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David got it right when it came to some really critical things in His life. He understood that life was about learning and lessons. Therefore, he approached life from the attitude and perspective of a student. He always wanted to learn as much as he could. He knew that God’s Word in particular is the means given to teach us and instruct us in God’s Ways. But most importantly, he understood that God himself, the LORD is the Teacher.
Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my enemies. (Psalm 27:11)
Three Reasons To Live Life As a Student
1) God’s University Is The School of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:9)
There is no knowing that does not begin with knowing God. (John Calvin)
Abraham went to school in a tent
Joseph got his training in a pit and then a prison
Moses studied on the back side of the desert
David went to university in a cave
2) Students Search the Depths of God’s Wisdom
Six characteristics of being a student:
A healthy cynicism toward your own wisdom
A humble sense of need
A willing and open heart
Discernment, focus, and determination
Commitment to act on what you’re learning
Resisting the temptation to think we have arrived
3) Students understand the danger life presents Psalm 27:11 – Lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
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The Book of Proverbs has much to say about marriage. Foremost in the writer’s mind is the idea that marriage is a covenant relationship (Proverbs 2:16-17). As a covenant relationship the marriage partners are called upon to demonstrate Godly character toward their mate. Solomon offers profound advice for both husbands and wives that help build a strong marriage.
Two directions of wisdom for marriage
1. Wisdom to choose a good marriage partner
Seek Christ (Proverbs 19:14)
Seek character (Proverbs 31:30)
Seek counsel (Proverbs 15:22)
2. Wisdom to build a good marriage (Proverbs 12:4)
Just as there are two kinds of wives, there are two kinds of husbands. Notice what Proverbs says about husbands. Proverbs 11:17 – “The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.” Cruelty here means to act harshly, violent, uncaring and insensitive.
A cruel husband hangs with the wrong friends.Proverbs 14:1-2 – Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. For their hearts pilot violence, and their words always stir up trouble.
A cruel man strays from home. Proverbs 27:8 – Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.
A cruel man harms with words and will not be honest. Proverbs 12:18-19 – There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword, … But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
A kind husband learns to understand his wife.1 Peter 3:7 – Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding.
A kind husband communicates properly.Proverbs 12:18b-19 – But the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever.
A kind husband loves only his wife!Proverbs 5:18-19 – Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.
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The Bible has a lot to say about our words. Jesus in particular warned us how important this issue of our speech is even from an eternal perspective (Matthew 12:34-37). When you come to the Book of Proverbs, Solomon addresses the subject of our words often. In fact it is the one issue he addresses most with over 130 references having to do with our words and speech.
1. Wisdom is a verbal virtue
Proverbs comes to us in the form of a personal conversation, not a sermon or a even a book. Wisdom is constantly taught to us through personal conversations of…
a loving parent
a faithful friend
a wise counselor
a Godly leader
sometime, through the words of a fool
2. Jesus conversed the Gospel in honest, wise conversations so He could speak to the issues of the heart.(Mark 7-11)
3. Our ability to talk and listen to one another biblically greatly affects how we grow as Christians and as a church. (Ephesians 4:11-29)
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The Book of Proverbs is intensely practical and altogether relevant for today’s Christian There are many good and rich themes throughout the book of Proverbs. As you read it, it is important to identify and group together the major themes that run throughout the book. One of the major themes that you find running throughout the entire book of Proverbs is this idea of wisdom
How Does Solomon teach us wisdom?
1. Teaching us the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10)
2. Using key words (wisdom, understanding, knowledge and instruction)
3. Showing us our need for wisdom (Proverbs 9:1, Proverbs 24:3)
Two great myths of wisdom:
- the older you become the wiser you become
- education and intellect equal wisdom
4. Contrasting wisdom with foolishness
Solomon tells us that we can learn wisdom from watching both the wisdom and folly of others.
I. The Wisdom of Prudence is set against the foolishness of careless living.
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
II. The foolishness of laziness is compared to the wisdom of being industrious.
Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
III. The wisdom of learning and receiving instruction is compared to the foolishness rejecting counsel or input.
Proverbs 9:8-9 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
For the past two weeks we have been considering important principles that Paul gives to help us understand the use of spiritual gifts. This week we actually begin studying the “gifts.” As we consider the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is important to remember where it all began. Acts chapter two gives us the account of the Spirit of God being outpoured on the Day of Pentecost.
Fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy at Pentecost
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. (Acts 2:17-18)
Marked the Spirit’s outpouring on all flesh
Announced the beginning of the “last days”
Established the norm for the Spirit’s gifting and activity in the church
Gifts of Revelation
A Word of wisdom
A Word of knowledge
Discerning of spirits
Gifts of Power
The gift of faith
The working of miracles
The gift of healing
Gifts of Inspiration
Prophecy
Different of tongues
Interpretation of tongues
The Word of Wisdom
for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, (1 Corinthians 12:8)
Definition: The gift of the word of wisdom is God’s supernatural insight given to the believer about people and situations that is not obvious to the average person and it comes with the understanding of what to do and how to do it.
All Christians are called to search for and learn wisdom from God.(Ephesians 1:16-17, James 1:5)
Demonstrated in the life of Jesus(Luke 2:40-52)
Illustrated in Scripture: Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9) Daniel (Daniel 2:17) Solomon (1 Kings 3:5)
Do you have the gift?
Do you find that when you counsel people, God by His Spirit, gives you wisdom to share with them from Scripture, which they accept as God’s truth to them through you?
Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are God’s family, God’s field and God’s temple. In the metaphor “temple” the primary thought Paul is trying to convey is the building of the local church. Many Christians only see the church and Christianity from an individual perspective. Paul gives us six principles to help us understand the importance of building church according to God’s plan. The first three we dealt with last week. Today we will look at the remaining three.
Principle #4 We Must Build With The Right Materials! 1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear;
Paul described two opposite kinds of building materials. Wood, hay and stubble – represents that which is passing, temporary, ordinary, common, cheap, easy to find. Gold, silver and precious stones – represents that which is permanent, beautiful, valuable and rare. There are some materials that are worthless and there are some materials that are valuable, lf you want to build something that will last… you have to build with valuable materials
Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
How do we find wisdom? Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
We ask God! James 1:5 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.
We must learn humility Psalm 25:4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day……25:9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.
We must keep seeking! Proverbs 2:4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.
Principle #5 We Must Build For Eternity! 1 Corinthians 3:14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
Paul warns us that everything we do both as Christians and churches will one day be judged by Jesus much like a building inspector coming for final inspection. Some things may appear to be very successful to you and me as look on, but on that day, the Day of Judgment, Jesus is going to come to destroy all the work that has not been built upon Him.
Principle #6 We Must Build With The Right Motive!
1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come – all are yours.
The motive that must guide everything in our life is the glory of God.
The members of the Corinthian church were glorifying men instead of Christ and that was wrong. If they would have been seeking to glorify God alone, there would have been harmony in the assembly.
Series: Christianity, Not the Way God Intended It!
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
The Corinthians were struggling with the offense of the Gospel. Here was a young, hip, urban church in the midst of a very “cool” culture and Christianity was anything but cool. And these Christians were struggling with what other people thought about Christ and the Gospel. And the truth is this is major problem in our day. How we are perceived by others sometimes can make us feel uncomfortable. And the question is how do we respond to that as a Christian? We want to believe in Christ and follow God, but at the same time we don’t want others to think you are a total freak. And so the pressure is on to find a way to still serve God and go to heaven and still be cool…as if that were even possible.
The foolishness of the Gospel:1 Corinthians 1:18
Martin Luther’s theology of glory versus a theology of the Cross.
