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James 1:5-8
Aim of Lesson: In order to pass the test of life, we'll need the wisdom of
God.
James 1:5-8, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. {6} But
let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of
the sea driven with the wind and tossed. {7} For let not that man think that
he shall receive any thing of the Lord. {8} A double minded man is unstable in
all his ways.
I. Deficiency of Human Perception. (The
lack of wisdom among men is universal.)
A. Define wisdom - looking at things the way God does.
1. Not intelligence, or education. Not common sense (horse sense, what an
animal has),
2. But uncommon sense, or super-natural sense; spiritual wisdom.
3. Prov. 1:7, 2:1-6 - The spiritual application of knowledge, both
material and spiritual.
4. Definition of wisdom: The application of knowledge.
5. Definition of knowledge: the accumulation of facts.
B. How do I get wisdom?
1. God gives wisdom through His Word – and His Word is the Bible.
2. The book of Proverbs hardly has a chapter that doesn’t have the word
"wisdom" in it.
3. God gave Solomon wisdom because he asked.
a. I Kings 3:1-15 – the granting of Solomon’s request for wisdom.
b. I Kings 3:16-28 – Wisdom showed to all by discovering the mother
of the living child.
c. I Kings 4:29-34 – Some explanations concerning the wisdom of
Solomon.
d. I Kings 5:12 – More explanations of the wisdom of Solomon.
C. Who has wisdom?
1. Job 32:9 - Elihu says that great or old men are not always wise. (He's
not so wise himself!)
2. I Tim. 4:12 – This is why Paul instructs Timothy to let no man
despise his youth.
3. Eccl. 9:13-18 - An example: A city captured, but the leaders can't
deliver out of the enemies hands. A poor wise man introduced the winning
plan. After the victory, the poor wise man was forgotten.
4. Ex. 33:12,13 - Moses desiring to see the ways of God. Ps. 103:7 - God
showed ways to Moses, acts to Israel. Moses knew why God did what He did,
Israel failed to pass the test of life (v. 1-4) because they never saw why,
only what. Moses had rest, Israel didn't have rest.
5. Note:
a. People following Christ to see the miracles He did, but they never
really followed Christ.
b. Parables - only the disciples asked Christ what He meant.
6. Israel didn't trust God, for they didn't know His ways. That's why
they constantly complained about God's care of them. When we don't trust
God, we will complain about what happens to us. Matt. 25:24, the one talent
man didn't know God and didn't trust Him.
7. A boy/girl ought to fall in love with a girl/boy because of who they
really are, not because of outward things.
a. A boy falling in love with a dimple or a giggle, and marrying the
whole girl.
b. A girl falling in love with a star athletic or his car, and marrying
the whole boy.
D. "If"
1. This word is used instead of "when" to show a voluntary
action in seeking wisdom. We must realize that we are lacking so we will
ask. If we say we have wisdom, we won't ask. God sees that we don't have
wisdom, and don't know that we don't know, therefore, He sends along a lot
of trouble so we'll see our deficiency and ask Him for wisdom.
2. Tie the "if" in with V. 1-4.
a. No joy because we don't understand what God is trying to teach us by
temptations.
b. Compare the joy of Israel and Moses in Ex. 13:17,18 and 14:10-14.
When Israel came out of Egypt, God did not lead them the short way because
He knew they would fail immediately. He led them instead toward the Red
Sea so He could show them more of His eternal glory and might. They still
didn't believe.
3. Phil. 4:4-7 - Can we rejoice in the Lord in the middle of trouble?
Because we know what His purpose is? Do we trust God? Will you trust God
with your plans, your family, your money, your life? Are we like Israel or
Moses?
II. Sufficiency Verse 5 - Who
can have wisdom?
A. Only the person who asks!!
1. Wisdom doesn't come by studying or learning, it is a gift of God!
2. Wisdom is not knowledge.
B. I Kings 3:5-13 - Solomon asked for wisdom and received it, because his
dad, David, taught him to ask. (Prov. 4:1-9)
III. Efficiency of Holy Prayer. Will
God give you wisdom?
A. Shall be given him.
B. Note phrase: "and upbraideth not"
1. Heb. 4:16 - Let us come boldly to the throne of God.
2. The devil can't keep God from answering our prayers, but he can and
does keep us from praying.
3. Our failures in this life are the result of prayer failure.
C. Pray in faith.
1. Heb. 11:6 - without faith it is impossible to please Him.
2. Matt. 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive.
3. Mark 11:24 - Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire,
when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
D. Didn't say pray with faith, but in faith.
1. Not our desires and sprinkle some faith on them.
2. But - our prayers come from our faith, because we know God's ways.
3. not - believe anything and it is true, but believe God's will, it's
true. (God's will is revealed in His Word.)
E. A double-minded man is a two-soul man (half in this world, and half in
the other world).
1. If we are not totally given over to God's plan for our lives, then
forget about asking anything of God, He won't give it.
2. Stop straddling the fence and get on the firing line for God and He
will hear your prayers and answer them.
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