If Any of You Lacks Wisdom Let Him Ask of God, Who Gives to All Liberally - James 1:5-8

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him," is the command God gives to believers in James 1:5 when they're going through trials (James 1:2-4).

We’ve reached an important point in our series. You could say we’ve been building up to this sermon. I said I wanted to preach on wisdom, and in particular how wisdom helps us navigate through trials, and that’s the topic of this message. The previous sermons laid the foundation for this one.

In this sermon I explain what wisdom is and is not. Wisdom is not knowing why God does what He does, which nobody knows but God. Instead, here are some helpful ways to think about wisdom:
• We might say wisdom is the correct application – or use – of knowledge.
• Or we might say wisdom is making the morally correct decision in any situation…in other words, wisdom is knowing the right thing to do.
• Or we might say wisdom is godly behavior in difficult situations, or in trial.
• Or we might say wisdom is practical skill needed to live life to God’s glory.

J.I. Packer’s book, Knowing God, has a wonderful illustration about this, which I shared in the sermon.

Trials are tests. James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast UNDER TRIAL, for when he has STOOD THE TEST he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Trials are tests and very encouragingly God wants us to have wisdom to pass them. Look at the inviting language in verse 5: If any of you. Let him ask God. He gives generously. To all. Without reproach. It will be given.

It couldn’t be written in a more encouraging way.

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00:00 Sermon Lessons for If Any of You Lacks Wisdom Let Him Ask of God

Lesson 1: Wisdom:

07:15 • (Part I) Is ______ __________ “in the signal box.”

14:54 • (Part II) ____________ ____ to “handle the curves well.”

20:55 Lesson 2: ____________ are __________ requiring wisdom (James 1:2-4, 12; 1 Peter 1:6-7).

26:44 Lesson 3: God wants to give us wisdom ____________ ____________ (James 1:5; Romans 11:33).

38:34 Lesson 4: Doubting produces ________________ __________ (James 1:6-8; Ephesians 4:14).

Family Worship Guide for If Any of You Lacks Wisdom Let Him Ask of God
Memory Verse: James 1:5

Day 1: Read James 1:2-4, 12; 1 Peter 1:6-7, and discuss: what does it mean that receiving wisdom doesn’t mean being in the signal box? What does it mean that receiving wisdom allows us to handle the curves well? How are trials and tests the same?

Day 2: Read James 1:5; Romans 11:33, and discuss: why do we need wisdom during trials? What are some of the blessings we receive from trials? What does it mean that God has incommunicable and communicable attributes? Can you name two of each?

Day 3: Read James 1:6-8; Ephesians 4:14, and discuss: why does doubting produce unstable lives? What does success look like to you, and what do you think it looks like to God? How is a doubting person like a wave of the sea? How can we try to prevent doubt? What is the greatest wisdom God wants to give us?