Tag: Wisdom

Wisdom for Life – Sermon Outlines

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I am using the following outline for a 5-week series of messages on James.

Theme: In Christ we find the wisdom to grow through life’s tests.

  1. Wisdom is Needed for Life’s Trials, James 1.
    1. We need wisdom to be steadfast in life’s trials, vv. 1-11.
    2. We need wisdom to be victorious in life, vv. 12-18.
    3. We need wisdom to apply God’s Word, vv. 19-27.
  2. Wisdom is Quick to Hear, James 2
    1. Wisdom is quick to reject hypocritical behavior, vv. 1-7.
    2. Wisdom is quick to remember the holy law, 8-13.
    3. Wisdom is quick to require holistic faith, vv. 14-26.
  3. Wisdom is Slow to Speak, James 3.
    1. Wisdom is slow to speak because of the tongue’s power, vv. 1-5.
    2. Wisdom is slow to speak because of the tongue’s perniciousness, vv. 6-12.
    3. Wisdom is slow to speak because of the tongue’s progeny, vv. 13-18.
  4. Wisdom is Slow to Become Angry, James 4.
    1. It is not a slave to worldly passions, vv. 1-6.
    2. It is submitted to Christ’s lordship, vv. 7-12.
    3. It is subject to God’s will, vv. 13-17.
  5. Wisdom is Sure to Apply God’s Word, James 5.
    1. Wisdom understands the fate of the sinner, vv. 1-6.
    2. Wisdom understands the future of the saint, vv. 7-11/13.
    3. Wisdom applies the faith of the seeker, vv. 12/14-20.

Our Source of Counsel

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Scripture: 1 Samuel 8-9

HIGHLIGHT

6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.

EXPLAIN

Samuel was now old. He had appointed his two sons to be judges, but they were not men of integrity, but instead took bribes and perverted justice. In respond, Israel sought Samuel to give them a king. Samuel was quite hurt, feeling like they were rejecting him, but still he sought the Lord. And God revealed to him that their rejection was not of Samuel, but of God’s rule.

APPLY

There are times in which we feel rejected, hurt, betrayed, etc. The challenge for us then is to go to God to gain his perspective on the situation. Will we listen to God instead of feelings and opinions?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to always listen to you, and to go to you for advice often and always in time of need. Guide my every step. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Power of the Tongue

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HIGHLIGHT

James 3:10 (ESV): 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

EXPLAIN

One of the major emphases of James is the tongue. James 3 begins suggesting that people should not necessarily clamor to become teachers, preachers, etc. in the church because the standard of judgment for those who serve in this function is higher.

The tongue is like the ship’s rudder, small but directing that huge vessel. The tongue is like a spark that can burn an entire forest. The tongue cannot be tamed by humanity without God’s help, but contains venomous poison from Hell.

So we find that the same mouth is used for praising and cursing, for speaking beautiful things of others and for expressing slanderous hatred.

APPLY

As we think about the tongue (especially the tongues of others and not our own, for that is less convicting!), we obviously see the problem of hypocrisy. Yet hypocrisy is yet an outward sign a deeper problem: rebellion against the lordship of King Jesus.

Some live in continuing rebellion against Christ’s ultimate control. They may act righteously most of the time, but their heart and mind are corrupt and often find expression through the tongue.

Others have surrendered their lives to Christ, but from time to time, fail to listen for the guiding whisper of the Holy Spirit and so will slip into old ways of the flesh, speaking evilly of others.

There is a solution to the problem of the tongue! One’s heart must be cleansed of all inbred sin and filled fully with the Holy Spirit. Then one will be characterized by wisdom from above that reaps a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:17–18 (ESV): 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, we need your cleansing and filling power so that our tongues may be tamed. We do not want to live with a tongue out of control; neither do we wish to have a tongue only mostly in control. Rather, we desire the power of the Holy Spirit upon our speech, and our inmost thoughts and desires. Thank you for your sanctifying grace! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Holy Spirit, be my guide

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HIGHLIGHT

John 16:13–14 (ESV): 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

EXPLAIN

Jesus was teaching his disciples on the night before his betrayal and his crucifixion the next day. Jesus had told his disciples that he would be leaving them, but he sought to comfort them by telling them he would send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit would empower them, teach them, and guide them. The Holy Spirit came upon the believers fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, on the Day of Pentecost.

APPLY

The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual life, abides with us, and desires to fill us fully. While Jesus is not physically present, the Holy Spirit is that presence of Jesus, of God, with us.

He will guide us, teach us, empower us, correct us, and encourage us. Therefore, we should listen closely to his voice, cultivate our fellowship with him, and obey him always.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which your Son sent for us when he ascended into heaven. Holy Spirit, guide me, teach me, give me wisdom and power, that the name of Jesus might be glorified in and through me. Amen.