11162014ChoosingGodsWisdomOverMansWisdom#5DonRuhl
Choosing God’s Wisdom Over Man’s Wisdom #5
James 3.13–18
Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • November 16, In the year of our Lord, 2014
Scripture Reader and Reading: Tim Braden – James 3.13–18
Song Leader and Song Suggestions: Phil Joseph – Songs of hope
Persuasion:
- Matthew 5.3–12 – Character Leads to Happiness
- 5.3 – lowly spirit leads to highest possession3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matt 5.3) - 5.4 – broken spirit leads to wholeness4 “Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.”
(Matt 5.4) - 5.5 – gentle spirit leads to largest inheritance5 “Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.”
(Matt 5.5) - 5.6 – empty spirit leads to filled spirit6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.”
(Matt 5.6) - 5.7 – kind spirit leads to receiving kindness7 “Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.”
(Matt 5.7) - 5.8 – pure spirit leads to greatest sight8 “Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.”
(Matt 5.8) - 5.9 – peaceful spirit leads to greatest designation9 “Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.”
(Matt 5.9) - 5.10–12 – targeted spirit leads to highest possession10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matt 5.10–12).
- 5.3 – lowly spirit leads to highest possession3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
- Hopelessness Leads to Self-Death – Eph 2.1212 …at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world (Eph 2.12).
- PhysicalRemember – …it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Heb 9.27).
Judas – Acts 1.16–25
- MentalDrunkenness and addictions – Pro 23.29–35
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ (Col 2.8).
- Moral7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Gal 6.7–8).
Fornication – Pro 6.26–35
- SpiritualRom 1.18–32
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others (Eph 2.1–3).
- PhysicalRemember – …it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Heb 9.27).
- God Guides Us
- God5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
(Pro 3.5–6)23 O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
24 O Lord, correct me, but with justice;
Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.
(Jer 10.23–24)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Rom 8.28–29).
- The Scriptures16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2Ti 3.16–17).
- Fellowship of Christians13 …exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3.13).
- The Church10 …now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Eph 3.10).
- The Government1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
(Pro 21.1) - Your Employer18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God (1Pe 2.18–20).
- Your Family20 My son, keep your father’s command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.
21 Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
22 When you roam, they will lead you;
When you sleep, they will keep you;
And when you awake, they will speak with you.
(Pro 6.20–22) - Problems67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
(Psa 119.67)71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
(Psa 119.71) - Prayer9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy (Col 1.9–11).
- He uses the wicked
- Saul over David
- Babylon over Israel
- Rome over the church
- God5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
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