High School | LLLB #5 Value Wisdom

Note: Series outline and content supplemented by Live Lighter Love Better; Twelve Biblical Decisions for a meaningful life by Cary Schmidt. These lessons are prepared for the High School LifeGroup

It makes sense to seek God’s good sense.

Ecclesiastes 7:16–19 KJV 1900

16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. 19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

Great opponent to you receiving wisdom, it not believing you need it. Let all together agree we need it.

Wisdom is simply God’s perspective or God’s view. It is the combination of three things:

Knowledge - knowing what is true.

Insight - seeing how truth impacts your circumstances

Understanding - putting truth and insight into action

The combination of these three is what leads to a breakthrough. Breakthroughs lead to great decisions.

Wisdom is simply what would make perfect sense if you were God, or if you happened to have access to God’s mind - which you do.

challenge is it runs counter-intuitively to our human understanding

“it is more blessed to give than to receive” What?

Eight qualities of wisdom

Wisdom sees father

Ecc 7:1 “1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.”

Wisdom consider the end from the beginning.

It filters present decisions though a long lens and far reaching values.

Wisdom Thinks Deeper

Ecc 7:2-7 “2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. 7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.”

Key: The heart is made better

Valuable things are not always enjoyable things, and light things are rarely life-shaping things.

“That is best for us which is best for our souls, by which the heart is made better, though it be unpleasing to sense.” - Matthew Henry

Wisdom Waits Longer

Ecclesiastes 7:8–12 KJV 1900

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

Wisdom is patient

Self-appointed greatness is a crushing lord

When you overestimate yourself you underestimate God’s wisdom and over extend yourself

Wisdom Forgives Faster

Ecclesiastes 7:19–22 KJV 1900

19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Proverbs 11:12 “12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”

We are exceptional sinners which means we must all be exceptional forgivers.

Let go and move on.

Wisdom Exceeds Measure

Ecclesiastes 7:23–25 KJV 1900

23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

Proverbs 16:16 “16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”

Wisdom Graces Fewer

Ecclesiastes 7:27–29 KJV 1900

27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: 28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Wisdom is rare.

To find wisdom and act on it requires uncommon, courage, faith, and determination.

Courage because wisdom will confront my deepest fears

faith because wisdom exposes my weaknesses

determination becomes wisdom runs contrary to emotion

Decision 6

Jesus, Grow me in wisdom that I might make wise choices