LISTEN TO WISDOM’S INVITATIONProverbs 8-9 & James 3:13-18

March 16, 2014FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHJACKSON, MISSISSIPPI

USA

MARCH MEMORY VERSE

John 14:66 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

REFERENCES

• Knowing God by James I. Packer

• Seeking Wisdom-Finding Gold by Dr. David Jeremiah

• Slaying The Giants In Your Life by Dr. David Jeremiah

WISDOM LITERATURE10th CENTURY B.C.

Egyptian Literature “Wisdom of Amenemope”

‐ Accumulation of human observations & experiences

Hebrew Proverbs – All wisdom is seen flowing from the true God

‐ Solomon was known throughout the world as the wisest man

‐ Solomon’s wisdom was a gift from God

ANALYSIS OF A PROVERB

ACTION OBJECT OUTCOME

(If you………..then………….)

Example: The Benefits of Wisdom in Proverbs 3

ACTION OBJECT OUTCOME

Proverbs 3:1-21 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Action: Do not forget, keep

Object: Teaching, my commands

Outcome: Prolong life, peace & prosperity

ACTION OBJECT OUTCOME

Proverbs 3:3-43 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Action: Let ……..never leave you

Object: love and faithfulness (for God)

Outcome: favor, good name,

ACTION OBJECT OUTCOME

Proverbs 3:5-65 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Action: Trust, not lean on self, submit

Object: Lord, own understanding, ways

Outcome: straight paths

ACTION OBJECT OUTCOME

Proverbs 3:9-109 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Action: Honor

Object: wealth, first fruits

Outcome: overflowing harvest

Contrasts in the Bible

• Good vs. Evil

• Right vs. Wrong

• Spirit vs. Flesh

• Heaven vs. World

• Light vs. Darkness

• Wisdom vs. Folly – Proverbs 9

PROVERBS 9Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

• Front porch invitations to come and feast

• “Let all who are simple come in here.”

– Hebrew word for “simple” in Proverbs denotes one without moral direction and inclined to evil

– Implies someone who is at a crossroads in life

– Must make a choice

Wisdom vs. Folly

• What is wisdom?

– “The right use of knowledge” – Spurgeon

– “Common sense in an uncommon degree”.

– “Wisdom is knowledge using its head.” Twain

• What is folly?

– A lack of good sense, understanding or foresight

– Stupidity

– Acts committed by a “fool”

WISDOM’S INVITATION

Proverbs 9:2-62 She (Wisdom) has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, 4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who lack judgment she says, 5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

WISDOM’S INVITATION

• Invitation is spiritual in nature

• Invitation is public, in broad daylight

– Sent out servants

• Promise is life that brings truth, noble things and salvation

FOLLY’S INVITATION

Proverbs 9:13-1813 Folly is an unruly (loud) woman; she is simple (undisciplined) and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, 15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, 16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have lack judgment she says,

FOLLY’S INVITATION

17 “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious! ” 18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

Proverbs 9:13-18

FOLLY’S INVITATION

• Invitation is sensual and sexual in nature

– “Stolen water is sweet”

• Invitation is to lure you into a life of gullibility

• This path leads to eternal death

OLD TESTAMENT APPLICATION OF WISDOM

Proverbs 5:1515 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

Proverbs 14:1212 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Proverbs 16:2525 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

NEW TESTAMENT APPLICATION OF WISDOM

• The Letter of James

– Written by the Brother of Jesus (James)

– Leader of the Jerusalem Church

– James appears regularly in early church history (Acts)

DEALING WITH TRIALS OF LIFE

James 1:2-42 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Look at next verse!!

DEALING WITH TRIALS OF LIFE

James 1:55 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

How do you get wisdom?

Ask God.

God will give you His wisdom to deal with the trials of life.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

• INCOMMUNICABLE –Characteristics of God alone; man cannot share in any of these– Independence: self-existence, self-sufficiency

– Immutability: entire freedom from change

– Infinity: freedom from all limits of time and space

– Simplicity: No elements that can conflict

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

• COMMUNICABLE – Attributes of God that are shared with man

Genesis 1:26 KJV26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

‒ Knowledge‒ Mercy‒ Love‒ Wisdom

HOW CAN WE GET WISDOM?

1. Prayer –

James 1:5 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,

1. Learn to “reverence” God –

Proverbs 9:1010 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

1. Learn to “receive” God’s Word –

Psalms 119:98 98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.

EFFECT OF GOD’S WISDOM ON MAN

• God’s Wisdom Does Not:

– Provide divine insights on meanings about all things in our life

– Answer all the WHY’S of life

• God’s wisdom Does:

– Provide direction, appropriate actions & reactions

– Example: Learning to drive a car

TWO KINDS OF WISDOM

1. The Wisdom of the World

– Folly in Proverbs

2. The Wisdom from Above

WHO IS WISE AMONG YOU?

James 3:13 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Good life of deeds: Our actions show wisdom

Deeds done in humility: Marked by meekness, modesty; not prideful or arrogant

Humility that comes from wisdom:

“HUMILITY COMES FROM WISDOM”

Proverbs 11:22 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 15:3333 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:44 Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.

“HUMILITY COMES FROM WISDOM”James 3:13

Matthew 23:1212 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Philippians 2:3-43 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD

James 3:14-1614 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

• Characteristics of World’s Wisdom:– Bitter envy & Selfish ambition

“If you harbor bitter envy…”James 3:14

• Envy – a feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by the desire for the possession or qualities of another.

• Envy is a combination of covetousness and hatred for the person who has what you want

• Envy – you are willing to seek to injure the person you believe is standing in your way:

‒ “That should be mine! They have no right to it.”

Envy Quotes

• Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own. H. Coffin

• Envy shoots at others and wounds itself.

• As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD“If you harbor…selfish ambition”

• Selfish Ambition

– Concern only for self.

– Willing to do anything to get ahead.

– Prideful…”If it is to be, it is up to me.”

– Sense of entitlement – “I deserve it.”

– Sees others as competition or object to use to their advantage.

Boasting and Bragging

James 3:1414 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

- Bragging and lying are companions of envy and selfish ambition

WISDOM OF THE WORLD

James 3:15-1615 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

- The wisdom of the world is from Satan

- Satan is the author of confusion and disorder

- Evil practice: lying, cheating, stealing, gossip

NOW, A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

WISDOM FROM ABOVE

James 3:17-1817 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

1. PURE – Based upon God’s attribute of holiness

Psalms 19:8b8b The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes

- With God’s wisdom there are no ulterior motives or secret desires

- The wisdom of God is absolutely pure

CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

2. PEACEABLE – True peace is an outgrowth of purity

Isaiah 57:20-2120 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.

21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Philippians 4:77 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

3. GENTLE – considerate, sweet reasonableness

2 Timothy 2:2424 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

James 1:19-2019 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

4. SUBMISSIVE – Willing to yield, willing to listen to reason

Ephesians 5:2121 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

5. FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS – Our wisdom is demonstrated by our behavior

James 3:1313 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 2:2020 Faith without works is dead.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

6. IMPARTIAL – not judgmental; sees everyone as God’s creation

James 2:8-98 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

7. SINCERE – without hypocrisy; real

Romans 12:99 Love must be sincere.

CONSEQUENCE OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

James 3:18 NIV201118 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

• Using heavenly wisdom brings peace and multiplied righteousness to every situation.

- PRAY FOR GOD TO GIVE YOU WISDOM