Mark 4:35-41 – On that day, when evening came, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. 40 And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

Tacitus (Romans official and Historian—contemporary of Nero)

Yet no human effort, no princely largess nor offerings to the gods could make that infamous rumor disappear that Nero had somehow ordered the fire. Therefore, in order to abolish that rumor, Nero falsely accused and executed with the most exquisite punishments those people called Christians, who were infamous for their abominations. The originator of the name, Christ, was executed as a criminal by the procurator Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius; and though repressed, this destructive superstition erupted again, not only through Judea, which was the origin of this evil, but also through the city of Rome, to which all that is horrible and shameful floods together and is celebrated. Therefore, first those were seized who admitted their faith, and then, using the information they provided, a vast multitude were convicted, not so much for the crime of burning the city, but for hatred of the human race. And perishing they were additionally made into sports: they were killed by dogs by having the hides of beasts attached to them, or they were nailed to crosses or set aflame, and, when the daylight passed away, they were used as nighttime lamps. Nero gave his own gardens for this spectacle and performed a Circus game, in the habit of a charioteer mixing with the plebs or driving about the race-course. Even though they were clearly guilty and merited being made the most recent example of the consequences of crime, people began to pity these sufferers, because they were consumed not for the public good but on account of the fierceness of one man.

Heb 10:32-34 – But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.

Heb 2:1 – For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.

Heb 2:3 – how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

Heb 3:12 - 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

Heb 13:2 – Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Heb 13:16 – And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased

Heb 6:4-8 – For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

a. Jesus is better than the angels (Heb.1)

b. Jesus is better than Moses (Heb.3)

c. Jesus is greater than Joshua (Heb.4)

d. Jesus is better than Aaron (Heb.5-7)


Heb.4:1 – Therefore let us fear while a promise remains of entering His rest

Matt 10:28-31 – "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Heb. 4:14 – Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heaves, Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our confession.

Heb 10:24-25 – and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Heb. 12:1 – Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us

Heb. 13:3 – So let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach

Heb. 13:15 – Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God…

**1. Loving others is like loving God**

Eph 4:1 - Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called

Rom 12:1 - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice

Heb 12:1 - Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Col 3:1-2 - Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

**2. We are to love our neighbors.**

1 John 4:20 - If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Matt 25:35-40 - 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

Heb 10:23-25 - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Eph 5:15-16 - Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

**3. We are to love as we love ourselves**

**Whitney Houston (Greatest Love of All)**

I decided long ago

Never to walk in anyone's shadows

If I fail, if I succeed

At least I'll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can't take away my dignity

**Because the greatest**

Love of all is happening to me

I found the greatest

Love of all inside of me

The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all

2 Tim 3:1-4 - But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be **lovers of self,** lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, **lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,** holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

Rom 12:10 (nasb) - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Rom 12:10 (esv) - Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Rom 12:10 (niv) - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Phil 2:1-4 - Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 **Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,** but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

**4. We are to love as the ultimate goal, to fulfill the whole law.**

Rom 13:8 - Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

1 Tim 1:5 - But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Ezek 36:26 - "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Gal 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

**1. The command to love others is like loving God.**

John 13:34-35 - 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

1 John 3:14 - 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.

Luke 6:32-35 - "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 "If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 "If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Luke 9:51-56 - 51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; 52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. 54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; 56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."] And they went on to another village.

1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:19 - we love, because He first loved us.


**2. We are to love our neighbors**


1 John 4:20 - 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.


**3. We are to love as we love ourselves**

Whitney Houston (Greatest Love of All)

I decided long ago

Never to walk in anyone's shadows

If I fail, if I succeed

At least I'll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can't take away my dignity


Because the greatest

Love of all is happening to me

I found the greatest

Love of all inside of me

The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all

2 Tim 3:1-5 - But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

b. 3 principles of love

i. love sacrificially

Phil. 2:3,4 - 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others

Rom 12:10 (nasb) - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Rom 12:10 (esv) - Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Rom 12:10 (niv) - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves

ii. Love intentionally

Heb 10:23-25 - 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

iii. Love tangibly

James 2:15-16 - 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

4. We are to love to fulfill the whole law.

Rom 13:8 - 8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Gal 5:14 - 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

1 Tim 1:5 - 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Ezek 36:26 - 26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Matt 22:37 - And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'

John 17:3-6 - 3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. 6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

**1. Knowing God must be the central pursuit of every Christian.**

John 3:16 - 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Rom 5:8 - 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Eph 1:4b-5 - In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

Eph 3:9 - 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

Col 2:2 - 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,

1 Peter 1:10-12 - 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things into which angels long to look.

Jer 29:13 - 13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Phil 3:7-11 - 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Eph 4:11-13 - 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

**2. Knowing God is primary before serving God.**

John 5:39-42 - 39 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. 41 "I do not receive glory from men; 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.


**3. Knowing God is the fuel for our sanctification.**

2 Peter 1:2-3 - 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

**4. Knowing God is what leads to loving God.**

2 Cor 5:14-15 - 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Eph 3:14-19 - 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Matt. 22:36 - 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'  38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.  39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'  40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

**A. The Pharisees and the Herodians  (22:15-22)  (during passion week)**

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians,saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.17 "Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 

19 "Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"  21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." 
22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.

Matt 15:7-9 - 7 "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

8 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,

BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

9 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,

TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"

Matt 23:15 - 15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Luke 11:39-40 - 39 But the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness. 

**B. The Sadducees**

23 On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, 24 asking, "Teacher, Moses said, 'IF A MAN DIES HAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER AS NEXT OF KIN SHALL MARRY HIS WIFE, AND RAISE UP CHILDREN FOR HIS BROTHER.' 25 "Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; 26 so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. 27 "Last of all, the woman died. 28 "In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her."

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.  30 "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.  31 "But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God:  32 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."  33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.


**C. Scribes among the Pharisees**

34 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. 35 One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'  38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.  39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'  40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

1 Tim 1:5  (military call) - 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Rev 2:4-5 - 4 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  5 'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent.

Gal 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 Cor 16:22 - 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.

2 Cor 5:14-15 - 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

James 3:13-18 “True Wisdom”


**Introduction : Test of true wisdom. Do you have it? **


*True wisdom leads to skillful demonstration.*

1 Peter 2:12 - Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

James 2:18–20 - But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?


**2. True wisdom is humble (or self controlled).**

V13b “Deeds in the gentleness of wisdom”

NIV : “Humility that comes from wisdom”

ESV : “in the meekness of wisdom”

“Meekness, but not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to his fellow man or his mere natural disposition. Rather, it is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the expressions of it are primarily toward God (James 1:21; 3:13; 1 Pet. 3:15; Sept.: Ps. 45:4). It is that attitude of spirit we accept God’s dealings with us as good and do not dispute or resist. Praǘtēs, according to Aristotle, is the middle standing between two extremes, getting angry without reason (orgilótēs [n.f.]), and not getting angry at all (aorgēsía [n.f.]). Therefore, praǘtēs is getting angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason. Praǘtēs is not readily expressed in Eng. (since the term “meekness” suggests weakness), but it is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness, but in power. It is a balance born in strength of character.” - Word Study Dictionary of NT.

“Matthew 11:28–29 - 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

James 1:19–20 (NASB95) - This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 14:29 - He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

A temper is a powerful force, you would truly be skilled to be able to control it.




**3. True wisdom controls selfish ambition. / False wisdom is motivated by selfish ambition.**

James 3:14–15 - 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.


Proverbs 4:23 (NASB95) - Proverbs 25:28 “28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.”
Proverbs 16:32 “Proverbs 16:32 (NASB95) 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”


**4. True Wisdom operates in reality. / False wisdom boasts and denies reality.
[Text] 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.”**

Jer 9:23-24 Jeremiah 9:23–24 - 23 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

Proverbs 18:1–2 (NASB95) - He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. 2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.


**5. True wisdom preserves order and righteousness. / False wisdom breeds disorder and evil practices.

[ text ] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (3:16)**

*Disorder and every evil thing*

James 3:8 - But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless (restless) evil and full of deadly poison.

James 4:1–3 - 1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.


**6. True Wisdom is …**


*Pure “hagnos” innocence and chastity. Pure motive.*

Psalm 51:7 & 10 Purify me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. … Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”

2 Corinthians 7:10–11 - 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

Peaceable | eirenikos, NIV says peace loving. Peaceful.

Gentle : epieikes

fair, moderate, tolerant, *courteous, and *considerate. Even lenient because you understand.

Prov 19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.


Reasonable

eupeithḗs Teachable, Persuadable, submissive.

Full of Mercy
“mestos éleos” Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7)

2 Timothy 2:24–25 - The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth

Full of Good fruits

Unwavering / adiákritos : unbiased in the way you judge. / not easily bribed/ He is not partial –

Without Hypocrisy : anupókritos to pretend, or act.

Mathew 24:50-51 The master of that slave will come on a ay when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

True Wisdom Farms righteousness

V18 “And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”


Conclusion :


Deuteronomy 32:28–29 (NASB95) - 28 “For they are a nation lacking in counsel, And there is no understanding in them. 29 “Would that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would discern their future!

Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise” Eph 5:5

“I commit to tithing and giving financially in accordance with Christ’s lordship over my life.”

**Gospel Parables**

•Hidden treasure

•Pearl of great price

•The lost coin

•The talents

•Prodigal Son and money

•Rich man and Lazarus

•Caesar’s taxes

•Rich young ruler

•Laborers in the vineyard

**THE OUTLINE**

1. Offerings and Tithes

2. Obligation vs Freewill - LORDSHIP

3. Practical (Rubber meets the road)

BCC specific ways to participate in Gospel ministry through money:

•Give finances for the church

•Missionaries - China and others

•Compassion kids

•Adoptions/Orphans