Sermon (September 24)

A “Me” Attitude Comes from the Wrong Kind of Wisdom
James 3:13-18

I. James 3:13
Bragging takes away our right to be rewarded for a good deed. Jesus taught to store up for yourself treasures in Heaven instead of down here on Earth. When we brag, we receive recognition, which becomes our reward. And God has no use for the good deed anymore. James is telling us then that if we do the good we’re called to do, we are to seek God’s approval instead of the world's. Then we’re wise.

II. James 3:14-16
I knew of an instance once where a person had selfish ambitions of running the church the way he wanted to do it. He fought the pastor and tried to drive a wedge between him and others by getting others on his side. Luckily for that church, he didn’t wield enough power to turn the congregation against the pastor. But he did divide it into two very distinct camps.

There was another situation in my home church where some of the people selfishly thought that since they’d been there when the church building was built, that it should always be their church (even though they were landlocked and couldn’t grow or reach out). These people caused a split as well.

Luckily, both congregations are stronger now that they’ve gone through these ordeals. It just goes to show that God can work in any situation.

In both instances the majority of the people at the churches decided to seek out and adhere to God’s wisdom for them instead of their own selfish ambitions.

This is what James is trying to get across to us here…that we’re to always seek out God’s wisdom over our own.

I guess you could say that that’s what makes us…wise.

III. James 3:17-4:3
James defines two types of wisdom in our reading today…worldly wisdom (where we’re consumed by self) and Godly wisdom; pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others (or just the opposite of worldly wisdom).
One of these two will motivate our actions.

IV. Worldly Wisdom
Let’s look at worldly wisdom first. According to James, it consists of jealousy and selfish ambition. It’s what causes arguments and fights between people. And it’s from the devil.
You know what I’ve noticed in the church meetings that I’ve been a part of when people have gotten upset? Most of the people weren’t upset because we weren’t doing enough for Christ. They typically get upset because they don’t get their way.

Me, Me, Me. It’s all about me. Right? I mean if I don’t get my way, I’ll pick up my toys and go home. That’s what it was like when I was a child. I remember how childish my friends and I could be. Getting upset just meant that we picked up our toys and went home.
Worldly wisdom is all about us. It’s focused solely on what we think is right and how we feel things ought to be done.

We use this when:
• We’ve been stuck in traffic for a long time and refuse to let others over because it would mean us having to wait longer.
• Or we get to that parking spot just before someone else and gun it so they can’t get “our” space.
• We use this worldly (me,me,me) wisdom when we ???
• We preachers do it when we pad our attendance numbers that we present before the conference.
• Anytime you’ve said, done or even thought about something that would help you out at somebody else’s expense, you’ve used worldly wisdom.

But when we choose to give this up for the wisdom of God, something happens. (Pause) We change. We turn into something new. We become better people.

(Story)
As the story goes, it was Easter Sunday and the kid that came into Trinity Church was new in town, living in the dorm of the local college. Trinity was a very high church that prided themselves on their liturgy and proper way of going about worshiping God.

The first problem was that he was dressed in the normal way that a college age kid would dress…while going to school (shorts and sandals).

The second problem was that he was late, which meant that all the pews were taken and that he was supposed to be seated in the back. Not knowing this, he went down front and sat in the floor in front of the first pew where he’d be able to see. And as he did, the place got silent and all eyes were placed upon him.

Mr. Wellington, an 85 year old patriarch of the church noticed this from his pew towards the back. He got up and slowly made his way down front.

As he did this, some just sat and stared, waiting to see how ugly it’d get. Others turned to their neighbor and made comments like, “The boy’s gonna get it now.” And all eyes were down front when Mr. Wellington stood over the boy who sat on the floor.

As the boy looked up (and the old man looked down) everyone held their breath.

It was then that Mr. Wellington turned to the congregation and shocked them, saying, “You know, it’s been a long time since someone of this age has entered our sanctuary. Maybe it’s because we don’t understand them. Maybe it’s because we expect them to be like us. I noticed, as I’m sure this young man did, that everybody has been staring at him. I’m sure many of us have sized him up and decided that he doesn’t fit the proper mold for Trinity Church. But you know what? It’s not about us today. It’s about him…and everyone like him.”

With that he was helped down to the floor by the young man. And Trinity Church was never the same again.

V. Godly Wisdom
If worldly wisdom divides us and brings about disorder, then Godly wisdom unites and brings order out of chaos. (Not conformity, but order.)

This is because worldly wisdom is all about me and Godly wisdom is all about the other person. When we think about others, putting them before ourselves, we grow in “true life-giving” wisdom.

For true wisdom comes from the teachings of Jesus to love God and neighbor…to be last instead of first…to serve instead of expecting to be served…to wash another’s feet instead of waiting for ours needs to be met…to give up anything that is more important to us than God.

Once this happens, what we come to realize is that instead of our hearts revolving around ourselves, Christ becomes the center. We become better people. And ironically…we feel better about ourselves, making our lives better than when we used the worldly wisdom of me, me, me.

When we don’t think about ourselves, we feel better.
When we don’t put ourselves first, we live better.

If we will allow Christ to abide in us, He will make His home in us. The longer he abides, the more like Him we will become. The more like him we become, the more wise we will be.

Does Christ abide in you? Ask yourself what motivates you. Be honest now.
Do you always have to have your way?
Do you only do things that will bring you glory?
Do you get angry when you do not receive recognition for what you’ve done?

Or can you be at peace just knowing that God’s will is being done in everything you do?