How to Become Smart
Intro:
1. God’s word tells us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think
(Rom 12:3).
2. But a lot of us have inferiority complexes. We don’t think of ourselves highly enough.
3. Have you ever done anything that made you feel real dumb? ILL: Dad betting me watching football.
4. God provides a remedy for dumbness & we are told what to do about it right here!
James 1:5-8
I. Ways to Get Smart
A. The popular ways to get smart.
1. Get an education - go to college or vocational.
2. Learn by experience - make mistakes & then learn by them.
3. Associate with wise people so - the rub off on you philosophy.
B. God’s way to get smart.
1. Study the word of God. II Tim 3:14-17 - But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2. v5 - Ask God for wisdom.
a. Solomon asked for it & became the smartest man who ever lived (II Chron 1:6-12).
b. Wisdom was given to Daniel (Dan 9:20-22).
c. Paul asked God to grant wisdom to the Ephesians (Eph 1:15-17).
II. v5 - Remember How the Giver Gives
A. He gives generously. Rom 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
B. He gives to all who ask. Jam 4:2 - You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
C. He gives without any expectation of return.
1. Some give & then in various ways keep reminding you of the gift. There’s the subtle idea that you now owe him. The person who receives is expected to be the debtor to the one who gave.
2. In KJV this is God upbraideth not - He doesn’t keep reminding you of the gift!
D. He promises that askers will receive. Matt 7:7-8 - 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.
III. v6-8 - Remember How the Asker Asks
A. Ask in faith.
1. Faith (πιστεύω) = trust, believe, don’t doubt.
2. Examples of how pleased the Lord was of faith.
a. ILL: Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (Matt 8:10). “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
b. ILL: Healing the Canaanite Women’s Daughter (Matt 15:28). “Woman, you have great faith!”
B. What does God think of you when you don’t trust Him?
1. v6 - You are like a wave of the sea.
2. v8 - You are double minded. Like having 2 brains in conflict.
3. v8 - You are unstable like a drunk stumbling down the street.
4. What would you think if you made a promise to your child but he didn’t trust you to fulfill it?
C. Trust in the Lord’s willingness & His power to give to you. Matt 8:1-3 - When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”
The next time you are feeling real dumb - talk to the Lord about it. Then start trusting!
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