Sermon Title: “The Testing Lab for Wisdom Part One: Trials”
Series: Families Grow Up In Wisdom: The Book of James
Date: 9-11-14
Text: James 1:5-8 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. [NIV84]
The Big Idea: Instead of asking, “Why,” perhaps asking “What, Lord?…”
If you are like me, it is hard not to doubt when someone gives me advice. But the more I trust the expertise of the one giving the advice, the less I doubt. …
Lifestyle worshipers, the same is true with the Lord. Too many times we project onto the Lord His children’s unfaithfulness or poorly offered counsel. But when we seek His Face through His Word and prayer and the counsel of those who do the same, their counsel/wisdom is just as trustworthy as if it came from the very mouth of God Himself… Oh, it did, when it comes from His Word….
So the next time you are in a trial, challenge or difficulty, instead of asking, “Why,” perhaps asking “What, Lord? What would You like me to yield to You this time? What aspect of my life am I not trusting Your Life to empower me in?” So if you lack, ask. … Then trust the expertise of our Heavenly Father’s Wisdom….
Do you think these questions will be answer more readily than the “why”? Your thoughts….
Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts
“Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment.
—Proverbs 9:4 (NIV84)
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
— Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV84)
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord,…
— Jeremiah 29:12-14a (NIV84)
Heavenly Father, as I encounter these various trials, I ask the Lord Jesus Christ to make clear to me what aspects of my life He would desire me to surrender to Him. I realize that this journey with Jesus often goes deeper the second and third time around. May His Peace guard my heart and mind by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Your Jesus’ Amen.
Pastor Mike