Feb. 20th, 2005: As an
overview of Joe Bartemus’ previous two sermons, Kimber Kauffman preached a
sermon dealing with two types of responses we might have to the teachings of
Jesus. We can choose to be amazed at him and follow him (Mt. 7:29), or we can
beg him to leave our presence (8:34). He then pointed us to the two types of
wisdom described in James 3:13-18. Essentially, Kimber was asking the question,
“You may know all the theology in your head and can get the right answers on a
test, but what difference is it making in your everyday life? We must watch our
“life and doctrine closely” (1 Tim. 4:16).
1.
What is your relationship with God like?
a.
Is he a coin-slot machine where you
try to perform the right deed in order to win blessings?
b.
Is he like Santa Claus where you
expect him to give you everything you ask for if you’re good?
c.
Is he a person whom you walk with
daily and know on an intimate level?
2.
Kimber
quoted from N.T. Wright’s commentary on Mt. 8-9: “[Jesus] isn’t just somebody
with good ideas…He has authority over everything.”
a.
How do
you make God a part of your everyday life? Do you look to God amidst stress at
work, traffic jams, arguments with your spouse, pay raises (or layoffs), and when
your children get in trouble at school?
b.
Does
God have authority over every aspect of your life – the way you spend your
time, money, abilities, relationships, etc?
How do you know?
3.
James 3:13-18 describes two types of wisdom:
wisdom from God and earthly “wisdom.” Kimber emphasized that true wisdom, a
true understanding of theology, will play out in your life and deeds.
a.
What
difference is there between a professing Christian and a disciple of Jesus? To
you, is Christianity just a tradition you’re a part of on Sunday morning, or is
it a way of life?
b.
How
can we become people who exude the attributes of wisdom from above – humility,
purity, peacefulness, sincerity, mercy, submission, impartiality, being
considerate, and full of good fruits?
4.
Throughout
Paul’s letters, he is constantly commanding the recipients to take the doctrine
they learn and apply it to the daily aspects of their lives (e.g. Rom. 12:1ff;
Eph 4:1ff; 1 Tim. 4:10). As Kimber noted, watching your doctrine is the easy
part; watching your life is where it gets difficult!
a.
Think
about all the “Christian” knowledge you obtain on a regular basis – what use
are all the sermons and lessons you hear, Bible studies you go to, book you
read, personal devotions you have, songs you listen to, classes you take, and
fellowship you have with other believers?
b.
Are
you just puffing yourself up with knowledge, or are you putting these things
into action to love others, help the poor, uphold justice, and proclaim the
name of Christ?
5. What is one thing you need to take
away from this sermon (and discussion) and implement into your own life?