 is 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.419 characterized 00:21:13.419 --> 00:21:14.079 by selfish 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.619 ambition 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.299 of dividing 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.000 and conquering, 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:16.359 of trying 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:16.599 to get 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:16.959 the better 00:21:16.959 --> 00:21:17.779 of others, 00:21:17.959 --> 00:21:18.399 the wisdom 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.019 from above 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.559 is characterized 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.439 by peace. 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.899 But peace 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.319 here doesn't 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:23.759 mean merely 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.519 the absence 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.219 of fear 00:21:25.219 --> 00:21:25.839 or worry 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.439 or conflict. 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.219 Peace in the 00:21:27.219 --> 00:21:27.740 Bible means 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.519 wholeness. 00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:29.980 It's the 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.879 fabric of 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.639 creation 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:34.820 in all 00:21:34.820 --> 00:21:35.560 its right 00:21:35.560 --> 00:21:36.680 relationships 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:38.080 flourishing 00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:38.860 together. 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:43.080 To say 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:43.460 then that 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.100 wisdom 00:21:44.100 --> 00:21:45.460 is peaceable 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.440 means that 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:47.740 it is 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.259 driven 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.400 to make 00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:50.259 things whole 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:50.580 again, 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:50.980 to make 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.580 things right 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:51.840 again, 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.460 to give 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.920 birth to 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.140 what the 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.620 Hebrew Bible 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:54.100 calls 00:21:54.100 --> 00:21:54.940 shalom. 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.640 To mend 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.220 this torn 00:21:59.220 --> 00:21:59.860 fabric of 00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:00.400 relationships, 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.140 of communities, 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.920 of creation. 00:22:03.580 --> 00:22:04.480 First pure, 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:06.420 then peaceable. 00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:08.020 That's what 00:22:08.020 --> 00:22:08.560 true wisdom 00:22:08.560 --> 00:22:09.220 looked like. 00:22:12.540 --> 00:22:13.220 But you know 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.580 in the short 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:13.940 term, 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:17.160 it often 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:17.620 doesn't seem 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:17.880 like it 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.200 works, 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.600 does it? 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.200 A wisdom 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.840 that is pure 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:23.600 then peaceable 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:24.400 doesn't often 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.500 make a snappy 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.280 headline. 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:27.880 The work 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.600 of peace 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:29.660 doesn't often 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.160 garner 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:30.820 promotions, 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:31.860 or win 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.460 elections 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:34.420 in the same 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:34.740 way that 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.320 jealousy and 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.020 selfish ambition 00:22:36.020 --> 00:22:36.380 can. 00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:39.440 In fact, 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:39.940 like Peter, 00:22:40.020 --> 00:22:40.640 we can sometimes 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.000 look at the 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.420 wisdom from 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.080 above that's 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.620 first pure 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.320 then peaceable 00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:43.740 and say, 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.460 that's not 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:44.860 going to work, 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.160 Jesus. 00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:46.080 This is the 00:22:46.080 --> 00:22:46.500 real world 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:46.980 down here. 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:50.560 But look at 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:50.940 what James 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.380 says in 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:51.940 verse 18. 00:22:51.940 --> 00:23:03.320 verse 18. 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:04.480 And a 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.480 harvest of 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:05.980 righteousness 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.340 is sown in 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.519 peace by 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.940 those who 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:09.759 make peace. 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.660 A harvest 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:13.180 of righteousness. 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.360 righteousness. 00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:16.940 Have you 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.200 ever been 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.759 in a field 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.799 or in 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.320 an orchard 00:23:19.320 --> 00:23:20.120 maybe that's 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:20.519 ready to 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:20.960 harvest? 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.580 My family 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.060 likes to 00:23:23.060 --> 00:23:23.600 pick fruit 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.720 at Bishop's 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.180 Orchard up 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.840 the shoreline. 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:26.920 But here's 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.240 the thing. 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.519 If you look 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.160 at an apple 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.019 orchard out 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.600 of season 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:32.299 before the 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.680 harvest, 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:33.820 you might be 00:23:33.820 --> 00:23:34.120 a little 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.440 underwhelmed. 00:23:35.820 --> 00:23:36.259 I remember 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.820 the first time 00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:37.360 I went to 00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:37.940 an orchard 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.620 and I 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.560 expected that 00:23:39.560 --> 00:23:40.500 these massive 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.180 apples would 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:41.580 come from 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:42.620 massive trees, 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.019 right? 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:44.319 And I 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.019 showed up 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.519 and the 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:45.899 only thing 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:46.139 that was 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.579 planted 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.299 were these 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.179 like stubby 00:23:48.179 --> 00:23:49.159 pruned back 00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:49.599 kind of 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.059 things. 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:50.519 And I 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:50.799 thought, 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:53.099 what's 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.299 going to 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.699 come out 00:23:53.699 --> 00:23:54.019 of that? 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.419 They're so 00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:54.919 much shorter, 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.239 they're so 00:23:55.239 --> 00:23:55.799 much smaller 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.159 than I 00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:56.599 expected. 00:23:56.939 --> 00:23:57.379 I had 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:57.939 crabapple 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:58.799 trees at 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.219 home that 00:23:59.219 --> 00:23:59.479 are bigger 00:23:59.479 --> 00:23:59.919 than that. 00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:02.939 What's 00:24:02.939 --> 00:24:03.139 going to 00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:04.839 come of 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.199 that little 00:24:05.199 --> 00:24:05.500 tree? 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.699 But then 00:24:09.699 --> 00:24:10.099 the harvest 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.139 comes and 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:11.759 those seemingly 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.599 little trees 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.859 are covered 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.339 in fruit. 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.000 You see, 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.259 friends, 00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:18.339 the wisdom 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:19.000 from above 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.759 is like that. 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:20.319 The wisdom 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.859 that's first 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:21.339 pure, 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.519 then peaceable, 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:22.919 it doesn't 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.439 seem like 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:23.819 much at 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.179 first. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.480 It might 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:25.980 even seem 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.319 like a 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.679 losing 00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:27.500 cause. 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.079 But a 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.699 harvest of 00:24:30.699 --> 00:24:31.219 righteousness 00:24:31.219 --> 00:24:32.019 is sown 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.639 in peace 00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:33.559 by those 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:33.959 who make 00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:34.379 peace. 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.240 It may 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.819 take time. 00:24:37.959 --> 00:24:38.659 It may 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.079 seem like 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:39.459 there are 00:24:39.459 --> 00:24:40.039 setbacks, 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:41.519 but the 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:41.879 harvest 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:42.500 will come. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.799 I think 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.139 it's worth 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:48.000 asking then, 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.599 what kind 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.139 of church 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.819 do we 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.379 want to 00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:51.639 be? 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:52.920 What kind 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.299 of church 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.659 do we 00:24:53.659 --> 00:24:54.059 want to 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.379 see? 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.639 What kind 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.099 of families 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.899 and communities 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:58.379 do we 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:58.680 want to 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:58.960 see? 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.839 What kind 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.279 of city 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:01.639 do we 00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:01.920 want to 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.180 see? 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.000 Do we 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.279 want to 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.119 see increasing 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.680 righteousness 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.500 and justice? 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.400 It doesn't 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.100 come through 00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:12.460 worldly 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.860 wisdom. 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:15.299 It will 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.360 come as 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:16.740 we sow 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.920 peace and 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.600 make peace. 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.600 But keep 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:22.140 in mind, 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.420 being a 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.039 peacemaker 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.799 is different 00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.440 than being a 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.019 peacekeeper. 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:27.860 Have you 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.320 heard that 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.299 distinction 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.759 before? 00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.220 Some of you 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.480 have. 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:33.660 There's a 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.120 difference between 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:35.460 peacemaking and 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.940 peacekeeping. 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.640 keeping the 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:38.080 peace often 00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:38.680 means avoiding 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.360 conflict, 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.600 appeasing 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:41.080 people, 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.820 supporting the 00:25:41.820 --> 00:25:42.519 status quo, 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.220 not rocking 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.700 the boat. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.940 That's not 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.320 what James 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:46.700 means. 00:25:47.840 --> 00:25:48.519 That's not 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:48.920 what Jesus 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.440 means when 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:49.820 he says 00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:50.519 blessed are 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.360 the peacemakers. 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:53.980 Peacemaking 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.680 means striving 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.700 for real 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.160 wholeness, 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.600 real shalom. 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.559 Peacemaking 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:02.140 means confrontation 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.100 at times. 00:26:04.600 --> 00:26:05.240 Peacemaking 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.440 may mean, 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.980 as one writer 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.400 put it, 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.559 temporarily 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:10.059 disrupting a 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.880 community in 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.680 order to deal 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.120 with root 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:13.140 problems so 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.819 that genuine 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.539 peace may 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.000 ensue. 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.380 Sometimes a 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:19.680 friendship, 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.440 sometimes a 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.839 marriage, 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.000 sometimes a 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.359 church, 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.220 sometimes a 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.480 community needs 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.620 to be disrupted 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:28.180 in order to 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:28.799 deal with root 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.940 problems so 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.599 that genuine 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:31.660 peace can come. 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.660 peace can come 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.220 from the 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.860 people. 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.340 But remember, 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:37.120 even the 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.860 sometimes 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.960 confrontational 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.800 and disruptive 00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:40.400 work of 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.200 peacemaking 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:43.080 is still done 00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:43.759 in humility, 00:26:44.560 --> 00:26:45.120 in purity, 00:26:45.540 --> 00:26:46.440 and in love. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:50.680 So these are 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.279 the two kinds 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:51.720 of wisdom 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.019 then. 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.279 Wisdom 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.860 from below 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:54.980 and wisdom 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.539 from above. 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:55.980 And James 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.519 has shown us 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.000 the nature 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.759 and the source 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.500 and the results 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:58.880 of each. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.299 But you know, 00:26:59.360 --> 00:26:59.960 before we leave 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.660 this passage, 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:02.400 I think we've 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.120 got to ask, 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:05.160 how do we get 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:05.980 that second 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.680 kind of wisdom? 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.320 How do we get 00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:08.720 this wisdom 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.240 from above? 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:09.600 Because 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:11.680 oftentimes my 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.320 natural default 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:12.860 is the wisdom 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.440 from below. 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:17.480 Well, 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:17.960 first we need 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.720 to ask for it. 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:21.140 If any of you 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.799 lacks wisdom, 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.340 James writes 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.000 in chapter 1, 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:23.960 let him ask 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.320 God, 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:24.820 who gives 00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:25.500 generously to 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:25.860 all without 00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:26.259 reproach, 00:27:26.320 --> 00:27:26.640 and it will 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:26.960 be given 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.299 to him. 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.600 We need 00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.019 to ask 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.460 for it. 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:29.880 Of course 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:30.180 this makes 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.700 total sense, 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:30.880 right? 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.880 If the wisdom 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.559 from above 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.380 is God's 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:33.680 wisdom, 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.380 then we have 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:34.740 to go to 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.380 God to get 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.539 it. 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.220 We have 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.759 to be humble 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.680 enough to ask 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.180 for it 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:40.900 and realize 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.480 that we can't 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.180 produce it on 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.559 our own. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.580 But, you know, 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.160 we can also 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.779 be bold 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.519 and confident 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.420 when we ask 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:47.900 for it 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.700 because God 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.360 promises to 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:50.000 give generously 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.400 to all 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.320 without reproach. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.500 So we need 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.160 to ask for it. 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:54.880 We need to ask 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.660 for this wisdom 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.740 in prayer. 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.759 And second, 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.440 we need to 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.180 start practicing 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:01.500 it. 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.360 Remember, 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.000 wisdom isn't 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.820 just knowledge, 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.080 right? 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:05.860 It's living. 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.840 I don't know 00:28:08.840 --> 00:28:09.220 if you've ever 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.980 driven a car 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.200 without power 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.759 steering, 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.839 or when 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.200 the power 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.579 steering 00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:14.140 goes out. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.059 My grandfather 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.900 had a very 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.700 old Buick 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.240 when I was 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:19.779 growing up 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.599 and sometimes 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.019 the power 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.420 steering 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.279 wouldn't always 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.220 work so well 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:23.980 in the Buick. 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.359 When the power 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.000 steering goes out 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.359 in your car, 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:27.879 it is almost 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:28.500 impossible 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.379 to turn the 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:29.660 wheel 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.720 when the car 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.259 isn't moving. 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.319 But once the 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:33.859 car starts 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:34.220 moving, 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.200 it gets a 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.519 whole lot 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:35.839 easier. 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.539 You see, 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.180 wisdom's kind 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.740 of like that. 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.500 Once the car 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.140 starts moving, 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:41.900 once we start 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.860 practicing what 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:43.580 we know, 00:28:44.060 --> 00:28:45.120 then in the 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.500 living, 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.520 we grow more 00:28:46.520 --> 00:28:46.960 and more 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.560 wise. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.380 Now that can 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:50.880 be hard for 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.440 some of us. 00:28:52.300 --> 00:28:52.960 Some of us 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.420 like to have 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:53.980 all the things 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.540 figured out 00:28:54.540 --> 00:28:55.200 ahead of time. 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.480 We want to 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.100 know exactly 00:28:57.100 --> 00:28:58.240 how and if 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.000 it will work. 00:29:00.320 --> 00:29:01.100 But in order 00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:01.960 to grow in 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.340 wisdom, 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:03.900 we need to 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.240 begin. 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.920 We need to 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.600 begin making 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.140 peace. 00:29:07.140 --> 00:29:07.220 peace. 00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:11.160 And little 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.640 by little, 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.140 you'll become 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.780 more and 00:29:12.780 --> 00:29:13.600 more of a 00:29:13.600 --> 00:29:14.160 peacemaker. 00:29:14.300 --> 00:29:14.759 Because here's 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.040 what's going 00:29:15.040 --> 00:29:15.420 to happen 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:15.800 once you 00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:16.280 start living 00:29:16.280 --> 00:29:16.860 into it. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.560 For Christians, 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.320 the Holy Spirit 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:19.720 is going to 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.280 start showing 00:29:20.280 --> 00:29:21.120 you when 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:21.420 you need 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:21.960 to be gentle, 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:22.940 when you 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.259 need to be 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.580 open to 00:29:23.580 --> 00:29:23.940 reason, 00:29:24.780 --> 00:29:25.100 when you 00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:25.440 need to be 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:25.759 full of 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.320 mercy and 00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:26.800 good fruits, 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.060 when you 00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:27.340 need to be 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:27.840 impartial, 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.120 when you 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.440 need to be 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.920 particularly 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:29.700 sincere. 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.140 And the 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.540 Holy Spirit 00:29:31.540 --> 00:29:32.040 is also going 00:29:32.040 --> 00:29:32.300 to start 00:29:32.300 --> 00:29:32.759 showing you 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.220 as you put 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.520 it into 00:29:33.520 --> 00:29:34.000 practice, 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.640 where you 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:35.079 failed, 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.940 and where 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.359 you need to 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:37.920 seek forgiveness 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.359 and try 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.759 again. 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.559 You know, 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:41.859 a good 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:43.579 practice is 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.299 to end 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.559 every day, 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:45.980 or to end 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.740 most days, 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.640 with a few 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.039 minutes of 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.359 prayer. 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.220 End every 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:50.660 day with a 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.000 few minutes 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.519 of prayer, 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.619 asking the 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.960 Spirit to 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.579 guide your 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.519 thoughts over 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.019 the previous 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.460 day. 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.119 Invite the 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:58.559 Holy Spirit 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.119 to come and 00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:01.380 just think 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:01.779 with you, 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.740 to lead your 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.279 thoughts over 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:03.720 the previous 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:03.980 day. 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.400 you've just 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:04.759 lived. 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.619 And then 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:06.299 ask Him to 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.079 show you 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:08.720 where you've 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.339 been responding 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:09.779 to His 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.099 leading. 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.380 And to 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:11.799 give thanks 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.200 for that. 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:13.519 To give 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.140 thanks for 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.460 when the 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.099 Spirit gave 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:16.339 you some 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:16.599 of these 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.099 gifts of 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.680 peacemaking 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.619 and gentleness 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.160 and openness 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.680 to reason, 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:19.980 etc. 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.259 And then 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.599 ask the 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:23.039 Holy Spirit 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.539 to show you 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:23.759 where you 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.579 didn't respond 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.079 so well. 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:26.799 And confess 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.140 that. 00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.240 And then 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.380 pray for 00:30:30.380 --> 00:30:30.799 His leading 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.059 and His 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.559 power for 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:31.900 the coming 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:33.319 day to 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.720 help you 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.559 keep in 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.039 step with 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.299 Him, 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:35.960 to keep 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.299 in step 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:36.620 with the 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:36.920 Spirit. 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:38.700 You know, 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:38.920 if we're 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.319 practicing 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.140 that kind 00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:40.640 of prayer, 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.180 that's going 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.440 to help 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.000 us grow 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.700 in the 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.319 practice 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:44.880 of 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.480 peacemaking. 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:48.579 So we 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:48.779 need to 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.259 ask for 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:49.440 it. 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.220 And we 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.440 need to 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:50.640 begin 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.220 practicing 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.539 it. 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:53.000 But the 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.599 last thing, 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.599 we need 00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:56.160 to receive 00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:56.480 it. 00:30:58.960 --> 00:30:59.779 Here's what 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.079 I mean. 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.360 You see, 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:00.779 the wisdom 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.480 from above 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.180 is first 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.960 of all 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.579 pure, 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:04.559 James 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:04.880 says. 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:07.059 And there's 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.660 only one 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.880 way for 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.759 foolish and 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.740 flawed people 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.559 like us 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.220 to be 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.660 pure. 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:14.220 there's 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.700 only one 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.180 way to 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.680 be liberated 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.140 from the 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.180 jealousy that 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.480 wants to 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:17.840 look better 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:18.300 than others. 00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:18.900 There's 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.360 only one 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:20.040 way to 00:31:20.040 --> 00:31:20.380 be set 00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:20.980 free from 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.580 the selfish 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:22.440 ambition that 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:22.759 wants to 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.100 get the 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:23.480 better of 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:23.820 others. 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.900 The only 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.380 way to 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:27.720 be set 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.320 free from 00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:28.660 all of 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.860 that is 00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:30.200 through what 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:30.700 God has 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.320 done in 00:31:31.320 --> 00:31:31.660 Jesus. 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.700 You see, 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.200 Jesus was 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.740 the one who 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.740 was truly 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.640 wise. 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:38.320 in him 00:31:38.320 --> 00:31:38.940 are hidden 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.660 all the 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.259 treasures of 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.980 wisdom and 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.420 knowledge, 00:31:41.520 --> 00:31:42.040 Paul writes 00:31:42.040 --> 00:31:43.040 in Colossians. 00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:43.880 You know, 00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:44.240 read the 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.759 Gospels for 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.220 yourself and 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.480 you will 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.400 find that 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:46.860 James' 00:31:47.060 --> 00:31:47.360 kind of 00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:48.259 impressionistic 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.220 portrait here 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.140 in verse 17, 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:50.720 pure, 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.300 peaceable, 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:51.720 gentle, 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.280 open to 00:31:52.280 --> 00:31:52.560 reason, 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.100 full of 00:31:53.100 --> 00:31:53.520 mercy and 00:31:53.520 --> 00:31:53.960 good fruits, 00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:54.540 impartial, 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.020 sincere. 00:31:56.080 --> 00:31:56.820 It's really 00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:57.280 the portrait 00:31:57.280 --> 00:31:57.920 of Christ. 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:00.620 And only 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.300 when we see 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:01.759 what Jesus 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.800 did for us 00:32:02.800 --> 00:32:03.400 will we 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.540 be set free 00:32:04.540 --> 00:32:05.200 from jealousy 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.040 and ambition. 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.600 Only when you 00:32:07.600 --> 00:32:08.480 see how much 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.840 he loved 00:32:09.840 --> 00:32:10.140 you, 00:32:10.560 --> 00:32:11.160 dying on 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:11.860 the cross, 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:13.120 the wise 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.100 one dying 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:14.640 for the 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:15.140 foolish, 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.100 when you 00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:17.780 see that, 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:18.240 that he did 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:18.560 that for 00:32:18.560 --> 00:32:20.220 you and 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:20.460 that he 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.120 loves you, 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.440 then you 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:23.900 won't need 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.500 so much to 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.040 look better 00:32:25.040 --> 00:32:26.340 before others 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:26.759 anymore. 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:29.180 And when 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:29.840 you see him 00:32:29.840 --> 00:32:30.960 rising again 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.800 in victory 00:32:31.800 --> 00:32:32.440 over sin 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.000 and death 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.520 for you, 00:32:34.780 --> 00:32:34.980 well, 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.980 suddenly that 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.720 releases you 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.099 from the 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:38.360 need to 00:32:38.360 --> 00:32:38.640 get the 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.079 better of 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:39.420 others. 00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:40.880 Because in 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.120 him, 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:41.440 through his 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.819 death and 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.259 resurrection, 00:32:42.360 --> 00:32:42.759 no matter how 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.279 sinful or 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.759 broken you 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:44.079 might be, 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.620 in him, 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.400 you're pure. 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:45.960 In him, 00:32:46.120 --> 00:32:46.660 you are 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.120 victorious. 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.500 In him, 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:47.960 you're seated 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.279 with him 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:48.680 in the right 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.059 hand, 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:49.900 at the right 00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:50.120 hand of 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.519 the Father. 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:55.720 And when 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.059 you start 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:56.839 living like 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.500 all of that 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.099 is true, 00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.140 when you 00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:00.000 start living 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:01.579 united to 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.140 Christ through 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:02.700 faith, 00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:03.640 knowing that 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:04.200 his death 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:04.920 has cleansed 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.460 you and 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.380 his resurrection 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.480 has rescued 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:07.920 you, 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:11.759 then we'll 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.180 start to be 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:12.900 truly wise 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.980 with the 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.460 wisdom from 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:14.840 above. 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.640 Proverbs 13, 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.220 20 says, 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:19.000 whoever walks 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.720 with the wise 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:21.440 becomes wise. 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.500 Whoever walks 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.120 with the wise 00:33:24.120 --> 00:33:25.019 becomes wise. 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:26.559 So, 00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:26.779 friends, 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.440 if Jesus is 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.220 the ultimately 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.240 wise one, 00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:30.660 the one in 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.180 whom all the 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.640 treasures of 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.059 wisdom and 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.460 knowledge are 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:32.860 found, 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.619 then only 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:34.359 by trusting 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:35.399 and walking 00:33:35.399 --> 00:33:36.139 with him 00:33:36.139 --> 00:33:37.039 and receiving 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.919 it from him 00:33:37.919 --> 00:33:38.579 will we 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.259 become truly 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:39.819 wise. 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:42.039 Let's pray. 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:47.039 Lord Jesus, 00:33:47.139 --> 00:33:47.379 what a 00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:47.819 convicting 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:48.619 passage this 00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:49.240 is for us. 00:33:53.079 --> 00:33:53.599 Lord, 00:33:53.679 --> 00:33:54.059 too often 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.559 our wisdom 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.199 is characterized 00:33:55.199 --> 00:33:56.519 by selfish 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.279 ambition and 00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.579 jealousy. 00:33:57.699 --> 00:33:57.919 Would you 00:33:57.919 --> 00:33:58.399 forgive us 00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:58.699 for that 00:33:58.699 --> 00:33:59.199 this morning? 00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:02.080 would you 00:34:02.080 --> 00:34:02.680 expose in 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.120 our hearts 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:03.500 where that 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:03.940 is true 00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:04.200 and we 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.600 don't see 00:34:04.600 --> 00:34:04.819 it? 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.059 And, 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:09.260 Jesus, 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:09.599 would you 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.000 forgive our 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.860 pride that 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.280 wants to 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.699 try to do 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.000 it on our 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:12.199 own? 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.800 And would 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.139 you humble 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.699 us by your 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:16.460 spirit and 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:16.940 teach us to 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:18.740 ask and 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:20.260 to act and 00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:20.920 to receive? 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:23.380 Lord, 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:23.880 would you 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.099 make us a 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.720 people that 00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.579 are wise with 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:26.960 the wisdom 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.579 from above? 00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:28.039 Make us 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:28.720 pure and 00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:29.179 peaceable. 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.019 Lord, 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.740 we long to 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.099 see a 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:31.820 harvest of 00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:32.360 righteousness. 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.860 Rebuke us 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.220 when our 00:34:35.220 --> 00:34:36.460 means are 00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.059 from below. 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.000 Help us to 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.800 be peacemakers 00:34:39.800 --> 00:34:40.639 with the wisdom 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.179 from above, 00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:41.659 we pray. 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:42.860 Amen.