Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

The greatest needs any man has as he traverses through the maze of life, is not wealth, fame or even health, but God’s divine wisdom.

- Eldon Martens

The direction of your life determines where you will end up so every step is important!

Illustration: Where I am from, in the fall, we have orchards full of ripe apples.

One of the popular activities at these orchards is corn mazes.

The will grow a field of corn and not harvest it.

They will leave it up and create a maze by flattening down paths through the corn.

I can’t actually remember going through any, although I am sure I may have.

It’s almost impossible to discern where you are from ground level.

At many of these mazes they will have a tower where your friends can watch you go through the maze and when they have watched you struggle long enough they will direct you where to go so you can escape the maze.

Life can be very similar.

At times we feel we have the maze figured out and at times we are so lost and confused.

Thankfully, God has given us direction is his Word and the wisdom that we need is not earthly but heavenly!

****THE KEY TO WISDOM****

Illustration: Learning how to use a pop rivet tool!

I didn't know the key, I didn’t know how it worked!

God has given us the key to wisdom and its “asking for it”

I.

The Roadblocks to Wisdom

The main roadblock to wisdom is pride.

A. Pride Disgusts God

Some think Sin is Sin- All sin is sin enough to damn your soul but all sin is not the same according to God.

Some sin he calls an abomination!

Sodomy - Lev 20:13

Pride!

Contrast what James says “resist” vs “give grace”

Resist - To Oppose

Illustration: When your favorite football team is trying to march down the field to score a touchdown (that’s the goal), there is a defense trying with all their power to oppose.

Do we really want God playing defense against us?

B. Pride Displays Depravity

All of us are depraved by the very fact that we have a sin nature.

Pride is the display of that depravity.

Pride is a manifestation of an independent spirit - independent from God

C. Pride Develops Disunity

Pride is at the center of every form of disunity.

When we are unwilling to put aside our wants and desires for the greater good of the gospel it is soil where a seed where disunity can germinate

Are we really crucified?

A dead man does not get offended at the slightest thing.

D. Pride Delivers Destruction

Examples:

Pride Produces National Ruin:

Israel turned from God and paid the price - Unfortunately America is on a pride filled path

Pride Produces Domestic Ruin:

How many homes and marriages have been ruined by pride.

This is especially true when men seek their own wants and desires over the spiritual needs of their families.

Pride Produces Financial Ruin:

We have such a desire to keep up and out-do those around us that it causes us to make terrible financial decisions!

Pride Produces Spiritual Ruin:

Many people in the Bible had potential that was ruined by pride.

Saul -

Song: “When I survey the Wondrous Cross, on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride” - It would be wonderful if we could “pour contempt” (the act of despising) on our pride!!

II.

Receiving God’s Provision

Solomon was unique in that his wisdom exceeded that of any man.

This pleased God who said:

Solomon wrote some helpful advice in Proverbs chapter 3 regarding wisdom

A. A Trusting Confidence

“Trust in the Lord”

Illustration: Trust means to simply rest in.

When I sit in a chair I don’t constantly ponder its structural integrity, I just sit!

B. A Total Commitment

“…in all thy ways acknowledge him..”

Illustration: In the Military when we were planning maneuvers, we would always have a backup plan.

It’s very easy for us to think of God as some sort of backup plan.

He is no such thing, He is the only plan and we must acknowledge him in every situation and every circumstance.

C. A Thrilling Consequence

“and he shall direct thy paths”

He- That’s God

Shall- That’s a Promise

Direct- That’s Wisdom

Conclusion

The lesson is quite simple.

We need God’s wisdom and the only way to get it, is to ask and the only thing that will drive us to the place where we will ask is a humble heart!