Review – Getting Closer through Christ Jesus was “God with us” Jesus was “God with us” Jesus revealed God’s grace Jesus revealed God’s grace We were created in Christ for good works We were created in Christ for good works Jesus gives us insight into eternity Jesus gives us insight into eternity

Increasing in Wisdom Wisdom Is a Necessity Why is zeal without wisdom dangerous? Why is zeal without wisdom dangerous? Lk. 9:51-56 Lk. 9:51-56 Rom. 10:2 Rom. 10:2 Mt. 23:15 Mt. 23:15

Increasing in Wisdom Proper Wisdom: How/What How do we obtain proper wisdom? How do we obtain proper wisdom? – Jas. 1:5 – 2 Tim. 2:15 What does godly wisdom look like? (Jas. 3:13-18) What does godly wisdom look like? (Jas. 3:13-18)

Increasing in Wisdom Two Critical Limits Zeal must be exercised with moral integrity Zeal must be exercised with moral integrity – How can Satan use zeal to corrupt our moral integrity? Jn. 9:4 Jn. 9:4 Eph. 2:10 Eph. 2:10 – Protecting our moral integrity in our works (2 Pet. 1:5-11)

Review – Increasing in Wisdom Zeal accompanied by wisdom is a necessity. Zeal accompanied by wisdom is a necessity. Wisdom is to be obtained by prayer. Wisdom is to be obtained by prayer. A picture of proper godly wisdom (Jas. 3:17) A picture of proper godly wisdom (Jas. 3:17) Limits on Godly zeal Limits on Godly zeal – Must be exercised with moral integrity

Increasing in Wisdom Two Critical Limits Zeal must be exercised with moral integrity Zeal must be exercised with moral integrity Zeal must be exercised in spiritual battles Zeal must be exercised in spiritual battles – How was the zeal of many OT figures illustrated? – What MUST be considered when contem- plating their zeal?

Increasing in Wisdom Two Critical Limits Zeal must be exercised in spiritual battles Zeal must be exercised in spiritual battles – Jehu (2 Kings 10:16-30) – Can Christians use these examples in exercising our zeal? – What is God’s instrument for punishing the wicked? (Rom. 13:1-5)

Increasing in Wisdom Two Critical Limits Zeal must be exercised in spiritual battles Zeal must be exercised in spiritual battles – Understand our battlefield and weapons (Eph. 6:12-20) – Understand the reason for our fight (Rom. 12:20-21; Mt. 5:44-45; Mt. 5:16) – Understand our citizenship (Mt. 26:52; Jn. 18:36-37; Phil. 3:17-21)

Increasing in Wisdom Two Critical Limits Zeal must be exercised in spiritual battles Zeal must be exercised in spiritual battles – What is one other weapon that must be used with care? (Jas. 3:2ff) – We must use our godly zeal wisely to fight the good fight with love! 1 Tim. 1:18 1 Tim. 1:18 Lk. 15:1-10 Lk. 15:1-10