THREE MISTAKES OF EARTHLY WISDOM

JAMES 3:13-17

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THINKING CHARACTER IS NOT IMPORTANT [ESTHER 3:1-5] 

 

“It’s nice to be important. It’s more important to be nice.”

 

1. As Shown by Ignorance of Biblical Truth [v. 1-3]

 

2. As Shown by Arrogance towards Bible Followers [v. 4]

 

3. As Shown by Intolerance towards Biblical Values [v. 5]

 

II. THINKING JEWS ARE NOT IMPORTANT [ESTHER 3:6-9]

 

1.  A Disregard for God’s Promises [v. 6, Gn. 12:1-3, Gal. 3:6-8ff.]

 

- Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed

- Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

2. A Disregard for God’s Prophets [v. 7, Rm. 3:1-3, 9]

 

-What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe ? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

-What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

 

3.  A Disregard for God’s People [v. 8-9, Rm. 9:3-5]

 

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

 

III. THINKING THEY ARE IN CHARGE [ESTHER]

 

1. Displayed by His Gloating [3:6, 5:9-12]

 

2. Demonstrated by His Gallows [5:13-14]

 

3. Destroyed by His Guilt [6:11-14, 7:6-10]

 

Character is important, God’s people are important, recognizing God is Sovereign is important.

 

PSALM 96