"The Beginning Of Wisdom"

Thankful

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 (ESV)

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25–26 (ESV)

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Life should teach you that pursuing wisdom is a good thing

The pursuit:

Proverbs 1:1 HCSB

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

Proverbs 1:2 HCSB

For learning what wisdom and discipline are; for understanding insightful sayings;

Proverbs 1:3 HCSB

for receiving wise instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity;

Proverbs 1:4 HCSB

for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man—

Proverbs 1:5 HCSB

a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance—

Proverbs 1:6 HCSB

for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.

The first step:

Proverbs 1:7 HCSB

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

Could it be said that the first step is often the hardest?

The attributes of Wisdom:

Proverbs 9:1 HCSB

Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.

Proverbs 9:2 HCSB

She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

Proverbs 9:3 HCSB

She has sent out her female servants; she calls out from the highest points of the city:

Proverbs 9:4 HCSB

“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says,

Proverbs 9:5 HCSB

“Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed.

Proverbs 9:6 HCSB

Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; pursue the way of understanding.

Proverbs 9:7 HCSB

The one who corrects a mocker will bring dishonor on himself; the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.

Proverbs 9:8 HCSB

Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

Proverbs 9:9 HCSB

Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.

As opposed to Folly:

Proverbs 9:13 HCSB

The woman Folly is rowdy; she is gullible and knows nothing.

Proverbs 9:14 HCSB

She sits by the doorway of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

Proverbs 9:15 HCSB

calling to those who pass by, who go straight ahead on their paths:

Proverbs 9:16 HCSB

“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says,

Proverbs 9:17 HCSB

“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty!”

Proverbs 9:18 HCSB

But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

The defining difference…proper fear:

Proverbs 9:10 HCSB

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:11 HCSB

For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

Proverbs 9:12 HCSB

If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”