Embodying True Wisdom in Community and Worship
Summary
### Summary
Preaching and teaching are embodied acts, and gathering for worship is a profound expression of love for God and community. Weekends are cherished because they offer opportunities to worship, hear God's Word, and engage in godly conversations. They break isolation, foster community, and provide chances to serve and invest in God's kingdom. Communion, a significant act of worship, involves looking back at Christ's sacrifice, examining ourselves, recognizing our place in the body of Christ, and looking forward to His return.
The focus of today's message is wisdom. Wisdom is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual and practical. James 3 contrasts two kinds of wisdom: worldly wisdom, which is earthly, sensual, and demonic, and godly wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. True wisdom is practical, humble, spiritual, and fruitful. It is the ability to make God-honoring choices in any situation.
James emphasizes that wisdom is shown through good conduct and meekness. Meekness, often misunderstood as weakness, is actually power under control. It is a quality that reflects a life under God's sovereign control. True wisdom is also spiritual, rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's wisdom. Finally, wisdom is fruitful, producing characteristics like purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy.
In conclusion, the truly wise person is humble, peace-loving, and easy to be with, reflecting the character of Jesus Christ. In contrast, worldly wisdom is self-centered and contentious. The call is to embody the wisdom from above, making choices that honor God and reflect His character.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Community in Worship: Gathering for worship is not just a routine but a profound act of love for God and His people. It breaks isolation, fosters community, and provides opportunities for godly conversations and service. This communal aspect of worship is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. [13:42]
2. The Fourfold Purpose of Communion: Communion involves looking back at Christ's sacrifice, examining ourselves, recognizing our place in the body of Christ, and looking forward to His return. Each aspect of communion serves to deepen our relationship with God and our understanding of His redemptive work. [34:34]
3. The Nature of True Wisdom: True wisdom is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual and practical. It is the ability to make God-honoring choices in any situation. This wisdom is characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy, reflecting the character of Jesus Christ. [47:34]
4. Meekness as Power Under Control: Meekness, often misunderstood as weakness, is actually power under control. It reflects a life under God's sovereign control and is a key characteristic of true wisdom. This quality produces a calming effect and demonstrates a godly life. [01:02:34]
5. The Contrast Between Worldly and Godly Wisdom: Worldly wisdom is self-centered, contentious, and rooted in earthly, sensual, and demonic influences. In contrast, godly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. It is rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ and reflects His character. [01:07:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:42] - The Importance of Community in Worship
[34:34] - The Fourfold Purpose of Communion
[44:27] - Introduction to Wisdom
[47:34] - The Nature of True Wisdom
[01:02:34] - Meekness as Power Under Control
[01:07:40] - The Contrast Between Worldly and Godly Wisdom
[01:16:08] - Characteristics of Godly Wisdom
[01:24:52] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. James 3:13-18 (ESV)
> "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
### Observation Questions
1. According to James 3:13, how should a wise person demonstrate their wisdom? ([48:51])
2. What are the characteristics of wisdom that comes from above, as described in James 3:17? ([50:44])
3. How does James describe worldly wisdom in James 3:15-16? ([50:44])
4. What does James say is the result of jealousy and selfish ambition in James 3:16? ([50:44])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize that true wisdom is shown through good conduct and meekness? How does this contrast with worldly wisdom? ([48:51])
2. How can the characteristics of godly wisdom listed in James 3:17 (pure, peaceable, gentle, etc.) be seen as a reflection of Jesus Christ's character? ([50:44])
3. In what ways does worldly wisdom lead to disorder and every vile practice, according to James 3:16? How might this manifest in today's society? ([50:44])
4. How does the concept of meekness as "power under control" challenge common misconceptions about meekness? ([01:02:34])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: In what ways do you see the characteristics of godly wisdom (pure, peaceable, gentle, etc.) in your daily interactions? How can you cultivate these traits more intentionally? ([50:44])
2. Think about a recent decision you made. Did you rely more on worldly wisdom or godly wisdom? How can you ensure that your future decisions are more aligned with godly wisdom? ([50:44])
3. Meekness is described as "power under control." Can you identify a situation where you need to exercise meekness? How can you prepare yourself to respond with meekness in that situation? ([01:02:34])
4. How can you foster a sense of community and godly conversations in your church or small group, breaking isolation and fostering spiritual growth? ([13:42])
5. Communion involves looking back at Christ's sacrifice, examining ourselves, recognizing our place in the body of Christ, and looking forward to His return. How can you incorporate these aspects into your personal worship and daily life? ([34:34])
6. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with jealousy or selfish ambition. What steps can you take to replace these with the characteristics of godly wisdom? ([50:44])
7. How can you be a peacemaker in your family, workplace, or community, reflecting the peace-loving nature of godly wisdom? ([01:16:08])
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Community in Worship
Gathering for worship is not just a routine but a profound act of love for God and His people. It breaks isolation, fosters community, and provides opportunities for godly conversations and service. This communal aspect of worship is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. When we come together as a community, we are reminded that we are not alone in our faith journey. We share our burdens, celebrate our victories, and encourage one another to grow in our relationship with God.
The act of gathering for worship also allows us to serve one another and invest in God's kingdom. It is a time to use our gifts and talents to bless others and to be blessed in return. This mutual edification strengthens the body of Christ and helps us to live out the love of God in practical ways. By participating in communal worship, we are actively contributing to the spiritual health and vitality of our church family. [13:42]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to fostering community in your church this week? Is there someone you can reach out to and encourage?
Day 2: The Fourfold Purpose of Communion
Communion involves looking back at Christ's sacrifice, examining ourselves, recognizing our place in the body of Christ, and looking forward to His return. Each aspect of communion serves to deepen our relationship with God and our understanding of His redemptive work. When we partake in communion, we remember the immense love and sacrifice of Jesus, which compels us to live in a manner worthy of His calling.
Examining ourselves during communion helps us to identify areas in our lives that need repentance and transformation. It is a time to seek God's forgiveness and to realign our hearts with His will. Recognizing our place in the body of Christ reminds us that we are part of a larger community of believers, each with a unique role to play. Finally, looking forward to Christ's return fills us with hope and anticipation, motivating us to live faithfully until He comes again. [34:34]
1 Corinthians 11:26-28 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup."
Reflection: As you prepare for the next communion service, take time to reflect on each of the four aspects. How can you make this time more meaningful and transformative in your spiritual journey?
Day 3: The Nature of True Wisdom
True wisdom is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual and practical. It is the ability to make God-honoring choices in any situation. This wisdom is characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy, reflecting the character of Jesus Christ. Unlike worldly wisdom, which is often self-centered and contentious, godly wisdom seeks to promote harmony and righteousness.
James 3 contrasts two kinds of wisdom: worldly wisdom, which is earthly, sensual, and demonic, and godly wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. True wisdom is practical, humble, spiritual, and fruitful. It is the ability to navigate life's challenges with a heart aligned with God's will, making decisions that honor Him and bless others. [47:34]
James 3:17-18 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you had to make. Did you seek godly wisdom in that situation? How can you cultivate a heart that consistently seeks and applies true wisdom?
Day 4: Meekness as Power Under Control
Meekness, often misunderstood as weakness, is actually power under control. It reflects a life under God's sovereign control and is a key characteristic of true wisdom. This quality produces a calming effect and demonstrates a godly life. Meekness is about having the strength to submit to God's will and to respond to others with gentleness and humility, even in challenging situations.
James emphasizes that wisdom is shown through good conduct and meekness. Meekness is not about being passive or timid; it is about having the inner strength to remain calm and composed, trusting in God's sovereignty. It is a powerful testimony of a life transformed by God's grace and a reflection of Jesus' own character. [62:34]
Matthew 5:5 (ESV): "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to exhibit meekness? How can you practice power under control in your interactions with others this week?
Day 5: The Contrast Between Worldly and Godly Wisdom
Worldly wisdom is self-centered, contentious, and rooted in earthly, sensual, and demonic influences. In contrast, godly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. It is rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ and reflects His character. The truly wise person is humble, peace-loving, and easy to be with, embodying the qualities that promote unity and righteousness.
James 3 provides a clear distinction between the two types of wisdom. Worldly wisdom leads to disorder and every vile practice, while godly wisdom produces a harvest of righteousness. As believers, we are called to seek and embody the wisdom from above, making choices that honor God and reflect His character in our daily lives. [67:40]
James 3:14-16 (ESV): "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
Reflection: Reflect on your recent interactions and decisions. Are they characterized by worldly or godly wisdom? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with the wisdom from above?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I love weekends because I get to worship God with others and because I get to hear the name of Jesus Christ lifted up in those songs. I love weekends because my family gets to hear the word of God and I have discovered that even one verse of scripture has the possibility of changing a life." [13:42] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we take the Lord's Supper, when we take these elements, we are doing four things. We are looking back. We are looking within. We are looking around. And we are looking ahead. First of all, we are looking back. We're looking behind. Jesus said, do this in remembrance of me." [34:34] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." [48:51] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fear of the Lord? That's an Old Testament term for belief in God, salvation experience, saving faith. In the Old Testament called the fear of the Lord. That's where it begins, a reverential awe that produces a godly life." [01:11:19] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus is called, in 1 Corinthians 1, He is called the power of God and the wisdom of God. That's a title for Jesus Christ. The power of God and the wisdom of God. So all wisdom begins with a right relationship with God." [01:12:20] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "James is giving test after tests of real faith, authentic Christianity, authentic faith. And some of the tests that we have read about so far is how you handle trials, followed by how you handle temptation, followed by how you handle the Word of God, followed by how you handle other people. how you handle what you say, speech, words." [47:34] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Wisdom is not knowledge. Wisdom, rather, is the right use of knowledge. Knowledge is one thing. Wisdom is quite another thing. We've all known smart people who couldn't do simple tasks. We've all known smart people who make really unwise choices." [51:42] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Wisdom is practical. So James asked the question, who is wise and understanding among you? Question. Rhetorical question. Look how he answers that. Let him show by good conduct. That his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. Quite a statement." [53:41] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Wisdom is humble. Look back at verse 13, '...let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the,' notice this phrase, '...meekness of wisdom.' Meekness of wisdom. Now, we are familiar with the word meek, right? Meekness is one of the very first words." [01:01:15] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Wisdom is spiritual. Now, in these next few verses, James will compare, contrast two different kinds of wisdom. Notice it. Verse 14, but if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth." [01:06:22] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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