Wisdom's Sermon
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 17 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
There are many churches today, that allow what they call the “felt needs,” of the congregation, determine the trajectory of the preaching ministry.
So, they’ll have 7 weeks of preaching on how to communicate to one another in your marriage. 8 week sermon series on becoming a better version of yourself. 4 tips on how to be a Christian in the digital age.
And the major appeal that I’ve heard people give to attend such churches to hear that sort of preaching is, “The message is so practical. He just gives you something to carry with you all week.”
But sadly, many of these churches rarely get to actually expounding the Scriptures in their attempts to speak to these issues. It normally ends up amounting to not much more than psychological self-help tips.
The desire to know what to do, to have the discernment, the wisdom to be able to make right choices and carry our lives down the right path, is a good desire. It’s far better than not caring, or assuming we already have all the right answers within us.
But it is not helpful, if we end up going to the wrong source, to develop these skills.
Self-help tips, developed entirely from the minds of men, is not the source we need to develop the skills necessary to live wise lives.
Where should we go? God’s Word. It is within the written revelation of God, that we learn God’s principles, and develop wisdom to be able to apply those principles to our lives.
It’s not that topical sermons, or topical series are wrong. It’s not that the pastor can’t recognize cultural issues, or congregational issues, and determine to pause a verse by verse study through a book to address a topic.....no it’s that regardless of whether or not it’s a topical sermon or verse by verse exposition, the only preacher worth his salt will simply say what the Bible says.
“If you don’t need your Bible at church, then the Bible says you don’t need that church.” Thabiti
Our desire this morning, is to look to God’s Word, to know how to live our lives, for God’s glory.
Today, we are looking back into the book of Proverbs as we spend a few weeks in this book, getting a feel for its purpose, and hopefully helping you be able to dive into this book in study with a better understanding of its content and goals.
It is a book, written primarily by Solomon, obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit, to grant to the reader, “WISDOM.”
We’ve given a pocket-sized definition of wisdom as, “The skill required, to accurately apply, biblical knowledge.”
Marriage, jobs, digital age Christians....everyone finds how to live their lives, by growing in biblical knowledge, and the skill to apply it. We learn these truths from the Word of God…and that’s clearly taught to us in Proverbs.
2 weeks ago, we saw that wisdom begins with fearing God. We are not even on the right path, until we recognize God for WHO He is, and therefore ourselves for who we are.
Last week, we saw the trajectory of the book beginning to be further revealed: that there are two paths, two options…the way of God that leads to life, or the way of foolishness and wickedness that leads to destruction.
This week, Solomon personifies wisdom. He portrays wisdom as a lady.
And not only as a lady, Solomon also portrays wisdom as a somewhat of a “street preacher,” who cries aloud in the streets.
And to help us understand this passage better, that’s how I want to approach it....that verses 20-33 give to us, “Wisdom’s Sermon.”
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
So, if we take this as wisdom’s sermon, there are 4 points I’d like us to consider, as we reflect upon the sermon: 1)The Audience; 2)The content; 3)The Prophecy; 4) The Conclusion
1. The Audience
1. The Audience
Solomon takes time to give us several details as to “where” and “how” this crier, this preacher, is proclaiming this message
The details show us, that the message is not being sounded out, in private....but out in public
Verse 20: the streets; the market
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;
Verse 21: head of noisy streets; entrance of city gates
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
Notice the manner in which wisdom calls:
Verse 20: cries aloud; raises her voice
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;
Verse 21: cries out; speaks
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
Often times, when sin is giving its call, its enticement…it’s in the dark; in private; secretive.
Even the call of sinners Solomon mentioned previously, seems to be directed to one individual at a time…not an open call in the street for whoever would listen.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Proverbs 1:
But here, Wisdom’s sermon is taking place in the crowded areas of the city. Where the tumultuous, chaotic crowds are hustling and bustling. And there are many implications, many applications that can be made from this point....but one for sure is this:
EVERYONE is invited to pursue wisdom.
The ancient heresy of gnosticism, basically taught that there was a secret wisdom; secret knowledge. And one needed to have a particular spiritual experience that opened their eyes to it.
And since there’s nothing new under the sun, many false religions have adapted a form of that over time.
Mormons: burning of the bosom to help them see that mormonism is right
Unhealthy protestants who believe certain of their members “get it,” because they’ve had a particular spiritual experience…and others don’t get it, because they haven’t.
But Solomon doesn’t portray wisdom as hiding in a locked room, waiting on those with the passcode to come visit.
In the market, in the crowds, wisdom CRIES ALOUD to those who will hear. The invite is open to all.
Apply
But don’t think, just because we reject gnosticism and its cousins, that we’re exempt from relegating this invitation of wisdom, to a particular group, and not to ourselves.
For example, this is Father’s Day, so let’s allow that to give us an example. Many fathers, with kids in the home or grown and out of the home; or many men, or young men, who hope to become fathers one day....many aren’t seriously pursuing a deep understanding of the Word of God
Bible reading; prayer; bible study; studying theology; studying church history
Those are things for the preachers and theologians....I don’t have time for that.
Granted, I realize you don’t have AS MUCH time as the man who gets paid to study the bible, pray, and shepherd.
But you do have SOME time.
And to relegate to the so-called, “professionals,” the responsibility of growing deeper in God’s Word, is to reject Wisdom as she cries aloud in the streets
It is to say, “Solomon, you’re wrong. Wisdom’s not crying in the streets....she only cries out in the seminary.”
Voddie Baucham gives a great illustration, that offers some stinging rebuke to the church. He says, if a young man becomes hungry for truth, is eager to know the deep things of God’s Word, studies church history and theology....then what do we normally assume about him? “He must be called to preach.”
Granted, he may be....but we often assume that, because it’s so different than ourselves. And to make ourselves feel better, we say that the hungry ones, must be the church leaders…and I’m not called to be a church leader, so I don’t have to live up to that standard.
Don’t become complacent, and give yourself a pass.....wisdom is crying out in the midst of us all....Wisdom is calling YOU! Dads, single men, teenager, moms, single ladies, etc.
Considering Wisdom’s sermon, we see first the audience....secondly....
2. The content
2. The content
The sermon itself, if you will, is marked by a rebuke, a promise, and a warning
22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
Simple ones: young naive person (same as v.4)
Scoffers: one who jeers, mocks, or treats something with contempt
Fools: Stupid; insolent
These questions offer a stinging rebuke
“At what point, do you plan on being no longer young and naive? That excuse doesn’t last long.”
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
The scoffers are busy scoffing; the fools are busy hating any knowledge that may impact their lives…and the young and naive want to stay in their youth and naiveté
And wisdom, rebukes them for it
Coupled with the rebuke, is a promise
23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Wisdom is indeed reproving them, but if they would just turn, repent, change....
Then..... as Peter Lange put it, “The spirit of wisdom is to flow forth copiously, like a never-failing spring.”
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Also.....Wisdom’s words will become understandable.
Wisdom would be POURED OUT
23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Understanding, knowledge, wisdom....all come more and more to the one who simply turns from the path of foolishness and wickedness, and goes to God for wisdom.
That’s the promise....now hear the warning:
24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,
Proverbs 1:2
So Wisdom describes their response to the sermon if you will....there is a refusal to listen, a rejection of Wisdom’s outstretched hand, ignoring Wisdom’s counsel, and not receiving her reproof.
Then, verse 26:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
Wisdom doesn’t come to someone’s aid, AFTER calamity strikes…if it was spurned and rejected, BEFORE the calamity struck.
The laughing here, is not callousness....but a recognition of the foolishness, destruction, and helpless state of those who live on in rejection of Wisdom.
To illustrate it in light of the source of Wisdom, God Himself.....remember the words of the Psalmist, as he prophesied of the coming Messiah.
1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
It’s foolish, laughable even....for them to stand opposed to God.
And it’s laughable to think that wisdom can be employed by someone in the midst of calamity, who hasn’t sought wisdom prior to the calamity coming.
Apply
What does that mean for you and I?
It means we MUST....hear and obey God’s Word; receive God’s wisdom; and walk in the path of godliness.
It means when God’s Word comes and reveals you have a poor attitude on your job, and that you should be working for God’s glory instead of shirking your duties, then you heed God’s Word and don’t reject its reproof
Or when God’s Word tells us as a congregation how to structure ourselves, what to do to bring God glory as a congregation, as a community of believers....then even if it goes contrary to our way of thinking, our upbringing, society, or current church culture, we go with God’s Word
ULTIMATELY, it means receiving the wisdom of God, by receiving the Son of God
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
Earlier in that passage, we are reminded that many do not believe the message of Jesus’ cross…the idea that Jesus of Nazareth, was truly God and truly man
And as a true man, He fulfilled the Law of God perfectly…never sinning, and always doing what was right. By doing so, He earned the reward that comes from perfect obedience to the Law....He earned eternal life, and He earned it for sinners.
But not for every sinner…but only those sinners, who would TURN at His reproof.
Those sinners, who would turn from their sinning, and trust in Jesus’ finished work of perfect obedience, His perfect work of dying in their place the death they deserve for their sinning, and His rising from the dead, would have their sins removed and Jesus’ earned righteousness credited to their blank accounts.
Many see that, as a foolish message Paul said. But it is the wisdom of God.
And if you’re an unbeliever....that gospel message is in many ways Wisdom’s sermon to you....to stop running from the truth....and run instead to Jesus and trust Him.
Do so today....not tomorrow, or later....but now.
In Wisdom’s sermon, you have the audience identified....and the content of the message.
3. The Prophecy
3. The Prophecy
Solomon didn’t only describe Wisdom as providing a promise and a warning....but also a prediction, a prophecy, a foretelling of the future
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
In some ways, this could really just be grouped in with verse 27 as part of the warning......but regardless, this is Wisdom predicting the future of those who reject its call.
Wisdom had called out in the streets, to no avail.
Now, they will call out, but wisdom will be the one not responding
They will seek wisdom out, but Wisdom will not be found.
Then he further clarifies the reason:
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
They hated knowledge
They didn’t fear the Lord
Proverbs 1:29
They wouldn’t take Wisdom’s counsel
They despised Wisdom’s reproof
They will call, they will seek, but they won’t be heard and wisdom won’t be found....because of their disposition towards wisdom up to this point. No, instead of wisdom responding....
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
proverbs
Illustrate
We heard it read from earlier. Those who were foolish waited until it was too late to make preparations. When they went to seek it out, they couldn’t.
describes those who reject God’s revelation of Himself…how God turns them over to their own desires.
Those who reject Wisdom’s call, have their future foretold, they will eat the fruit of their complacent foolish ways.
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
This description in verses 28-31…is stirring. Tie this in with the statements in verses 26-27, and it is a prediction that one certainly doesn’t want to be true of themselves.
This is a stirring statement. Tie this in with the statements in verses 26-27, and it is a prediction that one certainly doesn’t want to be true of themselves.
Yet this is the predicted end of all those who reject wisdom offered to us in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.
It’s the predicted end, for any and all, who seek to live their life following particular paths without consulting Scripture.
For the young person curious about what their future holds....if you reject the godly counsel of godly parents, neglect the clear teaching of the Word of God; if you hate knowledge, and do not fear the Lord; if you won’t take Wisdom’s counsel, and you will not turn at Wisdom’s reproof of your life.....then you too will eat the fruit of your way
You will have the fill of your own devices.
This IS your future.
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
“But that hasn’t been true yet in my life,” you may say. describes a group saying a similar thing....Paul’s rebuke to them was....
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
The future of the business owner, the future of the number one employee, the future of the top athletic prospect in every sport, the future of the stay at home mom, the future of the preacher....it doesn’t matter your walk of life; the future of the person that spurns the counsel of God’s Word, is depicted as one filled with despair.
Wisdom predicts this....it’s guaranteed
But in God’s grace and mercy, He tells us what is our future without heeding Him....so that we would heed Him, and turn to Him.
Whether we are fools, simple, or scoffers....we can, we should.... run to Him!
So…thinking along the lines of Wisdom’s sermon, here at the beginning of Proverbs; we have its audience, its content, and the prediction for those not heeding it....finally, we come to...
4. The Conclusion
4. The Conclusion
The conclusion of this section, of what we’re calling Wisdom’s sermon, is once again, that which sets the trajectory for the book
As Proverbs unfolds, it repeatedly gives to the reader two distinct paths upon which the person can traverse
The path of foolishness & wickedness…and the path of wisdom & righteousness
And that’s what this conclusion here does as well....
So consider first, the path of foolishness and wickedness
32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;
32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
“They will eat the fruit of their way and be filled with their own devices....BECAUSE...”
The simple: that young, naive person....is KILLED
Death comes to the young, naive person, who stays in their youth and naïveté
They are killed, because they “turn away,” from the call of wisdom
23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Wisdom had asked already, “How long, o simple ones, will you love being simple?” (v.22)
Wisdom had given the rebuke, the promise, the warning, and the clear prediction of what would happen to those who do not heed her warning....and now Lady Wisdom, brings it all home, the simple who turn away from my reproof, “they will be killed.”
And fools, those who despise knowledge and reproof....their complacency and unwillingness to grow in wisdom, it destroys them.
So for the book of Proverbs, pathway number one, is the foolish who despise the Word of God and will not walk in the light of its ways.
They hear the call of wisdom, yet they are complacent in their level of biblical knowledge, their level of skill in applying biblical knowledge. They are fine with things the way they are.
Their end, is death and destruction.
The NT bears this out as well…again, by pointing to the wisdom of God found in the free offer of the gospel, contrasted with living on in the natural fallen state of humanity:
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We may look around and say, “It seems to me like, the wages of sin is fame, popularity, wealth, relationships, etc.”
But God’s Word says, the wages are death
We may look and say, “Eternal life must be earned by our good works,” but the Word of God says, “it’s a free gift through Jesus.”
Forever before us is the call of wisdom to leave the foolishness of the world and embrace the wisdom of God.
And forever before us is the temptation to walk in wordly wisdom, while calling it actual wisdom from God ().
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
The Jews in the first century, looked face to face at Jesus.
God’s chosen Servant, the Messiah, the Son of God, God in flesh....they spoke with the very One who created them and held them together by the Word of His power.
He cried aloud in their streets; He spoke to them in the markets, in the fields, on the roads, and in the Temple and Synagogues.
Yet by many…He was rejected, He was spurned.
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
They chose their own man-made wisdom, driven by the world…rather than the very Wisdom from God as He cried out to them all. The end for all in that category, is death and destruction.
That’s pathway one…pathway two:
33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Wisdom is calling out…and those who will listen, will apply biblical truth to their life accurately, and will therefore dwell secure, be at peace, and never have to worry about disaster or doom.
Those who hear and heed God’s call from His Word, are those who can rejoice in passages like:
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Because those who hear God’s wisdom call…and heed God’s wisdom call....find safety in their God.
They can claim the promise found in...
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
I remind you also, of our portion for Scripture reading last week:
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Apply
There are only two ways, two paths before you and I today
There is God’s way, the way of wisdom
And there is the way of the fool.
They have very different destinations.
Which path will you walk down?
When your marriage is strained, will you walk the path of foolish pride, or the path of sexual sin, both of which are the path of foolishness? Or will you walk the path of love and faithfulness?
When your trial of a physical ailment, or financial burden, or struggling family member, lasts longer than you hoped, will you walk the path of foolishness by becoming discontent, impatient, grumbling and complaining? Or will you walk the path of wisdom by trusting God, hoping in God, praying to God?
Wisdom concludes it’s cry by telling us, there are only two paths....now, which will you choose?
Conclusion
So then, the book of Proverbs begins, with this first chapter by Solomon.... telling us this is a book given for us to grow in wisdom.
To grow in our skill of accurately applying biblical knowledge.
It tells us where this pursuit of wisdom begins…by fearing the Lord.
It tells us the fatherly instruction it provides, and the dangers for turning away from it.
It tells us that Wisdom cries aloud in the street for any and all to come and listen, come and hear....to turn from sin and foolishness, and turn to God to follow His Word.
Or we’ll wrongly apply them, or not apply them at all.
Wisdom cries aloud to you and I today....let us, with all our hearts, run to Jesus and cling to Jesus, the very Wisdom of God Himself.
God’s chosen Servant, the Messiah, the Son of God, God in flesh....they spoke with the very One who created them and held them together by the Word of His power.
He cried aloud in their streets; He spoke to them in the markets, in the fields, on the roads, and in the Temple and Synagogues.
Yet for many…He was rejected, He was spurned.
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Wisdom cries aloud to you and I today....let us, with all our hearts, run to Jesus and cling to Jesus, the very Wisdom of God Himself.
Let us, by God’s grace, give Him the whole of our lives.
Let us, cry out to Him before it’s too late and say, “We have no wisdom....we need the wisdom that is a gift from the Father, by your mercy and grace, please grant it today.”
And let us rejoice in Him, as He graciously provides.
Prayer