New to PCC? OR maybe you just want to connect?
Text “CONNECT” to: 650-332-4438 to access more information

Faith That Works - Week 6
James 3:1-12

This series:
Learning from James how to make our faith work in real life & helping others do the same.

Recap:
Week 1 - Trials
Week 2 - Temptation
Week 3 - Treatment of Others: Attitude & Action
Week 4 - Treatment of Others: Favoritism
Week 5 - Treatment of Others: Faith & Works
Week 6 - Taming the Tongue
Week 7 - Wisdom

James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Big Idea:
Our good works done in the gentleness of wisdom will reap a harvest of righteousness.

Truth 1: Wise Going

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13

-- Good works flow out of a life of abiding with Jesus (John 15:5,16)
-- Good works have been uniquely created for you to do (Eph. 2:10)
-- Good works should not point to ourselves, but to Jesus (Mt 11:25-30)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

--Act on your calling

Truth 2: Wise Sowing

--The fruit of earthly wisdom:
Earthly = it has this world in mind, not Christ's Kingdom

Unspiritual = it has gratification of the flesh in mind, not spiritual blessing

Demonic = ultimately it is an evil deception, not truth that leads to life

--The fruit of spirit-filled wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

-- The posture of a fruitful Sower
Listening heart
Compassion
Humility

What do you need to cultivate? What do you need to weed?

NEXT STEPS

Truth 3: Wise Growing

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

-- Growing as peacemakers

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

--If we do not go and sow, we will not grow. We won't grow personally, and we won't grow His Kingdom.

How are you living into your identity and calling as an ambassador of righteousness?

PCC Benediction
May you jump into the arms of Jesus.
And may He push you out into the world.
May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others.
Not because you must, but because you may.
This is why we were born!

Beyond Sunday
Our Beyond Sunday for the James series, Faith That Works, will use the resource of videos on RightNow Media. See the link below to use the videos and handouts.

Resources (see links below)
--RightNow Media series on James by Francis Chan
--Sign up to RightNow Media if you need a free account

For PCC's budgeted giving year
(June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023)

Annual Budget: $3,000,000

Giving Update (as of 10/18/22)
Needed to Date: $1,250,000
Giving to Date: $ 870,158
Shortfall to Date: $ 379,842