Sermon Central
-
Gaining Wisdom
Contributed by Mark Holdcroft on Feb 21, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: In today’s world it is even more important that believers are wise. This study tells us how to gain the Wisdom that comes from God.
Gaining Wisdom
Into today’s world, and even in today’s church we see the importance of believers possessing wisdom. There are so many situations facing our church today that we need wise leaders, wise elders, and wise Christians, in order to make sure that we are following Gods will. In our lives we are faced with many decisions, some small, some large, in which our lives, or even our salvation could be effected. Decisions over our ministries, our jobs, our houses and our marriage partners. We face problems of what advice to give to a distressed and needy friend and how to witness to those around us. For all these things we need wisdom and the wisdom that comes from God.
Today many people claim to be wise, and yet we see the effect of their wisdom on society. It is something that many people strive for, to be declared wise and clever in the face of their peers. Ever since the creation of the world men have sought this wisdom.
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate
it.
The tree of life, gives eternal life, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, wisdom. The latter was forbidden for human consumption because the wisdom acquired through eating it leads to independence from God, whereas true wisdom, we will learn, begins with ’the fear of the LORD’ (Pr. 1:7). Here we see the very first example of us seeking wisdom in our own way instead of seeking Gods wisdom, and we can clearly see the outcome of this. How many times have we tried to work out situations in our own understanding and ultimately come a cropper. The wisdom that we need to seek is that which comes from the Lord. I want to talk about what that wisdom is, and how we can obtain it. One of the ways to do this is by looking at the person who the Bible claims to be the wisest person who ever lived, and to see what he has to say. 1 Kings Chapter 4 states that Solomon had God given wisdom.
1. Jesus is Wisdom.
When looking for the wisdom of God there is no better place to start than Solomon’s proverbs. If I was to ask you who am I, and read the following list of qualities, I just want you to think of who I would be...
I am the truth.
I walk in the way of righteousness.
I was in existence before the beginning of the world.
I helped to create the world.
I followed every command of the Lord.
He who finds me finds life.
I know if I was to look at that list I would automatically think that it was Jesus who was being talked about. In fact, these are the exact qualities that wisdom is described as having.
WISDOM...
My mouth speaks what is true.
JESUS...
Jesus answered. "I am the way and the truth and the life. Nobody comes to the Father except through me."
WISDOM...
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of
justice.
JESUS...
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
WISDOM...
"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works. before his deeds of old.
JESUS...
He was with God in the beginning.
WISDOM...
Proverbs 8:30 Then I was the craftsman at his side I was filled with delight day after day. rejoicing always in his presence.
JESUS...
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
WISDOM...
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice.
JESUS...
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed. "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
WISDOM...
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favour from the LORD.
JESUS...
Jesus answered. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.
In Matthew 11:19 Jesus calls himself wisdom and in Matthew 12:42 he states that he is greater than Solomon. Here we see that the first step to gaining wisdom is to make sure that our relationship with Jesus is in order. To have wisdom we need to be in daily contact with the person who is all wisdom. If you are struggling with any decision or finding that you are continually making the wrong ones, it is time to stop and reflect on how close your relationship with Christ is, and whether you are daily seeking the face of God like you once used to.
