James 3:13-18

THIRTEEN THREE-POINT SERMON STARTERS

WISDOM DEMONSTRATED James 3:13

Introduction: We are here for the purpose of demonstrating wisdom and understanding in the ways of God.

1.

How we show it. (By His good life)

2.

What we show. (His works)

3.

The Spirit of showing it. (In meekness of wisdom)

THE GOOD LIFE James 3:13

1.

Is confirmed by Divine wisdom and spiritual understanding.

2.

Consists of working the will of God.

3.

Must be shown in meekness of wisdom.

THE DIVISIVE HEART James 3:14

1.

Has bitter jealousy and faction within.

2.

Glories in itself.

3.

Lies to self against the truth of God.

HOW TO OVERCOME JEALOUSY James 3:14-17

1.

Recognize the results of jealousy, confusion and every vile deed.

2.

Lie not against the truth of God, but be a sincere learner.

3.

Glory not in self, but in God and joys of others.

GODLY WISDOM VS. EARTHLY Wis. 3:13-15

1.

From above (James 1:17) vs. from the earth.

2.

A meek testimony vs. a sensual purpose.

3.

Captains: Father of Lights (James 1:17) vs. the devil.

PARTNERS James 3:13-15

1.

Factuous wisdom with earthly, sensual, and devilish. James 3:15.

2.

Bitter jealousy with self-glory and lying. James 3:14.

3.

Godly wisdom with Godly works and meek spirit. James 3:13.

WISDOM NOT FROM ABOVE James 3:15

1.

Is Earthly.

2.

Is Sensual.

3.

Is Devilish.

FACTION
1.

Springs from bitter jealousy.

2.

Lives in an atmosphere of confusion.

3.

Results in every kind of vile deed.

THE BEGINNING OF Wis. 3:17

1.

Fear of God. (Psalms 111:10) (From above)

2.

Hearkening to God. (Proverbs 1:7) (From above)

3.

Pure above all else (First pure)

THE RAINBOW OF Wis. 3:17

Introduction:

First pure: Colors and beauty gone without purity.

1.

Then Peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated.

2.

Full of mercy, good fruits.

3.

Without variance, hypocrisy.

PURITY OF DOCTRINE AND LIFE James 3:17

1.

Is commanded by God. (From above)

2.

Is the product of Godly wisdom. (Wisdom)

3.

Is the most important aspect of Godly wisdom. (First)

WITHIN AND WITHOUT GODLY Wis. 3:17

1.

Separated by walls of purity.

2.

Within: Full of mercy and good fruits.

3.

Without: Variance and hypocrisy.

THE RIGHT CLIMATE FOR GROWING RIGHTEOUSNESS James 3:18

1.

Seed sown by a peaceable person. (Who makes peace)

2.

Seed sown in an atmosphere of peace.

3.

Harvest of fruit: Righteousness.

CHAPTER VII

THE TRULY WISE TEACHER

James 3:13-18

Introduction

Why insist this is directed towards the teacher? the typical student asks. The teacher has not been mentioned since verse one. The question seems proper and perhaps a real criticism until one makes a more careful examination of the usage of wise and understanding of James 3:13.

The term wise man was often used, and its usage was primarily a reference to the teachers and to the teaching philosophers of the day. Paul was a debtor to the wise (philosophers) of his day. (Romans 1:14). He parallels the wise to the scribe and the disputer of this world in 1 Corinthians 1:20. The religious teachers of whom Jesus spoke were called the wise and understanding. (Luke 10:21). This is not meant to imply that the teaching applies only to teachers, but rather particularly to teachers. After designating the teachers in verse one, James digresses somewhat in his discourse on the tongue in that all that he said applies to every person as well as to teachers; but the fact remains, teachers still have the greatest temptation with the tongue. The teacher, remember, is not only the one who appears before a class of pupils, but anyone who takes upon themselves the responsibility of giving advice to others, of admonishing, instructing, correcting; whether in private or in a formal classroom situation.

Thus the term wise and understanding includes many people. Where even a small group are gathered about in general conversation, there will be some, if not several, who speak as those having wisdom, experience, and understanding. Certainly it would include mothers and fathers, executives and straw bosses, the men on the street corner and the women over the back-yard fence.

There is no hint of belittling the necessity for the wise and understanding (as some might imply from the Luke 10:21 passage). There is a proper manner of working, and of showing wisdom and of a meek demeanor even as we carry out the Lord's instruction to admonish one another, and to bear one another up. There must always be those who reprove and rebuke, as well as those who instruct; but always with the spirit of leaders who show others the Christ-like spirit rather than drivers who impel others into a Christ-like mould.

After a very dramatic demonstration of the foolish teacher's action (mainly through the misuse of the tongue), James prefers not to leave the subject in a negative tone. Now, he briefly describes a proper and Christ-like spirit for the teacher. In this, James is insistent that Christianity must show itself by its works. By their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:20). The spirit inside a person must bring forth fruits visible to all and known by others about him.

There are two kinds of inconsistency that James notes more than once. One is found in the comparison of deeds and words. Our lives are to be consistent, with our yeas consistently yea, and our nays consistently nay. The instability demonstrated by wavering actions and double-speaking words has occupied a sizable portion of the epistle. Consistency of deeds and consistency of words are real gems in James-' Chain of Jewels.

The second kind of consistency comes from comparing the inner man with the outer man. A man with the Christian character of a meek wisdom must be consistent with a good life and contention on the outside. The mind of wisdom of the inner man will determine the kind of action of the outer man. It is with this second kind of consistency James deals in James 3:13-18.

In order to show the proper relationship between Christian wisdom on the inside and Christian action on the outside, James defines wisdom in terms of outer relationship with others. The fruit is the only criteria by which inner wisdom can really be measured. As we pray for wisdom from above, may God grant that we have enough of that wisdom to read this section of James with all care and heart-surrendered application.