Sunday, February 23, 2020
Wisdom: Soap for the Body and Soul
Key Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6; 7-8
Supporting Verses: Isaiah 43:18-19

Focus: Difference between human wisdom, earthly wisdom and divine wisdom.

Isaiah 43:18-19

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

- In order for us to perceive and receive God’s new thing, we need insights.
- The only way that we can get insights is by having Godly Wisdom.
- You will not be able to discern God’s path by using natural eye, and natural understanding. You need to Holy Spirit to give you divine insight into the situation, and circumstances you find yourself in.
- Wisdom pace the road for us that God has for us. The Lord has gone before us and has prepared a path for us. To lead us into the places that He has designed for us.

Psalm 23
1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

o Who’s doing the lead? God is the one that does the leading.
o God’s path always leads to light.
o You were never intended to dwell in the dark. You’re a child of God, and you should dwell in light.
o You may go through dry seasons, but the light of the Lord that is in your heart should be lighting the place where you stand, and the path for your feet.
o The scriptures say, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
o There’s always going to be darkness around us until we stand in the presence of the Lord. Until we go to heaven; until Jesus comes back and takes over the kingdoms of this world.
o There will always be darkness, but there’s going to be a time when the darkness will be gone. -Revelations says, that God the Father, Jehovah God, is going to bring down His throne and rule all creation from Jerusalem. The sun will not need to give out light, because the light of His splendor will light up the world.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

o Trust the Lord with all your heart. You cannot allow the enemy to put deceptions in your heart; fear, doubt and unbelieve. Or feeling forgotten. Those lies are from the pit of hell.
o Think about the cross. That’s how much God loves.
o Don’t try to reason things in your mind. If it doesn’t make sense, chances are that it’s probably God. God said, “As high is the heaven from the earth, so are my thoughts above your thoughts.” You’re not going to understand what God is doing if you think like a natural man. But if you trust God, and say, Lord I don’t understand what’s happening. I cannot perceive the road ahead. Nevertheless, I trust you.
o We need to be like Peter before he began to follow Jesus- “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless, at your word we will cast our nets. And they caught a big fish.
o Most of us turn something so precious, and privilege as prayer for an opportunity to complain, and ask for stuff. If can’t perceive what’s going on and keep getting upset at a person who’s annoying me, then I’m the problem not the person. There’s something going on that God keeps allowing the same situation to occur. So, you need to go to the Father, and ask Him to transform you. To give eyes to see what I cannot see. Because what I’m seeing is either discouraging me, making me afraid, fearful, doubtful and angry. I need to see it through your eyes. When you pray that way, God will open your eyes.
o We need to trust God. You go into rest by trusting God
o Faith is not something you workup. It’s something you settle into trusting God.
o The flesh is not going to move the devil. The only thing that stops the devil is by you standing steadfast and removable on what Jesus did on the cross.
o Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1Peter 5:8
o Trust God, and do not lean on your own understanding.

I. What is Wisdom?

o First mentioned in Exodus 28:3. “And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.”
o These people were already wise hearted. They already had a natural ability, but then God gave them the spirit of Wisdom; the spirit of God.
o We all have natural abilities. When God wants you to use that skill or ability in the Kingdom, you need to have the Spirit of Wisdom upon you. Because you cannot exercise carnal gifts in the spiritual real. They only take you so far.
o But when the Holy Spirit empowers those abilities that God Himself has put into you, then there’s no limits to what you can do.
o Aaron was the only one that was allowed in the Ark, and once a year sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat for the nation.
o Moses didn’t need permission to go into His presence. Moses and God had a very different relationship. He spoke to God face to face. Jesus in His incarnate form spoke to Jesus face to face. However, we have something better. Jesus speak to us from our hearts. We have such a relationship with God, that we should never feel unqualified, and certainly unsanctified.
o Jesus said “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! Matthew 11:11- That makes you greater than all Old Testament men.

Wisdom-
o Chokmah (khok-maw’) from (khaw-kam) to be wise (in mind, word, or act); wisdom (in a good sense).
o Merriam-Webster defines wisdom: 1a. ability to discern inner qualities and relationships: insight [the power or act of seeing into a situation. The act or result of apprehending the inner nature of things or seeing intuitively. 1b. good sense; judgement (the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning (to detect with eyes; to detect with sense other than vision) and comparing. An opinion or estimate so formed. The capacity of judging.] True judgment is when you’re able to perceive what you can’t see. God speaks to your heart and you see something in a person- you’re able to discern what’s going on in a spiritual level.
o When you ask God for Wisdom, the first thing you should ask Him is to discern your own situation. Physician heals himself. Ask God to allow you to see your blind spots. We have blind spot because we are still in the flesh. We need to seek wise counsel as well. We need unity of the spirit in order to be successful. Every voice needs to count. That’s spiritual wisdom.
o In the Greek: Sofia (higher and lower wisdom). When God gives you the spirit of wisdom, He also gives you natural wisdom. When God gives you His wisdom it also covers what you need here on earth. Remember, that Paul prayed in Ephesians- “For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of light, that he may grant unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your understanding be enlightened that you may know what the hope of His call is. And what is the riches and the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
o When you have wisdom from above and your eyes are open, you are going to understand things that you didn’t understand before.

II. How important is Wisdom?

o Proverbs 4:7 [read]- the principle thing – (ray-sheeth- the first, in place, time, or order or rank (especially, a first fruit).
o “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7
o It should be the first thing you seek, pursue, hunt after, want, desire… it should be the highest priority of your life…over any other pursuits or desires!
o Get- (kaw-naw’) to erect, i.e. create; to procure, especially by purchase, by implication, to own.
o Understanding- (bee-naw’) from the separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e. (generally) understand.
o The ability to separate things mentally- not to get overwhelmed with facts but to be able to sort through the “clutter” that assails your mind…and make right decisions and choices.
o If you were a tree, the first fruit you should bear is God wisdom.
o The very word that we need to obtain wisdom lives within us.
o Without wisdom we are open prey for the enemy. We will react to people and not respond.
o Get wisdom. Wisdom should be the highest priority in our lives.
o Wisdom is not knowledge. Learning from school is knowledge. Earthly wisdom allows us to use knowledge to make a prediction.
o When you have the wisdom from God, you don’t make predictions; you make declarations. You prophesize God will not make your words fall to the ground when you yield to Him. Wisdom form God will not cause us to look at earthly things.
o Create wisdom. Create an environment where wisdom can easily be absorbed in your life. Think of good habits. Get up early in the morning and seek God.
o Your knowledge is the acquisition of facts and information. You read your Bible, but do you understand what you’re reading? Do you know the context? Was the statement given before, or after Jesus die?
o Mark 11:23-24; 25- Some Christians believe that they have to constantly forgive and ask for forgiveness. Do you realize Jesus said that before He went to the cross? There’s nowhere in the Epistles that we have to constantly asking God for forgiveness. Your sins are already forgiveness. If you think that you constantly need to be forgiven, you create a barrier between you and God. “Christ have become of no effect to whoever is justified by the law. (Galatians 5:4) That means, I’ve done something to unjustified me, so I need to do something to be justified in God’s, so I need to do something.
o Understanding allows me to distinguish; to rightfully divide the word of truth. To put the Old testament and the New Testament in its context, and the Epistles and the Four gospels in light of the fact that Christ has not died yet. Then read Romans and everything else and say that applies to me and distinguish.
o The kingdom of God only works when we yield and surrender to His will.

III. What is the beginning of Wisdom…? How do I obtain it?

• Proverbs 9:10 [read] fear- (yir-aw’) from fearing; morally reverent (expressing or characterized by reverence (honor or respect felt or shown). What is the fear of the Lord? – definition: The fear- yir’ah: יִרְאַ֣ת (yir-aw)- fear (also used as infinite); morally, reverence [deep respect for someone or something].
• Proverbs 9:10- 11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” We don’t want to be fools when we are children of God.
• Fear- means morally reverence. Our Father deserves our reverence and respect.
• How did Jesus Define the Fear of the Lord? – “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me Satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only salt thou serve.” Luke 4:8 KJV “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.” Deuteronomy 10:20 KJV.
• Because Jesus has now come as our mediator, as a propagation as a substitute on that cross there’s only owe and reverence not terror when we approach God. Why? Because Jesus kept all the laws for us. And all of our law-breaking, He took it upon His own self. Nothing is standing between you and God.
• Worship- proskuneo: καὶ πεσόντες (pros-koo-neh'-o) (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore).
• Our challenge is to live in a state of worship. To have a balance between reverencing Him for who He is- King of the universe; God almighty but also understand that He is also our Daddy.
• God is an awesome God, terrible and fearful for those that don’t know Him. But He’s your Daddy first. He’s a much better Father than He’s a God. God is someone who loves you and He’s approachable. A Father who watch over you. All you need to do is to trust Him.

IV. Benefits of Wisdom

 Long Life- Proverbs 9:11 NASB – “For by me your days will be multiplied, And your years of life will be added unto you.” Long life to your physical body.
Proverbs 9:10 NLT- “My child listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long good life.” You will live a good long life when wisdom takes a hold of your heart and it’s sweet to your soul. When the wisdom of God takes a hold on you, your days will be lengthened. You will live a long and fruitful life. That’s the quality of life. A long and good life.
Preservation and Protection- Proverbs 4:6 “Forsake her wisdom not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you.” Wisdom will preserve you. Because wisdom from God will tell you when to step forward, and when to be still. The Holy Spirit will say, “Don’t do anything. I got this.”
“Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. Proverbs 3:23 KJV. There are things out there that enemy purposely puts in our path to make us trip. With wisdom, you won’t trip because God will stop you. How? He will give you discernment. If you wait long enough, God will speak to your heart.

 Promotion, Honor, Favor- Proverbs 4:8-9 “8 if you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head; And present you with a beautiful crown.” Wreath was given to champions; and crown represents authority. That means, wisdom is going to make you a winner, and it’s going to give you a crown- authority and dominion in whatever area of influence of your life.
 Physical Health and Healing – Proverbs 3:7-8; 4:20-22- “Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil.” That means, don’t be wise in your own understanding. Don’t try to figure it out things by yourself, let the Holy Spirit guide you and give you the wisdom as to what to do. Fear the Lord- worship the Lord; submit and depart from evil. Proverb 4: 20-22 -20 My son, attend to my words; incline your ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart. Make an effort to listen to what I’m telling you through this word and through Godly counsel.

V. A Good Night Sleep. No Fear!

a) Pure- hagnos- from sacred (physically, pure, morally, blameless... consecrated; clean, i.e. innocent, modest, perfect. The wisdom that comes from God it is sacred. It is pure; morally blameless. There’s never any hint of flesh; fleshiness, pride or arrogance. It is pure. When God tells you to do something, it’s going to benefit you and someone else.
b) Peaceable- (i-ray-nee-kos’) from to join; peace, implication, prosperity; pacific [peaceful in character or intent]; by implication, salutary (especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial. It is peaceable- God’s wisdom doesn’t separate or cause division. It brings unity.
c) Gentle- appropriate, i.e. (by implication) mild (gentle and not easily provoked). It is gentle and not easily provoked. No matter what comes towards you, you remain calm because you know who you belong to. We get unsettled when we don’t remember who we belong to.
d) Easily to be entreated- good for persuasion. That means if God has spoken to you heart and someone else has a different opinion, you don’t dismiss it.
e) Mercy- (el’-eh-os) – compassion (human or divine, especially active). It has compassion.
f) Fruit- fruit as plunked. Bringing fruits that give life.
g) Without partiality- undistinguished, i.e. (actively) impartial. God brings people together and leads them to move together. When God speaks it comes to pass. What He brings together no one can separate.
h) Without hypocrisy- undissembled [not pretended; undisguised], i.e. sincere.
o What wants us to go to sleep without worrying about anything.
o We have angels with swords out taking care of us. You have no business being afraid. If you are married, you have four of those people guarding you house. One to your right, one to your left. How do I know? Simple, the mercy seat had two cherubim. One on the right, and one on the left. Want to know where the mercy seat is? It’s in your heart. The problem is we don’t let those angels fight for us, because we don’t act like God’s children sometimes. The kingdom of heaven only functions when we yield to Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” Rest can only happen when we rest in Him.

o James 3:17- “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

o Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.”