Two Kinds of Wisdom

James 3:13-4:10 NIV

• Heavenly Wisdom

  • Good deeds done in humility

• Earthly Wisdom

  • Primarily concerned with ‘me’

• God gives more grace

  • Submit to God

  • Draw near to God

  • Purify your heart

Power of Words

James 3:1-12

James 2: 18,26 NIV

• Warning about teaching

James 3:1-2 NIV

Philippians 4:8 NIV

• Words are powerful

  • Meant to bring good

James 3:3-5a NIV

James 3:9-10 NIV

  • Can be destructive

James 3:5b-6 NIV

• Words as a means of Spiritual growth

  • Major on grace

  • Dwell on the words of Christ

Colossians 3:16 NRSV

  • Discipline of silence

James 2:1-13 NIV

Galatians 3:26-29 NIV

• Favoritism is not compatible with Gospel

James 2:1-4 NIV

• Character of God

Matthew 22:16 NIV

• Exposes our desire for glory
• Guarding against favoritism

James 2:8-13 NIV

• Royal law
• Recall God’s mercy
• Steps towards Kingdom unity
• Awareness
• Proximity and conversation
• Proximity breeds empathy; distance breeds suspicion

James 1:22-25

Reasons to prioritize obedience to God

• Shows our love for God

John 14:21

• Partners us with God

Matthew 5:16

• Aligns us with God

Joshua 5:13-14

Byproduct of a commitment to obedience

• Life of freedom

John 8:31

• Life of joy

Hebrews 12:2

• Life of blessing

James 1:2-8

Sermon Notes:

Where Are We Going?

Galatians 2:20 NIV

Genesis 1:28 NIV

Wise stewardship of life…

  • Living in union with God

  • Living to give God glory

Psalm 113 NIV

  • Living to bring goodness to others

Genesis 22:17-18 NIV

 Practical outworking

  • Live with open hands

  • Training to be sent

John 13:34-35 (NIV)

KNOWN BY LOVE: Recognizing the dignity in each person and working for the best in one another.

• Love is a choice to will the best

• Soul-shaping practices

      • Groups

Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

     • Inter-generational relationships

2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)

     • Reconciliation/Conflict resolution

Ephesians 4:25-27 (NIV)

Romans 12:18 (NIV)

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

Practice of Worship

  • Retell the story of God

  • Principle of first attention

John 5:19 NIV

Spiritual Disciplines

  • God’s presence recalibrates us

  • Foster relationship with God

Acts 20:35 NIV

Generosity and Giving

  • Expression of worship

  • Experience the miracles of God

APPRENTICESHIP TO JESUS

Learning to live our life the way Jesus would live our life if He were us.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

• Availability of the Kingdom of God

Mark 1:15 NIV

  • Life of friendship with the Trinity

Mark 1:11 NIV

  • Gradual inner transformation

  • From Duplicity to Genuineness

  • Radical other-centeredness

  • Unshakable life

Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV

  • Learned life

DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED?

Healing at the pool of Bethesda.  John 5:1-15

• Jesus’ vision vs. religious leaders

     • Jesus loves broken people 

     • Jesus desires to bring healing

     • Jesus honors our will

• Responses to the invitation

    • Resignation 

    • Trust our own abilities

    • Acknowledge and yield to Jesus