Wisdom:  Ours For the Taking

Proverbs 2:1-5

MY NOTES from sermon by Dave Nelson at Peninsula Household of Faith

June 24, 2007

1. The Worthiness/Value of Wisdom: Why Pursue Wisdom?  

Search for wisdom as for a hidden treasure.

Wisdom is better than silver, gold, etc.

Wisdom is precious!

2. The Definition of Wisdom: What are we Pursuing?

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of WISDOM.

God’s Wisdom is completely different from the World’s Wisdom.

Christ IS Wisdom!

Eph. 1:17, 3:17

Col. 2:2&3

I Co. 1:23 &24

God completely EMPTIED Himself for us!

God infinitely HATES sin and yet we are sinners and He loves us enough to PAY the full penalty for sin!

3. HOW do we go about Pursuing Wisdom?

If you SEEK, you WILL find!

        PURSUE DILIGENTLY!

We are saved through faith and grace, but then what? What do we do next?

         I Co. God’s fellow WORKERS!

        Work tested by fire; that which survives is that which has ETERNAL value.

Hebrews 11: Hall of Faith examples

Ps. 1:1 Delight in the law of the Lord…  meditate upon it day and night!

Pursue God with Heart, Mind and Affections! Do so PRAYERFULLY! In every area of our lives!

II Ti. 2:1 be strengthened by what you hear

       Listen to CORRECT teachings.  Examine the Word. If what we are being taught doesn’t lead us to the         Word then we are not “inclining our heart to understanding.” (Prov. 2:2)

I Pe. 1:8

        Ps. 119:162

        Ro. 11:32

Mt. 7:7 ASK

Seek with urgency; consuming passion Christ: the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

Eph. 3:17-20

I John 4:19

Lk. 7:47

Where are your affections/interests?  Are you distracted by things of the world?

Luke 14:16-20

If you do not sense the depth of your own sin you will love little [as opposed to value deeply].

But even in our lack of understanding, Christ died for us!

Examine competing allegiances/affections. What boulders keep you for digging for great treasure? AND are you digging with a spoon?

My own thoughts/applications:

Don’t rehearse untruths.  Should children be allowed to watch TV shows, listen to music, etc. that allows their minds to rehearse dangerous fallacies such as an improper view of “romance”/relationships, rebellion, parents and authority figures “stupid”, education a waste of time, popularity desirable, fashion/immodesty, play vs. work, etc.?

Proverbs 1:1 (NAS)

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction

 And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

Rebellion is NOT an option.

Obedience and Wisdom do not come naturally.  They must be TAUGHT.

FOUR STEPS to WISDOM:
Proverbs 2:1 & 2  (NAS)

“My son, if you will receive my words

 And treasure my commandments within you,

Make your ear attentive to wisdom,

 Incline your heart to understanding:”

KJV

RECEIVE

HIDE

Incline thine ear

Apply thine heart

NAS

RECEIVE

TREASURE

Make your ear attentive

Incline your heart to understanding

NIV

ACCEPT

STORE UP

Turning your ear

Applying your heart

1. RECEIVE/ACCEPT Godly instruction
2. TREASURE/VALUE
3. LISTEN ATTENTIVELY/whole-heartedly
4. Seek to UNDERSTAND/APPLY

How to be UNWISE:

1. Reject truth.  Wink your eye at evil.  Allow yourself to rehearse worldly untruths.
2. Ignore the worth of wisdom.  Be distracted by worldy pursuits and affections.
3. Listen half-heartedly if at all.  Ignore the truth.  Let your bad attitude be evident to all.
4. Do nothing about what you know.  Take no action.  Decide that it is all too complicated.

What one thing can I do today to choose wisdom? How about YOU?

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