Call to Worship
Who among you is seeking the wisdom of God?
We long to hear God’s Word spoken to our hearts.
Who among you is seeking God’s bright and holy truth?
We long to learn the ways of wisdom and righteousness.
Who among you is seeking a Spirit-filled life?
We long to live lives of holiness and light.
God grants God’s wisdom generously to all who ask.
Come near, people of God!
Let us worship in wisdom and truth.
Song – “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin
Scripture Reading – James 1:17 (CEB)
Prayer of Gratitude
In a world where greed reigns supreme, let us posture ourselves in thankfulness. It is easy to focus on all that we don’t have, and all that we still desire. But God bestows blessing after blessing upon his creation. Allow this guided prayer to foster gratitude towards God, the giver of all good gifts.
“LORD, we come before you this day knowing that we are barely aware of all the good gifts you shower upon us. As we sit before you, help us recall all that we have to be thankful for.”
(Spend the next moments recalling all of the events of yesterday. Take inventory of your day from the moment you opened your eyes to the time you placed your head to rest. Recall all of the good from yesterday, and give thanks to God for every single detail you can recall)
Scripture Reading – James 3:13-18 (CEB)
Song of Preparation – “Illuminate My Unknowing” by John Van Deusen
In this profoundly simple and whimsical song, John Van Deusen pleads with God for wisdom. The lyrics are as follows:
Illuminate my unknowing
Unseen one who never dies
And oh blessed trinity
Look not on my wretched crimes
My mind is full of spider webs
And my soul is full of grime
I aim to understand
And suffer with You in kind
And burn away my idols
And tear away this worldly veil
And purify my motives
And may Your perfect love prevail
Illuminate my unknowing
Illuminate my unknowing
Illuminate my unknowing
Illuminate my unknowing
Video Sermon
Song – “All of Your Ways Are Peace” by The Porter’s Gate
Prayer of Intercession Adapted From Keith Howard
Jesus, we pray for others, knowing you care and you listen.
We pray for place, space, and safety.
We bring before you this day
the millions of your children on this globe
who are now in motion or displaced by floods, fire, political persecution,
famine, racial or religious persecution.
Let the images of your children in anguish,
of those seeking a safe place and space
be seared upon our hearts as they are upon yours.
We pray for how people are treated.
Too often tension is resolved in non-respectful ways.
People are bullied and bulldozed;
others give away their power, “whatever,” “Yes, dear,”; “Yes, sir!”
Give us courage to have respectful conversations
with our children, our friends, those different from us,
those whose language it is difficult for us to understand.
How we see and treat ourselves.
We pray for those who do not see themselves as beloved,
as welcome at this table or any other
because of their history, their addictions,
their struggles or our lack of hospitality.
How we see the world, the voices we choose to hear,
the pain and grief we allow ourselves to witness
and the transformation you continually bring.
Continue to work your transformation within us and within this world
so that we shall seek first your will, your hopes
and the desires of your heart.
For we desire to be your people,
Living in your wisdom, participating in your economy of mercy.
Amen.
Benediction
Questions for Reflection
When was the last time you changed your mind about something important to you? How did it happen? Why do you think the process of changing one’s mind is so uncommon and difficult?
Is jealousy always bad? James uses the qualifier “bitter” in describing jealousy. What does he mean?
James seems to indicate that “selfish ambition” can have demonic origins. As a society, we tend to lift up those that are ambitious, assertive, and do well for themselves. We tend to call them leaders, entrepreneurs, trail blazers, or visionaries. How do we determine when enough (success, money, reputation, ambition) is enough? How do we determine when ambition turns into selfish ambition?
Of the list in verse 17, which are the hardest for you to practice? Which come more naturally? Compare and contrast this list with Galatians 5:22-23.
Prior to becoming a Christian I thought that a mature man was an island that didn’t need others or anyone’s counsel. After becoming a Christian I became aware of a whole new world. A world that has God working through his people. So, on a regular basis I seek counsel from the men in the Friday morning men’s Zoom bible study (yes – that was an advertisement for anyone who wants to give us and God a try). I seek wisdom from other people at church who have served quietly and humbly. I daily seek wisdom from my wife who has a world of far reaching knowledge and grace.
I guess that you could say that I obtain some wisdom through association!
For those of us who say we love God and yearn to see his kingdom come but are tempted to use the “wisdom of the world” instead of the “wisdom from above” to achieve it, I recommend this poem by Horatius Bonar:
The kingdom that I seek
Is Thine, so let the way
That leads to it be Thine
Thank you, David, for so clearly describing the choice we have for living out our new, redeemed lives in God’s kingdom.