TEXT:  James 3:13

INTRODUCTION:

A.      A RARE AND PRECIOUS COMMODITY - WISDOM.

          1.       Sophia, Sophos, "Wisdom, broad, full intelligence."(Thayer).

          2.       "having or showing good judgment, sagacious, prudent, discreet."  "power of

                   judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on

                   knowledge, experience, understanding - good judgment."( Webster )

B.      1 Kings 3:1-15.  ABOVE ALL ELSE, SOLOMON WANTED WISDOM.

C.      WHO IS A WISE MAN?  ONE WHO ...

I.      LIVES A GOOD LIFE( James 5:13 ).

                   "life comes from a Gk. word meaning conduct."  And so in the NKJV

A.      CHRISTIANS ARE "HOLY" IN THEIR CONDUCT( 2 Pet. 3:11;  Rom. 12:2 ).

B.      WE ARE TO BE "GODLY" AS WELL(  Eph. 5:1-2 ).

II.     BELIEVES IN AND FEARS GOD( Prov. 1:7;  Psa. 53:1 ).

A.      THE INFIDEL HAS NO EXCUSE( Rom. 1:20 ).

B.      A FEAR OF GOD DERIVES FROM HIS REALITY( Matt. 10:28; Heb. 10:31 ).

C.      WE MUST REVERE HIM FOR HIS GREATNESS( Heb. 12:28-29 ).

III.    ONE WHO RESPECTS AUTHORITY.

A.      CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS( Prov. 13:1;  Eph. 6:1 ).  WHY?

B.      WE MUST RESPECT THE LAW( 1 Pet. 2:13-17 ).

C.      CHRIST'S AUTHORITY IS THE GREATEST( Matt. 28:18;  Col. 3:17 ).

IV.   ONE WHO DEPARTS FROM EVIL( Prov. 14:16 ).

A.      THIS PERTAINS TO OUR CONDUCT( 1 Thes. 5:22 ).

B.      TO OUR INFLUENCE & WHAT WE ENDORSE( Psa. 1:1;  Eph. 5:11 ).

C.      DON'T PLAY CLOSE TO THE MUD HOLE( 1 Cor. 15:33 ).

V.    ONE WHO HEARKENS TO COUNSEL( Prov. 12:15 ).

A.      Prov. 3:1-8.

          1.       Parental advice.

          2.       Trust in God.

B.      GOD'S WISDOM IS GREATER( Isa. 55:8-9 ).

C.      A WISE MAN SEES HIS NEED( 1 Cor. 3:18 ).

VI.   ONE WHO CONTROLS HIS TONGUE.

A.      WE TALK TOO MUCH( Prov. 10:19 ).

B.      WE TALK TOO FAST( James 1:19-20 ).

C.      James 1:26;  3:2.

VII.  ONE WHO WINS SOULS( Prov. 11:30 ).

A.      GOD'S PURPOSE IN US( Phil. 2:12-13;  James 5:19-20 ).

B.      TREASURES IN HEAVEN( Matt. 6:19-21 ).

VIII. OBEDIENCE TO JESUS IS WISDOM( Mat. 7:24f. ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      A WISE MAN TENDS TO BUSINESS( James 4:13-17 ).

B.      WHAT DOES THE LORD WILL?