From Knowledge to Relationship: Embracing True Wisdom
Summary
The sermon delivered by the speaker delves into the profound difference between knowing about Jesus and having a genuine relationship with Him. The speaker begins by challenging the congregation to examine their lives to see if they truly reflect a relationship with Christ, emphasizing the need for actions that demonstrate faith, as mere words are insufficient. Drawing from the book of James, chapter 3, the speaker explores the concept of wisdom, contrasting earthly wisdom with the wisdom that comes from above. The speaker shares a personal story of a Christian family who discouraged their daughter from pursuing a calling as a medical missionary, highlighting the societal tendency to prioritize selfish ambition over selfless service.
The speaker further warns against the dangers of envy and selfish ambition, which are often celebrated in society but lead to disorder and evil practices. They share a powerful testimony of a man who, despite being involved in satanic worship and committing heinous crimes, experienced a transformation through reading the Bible in jail. This story illustrates the transformative power of God's word and the true wisdom that comes from focusing on others and seeking God.
The speaker also reflects on the importance of our actions and language, praying for the congregation to exhibit holy behavior and for those living worldly lives to repent. They express gratitude for God's impartiality and willingness to die for sinners, emphasizing the need for a heart, vision, and attitude aligned with God's. The speaker shares another personal experience where they realized the importance of letting actions speak for themselves, as their child's life reflected the Gospel and resembled Jesus.
In a poignant moment, the speaker discusses the significance of being known by Jesus, rather than just knowing about Him. They recount praying for George W. Bush after 9/11 and use this as an analogy for our relationship with Jesus, stressing that it is Jesus' recognition of us that grants us access to Him.
The sermon concludes with a discussion on the wisdom that comes from Heaven, which is pure and leads to peacemaking rather than peacekeeping. The speaker shares an anecdote about their child being falsely accused and how they sought the wisdom from above to handle the situation, demonstrating the importance of responding to conflicts with heavenly wisdom.
Key Takeaways:
- True wisdom is not a matter of eloquent words or intellectual knowledge; it is demonstrated through a life of good deeds performed in humility. The speaker's emphasis on actions over words challenges believers to live out their faith authentically and visibly, serving as a reminder that our deeds are the true reflection of our relationship with Christ. [05:50]
- Earthly wisdom, characterized by envy and selfish ambition, leads to chaos and ungodly practices. The speaker's warning against adopting the world's definition of success serves as a call to reject societal pressures that conflict with biblical teachings and to pursue a life that aligns with God's wisdom. [22:07]
- The transformational power of God's word is evident in the life-changing story of a man who turned from satanic worship to a witness for Jesus. This testimony underscores the belief that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and that the Scriptures have the power to renew the most hardened hearts. [12:14]
- Being known by Jesus is more important than merely knowing about Him. The speaker's personal reflection on praying for a political figure illustrates the intimate nature of our relationship with Christ and the significance of being recognized by Him, which is essential for our spiritual access and growth. [01:59]
- Heavenly wisdom leads to peacemaking, not just peacekeeping. The speaker's personal experience with their child's false accusation highlights the importance of responding to conflict with the purity and peace-loving nature of divine wisdom, rather than reacting with human anger or defensiveness. [15:49]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 3:13-18 (NIV)
> "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 3:13, how should wisdom be demonstrated in a person's life?
2. What are the characteristics of earthly wisdom as described in James 3:14-16?
3. How does the speaker describe the difference between knowing about Jesus and being known by Jesus? [01:59]
4. What transformation did the man involved in satanic worship experience through reading the Bible? [12:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize that wisdom should be shown through good deeds done in humility? How does this contrast with the world's view of wisdom? [05:50]
2. How can envy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and evil practices in a person's life? [09:57]
3. What does the speaker mean by saying that being known by Jesus is more important than merely knowing about Him? How does this impact our relationship with Christ? [01:59]
4. How does the story of the falsely accused child illustrate the importance of responding to conflict with heavenly wisdom? [15:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are your actions demonstrating the wisdom that comes from above? What specific changes can you make to align your actions with heavenly wisdom? [05:50]
2. Have you ever experienced envy or selfish ambition in your heart? How did it affect your relationships and actions? What steps can you take to overcome these feelings? [09:57]
3. Think about your relationship with Jesus. Do you feel that He knows you intimately, or do you only know about Him? What can you do to deepen your relationship with Him? [01:59]
4. The speaker shared a powerful testimony of transformation through God's word. How has the Bible impacted your life? Can you share a specific instance where Scripture brought about a significant change in you? [12:14]
5. When faced with conflict, do you tend to react with human anger or seek wisdom from above? How can you practice peacemaking in your daily interactions? [15:49]
6. The speaker mentioned the importance of letting actions speak louder than words. Can you identify a situation where your actions did not align with your faith? How can you ensure that your life reflects the Gospel more accurately? [17:10]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to pursue heavenly wisdom over earthly wisdom? What practical steps can you take to foster a culture of humility and selfless service? [22:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Deeds Reflect True Wisdom
True wisdom manifests in humble service, not just eloquent speech. It is through actions that faith is genuinely expressed, and these actions should be rooted in humility and service to others. This authentic living is a testament to a life transformed by Christ. [!!05:50!!]
James 3:13 - "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
Reflection: How can you serve someone in your community this week to demonstrate the humility that comes from true wisdom?
Day 2: Rejecting Earthly Ambitions
Earthly wisdom, marked by envy and selfishness, leads to disorder and sin. Rejecting the world's definition of success is essential to embrace a life guided by divine wisdom, which fosters peace and righteousness. [!!22:07!!]
1 John 2:16 - "For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world."
Reflection: Identify one area where you may have pursued worldly success over godly wisdom. How can you realign that area with God's wisdom?
Day 3: The Power of God's Word to Transform
No one is beyond the reach of God's grace, and His word has the power to transform even the most hardened hearts. The Scriptures are a source of renewal and hope for all who encounter them. [!!12:14!!]
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Reflection: What is one way you can engage with the Bible this week to allow God's word to work in your heart?
Day 4: Recognized by Jesus
It is vital to be known by Jesus, not just to know about Him. This personal relationship is what grants us spiritual access and growth, and it is through this recognition that we find our true identity. [!!01:59!!]
Matthew 7:23 - "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
Reflection: Reflect on your daily practices. Are they helping you grow closer to Jesus so that He may truly know you?
Day 5: Peacemaking Through Divine Wisdom
Heavenly wisdom calls us to be peacemakers, not merely peacekeepers. This wisdom guides us to respond to conflicts with purity and a peace-loving nature, reflecting the character of Christ. [!!15:49!!]
James 3:17-18 - "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."
Reflection: Think of a recent conflict. How can you apply heavenly wisdom to be a peacemaker in that situation?
Quotes
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his Good Life." [05:09]
"If you can just learn the art of getting rid of the things of this world and following wholly after the Lord, that's the wisdom that brings life." [18:39]
"There wasn't a worship service, there wasn't something cool happening on TV, there wasn't lights, there wasn't smoke; it was the word of God, and it changed his life forever." [12:14]
"The most important thing is not that we know who Jesus is, the most important thing is that Jesus knows those who you are." [00:34]
"But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere; peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." [22:52]
"When you have wisdom that comes from above, you're not talking about keeping the peace, your desire is to be a peacemaker." [14:23]
"Do you want to know what the parents said? 'Are you serious? You're wasting all of that education, all of that money, for what? So that you can go to a third world country? What a waste.' That's what they said, and I'm thinking, let's go back to John 3:16 because clearly, I don't know if you know Jesus or not." [09:19]
"Jesus is wisdom. You want wisdom, you ask for it, it'll come to you, but you're going to be tempted to think of the things of this world, and what it leads to is disorder and every evil practice." [20:44]
"The wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; there is no stain, there is no dirtiness to it, there is no brokenness to it, it is complete, it is good, it is life-giving." [13:41]
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