Category: Wisdom
Subject: Wisdom
FB: True Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10).
The world equates wisdom with the accumulation of technological insight, and the continual progression of moral change. People today are smarter, and less encumbered by outmoded superstitions and prejudices – so they say.
Oh really? Are we to equate political corruption, amoral lifestyle, extreme self-indulgence and a rejection of absolute values to some modern version of deep thought? If so, I choose to remain out of style and out of step.
As Paul wrote, “…the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
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FB: How to Gain Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
Wisdom begins with a “fear of the Lord.” That means that if one does not fear God, he can not be wise. Perhaps that is why Paul wrote so dismissively of the wisdom of men, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1:21). If you truly desire to be wise, fearing and knowing God is the place to begin.
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Sermon: Promises to the Lord
In the 101st Psalm, the singer makes five promises to the Lord that we would do well to emulate ourselves.
* Sing praises
* Behave wisely
* Set nothing wicked before my eyes
* Not endure slander and pride
* Bless the faithful
The Power of God’s Foolishness
In 1 Corinthians 1, the apostle Paul realistically predicted the reaction of most people to the message of the cross. He wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (18). Many times when I have preached a simple lesson on some aspect of truth, I will be asked by a brother or sister in Christ, “How can anyone in their right mind reject such an obvious truth?” The answer is given by Paul, it is foolishness to them. They reject the message and proofs supplied by God, preferring instead their own ideals and opinions. As Paul continued, “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” (22-23).
In contrast, to those “who are being saved”, the message of the cross is “the power of God” (18). In verse 24, the preaching of “Christ crucified” is said to be to “those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (24).
Invitation: Wisdom and Grace
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Colossians 4:5-6, the Apostle calls for wisdom, and graceful speech.
Sermon: Making Wise Decisions
In Genesis 13, Lot is recorded making a poor decision in pitching his tent toward Sodom. We too can make unwise life decisions if we are not careful. The lesson contains suggestions to follow to help make wise decisions.
Sermon: Ways of the Wise
Based in part on Ephesians 5:15-17. The sermon discusses the ways of the wise. A wise man: Receives counsel; Guards his tongue; Flees from evil; Is prepared; and Obeys God.
Note: Powerpoint file created by Jeremiah Cox.
Sermon: Walk in Love, Light and Wisdom
An exegesis of Ephesians 5:1-21, discussing the exhortations of Paul to the church at Ephesus to walk in Love, Light and Wisdom.
Sermon: Prove yourself a man
David’s charge to his son Solomon is examined in 1 Kings 2 as a means of encouraging manliness. Prove yourself a man:
* Take heed to your counselors
* Take heed to your goals
* Take heed to your relationships
* Take heed to your character
From the Preacher’s Pen: Chronological Snobbery
I mentioned last Wednesday night a phrase coined by C.S. Lewis, as he considered his prejudice against the Christian faith early in his life. He called it his “chronological snobbery.” He defined the concept as, “the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our own age, and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited.”
Such chronological snobbery is certainly characteristic of American culture today. The acceptance of homosexuality, and the willingness to redefine marriage; the toleration of all types of sexual promiscuity; the characterization of abortion as a moral and ethical practice, and the villainizing of those who oppose it; the promotion of the “big bang” theory as an explanation of origins of the universe. All of these, and a multitude of others are promoted as the enlightened product of our age, with proponents looking down their noses at the “superstitions” and “outmoded thinking” of the past.
Of course, every generation perceives itself as enlightened and superior. And, every generation has its own illusions and wrong thinking. In contrast to this, we have God’s will, revealed and accessible through the Holy Scriptures. It stands in stark contrast to the failed philosophies and ideas of men. It is as relevant today as when it was first written. As the Psalmist wrote, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). Paul wrote, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
C.S. Lewis put it this way, “Whatever is not eternal, is eternally out of date.” To that we say, AMEN.
Sermon: The Best Way to Live Your Life
The wise man of the book of Ecclesiastes describes the despair of a life lived without God, the best way to be content while living upon the earth, and his final conclusion concerning the best way to live your life, for God (Ecclesiastes 12:9-13).
Sermon: The Nature of Paul’s Preaching
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, the apostle Paul declared that his preaching in their presence was characterized by the power of God rather than the wisdom of men. It is unfortunate that in many cases today, preachers place too much emphasis on the words of men rather than keeping proper attention to the words of God.
Invitation: Wisdom of Men VS Wisdom of God
Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox
Jeremiah uses the text of 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 to emphasize that our preaching should not be based in or heavy on illustrations, quotes and the wisdom of men. Effective preaching and teaching has its basis in God’s word!
Sermon: Listen to the Preacher
The book of Ecclesiastes shows the wisdom to be found in listening to the preacher. The preacher is the man who studies and discerns God’s word, and has the capability to share that word with others. He is the one who has the answers to the important questions of life.
Sermon: Rehoboam – A Failure in Leadership
Using the text of 1 Kings 12, and examining the events which led to the rebellion against Rehoboam, we see his culpability in the division of the kingdom, and make applications to our own lives.
