Message for THE LORD'S DAY MORNING, June 28, 2015 Christian Hope Church of Christ, Plymouth, North Carolina by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister TOPIC: Wisdom, Christian Living Wise Up About Life Proverbs 1:1-7 (NKJV) Please turn with me in your Bibles to Proverbs chapter one. And let's read verses 1-7. PROVERBS 1:1-7 (NKJV) 1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. P R A Y E R *******************************************
I N T R O D U C T I O N One of the wonderful attributes about the Bible is that not only does it teach us how to live forever, it teaches us how to live our day-to-day lives while we are here on earth. And one of the most practical books in all the Bible when it comes to day-to-day living is the Book of Proverbs. In verse 1 Solomon identifies himself as the author of this Bible book. In fact, all but the final two chapters of this book were written by Solomon, who was known in his day as the wisest man on earth. In verses 2-4 Solomon clearly states his reason for writing this book: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion The predominant message of the Book of Proverbs can be summed up in two simple words: WISE UP!
The Bible tells us about some truly great men and women of faith who at times seemingly threw wisdom and sound judgment right out the window. -What was NOAH thinking that night he got drunk and lay naked in his tent? -What in the world was DAVID thinking when he decided to have a late night rendezvous with his next door neighbor's wife? -What possessed SAMSON to think he could mess around with Philistine prostitutes and not get burned? -Where was KING SAUL'S brain when he turned to a witch for counseling? -What in the world was PETER thinking when he drew the sword and cut off Malchus' ear? -What possessed ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA to believe they could actually get away with lying to the Holy Spirit? I believe the LORD included the blundering, foolish mistakes of these people in the Bible to teach us the importance of godly wisdom.
Let's be honest! All of us have gone through some spells at some time or another when we too threw wisdom and sound judgment right out the window. -Ladies, remember that boyfriend you had in High School; the one your momma warned you about but you wouldn't listen, and he wound up breaking your heart? -Guys, remember those buddies you ran around with in school that your dad said were trouble with a capital T. But you thought he didn't know what he was talking about, and sure enough those buddies got you into a whole lot of trouble? -Remember that mate you married when you were young and naive; the one you thought was the answer to all your dreams; the one who wound up leaving you for someone else and left you picking up the broken pieces of your life? -Remember that financial investment you let someone talk you into; that too-good-to-be-true deal that was going to make you rich; but in the end it nearly left you broke? Life is full of dangerous traps and pitfalls. This is why it is critically important that we EMBRACE THE WISDOM OF GOD IN OUR EVERY DAY LIVES.
In the eyes of the world a wise person is someone who has a lot of years under his belt...a person who has been around the block a time or two...someone who is street smart and savvy. But in the eyes of GOD, being wise has nothing to do with how many years one has lived...or how much education one has...or how much experience one has; but rather it has to do with how one responds to GOD. Verse 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. What good are a dozen college degrees if one does not live in the fear of the LORD? What good are great riches and luxury if one does not live in the fear of the LORD? What good are power, and popularity, and prestige if one does not live in the fear of the LORD? What Does It Mean To Live In The Fear of The LORD? To live in the fear of the LORD isn't the same as living in the fear of snakes or living in the fear of mice or living in fear of the boogie man. To live in the fear of the LORD means to live with REVERENCE towards GOD or to have REVERENTIAL, RESPECTFUL AWE of God. And according to VERSE 7 this is where WISDOM begins! One becomes wise the day he begins to live his or her life in HOLY FEAR and REVERENCE for the LIVING GOD!
As we think on this subject of Wising Up About Life there are three important questions I would like for us to answer. First of all, I. What Is Godly Wisdom? 1. The Hebrew word for wisdom throughout the Book of Proverbs is the word chokmah. Chokmah was a term used in Solomon's day to describe the skill of a craftsman or a sailor or a musician who possessed great knowledge about their particular craft and knew how to apply that knowledge skillfully. 2. Spiritually speaking, one who has Godly wisdom is one who has knowledge of the word of God, and knows how to skillfully apply the principles of God's word to his or her every day life. One who possesses Godly wisdom is one who builds his relationships, and governs his finances, and chooses his friends, and conducts his behavior according to the word of GOD.
3. Remember that scripture from James 1:22 at the top of your Disciple Maker sheets each week? But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22 NKJV) 4. You see, you and I can have all kinds of Bible knowledge, but if we don't put our knowledge of the Bible into practice in our every day lives we are no different than the fool who doesn't know God. 5. Many Christians believe godly wisdom is the same thing as common sense, but its NOT! Godly wisdom is uncommon sense. GODLY WISDOM says the way UP is DOWN. GODLY WISDOM says the way to become GREAT is to become A SERVANT. GODLY WISDOM says the way to MATURE FAITH is to become like a CHILD. GODLY WISDOM says the way to GAIN is to LOSE. GODLY WISDOM says the way to LIVE is to DIE. 6. You see, GODLY WISDOM is the exact opposite of worldly wisdom.
II. How Does Godly Wisdom Benefit My Life? 1. Turn over just a page or two in your Bibles to Proverbs 3:13-18. Proverbs 3:13-18 (NKJV) 13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,and the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. 2. Does it really make a difference whether I live life God's way or my way? Absolutely! Consider some of the wonderful benefits of living life God's way: (A) Godly wisdom leads to true SUCCESS. Proverbs 22:4 (NKJV) By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.
(B) Godly wisdom leads to good HEALTH. Proverbs 3:7,8 (NKJV) Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. (C) Godly wisdom leads to financial SECURITY. Proverbs 8:17-19 (NKJV) I love those who love Me, and those who seek me diligently will find Me, riches and honor are with Me, enduring riches and righteousness, My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and My revenue than choice silver. (D) Godly wisdom leads to great BLESSINGS for my FAMILY. Proverbs 20:7 (NKJV) The righteous man walks in His integrity; his children are blessed after him. (E) Godly wisdom leads to sound DECISION MAKING. Proverbs 4:11,12 (NKJV) I have taught you in the way of wisdom;i have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. 3. These are just a few of the many wonderful benefits you and I receive from living by Godly wisdom rather than our own.
Thirdly, let's consider... III. How Do I Get Godly Wisdom? 1. That question can be answered in a single word: ASK! 2. Turn with me over to II Chronicles, chapter one. Before we read this scripture, let me give you some brief background. Solomon has just succeeded his father David as the new king of Israel. Solomon was very young and totally inexperienced to govern a nation. GOD gives Solomon the opportunity to ask for anything he desires to help him govern Israel. Now, let's pick up the record in VERSES 7-12... II Chronicles 1:7-12 (NKJV) 7 On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, Ask! What shall I give you? 8 And Solomon said to God: You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours? 11 Then God said to Solomon: Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.
3. How did Solomon get Godly wisdom? He asked for it! How do you and I get Godly wisdom? We ask for it! JAMES 1:5-8 (NKJV) 5 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. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 4. Many of us wait until we are faced with a crisis or some major decision before we ASK GOD to give us the wisdom to know what to do; and even then, we often trust our own gut instincts rather than the wisdom of GOD. We need not waste our breath asking GOD to give us His wisdom if we are just going to go ahead and do things our way. But if we sincerely desire GOD'S WISDOM and we plan to use His wisdom, GOD invites us to ASK FREELY and He will give us His wisdom. **************************************************** C O N C L U S I O N Remember those Magic Eight Balls we used to play with when we were kids? You would ask the Magic 8 Ball a question like: Will I marry Billy Bob or Will I become a doctor? or Will I become a millionaire? and you would turn the Magic 8 Ball over and you would get an answer like, Yes... No... Absolutely...or Unclear at this time. GODLY WISDOM is not like a Magic 8 Ball. GODLY WISDOM gives us reliable, trustworthy guidance and direction to live life to the very fullest. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM!