WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.260 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:25.880 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:30.420 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:31.260 the latest message. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.460 Thanks for listening. 00:00:46.160 --> 00:00:48.760 Well, good morning, Willow Ridge Church. 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:51.520 Hey, that's pretty good. 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:52.980 Y'all did that on the first try. 00:00:52.980 --> 00:00:56.360 Usually, I've got to get folks to take a shot at that at least twice. 00:00:56.700 --> 00:00:57.740 So, good morning. 00:00:57.820 --> 00:00:58.500 It's good to be with you. 00:00:58.600 --> 00:00:59.840 I am Steve Rarlak. 00:01:00.160 --> 00:01:03.540 Immediately want to thank Joel for making me feel very old. 00:01:04.220 --> 00:01:11.780 I have known him for 15 years, which means he was in middle school, and my son was already 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:12.680 in student ministry. 00:01:12.880 --> 00:01:15.160 So, thanks, Joel, for making me feel really old. 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:21.240 I know that I am a new face for most of you, but for the staff on this church, I am not 00:01:21.240 --> 00:01:21.900 a new face. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:27.500 As a matter of fact, I've known folks that are here on staff a very, very long time. 00:01:27.960 --> 00:01:36.220 I remember Bo Bradbury when he was a brand-new student minister, freshly married, and had adults 00:01:36.220 --> 00:01:39.840 absolutely given him a fit in his student ministry. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:44.820 So, I was brand-new at the state convention working with student ministers, and he talked 00:01:44.820 --> 00:01:49.280 me into coming and teaching Sunday school for him so I could keep the adults out of the 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:51.400 way so he could have a good time with students. 00:01:52.360 --> 00:01:54.480 It's been a long time that I've known Bo. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:55.860 And then David Allen. 00:01:56.020 --> 00:01:57.360 Dave and I have known each other. 00:01:57.820 --> 00:02:01.440 Our paths crossed more than, gosh, it's got to be 20 years ago. 00:02:01.880 --> 00:02:08.900 I was going to tell you that I have known David since he had hair, but when I met him, he looks 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:10.180 exactly like he does now. 00:02:10.260 --> 00:02:14.380 So, the good news is he's not aging, but the bad news is I don't think Dave ever had hair. 00:02:14.920 --> 00:02:18.920 So, anyway, all that to say, if you want to catch me afterwards, I'll tell you all the 00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:23.220 things you really want to know about your pastor that he won't tell you because I have known 00:02:23.220 --> 00:02:24.080 him forever. 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:25.560 All right. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:30.740 Now, I'm going to give you a little insight into your pastor as I tell you what he's asked 00:02:30.740 --> 00:02:31.460 me to do. 00:02:32.060 --> 00:02:38.040 It has been a very long time since I will do this morning what he's asked me to do. 00:02:38.160 --> 00:02:40.320 Now, I preach and I teach all the time. 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:43.980 It's only going to feel like I haven't done it in a very long time for y'all, okay? 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:50.260 I do get to teach and preach all the time, but what he asked me to do was come in in the 00:02:50.260 --> 00:02:53.000 middle of a series and continue that series. 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:56.900 Now, it's been a while since I've been on church staff. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:59.400 I'm on staff at the South Carolina Baptist Convention. 00:02:59.820 --> 00:03:05.380 So, jumping in in the middle of a series is something I really have not done in a very 00:03:05.380 --> 00:03:06.180 long time. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:09.740 And I'll let you know that Bo had a little bit of fun with me as we were doing this. 00:03:09.780 --> 00:03:11.760 He knew it was going to be a little bit of a challenge for me. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:16.100 So, what he did is he texted me and said, hey, would you mind filling in on the 23rd? 00:03:16.140 --> 00:03:16.780 I'm not going to be in. 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:17.780 I said, sure, I'd love to. 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:22.500 And immediately, I'm thinking about those two great sermons I have, which one I was going 00:03:22.500 --> 00:03:23.580 to bless y'all with, okay? 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:24.680 I've got two. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:26.540 I'm going to bless you with one of them. 00:03:26.580 --> 00:03:27.440 I was ready to roll. 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:33.380 And then I get a text, hey, would you mind continuing a series? 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:39.720 And then right about here, I remembered that feeling in the pit of my stomach from seminary 00:03:39.720 --> 00:03:45.060 when the professors would give you this really obscure passage of scripture and they would 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:47.360 want you to teach on it to the rest of the class. 00:03:47.740 --> 00:03:50.420 Well, I was convinced that that was Bo was about to do. 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:54.480 He had gotten to the begot somewhere in Leviticus and that's what he was going to have me do 00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:55.240 for him, all right? 00:03:55.600 --> 00:03:58.480 So, first text, will you preach for me? 00:03:58.560 --> 00:03:59.780 Sure, excited about that. 00:03:59.880 --> 00:04:02.420 Second text, would you mind considering the series? 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:04.640 Not so excited about that one. 00:04:04.940 --> 00:04:08.040 Third text, hey, by the way, we'll be in James. 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:10.460 Now, all of these texts are several days apart, okay? 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:14.180 So, he said, okay, now we want you to be in James. 00:04:14.180 --> 00:04:17.440 And I'm thinking, okay, that's a little bit better in Leviticus and begots, okay. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:20.440 So, I'm thinking through what I know about James. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:24.620 And then finally, after a couple of days more, I said, all right, Bo, if you want me to preach 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:26.640 for you, I got to know the exact passage. 00:04:27.200 --> 00:04:31.800 He said, James, won't you be in James chapter 3, verses 13 through 18? 00:04:32.220 --> 00:04:34.120 And by the way, that's where we're going to be in just a minute. 00:04:34.220 --> 00:04:36.440 So, if you can get your Bibles open, that's where we're going to get started. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:39.520 I thought, okay, all right, James chapter 13. 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:43.760 Went to chapter 13, or excuse me, chapter 3, started reading verse 13. 00:04:43.960 --> 00:04:46.000 I'm thinking, hmm, okay. 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:51.760 Not exactly the passage in James I would have chosen as the guest speaker. 00:04:52.480 --> 00:04:55.820 But, all right, Bo, if that's what you want me to do, I'm going to jump in. 00:04:55.980 --> 00:05:00.620 So, let's talk a little bit about what I know about James as I was thinking through what Bo's 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:01.620 invitation was. 00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:08.680 I know that James has faith and wisdom, faith and works, very much tied together. 00:05:08.960 --> 00:05:13.460 All right, wisdom, as we're going to talk about it this morning, is simply the application 00:05:13.460 --> 00:05:14.120 of knowledge. 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:17.540 You gather a great deal of knowledge, and then you begin to apply it. 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:20.200 We're just spiritual knowledge, what we're going to focus on today. 00:05:20.440 --> 00:05:23.960 So, we've got wisdom, meaning the application of knowledge. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:27.440 It's something we must know, and then we must do. 00:05:27.580 --> 00:05:29.440 James says, faith without works is dead. 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:31.640 So, all right, I'm pretty good with that. 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:34.160 By the way, I've just summarized chapters 1 and 2. 00:05:34.340 --> 00:05:38.760 So, at this pace, I'm going to have you out of here way before the Presbyterians get to 00:05:38.760 --> 00:05:39.380 lunch, okay? 00:05:39.940 --> 00:05:40.300 All right. 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:45.660 So, we've got chapter 2, 1 and 2 summarized, and then we get to chapter 3. 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:48.160 This is where we'll spend some time today. 00:05:48.320 --> 00:05:53.200 The beginning of the chapter talks about the awesome responsibility that leaders have within 00:05:53.200 --> 00:05:57.580 the church, specifically those that teach. 00:05:57.660 --> 00:06:01.040 That's an incredible responsibility, and James talks about that. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:09.500 We get towards the center of chapter 3, and this is where you found out last Sunday that 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:12.540 your pastor has a propensity to play with fire. 00:06:13.580 --> 00:06:18.440 Those of y'all that were here last week, you remember the illustration that Bo used about 00:06:18.440 --> 00:06:22.400 needing to take care of some twigs and sticks in his yard, so he lit them on fire with a 00:06:22.400 --> 00:06:27.740 blowtorch, connected that to the tongue being like fire and how quickly fire spreads. 00:06:27.900 --> 00:06:28.180 Okay. 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:35.120 That's the center section of James chapter 3, and that brings us to where we're going to 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:41.460 be today, that latter part, last few verses, last six verses in James chapter 3, where we 00:06:41.460 --> 00:06:48.220 talk about the source or the sources of two different kinds of wisdom. 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:54.040 Now, a couple of things that I want to say to you this morning as we begin to get in the 00:06:54.040 --> 00:06:54.400 passage. 00:06:55.060 --> 00:07:00.680 Number one is, as we read through this, you're going to be able to make a lot of cultural 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:01.420 connections. 00:07:02.340 --> 00:07:08.840 There are a wealth of current event illustrations that we could plug into the passage we're going 00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:09.920 to talk about this morning. 00:07:10.380 --> 00:07:18.080 Now, the challenge with that is, I don't have the relationship with y'all yet to really bring 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:20.480 in a lot of these cultural illustrations. 00:07:20.700 --> 00:07:22.380 Y'all just don't know me that well. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:23.580 Bo knows me. 00:07:23.660 --> 00:07:26.680 I assume Bo trusted me since he asked me to be here this morning. 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:32.820 But y'all don't know me that well, so I don't have that kind of relationship with you 00:07:32.820 --> 00:07:33.200 yet. 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:37.580 Now, my assumption would be if we spent some time together, we'd get to know each other 00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:40.040 really well, and then we can make a few of those connections. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:44.660 So really, what I'm going to do this morning is I'm going to turn things a little bit upside 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:45.180 down. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:52.520 Throughout the course of the message, I'm going to be challenging you what illustration comes 00:07:52.520 --> 00:07:56.060 to your mind that best fits what this passage is talking about. 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:58.680 Now, the good news, I'm not going to ask you to shout them out. 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:00.280 If you want to write them down, that's fine. 00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:02.940 But as we go through, we're going to talk about that. 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:08.540 What illustration best fits from your position what James is talking about? 00:08:09.320 --> 00:08:14.400 There's a second reason I'm not going to use a lot of illustrations from current events 00:08:14.400 --> 00:08:19.020 or from culture, and that really has to do with a fear that I have, and I'll be honest 00:08:19.020 --> 00:08:19.840 with you about it. 00:08:20.780 --> 00:08:27.220 As we go through this and I start connecting all of these current event illustrations, if 00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:37.180 I happen to communicate one poorly, or I communicate what I'm trying to say poorly, or you bring 00:08:37.180 --> 00:08:43.200 a biased perspective into what I'm talking about, and we all have those biased perspectives 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:49.000 about things, so if I communicate poorly or you bring a biased stance into it, then what 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:56.460 is most likely to happen is that the message of James is going to be lost, and personal bias 00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:58.960 is going to take over. 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:00.960 And I don't want to see that happen this morning. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:09.360 So what we're going to do as best we can is wholly focus on what James is having to say in those 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:13.000 final few verses of chapter 3 to all of us. 00:09:13.060 --> 00:09:17.680 And I mean he is speaking to you, but he's also speaking to me as well. 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:22.800 All of that as a background, I have two questions for you. 00:09:23.180 --> 00:09:28.420 First one's going to come right from that first sentence in James chapter 3, verse 13. 00:09:29.760 --> 00:09:35.460 Who among you is wise and understanding? 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:40.160 Those are the first few words in James chapter 3, verse 13. 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:43.100 Who among you is wise and understanding? 00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:48.360 Now, let's make sure we understand our terms correctly so you know how to best answer that 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:49.260 question, all right? 00:09:49.380 --> 00:09:52.480 When we talk about understanding, that's knowledge. 00:09:52.640 --> 00:09:57.880 That's a spiritual, a scriptural knowledge of who our Savior Jesus Christ is, all right? 00:09:57.920 --> 00:10:02.240 So we've got a scriptural understanding and knowledge of that, and then we're going to attach 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:09.880 to this something called being wise or wisdom, which is the application of that understanding. 00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:17.280 So James is kicking off this section by saying, who among you is wise and understanding? 00:10:21.560 --> 00:10:28.880 Some of you are intentionally not answering that question right now, because I said I had 00:10:28.880 --> 00:10:32.540 two questions for you, and you want to know what the second question is before you answer 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:33.000 the first. 00:10:33.280 --> 00:10:33.860 Good for you. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:36.260 You're catching on with what we're doing here this morning, all right? 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:39.500 So first question, who among you is wise and understanding? 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:48.360 Second question would be, can anything happen this morning that would change you? 00:10:50.940 --> 00:11:06.440 Let me go ahead and use that second question, tell a story to make a connection to the first. 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:12.520 I am not known for my academic abilities, okay? 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:18.580 I'm excited, the seas came through, I was good, I was moving on to the next adventure. 00:11:18.920 --> 00:11:26.580 So when I received the invitation to come teach at my seminary alma mater, my alma mater where 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:30.720 I attended seminary, I was pretty flattered about that, okay? 00:11:30.920 --> 00:11:35.400 Now, it had nothing to do with the person, it had everything to do with the position I was in, 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:39.600 but I was given the invitation to come and teach at the seminary that I graduated from. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:44.620 And to make it even better for the first time in my life, because of scheduling, I was going 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:47.960 to get on a plane, I was going to get off a plane, and there was going to be a driver 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:50.820 to pick me up, and I was going to go straight and begin teaching. 00:11:50.900 --> 00:11:53.240 And I have to tell you, my head was pretty big. 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:57.060 I get to teach at my alma mater, and I've got a driver coming to pick me up. 00:11:57.380 --> 00:12:01.480 So I'm sitting on the airplane, and I've got my notes out, and I'm feeling real important 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:05.640 about myself, because I get to go teach at my alma mater, and I'm sitting and I'm looking 00:12:05.640 --> 00:12:09.640 at my notes, but at the same time, I'm doing the same thing that every one of you 00:12:09.640 --> 00:12:10.960 you do when you're on an airplane. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:17.460 You're looking to see who's going to sit in that vacant seat next to you, right? 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:23.120 The NBA all-star that's seven foot three that's going to come and take up all the room, or 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:25.480 the NFL linebacker, y'all know what I'm talking about. 00:12:25.540 --> 00:12:27.740 You have that same person sit next to you every time. 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:32.660 Or the guy that ate fish tacos 30 seconds before he got on the plane, that's usually who 00:12:32.660 --> 00:12:33.540 sits next to me. 00:12:33.640 --> 00:12:35.000 Y'all know what I'm talking about. 00:12:35.280 --> 00:12:38.600 So I'm sitting, and I'm looking at my notes, and I'm feeling real important about this, 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:41.020 but I'm watching with one eye who's coming down the aisle. 00:12:41.640 --> 00:12:46.520 And I notice that things start to slow down, which means, hey, the plane, everybody's on 00:12:46.520 --> 00:12:49.840 the plane, and my seat's going to be vacant next to me, and I'm okay with that. 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:54.460 And I've got just about where I'm going to turn that next page of notes, and I have to look 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:56.160 up, and I see her. 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:02.500 Young girl, college age, at least that's what it appeared to at the time, and she's got her 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:04.120 ticket out in front of her like this. 00:13:04.760 --> 00:13:07.860 And she'd look at the numbers on both sides, and she'd take a step. 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:12.340 And she'd look at the numbers on both sides, and she'd take another step. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:17.440 Come to find out, it was her first time on an airplane. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:23.740 Now, I spend a great deal of my summers working with college students, so I know this college 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:28.720 girl that's having trouble navigating the numbers that are in sequence going down the aisle of 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:33.080 an airplane, all right, I know she's going to sit next to me, so I start folding up my 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:33.320 stuff. 00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:34.520 I just know it's going to happen. 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:37.640 Sure enough, boom, she sits down next to me. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:42.220 Now, to say she was nervous is being polite. 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:44.580 She was scared to death. 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:48.760 First time on an airplane, and you know, I thought, okay, I work with college students, 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:50.420 it's a perfect place for her to sit. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:54.240 I'm not going to get anything done, and if I didn't know my notes by now, I was probably 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:54.920 just as well. 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:56.240 I wasn't going to teach that good anyway. 00:13:56.680 --> 00:14:00.020 So, as you can tell from the English, the way I just expressed that, it's not going to 00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:00.560 come out well. 00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:02.180 So, boom, she sits down. 00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:05.640 I did not know you could get a seatbelt that tight and still breathe. 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:12.040 She ratcheted that seatbelt down just as hard as she could, and so I said, hey, my name 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:16.040 is Steve, and she begins to tell me her name, and then she tells me where she's from, and 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:20.900 she tells me her life story, and I'm not getting anything in here, and she's nervous, and I'm 00:14:20.900 --> 00:14:24.400 just smiling because I know eventually the plane will take off, and she'll panic, and then 00:14:24.400 --> 00:14:26.040 I can calm her down, all right? 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:31.980 So, right about the time she goes up to take a breath, and I ask her a question, the 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:38.000 flight attendant starts giving instructions, and you know what she did? 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:40.240 She shushed me. 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:45.380 She didn't know who I was. 00:14:46.380 --> 00:14:47.380 I'm sitting here. 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:48.920 I'm getting ready to go teach my alma mater. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.440 I've got a driver waiting on me, and you shushed me. 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:55.120 She did not want to hear anything I had to say. 00:14:55.260 --> 00:15:02.360 She was entirely focused on that flight attendant, and she was so engaged in that process that 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:06.440 those of y'all that fly, they know you how to take, they, excuse me, you know how they 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:10.140 tell you to take the card out of the pocket that shows you the picture of the plane? 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:12.140 Nobody in this room has ever done that. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.040 Go ahead, admit it. 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.940 I've never done it either. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:14.860 She did it. 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.200 And I said, well, look at that. 00:15:17.260 --> 00:15:18.340 There's a picture of the plane. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.140 It shows us all. 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:19.700 How about that? 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:20.680 Who knew that was there? 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:27.300 So, as we go through this conversation, what I'm realizing is not only is she fully engaged, 00:15:27.520 --> 00:15:29.280 now I'm fully engaged. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:34.480 And she gets to the part about when there's a loss of power, the lights will come on on 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:38.260 the floor, and my youth minister gear kicked in, and I'm thinking, I'm going to raise my 00:15:38.260 --> 00:15:38.460 hand. 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.920 Hey, we've got to practice this. 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:43.000 Just in case that happens, we need to practice this. 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:47.440 And then they say something about when the mask comes down, put it on yourself first. 00:15:47.520 --> 00:15:48.620 And I'm thinking, that's not a problem. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:49.480 I've got that covered. 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:54.700 I know who I want to breathe most on this plane, so now, but we've got to practice these things 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:57.680 because that's what you do when you work with students, and I've got a student next 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.020 to me. 00:15:58.800 --> 00:16:05.860 So, then she uses the phrase, and I'm talking about the flight attendant now, in the event 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.780 of a water landing. 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:11.700 I paid full fare. 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:14.900 I paid for a full ticket. 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:17.080 I want a runway landing. 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:19.860 I don't want a water landing. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.500 So, no, no, no, that's out of the question. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.960 I don't want to do this. 00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:28.780 And then they give you the instructions about make sure you know where your exit is. 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:35.360 And now I've got some tension in my life because one row up and to the right is where the exit 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:35.840 is. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:43.300 And in the row, it's just a small plane, two seats. 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:48.360 I spoke to her on the way coming to a very grandmotherly lady sitting next to where the exit is, and next to 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:53.640 her is a fellow that, let's just say he's not worked out recently. 00:16:55.100 --> 00:17:00.760 He was a little disheveled, perhaps not moving maybe as quickly as I think he'd like him to move. 00:17:00.760 --> 00:17:10.400 And I'm feeling bad for him because if this plane goes to go down and we've got to through that exit door, unless he's going to surprise me about how quick he's going to move, his family's going to miss him. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:17.700 Because I'm going to have the college girl on one end, the grandmother, and I'm going out the door, and three of the four of us are going to make it is what I'm saying. 00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:19.440 Okay, his family's going to miss him. 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:23.120 So, I've got my plan down. 00:17:23.260 --> 00:17:26.100 I know about the lights and the masks, and I'm ready to go. 00:17:26.760 --> 00:17:28.700 And I start looking around a little bit. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:44.620 And what I've noticed is while this flight attendant is speaking to all these people on the plane, telling them how their lives can be saved, they're either too busy or too tired or too distracted to listen to what this nice lady is having to say. 00:17:49.120 --> 00:18:00.260 Who among you is wise and understanding so that something may happen this morning that will change you? 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:17.380 Or is it fatigue or busyness of life or just the general distractions that come that would make it incredibly difficult for James to have something to say to you personally this morning? 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:21.300 With that in mind, grab your Bibles. 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:23.960 We're going to go again to James chapter 3. 00:18:24.560 --> 00:18:26.280 We're going to look at verse 13. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:29.420 I'm going to read these verses a little bit out of order. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:33.040 We're going to do 13, then we're going to do 17 and 18. 00:18:33.260 --> 00:18:42.640 We're going to look at godly wisdom, and then we'll do verses 14, 15, and 16, and we'll look at wisdom from a different source. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.640 We'll make the comparison of the two. 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:48.900 So, again, starting off in James chapter 3, verse 13. 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:51.380 Who among you is wise and understanding? 00:18:52.060 --> 00:18:58.240 By his good conduct he should show that his works are done with gentleness that come from wisdom. 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:01.240 And then now verse 17. 00:19:01.540 --> 00:19:10.240 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering without pretense. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:17.480 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:21.060 All right, so now we've got the picture in those verses. 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.340 That's godly wisdom. 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.700 That's wisdom from above. 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:29.880 Now go to verse 14 and listen to wisdom from another source. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:32.040 James says in verse 14, 00:19:32.040 --> 00:19:38.500 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and deny the truth. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:45.960 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:57.500 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:05.680 When you read the verses and you look at the godly verses versus the ungodly or wisdom coming from another source, 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:08.780 there's a very clear distinction between the two. 00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:13.180 What I'm saying is that James is driving at something here. 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:16.460 Who among you is wise and understanding? 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:20.560 James is trying to communicate for those that are wise and understanding. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:24.480 It's clearly evident because there's going to be action. 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:29.040 That action is good conduct that everyone can recognize. 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:34.820 There is an evidence because of that contact. 00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:37.780 It's action bringing evidence. 00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:45.340 And the evidence is expanded on uses the term gentleness in its application. 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:52.720 Now for those of the gentlemen in the room, call a timeout about your definition of gentleness. 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:54.220 We're going to get there in just a minute. 00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:56.120 Guys, we tend to struggle with that one. 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.380 Hang on to that. 00:20:57.520 --> 00:20:58.900 Gentlemen, hang on to gentleness. 00:20:59.060 --> 00:21:00.300 We'll get there in just a second. 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:00.820 All right? 00:21:01.040 --> 00:21:07.060 Because there are some characteristics that are articulated here in this passage of godly wisdom, wisdom from above, 00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:09.020 that we need to pay attention to. 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.600 What is he talking about? 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:19.860 Number one, James says there is wisdom in action, meaning that is knowledge of an expert. 00:21:20.840 --> 00:21:25.440 Those that are acting the way James are describing, they have acquired a knowledge in such a way 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:28.340 that their actions give indication that they're an expert. 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:33.240 They have a spiritual understanding as if they were an expert. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:38.520 And it's not just a bunch of information that they have stuffed in their heads. 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:40.100 There's action that goes with it. 00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:43.340 Wisdom is the application of knowledge. 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:52.060 And what James is saying is those that are wise in understanding are applying that knowledge in such a way 00:21:52.060 --> 00:21:54.900 that they're actually revealing a skill. 00:21:57.260 --> 00:22:00.060 Second characteristic we find in this passage. 00:22:01.060 --> 00:22:06.400 It says that an individual that is wise in understanding is peace-loving. 00:22:06.540 --> 00:22:08.120 That comes out of verse 17. 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:14.000 They bring peace into the room with them. 00:22:16.540 --> 00:22:18.080 This is where I'll ask you. 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:20.740 This is where you get to insert the first illustration. 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:24.820 Who in your life carries that kind of a description? 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:28.460 When they walk in the room, peace has come in the room. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.640 There could be conflict. 00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:30.600 There could be turmoil. 00:22:30.760 --> 00:22:31.620 There could be a dissension. 00:22:31.760 --> 00:22:33.440 It could be just a simple discomfort. 00:22:33.800 --> 00:22:38.160 But when they walk in the room, somehow peace comes in the room with them. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:41.700 I can immediately identify three people. 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.580 What about you? 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:53.320 Who do you know that when they come in the room, peace has come in the room with them? 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:58.340 That's an individual of wisdom and understanding that James is talking about. 00:23:00.260 --> 00:23:00.740 Characteristics. 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:05.580 There's a wisdom, that knowledge of an expert that's been put into action. 00:23:06.040 --> 00:23:06.900 They're peace-loving. 00:23:07.020 --> 00:23:09.660 When they walk in the room, peace has come in the room with them. 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:18.300 And how they apply that wisdom is described in these passages, either gentle or with gentleness. 00:23:19.540 --> 00:23:23.540 Now, gentlemen, this is where we jump back in just a second. 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:33.120 What James is talking about as he's writing in this passage is attention to a biblical gentleness 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:36.720 that causes others to give their attention. 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.940 Here's what I mean by this. 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:41.440 Biblical gentleness is simply someone that is patient. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:47.500 They are able to discern that in some sort of a conflict or a difficulty or even the normality 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:52.040 of their life, the individuals that they are relating to may not be as mature. 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:56.280 They may not have developed the skills of an expert yet. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:59.020 They may have incredible value. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:03.660 And what they're bringing in is a perspective that needs to be heard. 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:07.460 They're just not doing it very well because they haven't had the maturity of life or they're 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.180 not in the season of life to do it. 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:16.000 And this individual who brings peace with them that does have this understanding is able 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:22.140 to recognize that even though there may be a maturity challenge in what the individual is trying 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:27.460 to do or communicate, there's still a value in the perspective that they have. 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:33.180 There's patience, especially with those that aren't as mature as they are. 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:41.920 They are fair-minded, able to get past some of that emotion to have an understanding of what 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:49.320 they are attempting to do without pretense, without partiality. 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:54.440 They're able to think and listen and process and remain neutral. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:25:01.840 The individual that we're talking about here is probably that person that answered yes to 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:02.980 my second question. 00:25:03.540 --> 00:25:08.440 Is there something that James could offer you today that would change you? 00:25:09.780 --> 00:25:17.040 They're willing simply to step back, understand that gentleness, that peace of a fair-mindedness 00:25:17.040 --> 00:25:22.020 and be able to listen to Scripture and see if there's something there that can provide a change. 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.040 There's a skill of an expert. 00:25:27.580 --> 00:25:29.320 They're peace-loving. 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:33.360 They're gentle in the application of that peace. 00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:39.440 And then number four, Scripture says they are full of mercy and good fruits. 00:25:41.080 --> 00:25:47.100 Whenever you see fruits referred to in Scripture, especially in passages like this, another way 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:49.060 that we can interpret that is produce. 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:51.400 Something is being produced. 00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:53.000 And apple tea produces apples. 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:54.740 Orange trees produce oranges. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:56.320 That's a product of that. 00:25:56.800 --> 00:26:03.060 Those that are wise and understanding, as James described it, they are producing something. 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:04.320 And remember, this is practical. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:06.960 James is very practical in what he writes in his book. 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:13.960 He says what they are producing is a mercy where they honestly desire to help. 00:26:14.040 --> 00:26:22.580 And then what they do is they've actually put action behind that mercy so they are being a help. 00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:28.160 They took the recognition and they put action behind it. 00:26:28.300 --> 00:26:35.720 And with gentleness through peace, they are influencing the circumstance in a very positive way. 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:44.080 Now, very quickly, those are the positive characteristics and some of the consequences of a godly wisdom, a wisdom from above. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:46.320 Now, I want you to recognize something. 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:49.800 As we transition, we go into wisdom from a different source. 00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:53.700 We look at godly wisdom, and there are lots of characteristics. 00:26:53.700 --> 00:27:00.100 As a matter of fact, depending on the translation that you're reading, there could be nine or ten different characteristics, 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:04.220 but they produce this mercy, they produce gentleness, they produce peace. 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:08.060 Lots of characteristics producing very few things. 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:16.200 When we look at, from a different source, wisdom from an ungodly source, there are just a few characteristics. 00:27:16.760 --> 00:27:21.020 But they produce a whole host of consequences. 00:27:23.020 --> 00:27:29.820 So, what are the characteristics, as James writes in verses 14 through 16? 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:32.580 What characteristics are we talking about? 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:36.740 It starts off with something called bitter envy. 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:39.800 A bitter kind of envy. 00:27:40.260 --> 00:27:43.840 Now, let me make sure that we're clear about what we're talking about here, okay? 00:27:44.080 --> 00:27:53.700 Everybody in this room, my guess is just about everybody in this room, would like to develop or skill or have a talent that you currently don't have. 00:27:54.100 --> 00:28:01.260 And when you see someone that has that ability or has that talent, it generates a little bit of envy. 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:03.900 You're thinking in your mind, boy, I wish I could do that. 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:15.240 For me, I am fascinated by those that can actually make contact between a golf club and a golf ball. 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:21.520 I want you all to know, folks, I have the prettiest practice golf swing you have ever seen. 00:28:22.280 --> 00:28:23.700 It is amazing. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:29.100 But when you roll a golf ball in front of me, all of a sudden the entire world changes. 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:33.720 And I look like a baby giraffe trying to swing at something with a stick. 00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:34.860 It's ridiculous. 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.560 I can't do it. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:43.720 And I am envious of those that can walk up to a golf ball and smack it and actually be able to find it and hit it again. 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.800 I can't do that. 00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:54.880 Mine is more of a hide-and-seek sort of game where I hit it, it hides, and I go seek it, get mad, throw another golf ball out, hit it, it hides, and say, okay, that's how I play. 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:59.420 Again, I have the most beautiful practice swing, the most awful actual swing. 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:04.720 I am envious of those that can actually make contact and get the ball where they can find it. 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:08.720 Now, I do not wish any ill will on somebody that can do that. 00:29:08.800 --> 00:29:10.460 As a matter of fact, it fascinates me. 00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:11.900 I hope they get better. 00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:16.540 I hope they hear me cheering for them so maybe they'll give me some tips and I can finally figure something out. 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.800 I've been playing since I was a kid. 00:29:17.860 --> 00:29:19.460 My dad taught me when I was seven or eight. 00:29:19.780 --> 00:29:21.640 Tried to teach me when I was seven or eight. 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.480 Didn't go so well. 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.640 Still hasn't gone so well. 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:29.640 I have an envy of that, but that's not the kind of envy that James is talking about here. 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:30.120 All right? 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:32.220 Mine is not a bitter envy. 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:34.260 It's not an envy that tastes bad. 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:41.700 James says that the characteristics of this wisdom from below is a bitter kind of envy. 00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:45.400 That word bitter only appears twice in Scripture. 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:49.480 And it talks about generating aggression. 00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:52.240 And it talks about generating rivalry. 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:57.520 And it's a rivalry that seeks to destroy the other person. 00:29:59.140 --> 00:30:01.140 There is a bitterness there. 00:30:01.260 --> 00:30:03.320 It actually tastes bad. 00:30:03.820 --> 00:30:05.100 There is such an envy. 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:12.060 The individual that he's talking about wants the position or the influence or the talent or the possession in another has. 00:30:12.280 --> 00:30:19.020 And it makes no difference if that individual comes to harm as long as they get what the other person has. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.380 And there's a bitterness. 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:22.620 And there's a bitterness in the way they approach it. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:28.060 Second characteristic that's listed in this passage is self-ambition. 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:39.000 And it's real clear you're going to be incredibly selfish if you're tied up in this rivalry and this aggression to get whatever it is that other individual wants. 00:30:39.100 --> 00:30:40.400 It's absolutely selfish. 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:42.120 It's absolutely self-seeking. 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:50.120 There's no concern for the damage that it causes for others unless the collateral damage comes back on the individual that's so bitter. 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:56.460 And then they're uncomfortable because their life is uncomfortable and they're going to deal with that discomfort only. 00:30:58.920 --> 00:31:02.340 James kind of stops in the list of these characteristics and he says, 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:05.780 I need you all to recognize the source of where this is coming from. 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:09.420 James says, number one, it is earthly. 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:12.100 What he's communicating there is real simple. 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:14.660 It lacks any presence of God or its spirit. 00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:20.800 Now, there are certain earthly systems and they're neither spiritual nor non-spiritual. 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.920 They're just there. 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:26.320 Those of you that have a checking account in this room, that is an earthly system. 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:27.400 It's neither good or bad. 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.700 It's just a checking account. 00:31:28.780 --> 00:31:29.420 It's a system. 00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:35.400 What makes it good or bad is how you use the resources in that checking account. 00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:41.000 So James starts with the earthly and then he takes it one step further. 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:44.760 He says the unspiritual now becomes involved. 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:57.480 And now the appetites and now the desires and the passions of the individual begin to take control. 00:31:58.460 --> 00:32:04.300 And they're going to use what may be a neutral system to their advantage to the point where now Satan can take over. 00:32:04.300 --> 00:32:07.140 And when Satan take over, it's real clear. 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:11.240 Every kind of evil is produced. 00:32:13.280 --> 00:32:21.980 There's a consequence that James lists in these passages that goes along with, it's really both a characteristic and a consequence. 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:29.620 He says there is lying about the truth and the lying generates a boasting. 00:32:30.080 --> 00:32:36.180 In other words, the individual that we're talking about are those that we're talking about that are working from wisdom from below. 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:47.760 Not only are they going to lie about the truth, but they're going to boast about that lie with the hopes that maybe those that are not quite as mature are going to listen to the boasting and the energy and the emotion that goes with that. 00:32:47.760 --> 00:32:54.040 And they're going to draw them along in that ungodly act or action or position. 00:32:59.040 --> 00:33:10.200 I'm going to break my commitment not to connect cultural things for just a second, but I want to do it with the students. 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:17.420 Those of y'all that are students in the room, when I ask that question, is there anything that could happen this morning that would change you? 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:19.780 Students are pretty comfortable with that question. 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:22.260 You're in a season in life where things do change. 00:33:22.520 --> 00:33:26.600 You are growing, you're learning, you're experiencing new things that brings about change. 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.620 You're comfortable with that. 00:33:27.860 --> 00:33:29.900 So I say, is there anything this morning can change you? 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:31.480 You're not uncomfortable with the question. 00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:42.220 So let's plug into that for just a second and talk about a word that has been, I'm going to say kidnapped or captured and redefined in your culture today. 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:45.020 And that word is truth. 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:54.540 For many, many, many generations, as long as human beings have been on this planet, we have struggled with this understanding of what truth really is. 00:33:54.560 --> 00:33:58.240 And we like to bend truth to our own will when we can. 00:33:58.240 --> 00:34:07.140 But in your generation, that word truth has been completely redefined, where now truth is individual. 00:34:08.100 --> 00:34:15.080 For your generation, what you are being taught is if you feel it, if you think it, it must be true. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:23.080 And I want you to hear me say this morning, that is wisdom from below. 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:26.720 And I'm going to tell you how to recognize it in just a second. 00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:30.020 That is wisdom from below. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:37.120 You're not going to hear this in many other places, but there actually is something called absolute truth. 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:43.360 And it applies to all people at all times, regardless of circumstances. 00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:46.220 Listen to what I'm about to say. 00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:52.680 What I just, it applies to all people at all times, regardless of circumstances. 00:34:52.680 --> 00:34:54.500 That is absolute truth. 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:59.460 It is outside of you so that your actions have something to be compared to. 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:04.320 There is a wisdom from above that teaches absolute truth. 00:35:04.460 --> 00:35:07.920 And the culture that you're growing up in is saying, no, that's not the case at all. 00:35:08.300 --> 00:35:09.280 Truth is individual. 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.040 It's subjective. 00:35:10.220 --> 00:35:11.540 It's based on you. 00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:19.740 And we have athletes and we have entertainers that will stand before you and they will say, let me tell you my truth. 00:35:22.360 --> 00:35:27.080 When you hear that, you know that one of two things are taking place. 00:35:27.640 --> 00:35:35.260 You're either listening to someone that has no relationship with Jesus Christ or they are incredibly immature in their faith. 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:37.680 Now, students, did you hear what I just said? 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:41.620 When somebody stands before you and they say, let me tell you my truth. 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:45.340 They're either immature in their faith or they have no faith. 00:35:47.140 --> 00:35:50.860 Students, you don't get your own truth. 00:35:51.540 --> 00:35:53.360 Truth is independent of you. 00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:58.520 What you do get is your story. 00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:11.040 Your beautiful, attractive, individual, uniquely you, sometimes hard but always joyful because of your relationship with Christ story. 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:14.060 That is uniquely you. 00:36:15.760 --> 00:36:19.620 And the question that you've got to ask yourself is, how are you protecting that story? 00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:21.480 God's given it to you. 00:36:21.520 --> 00:36:22.420 It's uniquely yours. 00:36:22.540 --> 00:36:24.620 Nobody else has the same story that you do. 00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:26.780 How are you protecting it? 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:34.660 Please remember, truth is outside of you. 00:36:35.160 --> 00:36:39.460 What is yours is that beautiful story that God has given you. 00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:43.800 So now we step back in the passage. 00:36:45.100 --> 00:36:46.920 What happens after the lying? 00:36:47.540 --> 00:36:51.940 What happens after the boasting about something that is absolutely not true? 00:36:52.760 --> 00:36:53.580 Scripture's clear. 00:36:53.720 --> 00:36:54.820 James says what's going to happen. 00:36:54.920 --> 00:36:57.640 There's going to be disorder and there's going to be instability. 00:36:58.720 --> 00:37:00.320 I'll add something else to that. 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:11.260 Very often the one that's communicating the disorder and the disunity and the instability is also claiming I'm the only one that can bring order and stability. 00:37:11.320 --> 00:37:11.820 It's going to be back. 00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:18.880 And finally, what we have is every evil practice. 00:37:23.180 --> 00:37:26.220 Let me tell you what that biblical word every means. 00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:29.400 It means every. 00:37:30.640 --> 00:37:31.480 There it is. 00:37:31.520 --> 00:37:32.520 Eleven years of seminary. 00:37:32.580 --> 00:37:33.700 Just shared it to you right there. 00:37:34.040 --> 00:37:35.700 Every means every. 00:37:36.240 --> 00:37:40.140 So my question to you is, what illustration would you plug in? 00:37:40.560 --> 00:37:44.080 It says every evil occurs. 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:46.740 What would you plug into that? 00:37:46.800 --> 00:37:49.140 What would your illustration of every evil be? 00:37:49.140 --> 00:37:55.380 That's exactly what happens when we're following a wisdom from below. 00:37:57.580 --> 00:37:59.780 So we can stop and call a timeout. 00:38:01.060 --> 00:38:01.940 I said, wait a minute. 00:38:02.020 --> 00:38:03.480 Who is James writing to? 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.800 Who's he talking to? 00:38:07.080 --> 00:38:09.720 He's not talking to the folks in the break room. 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:13.920 Not talking about the folks in the office. 00:38:15.040 --> 00:38:17.220 Not talking about the guys on the shop floor. 00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:19.280 Not talking about our classmates in the classroom. 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:21.760 He's talking to believers. 00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:25.520 Started off talking to the church in Jerusalem. 00:38:25.700 --> 00:38:27.340 Knew that letter was going to be communicated. 00:38:27.520 --> 00:38:28.880 So it goes to the other churches. 00:38:29.060 --> 00:38:31.640 And then finally, it comes to us. 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:35.620 And he's writing to those that are in leadership position. 00:38:35.780 --> 00:38:39.220 And he's writing to those that are young but are growing into that leadership position. 00:38:39.660 --> 00:38:40.520 And you know something? 00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:43.700 He's also writing to a couple of knuckleheads. 00:38:45.260 --> 00:38:47.120 They were in that first century church. 00:38:48.660 --> 00:38:54.760 And he could be writing to a couple of knuckleheads that are in the 2022 church. 00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:58.780 And what James does is he gives us a standard. 00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:02.020 He said, okay, here's something new for you. 00:39:02.060 --> 00:39:03.340 You can look at the actions. 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.540 You can look at the attitudes. 00:39:04.720 --> 00:39:06.060 You can look at what's going on. 00:39:06.240 --> 00:39:08.680 And you can compare it to the independent standard. 00:39:10.080 --> 00:39:11.160 Is it fair-minded? 00:39:11.300 --> 00:39:11.940 Is it gentle? 00:39:12.100 --> 00:39:12.900 Is it wise? 00:39:13.020 --> 00:39:14.760 Is there a skill in action here? 00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:16.400 Or is there disorder? 00:39:16.540 --> 00:39:18.140 And is there discouragement? 00:39:18.600 --> 00:39:23.520 We can compare the two and determine where the source is coming from. 00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:25.380 There's a standard from above. 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:28.480 And there is a standard from below. 00:39:31.520 --> 00:39:36.520 I've had the privilege of serving South Carolina Baptist Convention for 20 plus years. 00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:44.020 And almost all that I do has to do with working with staff members and doing church consultations. 00:39:44.620 --> 00:39:47.400 So I'm listening to a sermon last Sunday. 00:39:48.360 --> 00:39:55.560 And my pastor, Ryan Pack, over at Riverland Hills, makes a comment about how much dissension in the church comes from within. 00:39:56.080 --> 00:39:57.820 And I knew what I was preaching this morning. 00:39:57.940 --> 00:40:02.340 And really, for the last week, I've been thinking in all of those consultations for 20 plus years, 00:40:02.520 --> 00:40:05.500 how many churches have I worked with that were in conflict? 00:40:05.660 --> 00:40:08.840 And by the way, that's part of the responsibility for the team I lead. 00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:11.860 We deal with church conflict and we deal with church revitalization, 00:40:12.140 --> 00:40:15.200 which is usually what do we do with the church after the conflict. 00:40:16.720 --> 00:40:18.480 All of those consultations, 00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:33.460 I can identify one church that was in conflict and it was conflict from the outside and not conflict from the inside. 00:40:34.860 --> 00:40:38.340 20 plus years of doing this, one church. 00:40:39.020 --> 00:40:41.820 And by the way, that one church was gifted a piece of property. 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:46.680 They had a terrible, terrible time occupying it so they could do what they need to do. 00:40:46.800 --> 00:40:48.140 But the church was patient. 00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:49.660 The church acted in unity. 00:40:50.020 --> 00:40:51.780 They acted from a godly perspective. 00:40:51.860 --> 00:40:52.860 And that church is thriving. 00:40:53.860 --> 00:40:56.900 They weathered the storm and now they are thriving. 00:41:00.400 --> 00:41:04.520 So make sure we pay attention to who James is writing to. 00:41:06.220 --> 00:41:08.800 So I'm very close to finishing up my time. 00:41:09.800 --> 00:41:11.940 A couple of final things that I will say. 00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:16.340 Number one would be focused on those that are in leadership. 00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:21.340 You are the primary target of this passage. 00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:27.100 You're also the primary target of that wisdom from below that James is writing about. 00:41:29.040 --> 00:41:31.140 Specifically in verse 18, 00:41:31.620 --> 00:41:33.960 what James is saying to you 00:41:33.960 --> 00:41:37.840 is the peace that you will find in your fellowship 00:41:37.840 --> 00:41:41.780 is both planted by you and cultivated by you. 00:41:43.240 --> 00:41:44.980 So as you act as a leader, 00:41:45.260 --> 00:41:46.600 pay attention to the standard. 00:41:47.160 --> 00:41:50.000 Are you sowing and cultivating peace? 00:41:51.820 --> 00:41:55.180 And for those among you that happen to be working with new believers, 00:41:55.720 --> 00:41:57.080 James addresses you as well. 00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:59.040 He doesn't say focus on theology. 00:41:59.260 --> 00:42:00.540 He doesn't say focus on doctrine. 00:42:00.660 --> 00:42:02.180 He doesn't say focus on service. 00:42:02.620 --> 00:42:05.500 What he says in verse 17 is he says, 00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:07.420 start with purity. 00:42:09.040 --> 00:42:12.540 And again, students, physical purity is what we default to with that. 00:42:12.620 --> 00:42:15.120 That's part of what James is talking about. 00:42:15.480 --> 00:42:17.520 James is talking about an intellectual purity 00:42:17.520 --> 00:42:20.180 that absolutely flows into everything else that we do. 00:42:21.240 --> 00:42:23.160 So for those that carry the responsibility 00:42:23.160 --> 00:42:25.460 of mentoring or walking with new believers, 00:42:25.900 --> 00:42:27.240 James says in verse 17, 00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:29.920 start with peace. 00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:33.980 When we receive Christ, 00:42:34.160 --> 00:42:35.700 all things are made new. 00:42:35.820 --> 00:42:37.420 The old things pass away 00:42:37.420 --> 00:42:40.420 and there's a purity that we now bring into our lives 00:42:40.420 --> 00:42:41.700 that we can protect 00:42:41.700 --> 00:42:43.880 because of our relationship with Christ. 00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:45.680 That's 2 Corinthians chapter 5. 00:42:48.960 --> 00:42:51.440 Those of you that are going to be future leaders, 00:42:52.560 --> 00:42:55.460 one of the errors that we make as leaders, 00:42:55.580 --> 00:42:57.980 and I am claiming this as a leader right now, 00:42:58.060 --> 00:42:59.920 we don't challenge you enough. 00:43:00.940 --> 00:43:01.820 Future leaders, 00:43:03.100 --> 00:43:05.760 this is your opportunity to be called out. 00:43:05.880 --> 00:43:08.260 What is God doing in your life? 00:43:08.700 --> 00:43:10.840 Who have you communicated with? 00:43:12.700 --> 00:43:14.680 I don't know if y'all recognize this enough, 00:43:14.800 --> 00:43:15.860 but Joel is an anomaly. 00:43:16.300 --> 00:43:17.880 There's a shortage of worship leaders. 00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:20.240 For the first time in my ministry, 00:43:20.240 --> 00:43:22.800 we're struggling with a shortage in youth ministers. 00:43:23.160 --> 00:43:26.100 We have experienced a shortage in children's ministers 00:43:26.100 --> 00:43:27.700 for as long as I've been working 00:43:27.700 --> 00:43:29.380 at the South Carolina Baptist Convention. 00:43:29.980 --> 00:43:32.160 So I'm reaching out to those young leaders 00:43:32.160 --> 00:43:33.440 and I'm calling you out and saying, 00:43:33.580 --> 00:43:34.860 what is God doing in your life? 00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:36.660 What are you preparing for? 00:43:37.680 --> 00:43:40.060 In a church that is healthy with good leaders, 00:43:40.200 --> 00:43:41.800 God uses those fellowships 00:43:41.800 --> 00:43:43.740 to call out the next generation 00:43:43.740 --> 00:43:46.660 and you are that next generation. 00:43:49.140 --> 00:43:51.320 And then the final group that I will target 00:43:51.320 --> 00:43:56.020 are those that are needing a new system 00:43:56.020 --> 00:43:57.460 in their lives. 00:44:01.260 --> 00:44:03.560 You've tried the earthly, 00:44:03.900 --> 00:44:04.660 the unspiritual, 00:44:04.820 --> 00:44:05.880 perhaps even the demonic. 00:44:06.020 --> 00:44:06.860 You've tried all that. 00:44:07.300 --> 00:44:09.900 You know what disorder and confusion is all about. 00:44:11.820 --> 00:44:14.040 Are you ready for your life 00:44:14.040 --> 00:44:16.540 to be measured in a new way? 00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:19.700 Scripture is clear. 00:44:20.540 --> 00:44:23.580 You confess and you believe 00:44:23.580 --> 00:44:27.420 and God will save you. 00:44:27.900 --> 00:44:31.100 The opportunity to respond to Jesus Christ 00:44:31.100 --> 00:44:33.040 and live in that peace, 00:44:33.200 --> 00:44:34.720 find some of that gentleness, 00:44:35.420 --> 00:44:37.580 live under a whole new scorecard 00:44:37.580 --> 00:44:39.380 is available for you. 00:44:39.940 --> 00:44:41.140 My understanding is 00:44:41.140 --> 00:44:42.400 after we close in a prayer, 00:44:42.520 --> 00:44:43.300 there's going to be folks 00:44:43.300 --> 00:44:44.560 on either side of the room. 00:44:44.660 --> 00:44:46.040 They are ready to receive you, 00:44:46.300 --> 00:44:47.920 to have a conversation with you. 00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:49.080 If your life has been marked 00:44:49.080 --> 00:44:50.080 by the wrong standard, 00:44:50.200 --> 00:44:51.520 you can change that today. 00:44:51.960 --> 00:44:53.820 Jesus Christ will reach into your heart 00:44:53.820 --> 00:44:57.060 and make all things new 00:44:57.060 --> 00:44:59.160 with a purity 00:44:59.160 --> 00:45:01.480 that will let you understand 00:45:01.480 --> 00:45:04.960 and live by wisdom from above. 00:45:06.060 --> 00:45:08.140 Father, we do take these final few moments 00:45:08.140 --> 00:45:09.160 in fellowship with you 00:45:09.160 --> 00:45:10.860 to thank you for your love, 00:45:10.940 --> 00:45:12.240 to thank you for your son, 00:45:12.700 --> 00:45:15.180 the sacrifices he offered on the cross 00:45:15.180 --> 00:45:18.860 that we may find forgiveness in Jesus Christ. 00:45:19.500 --> 00:45:22.400 Father, we know that James recognized this. 00:45:22.640 --> 00:45:24.520 James wrote to us 00:45:24.520 --> 00:45:26.620 so we can compare our actions. 00:45:26.780 --> 00:45:28.000 Those of us that know you, 00:45:28.000 --> 00:45:30.980 are we living by a standard from above 00:45:30.980 --> 00:45:34.380 or have we been consumed by a standard from below? 00:45:35.520 --> 00:45:36.800 Father, if that's the case, 00:45:36.860 --> 00:45:38.240 we admit the need for a change 00:45:38.240 --> 00:45:39.760 and we offer it to you today. 00:45:40.320 --> 00:45:42.000 Father, for those that are struggling 00:45:42.000 --> 00:45:43.960 with that disorder and that discomfort, 00:45:44.540 --> 00:45:46.680 may you work in their hearts 00:45:46.680 --> 00:45:49.100 and give them the opportunity 00:45:49.100 --> 00:45:52.060 to respond to the call from your son, 00:45:52.180 --> 00:45:53.020 Jesus Christ. 00:45:54.240 --> 00:45:55.500 And then Father, finally, 00:45:55.700 --> 00:45:57.720 for those that know 00:45:57.720 --> 00:45:59.540 that you are working in their lives 00:45:59.540 --> 00:46:02.260 and you are calling them out, 00:46:02.920 --> 00:46:04.800 may you give them the courage 00:46:04.800 --> 00:46:06.700 to respond to that calling. 00:46:07.780 --> 00:46:09.760 Father, we are blessed to be here today. 00:46:09.880 --> 00:46:11.280 Thank you for this fellowship 00:46:11.280 --> 00:46:12.480 that worships your son. 00:46:13.120 --> 00:46:14.000 And in all of this, 00:46:14.100 --> 00:46:16.020 we will praise you and pray in love. 00:46:17.300 --> 00:46:17.700 Amen. 00:46:17.700 --> 00:46:33.660 Thanks again for listening 00:46:33.660 --> 00:46:35.600 to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:46:36.100 --> 00:46:37.420 We hope that you enjoyed listening 00:46:37.420 --> 00:46:38.420 to this week's message. 00:46:38.880 --> 00:46:40.800 If you'd like to learn more about who we are 00:46:40.800 --> 00:46:42.420 or explore additional resources, 00:46:43.040 --> 00:46:47.460 visit us online at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:46:47.460 --> 00:46:49.700 or by searching for Willow Ridge Church 00:46:49.700 --> 00:46:51.020 on Facebook and Instagram.