The Wisdom of God (Final)
Matt McCloghry
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Luke 15:11–32 (ESV)
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”
Title: “The Wisdom of God”
Title: “The Wisdom of God”
We are ending the series today on WISDOM: its been a REALLY GREAT month of WISDOM. Reading a proverb a day corresponding with the day of the month.
Ive been posting on my stories and been getting alot of amazing feedback & encouragement:
Wisdom Builds the House
Seven Blessings of Wisdom in our lives
Wisdom for your MONEY
Wisdom for your RELATIONSHIPS
Wisdom from dad (fathers day)
..... but today were finishing on a HIGH. The highest place to land: The WISDOM OF GOD.
Every wondered, How WISE is GOD? How far does GODS OWN WISDOM GO? exactly HOW WISE IS GOD?
What is GODS WISDOM?
I WANT TO FINISH THIS SERIES TALKING ABOUT THE WISDOM OF GOD..... How can we know?
Its FOUND IN HIS ATURE: WHO HE IS. & But also its FOUND In HIS WAYS: What he does.
Let me show you a few scriptures her about Gods and His wisdom:
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
1 Corinthians 1:20–24 (ESV)
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 2:7 (ESV)
7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
SO WHAT IS GODS WISDOM: HOW CAN I WITNESS and EXPERIENCE HIS WISDOM in my life?
Well his wisdom is part of HIS nature. and His Nature has been revealed as a FATHER - Which is why JESUS teaches this parable:
and JESUS teaches through a story about GOD - But if you look a bit closely you’ll see Gods infinite WISDOM at work pulsing and pouring out of his NATURE and HIS WAYS.
His wisdom is expressed many ways but here is a few: Nature and his ways:
Through His character - His nature - Its why its so important that you know God as the way he has revealed himself to be Write this down: If i dont know who God is, Ill have a hard time knowing my place with God. the wrong perspective means the wrong relationship: you have to continually be coming into a holy alignment with your lense on God. the way you see God is IMPERATIVE. thats why we teach the bible here at our church. every single message starts with and ends with the text - why? because we need our perspective to come into alignment with His word:
“if you aint seein right.. you aing seeing right” - the word fixes the glitches!
Through His creation - What He creates we see his wisdom, we see it i the sabbath, the seventh day.
Through His SPIRIT - The way He works in the world. The way His WISDOM works through the Holy Spirit in our lives is powerful.
Throughout His word - Is wisdom (which we’ve been studying)
&
Through His Son - The human expression of His wisdom: Remember it was said about Jesus in Luke 2:40
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
SO WHAT IS GODS WISDOM - THREE MAIN EXAMPLES FROM luke 15.
1.HIS WISDOM IS TO SHOW MERCY
1.HIS WISDOM IS TO SHOW MERCY
His wisdom is that He would show mercy to those who should pay the penalty for sin, for wrong doing, for rebellion, for FAULT.
Thats MERCY - Our God is a MERCIFUL GOD, in HIS WISDOM He has decided to extend mercy
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
His WISDOM is to LOOK to BE MERCIFUL to THOSE THAT COME TO HIM LOOKING FOR MERY - and Humble themselves and opray.
Whilst.... the penalty was Death as a result of the wages of SIN - in Gods WISDOM -
He has decided isnt for us. But that he would BEAR it for us instead.
This is the story of Gods WISDOM pouring out through the L:ove of the FATHER in this story that JESUS told us:
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Why did HE RUN? **this study has gone evry way - all the commentarys - all the things -
Jewish aged men, wealthy and with staff and servants and stature - arent seen in broad daylight running - that would be a cultural NO-NO....but its also been recently talked about that HE RAN to the son because he want to protect him from the PENALTY that the SYSTEM would inflict on him - despite the fathers wishes. The city leaders had the power and the authority to cast him out - so he RAN TO GET TO HIM FIRST. TO RE ESTABLISH HIS AUTHORITY, TO PREVENT THE PAIN
in the message:
20 He got right up and went home to his father.
“When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’
22 “But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! 24 My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time.
There was something coming to his son - There was a penalty - a price - the price was SHAME, and GUILT and ETERNAL SEPERATION:
But Gods wisdom is to SHOW MERCY.... He wanted HIS SON Free from penalty. Free from Shame. Free from being FOUND GUILTY FOREVER.
****now i want you to think about this: isnt that your life: there is a time limit on this. That DURING YOUR LIFE and by the END of YOUR LIFE: God wants to SHOW YOU MERCY. and You can experience His WISDOM which is HIS mercy!
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
There was a penalty - But the
2.HIS WISDOM IS TO BE GRACIOUS
2.HIS WISDOM IS TO BE GRACIOUS
gracious how? not to repay - not to take away - but to restore:
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
Tthe Foolish dont understand any of this: but they certainly dont understand grace
Grace is unque from MERCY because in MERCY there is something that is deserved - and thats the LET off - The Guilt Is REMOVED.
But Grace.
i want to be a GRACE PREACHER… Because i believe im a GRACE MAN.
Why?
Because when you get a REVELATION of Grace - You understand Gods wisdom MORE - You see the world a bit more THROUGH HIS EYES.
There is just something about the “Eyes of Grace”
Grace can Restore - Gods wisdom is that He is LOOKING for those hearts who are willing
Grace Can set free
Grace can bring the LOST HOME.
Grace Can open a life up to PURPOSE.
Grace is IMPERATIVE in the Christian life.
***my prayer is that we will always be a grace church - Colonial Church - Wouldnt be a PLACE OF RULES - But a place of GRACE - because Gods WISDOM is found in His grace!
Were a GRACE church - Because we are people who’ve been restored by the father.
We have experienced what the son experienced ourselves: have you?
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
His GRACE RESTORED the SON.
GRACE IS IRRESTIBLE IN NATURE. God is SO GOOD - Thats why HE IS SO GOOD because HE IS SO GOOD and ONE WAY HE IS SO GOOD IS HIS GRACE.
This is our GOD a GOD rich in MERCY.... but FULL OF GRACE
John 1:14 (ESV)
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
WHEN YOUVE SEEN GRACE / OR BETTER SAID “When Grace HAS seen you” - You never turn back.
you’ll do it Gods way. It wont be a question of Can i do this, or can i do that - Youve seen GRACE RUNNING and YOUR NOT GONNA TURN YOUR BACK ON THAT!!!!
Come on somebody: WHEN GRACE HITS YOUR HEART
****when i thought about turning away early in my faith (before Jesus and i had walked through some valleys together - i thought about - But i came to my senses - I knew what Grace was - I was LOST, but NOW I AM FOUND.
i cant walk away from this - GIVE GOD SOME PRAISE SOMEBODY if youve ever felt HIS GRACE on your HEART.
3.HIS WISDOM IS TO GIVE SACRIFICALLY
3.HIS WISDOM IS TO GIVE SACRIFICALLY
you know the saying “you’ll nver be MORE like God when you give”?
I think its better said “when you give sacrificially”
or when it costs you something.
Something you will miss.
Something you treasure.
Something youu value highly .
This is the WISDOM of God. through this way - His way - He gives us - Sacrifice.
We see an example of this!
luke 15:23
23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
LETS RESPOND TO HIS GRACE
LETS RESPOND TO HIS GRACE
notes.
Exegsis from this passage
some things we find here - that JESUS mentions
He Mentions that there is a Man. (There is a GOD)
He Is a Father: The man was a father, He had possessions and wealth and He had power - But the thing that JESUS says immediately about this man is that we had two sons. The two sons means, that He was a DAD. a Father of two sons. i think thats interesting on fathers day because Jesus tells a story and starts off by pointing out that before he says anything about Power. possessions assets, livestock, buildings, worldy things - He tells the hearers tat He is a dad.
A FATHER WHO HAD TWO SONS
One son a prodigal… or a reckless son who was in a great position of blessing but didnt value it but wanted to LEAVE the father and go and do HIS own thing,
.....the Other a faithful son but who got caught up in bitter resentment towards the grace of his father towards his brother
Here is the point of the STORY: BOTH HAD THE SAME FATHER - but had two different perspectives on GRACE
One through he shouldn't get it & doesn’t deserve it - and should live the rest of his live as one of the slaves. He should have no place in GRACE because he disqualified himself from it (Self Pity)
The other thought no one should get it because they haven’t DONE as much as HE HAD DONE. and he should have a lofty position because hed performed so well. He elevated himself above it. (Self Righteousness)
Both forgot ONE SIGNIFICANT THING (that today on fathers day we all need to remember and be blessed by)
THEY WERE CALLED SONS.
luke 15:22-24 “22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
THE YOUNGER SON COULDN’T BELIEVE HIS DADS GRACE - UNIMAGINABLE GRACE!
“Grace always pushes you TO THE FATHER (towards the Father, a relationship.)
“performance will always make you think “have i done enough to deserve this”
THE OLDER SON COULDN’T BELIEVE IT WAS EVEN POSSIBLE - Self Righteous
Luke 15:28-32 “28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ””
he was so focused on the sin of the brother - that he missed the grace of the father. this is what RELIGIOUS people do.. they get so CAUGHT up in SO & SO’s major messup that they miss the very own grace that has become theirs as well.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR EYES OFF GRACE (JESUS). YOU MISS THE BLESSING OF BEING A SON
Gods wisdom
1.Is to SHOW MERCY
extend mercy
to lessen the charge
to let you off
to give you a second chance.
(you can come back)
2.to Be GRACIOUS
He is a God of GRACE
To Give Sacrificially
notes:
“The Wisdom of God”
The wisdom of God is fhois nature. We can be wise because we can be like God.
So what is Gods wisdom:
HIS WISDOM IS HIS NATURE: His nature is found in HIS Grace.....
......GRACE
HIS GRACE IS ALL WE NEED