Shaping Disciples Through Trials Part 2
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to allow trials to fulfill their perfect plan for your life, by seeking wisdom from God.
Sermon Proposition: There are 3 steps to receiving wisdom in trials.
I. The disciple must simply ask for wisdom from God. V.5
A. The problem of simplicity. V.5a (James 3:17; Prov. 3:5-7, 17)
“Wisdom is the application of knowledge, obedience is the application of wisdom.” – Author unknown
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.
Psalm 119:24 Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.
B. The priority of simplicity. V.5b
“Faith given to us after a night of doubt is stronger than, and far more valuable to us than faith that has never been tested.” – Elizabeth Goudge (Eph. 1:17-18)
C. The promises of simplicity. V.5c
1. God promises to give wisdom to all generously.
a) guidance
b) strength
c) patience
d) endurance
2. God promises to give wisdom without condemnation.
Proverbs 2:2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;
Proverbs 2:3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.
Matthew 13:44 " Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 " Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
3. God promises to give wisdom to whoever asks.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Psalm 81:10 I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
“Without hesitation, reluctance, or resistance, His divine wisdom will be given to use in generous abundance.”
“Strong, sound faith is not based on feelings but on knowledge and understanding of the promises of God’s truth, which is spiritual wisdom.”
“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.” – Oswald Chambers
“If faith does not resolve doubt, doubt will dissolve faith.” – Os Guiness
“Feed your faith and starve your doubts to death.” – Andrew Murray
C. The picture of sincerity. V.6c (Phil. 4:19)
“Doubt is not the opposite of faith, nor is it the same as unbelief. Doubt is a state of mind in suspension between faith and unbelief so that it is neither of them wholly and it is each only partly.” – Os Guiness
Matthew 21:21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
III. The disciple must steadfastly ask for wisdom from God. V.7-8
A. The price of steadfastness. V.7
1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word.
Revelation 3:16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
1. The danger of turning to human resources
2. The danger of becoming bitter and resentful and seek no help.
B. The prediction of steadfastness. V.8 (James 4:8)
Matthew 6:24 " No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Conclusion: “Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.” – Martin Luther