Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
We are the book of James which is one of the most practical books on how to live the Christian Life.
James, who the half brother to Jesus is writing the Jewish Christians who had been dispersed due the persecution by the Jews.
His letter is likely the first book written after the ascension of Jesus.
Last week we covered verses 1-12 in chapter 3.
It started out as a warning to teachers, but really applies to all Christians.
Since there was not formal training, most anyone could become a teacher and that was ripe for misuse of their function and opened the door to false teaching.
So James give some warnings
Stricter judgment is a reality (cf.
3:1);
There is danger in human speech (cf.
3:2);
Life must reflect teachings (cf.
3:13);
Proper attitude is a must (cf.
3:15);
There is a demonic counterfeit (cf.
3:15).
James wrote this section because of the presence of unqualified teachers in the early church who claimed to be spiritual and have special revelations from God.
However, we need to be reminded that although the context may speak especially to teachers, it addresses all Christians.
All Christians can ask for wisdom (cf.
1:5).
All Christians must walk and talk in wisdom.
When we talk about wisdom, we’re not talking about intelligence.
We are talking about lifestyle and proper motivation of our behaviors as reflecting the transformation we underwent when we committed our lives to Christ.
One Pastor shared this story to show the difference between intelligence and wisdom.
It occurred in a survey of the New Testament class.
It was a favorite because there was no homework, no reading, and no tests before the final.
And on the final, for 25 years, the same professor had always presented the same question: “Describe the Missionary Journeys of Paul.”
A young man by the name of “Meathead,” a star on the school’s football team, took the course.
And a tutor helped him prepare, all semester long, for the final exam.
When the day of the test came, Meathead was ready.
He knew everything about every journey Paul ever took.
He knew about Philippi and Thessalonica, Rome and Tyre.
He knew about Timothy and Barnabas and Luke.
He was ready.
But when the final exam was passed out, students all over that great auditorium were stunned to see a new question.
For the first time in a quarter-century, the professor decided to ask a different question.
Instead of a question about Paul’s missionary journeys, there was this question: “Critique the Sermon on the Mount that was preached by Jesus.”
The shock was felt across the room.
And a young man got up, took his blue book – a little book that was designed to hold his essay – and threw it down on the professor’s desk.
It was empty.
He didn’t know how to answer the question.
And one by one, all of the students left, none of them able to answer the question … except for Meathead.
Meathead opened his blue book and began to write.
He wrote and he wrote and he wrote.
The professor’s assistant came back an hour later, and Meathead was still writing.
Two hours later, and Meathead was going at it.
For a full three hours, Meathead filled up his blue book.
That afternoon, the professor had two stacks of blue books.
On his right, a tall stack of empty blue books, all with the grade of F. On his left, one, single blue book, with a big, bold A+ right on top.
It was Meathead’s.
“What in the world did you write about?”
Asked a classmate.
“Read it,” said Meathead.
And on the first page was the opening sentence.
“Who am I to criticize the Sermon on the Mount?
Instead, let me tell you about the missionary journeys of Paul.”
Meathead . . .
had discovered wisdom.
Andy Cook
A Challenge To Demonstrate Wisdom Verse 13
The word “Who” gives us an indication that this passage relates to the previous section.
Once again we find another of James’ rhetorical questions which he answers for us.
This answer to this question will show us how to have wisdom.
Godly which is good.
Worldly which is bad.
Wise does not mean you have a lot of knowledge.
Wise refers to someone with moral insight and skill in deciding practical issues of conduct.
They know what is right and lives out what is right with no compromise.
Understanding
Here’s where knowledge comes into play like meathead in the story.
As we learn more about Christ and how He wants us to live, we become somewhat of an expert Christian living.
As we learn, comes wisdom from God, that should be seen by good deeds practiced in humility.
Obedient deeds, not just talk, prove the presence of wisdom.
Humility or gentleness
This refers to a submissive spirit opposed to arrogance and self-seeking.
Now don’t misunderstand, a humble person is not a doormat to be run over by others and their desires.
It means one that controls and overpowers the natural human tendency to arrogant and selfish.
Jesus calls these people the “Meek” in the sermon on the mount and He said they will inherit the earth.
How do you respond in an argument?
Do you want to win the argument?
Are you willing to stand your ground no matter what?
Humble people are the opposite, they have a gentleness and kindness of attitude to reach a win-win for all involved.
Remember, we show the presence of spiritual wisdom by deeds of humility and goodness.
The Wrong Picture - False Wisdom Verses 14-16
There is a wisdom that comes straight from Hell.
It’s of the devil.
As we grow in our walk with Christ, we find that wisdom can come from two perspectives: worldly or Godly.
Worldly wisdom views life from a limited perspective.
It doesn’t see things in light of eternity but what is the immediate impact.
What is best for me, my self-advancement and self-pleasure now.
This is dangerous, and it is motivated by self-centered ambition.
Worldly wisdom measures everything by how it affects you.
It’s concerned with how you can advance yourself, promote yourself, or assert yourself.
When looking at conversations and circumstances, the question is always, What can I get out of this?
James says this is from the Devil.
Remember the favoritism James confronted in chapter 2, a favoritism that was driven by nothing but self-centered ambition.
People were ignoring the poor because they could not get anything from them.
That’s the wisdom common in the world, and it is common in us, yet we don’t even see it.
Is selfish ambition at the root of struggles in marriages, jobs, social status, even where sit on airplanes?
You’ve seen the videos of people fighting on a plane over very mundane issues.
“What’s best for me?” is the question we ask.
This is the root of the entire American dream—climb the ladder, achieve your dreams, assert yourself, promote yourself, advance yourself?
And yet, Jesus says, “Deny yourself.”
Self-centered ambition is at the heart of worldly wisdom, and it is demonic.
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