The Light of Wisdom
Notes
Transcript
This morning we will continue with series on the Armor of God. We have spoken about many parts of the armor but for me this piece seems sensible and necessary and without this step there is no eternal life worth living.
The Helmet of savation!
The story is told of Staff Sergeant Thalamus Lewis made his way through a village in eastern Afghanistan on October 4, 2012, he heard bursts of gunfire. A single round from an enemy rifle struck him in the head, knocking him off the side of the road. “It was like a flash bang or something,” he later said. Lewis was stunned, his ears ringing and his head aching.
And yet, somehow, he was alive. But it wasn’t somehow; it was his ACH—his Advanced Combat Helmet. Back in the medical facility on base, he learned how efficiently his bulletproof hel- met had saved him from certain death. “Once they told me I took a round to the ACH, my first thing was I want to see it,” he said. Inspecting the damaged helmet, he said in thankful amazement, “It actually works.”
Lewis, who completed four combat deployments in his twenty years in the US Army, said he used to resent the weight and bulkiness of his equipment. “Being a soldier, we complain about a lot of stuff; this gear was one of my main things when we deployed. I don’t complain about it anymore. I am a walking testament.”¹
Like Sergeant Lewis, the apostle Paul understood the critical importance of the hel- met. Crisscrossing the nations of the Roman Empire throughout his ministry, Paul saw the helmets of Roman soldiers everywhere.
Take a look at our text this morning:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Prayer: Lord let the scriptures sink into our hearts and that we would not just hear it but heed it. Have hearts that are humble, hungry, hearing and heeding what you have called us to. Lord how we need you! Thank you for the gift of salvation.
The Helmet of Salvation
The Helmet of Salvation
In the Roman Army, helmets of common soldiers were made of hardened leather. Officer’s helmets could be augments with metal; senior officers’ helmets were topped by plumbed crests. All served the same purpose - to protect the skull and brain from blows inflicted by the enemy.
The helmet became a metaphor for salvation in Isa.
He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
in this verse it is referring to the salvation that Christ would bing to humanity.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Paul picked this metaphor when he said to Christians to take on the helmet of salvation.
Here in Ephesians Paul is writing to believers who had already received salvation. So this was not to impart salvation but to protect their assurance of their salvation. This is to encourage believers to have courage and to fight their spiritual battles against the deceiver.
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
Just as the physical helmet protects a soldiers brain, the spiritual helmet protects your mind from assults of Satan’s lies, the things he uses to undermine our committment and conviction of security in Christ.
What does the helmet represent?
It means to put on Christ an idea foundin Romans and Galatians.
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
When you clothe yourself with Christ you allow Him to live His life in and through you by the power of the Spirit.
The helmet is a metaphor for the mind of Christ which means:
but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
the wisdom of God
the wisdom from God
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.
When looking at the example of the life of Christ we see that there were many things He was put through, many temptations, many questions, many obstacles. But as you observe there was never a time where He is stressed. He was never puzzled or undone by what was happening around Him - by words or actions?
Even in the moments of extreme stress - like in the Garden of Gethsemane or when hanging on the cross - Jesus was not confused.
Yes He was human, He may have been in pain, even sorrow, at times. But He was never confused. He understood God’s plan and will for His life because of Wisdom. He was the wisdom of God.
When you put on the helmet you put on the assurance of your own salvation and you protect your mind from Satan’s deceptions with the wisdom of God.
The wisdom comes to you through the person of Jesus Christ.
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.
The widsom of God equips and prepares us for God’s purposes.
It gives us strength and certainty in our salvation so that we can overcome confusion, lies, and uncertainty with God given confidence that comes through Christ alone.
The Importance of Wisdom
The Importance of Wisdom
Many people think that wisdom is knowledge but there is a difference. Wisdom is often confused by knowledge but there is a difference between the two.
Knowledge involves the accumulation of facts.
Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge to get the best outcome.
“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable. Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad”. (D. Jeremiah, P. 127)
In scripture, Wisdom refers to knowing the course of action that will please God and make our lives what He wants them to be.
When God promises wisdom, He promises a superior life to the way of the world. He guarantees that through wisdom we will find the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Wisdom is acquired through our efforts to learn, grow, improve and study. It is not automatic or instantaneous. Wisdom comes from living and learning, from a hunger to learn and grow over the course of a lifetime. The more you humble yourself and keep a hungry heart, the more wisdom you will acquire.
Wisdom is about perspective.
In the book Knowing God J.I. Packer clarifies wisdom for us:
“Imagine you’re in a train station, standing on the end of a platform and watching the constant movement of trains coming in and going out. From this limited perspective, your vision and comprehension of the overall working of the train system is almost nonexistent. Now imagine you go into the station’s control center.
A long, electronic wall chart with a diagram of the entire system shows all the tracks extending five miles on either side of the station. By following the little lights moving on the chart, you can locate each train with all its cars and see exactly where it’s headed. As you watch the system through the eyes of the men who control it, you understand why trains are stopped and started, diverted and sidetracked. The logic behind every movement becomes clear when you see the entire picture”.
The mistake we often make as Christians when seeking wisdom is we assume once we found it this will allow us to see life from the control center instead of the train platform. We think we have it from God’s perspective.
But tat is not how wisdom works in the Christian life. We are not shown God’s long term plan for us or how our actions today will play into that plan tomorrow.
But we must humble ourselves and desire God’s wisdom and listen to His words and obey them, He gives us all the wisdom we need for that moment - the widsom simply to take the next step.
God says to us let me relieve you of that worry, that fear. Just take one step into the light I have placed in front of you, and I will see to it that your faithful action will fit into the plan and accomplish my goals and your good.
Wisdom is also about patience.
We don’t always see how all the details fit together in our lives but God has revealed the ending of our story to us. In spite of uncertainty and confusion keep your eyes on the prize - the hope of our future eternal salvation through Christ. Live wisely with the big picture in mind, no matter what comes at us.
God promises to give wisdom to overcome daily confusion and respond as He directs us through every situation.
Stand firm against the attacks of the devil because we have been equipped with His armor. We have put on His truth, His righteousness, His peace, His faithfulness, His salvation and His Word.
Through the evidence of the necessity of the the helmet of Salvation we see the necessity of wisdom in our lives. We need wisdom!
Get Wisdom
Get Wisdom
Of course we get wisdom by asking God for wisdom. How can we get wise?
Here’s a challenge:
The book of Proverbs is considered wisdom literature. There are 31 chapters in this book. Why not read one chapter a day for the month, why not make that a challenge for December or even for 2021? You will not regret spending time in the book of Proverbs.
Here are a few things that may help you. God has given many promises to those who see after and obtain His wisdom:
Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
Over and over we are told by Solomon to get wisdom!
How shall we get it?
Our ability to get God’s widsom is not so much as a matter of doing as it is a matter of being. It is not about activity as it is attitude.
We prepare by adopting four basic attitudes:
Humility - or a humble spirit
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
And he said to the human race,
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.”
We need to fear the Lord, to have reverence for who He is.
It is not a matter of fear and trembling it is having reverence, fear, pleasure, joy, and awe which fills our heart when we realize who God is and what He has done for us.
When we get overwhelmed and confussed in any areas of life the book of James says our task is to pray and ask God for guidance.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
So pray for widsom to calm your mind and clarify your path to acheive your purpose.
Illustration from page 133:
“Billy Graham tells the story of a young company president who prayed on his knees in his office every morning. His secretary knew to deflect any visitors until his daily “appointment” was concluded. When the chairman of the company’s board wanted to see the president immediately, the secretary’s attempts to post- pone the meeting were futile. The chairman stormed into the president’s office and found him on his knees in prayer. He withdrew quietly and asked the secretary, “Is this normal?” “Every day,” she said. To which the chairman answered, “No wonder I come to him for advice”.
This is what the Lord says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.
A person who is wise - according to God’s definition - knows too well his own weaknesses, he never assumes infallibility. That is what it means to have a humble spirit, which is the first step in opening yourself to God’s gift of widsom.
2. Hungry - Imagine you are sent to to a new country to work. Somewhere completely new and foreign to you. New currency, new food, new language, new surroundings - you have a lot to learn in little time. Making mistakes with the language and trying to find your way around.
You have to try to make the most of this, there is a lot riding on this after all it is your livelihood and you need this job. You have to hire someone to help you learn how to exist in your new surroundings - to help you with translation, banking, driving, shopping and cultural norms. Gradually it becomes your new normal.
A year later you get a visit from friends and they are amazed with how well you are doing in your new culture. It happened because you were humgry to succeed.
Something similar to this happens when you become a Christian. You transfer your address from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Your new home requires you to learn new skills and new perspective. The hungrier you are to make a successful in this new venture the sooner you learn to live skillfully and successfully in God’s kingdom.
Wisdom must be sought in order to be found. It doesn’t arrive on your doorstep wrapped in a bow.
A.W. Tozer “The great people of the Bible and Christian history have had an insatiable hunger for God. He wants to be wanted”.
Our lack of wisdom is the result of our lack of desire to know more of God and to know Him with all our heart.
Do you hunger for God?
Do you seek God with your whole heart?
Psalm 119 instructs us to seek God with our whole heart. In this chapter there are 6 different times we are told to seek him:
We’re told to . . .
•keep God’s testimonies with our whole heart (v. 2),
•seek God’s commandments with our whole heart (v. 10),
•obtain God’s Word with our whole heart (v. 34),
•entreat God’s favor with our whole heart (v. 58),
•keep God’s precepts with our whole heart (v. 69)
cry unto God with our whole heart (v. 145)
If we want more of God we must increase our hunger for Him.
How it works for spiritual hunger and phsyical hunger is different.
When we are hungry physically when we eat the hunger is satisfied. The hunger disappears.
When spiritually hungry we eat and find ourselves even hungrier. We discover our appetite is increased.
Disciplined consistent study of God’s Word and regular participation in Bible teaching is critical to grow.
When we are hungry physically and miss a meal we feel like we are starved and can’t wait to eat.
In the spiritual it is the opposite. When we miss a meal we begin to loose our appetites. This is serious danger when we fail to demonstrate a soul that is hungry for God and His wisdom.
3. Hearing Heart
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The text here literally means “Give therefore your servant a hearing heart”.
What a request! We may cry out for a humble spirit and a hungry soul but we must be sensitive to what God may say to us through His Word and through His people as they share the principles of His wisdom.
Once again look to Proverbs
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
There is so much to gleam from those around us and in the things that are available to us from those who have walked with God before us. But we have to train ourselves to LISTEN!
God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. Often times the mouth gets overworked while the ears go into semi retirement.
We gather knowledge when we listen; we spend it when we teach; but if we spend before we gather we will soon be bankrupt.
4. Heeding - It is often said it is one thing to hear it but another to heed it.
To know that we need God is important. To reach out for Him is imperative. To hear what He has to say is crucial. But it is all meaningless unless we determine to do what He tells us.
We are not wise because we have God’s Word. We are not wise because we desire God’s Word. We are not even wise becase we read God’s word. We are only wise when we keep and obey God’s Word.
Illustration:
Page 138 Overcomer
“Several years ago, when I was invited to speak in a church in West Virginia, a member of that congregation took me to tour a coal mine. Before being lowered into the mine shaft, he gave me a carbide lamp that miners wear as headgear.
When we were deep in the mine, he signaled to the surface control center to turn off all the lights in the shaft. I’ve never been in such darkness in my life. The only source of light was the small lamp I wore on my head, which emitted a short beam that illuminated only a step or two in front of me.
I remember being afraid to move at first. I could see nothing on either side and very little ahead. But I soon made a significant discovery. As soon as I walked into the light that I did have, that light projected the way for an additional step into the darkness.
As long as I kept moving forward, so did the light, which meant there was always enough light on my pathway to keep me from stumbling and to guarantee my progress.
That small lamp on my head was my helmet of salvation. It showed me what I needed to see to move forward in the darkness. And as I moved forward, I brought the light with me”.
Conclusion:
Many years ago, I performed the wedding ceremony for two of the most remarkable young people I’d ever met. Bill and Rhonda were on the Navigator’s staff at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Their wedding turned out to be a church service. They both gave dynamic testimonies of their relationship with the Lord and of His leading in their lives.
To this day, when I officiate at a wedding, I remember theirs. About two years after their wedding, I received a call from Bill telling me they’d just learned Rhonda had advanced leukemia. What a shock! We prayed together over the phone, and a few days later we got together to discuss the doctor’s omi- nous prognosis. For a brief time, Rhonda went into remission. But within a few months, her condition deteriorated again. Finally, she was admitted to the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis.
I’ll never forget the afternoon I flew to Indianapolis to visit her. My heart was heavy as I walked into her room. But when I left the hospital, I had the distinct impression that I’d been ministered to that day. Rhonda spent most of our visit sharng with me what God had been teaching her through His Word, as well as some of the verses she and Bill had been memorizing together.
A few days after my visit, Rhonda went home to be with the Lord. In the hour before she died, she recited many of the passages of God’s Word with which she had filled her life. According to the nurse who was with her when she died, “She went home to God in the middle of a verse.”
What a way to die. Better yet, what a way to live!
Being “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. l:9).
Wisdom guides us in overcoming the confusing events of our lives—all of them. It is acting with skill on what is known and trusting God with what is unknown. When we put on the helmet of salvation, we move forward steadily in the light of His wisdom and we live as Overcomers.¹⁴
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. —PSALM 111:10
This morning as we take all these attitudes into account ask yourself where you stand?
First of all do you have salvation in your life?
Have you surrendered your all?
Why not take that step forward this morning and allow that peace to come into your life. Let God have His way in you. Take the gift of salvation that is being offered to you!
If you are not sure of where you stand come to this altar and be certain today. Let God minister to you and speak to you about where you need to be and what attitude you need to have present in your life right now.