Sermon Series: Chasing Life Part 4-Fear and Wisdom

Fear and Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:11–13 ESV

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. 12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. 13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV)

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Introduction

Tonight we are going to continue our teaching series from the book of Ecclesiastes titled Chasing Life.

This is lesson four, and we are going to talk about the fear of the Lord, the wisdom in His ways, and how to live a righteous life.

In the verses we read, we find a treasure trove of wisdom, a roadmap to righteous living, and the cornerstone of our faith which is the fear of the Lord.

Tonight we are going to begin by talking about the fear of the Lord.

Fear of the Lord as the Foundation

When we speak of the fear of the Lord, we are not talking about a fear that paralyzes or terrifies.

It's not a fear that makes us want to run and hide.

Instead, it's a reverential awe, a profound respect for the Almighty.

It's recognizing His power, His holiness, His justice, and His love. It's understanding that He is the Creator of the universe, the Author of life, and the Judge of all.

This fear is the beginning of wisdom, the foundation upon which we build our understanding of God and our relationship with Him.

This fear of the Lord is not something we naturally possess.

It's not inherent in us.

It's something we must learn, something we must cultivate.

It's a response to God's revelation of Himself.

When we see God for who He truly is, when we grasp even a fraction of His greatness and His goodness, we can't help but fear Him.

We can't help but be in awe of Him.

We can't help but respect Him.

And this fear, this awe, this respect, it changes us.

It transforms our hearts and our minds.

It shapes our thoughts and our actions.

It influences our decisions and our relationships. It impacts every aspect of our lives.

Now, let's consider the relationship between this fear of the Lord and wisdom.

Wisdom is not merely the accumulation of knowledge.

It's not just about knowing facts or understanding concepts.

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in a practical way.

It's the ability to make good decisions, to choose the right course of action, to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

And the fear of the Lord is the beginning of this wisdom.

It's the starting point.

It's the foundation.

Without a proper fear of the Lord, we can't truly be wise.

The fear of the Lord also leads to obedience.

When we fear God, we want to please Him.

We want to do what He commands.

We want to live in a way that is consistent with His character and His will.

We don't obey out of a sense of duty or obligation.

We obey out of love and respect.

We obey because we recognize that God's commands are for our good, that His ways are best.

Obedience is not a burden, but a joy.

It's not a chore, but a privilege.

It's not a restriction, but a freedom.

Finally, let's look at the role of the fear of the Lord in preserving us.

The fear of the Lord is not just about awe and respect.

It's not just about wisdom and obedience.

It's also about protection.

When we fear the Lord, we are kept safe.

We are shielded from harm.

We are preserved from danger.

The fear of the Lord is a shelter, a refuge, a fortress.

It's a place of security and peace.

It's a place of comfort and rest.

It's a place of safety and protection.

In conclusion, the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom, the catalyst for obedience, and the safeguard of our lives.

It's a profound respect for God that transforms our hearts, shapes our lives, and preserves our souls.

It's a response to God's revelation of Himself, a recognition of His greatness and goodness, and a desire to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Finding Wisdom in His Ways

As we turn our hearts and minds to the wisdom of His ways, we find ourselves drawn to the words of Ecclesiastes 7:11-13.

Here, wisdom is likened to an inheritance, a good thing that benefits those who see the sun.

It's a shelter, much like money, but with an added advantage - wisdom preserves those who have it.

This is a powerful image, isn't it?

The idea that wisdom, like a sturdy shelter, can protect us, keep us safe, and even preserve us.

Let's pause here for a moment.

Preservation is a strong word.

It speaks of longevity, of endurance, of lasting through trials and tribulations.

When we think of things that are preserved, we think of things that have stood the test of time.

Ancient artifacts, historical documents, family heirlooms - these are things that are preserved.

And here, in Ecclesiastes, we are told that wisdom can do the same for us.

It can help us endure, help us stand the test of time, help us navigate the trials and tribulations of life.

But there's more.

The passage also tells us to consider what God has done and poses a rhetorical question: Who can straighten what He has made crooked?

This question is not meant to be answered.

Instead, it's meant to make us think, to make us reflect on the power and sovereignty of God.

It's a reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than our thoughts.

We cannot straighten what He has made crooked, but we can trust in His wisdom, in His plan, in His purpose for our lives.

The Hebrew word for wisdom used in our passage is a term that carries a sense of skill in war, wisdom in administration, shrewdness, prudence in religious affairs, and ethical and moral matters.

It's a comprehensive term that encapsulates the idea of living life skillfully, in a way that pleases God and benefits others.

This same word is used in Proverbs 1:7, where it says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Now, let's consider the idea of wisdom as an inheritance.

An inheritance is something that is passed down from one generation to the next.

It's a gift, often unearned, that comes with both privileges and responsibilities.

When we receive an inheritance, we are entrusted with something of value, something that is meant to be preserved, protected, and perhaps even grown.

In the same way, wisdom is a gift from God.

It's not something we can earn or achieve on our own.

It's something that God gives generously to those who ask for it, to those who seek it, to those who value it.

And like an inheritance, wisdom comes with responsibilities.

It's not meant to be hoarded or hidden away.

It's meant to be used, to be applied, to be shared with others.

Finally, let's reflect on the idea of wisdom as a shelter.

A shelter provides protection.

It offers a refuge from the storms of life.

It's a place of safety and security.

In the same way, wisdom can protect us.

It can keep us from making foolish decisions.

It can guide us in the right paths.

It can help us navigate the complexities of life with discernment and understanding.

In conclusion, wisdom is a precious gift from God.

It's an inheritance that benefits those who have it, a shelter that protects and preserves, and a guide that leads us in the right paths.

As we continue to seek God's wisdom in our lives, may we remember the words of Ecclesiastes 7:11-13 and strive to live in a way that reflects the wisdom of His ways.

Fulfilling Righteous Living

As we stand on the threshold of understanding the depth of wisdom in God's ways, we find ourselves at the doorstep of righteous living.

The fear of the Lord, the wisdom He imparts, and the righteous life He calls us to live are not separate entities but rather interconnected facets of the same divine truth.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and wisdom is the foundation of righteous living.

It's a divine equation that leads us to a life of fulfillment and purpose.

The fear of the Lord is not a fear that paralyzes, but a reverential awe that mobilizes us into action.

It's an understanding of God's greatness, His holiness, and His love that compels us to live in obedience to His commandments.

In the book of Proverbs, we find a clear connection between the fear of the Lord, wisdom, and righteous living.

Proverbs 9:10 tells us, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

This understanding leads us to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that is characterized by righteousness.

In the pursuit of righteous living, we must first understand that it's not about a set of rules or regulations, but about a relationship.

A relationship with our Creator, our Savior, our Lord.

It's about living in alignment with His will, His ways, and His word.

It's about living a life that reflects His character, His love, and His grace.

Just remember that we as Christians should not think that God loves us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.

This encapsulates the essence of righteous living.

It's not about striving to earn God's love through our good deeds, but about allowing His love to transform us into the people He created us to be.

As we embrace the fear of the Lord and the wisdom He imparts, we find ourselves on the path of righteous living.

This path is not always easy, but it is always rewarding.

It's a path that leads to peace, joy, and fulfillment.

It's a path that leads us closer to God and deeper into His love.

Righteous living is about making choices that honor God, choices that reflect His love and His grace.

It's about choosing to love when it's easier to hate, choosing to forgive when it's easier to hold a grudge, choosing to serve when it's easier to be served.

As we strive to live righteously, we must remember that we are not alone in this endeavor.

God is with us every step of the way, guiding us, strengthening us, and empowering us to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

So, let us embrace the fear of the Lord, let us seek His wisdom, and let us strive to live righteously.

Let us make choices that honor God, choices that reflect His love and His grace.

And as we do, we will find ourselves living a life of fulfillment and purpose, a life that is pleasing to God.

Conclusion

As we draw this time of reflection to a close, let's take a moment to appreciate the profound wisdom we've gleaned from God's Word today.

We've been reminded that wisdom is not just about knowledge, but about understanding the heart of God and aligning our lives with His divine will.

It's about recognizing that God's ways, though they may seem crooked to us, are always perfect in His grand design.

We've been called to fear the Lord, not in the sense of being afraid, but in the sense of awe, reverence, and deep respect.

This fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the foundation of righteous living. It's the key that unlocks the door to a life of fulfillment and purpose.

And let's not forget, friends, that God's commandments are not burdensome.

They're not meant to restrict us or rob us of joy.

On the contrary, they're guidelines given out of love, designed to protect us, to guide us, and to lead us into abundant life.

So, as we go from here, let's carry these truths in our hearts.

Let's strive to live wisely, to fear the Lord, and to keep His commandments.

And as we do, may we experience the goodness and love of God in new and profound ways.

Let’s pray.