Wisdom From Above
James 3:17
Pastor Jerry Koller

Review: Counterfeit wisdom promotes jealousy and selfish ambition because it fosters a love for self rather than a love for God and for our fellow man.
· That is why the wisdom of the world, which is earthly, natural, and demonic, must be set aside.

“Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living and the other helps you make a life.”

8 Important Words or Phrases:

#1. Pure—The word pure means to be free from contamination or defilement.
· The word translated pure comes from the same root word from which we get our translation holy.

The desire to purify ourselves from sin, to be clean and undefiled, should motivate us to seek wisdom that comes from above.
· This purity is the basis, the motive, for all godly wisdom.

#2. Peaceable—Blessed are the peacemakers…(Matt. 5:9)
· There are only two places in the New Testament where this word peaceable is used: here in James 3:17, and in Hebrews 12:11

To be at peace is to be in a state that is free from disharmony, disorder, or discord.

#3. Gentle—The Greek word translated “gentle” has no satisfactory equivalent in the English language. It is translated gentle because that is the best way we can translate this word into our language.
· The idea behind this Greek word is that of courtesy and consideration, or to be fair and forbearing.
· Gentleness includes humility and patience.

#4. Reasonable—to be teachable and compliant.
· It’s the opposite of being stubborn.
· There is a willingness to yield without anger and dispute.

#5. Full of Mercy—Mercy includes forgiveness for those who wrong you, as well as compassion for the suffering and assistance for the needy.
· It includes extending kindness and love to others unconditionally.

#6. Full of Good Fruits—This refers to every sort of good work or deed that is an outpouring of genuine faith.
· That is the whole point of Jams 2:14-26.

#7. Unwavering—It literally means to be undivided, not to be parted, without uncertainty or indecision.
· When one is unwavering, there is no room for doubtfulness or inconsistency.

#8. Without Hypocrisy
· Godly wisdom is not two-faced.
· There are no double standards.
· It does not pretend to be something it is not.

This list in James overlaps what Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).

It is also seen as products or Fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, (and) self-control…(Gal. 5:22-23)

What kind of wisdom do you have?

· Lon (Pete Danapilis' brother) is recovering from shoulder replacement surgery.
· Sherri Pratt (Renee Goff's mom) is recovering from surgery.
· Chet Goff is recovering from knee surgery.
· Vasha Ferguson is recovering from surgery for carpal tunnel.
· Levi Ovenshire · has had a stroke while he is recovering from multiple stab wounds as well as other extensive injuries in a Florida hospital. Please pray for a complete healing. In addition, please keep his grandmother Sue (lifelong friend of Alice Avery & Judi Beckwith) and his parents in prayer as his situation has extenuating circumstances and has been very stressful and worrisome for them all.
· Renee Goff is struggling with insomnia, and she suspects it is because she is worried. Lack of sleep gives her additional trouble with her heart.
· Linda Pries and Annette Hatfield are requesting prayer as they are under some ongoing persecution. Pray for strength and peace of mind.
· Mary Buchert broke her wrist after a fall.
· Alexis Kasinger (classmate of Olivia Price) continues to be hospitalized in ICU with slow healing injuries following a car accident on 6/28.
· Sandy (Tracy Quist’s mom) has had cancer for 13 years and it has spread to her bones, lungs and brain. She is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor and is getting radiation treatments. Please pray for Tracy’s mom and dad to put all hope and trust in God and to resist worry, that the treatment will help and her side effects will be minimal.
· Lennon McKamey (son of Kyle & Sarah) needs surgery on his shoulder. Please pray that preparing for surgery goes smoothly.
· Jean Pietrzak (Sandi Starland's sister) is doing much better. She still has a neck brace and is using a walker while continuing physical therapy.
· Joyce Bocock continues to do well. Prayers for continued improvement and relief from pain are appreciated.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com