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A Wise God Series
Contributed by Gregory Neill on May 22, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Part 8 in a series from Proverbs dealing with the character of God
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Wise God
I. Introduction
A. Thus far in our study of Proverbs have studied.
1. Answered who is a wise man?
2. Seen how to use the tongue wisely.
3. Examined a wise family.
4. Making wise plans.
5. How to be a wise friend.
6. How to use our money wisely.
7. Guarding our hearts wisely.
B. Tonight we look at our wise God.
1. By examining His attributes.
2. Coming to a realization of who He is.
3. Getting to Know Him
a) By keeping His commandments – 1 John 2:3-4
b) Learning to love Him – 1 John 4:7
c) Through the study of His word.
C. Proverbs reveals to us the wonderful God that we should…
1. Trust
2. Obey
3. Love
4. Know intimately
II. The Attributes of our Wise God
A. God is a Holy God
1. Proverbs 9:10 and 30:3 describes God as The Holy One – Meaning one that is utterly different.
2. The very nature of God is Holy – Leviticus 19:2, 20:7, 1 Peter 1:16
3. In God there is no darkness – 1 John 1:5
4. In God there is no evil and He hates that which is evil
a) God loves sinners (Romans 5:8) but hates sin.
b) God hated evil actions – Proverbs 6:17-19
1) A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.
2) A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run to evil, false witness and sowing discord.
c) Perverse people are an abomination to God – Proverbs 3:32
5. God is so Holy that He had to separate Himself from His Son because of sin – Matthew 27:46
6. Because God is Holy He is also righteous – Proverbs 24:12
B. God is a Sovereign God
1. Sovereign because He is supreme and all knowing.
2. The Lord has made all things for Himself – Proverbs 16:4
3. He is the Creator of all things – Proverbs 3:19-20, 8:22-31, 30:4
4. He rules in the kingdoms of men – Daniel 4:17, 25, Romans 13:1
a) Proverbs 8:15-16 – “By Me kings reign and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule and nobles, all the judges of the earth.”
b) Proverbs 21:1 – The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord.”
5. He is in control of every situation – Romans 8:28
6. He sees all things.
a) Proverbs 15:3 – “The eyes of the Lord are in every place. Keeping watch on the evil and the good.”
b) Proverbs 5:21 – “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord…”
c) Hebrews 4:13 – No creature is hidden from His sight.
7. He judges all hearts – Proverbs 21:2
C. God is a Compassionate God
1. Compassion means to be moved with the concerns of others.
2. God is concerned with those in need – Proverbs 14:31
3. God is a provider of comfort and strength – Proverbs 18:10 (He is a strong tower that the righteous run to and are safe.)
4. God is concerned with our physical needs – Matthew 6:31-32
5. God is concerned about emotional needs – 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30
6. God is concerned with our spiritual needs
a) Proverbs 20:24 – “A man’s steps are of the Lord. How can a man understand his own way?”
b) He has provided us the way to Him – John 14:6
c) Proverbs 25:12 – “The Lord teaches us in the way we should go.”
D. God is a Just God
1. Proverbs 24:23-26 (Some keys to justice)
a) God is impartial – (23) Galatians 2:6
b) He is consistent – He calls a spade a spade (24) – James 1:17
c) He punishes evil and rewards good (25)
2. Justices pleases God – Proverbs 21:3 “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
3. Godly considers wisely and does not act of uncontrolled emotion – Proverbs 21:12
4. Proverbs 3:34 – “Surely He scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble.”
E. God is a Wise God
1. He is wise beyond human reasoning – Isaiah 55:8-9
2. He is not one in need of teaching – Isaiah 40:13, Romans 11:34
3. God has revealed His wisdom in creation.
a) Proverbs 3:19-20 (Read)
b) Psalm 104:24 – “O Lord how manifold are Your work! In wisdom you have made them all…”
c) Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.”
4. God’s wisdom is seen in His providence.
a) Proverbs 21:30 – “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.”
b) Without violating man’s free moral agency he “works all things according to the counsel of His will.” Ephesians 1:11
c) We see His providence in the events of nations in order to bring Christ into the world – Daniel 2, 7