Walking in the Lord’s Wisdom
Notes
Transcript
Pray/Intro
Good morning Church family! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. If you have your Bible, please turn to the book of Proverbs 3.
A man named Dave decided his New Year’s resolution was to go to the gym every day. The first week, he hit the gym strong. By the second week, he had started trading gym time for couch time, telling himself he was 'recovering.' By March, his greatest workout was lifting the remote control! At this point, he resolved to hit the gym 'next year' instead. We often make lofty resolutions like Dave, but our follow-through can be as weak as his commitment to fitness!
Just like Dave many of us will set new year’s resolutions that will fall apart. Some might look like these, Examples:
I am going to lose 20 lbs
I am going to run a 5k without stopping to walk.
I am going to eat healthier foods.
I am going to drink less soda, coffee, or some other drink.
I’m going to read 12 books this year.
I am going to spend less time on social media.
I am going to give God more of my time.
And the list goes on on and on. In most cases these goals are set these goals and we start off strong but very quickly we fall off and find ourselves right back where we started.
What if 2025 could be different. What if there was a way to dedicate ourself to a goal that would change our lives, that would give God glory with our lives?
Before we get to our passage I want to make something clear, the passage we are going to read this morning might sound something like what we call the prosperity gospel. If you are not familiar with that term, it is a term used to discribe the message some pastors preach that if you simply just do what God wants you to do then he will give you everything you want. Let me be real clear. That message is simply not scriptural. Under no circumstance does the bible teach some form of name-it-and claim it theology. In Philippians 3:7-11, Paul makes it real clear he lost essentially everything the world would value but for him, Christ was enough and more than enough because He had God’s love in his life.
So what we are talking about is not a prosperity gospel. Instead, it is a life that allows us to enjoy the Lord, his blessings, and give ourselves to him for his glory.
So, if you have ever wondered what it means to be alive for God’s glory? Or to put it another way, if you have ever wondered what it is like to live life to the fullest? Then this morning’s message is for you.
Proverbs—Wisdom that Works Chapter 6: The Wisdom that Helps Us (3:1–8)
Irenaeus, the early Christian theologian, famously said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” That is where Proverbs 3 wants to take us.
With that said, let’s look at Proverbs 3:1-12,
Bible Passage: Proverbs 3:1–12
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
1. Cherish His Commands
1. Cherish His Commands
a. The significance of authentic obedience.
a. The significance of authentic obedience.
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
There is an importance to obeying the commandments of the Lord.
We see that there is a promise when we keep the commandments of God. Yet, there is something we must remember. These promises of length of days, years of life, and even peace. All come through eternal life when we place our faith in Jesus. That is why, we cannot hold to these promises as merely physical promises, while they could hold true in the world we live in now, they definitely are true for the future in which we live eternally with Christ.
Also, keep in mind that it is impossible for us to keep the commands of God on our own. This means that this request to let your heart keep my commandments, means that we are already in a losing battle. The sinners heart is wicked and godless. It does all that it pleases and cannot be harnessed or tamed apart from God’s restorative work through Jesus Christ.
That is why we do not live a life keeping God’s commands for a benefit of this world, or pleasure in this world. Instead, we surrender our life to Jesus and live for him so we can be with God for all eternity. Instead of eternal separation, we have eternal fellowship with God through Jesus. Allow Jesus have your heart so that you can keep God’s commandments.
We also see…
b. The instruction to live out authentic obedience.
b. The instruction to live out authentic obedience.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (4) The Third Exhortation (3:1–35)
the parallel between “neck” and “heart” here implies that fidelity is more than an ornament to the neck. The neck houses the throat which, in Hebrew anthropology, is the very life of the person. Love and faithfulness are to become part of the student’s heart and life.
In other words, unless the instruction of God is truly in our heart and mind, we living a false life in the church. We can play the game of church and might look the part, but until it is in our heart then we are nothing more than liars who play a game called church life.
Also, the language usage here describing the commands being written on tablets of your heart is covenant language and we know from scripture that for the Israel to experience the blessings of God both the king and the people had to obey the covenant they had made with God.
What we know from scripture is that they did not obey and as a result they experienced hardship and punishment.
Yet, Jesus provides us with the ultimate hope because he did come and he did obey them so that we might be able to have the commands of God inscribed on our hearts!
Authentic obedience and really authentic surrenderance to Jesus and trusting in him alone for salvation.
Also,
c. The honor gained through authentic obedience.
c. The honor gained through authentic obedience.
4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
The idea of success before God and man through obedience is found throughout Scripture but one other place that it is an important to look at is Deut 4:6
6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
In other words, when we live an obedient life and it is the real deal, other people take notice. There is a beautiful and powerful testimony given to others when we live our lives to the glory of God authentically.
“Social media is great, but have you ever met someone in real life who looks nothing like their profile picture? Their photo says 'glamorous world traveler,' but in person, they’re just 'sweatpants and potato chips!'” He continued, “God doesn’t want your filtered self; He wants the real you—because that’s who He loves and who He can work through.”
Far to often we want to filter who we are before God and our church family, we come to him with our “best self” but God sees right through it and sees exactly who we are. You might have your church fooled but you will never fool God. The fact is the world will not listen to your message of hope in Jesus, if they do not see Jesus impacting the way you live your life. Let’s get away from the filtered life and lets authentically cherish God’s commands.
Transition: We have seen that we are to Cherish His Commands, now lets see how we are to
2. Commit to His Wisdom
2. Commit to His Wisdom
a. Wisdom begins with trusting the Lord.
a. Wisdom begins with trusting the Lord.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
It is far to tempting to lean in on our won understanding. This is a real danger for intellectual Christians. I’m speaking as someone who likely falls into that category, but know there are so many smarter people than me out there. What can happen far to often is, we get the education and equipping we need to study the Bible. Before long as we study and continue to develop our skills, we begin to rely on them. We pray less, we study more, our congregation, students, are impressed with the knowledge we share, or the insights we bring, but in reality. we have trusted our own skills. However, you take that same student of God’s Word, and they have a total dependance on God and pray continuously for wisdom and trust God to great that wisdom need to teach the truth well. It is a spirit filled and powerful message.
The Christian life is no different. When we start making decisions without praying over each decision and seeking God’s face on every decision no matter how minor, we risk deviating from God’s wonderful desire and will for our lives. We must trust the Lord with every aspect of our life, every day of our life.
b. Wisdom begins with acknowledging the Lord.
b. Wisdom begins with acknowledging the Lord.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
The writer further expands on trusting God every day. In all our ways, that means everything we do we are to trust the Lord with each and every step we take. Don’t feel pressured into making a decision without first seeking the Lord in the decision.
It is okay to pause and ask the Lord to give direction. In fact, if you want to truly give God glory with your whole life, then pausing and asking for God to give direction is not only essential it is the starting line!
Also,
c. Wisdom begins with respecting the Lord.
c. Wisdom begins with respecting the Lord.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
This aspect of wisdom can be the most difficult. People often go to different directions, the first is that the more wisdom they receive from the Lord the less wise they feel because they see how much wiser God is and how many times they have fallen short. I like to call this group of people the humble but wise crowd. But then you have the other crowd. And well, maybe Lisa can help us understand this group a little…
In a middle school science class, there was a student named Lisa who had a reputation for being a know-it-all. She loved correcting her teacher, Mr. Thompson, and often did so even when she wasn’t entirely correct herself.
One day, Mr. Thompson was explaining the phases of the moon. He drew a diagram on the board and asked the class, "Can anyone tell me what phase this is?"
Lisa shot her hand up and answered confidently, "That’s a waxing crescent!"
Mr. Thompson smiled and said, "Not quite, Lisa. It’s actually a waning crescent."
Lisa rolled her eyes and replied, "No, I’m pretty sure you’re wrong. My mom showed me a video about this last night!"
The class giggled, but Mr. Thompson remained calm. "All right, Lisa. If I’m wrong, I’ll stand on my desk and moo like a cow. But if you’re wrong, you’ll do the same."
The challenge was on. Mr. Thompson handed her a flashlight, a ball, and a globe. "Let’s prove it," he said. Lisa eagerly accepted, confident in her victory.
After a few minutes of moving the flashlight around the ball to simulate moon phases, Lisa realized her mistake. The "waning crescent" was undeniable. She froze, then looked at Mr. Thompson, who smiled and gestured toward his desk.
Reluctantly, Lisa climbed onto her chair, gave the class a big grin, and let out the loudest "MOO!" anyone had ever heard. The room erupted in laughter, and from that day forward, Lisa was a bit more careful about double-checking her facts before speaking up.
Far to often, we get to big for our own pants. We think we are wise and have all the answers. But the fact is, we are not wise, God is, and he is our source of wisdom. Let’s not be Lisa and think we know it all just because we have walked with Jesus a long time. We should lean in on the Lord and trust him to give us the wisdom for every situation every day.
Ultimately, Wisdom is worth going all in on because it leads to experiencing the healing work of the Lord in our lives.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
God purifies our heart when we trust him alone for our salvation and he brings us refreshment when we trust him! Wisdom truly is realizing that it is only through Jesus that we are able to have anything worthwhile in this world or in the next.
Transition: We have seen that we are to Cherish His Commands and Commit to His Wisdom, now lets see how we are to
3. Consecrate Your Wealth
3. Consecrate Your Wealth
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
a. We are to tithe.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
When we do not tithe, we rob God.
8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.
The tithe is 10% of our income. Genesis 28:22
22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”
When we are faithful, Jesus taught us through the parable of the talents that God entrusts us with more:
23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Here the proverb explains that through faithfulness in our giving, God will continue to bless us.
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
A farmer joked with his neighbor that he’d planted a “money tree” in his field. “I tithe, so God makes my crops flourish. You see, generosity is my fertilizer!” While his neighbor laughed, the farmer explained how honoring God with wealth always brings blessings, though not necessarily in the way we expect.
Yet, what is highly important to remember is that we do not give because we want to gain. We give out out thanksgiving for what God has done. We give to demonstrate we trust God not our money for a well being. It is an act of worship and adoration for God that we tithe to the Lord.
Transition: We have seen that we are to Cherish His Commands Commit to His Wisdom, and Consecrate Your Wealth, now lets see how we are to
4. Consider His Discipline
4. Consider His Discipline
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (4) The Third Exhortation (3:1–35)
discipline” primarily involves teaching or training rather than punishment for wrongdoing. It is analogous to military training, in which, although the threat of punishment is present, even stern discipline is not necessarily retribution for offenses. Hardship and correction are involved, however, which are always hard to accept.
When God is teaching us it can feel like punishment but it isn’t really punishment, it is being taught to live a life faithful to what God desires.
Jonah—reluctant prophet.
But then you also have Daniel.
who chose to discipline his life according to God's laws over Babylonian customs. His commitment led not only to personal integrity but also to the eventual saving of an entire nation when his wisdom was recognized by King Nebuchadnezzar. This discipline paid off in ways that affected not just Daniel’s life but the lives of many around him. Each one of us can learn from Daniel’s example about how our disciplined choices can lead to profound collective impact.
In fact, when we live wisely our lives will look a lot different from the world around us. Our behavior is different, our attitudes, and our speech. People take notice and they invite us to speak truth into their lives.
Conclusion
As we begin a new year, where are you at on living a life giving God praise?
Do you need to work on Cherishing God’s Commands more?
Do you need to commit to living out God’s Wisdom in your life?
Do you need to improve your tithe and trusting God with your wealth?
Do you need to embrace God’s discipline in your life to make you more like him?
Maybe you need to have God work on all these areas of your life this year.
When we look at this proverb, it outlines for us the blessings we receive when we keep God’s covenant. We reap the rewards God would have for us. Yet, no matter how hard we attempt to keep God’s commands perfectly, we will always come up short. Yet, Jesus came and lived them perfectly. He demonstrated these teachings perfectly for us and lived them so that we can experience God’s blessings even when we do not deserve them.
Salvation is the greatest example of this of all!
GOSPEL PRESENTATION
What better way to start the new year than to be a child of God, —come as you are.
Call to respond for christians. As we begin a new year, would you commit to living your life for God’s glory in 2025? Would you ask God to help you grow in areas of weakness and for God to strengthen areas of strength?
