Historical Posts
Peacemaker – audio
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You have probably been around a guy who brings strife when he walks into a room.
He’s either in an argument with someone or trying to get one started. He’s also pretty good at getting people mad at one another. If you hear about a feud going on at work, you have a pretty good idea who’s in the middle of it. Know the guy?
Then there’s the girl whom everyone goes to when they’re having problems with someone.
They know she’ll be fair, level-headed, and sensible. If called on to arbitrate she won’t be ruled by anger or other emotions. She brings people together, settles disputes, helps people get along. She’s a peacemaker – have you met her?
It’s not hard to figure out which one the Lord favors.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Think about that last statement – “they shall be called sons of God.” In other words, they are like God.
In fact, it might be said that we’re never more like God than when we’re bringing people together. After all, that’s pretty much what the whole Bible story is about – God, through Christ, brings us out of rebellion back into a relationship with him. As our Mediator, the God-Man, Jesus joins our hands with God’s hands, restoring the relationship that we broke.
Jesus is the greatest peacemaker ever. Want to be like Jesus?
Help a couple of disgruntled friends get beyond whatever got between them. Build bridges. Mend fences.
Be a calming influence with the people around you. Break down prejudices of all kinds—whether racial, social, class, or whatever. Peacemakers break down obstacles and help people get along.
Better yet, and perhaps this is what Jesus ultimately had in mind, be a peacemaker between God and sinful humanity. The peace has been established through Jesus, but God might use you to help someone find his way back to him.
You might be the Andrew who brings Peter to Jesus (John 1:40-41).
You might be the Paul who helps two sisters to stop quarrelling (Philippians 4:2).
You might be the one God uses to bring peace between your spouse and God, or between your children and God, or between a co-worker, friend, uncle, or neighbor and God.
The most miserable person in the room is the one who’s at odds with the people around him, and with God.
The one who looks most like Jesus is the one who brings peace wherever he goes.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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James 03:13-18 Wisdom: Heavenly vs. Earthly – audio
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Text: James 3:13-18
Introduction
1. In the book of Proverbs, we are encouraged to seek after wisdom – Proverbs 3:13-18; 4:7-9
2. Likewise, in the New Testament we are exhorted to walk with wisdom – Ephesians 5:15-17
3. But in James 3:13-18, we learn that there is more than just one kind of wisdom
4. In this lesson, we will take a look at what James describes as two different kinds of wisdom: heavenly wisdom vs. earthly wisdom
Body
I. A CONTRAST IN THEIR ORIGIN
A. EARTHLY WISDOM IS NOT FROM ABOVE
1. It is EARTHLY
a. It is worldly
b. Wisdom that is according to the world’s standards
c. But this wisdom is foolishness to God – 1 Corinthians 1:20
2. It is SENSUAL
a. Appealing to the senses, the emotions, the passions
b. Wisdom according to what FEELS right (But that doesn’t make it right)
3. It is DEMONIC
a. The kind of wisdom possessed by the devil and his angels
b. A wisdom that often finds its origin in the influences of Satan!
B. HEAVENLY WISDOM IS FROM ABOVE
1. It Comes from GOD – James 3:17
2. It Comes via PRAYER – James 1:5-8
II. A CONTRAST IN THEIR NATURE
A. EARTHLY WISDOM
1. Full of BITTER ENVY
2. Possessing SELF-SEEKING IN THE HEART
3. This wisdom extols as virtues such qualities as:
a. Power
b. Position
c. Privilege
d. Prestige
4. It was this kind of wisdom
a. That prompted Satan and his angels to rebel against God
b. That prompted the disciples to argue over who would be the greatest in the kingdom
B. HEAVENLY WISDOM
1. It is first PURE – James 3:17
a. Above all else, it is true to God’s Will
b. Not one to compromise truth for the sake of peace
2. Then it is PEACEABLE
a. Holding firm to the truth, it makes every effort to be at peace – Romans 12:18
b. For example, speaking the truth in an attitude of love – Ephesians 4:15
3. GENTLE
a. That is, kind in one’s dealings with others
b. Not harsh, even when right and dealing with those who differ – 2 Timothy 2:24-25
4. WILLING TO YIELD
a. Not in matters of truth
b. But in matters of opinion – Romans 14:1
c. In matters of liberty – Romans 14:19-21
5. FULL OF MERCY
a. Quick to forgive the offenses of others
b. Wisely understanding one’s own need of mercy – James 2:13
6. Producing GOOD FRUITS
a. Notice James 3:13, where it says we are to show by our conduct our true wisdom and understanding
b. This wisdom takes one beyond being a HEARER to being a DOER – James 1:22
c. Understanding that faith without works is dead – James 2:26
7. WITHOUT PARTIALITY
a. Showing no respect of persons – James 2:1-13
b. Rather, treating all fairly, on the same basis
8. WITHOUT HYPOCRISY
a. Indicating that all of the above is not an act, a show
b. But that it comes from a heart desiring to please God, not man
III. A CONTRAST IN THEIR FRUITS
A. EARTHLY WISDOM
1. Causes CONFUSION
2. And EVERY EVIL THING
3. Makes you wonder what kind of wisdom
a. Is behind denominationalism
b. Is often manifested in politics
B. HEAVENLY WISDOM – James 3:18
1. Produces PEACE, instead of confusion
2. Bears the fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS, instead of every evil thing
Conclusion
1. Certainly when we compare their ORIGIN, NATURE and FRUITS, the wisdom to be preferred is HEAVENLY WISDOM
2. What kind of wisdom do we have?
a. Those who have EARTHLY WISDOM boast of theirs
b. While those who have HEAVENLY WISDOM show theirs by their good conduct done in meekness
3. What kind of wisdom do we want?
a. If EARTHLY, then no effort is necessary
1) Just do what the world tells you
2) Just do what feels right
b. But if HEAVENLY, then we must be diligent
1) To seek such wisdom from God
2) To demonstrate such wisdom by our conduct
4. What kind of wisdom do you have in regards to the gospel of Christ?
a. EARTHLY WISDOM makes no response to the gospel, or if any, only that which is convenient
b. HEAVENLY WISDOM receives the commands of the gospel joyfully and obediently – Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38
5. Have you demonstrated HEAVENLY WISDOM?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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