Seven Men Filled with Godly Wisdom

Driving home: Basic definition of wisdom is wisdom is the art of being successful, of forming the correct plan. To gain the desired results.

Lush uses the analogy of a camping trip (detailed study) versus a Blackhawk/Chinook helicopter tour (hovering over many passages) to explain that he will cover many wisdom passages broadly rather than in-depth.

And there are 434 occurrences of wise and wisdom. In my. New King James Bible, and so it's not possible for us to go on a camping trip, be underneath each one of these wisdom trees and take our knives and cut off some of the bark or drill a hole and drain out some of the sap and boil it and and make some syrup out of it. We don't have time to dig up roots and put it and boil it and make some tea out of it and see if it clears our sinuses.

2:06 - 2:36 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Lush defines wisdom as the art of being successful in life and skill in living in God's world. He illustrates how 'wisdom' (kokmah) in Scripture can refer to technical skill…

The example of an idol craftsman needing skill (wisdom) to make an idol that doesn't totter is used to show that 'wisdom' can refer to technical expertise.

But then I found it interesting to consider a number of these side passages. I'll just give the reference. Isaiah 40 in verse 20 speaks of the idol craftsman, that when you go to have your idol made, you want to have a skillful craftsman, a wise craftsman, so that in the end your idol will not totter to get one that is level all legs and we can change it to the chair. We want a chair.

5:16 - 5:42 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Lush defines wisdom as the art of being successful in life and skill in living in God's world. He illustrates how 'wisdom' (kokmah) in Scripture can refer to technical skill…

The example of skillful wailing women who can create a sad mood is used to illustrate technical or professional wisdom.

It doesn't constantly rock and doesn't totter. It takes wisdom. It takes skill to come up with that. Or the professional mourners.

5:42 - 5:51 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Lush defines wisdom as the art of being successful in life and skill in living in God's world. He illustrates how 'wisdom' (kokmah) in Scripture can refer to technical skill…

The example of wise pilots and ship repairmen (caulking seams) is used to show that technical skill in navigation and boat maintenance is considered wisdom.

They can create a very sad mood. They are skilled. They are wise in it. Or in Ezekiel 27 verse 8 and 9, navigators and ship repairmen.

6:08 - 6:20 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Lush defines wisdom as the art of being successful in life and skill in living in God's world. He illustrates how 'wisdom' (kokmah) in Scripture can refer to technical skill…

The story of Jonadab giving crafty, sinful advice to Amnon is used to demonstrate that 'wisdom' can also describe a skillful, but morally corrupt, individual.

Wise man by a skillful man, somebody who knows what decisions to make so that there is that skill that is evident in your boat staying afloat. Then the further sinfully crafty advisor, Jonadab, you remember Amnon and Tamar, and that one who was giving advice was Jonadab. And it says in the text now, Jonadab was a very crafty man. He was skillfully wise.

6:42 - 7:12 Read in full sermon

The point: Labor for lives that are beautiful and functional, making something pretty and good out of your life.

The analogy of a beautiful and functional chair (as opposed to one that constantly rocks) is used to illustrate that true wisdom makes one's life both aesthetically pleasing and practically effective in God's world.

Wisdom is in a sense that you've got that beautiful chair, but it's one thing to have a beautiful chair and you sit down and every time you sit down, this thing rocks and you don't. Wisdom is the ability to have something that is beautiful and functional. And what you and I must labor for under God is having lives that individuals look at our lives and say, there is something beautiful about that guy's life. There's something very functional about that man's life.

12:31 - 13:01 Read in full sermon

The point: Make sure God is in the formula of all your decision making, so that your life shows significant growth over time.

A quotation from Bridges commenting on Proverbs 24 is used to explain that a house built on iniquity is like a 'snow palace' that melts, contrasting it with the solid establishment of a wise woman's house built on piety and prudence, and emphasizing the strength of character wisdom provides.

Huge amount of strength that is able to push through the great pressure of the great weight that is before him. Bridges commenting on Proverbs 24 rights. Why should we envy the prosperity of the wicked? Even if their house be built, it cannot be established by iniquity.

18:42 - 18:58 Read in full sermon

The point: Stay away from the immoral woman, expecting devastating consequences for involvement.

The analogy of not walking barefoot on hot coals is used to illustrate the certain and devastating consequences of involvement with the immoral woman, emphasizing that destruction is inevitable.

You guys can't. When you can't, do you sit around the campfire and take your shoes off and take your socks off and walk around the campfire barefoot? Why not? Well, because you don't subscribe to that notion of some cultures that you can walk across hot coals and no, you know, you step on it, that thing's going to burn in and there's going to be.

26:31 - 26:51 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Lush argues that wisdom is crucial for making sound management decisions, enabling one to overcome obstacles and navigate interactions with unbelievers. He then emphasizes the…

The proverb of a wise man scaling the city of the mighty is used as a metaphor to show that wisdom enables an individual to overcome massive, seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the trusted stronghold. What's the picture here in this proverb? One little man and this massive city with its castle like walls. And so who are you going to bet on?

28:32 - 28:50 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Lush argues that wisdom is crucial for making sound management decisions, enabling one to overcome obstacles and navigate interactions with unbelievers. He then emphasizes the…

A quotation from Bridges on Proverbs 29:9 is used to explain that it is generally better not to meddle with a fool, as contending with them yields no peace and little prospect of good, due to their unreasonableness.

If a wise man contends with the foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace. And brethren, we need this word of balance bridges. It would generally be far better not to meddle with such a fool. As is here described, we can only deal with him on very disadvantageous terms and with very little prospect of good.

33:52 - 34:12 Read in full sermon

The point: Even when facing irrational adversaries who may 'kill' you (figuratively or literally), you have the responsibility to get God glory in the wisdom of your speech.

Lush uses Stephen's martyrdom as an example of manifesting wisdom even when it leads to death, applying it to deacons' responsibility to glorify God in their speech even with irrational adversaries.

But in the end, Stephen got God glory in the consciences of his enemies. But Stephen also got killed, you know, in about a thousand, even when you're manifesting wisdom in your speech. And I smile when I first thought of this. But, brethren, here's the application.

35:23 - 35:45 Read in full sermon

Driving home: the example of Ahithophel fits right along with what Pastor Martin was saying last night about gift is no evidence of grace?

Ahithophel's advice, described as being like an oracle of God, is used as an example of wisdom as a natural gift, separate from spiritual grace, as he ultimately committed suicide.

Ahithophel, who ended up committing suicide. The advice of Ahithophel, Second Samuel 1623, which he gave in those days, was as if one inquired at the Oracle of God. Great in political and military decisions in the here and now. You want to make the people know that there's no hope of reunification between you and your dad?

36:24 - 36:48 Read in full sermon

Driving home: the example of Ahithophel fits right along with what Pastor Martin was saying last night about gift is no evidence of grace?

Solomon's wisdom remaining with him even during his backslidden period is used to further illustrate that wisdom can be a natural gift from God, independent of one's current spiritual state.

Tremendous abilities here, but it is no true evidence of a heart that has been regenerated by the grace of God. Solomon, in his life, when he had locked God out for that period of years where he was horribly backslidden, it says in Ecclesiastes two and verse nine. So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. And my wisdom remained with me. We may quibble and say, well, God, why do you do that?

37:33 - 38:02 Read in full sermon

Driving home: the example of Ahithophel fits right along with what Pastor Martin was saying last night about gift is no evidence of grace?

The idea that wisdom is like a sport or working math problems to a man of understanding is used to describe an almost intuitive ability and delight in solving difficulties.

And so is wisdom to a man of understanding. Dalish agrees with this view. You got a problem? Good.

39:01 - 39:09 Read in full sermon

The point: Walk with God, specifically dealing with your sin by confessing and forsaking it, as this is part of growing in the breadth of godly wisdom.

A quotation from Spurgeon on Psalm 51:6 is used to explain that God desires truth in the inward parts and makes us know wisdom, specifically in the context of repentance and dealing with sin.

Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts and in the hidden part, you will make me to know wisdom. Listen to Spurgeon. The penitent feels that God is teaching him truth concerning his nature, which he had not before perceived. The love of the heart, the mystery of its fall and the way of its purification.

43:34 - 43:56 Read in full sermon

The point: Grow in wisdom through daily reading, study, and meditation in God's Word, going beyond a normal devotional life.

Lush offers to buy a CD of the book of Proverbs arranged topically if someone with a good reading voice would record it, illustrating the practical desire for accessible wisdom from Scripture.

Pastor Martin's recommendation to some of us years ago, a proverb a day, chapter one on day one of the month today will be the 26th chapter. And brethren, if one of you would want to take one of these books and read this and record, if you got a decent, reading voice and provide us with a CD, that is only the proverbs arranged topically. I'm telling you that there's one copy already sold right here. I'll take it.

49:41 - 50:12 Read in full sermon

The point: Overcome independence and seek counsel from wise and godly friends, as limiting yourself to yourself is detrimental.

The 'self-made man deacon' who never seeks counsel is used as an example of how independence can be detrimental, hindering growth in wisdom by limiting one's perspective.

So what are we learning when we hang out with the wise? We're not only learning the specific answer or a specific direction, but we're learning wisdom as to how to approach the problem. And so if you'll hang out with these guys, you'll actually increase your wisdom. My self made man, deacon friend, get over your independence.

51:13 - 51:40 Read in full sermon

The point: Be willing to get advice and receive rebukes of life, as this is a mark of wisdom.

The analogy of a single rebuke being more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows for a fool is used to illustrate the different receptivity to correction based on one's heart condition.

I have one thing to say to you. Please understand. And this is what it is book, book, book, book over and done. God takes it to heart.

52:33 - 52:41 Read in full sermon

The point: A deacon who is always talking is hurting himself and his church; consider if you need to be more quiet or speak up more, and how you say what you say.

A news story about a 16-year-old girl and her 17-year-old cousin killing her parents is used to illustrate the destructive influence of foolish companionship.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. I believe it was in Massachusetts. I just saw on the news here this last week of a 16. Year old girl and her what 17 year old cousin that worked with her and they killed the parents up there.

55:54 - 56:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Go from the presence of a foolish man, including discerning wisdom in your TV and movie 'friends,' as they influence us.

The concept of 'TV and movie friends' is used to illustrate how even entertainment choices can constitute foolish companionship if they do not discern wisdom.

Well, what about your TV and your movie friends?

56:51 - 56:54 Read in full sermon