New Year Old Wisdom

Year in Review

Good times and bad

Celebrate Wins

New Year, New Month, New Day, God has some plans and purposes that you cant imagine

This year could be the best year if we take another approach

Life in Focus

Life is fast and we aren't seeing it in focus

Losing contacts/glasses

playing basketball in JH

Dad in his contacts

Using a different lens to see life

3D movies with and w/o glasses

God has given a similar kind of filter to look through

The things around us and ourselves come into focus when we use this lens

its called wisdom

What is Wisdom?

When you think of wisdom do you think of....(Pictures of Gandalf, Ancient One, Yoda, Baby Yoda)

The bible has a different picture of wisdom

Proverbs Chapter 1

written by King Solomon who was wise

Proverbs 1:1–3 (ESV) — 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;

Imagine if everyone lived a life of clarity

So what is Wisdom?

Wisdom is seeing life CLEARLY through the lens of SCRIPTURE.

Like 3D Glasses, wisdom gives us a different way to see life

Like Gravity

feel the effects

It is NOT the force from Star Wars

Its rooted in the character of God Himself

Its been around for a long time

Proverbs 2:1–6 (ESV) — 1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

5 Important Truths about Wisdom

Wisdom comes from GOD

vs 6 says “For the Lord gives wisdom”.

He wove it into the fabric of the world when he created it

When we use it we are tapping into something God created

Wisdom is not the same as KNOWLEDGE

Its not just knowing information, but being able to apply the information to make your decisions

Wisdom is very PRACTICAL

its not some mystical force

its not Yoda or Dr. Strange

It can be applied in all areas of life

Proverbs 20:19 (ESV) — 19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 25:17 (ESV) — 17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

Proverbs 26:11 (ESV) — 11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

Dogs do some gross stuff, dont repeat your mistakes like they did

Dont gossip and dont pester your neighbor either

Wisdom should be PURSUED

Look in Proverbs 2 at the words used to describe how we should approach wisdom

Give examples

Wisdom has huge BENEFITS

Proverbs 2:7–12 (ESV) — 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; 10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, 12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,

When we walk in wisdom we get common sense from God and it becomes a shield for us

avoiding bad situations because of wisdom

Here is one Big Question for the whole year for you to use to determine if you should be doing something

Is it the WISE thing to do?

Not is it the easy thing to do

or the popular thing to do

Through the million different choices ask yourself this question

instead of “should i hang out with group of friends” ask is it the wise thing to do

instead of should i date this person ask ...

post this pic, send this text, click this link ask ...

How do we know if it is wise?

Seeing life through the lens of scripture

Three areas I want to challenge you to begin to pursue wisdom this year

Pursue wisdom in your RELATIONSHIPS

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) — 20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Weather Friends or dating, surround yourself with people of the same christian mind.

Pursue wisdom with your TIME

Ephesians 5:15–16 (ESV) — 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

You will have a lot of opportunities this year, some good and some bad. Don’t waist your time pursuing the world. Life goes quick.

Pursue wisdom with your WORDS

Proverbs 18:20–21 (ESV) — 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Your words have power, sometimes you need to not say anything. Be wise about what you say and where you say it (social media/text)

Invitation

Is it the wise thing to do?