Are You Wiser Than A 5th Grader? - Wisdom

Are You Wiser Than a 5th Grader?

II Chronicles 1:7-12; James 3:13-17

http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Wisdom.html

The popular TV game show is a misnomer, because it doesn’t really test ‘smarts’, but ‘knowledge.’ It should be called “Are You More Knowledgeable than a 5th Grader?”! They haven’t found anyone who was yet, and sadly, it’s almost as hard to find Christians these days w/ much Bible knowledge and God given wisdom...you’ll find an elementary level in many cases. We need to make disciples, and be disciples!

God gave Solomon the equivalent of a blank check, and he did the honorable thing…he didn’t ask selfishly, but spiritually. God said, to reward this desire, I’m gonna give you what you asked for, and what you didn’t ask for!

Solomon became both the wisest and the wealthiest in the world.

Our world today suffers the most serious lack of wisdom of all of human history / foolishness rampant / destruction of lives.

I. The Priority of Wisdom (Proverbs 4:7, James 3:13)

Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Principal=main thing / top priority…we need wisdom more than a good job / strength and health / anything!…it’s the principal thing!

James 3:13

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Notice: James doesn’t ask, who is a rich man? / popular / educated…

A. Wisdom is greater than monetary power. (Proverbs 3:13-16)

Proverbs 3:13-16

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. [14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. [15] She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. [16] Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

Ill.—Armored truck goes by, everyone looks/ponders…we examine the guards/guns/procedures they follow…because everyone wants money…it’s a very “principal” thing to us! Well, if there were a truck full of wisdom going down the road, I wonder how many guards it would need? How many would concoct a plan to storm that truck and try to make off w/ it all?

Hear this: It is a great day in a Christian’s life when he begins to want wisdom more than anything else.

This was Solomon’s day…he did just that, and God honored that!

B. Wisdom is greater than military power. (Eccl. 9:16-18)

Eccles. 9:16-18

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. [17] The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. [18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war…

We’re in a war on terror. And what we need in the Pentagon is wisdom / oval office / congress / all of military and law enforcement…

Would to God that every pastor would make this a daily prayer—a prayer for wisdom…

Every deacon / church leader / parent

C. Wisdom is greater than mental power. (Proverbs 4:4-9)

Proverbs 4:4-9

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. [5] Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. [6] Forsake her (wisdom) not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. [7] Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. [8] Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. [9] She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Back to James 3:13

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

We’re comparing wisdom w/ knowledge, and wisdom always comes first…knowledge is important, but it always failed if not linked to wisdom! For wisdom gives you the ability to rightly apply the knowledge you have been given. And knowledge is worthless and even dangerous w/out wisdom holding its hand, guiding it in the right direction.

There’s a big difference between being smart and being wise.

Joke: 4 guys in airplane—pilot, scientist, elderly preacher, Boy Scout

Developed plane trouble…pilot said we’re gonna have to jump out…problem is there’s only 3 parachutes.

Pilot said: the Air Force has spent many thousands of $ training me, so I have to live—grabbed parachute and jumped out.

Scientist said, I have the highest IQ here, 4 PhD’s, I’m probably the smartest man in the world, so the world needs me—and he jumped