Wisdom From Above: Meekness

SERIES: WISDOM FROM ABOVE
MESSAGE: Meekness
TEXT: James 3:13-18
MESSAGE BY: Pastor J Carr

Call to Wisdom

• Winsome wisdom

  • Emphasis on dispositions of the heart, and the ways we act, rather than intellect

  • Innocent/pure wisdom

    • Matt. 10:16; Rom. 16:19

Wisdom is:

• The formative internalization of knowledge and the fruitful application of knowledge

• In other words wisdom is an understanding of reality that leads us to become the kind of person we want to be and achieve the kind of things we want to achieve

  • The two kinds of wisdom lead to two different ways of being and kinds of achievements

    • 1 Cor. 2:5-6

    • 2 Tim. 3:15 - “wise UNTO salvation”

Jesus is the wisdom from above

• James 3:13-18 rewritten (w/Jesus):

  • “Jesus is the wise and understanding one among us. By his good conduct he showed his works in the meekness of wisdom. He had no bitter jealousy or selfish ambition in his heart; and never did he boast and be false to the truth. For he is the wisdom that comes down from above in contrast to “wisdom” that is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there will be disorder and every vile practice, But Jesus is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and reasonable; He is full of mercy and good fruits; He is impartial and sincere. And Christ has sown a harvest of righteousness in peace by making peace”

• His wisdom was weird and wonderful

Wisdom from Above makes us Meek:

  - Meekness is the expression of humility

• “do nothing” farming: humility makes our efforts more fruitful

• Humility gives us true discernment, while pride makes us easily deceived

4 realities to understand that lead to humility/meekness

• Everything is gift

  • We ultimately earn nothing on our own

  • We ultimately own nothing

• You are frail, and fallen

  • Jealousy - failed pride

  • Boasting - seemingly successful pride

  • Selfish ambition - pride in motion

  • Pride is like a drug - artificial/fleeting results

  • Psalm 37: meekness is rooted in waiting on the Lord (the only true source of power)

• God is supremely valuable

  • James 3:16 - the slippery slope of worldly wisdom/pride

  • Prioritize God’s approval over the approval of other people

    • This allows us to serve unseen and be free from envy

  • Matt. 23:5-6;11-12

• The way to be truly great is to be a humble servant

  • Jesus embodied this counter-intuitive truth

  • Philippians 2:6-11

Discussion Questions:

• What comes to your mind when you think of wisdom?

  • How is this text different or similar to that?

• Do you know of anyone you’d consider wise?

  • What are they like?

• What comes to your mind when think about meekness?

  • What does it mean to be meek?

    • Read psalm 37:3-11

      • How does this psalm help us understand how to be meek?

• Why/how does having a deep understanding of reality make us meek?

• How do you see pride expressed?

  • Jealousy? Boasting? Selfish ambition?

  • How is it rebranded as “wisdom”?

  • How can we fight it in ourselves?