[0:00] Jonathan has been mentioned to you. I'm from Middleton Baptist Church and I bring greetings from your friends and families that are worshipping with us in Middleton Baptist Church.
[0:15] I was once part of this church, so when Johnny asked me to come and preach, and I said, wow, that's like me coming back home. So I'm feeling more like I'm playing a home game today. So I think I should be more relaxed, didn't I? But nevertheless, you know, I've made some old friends and it's good to see you all and I'm very, very thrilled and happy to be here.
[0:48] I'm standing in the air thanking God for His grace when I was in this church. I wasn't a member of this church. The gospel wasn't that very clear to me. But today, I thank God for how God has transformed myself and my family and where we are at now. I'm standing here as a student of Monster Bible College and still have some few modules to complete before I fully graduated.
[1:23] So please, I do value your prayers. Please continue to pray for me so that I can continue to grow in this knowledge. So let's turn our Bible to Proverbs, if we have already got it. Let me get it. Proverbs chapter 9.
[1:44] Jonathan has been given a wonderful introduction to the two invitations we're going to be looking at this morning in Proverbs chapter 9.
[1:54] So let me read it. So let me read it. Wisdom has built her house. She has honed his seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
[2:11] She has sent out her maids and she calls from the highest point of the city. Let all who are simple come here. She says to those who lack judgment, Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
[2:33] Leave your simple ways and you will live. Work in the ways of understanding. Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult. Whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
[2:50] Do not rebuke a mocker, for he will hate you. Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still.
[3:03] Teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
[3:15] For through me your days will be many and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. If you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
[3:30] Verse 13. The woman fully is loud. She is undisciplined and without knowledge. She sits at the door of her house. On a seat at the highest point of the city.
[3:42] Calling out to those who pass by. Who go straight on their way. Let all who are simple come in here. She says to those who lack judgment.
[3:54] Stolen water is sweet. Food eating in secret is delicious. But little do they know that the dead are there. That our guests are in the death of the grave.
[4:09] Let us pray for God's help. Lord, we just want to come to your presence this morning. As we hope in your words, we ask for your help. Please speak through me.
[4:21] I'm only a vessel. I pray, God, that your words will come through me clearly. And will be communicated well this morning to everyone.
[4:32] And even to myself as well. So I pray, God, that as we hear it, may we be transformed. May your Holy Spirit help us to take it in. And help us to apply it to our life.
[4:44] Let us see clearly the invitation that you want us to choose for ourselves. To have a better life. To be able to live this world.
[4:56] This circular world that we find ourselves in. And to point us into your glory. So we thank you for your help in this. In Jesus' name.
[5:11] These days, our primary reliance for navigation is Google Maps, isn't it? To reach our destinations. I don't know about you. Recently, Alice and I traveled to a center of excellence.
[5:24] It plays in County Mayo. It's a GAA place where my daughter Alexis have a GAA Gaelic football match. And on our way, Google Maps directed us through a shortcut.
[5:38] It's believed to be a regular road. But it turned out to be a road from a farm to people's backyard. And we were wondering, what are we doing here? Should we turn back?
[5:50] But while we're desperately trying to find our way out into a better road, we find ourselves driving through even more bushes and more, you know, uncomfortable roads, desperately to get out onto the plain road.
[6:03] But that never happened. But thank God, somehow, we got to our destination. But it wasn't pleasant. Isn't it also true? Isn't it true about our life as a journey?
[6:14] As we travel through this world, we encounter various choices along the way. And one thing we all strive to do is to ensure that we make the right decisions for ourselves.
[6:29] Whether it is in choosing friends, partners, managing finances, or maintaining good health, or even embracing a good lifestyle, or a godly lifestyle.
[6:44] This passage we're going to be looking at this morning, Solomon presents a picture of two invitations from two ladies. One is Lady Wisdom, and the other one, Lady Folly.
[6:57] Both of them are calling out to us, seeking our attention and response. And this is what both seek every day.
[7:09] In whatever we do, the constant invitation. Constant invitation that is seeking our attention and looking at how we respond to it.
[7:24] But first, let's have a look at the invitation of Lady Wisdom. From verse 1 to 12. The first thing we see with Lady Wisdom is, have preparation.
[7:38] Verse 1 says she has a beautiful home. Wisdom has built her house. She has set up its seven pillars. This is not an ordinary home.
[7:51] It's a home with seven pillars. The number seven suggests completeness. One that lacks nothing. It's magnificent. It's a solid and well-furnished house.
[8:05] It has seven pillars, he says. For builders who know this pillar, a pillar is needed to support a massive, massive building. So a home with seven pillars means massive in size.
[8:17] This metaphor, using describing Lady Wisdom, can be compared to the qualities of wisdom described in James 3.17.
[8:30] James describes the home of wisdom. But the wisdom that comes from heaven, he's first of all, pure. Then peace-loving.
[8:43] Considerate. The wisdom is submissive. It's full of mercy. Good fruit. It's impartial.
[8:53] Impartial and sincere. And also Proverbs 24.3-4. It reads, By wisdom, By wisdom, A house is built.
[9:04] And through understanding, It is established. Through knowledge, His rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
[9:16] You see, Lady Wisdom don't only just have a beautiful home. She has prepared a feast for her guest.
[9:30] Verse 2 says that she has much to offer. She prepares a satisfying feast. And not only she prepares that, She beautifully presented her face on a decorated table with meat and wine.
[9:48] That is appealing, right? That is appealing. A decorated table with plenty of meat and wine. And not only she does that.
[10:01] She doesn't just leave it there and be looking at it. She wants to be heard. She makes great effort. Verse 3-9. Tell her that she wants to be heard.
[10:13] Verse 3. She makes great effort to reach all those who will listen. In doing so, She sends out a servant and cries out for the highest point of the city. Crying out.
[10:24] Inviting the sinful. Those with no saints. Verse 4-5. To come and join her in a feast.
[10:38] Those who are sinful. Those that are ignorant. They are the ignorant to the gospel.
[10:51] They are not stupid. They are smart people. Because Jesus also encounters so many of them during his ministry. Those that lack understanding.
[11:03] But there is no discrimination here. Lady Wisdom is inviting them to come. All of them to come and eat and drink her prepared face. This meal she has prepared represents divine understanding and insight.
[11:23] She is asking them to leave your simple ways and you will leave. Wisdom is not something that can be bought or earned or for privileged fuel.
[11:35] Wisdom extends all that offer to everyone that passes by her city. and she invited them to her home. She is asking them to forsake foolishness and leave to go in the way of insight.
[11:55] Do you receive that invitation every day in your life today? Whatever you are doing whatever you are engaging yourself into are you getting that invitation that something special is calling you?
[12:08] or are you just a mocker and denying the spirit of God calling you to come and participate in a banquet?
[12:25] Look at verse 7 to 9 she won't invite mockers the mockers are quite different from simple the mockers are wicked people that's what Jesus called them in Luke 11 29 the wicked generation why?
[12:44] Because they were asking Jesus to give them more signs even though Jesus has done so many signs pointing them to himself as the Messiah so Jesus called them you mockers are wicked generation they refused to heed to Christ's wisdom this passage is warning us it's a waste of time to seek the company of the wicked to seek the company of mockers because in the hope of doing so or trying to help them you are more likely we are all more likely to be corrupted by them why?
[13:28] because they're ridicule wise words there's nothing you can tell them that is truth that they will not try to change it or they will not try to laugh about it and if you're not careful they will try to destroy someone's reputation no one that Jesus told his disciples supposed to go into the city two by two but if they don't take you in if they refuse to hear your words dust your feet and move on but here's the joyful thing in contrast a wise person loves lady wisdom and follows his command and wants to learn more verse 8 9 says rebuke the wise and they will love you instruct the wise and they will be wiser still teach the righteous and they will add to their learning lady wisdom is not just making this plea for nothing he's making this plea so that we can come and feast in his home he has set up his decorated table with satisfying mail and he's inviting all the sinful to come in because he had she has so much promise to give them three promises in verse 10 she's going to give them wisdom and understanding it says the fear of the
[15:14] Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding to fear the Lord is not something for us to shrink in error but to humbly revere and honor God that is what it means to fear the Lord when we have a deep intimate and respect for God for who he is the holy loving master of God then we will recognize his greatness his sovereignty and his divine nature and the result of his knowledge will help us to turn away from our own sin and seek to be Christ like Colossians 2 verse 2 to 3 he said my goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding so that they may know the mystery of God namely
[16:19] Christ in whom are healing all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge not only her promise is a wisdom and understanding she also wants us to have a long life it's guaranteed verse 11 said for true wisdom your days will be many and years will be added to your life that is those who walk in a way will be rewarded with more fulfilling life experiencing the blessings of wise living and avoiding negative consequences that often result in lack of godly wisdom following lady wisdom is a guarantee of long life verse 12 says we have a fruitful life because she wants us to have the best life possible her promise about wisdom understanding long life fruitful life means reward with fruit of the holy spirit we have relationship with god and the heart and the heart and the fruitful life we will receive with lady wisdom assures us that no matter the struggle we face in this world by heading to the instruction of god obedience to his command will will be compensated in eternity but the last verses 12 what a mocker will suffer in isolation so let's leave it there let's go to the lady fully 13 to 18 she competes with lady wisdom for souls of men and women she also have her own preparation what does she prepare actually she make no preparation at all verses 13 says she's unruly which means she's loud disordered and knows nothing she lacks understanding she's wayward all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten but she pleads in verse 14 she sits on a high seat just like lady wisdom in the higher city she cries out for the seated position though she doesn't move unlike lady wisdom who sent her servants to be heard lady falling doesn't move that's a sign of laziness isn't it she waits for simple and those who lack understanding to pass by and come to her she doesn't cry out she promised in verse 17 that stolen water is sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant when you think about stolen water
[19:57] I'm a native of Nigeria and I remember when myself and my wife went to my mother in house she had a well in front of her house and my wife said I do not like the way people were coming from all over the place community just coming to fresh from that well what should we do and then we decided to have a ring like a gate to lock it well she's right in doing so because people were coming to her to her yard to take water that doesn't belong to them this is also implied to when we we're thrilled in doing what is forbidding or dodgy activities and we're thinking that stolen water is sweet the more prohibited the more unlawful things are the more things belong to us the more tempting and desirable it becomes because why because we get excited about you know
[21:21] I can quickly just get away with it nobody will save me a few weeks ago 4.2 million worth of cocaine was discovered for money for stolen water for 2017 reminds us that food gained by fraud tastes sweet but one hander with a mouth full of gravel food the sad thing is the followers of lady folly they do not know the true promise about this that they were all ended up in the house of dead their way is a way to hell we are here this morning we hear these two invitations coming into our mind every time we long for wisdom and understanding we long for fruitful life we long for long life or a mouth full of gravel taking things that doesn't belong to us and calling it smartness so with invitation shall we accept this morning is it that of lady wisdom who has prepared much and delivered what she promises or that of lady folly who promises much and delivers the opposite let me remind you lady folly delivers the worst life possible she doesn't offer forgiveness once you fall into her house she's a house of hell you're dead eternal condemnation you're not going to come out of it her punishment is irreversible there is no single benefit offered by her she does not only provide obvious worldly laws and the morality that destroys human souls she's also present in false teachings of God's words with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lust that destroy people's life changing the gospel for something that the
[24:28] Bible doesn't say or try to twist the word of God into something that become sweet water and use that as an excuse that you can get away with things become immoral because they're all tradition these are all work of Satan which Lady Foley represents 2 Corinthians 11 13 sorry 2 Corinthians 11 3 warns us that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent cunning our minds may somehow be led astray from our sincere and pure devotion to Christ in the same chapter verse 11 that Satan even disguises himself as an angel of light guys there are things out there that are out to get us serious invitation to turn away from a godly way into the life of lies and ruin
[25:56] I don't know about you but my choice is Lady Wisdom between the two invitations where Lady Wisdom symbolizes a metaphor for Jesus Jesus identifies himself as wisdom he is the creator of wisdom from in Genesis chapter 1 26 to 7 he initiated creating a man in God's image if you turn your Bible to me please to Proverb 8 just to flip back from 22 to 31 let me introduce Jesus to you again Jesus introduced himself he says the Lord brought me forth as the first of his works before his deeds of old
[26:58] I was appointed from eternity from the beginning before the world began when there is no oceans I was given birth when there was no springs abounding with water before the mountains were settled in place before the hills I was given birth before he made the hell or his field or any of his doors of the world I was there when he set the heavens in place where he marked out the horizons on the face of the deep when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep when he gave the sea his boundary so the waters would not overstep his command when he marked out the foundation of the earth then I was a craft man at his side I was filled with delight day after day rejoicing always in his presence rejoicing in his in his whole world and delighting in mankind that's
[28:11] Jesus for you all of us are sinful people by God's standard we can easily be influenced to do things that are opposite to God's command but fortunately God's wisdom is readily accessible to anyone to all of us this morning he does know we told it for those who earnestly want it because Jesus as we just read from that passage chapter 8 30 31 he says then I was a craftsman at his side I was filled with delight day after day rejoicing always in his presence rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind Jesus is constantly reaching out to us in
[29:11] Jeremiah 1 5 his water firms he knew us even before we were formed in the womb this is what this passage is saying he loves us before we loved him he becomes for us wisdom from God our righteousness holiness and our redemption therefore if we want to acquire his wisdom we must earnestly desire it and ask him for it that's what James advised us to do if any of us lack wisdom we should ask God we give generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you in Proverbs 18 17 also emphasize that he loves those who love him and those who take him will find him神 like proget the thatdziele of course the bible set the path straight for us.
[30:47] And not only set our path straight, he points us to Christ. He points us to Christ to show us his love for us.
[30:58] That he gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. Without the Christ wisdom revealed to us in the Bible, we cannot know the best choice that prevents us from falling into the hand of Lady Foley.
[31:21] A theologian, Donald Whitney, says that there is simply no healthy Christian life apart from a diet of milk and meat of Scripture.
[31:35] This means we need a regular intake of words as a spiritual diet to know the ways and the will of the Lord, to know what is pleasing to God as well as what is ultimately best and most fulfilling for ourselves.
[31:52] Friends, this is crucial to remember we're not only the ones in these situations. We have people out there, the simples are out there, and we need to go out and invite them.
[32:03] We need to let them know about the nourishment the words of God offers. That Christ loves for all.
[32:17] So that we're not only partakers in the feast, but to extend the invitation to others, allowing them to experience God's grace and to undergo the transformation through his wisdom.
[32:30] Friends, if we accept Christ's invitation this morning, through repentance means lady fully has no more power over us.
[32:47] Simple as that. We will receive forgiveness. We will become an insider. The mystery of the gospel will be unveiled to us.
[33:07] We will become an adopter child of God. Becoming partakers in his inheritance and assurance for eternal life and a grand banquet to come.
[33:24] let me finish by just reading from Isaiah 25 6-8 It's a prayer I want to leave with you.
[33:43] It says, On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all people. a banquet of aged wine the best meats and the finest of wines.
[34:00] On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds our peoples the sheath that covers all nations. He will swallow up death forever.
[34:13] The sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces. he will remove his people from all the elves. The Lord has spoken.
[34:27] Let us come to him in his invitation as we experience God's invitation every day in everything that we do.
[34:41] Once we are in Christ we have it all. Satan or Lady Foley or whatever description that they can come with it has no power over us.
[34:57] So I plead with you this morning. Let us pray. Lord Jesus we thank you for your words.
[35:10] We thank you for your word is truth. We thank you for your love that's shown from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation. We thank you that your love for us never ceased.
[35:24] They are fresh every morning. Lord please I beg and I pray that you will reach out to us every day whatever our position with you.
[35:37] If we are right with you Lord please continue to guide us energize us and encourage us and increase our faith in you Lord. And we are not sure where we are today with you.
[35:52] Lord we pray God that you will make us right with you. You bring us to that position not only to tremble at your words but to submit to it and to give honor to you and call you Habba Father.
[36:09] So I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you Aaron and what a wonderful reminder that Jesus still calls us he still gives us that invitation and just thinking to