Sermon Tone Analysis

Discovering God’s Will: Practicing Wisdom, Part 3b

Various   |   Shaun LePage   |   July 20, 2008

\\ Discovering God’s Will: Practicing Wisdom, Part 3

Various   |   Shaun LePage   |   July 20, 2008

 

I.

Introduction

A.    Solomon 20-year-old kid; his giant-killer, legendary, man-after-God’s-heart father David now dead; kingdom went through turmoil over who would be on throne; smoke cleared and Solomon was king; big decisions to make; what next? 1 Ki 3:5-9; later—Pro 8:11

B.    Is wisdom really that valuable?

Does our culture value it?

Do you?

C.

Last time (2 wks ago)—Step~/component #2: Wisely use God-given freedom:

1.     Super Easy Quiz: 1) Speed limit 50—okay to go 47? 2) Turkey season Oct 1-Dec 2—violation to hunt on Nov 2? 3) Write 8-page paper on 1 US President—permission to write about William Henry Harrison?

4) Highway lanes marked—illegal to change lanes?

5) License at 16—okay at 19? 6) Parents say home at 10:30—in trouble if show up at 10:03?

2.     Nature of good law—includes freedom within limitations!

True of God’s laws also.

3.     The way of wisdom: 1) If Bible (law) is clear, just do it; 2) If Bible is silent, Embrace freedom and Exercise wisdom!

4.     *A.

Embrace freedom*!

a)     *1.

If God’s law is silent, we have freedom*.

b)     Freedom is natural part of God’s (good) law—the quiz!

Good law includes freedom within healthy limits (free the fish!

Sex in marriage!);

No moral law=no moral sin; moral freedom to decide—should lead to release us from tension of “perfect will” ~/accusations from enemy: “You’re missing God’s best…choosing what you want”

c)     Examples: Gen 2:16-17 “any tree…freely”; Law of Moses (Nazarite vow voluntary, Freewill offering, etc); NT: Jesus declared all foods clean; Peter (Ac 11:5-9) & Paul (1 Cor 10:25-28, etc.) agreed; Circumcision, Giving, Marriage—freedom! 1 Cor 6:12—“All things are lawful…” within the moral will of God

d)     *2.

If God’s law is silent, don’t add to it*.

Freedom, not law (legalism!)!!

5.     *B.

Exercise Wisdom*!

a)     *1.

Freedom is not a license to be foolish*.

1 Cor 6:12—entire verse: “All things are lawful for me (within moral will—Paul not lawless; rest of ch6), but not all things are profitable.

All things lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

b)     *2.

Freedom is an opportunity to exercise wisdom*.

Choose what is best—expedient: Not illegal to go 50, but if brake lights~/stalled car—slowing down is wise; Not illegal to shoot turkeys on 11~/2, but if crowded or need time with family, wise not to; OK to pick W.H. Harrison, but died less than a month in, may not be wise~/too hard; OK to change lanes, but wise to check mirrors, signal; not if car coming fast or icy; OK to get license at 16, but might be wise for some to take time and extra lessons; Not in trouble if home early, but wise to see if someone home

II.

Body (pick it up here) Remember: 2nd component—wisely use God-given freedom

A.    *a.

What is wisdom?

The ability to see and choose what is best*—best goals, best ways of attaining those goals; choosing what will most glorify God (Jn 17:1-4; 1 Cor 10:31) and build up people (Eph 4:16); many will never have wisdom because their focus is on themselves or worldly pursuits, their own goals~/dreams~/comfort~/power~/prestige rather than the lofty goals God desires us to have (Eph 5:1-2"22-33; Mt 6:33; Solomon asked for the sake of the kingdom).

B.    Few NT examples of Apostles using wisdom in decision-making:

1.

The Twelve: Ac 6:2-4 “it is not desirable for us to neglect the Word of God in order to serve tables” (not “thus saith the Lord”)

2.     Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem: Ac 15:28-29 “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden” cf.v.22; “Holy Spirit” did reveal directly what was “good” to Peter in 10-11; and by signs when Gentiles believed (15:7-11,12,15-18) but the specific decision here in Acts 15 required discussion, debate and application of Scripture to determine what “seemed good”; described as “my judgment” (v.19; no “God spoke to my heart” language)

3.     1 Thes 3:1-2 “we thought it best to be left behind at Athens” (not “God said”)

4.     Phil 2:25-26 “I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus”

5.     1 Cor 16:3-4 “if it is fitting for me to go (to Jerusalem)” (not “if I have peace”)

C.    Again, freedom is not license to be foolish—it comes with responsibility: all these examples show the need to do what is “desirable, good, best, necessary and fitting” Read Eph 5:15-17—wisdom = understanding the (moral~/revealed) will of God and not being “foolish…making the most of your time”; recognizing that the moral will of God (Bible) guides not just action, but goals, attitudes as well—so if no direct command or principle, we should embrace~/enjoy our freedom, make a wise choice (what “seems desirable, good, best, necessary and fitting”).

Not ignoring God’s sovereignty—next week (if Lord wills)!

*D.    **b.

How do we get wisdom?*

1.     *Humble attitude*:

a)     recognizing that only God is wise—Is 40:28; Rm 16:14

b)     anyone who refuses to acknowledge Him~/His wisdom is a fool (Rm 1:21f);

c)     Bible tells us God grants wisdom to those who fear God, humble (Pr 11:2; 15:33), teachable (Pr 9:9; 15:31; 19:20), upright and faithful (Jms 1:5-8);

2.     *Hungry approach* (few weeks ago; review): Pro 8:17 “diligently seek” it; never promised direct revelations or impressions; told to…

a)     Ask for it—Solomon; Col 1:9-10 (Paul prayed “filled with knowledge of will”);

b)     Explore Scripture—Ps 119:97-100 “wiser than enemies…than aged”;

c)     Do research—Lu 14:28-32 (tower~/war), practical wisdom for decision-making;

d)     Consult wise counselors—Proverbs 11:14 and 13:20;

e)     Learn from life—Heb 5:14 “because of practice…senses trained to discern”

III.

Closing:

A.    1 Ki 3:10-15; 4:29-34—Solomon’s foolishness is another story~/another day; but as a young, new king he demonstrated the importance and value of wisdom—as well as the fact that God desires to give us His wisdom for life.

B.    Next time: the important third component to this way of wisdom

C.    Let’s pray (help us be humble and satisfy our hunger for wisdom)