This morning, we

continue our new message series entitled, “Habits.”   Through this message series, we’re learning

about how to do small things consistently, which ultimately leads to an

abundant life of integrity.

Small habits lead to

big change!

We’ve been

encouraged to develop Godly habits into our lives and learned how God

intentionally created us as creatures of habit to set us up for success.  As we develop these habits, we will live

lives of Godly integrity. 

So far, we learned

about the habits of seeking God, of reconciliation, and building up ourselves,

others, and God’s Kingdom.

This morning, we’re

being challenged to develop the habit of wisdom.

Wisdom is defined

as: the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of

experience and knowledge.

We live in a world

full of knowledge.  With our smartphones

by our side, we can know anything about anything in a matter of seconds. 

Not a mechanic?  That’s OK, there’s a YouTube video out there

that will show you how.  Not crafty?  That’s OK, Pinterest has a guide on how to

create that perfect hand-made gift. 

Break your electronics?  That’s

OK, iFixIt will show you step-by-step repair guides with pictures.   Lost? 

Not any more, your maps app will locate you and will literally tell you

how to get back where you need to be.

What is far less

common than knowledge in our world today is the ability to properly apply that

knowledge.  That’s where wisdom comes

into play.  There are far more people out

there in the world doing things like this today!

(video montage of

people doing stupid things)

Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions and to take sound action to apply that knowledge or past experience. 

Note that it doesn’t matter if your past experiences we’re good or bad. It doesn’t matter if yesterday you were living by faith or living by your flesh and being a fool.

What matters is that we consider our past and use it to make good decisions now. Our failures are actually our best teachers! Anyone can be wise!

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Of course, this lack of wisdom isn’t anything new.

James 1:21-25 (NLT)

21 So get rid of all

the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in

your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

22 But don’t just

listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling

yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like

glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget

what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets

you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God

will bless you for doing it.

We need to be in the

habit of not just knowing what we’re supposed to do, but actually doing

it.  Parents can well relate to this

frustration.  We so often sound like

broken records saying the same things over and over again.  I’ve often just stopped and asked my child,

“What am I going to say?” 

Surely enough they quote exactly what I was just about to say for the

millionth time.  It’s not a matter of

knowing the right thing to do, it is about developing the habit of actually

doing it.

Jesus taught a

parable about a scene familiar to many families here:

Matthew 21:28-32 (NLT)

28 “But what do you

think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work

in the vineyard today.’ 29 The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he

changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’

and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

Anyone have children like this?

31 “Which of the two

obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The

first.”

Then Jesus explained

his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes

will get