Trading Self-Help for Self-Surrender

TRADING SELF-HELP FOR SELF-SURRENDER

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

People desperately want to “win” at life...

I’ve never had a person come to me and say

“My life’s ambition is to be a complete failure at everything I do.”

Everyone wants to succeed at what they do

Christians are no different.

· We search for tips from books, magazines, TV talk shows.

· The problem is most Christians look everywhere for wisdom but the Bible for things like parenting, finances, marriage, workplace, and other things.

· Instead, they look to Oprah, or Dr. Phil, or Dr. Oz.

Even Christians who want a “Christian” perspective on these things...

They go MORE to Christian books rather looking to THE BOOK

· So often – we don’t want the WORD in our lives.

o We want practical tips and strategies that have been plucked from the world.

· Sure – we might believe The Bible is God’s Word

o But we don’t think it addresses the nitty-gritty details of life.

o The bottom line is we are tempted get more of our wisdom for life from “Self-Help” Section than from the pages of scripture

The Book of Proverbs calls us to something different...

· It calls us to trade in our self-help tips for self-surrender

v.1-7 shows us three important truths for our lives...

WISDOM IS FOREIGN TO US (v.1-3)

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

The Author outlines the purpose of the book...

To know Wisdom and instruction

· The Purpose is to give wisdom about how to live in a fallen world.

o Wise dealings

o Righteousness

o Justice

o Equity

o All are ideas that are foreign to us

· Just Think about it...Think about how often we mess up.

o Think of the hurtful words you’ve said to a friend or your spouse or your parents.

o Think of the times you’ve said more than you should say.

o Think of the times you spoke too quickly and couldn’t get your words back.

o Think about the time someone confronted you with something you needed to hear, and in anger you blew them off with, “Who do you think you are?!”

o Think about that person whose feelings you hurt.

o Think about that lie you desperately hope your parents won’t find out or your boyfriend won’t find out or your wife won’t find out.

o Think about those things you keep hidden from your parents. Think about that time you screamed, “I hate you!” to your mom.

o Think about the mistakes you’ve made with your children.

o Think about the times you didn’t discipline a behavior that has now gotten out of hand.

o Think about that grudge you’ve held and refused to let go because someone really hurt you.

o Think about the times you’ve been stingy with your money instead of generous to a person with a real need.

o Think about the frivolous spending that got you in trouble.

o Think about the get-rich-quick scheme that ruined you.

o Think about the times you didn’t finish your job assignment on time because you got sidetracked by Facebook.

o Think about the people you’re jealous of because they got the promotion that passed you by.

o Think about the times you’ve nagged or ignored helping your spouse.

o Think about how you repeat the same stupid mistake over and over and don’t learn from it.

· We could go on & on – but you get the picture

o Wisdom is foreign to us

o We have a major problem that no amount of tips or self-help will fix.

· We can’t just say we need wisdom and then chase after it.

o We are sinners

o We are broken

o We don’t even follow the wisdom we already.

o We do things we know are hurtful and foolish

o We just can’t help ourselves.

· The Book of Proverbs helps us to see ourselves.

o It helps us to see that wisdom is foreign to us

o It helps us to see we need more than just tips to get us through life.

But v.1-7 also shows us...

WISDOM MEANS BEING TEACHABLE (V.4-5)

· The Author identifies his Audience in v.4-5

o 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—

o It is written for the Simple and Youth for those who need wisdom.

· The Simple need prudence & the Youth need discretion.

o These are two ways of saying the same truth.

o Those of you who have Teenagers in the home understand v.4 best.

§ For a Teenager – Everything is a crisis.

· I fail a test – my life is over.

· My friends for forsake me – my life is over.

· My boyfriend breaks up with me – my life is over.

· Prudence is means to have a coolness about life.

o It is to walk through life with the right perspective on everything.

o But notice the way the author gives this.

§ He mentions the simple.

§ Then he mentions the youth.

§ He is saying this – Young folks need this most, but just because your older doesn’t mean you do act like this.

· How many older people you know – act like teenagers when a crisis happens.

o One time – I was out visiting at another church with a deacon in the church

§ We stopped by a couple’s house

§ They hadn’t been to church in a while.

§ The guy was made at me because His wife had left him.

o Here was a 70 yr old man acting like a teenager.

§ He really wasn’t mad at me

§ He was mad at God.

· So many people do that...

o Something happens in life

§ A death occurs

§ An illness comes along.

§ A relationship is torn

o They blame God for their problems.

§ But don’t you see how foolish that is.

§ In the end, God is the only one who can get you through it.

§ So don’t forsake your only hope in your time in need.

· That would be like shooting a fireman for coming into your home.

· When you are trapped & your house is up in flames.

· The author also mentions a second intended reader...

o 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

o It is also written for the wise so that they will continue to increase in learning

· You ever been around a person – who was a know it all...

o Everything you talk about

§ They have an answer for it.

o Everything they mess up

§ It is always someone else’s fault.

· There is reason why we go to school when we are young...

o We are more teachable then any other time in life.

§ We are kinda like bread.

§ When we are young

· We are fresh and flexible.

§ The older we get

· We get moldy & stale

· We get hard & intolerant with things.

· Our trip to India

o Bruce & Barry Jeffries talked to a elder woman

§ They told her about Jesus

§ She was interested in Jesus

§ Her excuse was she was too old to change.

· Solomon is showing us...

o If you think you know it all

o If you think you don’t need to learn anything

o You are actually revealing just how foolish you really are.

o In the Hindu ladies case

§ Do you see how stupid such a statement really is?

§ I’m too old to change now

§ Yet – we say foolish things like that all the time.

· Look at end of v.7

o 7fools despise wisdom and instruction.

o That is the way of a fool.

§ I’ve often said it this way.

§ If you thing you’re an expert in everything, then you have just show you are an expert in nothing.

o Everyone of us stand to be corrected in one form or another.

§ I have been a student of the Bible for all long time.

§ Here is what I’ve found out.

§ The more I study, the more I realize I don’t know it all.

· That is the humility that God seeks to teach us everyday

o Wisdom is being teachable...

o But v.1-7 finally shows us the path to wisdom...

WISDOM COME THROUGH JESUS (V.7)

In v. 7 – Solomon gives us the Theological Context of the book

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

· The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

o Solomon is saying...

§ There is no true wisdom apart from proper attitude and relationship with God.

§ In other words, to be wise means you see and declare your dependence on God.

o Solomon is not saying...

§ Those who reject God have no knowledge or incapable of making wise decision.

§ Some of the brightest/creative minds have been unbelievers.

· Steve Jobs

· Richard Dawkins

· Christopher Hitchens

· Where they fall short and become foolish is THEY FAIL TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE.

o Think of it this way....

§ One might be an expert on sailing,

§ The Bible even calls pagan sailors wise ()

§ But they do not understand who made the winds and the sea and who ultimately guides there way.

o As for Steve Jobs...

§ He could might have able to create an iphone.

§ But He wasn’t able to understand who created Him.

o That’s why David said...

§ — 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

· The Fear of the Lord is

o Respect

o Understanding the Character of God

o LIVING IN LINE WITH THE CHARACTER OF GOD.

§ But Fools despise wisdom and instruction and do not fear the Lord.

§ Because they refuse to follow the Lord

o So much of our world says just the opposite...

§ Instead of fearing & following the Lord,

§ We do what is right our own heart

§ But that is the epitome of foolishness.

· The MOTTO OF OUR DAY has become...

o Just follow your heart.

§ We even tell each other that in the church.

o What does God want you to do?

§ Just follow your heart.

· Truthfully – the Bible says that’s the last thing you should do

o — 9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

o Your heart can & will lead you down the wrong path.

o The Bible says – FOOLS FOLLOW THEIR HEARTS, BUT THE WISE FOLLOW JESUS

The Question for you to consider is...

Which one are you following?

Your heart can & will lead you down the wrong path.

But Jesus will never steer you wrong!