Practical Proverbs
Opening Illustration: A Riddle: Who am I?
What is more valuable than gold or silver?
What has the power to make our life fulfilling?
What can assist us to achieve our God given destinies?
What insight can make me financially fit?
What force is able to restore and maintain healthy relationships in our life?
What is able to make our families and kids prosper?
What can help me to be physically fit and healthy?
What has the ability to help establish a solid financial foundation throughout my life?
What source can help me raise my children to be successes?
What program can make me successful in the business world?
What dynamic can make us laugh and cry?
What influence can change the way I look at a certain situation in life?
What resource can help me handle a crisis appropriately and honorably?
What insight can save my marriage and make it strong?
My name is – Wisdom!
Introduction:
Quote: Bill Hybels, “The world overflows with information, data and knowledge. But there is precious little wisdom?"
Illustration: On the Lighter side: The Wisdom of Cowboys:
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad
judgment.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier ’n puttin’ it back in.
If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and
then to make sure it’s still there.
If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try
orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started
roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him... The
moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
There’s two theories to arguin’ with a woman. Neither one works.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Never slap a man who’s chewin’ tobacco.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Don’t kick a sleeping dog.
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it
back in your pocket.
These cowboy proverbs have some good sound advice in them but are they really what the bible defines as wisdom?
The Book of Proverbs is filled with colorful language and it paints great word pictures which apply to everyday life.
Hybels states: “Proverbs simply tells (us) how life works most of the time…The rule is that the godly, moral, hardworking, and wise will reap many rewards.
The book of Proverbs is a compelling book of practicality and insight! It is a practical guide to life in written form and it is filled with exciting insights to read and to apply to our personal lives. The book has the power to transform a life, a nation or even a church. When you read a proverb it usually strikes a chord within you. You may laugh and then read another one and cry. Proverbs is elegant yet forceful in its words. Proverbs will touch your heart and give you wisdom in the everyday decisions of life.
The following thought is from Holman Bible Handbook on the book of Proverbs: Proverbs has other features in common with the wisdom writings of the other nations of the ancient Near East. Like them, it is very practical. It deals with ordinary matters of life more than with great philosophical concepts. Also its structure and organization are in many ways like the other wisdom writings, especially those from Egypt. But Israelite wisdom is distinct from that of the other nations in its assertion that God is the starting point in the search for true wisdom: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7; compare 9:10; Ps 111:10). From beginning to end, Proverbs deals with the practical concerns of an individual who knows God. It teaches the believer how to live.
Proverbs challenges us believers to learn the lessons from the past generations. It gives us the practical implications of confessing our trust and faith in the Lord of all of life. In Proverbs the wise show respect for God and His value system. We must have a God focus for our lives because we cannot be divorced from lives of faithfulness. Faith must be lived out in the day-to-day world where problems call for practical wisdom.That wisdom starts with God and comes from God.
Willmington’s Bible Handbook says this about the book of Proverbs:
The book of Proverbs is a collection of proverbs and wise sayings brought together for the purpose of imparting wisdom ... Proverbs focuses on the difference between the wisdom that results from belief in God and the folly that results from denial of his existence. It describes the fate of the “fool” (see 12:1), who, because he has deliberately rejected God (see Ps. 14:1; Rom. 1:18-23), becomes one of “the wicked” (see 4:10-19). As the wicked fool moves ever further from God, he moves further from wisdom and common sense as well. By contrast, the wise person realizes God exists and has a healthy “fear” of God’s authority (see 1:1-7). He or she realizes, therefore, that right and wrong actions have consequences. Such awareness of how the world works leads to a happy and satisfying life.
Sermon 1: Wise verse foolish!
My pursuit of wisdom:
Shortly after becoming a Christian my roommate and I were discussing how foolish many people we knew were acting. In the midst of our discussion we talked about the book of Proverbs. It was if the Holy Spirit entered the room at that point in the conversation and a light bulb clicked on in both of our brains. The thought and instruction which ticker taped across our minds was “Do you two want to be wise and filled with wisdom?" we had to answer that question. We said "Yes." Then the Holy Spirit said, "Read the book of Proverbs, learn the teaching of Proverbs and apply these principles to your life everyday and you too will be considered wise."
Since that day I have read – studied –preached and learned from the book of Proverbs. The book has enlightened my heart and life and given me wisdom. It has been a book which stirs me up on the inside, it has revealed to me what real wisdom is and isn’t. It has helped me and prevented me from sabotaging my own life with foolishness. It has helped me make right choices and it has prevented me from making bad choices.It has also corrected me when I made bad choices.
Thesis: The primary message of Proverbs is “Get wisdom or act and look like a fool!”
I. The wise guy and gal:
a. We need to pursue wisdom and reject foolishness in our lives and make sure we teach our children and grandchildren to do the same. It’s really a matter of life and death. Its also a matter of happiness and heartache.
i. Wisdom helps us to not make those bad choices that you see every day on people’s faces.
ii. What is the price you would pay to be able to make good sound choices every day in your life?
1. A million dollars?
iii. Wisdom is free for those who seek it and receive it into their hearts and minds.
1. That wisdom is God given.
iv. Hybels defines wisdom as, “Wisdom is what is true and right combined with good judgment” (Making Life Work, page 16, 17).
v. Proverbs tells us a life which is lived with wisdom is a life that is worth more than rubies, diamonds or gold. It is a life that is filled with significance and the blessings of God. It’s a life that makes an eternal difference in the scope of time. It’s a life with joy and laughter and hope and peace. It’s all rooted in wisdom with it life is good - without it life is harsh and cruel and even meaningless according to Solomon.
b. Parson Bible Dictionary says this about wisdom: Wisedom is a moral rather than an intellectual quality. To be “foolish” is to be godless (Ps. 14:1; compare Judg. 19:23; 2 Sam. 13:13). True wisdom is a gift from God to those who ask for it (Job 28:12-28; Prov. 3:13-18; Rom. 1:22; 16:27; 1 Cor. 1:17-21; 2:6-8; James 1:5). “Wisdom” in Prov. 1:20; 8:1; 9:1-5 may be regarded not as a mere personification of the attribute of wisdom, but as a divine person, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). In Matt. 11:19 it is the personified principle of wisdom that is meant.
i. Jesus is wisdom in the flesh!
ii. So if you want wisdom you need Jesus.
c. Wisdom defined:
i. Definitions might include these:
1. It seems that the real essence of wisdom is it’s spiritual, why because life is more than just living by a set of rules and being rewarded in some physical manner.
2. Undoubtedly, in this definition of wisdom it has to come from God (Prov. 2:6). Thus, though it will involve observation and instruction, it really begins with God and one’s faith in Him as Lord and Savior (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28) from Holman Bible Dictionary
d. Our Scripture Text
i. Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
ii. Proverbs 1:22-33:
1. 22 “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.
24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.
29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
iii. Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
iv. Psalm 111:10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
e. Video Illustration: Albert Einstein-Search for faith from Blue Fish TV
i. Quote: If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge.-- Vance Havner
ii. Einstein would have been considered a very wise man of the world.
1. His one quote, “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”
2. Our teacher in our video clip made a good case for what wisdom is and isn’t and Einstein even though very smart never found true wisdom and in the end died without it. The reality check we all need to hear is "Wisdom is not manmade it is God given."
a. Did you hear that, Michael McCartney said, “Wisdom is not manmade it is God given!”
f. Proverbs 12: 1-28: What are the characteristics of a wise man according to Proverbs 12? The following is adapted from http://bibleseo.com/old-testament/proverbs-12-christian-wisdom
i. A wise person is Teachable
1. They are ready to accept constructive criticism
2. They are ready to admit their need for correction
3. They are ready to listen to advice
4. They are willing to learn new things no matter what age
5. They are willing to study and discover new things
6. They are willing to always learning
ii. A wise person is God committed - God focused – God centered
1. A wise person has plans which are just and centered in on hearing from God.
2. A wise person builds their house on the rock and they have a strong foundation.
3. A wise persons ways lead to life and immortality.
a. “Wisdom is the God-given ability to perceive the true nature of a matter and implement the will of God in that matter” (Larry Lea, Wisdom pg.14)
iii. A wise person is pleasant
1. A wise person is humane toward others
2. A wise person cares for others
3. A wise person has joy in their heart
4. A wise person can laugh at themselves
5. A wise person has inner joy from the Lord
6. A wise person’s words soothe and heal others
7. A wise person cares for the needs of even its animals!
a. News Flash: An animal activist group in California petitioned the State to erect a monument on a highway were a truck wrecked which was caring 100’s of fish. The fish did not make it so they wanted a memorial to let everyone know about all the tragic deaths of these fish. The State denied their request this week.
iv. A wise person is disciplined
1. A wise person overlooks a insult
2. A wise person is Self-disciplined
3. A wise person is spiritually disciplined
4. A wise person is diligent in their work in accomplishing their assigned tasks.
5. A wise person is not easily angered.
6. A wise person controls their temper.
7. A wise person maintains their physical health.
8. A wise person watches the tongue –guards their words
9. A wise person manages their finances the godly way.
10. A wise person is good steward of Gods resources.
v. A wise person is reliable
1. A wise person is cautious in who he/she befriends or dates.
2. A wise person is a great loyal friend.
3. A wise person does not hang out with fools.
4. A wise person chooses the right person to marry.
5. A wise person stays committed to their marriage.
6. A wise person is not lusting after others.
7. A wise person does not commit adultery.
8. A wise person is one you can trust to be on time and to give their best at work.
vi. A wise person has Honesty or integrity
1. A wise person is trustworthy.
2. A wise persons speech is truthful.
3. A wise persons business deals are upright and honest
4. A wise person does not lie.
5. A wise person has no dishonest scales.
vii. A wise person is Humble
1. A wise person keeps his knowledge to himself, and uses it appropriately!
2. A wise person continues to put down pride in their life.
3. A wise person never usurps himself above another to get ahead.
4. A wise person does not put others down.
II. The Fool guy and gal:
a. Video clip Trains planes and automobiles
i. The clip shows how foolish we can be in life!
1. Unwilling to listen to others when we are going the wrong way, prideful, blinded and foolish!
2. These guys were going the wrong way and this other couple was trying to tell them that but they would not listen. Many in life are going the wrong way but they will not listen to wisdom or Gods truths. They even mock the ones trying to save their lives! like these guys did!
b. Reference the Power Point: I have a slide for you which asks the question: Is this wisdom or foolishness?
i. It’s a picture of a man with his head in a toilet after a heavy night of partying and the comparison picture is a dog drinking out of the toilet.
1. How many think this looks like wisdom?
2. How many people repeat this cycle weekend after weekend in our society?
c. The New Unger Bible Dictionary tells us, "In Scripture the “fool” primarily is the person who casts off the fear of God and thinks and acts as if he could safely disregard the eternal principles of God’s righteousness" (Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 14:9; Jeremiah 17:11; etc.).
i. Yet in many passages, especially in Proverbs, the term has its ordinary use and denotes one who is rash, senseless, or unreasonable. but the reason they are is because they have rejected God.
d. The reason people do foolish things is because they decided to distrust God and to instead trust in their own judgment.
i. Judges is a description of what this choice for Chaos looks like.
1. Judges 21:25: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”
2. Justbread Judges ans it will make you sick at what went out when everyone was doing their own thing.
e. Scriptures that address foolishness:
i. Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
ii. Proverbs 14:9: Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
iii. Psalm 14:1: The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
iv. Jeremiah 17:11: Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool.
f. Character traits of the fool:
i. A fool is Not teachable
1. They are Not willing to learn from others.
2. They will not learn from the Holy Spirit.
3. They will make the same mistakes over and over.
4. They are a person who refuses to change.
5. They will continually reject the wisdom of God.
ii. A fool is Not in right standing with God.
1. This person rejects wisdom which comes from God.
2. This person rejects the personification of wisdom which is Jesus Christ. See Proverbs 8
a. Substitute wisdom with Jesus name and see if not wisdom is Jesus?
3. This person believes they know more than God.
4. This person believes that sin is good not evil.
iii. A fool is Not a pleasant person.
1. A person who is mean – ill tempered – rude to other is called a fool in Proverbs.
2. A person with a critical spirit who rips on other people is called a fool.
3. A person who gossips is called a fool.
4. A person who maligns others and sees no good in the world is a fool.
5. A person who abuses animals and other people is a fool.
6. A person with no joy no laughter is a fool.
7. Fools have very few friends.
iv. A fool is Not disciplined.
1. They say things that hurt others and they do not control their tongues.
a. Psalms 39:1: I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
b. Proverbs 12:18: Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
c. James 1:26: 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
d. James 3:8-10: 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
2. They do not take care of their physical health or their physical bodies.
3. They do not care for their minds or their intellect.
4. They have quit learning because they think they know it all.
5. They neglect their spiritual being and pollute it with evil things.
6. They do not control their finances and therefore suffer debt and bondage.
7. They live on fleshly impulses daily.
v. A fool is Not reliable
1. They do not show up on time for work.
2. They say they will do something and don’t do it over and over.
3. They don’t keep their word. Their word is meaningless.
4. They are always looking out for themselves not others.
vi. A fool is Not trust worthy
1. They lie
2. They steal
3. They cheat
4. They care only about themselves
vii. A fool is Not humble but prideful
1. They think they know it all and therefore do not need God.
2. They are arrogant and puffed up and one day they will explode.
3. They are full of themselves and everyone knows it.
4. They glorify themselves.
Conclusion:
Solomon also wrote about wisdom in the book of Ecclesasties
Scripture Text: Ecc. 2:12-26
12 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom,
and also madness and folly.
What more can the king’s successor do
than what has already been done?
13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly,
just as light is better than darkness.
14 The wise man has eyes in his head,
while the fool walks in the dark...
24A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his
work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25for without him, who can eat or
find enjoyment? 26To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge
and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up
wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a
chasing after the wind.
Our subject this morning is “Wisdom” – Solomon discusses the thought of whether a person who is wise is really wise if God is not a part of his or her life. He talks about the nature of wisdom in comparison to foolishness. He concludes that a person may be wise in the things of the world but this really does not mean anything if they are not endowed with Heavenly wisdom from God. Thus a life lived without wisdom is a life that is meaningless!
The book of Proverbs was penned into the Bible for the specific purpose to bring wisdom into people’s minds and hearts.
Proverbs 1:1-6: The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; 3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
To become wise and to not look like a fool requires us to embrace wisdom and wisdom comes from God through the person of Jesus Christ. We learn of wisdom through the study of Proverbs through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Thesis: The primary message of Proverbs is “Get wisdom or act and look like a fool!”
Challenge: Read 1/2 a chapter a day in Proverbs from now to the end of the year. After reading your 1/2 chapter write down what the Holy Spirit is teaching you about wisdom. Trust me this exercise will bring wisdom into your daily life.
