WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.040 We'll go to Proverbs chapter 2, found on page 528 in your Bibles. 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:11.200 As you're turning there, just one other notice. 00:00:11.339 --> 00:00:13.280 Some of you may have known Janet Moran. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:16.519 She had been coming to our church for about a year from the Columbus house. 00:00:17.100 --> 00:00:18.699 Actually had just moved into her own apartment. 00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:21.420 She passed away about a week and a half ago. 00:00:21.740 --> 00:00:26.240 We're in the process of planning a memorial service for her, so we'll send out that information 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:30.500 on the email list, and we'll announce it as we have more details about that. 00:00:30.619 --> 00:00:34.179 So please be in prayer for her family and for those who knew her. 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:36.659 I wanted to let you know about that. 00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:43.379 Proverbs chapter 2, let's pray as we come to God's Word this morning. 00:00:46.859 --> 00:00:50.119 Father, we come before you this morning. 00:00:50.119 --> 00:00:56.299 We do want to lift up to you the family of Janet Moran as they mourn the death of their 00:00:56.299 --> 00:00:59.799 mom and her children in particular. 00:01:00.019 --> 00:01:05.799 We pray that you would comfort them and draw them near to you, and we pray that you would 00:01:05.799 --> 00:01:10.379 be at work in their lives and in those who knew her. 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:14.859 Lord, we pray for us as we look into your Word, this book of Proverbs, this book about 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:15.239 wisdom. 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:21.439 Lord, that you would bestow your wisdom upon us, which this passage says you are gracious 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:22.819 to give generously. 00:01:23.699 --> 00:01:26.839 Lord, would you shower that upon us this morning in Christ's name. 00:01:27.199 --> 00:01:27.419 Amen. 00:01:29.759 --> 00:01:33.619 So Proverbs chapter 2, we are going to read the whole chapter this morning. 00:01:34.619 --> 00:01:36.259 Let us read together. 00:01:36.260 --> 00:01:46.859 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:50.439 attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding. 00:01:51.520 --> 00:01:56.700 Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it 00:01:56.700 --> 00:02:02.300 like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:04.939 of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:07.920 For the Lord gives wisdom. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:10.960 From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:13.439 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. 00:02:14.219 --> 00:02:19.539 He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over 00:02:19.539 --> 00:02:21.039 the way of his saints. 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:24.719 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity. 00:02:24.859 --> 00:02:28.019 Every good path for wisdom will come into your heart. 00:02:29.079 --> 00:02:30.699 And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:32.259 Discretion will watch over you. 00:02:32.659 --> 00:02:34.019 Understanding will guard you. 00:02:35.119 --> 00:02:36.639 Delivering you from the way of evil. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:40.879 From men of perverted speech who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:41.280 darkness. 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:45.159 Who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil. 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:48.639 Men whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. 00:02:49.399 --> 00:02:51.620 So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman. 00:02:52.419 --> 00:02:54.679 From the adulteress with her smooth words. 00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:58.759 Who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. 00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:02.539 For her house sinks down to death and her paths to the departed. 00:03:03.179 --> 00:03:04.780 None who go to her come back. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:07.139 Nor do they regain the paths of life. 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:09.719 So will you walk in the way of the good. 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:11.759 And keep to the paths of the righteous. 00:03:12.519 --> 00:03:14.239 For the upright will inherit the land. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:16.219 And those with integrity will remain in it. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:18.519 But the wicked will be cut off from the land. 00:03:18.620 --> 00:03:20.459 And the treacherous will be rooted out of it. 00:03:20.460 --> 00:03:24.060 Jesus in the sermon on the mount said. 00:03:24.379 --> 00:03:27.800 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:29.920 For they shall be filled. 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:33.740 What do you hunger and thirst for? 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:37.020 What gets you out of bed early in the morning? 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:39.400 Or keeps you awake late at night? 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:45.460 What are you willing to spend time and energy and money in order to pursue? 00:03:45.460 --> 00:03:50.120 What gives you a sense of satisfaction and fullness when you have it? 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:53.379 And longing or emptiness when you don't? 00:03:55.200 --> 00:03:56.480 For some people it's pleasure. 00:03:57.379 --> 00:03:58.500 For others it's career. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:03:59.719 For others it's family. 00:04:00.600 --> 00:04:02.819 Or social justice or public admiration. 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:05.620 All kinds of things. 00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:08.819 That keep the world going around from week to week. 00:04:09.020 --> 00:04:10.740 That drive us. 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:12.659 That we're driven to pursue. 00:04:12.659 --> 00:04:17.939 But maybe you have pursued one or more of those things in the past. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:18.939 And they haven't worked out. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:22.139 Or maybe you've got what you were hoping for. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:23.939 But it didn't satisfy. 00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:27.759 Maybe as you've grown older you've become more jaded. 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:29.219 And cynical. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:32.699 You're not so excited by new possibilities. 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:35.519 Because you know that desire often ends in disappointment. 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:39.620 You're no longer driven by a vision of the good life. 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:41.560 You're just trying to survive. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:42.560 You're just trying to survive. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:43.180 Day by day. 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:46.060 You become weary. 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:47.860 Or even complacent. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:53.439 Well this morning's passage is an invitation to hunger and thirst for wisdom. 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:56.199 For the wisdom that comes from God. 00:04:56.340 --> 00:04:59.840 That the wisdom that is worth pursuing above everything else. 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:04.679 And it's an invitation to pursue God's wisdom with hope and endurance. 00:05:04.679 --> 00:05:09.859 Because God generously gives to those who seek. 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:13.259 This chapter has an orderly structure. 00:05:13.719 --> 00:05:15.439 If you've noticed there are 22 verses. 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:18.559 Corresponding to 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:21.279 It's not an acrostic like some of the Psalms. 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:22.019 An A, B, C. 00:05:22.259 --> 00:05:25.120 Each verse starting with a subsequent letter. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:27.560 But the two main sections. 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:31.620 Verse 1 to 11. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:32.660 And 12 to 22. 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:33.819 The first and second halves. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:36.399 Each of these sections has three subsections. 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:39.120 So 4, 4, and 3 verses respectively. 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:43.340 And so verse 1, verse 5, and verse 9. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:44.780 All begin with the letter A. 00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:45.899 In the Hebrew alphabet. 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:46.560 Or Aleph. 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:49.560 And then verse 12, 16, and 20. 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:51.439 All begin with the 12th letter. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:52.560 Of the Hebrew alphabet. 00:05:52.899 --> 00:05:53.199 Lamed. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:53.899 Or El. 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:56.839 So it's sort of very carefully organized. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:05:57.860 This chapter. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:05:58.839 In these. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:01.040 Each of the verses are two lines. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:04.279 So it's a complete unit. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:06.259 With a unified message. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:09.040 It could even be translated as one long sentence. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:09.959 In the Hebrew. 00:06:10.839 --> 00:06:12.519 So this chapter is very orderly. 00:06:13.019 --> 00:06:14.120 In its structure. 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:16.779 And I want to look at it in its two main parts. 00:06:17.079 --> 00:06:18.560 First verse 1 to 11. 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:20.300 Focus on the pursuit of wisdom. 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:20.420 Wisdom. 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:25.759 And we're going to spend most of our time in this first half of the chapter. 00:06:26.280 --> 00:06:27.699 And in the second half of the chapter. 00:06:27.800 --> 00:06:28.819 Verses 12 to 22. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:30.579 It talks about the benefits of wisdom. 00:06:32.660 --> 00:06:37.000 Many of which we'll go into more detail in some of the future chapters. 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:40.500 So the pursuit of wisdom. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:41.600 And the benefits of wisdom. 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:42.879 Now much of the book of Proverbs. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:43.960 Including this chapter. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:45.280 Is framed as. 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:47.439 A father talking to his son. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:51.719 A father imparting wisdom and understanding. 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:54.279 To a young man coming of age. 00:06:55.719 --> 00:06:56.819 So verse. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:06:59.019 Verse 1 begins. 00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:00.819 My son if you receive my words. 00:07:00.899 --> 00:07:02.660 And treasure up my commandments with you. 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:03.720 Then. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:05.339 Verse 5. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:06.339 Then you will understand. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:06.939 Verse 9. 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:07.920 Then you will understand. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:11.160 But we're meant to see a connection. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:11.819 Between. 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:13.939 The father's words to his son. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:15.020 In the book of Proverbs. 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:16.840 And God's words. 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:18.560 As a heavenly father. 00:07:19.100 --> 00:07:19.879 Speaking to us. 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:20.600 As his children. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:21.900 And in fact. 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:22.680 Verse 6 says. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:24.139 It's the Lord who gives wisdom. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:25.180 And understanding. 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:26.120 Not just this father. 00:07:26.200 --> 00:07:27.000 In the book of Proverbs. 00:07:27.080 --> 00:07:27.460 Who says. 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:29.040 I'm giving you wisdom and understanding. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:30.879 But the Lord gives wisdom and understanding. 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:32.000 Right. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:32.500 You might ask. 00:07:32.580 --> 00:07:32.660 Well. 00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:33.180 Wait a minute. 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:34.220 Does it come from the father? 00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:35.060 Or does it come from the Lord? 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:36.280 And the answer is actually yes. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:39.379 It's the father in the book of Proverbs. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:42.060 Is claiming to be divinely inspired. 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:42.420 Right. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:44.540 To have divine authority behind his words. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:47.740 Proverbs isn't just a collection of human wisdom. 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:48.400 That's helpful. 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:50.360 Because it happens to work most of the time. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:52.899 God is speaking to us through the wisdom. 00:07:52.899 --> 00:07:55.519 That's collected and presented in this book. 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:59.100 Even if that wisdom comes through human voices. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:02.500 So for those of us who are Christians. 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:04.100 When we hear the words of the father. 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:05.939 Speaking to his son in Proverbs. 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:08.160 We should also hear the words of our heavenly father. 00:08:08.540 --> 00:08:11.500 Speaking to us as his sons and daughters in Christ. 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:15.079 Inviting us to receive and treasure his words. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:15.860 So. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.139 Let's jump in. 00:08:17.339 --> 00:08:18.819 To the first part of the chapter. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:19.839 The pursuit of wisdom. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:21.500 Now there's a logic to this section. 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:22.339 It goes. 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:22.819 If. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:23.720 Then. 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:24.459 For. 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:26.500 Verse 1 to 4. 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:28.720 If you really want wisdom. 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:30.500 Verse 1. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:30.939 3 and 4. 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:31.920 All start with the word. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:32.299 If. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:33.500 Verse 5 says. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:34.000 Then. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:35.200 You can have it. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:36.740 Verse. 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:39.940 And verse 9 goes on. 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:41.080 Then you will understand. 00:08:41.559 --> 00:08:43.100 And then verse 6 and verse 10. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:44.200 Say. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:44.919 4. 00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:46.500 How can we know that we'll have it? 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:48.000 Because the Lord gives it. 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:49.740 And because wisdom will come into your heart. 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:50.679 If. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:51.259 Then. 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:51.779 And for. 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:54.500 So we'll look at these three sections. 00:08:55.059 --> 00:08:56.080 One by one. 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:57.779 Sort of subsections. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:08:59.360 Under the first section. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.300 So first. 00:09:00.300 --> 00:09:01.159 If you want it. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:03.159 If you really, really want wisdom. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:05.759 Verse 1 to 4. 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:07.039 Gradually intensify. 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:08.820 As they describe what it looks like. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:10.019 To first receive. 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:11.200 And then. 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:12.620 To actively pursue. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:13.480 Wisdom. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:13.860 First. 00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:15.039 It starts with receiving. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:15.860 And treasuring. 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:17.139 The word. 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:19.240 And then it's listening. 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.060 For it. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:21.360 And then it's calling out. 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:22.659 And raising your voice for it. 00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:24.000 And then it's seeking after it. 00:09:24.060 --> 00:09:24.980 Searching after it. 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:26.019 As for hidden treasures. 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:29.159 So there's an increasing intensity. 00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:30.179 Of the pursuit. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.340 That's described. 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.340 As these verses. 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:33.419 Progress. 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:35.179 Right. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:35.860 Verse 1. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:37.899 It's as if the father. 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:39.460 Speaking directly to his son. 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:40.299 And saying. 00:09:40.819 --> 00:09:41.860 Here are my words. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:43.179 I'm looking at you. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.059 Right in the face. 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.799 I'm sharing with you. 00:09:45.939 --> 00:09:46.679 My wisdom. 00:09:47.319 --> 00:09:48.559 Don't reject it. 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:49.639 Receive it. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:50.379 Treasure it. 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:53.740 Like Solomon did in his temple. 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:56.860 In the innermost part of Solomon's temple. 00:09:57.820 --> 00:09:59.399 In what was called the most holy place. 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:00.539 The greatest treasures. 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:02.960 Were carefully kept and preserved. 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:05.539 And there were at least three of them. 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.740 There was a jar of manna. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:09.720 Which represented God's divine provision. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:13.340 That he had taken care of the Israelites through the wilderness. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:14.740 In fulfillment of his word. 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.659 There was Aaron's staff. 00:10:16.940 --> 00:10:18.399 Representing God's appointed leaders. 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:20.039 Who taught his word to the people. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:22.580 And finally there were the stone tablets of the covenant. 00:10:23.540 --> 00:10:24.200 The commandment. 00:10:24.280 --> 00:10:25.000 The ten commandments. 00:10:25.160 --> 00:10:26.480 That God had given to his people. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:28.759 So all these things sort of relate to God's word. 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:32.540 God's faithfulness in providing and fulfillment of his word. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:33.780 The leaders who teach his word. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:34.900 And the commandments. 00:10:35.300 --> 00:10:36.080 The word itself. 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.160 And so. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:39.900 The father speaking to his son. 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:40.360 And saying. 00:10:41.020 --> 00:10:42.259 Let your heart be like. 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:43.940 The temple of the Lord. 00:10:44.420 --> 00:10:45.460 Treasure up his word. 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:46.820 In the innermost parts of your heart. 00:10:47.420 --> 00:10:48.480 But then verse 2. 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:48.800 It says. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.620 Listen for it. 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.840 Incline your ear to it. 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:52.320 Right. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:53.580 So. 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:55.759 Perhaps you're. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:57.680 For whatever reason. 00:10:57.800 --> 00:10:59.320 You're hearing me speak this morning. 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:02.600 But you're having a hard time understanding my words. 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:03.980 Maybe. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:05.160 For whatever reason. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:05.480 The. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:06.360 You know. 00:11:06.420 --> 00:11:06.600 Maybe. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:07.019 Maybe. 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:09.720 I think the sound system is working just fine today. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.960 But maybe my voice is muffled. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:12.000 Coming through the sound system. 00:11:12.060 --> 00:11:12.220 Right. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:12.820 Imagine that. 00:11:13.040 --> 00:11:13.660 Or maybe. 00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:16.139 There's a police car that goes by outside. 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:17.519 With its sirens. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:19.180 Or maybe you're down in the fellowship hall. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:19.560 Nursing. 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:20.479 A child. 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:23.059 Or maybe English isn't your first language. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:24.399 And I'm talking too fast. 00:11:25.199 --> 00:11:25.500 Right. 00:11:25.619 --> 00:11:26.459 Whatever reason. 00:11:27.359 --> 00:11:28.539 Or maybe you're just tired. 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:29.239 You're exhausted. 00:11:29.319 --> 00:11:30.659 You got four hours of sleep last night. 00:11:30.959 --> 00:11:31.359 Exams. 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:33.299 And you made it to church. 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:33.879 But you're just. 00:11:34.479 --> 00:11:35.759 You're struggling to hang in there. 00:11:35.839 --> 00:11:35.979 Right. 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:37.299 You can sort of do two things. 00:11:38.059 --> 00:11:38.339 Right. 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.539 You hear someone speaking. 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:40.879 But it's hard to follow. 00:11:41.199 --> 00:11:42.539 You can either tune out. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.539 And just give up. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:46.039 And start. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:46.539 You know. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:47.620 Let your eyes wander. 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:49.240 Look at the stained glass windows. 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:50.740 Right. 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.419 Look up at the ceiling. 00:11:53.339 --> 00:11:53.579 Oh. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:55.819 There's that little bit of chipping paint up on the ceiling. 00:11:56.099 --> 00:11:57.620 I wonder if there's a leak up there. 00:11:57.659 --> 00:11:57.819 Right. 00:11:58.139 --> 00:11:58.379 Right. 00:11:58.419 --> 00:11:58.819 All these. 00:11:59.319 --> 00:12:01.480 Or you nudge the person next to you. 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.980 Or you get out your phone. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:05.959 All the kinds of things you can do with your phone. 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:09.440 Or you think about what you want to eat for lunch. 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:09.720 Right. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:10.879 Or. 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.580 You lean in. 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.300 Right. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:15.080 You can tune out. 00:12:15.160 --> 00:12:16.080 Or you can lean in. 00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:16.900 And be like. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:17.440 No. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.740 I really want to hear this. 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:20.600 So. 00:12:20.820 --> 00:12:23.040 I'm going to do whatever I can do to hear it. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:24.900 And to stay engaged. 00:12:26.660 --> 00:12:27.360 Maybe that's. 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.840 Maybe you go back to the ushers. 00:12:28.920 --> 00:12:30.860 You get one of the hearing assistance devices. 00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:31.860 Right. 00:12:31.900 --> 00:12:32.400 If you have trouble. 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.360 If you have trouble hearing. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.800 We have headphones that. 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:36.500 Plug in. 00:12:36.599 --> 00:12:37.679 That you can put in your ear. 00:12:38.199 --> 00:12:38.339 And. 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:39.779 So you don't have to deal with any echoes. 00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:41.079 That would help you. 00:12:41.479 --> 00:12:42.699 We have some back at the ushers. 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.379 We're ordering more. 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:43.779 Because. 00:12:43.959 --> 00:12:45.139 I know we're running out sometimes. 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:45.459 But. 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:46.659 We're getting some more. 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:46.939 So. 00:12:47.099 --> 00:12:48.179 We'll get as many as we need. 00:12:48.859 --> 00:12:49.839 Or maybe you're. 00:12:50.199 --> 00:12:51.899 Maybe you write down notes. 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:52.679 Right. 00:12:52.719 --> 00:12:53.699 In that part of the bulletin. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.659 If there's space for notes. 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.819 Because that helps you. 00:12:55.979 --> 00:12:56.859 Stay engaged. 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.240 Or maybe. 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:57.959 You. 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.539 Go and stand up at the back. 00:12:59.639 --> 00:12:59.919 Because. 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:01.319 That helps you stay awake. 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:02.219 Right. 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:04.659 Whatever. 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:06.500 That's what it looks like to lean in. 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:07.519 Right. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:08.479 To incline your ear. 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:08.740 And say. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:09.859 I really want to hear this. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:13.120 And I really want to be engaged with my heart in it. 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:16.319 I don't want to let this just go in one ear and out the other. 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.779 I want to lean in. 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.899 Verse three goes even further. 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:20.659 Calling out. 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:21.679 Raising your voice. 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:24.319 Now the image here is. 00:13:24.979 --> 00:13:27.679 It's not just wisdoms talking to you. 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.779 And you can sort of hear it. 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:30.639 But it's a little muffled. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.699 And you have to lean in. 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:31.780 Again. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.580 The image is. 00:13:35.160 --> 00:13:37.160 You can't hear wisdom. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:40.800 Above all the craziness of this chaotic world. 00:13:41.640 --> 00:13:42.860 You're standing downtown. 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.420 The cars are going by. 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.060 And. 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:49.280 You just don't know where wisdom is. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.900 And so you have to call out for it. 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:53.340 You have to. 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.180 Raise your voice. 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:57.360 So it'll hear you. 00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:59.820 Now what does that look like? 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.300 Well it looks like calling out to God in prayer. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:07.519 Like the man in the parable that was. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.519 We read earlier. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:09.340 Right. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:11.399 The man who goes to his friend's house late at night. 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.560 And keeps knocking. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.139 And at first. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.340 His friend doesn't answer. 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:16.000 Because it's midnight. 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:18.259 And who knocks on your friend's door at midnight? 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.539 But he keeps on knocking. 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:21.279 Knock. 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:21.539 Knock. 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:21.779 Knock. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.039 Knock. 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:22.300 Knock. 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:22.580 Knock. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:22.840 Knock. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:23.080 Knock. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.460 Knock. 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:24.779 And Jesus says. 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:25.580 Keep asking. 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:26.340 And you will receive. 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.080 Keep knocking. 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:27.980 And the door will be open. 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:28.660 Keep seeking. 00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:29.440 And you'll find. 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:30.639 Don't give up. 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:31.600 Be like that man. 00:14:31.780 --> 00:14:33.440 In how you ask God for wisdom. 00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:36.100 Saying God. 00:14:36.160 --> 00:14:36.740 I need you. 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.220 I need discernment. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.180 As I face this. 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:40.920 Difficult decision. 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:42.160 I need endurance. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.440 To go through these trials. 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.820 I need your help. 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.960 To see things rightly. 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.460 So I'm not just blinded. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:50.060 By my own limited perspective. 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.100 That's what it looks like. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:54.000 To raise your voice. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.780 To call out. 00:14:54.900 --> 00:14:56.100 To summon wisdom. 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.300 Is to cry out to God. 00:14:57.300 --> 00:14:57.820 In prayer. 00:14:58.180 --> 00:14:58.980 And keep praying. 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.240 And keep crying out to him. 00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:00.620 In prayer. 00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:01.519 Until you get. 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.340 An answer. 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:04.500 And finally. 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:04.980 Verse four. 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:05.840 Seeking after it. 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.680 Like hidden treasure. 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.940 How do people find hidden treasure? 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.159 Well you don't just sort of. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.720 Scan the horizon. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.420 Or scratch the surface. 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:16.980 Of something. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.680 You travel far. 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:20.240 You dig deep. 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.700 In order to get it. 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:22.480 Precious metals. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.940 Are not generally found. 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:25.620 In the most accessible places. 00:15:26.920 --> 00:15:28.879 That's why people dig mining shafts. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.639 Hundreds of feet. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.980 Into the sides of mountains. 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:32.700 And go deep sea diving. 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:34.340 To search in underwater caves. 00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:36.379 That's why 300,000 people. 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.800 Traveled thousands of miles. 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:39.159 During the gold rush. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.200 To get to California. 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:41.320 Right? 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.620 Proverbs invites us. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.519 To seek for wisdom. 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:45.220 That earnestly. 00:15:46.300 --> 00:15:47.720 That diligently. 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:49.139 That persistently. 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.399 To seek it out. 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:52.000 Dig. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.059 Dig. 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.639 Don't just. 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:56.259 Don't just read. 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.120 The Bible. 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.279 But study it. 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.580 Dig deep into it. 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.259 Erasmus. 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:02.860 In his preface. 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:04.100 To the gospel of Luke. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.039 Luke wrote this. 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.820 There is little good. 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:06.360 To be gotten. 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.379 By reading the Bible. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.179 Superficially. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.279 And carelessly. 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:11.080 But do it daily. 00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:11.899 And diligently. 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.779 With attention. 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.879 And affection. 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:15.100 And you shall find. 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:15.940 Such effectiveness. 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.600 As is to be found. 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.539 In no other book. 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:19.399 That can be named. 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:21.840 So that's what it looks like. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.740 To pursue wisdom. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.360 To receive it. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:26.279 To incline our ear. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.259 And our heart towards it. 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:28.439 To call out for it. 00:16:28.459 --> 00:16:29.899 And to seek after it. 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:30.740 To search it out. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.600 Like hidden treasures. 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.959 And then the Father gives us a promise. 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:38.039 In fact two promises. 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:39.299 Verse five and verse nine. 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.220 They both start with the word then. 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:41.279 Then. 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:42.679 Then. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.639 You will understand the fear of the Lord. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.539 And find the knowledge of God. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:46.939 Then. 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:48.539 You will understand righteousness. 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.219 And justice. 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:49.799 And equity. 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:51.799 Every good path. 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.419 If you want it. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.139 Then. 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.980 You can get it. 00:16:57.719 --> 00:16:58.879 Now there are two questions. 00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.980 That some of you might be asking. 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.599 At this point. 00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:03.860 Now some of you might be asking. 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:06.480 How does this if then stuff. 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.259 Relate to. 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.420 The gospel message of. 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:12.000 God's grace. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.159 Right. 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.139 Doesn't the Bible say. 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:14.960 That nobody. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.920 Really seeks after God. 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.779 For himself. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:17.800 For himself. 00:17:17.800 --> 00:17:18.640 On their own. 00:17:19.560 --> 00:17:20.560 Doesn't Jesus say. 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.900 He came to seek and to save. 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.980 Those who are lost. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.340 And that's our only hope. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.740 Well the answer is yes. 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.360 The father in Proverbs. 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.380 Is not saying. 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:34.039 This is how you get. 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:35.480 Into the family of God. 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.300 By. 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.000 Human efforts. 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.460 Right. 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.080 No. 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.600 He's speaking to his son. 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:44.619 God the father. 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:46.099 Is speaking to us. 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.119 As his children. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:47.679 Who have been. 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.199 Welcomed into his family. 00:17:49.199 --> 00:17:50.279 By his grace. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.279 By his mercy. 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.519 Not because. 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.699 We're wiser. 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.319 Or stronger. 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:55.859 Or better. 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.879 Or anything else. 00:17:57.719 --> 00:17:58.240 But simply. 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:59.659 Who've received his grace. 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:00.599 In Jesus Christ. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.379 And God's speaking to us. 00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.459 About how we can grow. 00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:05.299 How we can take hold. 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.179 Of the eternal life. 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.259 To which we have been called. 00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.000 As Paul said. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.839 To Timothy. 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:11.240 So this. 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.019 So this doesn't contradict. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.220 What the Bible says. 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:16.059 About God's grace. 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:16.819 And God is the one. 00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:17.740 Who pursues us. 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:20.439 He's speaking to people. 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.599 Who he already has pursued. 00:18:22.139 --> 00:18:22.539 Right. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.919 The only reason we respond to this. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.859 Is if he's already working. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.439 In our hearts. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.519 So that's the first question. 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.279 Second question. 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.079 You might be asking. 00:18:29.199 --> 00:18:29.419 Well. 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.379 What does it mean. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.259 When Proverbs says. 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.559 Then you will understand. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.439 Then you'll have knowledge. 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.859 What kind of knowledge. 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.139 Or understanding. 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:40.559 Is Proverbs talking about. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.659 A lot of times. 00:18:42.659 --> 00:18:43.619 We think of. 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.259 Knowledge and understanding. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.000 As. 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:48.059 Knowing something. 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.939 From the outside. 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.859 Looking at something. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.240 And saying. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.740 Okay. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.740 I know about that. 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:56.000 I know how that works. 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.519 I can observe how that works. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:00.199 But Proverbs is actually talking about. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:02.179 A deeper kind of knowing. 00:19:02.399 --> 00:19:03.639 Which I will call. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.579 Knowing by participation. 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:08.259 Or knowing from the inside out. 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:10.799 One author put it this way. 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:12.939 Allegiance. 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.179 Proceeds. 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.019 Understanding. 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:17.399 Not the other way around. 00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:19.779 So think about how you know. 00:19:19.919 --> 00:19:20.639 How to ride a bike. 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.559 You can study a manual. 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.539 About how a bike. 00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:25.579 Is constructed. 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:27.099 And all the different parts. 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:28.319 And how the chains work. 00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:31.099 And you can learn it that way. 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.639 You can watch the Tour de France. 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.519 And see people who are. 00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:35.399 Some of the world's best bike riders. 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:37.259 You can go down to the local bike shop. 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:38.940 And talk to people who are enthusiasts. 00:19:39.280 --> 00:19:40.060 In person. 00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:42.519 But you'll never really know how to ride a bike. 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:44.700 Until you actually get on that bike. 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:46.840 And try to ride. 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.880 Same thing with learning to speak a foreign language. 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:51.259 Right? 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:53.259 How do you know how to speak a foreign language? 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:55.519 One of the best ways to learn is by immersion. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:20:00.980 Putting yourself in a context where you can't communicate any other way. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:07.440 You just have to listen and speak and communicate in that foreign language. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:09.620 Which is one of the best and fastest ways to learn. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.559 Those of you who are scientists. 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:16.160 Know that even scientific knowledge involves participation. 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:20.100 Especially when you get down to the level of quantum mechanics. 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:25.100 Where the observer is intimately involved in the reality that he or she is experiencing. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.620 Even at the more general level. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:29.100 You can't do scientific research. 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:35.220 Unless you assume some basic principles about the nature of the physical world. 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:40.059 Apart from which your experiments don't make any sense. 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.720 Or think about human relationships. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.019 Right? 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:46.640 Human relationships also involve this knowledge as participation. 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:47.319 Right? 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:49.700 Allegiance precedes understanding here as well. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.319 That's why when you get married. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:53.880 When you pledge allegiance to one another. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.180 Till death do us part. 00:20:55.259 --> 00:21:00.640 It opens the door to knowing each other at a deeper level than ever before. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.480 Right? 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:05.299 Including knowing one another's flaws. 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:07.579 That we sometimes try to hide from everybody else. 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.220 Here's the point. 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:14.140 As human beings, the way that we know and understand things. 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:19.039 Is not by taking a distant, detached, non-committal stance. 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.700 That doesn't work. 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.559 Doesn't work with bike riding. 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:24.019 Doesn't work with learning languages. 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.980 Doesn't work with science. 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:26.279 Doesn't work with human relationships. 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.599 And it doesn't work with God. 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:35.259 You can't stand at a distance and say, God, I want to understand everything first. 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:37.719 And then I'll decide whether to commit to you. 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:46.899 That's like standing on a diving board and saying, I won't dive in the water until I know exactly what it's going to be like. 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:54.180 Now, I'm not saying that you should dive off the diving board into a pool that may or may not have any water at all in it. 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.480 Right? 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:57.380 We're not talking about having blind faith. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.580 That's not what we're saying. 00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:00.259 Right? 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:04.040 Just like you shouldn't marry somebody who you just met two days ago. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.280 Right? 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:08.500 You need to know enough to know whether you can commit. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:13.819 But you won't know everything and you won't have this deepest kind of knowledge until you actually commit. 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:23.839 You won't know God deeply and personally until you surrender and commit to Him. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:28.799 At some point, you have to take the plunge. 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:40.779 And that's what Proverbs is inviting us to do, to get personally involved in this seeking process that verses 1 to 4 describe. 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:43.799 So that we can understand and know God personally. 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:48.619 Understand and know God by participating with Him and in Him. 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.879 In relationship with Him. 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:54.240 So what is the promise? 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:58.599 What does verse 5 and 9 promise that we will understand or experience? 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:04.380 Well, verse 5 talks about we'll understand what it means to relate rightly to God. 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:08.120 The fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God. 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:11.980 In other words, awe and intimacy. 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.480 Jonathan Edwards wrote, 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:38.920 When we see that God is worthy of everything we have and are, we stand in awe of Him. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:42.019 We have what Proverbs calls the fear of the Lord. 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:48.379 And when we see the pleasantness of His counsel, that what He commands us is for our good, 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:52.259 we draw near to know Him, to know Him intimately. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:55.700 We can have this relationship with Him. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:58.879 Standing in awe of Him and being intimately close to Him. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.319 And verse 9 says, 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:03.240 The result is we'll relate rightly to other human beings. 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:07.420 With righteousness or faithfulness. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.440 With justice and fairness. 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.099 With equity. 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:12.379 That word could also be translated integrity. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.439 Every good path. 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:18.159 And I think there's a logical progression here. 00:24:19.179 --> 00:24:22.319 What Proverbs is saying is when we relate rightly to God, 00:24:22.719 --> 00:24:26.399 we also increasingly relate rightly to other people. 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:30.719 That's why the Ten Commandments begin with loving God. 00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:33.199 With all our heart and soul and mind. 00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:35.279 The first four commands. 00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:39.019 And then the second six are about loving our neighbors as ourselves. 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:44.779 When we're in right relationship with God, it begins to help us relate rightly to others. 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:47.819 The Lord's Prayer, again, begins the same way. 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.700 Our Father, hallowed be Your name. 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:52.139 Your kingdom come. 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.259 Your will be done. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:56.200 And then the second half focuses on our needs. 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.379 Give us our daily bread. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.079 Forgive us our sins. 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.460 Lead us not into temptation. 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.620 God's Prayer, again, begins the same way. 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:07.600 So throughout the Bible, we see this pattern that when our relationship with God is restored, 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:13.100 when it's made right, when it's growing, then our relationships with others will begin to follow. 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:23.240 And the other way, we can see this connection the other way, too. 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:29.579 If our relationships with other people are characterized by conflict and bitterness, 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:34.779 or coldness and distance, or just being superficial and fake, 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:39.099 that's usually a sign, in fact, probably always a sign, 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:41.920 that something isn't right in our relationship with God. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:47.680 That perhaps we're not standing in awe of the righteousness and holiness of God. 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:51.039 So when someone does us wrong, we react the same way. 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:56.480 We're more worried about them. 00:25:57.779 --> 00:26:02.319 We're more worried about our reputation than we are about living in light of a holy God. 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:04.240 Or we're not growing in intimacy with God. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:06.799 We don't feel close to Him and secure in Him. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:10.779 And so we're discontented, and we're looking to other people to fill a hole, 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:13.059 to fill a void that only God can really fill. 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:17.960 Think about the last time you had a conflict with your spouse, 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:21.039 or your parents, or roommates, or co-workers. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:24.799 Think about in the middle of that conflict. 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:31.039 How much were you thinking about the reality of the relationship with God 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:32.799 that you have through Christ? 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.440 God made me. 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:36.079 Christ died for me. 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:37.960 The Holy Spirit lives in me. 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.180 God is light. 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.919 In Him there is no darkness at all. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.819 God is love. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:45.119 Love is patient and kind and not easily angered. 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:49.339 How much were you dwelling on those truths in the middle of the last conflict you had 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:52.839 with your roommate or spouse or co-worker or whoever it was? 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:57.899 Or how much were you stewing on how hurt and annoyed and angered you were 00:26:57.899 --> 00:27:00.439 because of what they said and what they did 00:27:00.439 --> 00:27:04.699 and how they offended you and wronged you? 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:08.180 And now you must say something because you must defend yourself. 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.259 Right? 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:14.740 We often lose sight of the holiness and the goodness of God. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:22.000 And instead we're driven by our own sinfulness and the sinfulness of other people. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:24.740 But here God is holding out to us. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:28.460 He's holding out to us the possibility of a growing relationship with Him 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:32.599 that results in righteousness and peace in our relationship with others. 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:37.000 Again, Jonathan Edwards talked about this. 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.319 He said, 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:55.019 To go to heaven, to fully enjoy God is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:59.559 Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:02.299 or the company of any or all earthly friends. 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:06.859 These are but shadows, but the enjoyment of God is the substance. 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:10.259 These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. 00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:12.859 These are but streams, but God is the fountain. 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:15.659 These are but drops, but God is the ocean. 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:25.079 So Proverbs invites us to look to God as a source and a fountain of everything good 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:26.659 and to delight ourselves in Him. 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.879 Finally, look at the four. 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:33.539 How can we be confident that if we seek, we will find? 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.579 Verse six, 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:37.619 For the Lord gives wisdom. 00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.539 Verse 10, 00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:41.159 For wisdom will come into your heart. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:46.359 And there's a paradox here in this passage, isn't there? 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:51.399 Verse one to four talk about seeking diligently until we find. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:54.559 Taking initiative to search out wisdom. 00:28:55.639 --> 00:28:57.139 On the other hand, verse six says, 00:28:57.240 --> 00:29:02.399 Everything we find is only what God has given graciously to us. 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:04.580 James one said, 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:09.120 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault. 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:11.860 Right? 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.360 Jesus said, 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:16.620 Seek and you'll receive because the heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to his children. 00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:21.160 This is the paradox of growing as a Christian. 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.019 Right? 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:24.820 Give it all you got because it's all by grace. 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:28.359 And you need both of those poles. 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:32.859 You need both of those truths to live a healthy Christian life. 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:36.740 If you're just giving it all you got because you think it all depends on you, 00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:38.119 you're going to collapse. 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:42.679 And you're going to be anxious, constantly anxious that you're not doing enough. 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:46.539 And if you just think it's only by God's grace, 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:50.039 so you should just sit back and let go and let God and do nothing else, 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:52.779 you're going to be passive. 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.660 You're going to be lazy. 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:56.519 What the Bible calls slothful. 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.580 Proverbs talks something about that. 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:05.740 And you're not going to be living in the power of the Holy Spirit whom God has given to us. 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.740 We need both. 00:30:07.820 --> 00:30:10.680 Give it all you got because it's all by God's grace. 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:15.759 Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you. 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.759 Apostle Paul says the same thing. 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:27.960 Verse 10 goes on with this promise that wisdom will come into our heart. 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:31.779 Isn't that what Jesus promises in the new covenant? 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:37.620 Jesus says, I'll take away your heart of stone and I'll give you a heart of flesh. 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:39.679 A new heart. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.679 A new spirit. 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:44.219 You see, wisdom isn't just technical knowledge. 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:46.619 It's not just something that resides in our minds. 00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:50.000 It doesn't only affect our explicit reasoning. 00:30:50.179 --> 00:30:51.819 It also affects our… 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:55.819 It also begins to shape our unspoken intuitions, 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:58.399 our implicit instincts, 00:30:58.759 --> 00:31:00.619 and our underlying tastes. 00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:05.859 Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul, verse 10. 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:10.459 You know, one of the signs that someone has become a Christian 00:31:10.459 --> 00:31:14.679 or that a Christian is growing in their relationship with Christ 00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:17.419 is that their desires change. 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.459 Right? 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:24.619 You don't find as much pleasure in indulging your sinful lusts 00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:27.639 as you did before. 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.819 Instead, you feel, 00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:33.500 no, I'm not… 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.279 This isn't right. 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.659 Something's wrong here. 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:37.159 This isn't the way I should be living. 00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:37.519 Right? 00:31:38.479 --> 00:31:40.059 You have a renewed desire 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.739 to love God's word 00:31:41.739 --> 00:31:42.479 and to read it 00:31:42.479 --> 00:31:43.479 and to listen to it 00:31:43.479 --> 00:31:44.719 and to pray. 00:31:44.979 --> 00:31:47.319 Not because other people around you are telling you to. 00:31:48.419 --> 00:31:50.219 Not so you can brag to somebody else 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:54.500 and sort of show how good of a Christian you are, 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:56.680 but just because you want to be with God. 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:00.259 You start to love God for who He is 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:02.160 and not just for the side benefits 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:05.059 that sometimes come along from Him. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.360 This is the promise. 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.380 God gives wisdom 00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:13.960 and wisdom will come and shape our hearts 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:16.019 and shape our desires 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.720 and our tastes and our longings. 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:24.640 So that's what we see in this first section. 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:29.400 If we really want God's wisdom, 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:30.740 we can have it 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.940 because God gives it. 00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:35.900 And then Proverbs goes on to talk about 00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:36.860 the benefits of wisdom. 00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:40.400 We see some of these in verses 7 and 8 and 11. 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:44.319 God stores up sound wisdom for the upright. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:44.900 Verse 7, 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:47.140 that word could also be translated resourcefulness. 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:49.620 That is, God helps us 00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:51.400 in dealing with the problems of life. 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:55.860 He guards us and watches over us. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.480 Verse 8, 00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:00.880 verse 11 says, 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:02.400 discretion will watch over you, 00:33:02.520 --> 00:33:03.740 understanding will guard you. 00:33:04.360 --> 00:33:06.600 So again, here's another paradox, right? 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:08.920 Is it God who personally protects us 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:11.100 or is it the discretion and wisdom 00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:12.120 that God gives us 00:33:12.120 --> 00:33:13.140 that when we use it, 00:33:13.340 --> 00:33:14.500 protects us from evil? 00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:15.900 And the answer is again, both. 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:16.540 Right? 00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:17.680 We need both sides of the coin. 00:33:17.780 --> 00:33:19.580 We need to know that God is watching over us 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:20.860 as our heavenly father 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:23.000 and personally cares for us. 00:33:23.300 --> 00:33:24.500 But we also need to see 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.780 that he's showing us 00:33:25.780 --> 00:33:27.440 to live in line with his character, 00:33:27.580 --> 00:33:28.720 giving us discretion. 00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.500 That word discretion 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.900 particularly sort of means 00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:34.600 the ability to discern for yourself. 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:35.720 Right? 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.759 When you're all alone 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:38.019 and facing temptation 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.280 or when you're facing 00:33:39.280 --> 00:33:39.900 a difficult decision, 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:42.320 discretion is the ability 00:33:42.320 --> 00:33:43.120 to discern 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:44.540 right from wrong, 00:33:44.800 --> 00:33:45.500 good from evil, 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.539 better from worse, 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:48.339 wisdom from foolishness. 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:50.680 And through that discretion 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:51.900 that God gives us 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:53.319 that's in line with his character, 00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:55.839 that's also how he protects us 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.559 as we live in line 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.119 with that wisdom 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.960 that he's given us. 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.619 So again, 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:01.140 it's sort of like 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:01.799 give it all you've got 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:02.920 because it's all by grace. 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:04.519 God watches over us personally 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.640 and God protects us 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.180 through the wisdom 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:07.099 that he teaches us. 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:07.700 Again, 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:08.800 we need both of those sides. 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:11.000 But then going on 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:12.120 with the benefits of wisdom, 00:34:12.620 --> 00:34:13.680 verse 12 to 15, 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.539 Paul, 00:34:14.700 --> 00:34:15.760 not Paul, 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.860 the author of Proverbs, 00:34:18.200 --> 00:34:18.880 talks about God 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.400 and his wisdom 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.380 delivers us from 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.680 the way of evil men. 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.880 We saw this last week 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.460 when we talked about peer pressure, 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:26.440 right? 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.780 These greedy, 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:28.260 violent, 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:30.000 intimidating men 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:31.060 who are described here. 00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:34.340 And then verse 16 through 19 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:34.980 talks about 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:36.340 the forbidden woman, 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:37.400 right? 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.119 Who's flattering 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:38.980 and deceptive 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.559 and alluring 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.440 but deadly. 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.079 Now this woman 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.980 comes back again, 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:43.320 the figure of this forbidden woman 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:45.019 comes back in chapters 5 through 7. 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.980 So we'll dig into that 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:47.779 more then 00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:48.659 about what that means. 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.759 But the point is 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:53.039 wisdom protects us 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.659 from being ensnared 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:56.119 by 00:34:56.119 --> 00:34:58.840 or following other people 00:34:58.840 --> 00:35:00.199 into foolishness. 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:04.199 wisdom delivers us 00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:04.840 from 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:08.059 so some parallels here. 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:09.699 Verse 13, 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:11.000 evil men forsake 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.139 the passive uprightness. 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:12.980 Verse 17, 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.099 the forbidden woman 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:15.159 forsakes the companion 00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:15.719 of her youth. 00:35:15.799 --> 00:35:16.539 So there's a pattern 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.779 of these are people 00:35:17.779 --> 00:35:19.219 who abandon their commitments 00:35:19.219 --> 00:35:20.059 and abandon 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:21.320 the right way to live 00:35:21.320 --> 00:35:23.159 for forsaking them. 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.779 Their speech 00:35:25.779 --> 00:35:26.559 is 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:27.679 verse 12, 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:28.719 their speech is perverted 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.340 or 00:35:29.340 --> 00:35:30.579 verse 16, 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:32.119 smooth words, 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:33.619 sort of deceptive words, 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:35.639 flattering but false words. 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.559 And then their paths 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:37.980 are deadly. 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.759 Verse 15, 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.719 their paths are crooked. 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:42.239 And verse 00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:44.699 18 and 19, 00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.579 her paths lead 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.259 to the departed. 00:35:46.840 --> 00:35:47.860 Those who follow her 00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.500 do not regain 00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:49.340 the paths of life. 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.679 So there's a parallel 00:35:50.679 --> 00:35:51.639 between these two 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.539 sort of descriptions 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:54.139 in 12 to 15 00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:55.219 and 16 through 19. 00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:57.099 And the point is, 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.799 wisdom protects us 00:35:58.799 --> 00:36:00.480 from being dragged down 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.559 into foolish 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:03.359 and ultimately 00:36:03.359 --> 00:36:04.719 deadly ways 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.459 to live. 00:36:05.939 --> 00:36:06.519 But instead, 00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:07.759 verse 20 to 22, 00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:09.119 wisdom shows us 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:10.899 the way of eternal life. 00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.679 You will walk 00:36:12.679 --> 00:36:13.399 in the way of the good 00:36:13.399 --> 00:36:14.319 and keep to the paths 00:36:14.319 --> 00:36:15.179 of the righteous. 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.879 So seeking wisdom 00:36:17.879 --> 00:36:18.459 isn't just 00:36:18.459 --> 00:36:19.559 an individual pursuit, 00:36:19.659 --> 00:36:20.379 it's something that 00:36:20.379 --> 00:36:21.799 God calls us together 00:36:21.799 --> 00:36:22.839 into a community 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:23.840 to do that together. 00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:28.840 Now we'll get into 00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:29.180 some of, 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:30.740 a lot of this stuff 00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:31.400 in the second half 00:36:31.400 --> 00:36:31.940 of chapter 2 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.579 is going to come up 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.460 in the next few chapters. 00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:34.600 So we'll dig into it 00:36:34.600 --> 00:36:35.559 more in future weeks. 00:36:36.140 --> 00:36:37.640 But what I want to end with 00:36:37.640 --> 00:36:39.539 as we think about 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.360 the pursuit of wisdom 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:41.519 and the benefits of wisdom, 00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.320 I want to end by 00:36:43.320 --> 00:36:44.579 talking about 00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:45.240 what the New Testament 00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:46.660 says about wisdom. 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.100 And the New Testament 00:36:48.100 --> 00:36:49.240 says that Jesus Christ 00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:50.920 has come to, 00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:52.639 Jesus Christ 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:53.780 has become to us 00:36:53.780 --> 00:36:55.720 wisdom from God. 00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:57.700 1 Corinthians says 00:36:57.700 --> 00:36:58.619 He is our righteousness, 00:36:59.380 --> 00:36:59.680 holiness, 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.680 and redemption. 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.420 And so, 00:37:04.240 --> 00:37:04.480 you know, 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.079 verse 6 says 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:06.079 the Lord gives wisdom. 00:37:07.180 --> 00:37:07.440 Right? 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:08.039 It emphasizes 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:09.159 this is a gracious gift 00:37:09.159 --> 00:37:09.619 from God. 00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:10.860 And that's what 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.460 the Bible says. 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.800 God has graciously 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:13.760 given us His Son, 00:37:13.820 --> 00:37:14.500 Jesus Christ. 00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:16.599 That He has 00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:17.460 willingly come 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:19.659 and become 00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:21.360 a human being 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:22.519 and lived 00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:24.280 a fully 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:25.420 obedient life 00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:25.920 to God 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.900 and then 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:28.980 gave His life 00:37:28.980 --> 00:37:29.800 on the cross 00:37:29.800 --> 00:37:30.539 in our place. 00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:32.880 He took the penalty 00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:33.480 of our sin 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.179 upon Himself 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.320 so that we could be 00:37:35.320 --> 00:37:35.679 forgiven 00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:36.980 and receive God's 00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:37.400 righteousness. 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:38.599 And so, 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:39.720 God gives Him to us 00:37:39.720 --> 00:37:40.639 as a gracious gift. 00:37:41.820 --> 00:37:42.559 Verse 10 talks about 00:37:42.559 --> 00:37:43.199 wisdom will come 00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:43.800 into your heart. 00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.220 The New Testament 00:37:45.220 --> 00:37:46.380 talks about the Holy Spirit 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:47.760 coming to dwell in us. 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:49.360 And when the Holy Spirit 00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:50.240 comes to dwell in us, 00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:51.220 we cry out to God, 00:37:51.360 --> 00:37:51.920 Abba, Father. 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:54.460 We can have a close 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:56.280 and intimate relationship 00:37:56.280 --> 00:37:57.119 with God the Father 00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:58.800 through the Holy Spirit 00:37:58.800 --> 00:37:59.760 that Christ promises. 00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:01.619 And finally, 00:38:01.740 --> 00:38:02.840 wisdom will deliver us. 00:38:03.680 --> 00:38:04.700 Verse 12 and 16, 00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:06.760 Jesus Christ says, 00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:07.660 I am the good shepherd 00:38:07.660 --> 00:38:10.320 and I call my sheep 00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:10.840 by name. 00:38:11.720 --> 00:38:13.079 And as Psalm 23 says, 00:38:13.079 --> 00:38:15.079 surely your goodness 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:16.420 and mercy will follow me 00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:17.299 and protect me 00:38:17.299 --> 00:38:18.480 all the days of my life. 00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:19.920 And I will dwell with you 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:21.139 in the house of the Lord 00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:21.500 forever. 00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:24.519 So wisdom is ultimately 00:38:24.519 --> 00:38:26.159 this invitation of wisdom. 00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:27.639 This invitation to seek wisdom 00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:28.159 is ultimately 00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:29.400 an invitation 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.539 to draw near 00:38:30.539 --> 00:38:31.360 to Jesus Christ. 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:33.480 And that's what 00:38:33.480 --> 00:38:34.659 we're going to do right now 00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:35.880 as we take the Lord's Supper. 00:38:36.860 --> 00:38:37.460 Jesus said, 00:38:37.599 --> 00:38:38.440 I am the bread of life. 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:39.719 Whoever comes to me 00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:40.380 will not hunger 00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:41.860 and whoever believes in me 00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:42.599 shall never thirst. 00:38:42.599 --> 00:38:43.000 He's saying, 00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:43.599 I'm the one 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:44.779 who's come to fulfill 00:38:44.779 --> 00:38:46.559 your deepest longings. 00:38:47.659 --> 00:38:49.139 So as we prepare 00:38:49.139 --> 00:38:50.940 to come to the Lord's table, 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:51.460 let's pray. 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.420 Give us, O Lord, 00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:59.639 a steadfast heart 00:38:59.639 --> 00:39:01.839 which no unworthy affection 00:39:01.839 --> 00:39:03.420 may drag downwards. 00:39:04.619 --> 00:39:06.339 Give us an unconquered heart 00:39:06.339 --> 00:39:08.039 which no tribulation 00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:08.920 can wear out. 00:39:09.860 --> 00:39:11.139 Give us an upright heart 00:39:11.139 --> 00:39:12.699 which no unworthy purpose 00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:13.619 may tempt aside. 00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:16.139 Bestow upon us also, 00:39:16.259 --> 00:39:17.179 O Lord our God, 00:39:17.779 --> 00:39:19.119 understanding to know you, 00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:21.339 diligence to seek you, 00:39:22.379 --> 00:39:23.519 wisdom to find you, 00:39:24.319 --> 00:39:25.159 and a faithfulness 00:39:25.159 --> 00:39:26.659 that may finally embrace you 00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:28.599 when we see you face to face. 00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:29.960 Through Jesus Christ, 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:30.400 our Lord. 00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:31.400 Amen. 00:39:31.400 --> 00:39:31.519 Amen. 00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:31.539 Amen. 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:31.559 Amen. 00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:31.579 Amen. 00:39:31.579 --> 00:39:31.599 Amen. 00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:31.619 Amen. 00:39:31.619 --> 00:39:31.639 Amen. 00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:33.559 Amen. 00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:33.599 Amen. 00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:33.639 Amen. 00:39:33.639 --> 00:39:33.659 Amen. 00:39:33.659 --> 00:39:33.679 Amen. 00:39:33.679 --> 00:39:33.699 Amen. 00:39:33.699 --> 00:39:35.599 Amen. 00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:35.639 Amen. 00:39:35.639 --> 00:39:35.659 Amen.