Wisdom | Jeff Clark
Mark 6:3a NIV
3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?”
James 1:1-8 NIV
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 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. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Walking in Wisdom
I. Remember your identity.
bondslave - one who gladly submits their freedom to serve another
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
II. Reflect on the big picture.
James 1:2 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Your pain will be redeemed – either on earth or in heaven.
III. Resist making rash decisions.
Luke 18:28-30 NIV
28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
James 1:19 NIV
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Proverbs 29:11 NIV
11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
What's your greatest regret?
The fool says, "I don't care; it's not my fault." The simple one says, "I just didn't know; all my friends were doing it."
Proverbs 13:20 NIV
20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
James 1:2 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Following Jesus will make your life better and make you better at life.
Wisdom says, "based on your past experiences, your present circumstances, and your future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?"
James 1:5 NIV
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.
James 4:17 NKJV
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
What do you know you need to do that you're not doing?
1. What relationship needs to be healed?
2. What relationship needs to end?
3. What habit/lifestyle needs to stop?
4. What new rhythm do you need to begin?
5. What business do you need to start?
6. What deal do you need to drop?
Big Questions:
1. Are you all in with Jesus?
2. What hurt are you holding onto?
3. How are you being a fool?
Proverbs 14:12 NIRV
12 There is a way that appears to be right. But in the end it leads to death.