WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.800 Good morning. 00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:08.580 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Shine Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:08.580 --> 00:00:11.519 and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:11.820 --> 00:00:14.320 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:14.820 --> 00:00:18.379 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're filling seats, 00:00:18.900 --> 00:00:21.839 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:22.440 --> 00:00:26.620 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, 00:00:27.380 --> 00:00:30.700 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad they can't have it, 00:00:31.060 --> 00:00:36.179 which is why we come back week after week to look at what God has to say to us in his word 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:39.240 because we believe that God has something to say to everyone. 00:00:39.420 --> 00:00:43.079 He has something to say to people who've been Christians their entire lives. 00:00:43.179 --> 00:00:46.799 He's been something to say to people who've been Christians for a very short amount of time, 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:50.900 and he has something to say, a challenge, to people who are not Christians. 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:54.159 God's word gives us life. 00:00:54.159 --> 00:01:24.140 God's word gives us life. 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:28.060 We've been talking about a lot of different concepts about wisdom from chapter one. 00:01:28.119 --> 00:01:32.179 At this point, hopefully you're convinced that wisdom is something you want. 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:37.259 Hopefully you're convinced that wisdom is something you need if you're going to walk well in this life. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:45.379 And so that raises our next question here with chapter two, which is how we continue in wisdom. 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:49.259 One man puts it this way, that chapter two asks the question, how do we grow? 00:01:49.260 --> 00:01:59.859 If we know that we need wisdom and now we want wisdom, how is it that we become wise people? 00:02:01.520 --> 00:02:03.820 What we saw last week was negative, right? 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:06.260 It was a warning to those who won't listen. 00:02:06.740 --> 00:02:08.819 This week in chapter two, it's going to be positive. 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:13.040 It's going to tell us what it actually looks like to be people who become wise. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:18.459 And so it's with that that we're going to turn to Proverbs chapter two and reading the entire chapter. 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:20.780 I invite you to turn in your worship guide. 00:02:20.859 --> 00:02:21.659 It's near the end of there. 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:23.759 You can turn in your Bible or your phone. 00:02:24.239 --> 00:02:29.659 No matter where you turn, the importance is that we are here together in this chapter of God's word. 00:02:29.739 --> 00:02:33.819 Now, I have not done this in probably a year or so, 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:41.560 but I'm going to ask you this morning to take a look and see if you can spot some words that are repeated frequently in this passage. 00:02:41.979 --> 00:02:47.500 It's tempting sometimes when we read God's word to just kind of turn our minds off while we're reading it, 00:02:47.519 --> 00:02:51.219 get to the end, and then we wait, you know, until the preacher says the first illustration. 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:52.959 And I get that. 00:02:53.019 --> 00:02:54.400 It's a temptation for me as well. 00:02:54.959 --> 00:02:57.740 But there's a word here that's going to be repeated six times, 00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:00.740 and I'm going to challenge you to see if you can find it. 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:02.439 Also, it's not an article, right? 00:03:02.439 --> 00:03:04.340 Don't tell me the word is the or a or an. 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:09.039 With that, we are in Proverbs chapter 2. 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:11.000 This is God's word. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:14.900 Remember that God tells us in Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5, 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:17.319 that every word of God proves true. 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:20.979 He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:24.060 And so that's why we read now, starting at chapter 2. 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:30.319 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:35.579 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding. 00:03:36.579 --> 00:03:40.759 Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding. 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:46.180 If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:51.680 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:53.420 Verse 6. 00:03:53.420 --> 00:03:55.920 For the Lord gives wisdom. 00:03:56.580 --> 00:03:59.080 From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:02.379 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:05.340 He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:10.080 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:12.040 Verse 9. 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:18.259 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path. 00:04:19.159 --> 00:04:23.839 For wisdom will come into your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 00:04:24.740 --> 00:04:26.560 Discretion will watch over you. 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:31.339 Understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:33.759 from men of perverted speech, 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:37.939 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:42.699 who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:47.540 men whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:49.620 Verse 16. 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:52.620 So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:55.159 from the adulteress with her smooth words, 00:04:55.459 --> 00:05:00.639 who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:05.879 For her house sinks down to death and her paths to the departed. 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:08.480 None who go to her come back, 00:05:09.100 --> 00:05:11.600 nor do they regain the paths of life. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:13.019 Verse 20. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:18.019 So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:20.839 For the upright will inhabit the land, 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:23.459 and those with integrity will remain in it. 00:05:23.899 --> 00:05:26.600 But the wicked will be cut off from the land, 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:30.040 and the treacherous will be rooted out of it. 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:35.180 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:35.259 Amen. 00:05:38.900 --> 00:05:41.939 Our Father in heaven, we praise you and thank you again 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:47.759 that you have not left us alone as orphans in a merciless universe. 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:53.360 You've not abandoned us to our own devices to figure out how this world works, 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:57.600 but instead you have come and you've given us your word. 00:05:57.699 --> 00:06:02.000 You've spoken clearly to us so that we would not be lost or confused, 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:04.500 but we would know the way to walk in this world. 00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:08.339 We ask that you would do that now this morning by your spirit, 00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:10.139 that you would help us, 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:13.459 that you would speak clearly to us, 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:18.720 and that we would hear and believe and know everything that you've written in your word. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:21.660 We ask all these things in Jesus' name. 00:06:22.400 --> 00:06:22.700 Amen. 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:22.819 Amen. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:31.199 If you are a Star Wars fan of any sort, 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.800 you know that at the end of last year, 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:36.120 The Mandalorian came out, 00:06:36.420 --> 00:06:39.060 which tells us the story after episode six. 00:06:39.219 --> 00:06:41.180 It's about five years after the return of the Jedi, 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:44.379 so Darth Vader has turned good again. 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:47.939 It tells the story of a man named Din, 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:49.459 and Din's a bounty hunter, 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:53.620 and as a bounty hunter, he belongs to this group called the Mandalorians. 00:06:53.739 --> 00:06:55.060 They're a tribe or a clan, 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:58.379 and this tribe or clan is from the planet of Mandalore. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:02.500 And there's this phrase that they repeat over and over 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:05.620 that characterizes how they work as a tribe or a clan. 00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:06.500 You all know what this is? 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:09.439 This is the way. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:10.879 Yeah, over and over they say, 00:07:11.039 --> 00:07:11.799 this is the way, 00:07:11.859 --> 00:07:12.899 except it sounds more like this. 00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:13.839 This is the way. 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:18.119 And it's something that they repeat to describe 00:07:18.119 --> 00:07:19.699 what their pattern of life is, 00:07:19.739 --> 00:07:21.719 the way that they live in the world. 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:23.859 And one of the things that's important for them as they live 00:07:23.859 --> 00:07:25.599 is that they never take off their helmet 00:07:25.599 --> 00:07:27.519 in front of a living human being. 00:07:28.599 --> 00:07:32.459 And so they have this code that they live by, 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:33.859 this way that they walk. 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:35.059 They're loyal to it, 00:07:35.079 --> 00:07:36.359 and they have allegiance to it. 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:38.120 And it's something that they love, 00:07:38.159 --> 00:07:40.899 and this love also brings them great protection. 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:42.479 You know, for example, 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.979 that when Din gets into trouble, 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:45.659 he's rescued baby Yoda, 00:07:46.039 --> 00:07:47.599 and there are other bounty hunters 00:07:47.599 --> 00:07:48.659 that are coming after him. 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:50.179 Who comes to protect him? 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:52.979 Well, it's the other Mandalorians. 00:07:53.719 --> 00:07:55.459 Because he loves the way, 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:59.000 the way also protects him. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:01.899 And that's what we're going to see here 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:05.039 in this chapter about Proverbs. 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:07.000 We're going to see the love for the path 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:10.519 and protection by the path. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:13.239 I told you to look out for repeated words. 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:15.419 There's actually many repeated words, 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:17.019 so I may have played a little bit of a trick on you. 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:19.819 But the word that appears six times is what? 00:08:21.479 --> 00:08:22.539 Ooh, different answers. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:24.539 Okay, wisdom potentially. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:27.319 What I was looking for was the path. 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:31.199 The path appears six times. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:32.899 We see it in verses eight and nine. 00:08:34.699 --> 00:08:36.279 It's where it first shows up. 00:08:36.319 --> 00:08:37.480 The paths of justice. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:39.899 Verse nine, every good path. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.579 We have it in verse 13. 00:08:42.179 --> 00:08:44.019 So there's a good path and an evil path. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:46.860 There are those who forsake the paths of uprightness. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:49.059 The way appears, by the way, too. 00:08:49.179 --> 00:08:51.399 So the word way, not six times, but it appears a lot. 00:08:52.059 --> 00:08:53.840 The way of evil, verse 12. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:56.659 We have verse 18. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:58.519 This forbidden woman, 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:00.959 she has paths that go down to the departed. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:03.200 Verse 19. 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:06.980 No one who goes down regains the paths of life. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:10.139 So I've hinted at this theme before in the book of Proverbs, 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:11.960 and it's highlighted even more in this chapter. 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:14.280 There are two paths or two ways. 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:16.580 There's not three, 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:19.060 which is what our world often tells us, right? 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:19.740 There's three ways. 00:09:19.800 --> 00:09:20.660 There's really wicked people, 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:21.840 really good people, 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:23.360 and really normal, average people. 00:09:24.300 --> 00:09:25.639 Proverbs tells us, actually, there's only two. 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:28.299 There's people who fear the Lord and people who don't. 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:32.919 There is a path that we have to walk on in this life. 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:40.139 And so path and way here show up over and over again. 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:44.259 So there's love for the path that we see in this passage 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:46.699 and also protection by the path. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:48.879 We see at the very beginning of this chapter, 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:50.399 similar to what I told you last week. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:53.080 Remember, I gave you the illustration of the river guide 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:54.259 or the hunting guide 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:57.080 that illustrates for us what wisdom looks like. 00:09:57.179 --> 00:10:00.080 Wisdom is like a guide offering to show us the way, 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:02.580 and all we have to do is listen and accept. 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:05.139 There's no charge or fee. 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:06.539 Wisdom doesn't charge us money. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.539 We don't have to pay anything for wisdom. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:12.840 Wisdom also gives us everything we need. 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:15.539 This guide is bringing along all the supplies. 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:17.059 It's like a fly fishing guide 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:19.759 who's gonna bring all the things that you need to fly fish. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:20.960 It's like a hunting guide 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.639 who brings all the guns that you need. 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:24.059 That's what we saw last week. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:26.840 At the end of chapter one, 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:29.179 we saw in verse 23, 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.779 I will pour out my spirit to you. 00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:32.000 I will make my words known to you. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:34.019 Wisdom gives you everything that you need. 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:36.539 That's the same thing we see here in chapter two, 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:38.279 the very beginning. 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:39.799 My son, if you receive my words 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:41.860 and treasure up my commandments within you, 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.100 yes, listen. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.799 If you call out for insight 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:47.240 and raise your voice for understanding, 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:49.919 listen, the same thing we saw last week. 00:10:50.819 --> 00:10:51.699 Verses six and seven, 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:53.919 the Lord gives wisdom from his mouth 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:55.219 come knowledge and understanding. 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:57.599 God's the one providing the wisdom. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:10:59.099 He gives all the supplies. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.279 He gives everything needed. 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:00.919 Verse seven, 00:11:01.339 --> 00:11:03.559 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright. 00:11:03.699 --> 00:11:05.839 He is a shield to those who walk in integrity. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:08.860 All you have to do is listen. 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:11.399 God provides all the wisdom. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.720 And yet there's something added in this section. 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:15.539 There's a catch. 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:17.460 Verses three and four. 00:11:18.060 --> 00:11:19.960 There seems to be something more than just listening. 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:21.659 If you call out for insight 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:23.279 and raise your voice for understanding, 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:25.080 if you seek it like silver 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:27.039 and search for it as for hidden treasures, 00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:29.220 then you will understand the fear of the Lord. 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:30.919 And if you're listening carefully, 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:31.519 you might think, 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:31.740 wait, 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:34.879 I thought you told us last week 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:36.560 that all we had to do was listen. 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:40.980 Isn't this adding another obligation? 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.680 This sounds difficult and hard. 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:44.639 I thought it wasn't pulling ourselves up 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:45.960 by our bootstraps to get to wisdom. 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:47.399 I thought wisdom was going to give us 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.720 everything that we need. 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:52.000 The answer is yes. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:55.700 And we still have to love it and want it. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:58.779 Yes. 00:11:58.779 --> 00:12:01.059 And we still have to love it and want it. 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:03.299 You can have a river guide 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:05.600 offering to take you fishing for free, 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.860 supplying everything that you need. 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:11.639 And if you hate fishing, 00:12:11.819 --> 00:12:13.980 it doesn't matter how free it is. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:19.439 You can have someone who offers to take you hunting, 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:21.839 supplying everything you need, 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:24.159 bringing all the guns and the ammunition, 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:26.279 knowing the best spots. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:28.500 And if you hate hunting, 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:30.000 it doesn't matter. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.699 Verse three and four, 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:35.259 you have to call out for insight 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:37.120 and raise your voice for understanding. 00:12:37.459 --> 00:12:39.179 You have to seek for it like silver 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:41.159 and search for it as for hidden treasures. 00:12:41.579 --> 00:12:42.379 In other words, 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:45.679 you have to love wisdom. 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:49.699 It's not enough to just be offered wisdom. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.839 You have to love wisdom. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:53.959 Wisdom involves our hearts and our love. 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:56.259 That's, of course, the language that's used here. 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.860 What is it if it's treasure? 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:01.139 It must be something you really value. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:05.080 You can't treat wisdom like treasure 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:07.240 unless you believe it is a treasure, 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.280 unless you love it. 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:10.860 It's an issue of the heart. 00:13:11.040 --> 00:13:11.540 Verse two, 00:13:11.660 --> 00:13:13.379 your ear has to be attentive to wisdom 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:17.180 and inclining your heart to understanding. 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:21.500 Verse 10, 00:13:22.079 --> 00:13:24.179 it has to be something that's pleasant to you. 00:13:24.339 --> 00:13:25.620 Wisdom will come into your heart 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:27.419 and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:28.679 You will love wisdom. 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:30.399 Wisdom is something that will taste sweet 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:31.379 and beautiful to you. 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:33.239 It's not just that someone's offering 00:13:33.239 --> 00:13:34.059 to take you fishing. 00:13:34.199 --> 00:13:35.359 It's that you love fishing. 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:36.279 It's your favorite thing. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.939 It's not just that someone's offering 00:13:37.939 --> 00:13:38.639 to take you hunting. 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.839 It's that you love hunting. 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:40.719 It's your favorite thing. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:42.979 It's not just that wisdom is crying out 00:13:42.979 --> 00:13:44.319 that we saw at the end of chapter one. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:46.360 It's not just that it offers these things, 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.560 but that you love it. 00:13:48.760 --> 00:13:50.840 Your heart wants wisdom. 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:53.920 There's a love for wisdom 00:13:53.920 --> 00:13:56.500 that has to be true if we want it. 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:58.760 Remember, by the way, 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:01.860 we've seen this idea of love before in chapter one. 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.800 If you have your Bible with you, 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:07.420 chapter one, verse 12, 00:14:08.380 --> 00:14:11.140 sorry, 22, chapter one, verse 22, 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:13.900 there's the challenge from last week to the simple. 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:16.060 How long, oh simple ones, 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:19.480 will you love being simple? 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:23.640 Not just a matter of listening. 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:26.020 It's a matter of our loves. 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:29.020 It's a matter of what our hearts want and desire. 00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:30.620 And so our application is this. 00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:32.060 We have to love wisdom 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:34.300 if we want to get wisdom. 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:37.379 We have to say yes 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:40.020 to the offer of wisdom from chapter one 00:14:40.020 --> 00:14:41.500 and say yes enthusiastically. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:45.200 Chapter two is asking us, 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.519 what is our treasure? 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:50.440 What is it that we seek after and want 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:52.019 more than anything else? 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:53.320 A righteous person, 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.659 a person who fears the Lord, 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:56.559 longs to know God 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:58.460 and follow after his ways. 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:02.860 Wisdom is a relationship, 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.919 not a strategy. 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:08.259 Wisdom is a relationship, 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:10.120 not a strategy. 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:12.019 We talked last week about many things 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:13.279 you can get from wisdom. 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:15.899 You can't be interested in wisdom, 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:17.600 though, just for what you can get. 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.759 It can't be a strategy. 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:21.779 It has to be something that you actually love. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:24.539 Wisdom has to be something that moves your heart. 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.840 There are some things, 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.939 we know this intuitively, 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:28.939 just in the world, 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:31.840 there are some things that can only be had 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:33.159 if we love and treasure them. 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:33.759 Right? 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:35.279 This is how relationships work. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.500 Think, for example, 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.299 if you're a young man 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:41.980 and you're interested in a young woman, 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:44.580 it would not be a good idea 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:46.500 for you to go to her 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.799 and say something like this. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.759 You know, 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:51.059 I don't hate the idea 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:52.039 of spending time with you. 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.360 I haven't thought about you much recently, 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:56.620 but I lost my job, 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:58.179 so I just had a lot of time to think. 00:15:58.179 --> 00:16:01.079 And I don't have a lot of hobbies, 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:03.000 so I just have a lot, 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:03.419 you know, 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.219 I have space. 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:06.199 So if you would like to spend time with me, 00:16:06.719 --> 00:16:07.899 I'd be open to that. 00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:11.739 Is she gonna say yes? 00:16:13.979 --> 00:16:15.699 No, it's not a winning strategy. 00:16:15.859 --> 00:16:16.919 Things that are relational, 00:16:17.099 --> 00:16:18.039 that involve relationships, 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:20.919 can only be acquired through love and affection. 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.479 This is true, 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:23.000 not just in romantic situations, 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.639 but in our families and our friendships. 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.819 Wisdom is the same way. 00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:30.199 Wisdom is a relationship, 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.479 not a strategy. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.579 It's not a coincidence 00:16:32.579 --> 00:16:33.939 that this book, 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:35.299 written to a young man, 00:16:36.339 --> 00:16:38.139 presents wisdom as a woman. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:42.599 She is crying out for relationship. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:46.379 We have to love wisdom 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:49.000 if we want to get wisdom. 00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:51.179 The man approaches the woman, right, 00:16:51.219 --> 00:16:52.139 because he's interested. 00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:54.339 He thinks it's worth the risk. 00:16:54.339 --> 00:16:56.459 He thinks there might be some treasure there. 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:59.580 That's the successful strategy. 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.680 That's the same way with wisdom. 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.600 In the Mandalorian, by the way, 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.059 Din, 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:07.440 he's not just with the Mandalorians 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.039 because of what he can get. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.400 Remember, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:12.000 they rescued him as a child. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:15.079 There's a relationship there. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.940 There's history there. 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:19.240 There's a reason that he refuses 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.360 to take off his helmet. 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:23.740 It's not just a strategy. 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:25.439 It's a relationship. 00:17:28.939 --> 00:17:31.019 That's the love for the path. 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:33.979 We also see in chapter 2 00:17:33.979 --> 00:17:36.099 the protection of the path. 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:39.500 The path is similar to what we saw last week. 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.879 It's put positively here 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.659 rather than last week 00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:42.519 it was put negatively. 00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:45.740 The path offers real and present protection 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.519 from danger. 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:49.400 We see that in verses 7 and 8. 00:17:50.379 --> 00:17:52.139 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.579 He is a shield 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:55.379 to those who walk in integrity. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.299 What does a shield do? 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.359 Protects you. 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:00.920 Verse 8, 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.660 guarding the paths of justice 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:04.139 and watching over 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:05.759 the way of his saints. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.639 There's a protection. 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:09.079 God is watching over and guarding. 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:11.240 Wisdom is watching over and guarding 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:13.000 people who love it. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:15.940 Now this works in several ways. 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.180 You can think of a compass, right? 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.720 The fear of the Lord 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:20.420 shows us the way to go 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:23.059 when things around us are confusing. 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.119 It directs us 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:26.140 no matter what our culture is saying. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.900 So it's a compass protecting us. 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:32.279 We could also think of it as 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.619 people in this world 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.500 being like kites 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:36.460 being blown around by the breeze, right? 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.339 If a kite is not tied to anything 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:41.339 it'll blow wherever the wind goes. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:44.279 Wisdom protects us 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.740 by tying us down. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.779 It creates limits. 00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:49.779 It makes sure we can only soar 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.659 in certain areas. 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.339 And so wisdom's a protection 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.720 in those ways 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:56.119 but it's actually more than that. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:56.699 Verse 10, 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:59.759 we're told that we will love wisdom. 00:18:59.959 --> 00:19:01.819 Knowledge will be pleasant to our soul. 00:19:03.199 --> 00:19:04.919 And it's this knowledge being pleasant 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:06.819 that serves as the true protection 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.779 and gives us two situations 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.879 as examples here. 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:11.580 First, this love 00:19:11.580 --> 00:19:12.880 is going to deliver us 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.940 from evil ways. 00:19:14.040 --> 00:19:15.740 That's verses 12 through 15. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.300 This again is similar 00:19:18.300 --> 00:19:19.580 to what we saw in chapter 1. 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.800 Remember in chapter 1 00:19:20.800 --> 00:19:22.340 verses 10 through 19 00:19:22.340 --> 00:19:24.200 we saw the temptation to violence. 00:19:24.820 --> 00:19:25.960 There are going to be violent men 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.800 who come to you 00:19:26.800 --> 00:19:28.200 and they're going to offer you things. 00:19:28.280 --> 00:19:29.720 There's going to be unjust gain. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.140 There's going to be opportunities 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.060 to become rich 00:19:32.060 --> 00:19:33.140 at other people's expense. 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.440 There's a warning there 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.140 in chapter 1. 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.380 There's something even more than this. 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.400 What's going to protect you 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:40.100 from those offers? 00:19:42.260 --> 00:19:43.260 It's going to have to be 00:19:43.260 --> 00:19:44.680 your love of wisdom ultimately. 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:48.240 Someone comes offering you 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.920 an opportunity 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.920 to become rich 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.040 at other people's expense. 00:19:51.540 --> 00:19:52.900 If your love of money 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.760 is greater 00:19:53.760 --> 00:19:55.080 than your love of wisdom, 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:56.300 what's going to win? 00:19:58.540 --> 00:19:58.940 Ultimately, 00:19:59.020 --> 00:20:00.020 your love is going to be 00:20:00.020 --> 00:20:00.960 what wins. 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.660 Worldview, 00:20:04.260 --> 00:20:05.740 which people like to talk about a lot, 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:07.519 is knowing the right thing to do. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.779 Love is actually going to 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:12.180 be doing the right thing. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.559 Worldview, 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.720 we know God's commandments. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.079 Love is what has us 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:16.359 actually keep those commandments. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:19.000 In that moment, 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.559 when the temptation comes, 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:22.240 the question really is, 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.599 what do you love more? 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.620 These violent men, 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.839 verses 12 through 15, 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:29.680 are going to offer you many things. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:32.440 They're going to offer you money. 00:20:33.560 --> 00:20:35.019 They might offer you power. 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:38.580 They might offer you fame and wealth. 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.880 Those things will be very attractive. 00:20:44.060 --> 00:20:46.140 It's your love that will protect you. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:50.080 It's your love of wisdom 00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:51.759 that will keep you safe. 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:54.220 It's your love that will allow you 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.060 to say no 00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:57.320 even when the offer is tempting. 00:20:57.319 --> 00:21:02.579 Same thing 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.960 is shown for us 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:05.980 in verses 16 through 19. 00:21:06.179 --> 00:21:07.039 It's not just men 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.720 who will come 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.799 to offer you things. 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.259 Women here 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.019 will come and offer 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:12.039 this young man things. 00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:13.059 There's going to be a woman 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:14.619 who is going to tempt him. 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.779 She's going to come, 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.379 verse 16, 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:17.599 with smooth words. 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.700 She's going to appeal 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.359 to his love. 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:20.379 She might flatter him, 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.460 tell him things 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.720 he's been longing to hear 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.740 for a long time, 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.960 filling needs 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.639 that he didn't know 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:26.259 that he had. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:30.740 It's going to be his love 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.939 that protects him. 00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:35.419 Now, 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.139 the temptation 00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:37.159 to evil speech 00:21:37.159 --> 00:21:38.000 is one thing. 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.720 The temptation 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:42.019 to sexuality 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:44.200 is even more powerful, 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.480 the temptation of sex. 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.179 We can have 00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:47.919 the right worldview, 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.720 but if we're not 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.019 motivated by love, 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:50.759 wisdom 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.480 can't protect us. 00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:54.139 Because, 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.759 verse 16, 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.399 she's going to offer 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:56.419 these smooth words, 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:56.640 right? 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.340 She's going to offer 00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:58.220 experiences 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.380 and things 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.560 that we might long for. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.480 And if we don't love 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:02.820 wisdom, 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:04.200 if we don't love God 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.019 and love our neighbor 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.840 at best, 00:22:06.300 --> 00:22:08.279 we're going to try 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.279 to get as close 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.840 to the line 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.360 as we can 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:10.800 without doing 00:22:10.800 --> 00:22:11.420 something wrong. 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.480 At worst, 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.620 we're going to realize 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.380 we love something 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:17.320 more than wisdom. 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.940 And wisdom 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:20.120 is simply a nuisance. 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:22.459 And so, 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.079 in the moment 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.959 of temptation, 00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:26.759 wisdom will lose 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.199 and the forbidden woman 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:28.939 will win. 00:22:30.219 --> 00:22:30.619 And so, 00:22:30.699 --> 00:22:31.019 instead, 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.379 we have to love God 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.279 and love others. 00:22:33.439 --> 00:22:34.059 If wisdom 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.959 is not a delight 00:22:34.959 --> 00:22:35.539 to us, 00:22:35.939 --> 00:22:36.799 if it doesn't come 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.519 into our heart, 00:22:37.679 --> 00:22:38.239 verse 10, 00:22:38.699 --> 00:22:39.500 if it's not pleasant 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.239 to our soul, 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:42.479 then verse 11, 00:22:42.699 --> 00:22:43.399 it's not going 00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.159 to be possible 00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:44.959 for understanding 00:22:44.959 --> 00:22:45.759 to guard us. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:49.319 we have to love 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:49.940 the path 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.299 to be protected 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.460 by the path. 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.140 We have to fight 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:54.259 desire with desire. 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:54.680 By the way, 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.180 that's what we're going 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.559 to see later on 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.400 in chapter 5. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.400 That's one of the solutions 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.440 that the author of Proverbs 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.920 gives to sexual temptation, 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.140 to fight one desire 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:03.339 with an even greater 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.279 and better desire. 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:09.059 And that is going 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.740 to be protection, 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.079 right? 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.099 Because the Father here 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.359 tells us what happens 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.640 if we love 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.420 the forbidden woman 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.360 more than wisdom. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.120 Verse 18, 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.200 her house sinks down 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.700 to death 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:20.320 and her paths 00:23:20.320 --> 00:23:21.640 to the departed. 00:23:22.820 --> 00:23:23.440 None who go 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.300 to her come back, 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.220 nor do they regain 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:27.320 the paths of life. 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:30.539 Wisdom will protect 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:32.019 you from death. 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.080 By the way, 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.820 this gives us 00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:38.039 an important point here. 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.800 As we think about 00:23:39.800 --> 00:23:40.860 sin and temptation, 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.259 especially as we think 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.259 about talking about it 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.279 with our children, 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:44.339 children, 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.579 this by the way, 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.399 remember is a book 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:46.920 to children, 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.639 the book of Proverbs 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:47.960 that's written 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.700 to a young man, 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.579 an adolescent male, 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:51.220 it is good and right 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.200 to warn about 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:53.339 the consequences of sin. 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.119 The author of Proverbs 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.799 does that, 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:56.359 did that last week. 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.779 But if all we're concerned 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.240 about is the consequences 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.839 of sin, 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.220 ultimately wisdom 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.480 cannot protect us. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.359 We cannot warn 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.379 just about the dangers 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:07.220 of disobedience, 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.879 but we also have to talk 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.319 about the fact 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.180 that we must love 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.899 the Lord our God 00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:11.579 with all our heart, 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.240 soul, 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:12.779 mind, 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.299 and strength. 00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:15.299 Remember, 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.639 worldview is knowing 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.339 what's right. 00:24:17.939 --> 00:24:18.939 It's our love 00:24:18.939 --> 00:24:20.240 that causes us 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.619 to do what's right. 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.819 In Deuteronomy chapter 6, 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.619 which is the portion 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.079 of the Bible 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.879 that talks about 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.899 training our children up 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:27.720 and raising them 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:29.399 to fear and know the Lord 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.199 all the time, 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.980 it tells us 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:32.119 in verse 5, 00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:33.039 you shall love the Lord 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.439 your God 00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.159 with all your heart 00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:35.039 and with all your soul 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.919 and with all your might. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.859 It is love 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.859 for God 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:38.500 and his wisdom 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.299 that will guard us. 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:44.059 It's a greater affection 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.880 that protects us 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:47.099 from lesser affections. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:51.339 And so we must love wisdom 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:53.339 to be protected by wisdom. 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:57.240 As I've been telling you 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.480 now many weeks, 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:00.319 Matthew chapter 12, 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:00.980 verse 42, 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:02.119 tells us that Jesus 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.940 is the great teacher 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.420 of wisdom. 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.440 He is greater 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.640 than Solomon. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.680 And so Jesus 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:10.180 tells us some similar things. 00:25:10.280 --> 00:25:10.880 He tells us 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:12.080 in John chapter 14, 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.020 verse 15, 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:14.060 if you love me, 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.680 you will keep 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.240 my commandments. 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.500 He tells us 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.800 in Matthew chapter 22 00:25:20.800 --> 00:25:21.480 that the law 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.259 is summarized 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.040 in this way. 00:25:24.060 --> 00:25:24.660 Love the Lord 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.100 your God 00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:25.860 and love your neighbor 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.440 as yourself. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.700 That's the heart 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.120 of what Jesus teaches. 00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:32.060 When Jesus meets 00:25:32.060 --> 00:25:32.900 with Nicodemus 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.900 in John chapter 3 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.540 and Nicodemus 00:25:34.540 --> 00:25:35.220 wants to know 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.280 how can he receive 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.000 what it is 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.200 that Jesus offers. 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.359 He tells Nicodemus 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.539 you have to be born again. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.079 And that gets 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.859 to one of the answers 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:45.220 that this passage raises 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.480 which is this, 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:48.000 if we have to love wisdom 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.259 to be protected by wisdom, 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.759 how can we love wisdom 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.319 more than anything else? 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:53.079 Well as we saw 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:53.779 last week, 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.920 Colossians chapter 2, 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.539 verse 3, 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.680 it's in Jesus 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:59.019 that we see all wisdom. 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:02.319 And so it's in loving Jesus 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:04.279 that we're able 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.059 to have new 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:06.000 and changed hearts. 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:06.720 That's what Jesus 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.879 is offering Nicodemus 00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:08.899 in John chapter 3. 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.399 Unless you're born again, 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:11.920 unless the Holy Spirit 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.839 is part of your life, 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:14.079 unless Jesus is coming 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:15.599 and making a new creation 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.119 out of you, 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.539 you have no expectation 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.420 that your heart 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:19.139 will be changed 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:19.879 by love 00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:20.660 to do 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.119 and know 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:21.759 what is right. 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.119 Wisdom 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:26.119 is not a strategy, 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.740 it's a relationship, 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.000 and it's a relationship 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.759 ultimately 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.900 with Jesus Christ. 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.299 He is the one 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.099 who gives us 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.920 new hearts, 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.180 hearts that love 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.259 him and wisdom 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:39.000 more than anything else. 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:42.119 And so Proverbs chapter 2 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.339 is not a chance 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.920 for us 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:45.160 to try to whip up 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:46.640 some kind of frenzy 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.480 where we can be 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.779 disciplined enough, 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.740 where we can have 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.640 a habit tracker 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.859 so we can keep track 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:55.160 of our wisdom practices. 00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:57.640 But ultimately 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.299 it's a passage 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.839 telling us 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.480 that it's a matter 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.019 of the heart 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.859 and we as people 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.579 of the New Testament 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:03.059 know that it's only 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.859 Jesus who can 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.639 change our hearts. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.460 And so our first step 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.539 is to pray to God 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.419 that he would send 00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:10.980 his spirit, 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.680 that he would soften 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.279 our hearts, 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:14.639 and that he would 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.579 give us new hearts, 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.220 that we are the kind 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:17.419 of people who love 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:18.940 wisdom more 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.259 than anything else, 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.000 that we would love 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.680 the Lord our God 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.379 with our heart 00:27:22.379 --> 00:27:23.259 and our soul 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.359 and all our might. 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.180 That's ultimately 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:28.279 what Proverbs chapter 2 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.500 points us to. 00:27:29.899 --> 00:27:31.460 That is how we grow 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.200 in wisdom 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.480 and become people 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:33.960 of wisdom. 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.200 Of course, 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.460 the gospel tells us 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:38.399 that as we pursue wisdom, 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.759 it's Jesus who pursued 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.539 us first. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.799 Romans chapter 5, 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.220 verse 8, 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.639 tells us, 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.399 while we were still 00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:44.960 sinners, 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.480 Christ died for us. 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:50.299 And so our pursuit 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.899 of wisdom 00:27:50.899 --> 00:27:52.079 only comes 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:53.180 after Jesus' 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.519 pursuit of us. 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.859 He is the one 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.519 who comes 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.220 and changes 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.240 hearts of stone 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.619 into hearts of flesh. 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.579 We come again 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.339 then this week 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.240 over and over. 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.160 The book of Proverbs 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.379 is pointing us 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.440 to Jesus. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.420 He is the one 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.460 who has wisdom 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.460 come into our heart 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:13.039 and makes knowledge 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.619 pleasant 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.759 to our soul. 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:17.259 He is the one, 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.420 verse 7, 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.220 who's a shield 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.099 to those who walk 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:20.639 in integrity. 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:22.360 And he's the one 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:22.940 in verse 8 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.440 who watches 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.420 over the way 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.240 of his saints. 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.880 And so he's the one 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:29.520 who gives us 00:28:29.520 --> 00:28:30.740 the love of wisdom 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:32.620 and he's the one 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.220 who gives us 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.180 the protection 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.460 of wisdom. 00:28:39.280 --> 00:28:40.259 25 years 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.700 after the Mandalorian, 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.160 of course, 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.860 we're told a different 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:45.580 story in episode 7. 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:48.680 The Galactic Empire 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.520 has been defeated 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.599 and they've been 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:51.359 replaced by the 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:51.940 First Order. 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.859 The rebellion 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:55.660 is still working 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.579 but Luke Skywalker 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.400 has disappeared. 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.799 And Leia wants 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.720 to find him, right? 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.879 And RTD2 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:04.400 and BB8 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.039 have a map 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.539 to Luke 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.900 and so there's 00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.660 this journey 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.500 to go find him 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.279 and at the end, 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.319 after all this work 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.319 to protect the map 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.160 and keep the map 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.039 out of their love 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.619 for Luke 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.859 and their love 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:16.559 for the rebellion, 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.720 they finally find him 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.740 on an isolated island, 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.039 right? 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:22.019 All they have 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.480 to do 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.599 is find Luke. 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.180 All they have 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:24.379 to do 00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:25.139 is pursue him 00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:26.799 because he provides 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:28.099 everything else. 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.639 In episodes 8 00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:31.279 and 9, 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.799 he trains Rey 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.319 in the force. 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.099 He teaches her 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.619 what she needs 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.079 to know 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:37.639 so that she can 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.619 go and do battle. 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:40.519 He fights Kylo Ren 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.339 to buy time 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.039 for the resistance. 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.299 He lays himself 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.000 down so that 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.740 they can escape. 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:48.480 Luke, 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:49.460 out of his love, 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.279 battles for them, 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.440 right? 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.299 He protects them 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.000 from death. 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.380 He allows them 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:53.880 to live. 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.220 And then in episode 9, 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.120 The Force Awakens, 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.120 he gives Rey 00:29:58.120 --> 00:29:59.500 Leia's lightsaber 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:01.720 and he gives 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:03.259 Rey his starfighter. 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.839 He gives her 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:06.079 everything that she needs 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.620 to return 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.259 and do battle. 00:30:08.620 --> 00:30:09.980 All she had to do 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:11.160 was seek him out 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:12.300 and find him. 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.279 Luke gives her 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.140 what she needs. 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.660 He prepares her 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.500 and trains her. 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.420 And he also lays himself 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.420 down to protect 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.040 the rebellion. 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.240 Brothers and sisters, 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.720 all we have to do 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:29.480 is go after wisdom. 00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:32.820 All we have to do 00:30:32.820 --> 00:30:34.400 is love the path, 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:37.040 love Jesus Christ, 00:30:37.580 --> 00:30:39.320 and we also 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.339 will be protected 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:41.159 by the path. 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.859 We will be protected 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:44.379 by Jesus Christ. 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.079 Please pray with me. 00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:51.299 Our Father in Heaven, 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.879 we thank you 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:54.000 for your word. 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:55.139 We ask that you 00:30:55.139 --> 00:30:55.819 would use it 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:57.279 in a powerful way 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.200 to change our hearts, 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.099 that we would grow 00:30:59.099 --> 00:31:00.220 in our love 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:00.899 for you. 00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:03.399 That you would 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:04.279 make wisdom 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.299 a treasure to us 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.720 in something 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.299 that's sweet. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.599 We confess 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.480 that we can't do it 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:08.960 on our own 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.720 and that we need 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.559 your spirit 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.319 to do a new work 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:11.799 in our hearts. 00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:12.519 And so we ask 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:12.940 that you would 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.600 do that now, 00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.299 that you would 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:16.000 take our hard hearts 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.920 and that you would 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.500 soften them, 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.519 that we would be 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:20.140 eager for your wisdom 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:21.100 and your ways. 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.779 We ask these things 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.539 not because we have 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:23.920 earned them 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.519 or deserve them, 00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:25.140 but we ask them 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.840 in Jesus' name. 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:26.620 Amen. 00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:26.759 Amen. 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:26.799 Amen. 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:26.819 Amen. 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:26.840 Amen. 00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:26.860 Amen. 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:26.900 Amen. 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:26.920 Amen. 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:26.960 Amen. 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:28.900 Amen. 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:28.920 Amen. 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:30.819 Amen.