Proper Response to Instruction

A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. Proverbs 13:1

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18

We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 1 Corinthians 4:10

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 8:10-11

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Service Notes:

7 minute update from Dipboyes retuning from Peru

Introduction:

You may have heard “there is no ability greater than teachability.”

Unlike Luke I cannot tell you the next few topics from Proverbs. Unique book.

I. Have we deceived ourselves? Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18

Short field trip will help us have a better understanding of how instruction can be received or rejected.

A. There is a deception very present in this world.

1. Many profess to be wise but are fools. Proverbs 1:22

2. Parable of two sons 28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. Matthew 21:28-31

B. Example of deception is given.

1. There was a wisdom in Corinth that said the cross was of none effect. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17

2. The wise of Corinth saw the cross as foolish For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

4. It is as foolishness. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1 Corinthians 3:19

a. The thoughts of those the world calls wise is called empty by God And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 1 Corinthians 3:20

b. The world offers a wisdom that is contrary to the things of God. For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21

5. And one day God will “destroy the wisdom of this world”   He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1 Corinthians 1:19

6. God does not work according to the rules created and enforced by this world. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty 1 Corinthians 1:27

Do not be deceived. Do not settle for a cheap imitation.

II. Something not of this world that is available to us

A. What is God’s wisdom. Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

B. Thought not of this world it has tremendous value you here.

1. Wisdom a means to a goal. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

2. There is a great reward in wisdom Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. Proverbs 13:13

a. Safety lies in obedience to proper “instruction.”

b. Do you despise the word? Remember Jacob and Esau and what despising looks like.

3. Better than gold How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Proverbs 16:16

a. Why? Gold can buy almost anything in this world but not joy.

Money doesn’t buy happiness but it buys bacon which is happiness.

b. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Proverbs 15:21

c. Nothing compares to having wisdom from God. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 8:10-11

C. Do not be ashamed of being a fool for Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

You should desire wisdom by now and be asking some logical questions as a result. How do you go about getting it?

III. Instruction is available to us if you know where to look.

A. Simplest but important application is listen to your dad. A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. Proverbs 13:1

1. Yes others can play this role but God’s primary plan for communicating wisdom from generation to generation is from father to son. Slide

Real need in our community is a transition home for teens. A place were they are welcomed and shown the wisdom of God.

2. Son are you listening? Dad are you instructing?

B. Without the fear of God you won’t receive wisdom no matter who shares it with you. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

C. Exalt wisdom in your life. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. Proverbs 4:8

1. Don’t be passive.

2. Search for it. 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5

3. Those who want to find it, find it. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Proverbs 14:6

a. The scorner is intellectually arrogant; he lacks any serious interest in knowledge or religion.

On the road beside Kroger there is a row of trees. In those trees there is a plastic bird. In the bird is a medicine bottle. In the bottle a message. Who has read it. Those who sought for it.

b. There are those who will never find it. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7

4. Find ways to get it and keep it . Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

D. Get wisdom by asking for it. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Instruction not from this world. Nothing compares to it. We know how to obtain it. Now point us in the right direction.

IV. Instruction is waiting for you

A. In the Word of God. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

1. Can be reflected in this world. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Proverbs 6:6

2. As we spend time in the Word we see the world differently.

B. Walking with the wise. Proverbs 13:20

1. Fools cannot help you find it. Nothing can come from nothing. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. Proverbs 14:7

People who do not talk alot aren’t the only ones who don’t say much.

2. If you have good friends humble yourself and list. Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10

3. Examine who is influencing you He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

C. Be mindful of the world to come. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

1. Wisdom is something that gets laid to heart. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2

The most important thoughts of your day will be our first and your last. - Ken Boa

2. We often only have shallow thoughts, shallow actions, and as a result shallow lives.

D. Know that wisdom causes us to consider everything in relation to Jesus.

1. Through Him all things consist. 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:16-17

2. So until you have considered Him you have not fully considered a matter.

Conclusion

Those who are wise will respond properly to discipline.

When is the last time you received instruction?

If it has been awhile might I propose it is because you aren’t looking for it.

How often have you received wisdom from your friends?

When you did received instruction last, how did you respond?

How do you listen to the Bible being taught? Like your life depends on it because it does.

A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. Proverbs 13:1