Series of Wisdom
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Two Kinds of Wisdom
James 3:13-18, 5:7-12
James reminds us that there are two kinds of Wisdom. Wisdom from above and wisdom of the earth. As you listen to the final lesson in our Wisdom series, please ask yourself the following questions: Am I seeking and encouraging the wisdom from above or so-called wisdom from below? Are my conversations pure? Do they flow with mercy? Do they yield good fruit? Or do they yield bitterness and anxiety? Asking these questions can guide us toward the type of wisdom that we are seeking.
Taming the Tongue
James 3:1-12
The walk must match the talk. The Apostle James connects speech with body control. If one controls the tongue, one will enable the control of the entire body. When one is teaching, the confinement of teaching is not limited to the speech but also the conduct of the teacher. Likewise, truthful teaching does not simple means saying the correct words, but it compels one to action by practicing what one teaches. Remember the work of controlling the tongue is a life long challenge.
Faith Without Works Is Dead
James 2:14-26
“Talk is cheap.” How often have you made that statement when someone fails to act on a promise. Like Faith which often equates to mere belief or intellectual acknowledgement, Yet, James demonstrates in this lesson that saving Faith goes much deeper than acknowledgement. It touches every aspect of our lives and guides our every action. James even provides examples like Rahab the harlot and Abraham who demonstrated their faith and works simultaneously.
Hearing and Doing the Word
James 1:19-27
Which are we more in need of bigger ears or bigger hands? From a child we often like to talk and as we grow older our speech helps to form our identity and to distinguish ourselves from others. However, the principles outlined in the text by the Apostle James some 2000 years ago can still apply in our society of today. For instance, we deal with the same problems of hearing and doing the Word of God. If we confess that God’s way is the only way, then it is time to allow God’s Word to assess our lives.
Faith and Wisdom
James 1:1-11
The epistle of James focuses on trials that believers must face, and the wisdom that is needed to overcome these life’s trails. Wisdom will lead believers to spiritual maturity. This epistle opens our eyes to three themes - reality of trials, the need for wisdom, and reality of being deprived. Therefore, the trails that we face as believers produce the need to ask God for wisdom. When we seek God wholeheartedly, we will develop the maturity that God requires of His children.
Thought to remember: In every aspect of life, God invites us to seek His wisdom.
Wisdom: The Way, Truth, and Life
Lesson Text John 14:1-14
What does God look like? A common question that we often ask as children, but the older we become we realize the irrelevance of such a question for the following reasons: 1) Genesis 1:26 indicates that we are created in the image of God so He must look like us but wiser. 2) John 4:24 explains that God is a spirit which means that He is invisible. He may allow us to see visible expression of Him like in Exodus 24:9-11, but we cannot see His true essence. 3) Apostle Paul states in 1 Timothy 6:16, Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto. Therefore, what God looks like is irrelevant for us mortal. Yet, this lesson unfolds that when we know Jesus, we know God. Jesus is fully human and fully divine. Jesus spoke and behave under the authority of God. Likewise, as believers when we allow the leading of the Holy Spirit with assurance, we can perform greater works while glorifying the God the Father just like Jesus.
Vindicating Wisdom
Lesson Text Matthew 11:7-19
The Savior, Jesus spoke of God’s kingdom in terms of three time frames: near, here, and yet to come. Like John the Baptist, Jesus spoke of God’s reign as “nigh at hand” (Luke 21:31). Yet, when Jesus healed and drove out demons, He was more likely spoke of God’s kingdom as already present (example: Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.). And as He spoke of what His followers came to understand as His return, He spoke of the kingdom as a future reality as noted in Matthews 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
From the perspective of God’s kingdom as either near or future, Jesus can spoke of John the the Baptist as less than the least in God’s kingdom. John was the announcer God’s kingdom, but he had yet to enter that kingdom because it had yet to arrive. Although, God performed great things through John, but God will even do greater things after Jesus’ death and resurrection. This lesson reminds us to utilize Godly wisdom because we are destined for greatest.
Thought to remember: What seems like foolishness to humans is sometimes the wisdom of God..
The Wisdom of Jesus
Lesson Text: Mark 6:1-6
As humans, we long to perform grand things or extraordinary tasks. At times such desires can become problematic. Yet, God’s wisdom challenges us to our core by teaching us that goodness is usually manifested in the lives of ordinary believers. We as believers must recognize that the gracious goodness of God surrounds us constantly. If we expect to experience grandiose tasks, we must realize that God chooses ordinary people to extraordinary tasks. We must believe that people of ordinary skill sets with limitation from the standards of the world can do extraordinary things through God.
Thought to Remember: God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. e.
The Feast of Wisdom
Lesson Text Proverbs 9:1-8
Compared to days of Moses in the Old Testament, individuals today must select from two choices. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV) Despite the common theme that there are many paths to life from different religions, the Scriptures clarify that there is only one decision from two choices that one can make. You can choose Lady Wisdom or Lady Folly. Two houses stand, but one will fall. Two meals are offered, but one is poisoned. Two hostesses extend invitations, but one is deceptive. Our lesson today from Proverbs points out that the essentials of life and eternity come down to a single choice. So you must choose wisely!
Thought to remember: The path of folly is not a lifestyle; it’s a death-style.
The Gifts of Wisdom
Lesson Text Proverbs 8:8-21
Some people will inquire, “isn’t it possible to attain wealth and wisdom simultaneously?” Such is true somewhat as noted by various Biblical character like Joseph in Genesis 41:41-44 or King Solomon in I King 3:10-14. Yet, the Bible clearly identifies the spiritual downfall when material wealth becomes your primary goal. Remember, wealth is unnecessary to live a life of blessing, peace, and joy, because only one must possess wisdom to attain such. Wisdom reflects divine power instead of earthly power. So as believers, we must realize that wisdom is a gift from God the Father, and all that we must do is to seek these gifts of wisdom.
Thought to remember: Before wisdom’s gifts can be opened and treasured, they must be sought.