I. A Word to the Wise
A. Text: I Corinthians 1:30
“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…”
B. There are several things we have received through redemption in Christ Jesus.
1. II Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
(a) Righteousness means “right-standing with God.”
2. And, II Corinthians 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
(a) The word “rich” comes from the Greek word plouteo (ploo-teh'-o), which is where we get our English word “plenty.” It means to “have an abundance.”
3. So, our text is also telling us that we have received wisdom through Jesus Christ.
C. Defining Wisdom
1. Webster’s dictionary defines wisdom as “insight or a good sense of judgment.” It states that to be wise is to “have discernment.”
2. So, our text is implying that we also receive wisdom as part of the redemption package. And, that is a good thing, because, without it, we wouldn’t be able to comprehend the remainder of our inheritance!
3. Another way to define being wise is to say that you “possess inside information.”
4. I want to show you today, how getting wisdom in your life ---Godly wisdom --- will help you in your walk with Christ!
II. How to Wise Up
A. Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and good understanding have those who do His commandments.”
B. So, in other words, reverence for God is the beginning to wisdom. You get wisdom, by revering God, by respecting and obeying His Word.
C. And, we obey God’s Word because we reverence Him. We honor Him, and He, in turn will honor us!
D. For you see, when we obey His Word, we will speak His Word, which is the wisdom of God itself!
1. Psalm 37:29-31 says, “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever. The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide (slip).”
2. David said, in Psalm 49:3, “My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.”
E. Solomon, David’s son, known as the wisest man that ever lived, in writing to his own son, said, “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom…a wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain (acquire) wise counsel.” (Proverbs 1:1-3, 5)
F. {Read Proverbs Chapter 2}
G. Solomon goes on to remind us, in Chapter 3, verse 13, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.”
III. What Have You Got?
A. So, what happens, in most case is, that we hear too many messages preached saying that we can get this, and we can get that from God. And, then, we get in the habit of the “gimmies.”
B. Yet, we are finding out today, that if we first get wisdom, then we will then understand how, when and why we can obtain other blessings from God!!!
C. Listen to what Solomon further told his son!
1. Proverbs 4:5, 7 “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
2. So, he says, that of all that we can get, the most important thing to get, the principle thing is, understanding/wisdom! And, while we are in the process of trying to “get stuff from God,” why not get some understanding.
3. Understanding of what? Of His Word! Remember, God’s wisdom is His Word! So, let’s get some understanding of the wisdom (or Word) of God! And, when we do, it will be easier to comprehend how to obtain the other blessings that come through redemption!
D. Because, without wisdom, it doesn’t matter if you have riches! You won’t know how you got them, or what to do with them when you get them!
E. That’s why Solomon goes on to say, in 8:11, (listen carefully) “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared to her.”
F. Therefore, if you desire to understand the Word of God, or obey the Word of God, then all of these other things will be better understood.
G. This is why David said in Psalm 37:4-6 that we should “delight (ourselves)…in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
H. Proverbs 16:6 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”
I. Later, it says “understanding is a well spring of life to him who has it.” (Proverbs 16:22)
J. “He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.” (Proverbs 19:8)
K. So, again, to be wise is to have some “inside information.” To get understanding of God’s Word is to know it from the inside out. Let me give you an example.
IV. From the Pit to the Palace.
A. Many know the story of how Daniel was skillful in wisdom.
B. In fact, Daniel chapter 1 states that the King was looking for a “few good men.” Men who were young, good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, so that they may serve in the king’s palace. This is where Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were first mentioned.
C. Their faith was put to the test when the king decreed that everyone would bow and worship someone other than God Himself.
D. Of course, they didn’t compromise in their obedience to God.
E. That’s because they had wisdom --- they had inside information --- that God was faithful and was able to deliver them.
F. You may say, ‘Pastor, how do I get from the pit to the palace?’ It’s simple, get understanding – get wisdom – inside information from God’s Word – and know who you are in Christ Jesus. Know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that Satan is defeated and you are triumphant over him!!!! Know the Word of God! Know the wisdom of God Himself!!!
V. When You Get Wisdom, Your House Will Become a Home!
A. Again, Proverbs 24:3-4 states, “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; (notice this comes first; then) by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
B. Solomon writes, again, this time in Ecclesiastes 2:26, “For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight…” Or, to the man who obeys His Word!!!
C. He states, “…the excellence (or advantage) of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.”
D. He goes on to say that he “applied (his) heart to know, to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things…” (Proverbs 7:25)
E. I could go on and on about wisdom, but the key thing to remember is… “Get it…. or get nothing!”
VI. True Wisdom – A Biblical Account
A. The Fear of God Constitutes Wisdom –
1. Job 28:28 “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.”
B. Experience Creates Wisdom -
1. Job 32:7 “…(a) multitude of years should teach wisdom.”
C. Wisdom – The Supreme Acquisition -
1. Proverbs 4:7 again, “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
D. Wisdom Apprehends Divine Truth -
1. Hosea 14:9 “Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.”
E. Wisdom Lays an Immovable Foundation –
1. Matthew 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken unto him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock.”
F. The Word is the Source of Wisdom –
1. II Timothy 3:15 “…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
G. Wisdom is Full of Spiritual Fruits –
1. James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Luke 21:15
“…for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist (withstand).”
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…”
