Be the Right Kind of Fool!
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1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. 10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Here is a clash of two different personalities in a courtroom. One, an eloquent and flattering lawyer, the other a plain-speaking, faithful servant of God.
One displays the wisdom of God, the other the “wisdom” of the world.
Tonight, let’s make sure that our hearts are seeking wisdom and that while doing so, we avoid becoming the wrong kind of fool.
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. — Charles Spurgeon
A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool. — William Shakespeare
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. — Jim Elliott
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. — Mark Twain
It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own. — Marcus Tullius Cicero
The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his own way. — Josh Billings
You can fool some of the people all the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on. — Someone?
A fool and his money are soon elected. — Will Rogers
There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. — Soren Kierkegaard
The Fool thinks of Himself First
The Fool thinks of Himself First
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Wisdom
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
The Fool Fears Nothing
The Fool Fears Nothing
This can be a noble concept in certain situations. Bravery is often commendable. But there are things that all should fear. Notably, in sin, there must always be a fear of consequences. There ought always to be a fear of God governing your life.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: But the fool rageth, and is confident.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But that his heart may discover itself.
10 The great God that formed all things Both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Wisdom
The Fool Refuses to Listen
The Fool Refuses to Listen
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man Than an hundred stripes into a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Wisdom listens
14 Wise men lay up knowledge: But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Corinthians 4:10 (KJV 1900)
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake...
A fool for Christ is the wisest of all.
Let me focus on Christ alone.
Let me fear nothing beyond my God.
Let me refuse to abandon my Lord.