If Any Lack Wisdom

James 1:5-8

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

INTRODUCTION:

1. Background of text.

2. Prerequisites of prayer.

DISCUSSION:

I. Pray to God our Father.

A. Gives to all men liberally.

1. God is the source of all physical blessings. Re: I Corinthians 4:7, James 1:16-17.

2. God is the source of all spiritual blessings (found only in Christ – Ephesians 1:3).

3. God is able to use his providence to bless those who are his.

B. Gives without upbraiding.

1. God’s giving is far superior to that of man’s, without reproach or criticism.

2. God is able to give liberally in spite of our past behavior (misuse, etc.).

3. God is able to give liberally in spite of our future behavior (ingratitude, etc.).

II. Pray in faith.

A. Without wavering.

1. Without doubting (ASV).

2. Question posed to Abraham (Is any thing too hard for the Lord? – Genesis 18:14).

3. Question posed to blind man (Believe ye that I am able to do this? - Matthew 9:28).

B. A man who wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

1. A man who wavers lacks any significant direction, is easily shaken, or moved.

2. Paul encouraged men to pray without wrath and doubting – I Timothy 2:8.

3. A man who doubts cannot expect to receive anything from the Lord – Mark 11:24.

III. Pray with focus.

A. Double minded man.

1. A man with divided loyalties and affections. A man with "two hearts" – Psalm 12:2

2. A man who is insincere in his requests (asks for one thing but desires another).

3. A man who "straddles the fence" (halts between two opinions) - I Kings 18:21.

B. Unstable in all his ways.

1. Is never settled in his prayer life.

2. Is never settled in those things he practices.

3. Is never settled in those things he professes.

CONCLUSION:

1. Prerequisites of prayer:

a) Pray to God our Father.

b) Pray in faith.

c) Pray with focus.

 

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