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True Godly Wisdom: Not What You Know, What You Do

Speaker

Pastor Dale Ingersoll

Date Published

Scripture: James 3:13–18; James 1:5

Topic: Godly Wisdom, Humility, and Action over Intellect

I. Announcements & Opening

  • Prayer List: Remember to pray for the families on the list and their caregivers.
  • Sunday School & Bible Study: Sunday school classes at 9:30 AM. Wednesday night Bible study on the Book of Acts at 6:30 PM (Clay Schumann is teaching this week).
  • Choir Practice: Sundays at 4:00 PM.
  • Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Goal is $1,500. An anonymous donor is matching gifts up to $2,000.
  • Upcoming Events:
    • Bingo Fun & Pizza: Friday, March 27th at 6:00 PM.
    • Easter Cantata: Sunday, May 29th.
  • Operation Christmas Child: Drop WOW toys (the big, exciting items) in the box at the back of the church this month.

II. Introduction: Defining True Wisdom

  • A Shift in Perspective: Wisdom isn't an old man on a mountain or just common sense; true wisdom is seeing life through God's perspective instead of our own.
  • Readily Available: James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom, we just need to ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. It doesn't require an Ivy League education—it requires a willing heart.

III. Wisdom is What You Do, Not Just What You Know

  • The Difference Between Intellect and Wisdom: You can be incredibly smart but entirely unwise.
  • Illustrations of Worldly Intellect: * A brilliant politician can have prestigious degrees but risk their entire family and career over a foolish moral choice.
    • A financial genius (like Bernie Madoff) can know the numbers but lack the wisdom to live honestly, destroying lives for temporary gain.
  • Application: Both of these examples highlight people who intellectually knew right from wrong but failed to act on it. Wisdom is not a noun; it is a verb. It shows up in how we live.

IV. Wisdom is Quiet and Unassuming (James 3:13-16)

  • Deeds Done in Humility: A wise person doesn't need to advertise their brilliance or boast about their accomplishments. Their results and their character speak for themselves.
  • The Enemies of Wisdom: Envy and selfish ambition create chaos and disorder. When we become envious, we lose God's perspective and shift our focus to serving ourselves rather than others.
  • The Lou Holtz Illustration: Known as one of the greatest college football coaches, Lou Holtz came from humble beginnings and never bragged when taking over losing teams. He simply did the work, focused on his three rules (Trust, Commitment, Love), and the winning results naturally followed.

V. Wisdom is Expressed in How We Treat Others (James 3:17-18)

  • The Eight Traits of Heavenly Wisdom: Pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
  • Practical Applications:
    • Pure: Having the right, God-honoring motivations.
    • Peace-loving: Being a bridge builder between individuals, and between others and God.
    • Considerate & Full of Mercy: Knowing when to offer grace instead of just strictly applying the law (e.g., Jesus and the woman caught in adultery). Not just feeling pity, but following it up with practical help ("good fruit").
    • Impartial & Submissive: Being reasonable, willing to listen to both sides, and treating everyone equally without favoritism.

VI. Conclusion: The Harvest of Righteousness

  • Cemetery Reflection: When walking through the local cemetery, the speaker noted the contrast between a wealthy, successful man and a man who had very little earthly wealth but a massive heart for serving others. The man who served others lived the truly "smart" and wise life.
  • Call to Action: Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. Are you using your life to build bridges? Walk out the doors today choosing to put God's wisdom into action.