WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.179 Good morning. 00:00:01.700 --> 00:00:06.459 So our first Bible reading is from 1 Kings chapter 3, starting at verse 5. 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:11.359 Verse 5. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:16.960 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, 00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:18.839 Ask what I shall give you. 00:00:19.580 --> 00:00:25.600 And Solomon said, You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David, my father, 00:00:25.600 --> 00:00:31.920 because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:32.620 toward you. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:39.780 And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and I have given him a son to sit on 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:40.900 his throne this day. 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:49.900 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David, my father, although 00:00:49.900 --> 00:00:51.400 I am but a little child. 00:00:51.399 --> 00:00:59.019 I do not know how to go out or come in, and your servant is in the midst of your people 00:00:59.019 --> 00:01:05.079 whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 00:01:06.939 --> 00:01:13.739 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:18.239 between good and evil, for who is able to govern this, your great people? 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:22.939 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:29.259 And God said to him, Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life 00:01:29.259 --> 00:01:35.419 or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern 00:01:35.419 --> 00:01:39.899 what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:47.380 Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you, 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:50.260 and none like you shall arise after you. 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:57.420 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honour, so that no other king shall 00:01:57.420 --> 00:01:59.820 compare with you all your days. 00:01:59.819 --> 00:02:15.120 Our second reading is from Proverbs chapter 1, starting at verse 1. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:31.939 The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. 00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:39.159 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:46.419 wise dealing, in righteousness, justice and equity, to give prudence to the simple, knowledge 00:02:46.419 --> 00:02:47.960 and discretion to the youth. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:54.719 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 00:02:55.180 --> 00:03:00.000 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:03.400 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:05.919 Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:07.419 That's the word of God. 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:12.819 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:03:13.299 --> 00:03:16.199 My name is also David, one of the pastors here. 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:23.919 And according to my many family members, wider family members, and most of my neighbours, 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:26.740 I would also be considered a loser. 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:39.139 Now, behind general politeness and friendliness, and there is that, on most part, behind general 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:43.060 politeness and friendliness, they think I'm gullible. 00:03:45.939 --> 00:03:52.599 Believing what the Bible says about God, about Jesus, about sin, and about my need for salvation 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:53.659 through Jesus. 00:03:53.659 --> 00:03:55.900 And they think I'm naive. 00:03:55.900 --> 00:03:57.099 And they think I'm naive. 00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:04.579 To shape my life in service of Jesus. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:12.780 Convinced that in relationship with Jesus, I have found the good life that they too are desperately searching for. 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:15.680 That's just naive. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:20.480 And it hurts. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:25.100 Nobody likes to be considered a loser. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:39.439 Nobody likes to be considered gullible, naive, a fool, easily swayed and deceived as to what is right and good. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:50.420 We crave to be validated by family and friends thinking that we're wise. 00:04:51.819 --> 00:04:55.720 That we're living the good life every day. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:05:05.080 And behind all that, what that means is we're all philosophers. 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:11.820 Phileo means to love and sopia is the word for wisdom. 00:05:11.960 --> 00:05:14.220 So we're all lovers of wisdom. 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:16.920 We all have a form of wisdom. 00:05:17.220 --> 00:05:18.660 Something we're committed to. 00:05:19.320 --> 00:05:22.180 An understanding of the nature of our being. 00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:25.960 And an understanding of the nature of the good life. 00:05:28.640 --> 00:05:38.700 The problem is that as philosophers, we cannot agree where the divide between the losers or the fools and the wise is. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:47.120 We cannot agree on what wisdom looks like and plays out in life. 00:05:48.979 --> 00:05:58.459 So in Asian, Middle Eastern and Melanesian cultures, age or grey hairs as they're called is wisdom. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:06:13.719 But increasingly, that is being rejected by the young people who've come to conclude that grey hairs is the protection of the traditional life. 00:06:14.539 --> 00:06:16.819 Not necessarily the good life. 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:24.040 On the other hand, youth is wisdom in Western culture. 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:34.539 And so grey hairs, like myself, are dismissed as sort of past their use-by date to speak wisely on any subject in our changing world. 00:06:39.039 --> 00:06:43.779 Information, education and technology is wisdom for many. 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:48.059 That is, touted as a pathway to ending poverty. 00:06:48.859 --> 00:06:50.059 Ending conflict. 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:51.879 Delivering the good life. 00:06:53.619 --> 00:06:58.419 And yet strangely, with vast amounts of information available at the click of a mouse. 00:06:59.219 --> 00:07:03.319 With more people educated to a higher level than ever before. 00:07:04.739 --> 00:07:06.519 Greed and poverty continue. 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:10.059 And in fact, we're more disconnected. 00:07:11.099 --> 00:07:12.199 More unhappy. 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:15.360 And more dysfunctional than ever. 00:07:17.599 --> 00:07:20.259 Some claim that the life of self. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:23.459 The life of pleasure is wisdom. 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:27.459 So they say, well, accumulate stuff while you're able. 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:29.180 Eat, drink and party. 00:07:32.839 --> 00:07:34.459 Others say the exact opposite. 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:37.919 The selfless life. 00:07:38.539 --> 00:07:40.259 Of serving others is wisdom. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:43.300 So declutter your life. 00:07:44.539 --> 00:07:45.420 Get rid of stuff. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:47.680 And invest in experiences. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:55.000 We can't agree on what wisdom looks like. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:05.780 Most commonly in Australian culture, people are committed to a form of wisdom driven by autonomy. 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:11.819 That is, self-confidence that says, I know better than anyone else. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:13.459 And self-expression. 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:16.139 I will do life my way. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:21.180 And the evidence is everywhere, I think. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:27.379 So children will naturally back themselves against their parents' advice. 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:33.600 Adults will naturally back themselves against the governing authorities. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:46.259 People even live contrary to that which hard evidence suggests might be wrong or bad for you. 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:52.040 So committed are they to their particular form of wisdom. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:59.959 And so I think, in realistic terms, we're caught between a rock and a hard place. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:10.960 On the one hand, people are unsure what wisdom and the good life looks like and are searching desperately for it. 00:09:13.160 --> 00:09:25.300 Yet strangely, on the other hand, they resent and resist anyone who introduces wisdom which is contrary to their own settled wisdom that they've been living by for a long time. 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:30.339 The two just don't gel. 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:34.039 And perhaps the current mantra of no judgment. 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:35.659 It's everywhere these days. 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:41.500 Perhaps that reflects the insecurity we feel about being wise. 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:49.079 It seems to me that people don't want their wisdom, their wisdom, to be challenged. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:55.759 Lest they be exposed as actually being unwise. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:10:04.920 So the way to deal with it is not to rethink your wisdom, but to put out the mantra, no, don't judge me. 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:06.940 Don't challenge me. 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:08.780 I've got to be right. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:19.439 And from that place between the rock and the hard place, let's jump into Proverbs for clear instruction on the big question of life. 00:10:19.959 --> 00:10:20.639 What is wisdom? 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.100 And how do we get it? 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:26.759 Now, verse 1 introduces us to the author. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:32.819 The principal author and compiler of this book we call the book of Proverbs is King Solomon. 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:36.419 The back story, which was read to us, is really, really important. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:48.439 That Solomon prayed for discernment and a truly understanding heart in order that he might be a good ruler of God's people. 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:52.779 Now, in response to that, God gave him the gift of wisdom. 00:10:54.319 --> 00:10:57.659 So we see the correlation there of what wisdom is. 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:04.639 And lots of insights have been recorded in this book called the Proverbs. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:18.500 And it's named after a particular style of writing, usually short, pithy sentences that come in two parts, two parallel phrases, which present truth for life. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:27.980 But when we dig into these first seven verses, we find that even though we call it the Proverbs, the actual title of the book is anything but short and pithy. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:31.179 In fact, the title of the book goes for the first six verses. 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:34.239 The first six verses is actually one sentence. 00:11:35.959 --> 00:11:41.719 And it takes six verses to describe what these Proverbs and what wisdom is. 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:47.360 And verse seven then introduces the theme of the book. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:52.660 And the prize on offer as we decipher this stuff is wisdom. 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:54.680 True knowledge. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:58.700 True understanding of life and our place in it. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.639 True discernment. 00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:08.639 True ability to live the good life that is beneficial, rewarding, and delightful. 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:15.500 Even as we'll see over the next few weeks, even though it might not be popular. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:25.679 Now the verbs and nouns of verses two to five map out the pathway to wisdom and describe its essence. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.279 So look at verse two with me. 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:29.799 To know wisdom and instruction. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:32.700 To understand words of insight. 00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:36.200 Now for us to know is just about having lots of information. 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:38.759 But that's not what it is in Hebrew. 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:49.580 To know in Hebrew is to have a really deep personal insight into a subject which actually shapes who you are and how you live. 00:12:51.420 --> 00:12:52.900 It captures your heart. 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:55.379 Captures your attitudes, your desires. 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:58.740 And overflows into particular behavior. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:02.100 Verse three. 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:08.200 To receive instruction in wise dealing. 00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:12.060 In righteousness, justice, and equity or fairness. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:19.080 To receive instruction in wise dealing speaks of the humility. 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:23.919 A humility that recognizes both the need to learn. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:29.979 Because we don't know naturally what the good life is or how to get it. 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:38.679 And in submitting to the one whose voice is authoritative to tell us what the good life is and how to get it. 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:47.259 The good life here in verse three. 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:54.339 Picked up in these three nouns is all of life lived under God's control. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:58.979 And reflecting first of all God's perfect character or righteousness. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:03.620 And expressed. 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:07.159 God's character expressed to others around us. 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:09.639 In justice and fairness. 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:12.700 All of life. 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.920 Lived under God's control. 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:18.220 Now why is that in? 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:19.600 Well let's take a step back. 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:26.220 And remind ourselves that sin you see has broken God's pattern for life. 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:34.399 And what sin does is it reduces people to a grotesque distorted sense of self. 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:37.440 Expressed in autonomy from God. 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:39.180 Or as it's called here in verse seven. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.040 Foolishness. 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.360 So therefore healer. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:49.560 Wisdom therefore is the healer of God's world. 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.860 God's sinful world. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:56.060 Wisdom is the restorer of a true sense of self. 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:59.180 Expressed in life lived under God. 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:03.120 It's a big topic. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:06.000 It's a big prize to win. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.639 A serious prize to miss out on. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.480 Verses five and six. 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:17.279 To nurture prudence. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.800 Sorry, four, five, and six. 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:20.860 To nurture prudence or knowledge. 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:25.159 And I've got discretion down there. 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:26.700 But discernment is the word I wanted. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.399 Not discretion. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.680 Is the word that should be there. 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:31.759 To nurture prudence or knowledge. 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:34.240 And discernment in how to live well. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:39.379 Making good decisions in every situation and circumstance of life. 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:45.960 See, wisdom is not just an external commodity. 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:49.879 That's there on the shelf. 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.519 And we sort of dip into it. 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:53.060 When we find it desirable. 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:58.639 Wisdom is something that changes us from the inside out. 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:06.000 And is constantly modeled, therefore, to others around us in the way we live. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:07.319 And what we live for. 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:10.559 Wisdom, it talks about the simple here. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:16.100 But wisdom is not an intelligence boost for people with a lack of intellect. 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.480 That's not what's meant there. 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:26.460 It's discernment and understanding of life for those who do not yet have it. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:31.980 And who are stumbling around in foolishness. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:37.019 As such, it is particularly relevant to young people. 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:42.220 Who typically are known for their energy for life. 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.580 And yet perhaps lack of direction. 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:47.700 In how to apply that energy for good. 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:52.960 Verse 5. 00:16:53.520 --> 00:16:55.120 Wisdom is not a fixed state. 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.600 It's not as if it's like riding a bike. 00:16:57.700 --> 00:17:00.500 You can't get to the point of saying, well, I am wise. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.980 I have nothing more to learn. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.559 As older people. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:09.079 We need to be learning constantly. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.519 Listening. 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:12.440 Hearing. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.240 And allowing God's word. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:18.539 To change thinking and guide into new patterns of living. 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:24.879 And I think that's particularly relevant for older people like myself. 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:28.720 Because it's hard for us to do that very thing. 00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:30.839 It's hard for us to change as we get older. 00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:35.939 Because to do that, we have to admit that we may have been wrong for many years. 00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:37.399 In something we've held. 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:37.460 We've held. 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:37.519 We've held. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:37.539 We've held. 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:37.559 We've held. 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:48.960 And wisdom's not something we grow into naturally. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:52.539 And that's why the theme of the verse is stated in verse 7. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:57.619 The key to, or the heart of wisdom, is fear of the Lord. 00:17:57.619 --> 00:18:02.859 Now the word beginning is not a journey marker. 00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:10.979 It's not that the idea of beginning means, well, we start off in the process of being wise by the fear of the Lord. 00:18:10.979 --> 00:18:16.299 And then somewhere, sometime, we move on to some other thing that's not disclosed here in this verse. 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.759 Now it's not like that. 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:21.339 The beginning word here is a defining word. 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:27.920 It's an essential foundation, a fundamental characteristic of wisdom is fear of the Lord. 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:30.680 It will always be there over a lifetime. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:33.839 The fear of the Lord at heart is what wisdom is. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:47.359 So to know wisdom, back in verse 2, to know wisdom is to fear the Lord. 00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:50.559 Put it the other way around. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:54.959 To fear the Lord is to display wisdom. 00:18:54.960 --> 00:19:06.440 And by contrast, verse 7, the word fool in Hebrew is literally evil, E-V-I-L. 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:14.019 A fool is anyone, therefore, who rejects God, His ways, and His instruction. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.539 A fool is anyone who's committed to being autonomous. 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:23.519 Or as the Bible says in other parts, someone who's committed to being wise in his own eyes. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:29.180 So what is the fear of the Lord? 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:38.340 Well, it's a disciplined, thoughtful response to God's words, desires, directions, rules, and demands. 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:50.640 And it's also a humble relational response, driven by desire to love, honor, trust, and obey God, 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:53.980 given His prior relationship and commitment to us. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:20:07.500 Fear of the Lord is not a cringing terror of a child before an abusive alcoholic father. 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:14.539 Fear of the Lord is not the grudging, minimalistic obedience, 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:22.480 driven by a desire to pacify God's anger or a fear of God's revenge. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:25.779 Fear of the Lord is not trying to buy God off. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:36.420 Fear of the Lord says, God is God and I am not. 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:43.740 I am not the source of wisdom and truth. 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.160 God is. 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.220 God is. 00:20:47.100 --> 00:20:49.279 And I ought to listen and learn. 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:54.580 I am not the author and sustainer of my life. 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.980 God is. 00:20:58.040 --> 00:21:00.740 And I will gladly submit to His rule. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:11.640 Now, some scholars suggest that the Proverbs, when you read them at face value, 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:19.400 is proof that God trusts people to steer their own lives with their own wisdom. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:24.940 And so they would say these Proverbs are just moralistic, just nice little moralisms. 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:28.380 That anybody can take them on board and discover wisdom. 00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:39.700 And that God is totally comfortable with the sufficiency of natural human virtue to achieve well-being in this life, 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:41.559 apart from divine assistance. 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:46.480 that we can actually say with confidence, 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:50.759 I did it well and I did it my way through my own understanding. 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:56.000 Through my own intuitive sense of what the good life is, 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:58.799 I have discovered it and I've lived it. 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:04.799 Well, Proverbs blows that right out of the water. 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:05.440 Verse 7. 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:08.659 The very theme, the very first statement of the theme, 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:11.340 which opens up over the next chapters, as we'll see over the next few weeks, 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.460 blows it right out of the water. 00:22:13.540 --> 00:22:16.920 Because wisdom is completely anchored in 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:19.360 and defined by 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:21.140 fear of the Lord. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:24.540 Not the natural wisdom of humanity. 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:28.360 Which is actually declared to be foolishness. 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:31.019 Because it promotes autonomy 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:33.380 for being wise in your own eyes. 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:40.320 And so it's precisely because we naturally lack wisdom, 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:44.400 and precisely because we naturally default to foolishness, 00:22:45.060 --> 00:22:47.760 that the person seeking wisdom 00:22:47.760 --> 00:22:50.220 needs to look to the Lord 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.940 for its foundation 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:54.940 and for its development over a lifetime. 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:58.100 And when we look to the Lord, 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.860 we discover 00:22:58.860 --> 00:23:02.080 that Jesus is the face of wisdom. 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:03.480 Literally, 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.320 Jesus is the face of wisdom. 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:12.660 Now, Proverbs is entirely consistent with the whole Bible, 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:15.840 which identifies two types of wisdom, 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:16.940 two kinds of wisdom. 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:19.680 James 3 puts it like this, 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:22.080 wisdom of the world 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:23.899 and wisdom from above, 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.759 or heavenly wisdom. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.059 As I've already said, 00:23:28.179 --> 00:23:31.599 worldly wisdom promotes a life of autonomy from God. 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:34.519 Wise in my own eyes. 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.879 Self-reliant. 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:39.819 Self-made by obeying external rules. 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.919 Even doing religious deeds. 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:46.799 And with no need for instruction about good life, 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:48.740 because I've already discovered the good life. 00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:50.740 I've got it under control. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:57.359 This popular wisdom, 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.339 and it is popular, 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:02.740 believes that then God accepts us 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:06.439 on the basis of our self-generated wisdom. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:11.779 And is happy to be in relationship with us 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:15.000 on the basis of our self-generated wisdom. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:21.119 Proverbs tells us 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:23.160 that it's totally 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:25.960 wrong. 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.819 It's deadly, 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.440 says Proverbs, 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.160 to believe that. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:40.299 And so what we actually need 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:43.399 is someone who will break through 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.399 the dullness 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:46.180 of our own minds, 00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.619 the foolishness 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.680 of our own thinking, 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:53.659 and reveal true wisdom to us. 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:54.919 And that, 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.659 my friends, 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:57.440 is exactly what we see 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.059 and hear 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:59.299 in the gospel. 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:01.379 In Luke chapter 6, 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.859 verse 46 to 49. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:03.599 Sorry, 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.299 it's so small. 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.440 I'm not much good 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.680 at these PowerPoint things. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.460 Luke chapter 6, 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.899 verse 46 to 49. 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.799 Jesus tells the story 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:13.899 as he's speaking the gospel 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.359 about 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:16.279 two builders. 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:17.819 One is wise, 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.220 one is foolish. 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:22.440 the wise one 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:22.799 is the one 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.240 who hears the word of Jesus 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.299 and obeys. 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.759 That's like building your house 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.299 on a rock. 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.480 The other 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.240 hears 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:31.539 but doesn't pay any attention 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:34.160 and builds his own house 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:35.620 in his own place of choosing 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:35.980 like 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:37.279 on a sand pit. 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.799 Wisdom 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:42.160 and foolishness. 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:42.920 My friends, 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.700 the gospel 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:45.120 is, 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.000 in other words, 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.819 a call 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:48.120 to wisdom 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.759 in Christ. 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.619 Wisdom 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.099 is built 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:57.019 on the foundation 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:58.119 of submission 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:59.519 to the word 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.159 or rule 00:26:00.159 --> 00:26:00.559 of God 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.079 in Christ. 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.459 And quite literally, 00:26:03.719 --> 00:26:04.419 Jesus was 00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:05.500 the word 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.039 of God. 00:26:06.959 --> 00:26:08.139 But even better than that, 00:26:08.699 --> 00:26:09.000 Jesus 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.339 is our wisdom. 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.179 Look at 00:26:13.179 --> 00:26:14.259 1 Corinthians 1. 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.199 If you want to turn over 00:26:15.199 --> 00:26:16.000 to that with me now 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.419 or look at it 00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:16.919 up on the screen 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.459 if you've gone, 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.160 that's even worse, 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.420 isn't it? 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:18.799 My goodness. 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.120 Sorry. 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.559 That's embarrassing. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.460 Damien did try 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.480 to bail me out of trouble 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.660 but not even Damien 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.620 could save me from that. 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:28.920 So, 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.319 believe me, 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:32.019 it's actually 1 Corinthians 1 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:34.559 verse 1825. 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.480 Let me read it to you. 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.180 Paul says this 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.740 to the Corinthians. 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.140 Remember, 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:38.720 Corinth 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:40.000 was the center 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.960 of intellectual 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.460 life. 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.039 It was the center 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.860 of knowledge 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.719 and wisdom 00:26:44.719 --> 00:26:46.000 in the very comments 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.459 in Paul's day. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.179 It was a magnet 00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:53.959 for philosophers, 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.240 professors, 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.459 scientists, 00:26:57.199 --> 00:26:58.279 and the arts, 00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:59.179 the performance 00:26:59.179 --> 00:27:00.099 of wisdom. 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:04.699 And Paul has this 00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:05.279 to say to them. 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.199 For the word 00:27:07.199 --> 00:27:07.919 of the cross 00:27:07.919 --> 00:27:08.819 is folly 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.519 to those 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.179 who are perishing. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.379 But to us 00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:13.480 who are being saved, 00:27:14.199 --> 00:27:14.879 it is the power 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.299 of God. 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.279 For it's written, 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:19.179 I will destroy 00:27:19.179 --> 00:27:19.679 the wisdom 00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.299 of the wise 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:22.159 and the discernment 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:22.740 of the discerning 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.439 I will thwart. 00:27:25.679 --> 00:27:26.500 Where is the one 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.099 who is wise? 00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:29.359 Where is the scribe? 00:27:29.459 --> 00:27:29.819 Where is the 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.980 debater of this age? 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.679 Has not God 00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:33.500 made foolish 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.099 the wisdom 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.859 of this world? 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:36.939 For since 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:37.579 in the wisdom 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.279 of God 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.619 the world 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.699 did not know 00:27:40.699 --> 00:27:41.759 God through wisdom, 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.799 it pleased God 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.599 through the folly 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.399 of what we preach 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:46.259 to save those 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.899 who believe. 00:27:48.459 --> 00:27:48.879 For Jews 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.819 demand signs 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:51.159 and Greeks 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:52.219 seek wisdom. 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:54.219 But we 00:27:54.219 --> 00:27:54.740 preach 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.799 Christ crucified, 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.759 a stumbling 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.599 block to Jews 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.599 and folly 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.680 to the Gentiles. 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.799 But to those 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.299 who are called 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.859 both Jews 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.640 and Greeks, 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.039 Christ 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.859 the power 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:07.379 of God 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:09.299 and the wisdom 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.019 of God. 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:13.079 The power 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.460 of God 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.480 and the wisdom 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.240 of God. 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.619 Their knowledge 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.200 in Corinth 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.640 was, 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.819 so-called knowledge, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.099 was in 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.980 learning 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:27.180 and words, 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.140 intellectual 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:29.960 attainment, 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.400 dramatic 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.259 performance. 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:35.559 But the 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.220 irony of it 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.700 was 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.900 as they 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.400 pursued 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.019 wisdom, 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.460 their brand 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:40.900 of wisdom, 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.640 it actually 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.360 kept them 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:42.860 from knowing 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:43.259 God 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:45.680 and from 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.160 discovering 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.940 true wisdom. 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.860 That is, 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.579 until they 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:49.920 met 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:51.099 and responded 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:52.119 to Jesus. 00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:54.099 We're told 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:54.619 here that 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:55.059 Jesus 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.319 is the 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.199 embodiment 00:28:57.199 --> 00:28:58.119 of God's 00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.419 wisdom. 00:28:59.699 --> 00:29:00.299 How does 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.759 that work? 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.099 Well, 00:29:02.939 --> 00:29:04.500 because he 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.079 himself was 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:05.339 God, 00:29:05.419 --> 00:29:06.099 he saw 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.759 God 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.819 properly 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:09.679 in his 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.179 entirety 00:29:10.179 --> 00:29:10.699 as the 00:29:10.699 --> 00:29:11.079 ruler of 00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:11.719 this universe 00:29:11.719 --> 00:29:12.500 in all 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.039 his holiness 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.839 and righteousness. 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:13.919 righteousness. 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.299 Jesus 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:16.839 understood 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.399 God's 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:17.919 demand 00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:18.179 and 00:29:18.179 --> 00:29:18.639 righteous 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.419 requirements 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:19.879 clearly. 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.619 He 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.179 responded 00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:22.919 perfectly, 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:24.619 living the 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.279 good life 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.619 of perfect 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.279 obedience, 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.480 justice 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.519 and fairness, 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.099 expressing 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:31.539 God's 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:31.879 character 00:29:31.879 --> 00:29:32.599 to all 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.319 around him 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.339 at every 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.720 moment. 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.659 And what 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.179 happens in the 00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:41.059 gospel is 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.980 that as we 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.880 get Jesus, 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.099 we get 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.620 wisdom. 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.380 Perfect 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:47.860 wisdom. 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.400 God has 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.500 uploaded his 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.440 wisdom into 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:53.140 us by his 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:53.920 Holy Spirit. 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:56.839 Our 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.279 challenge, 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:57.640 therefore, 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.200 as Christians, 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.599 is simply 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.279 to, well, 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:01.660 it's not that 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.360 simple sometimes, 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.279 but in one 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:03.640 sense it's 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:03.880 simple. 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.759 Our 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:06.140 challenge is 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.860 on a daily 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:08.039 basis to 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.940 express the 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.599 mind of 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.200 Christ in 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:11.259 every situation 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.960 and circumstance. 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.480 of our 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:12.839 lives. 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.740 And as we 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.500 struggle to 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.360 better and 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:18.240 better express 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.079 the mind of 00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:20.400 Christ in 00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:21.180 every circumstance 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:21.920 and situation 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.400 of our life, 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:24.200 that is to 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.759 grow in 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.120 wisdom. 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.099 But here's 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.460 the problem 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:34.819 for us, 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.299 because we 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.860 constantly 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:38.360 default to 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.279 displaying our 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.319 own form of 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.640 wisdom. 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:43.140 and we 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.660 default to 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.240 that by 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:46.339 grasping at 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.779 our own 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.500 abilities and 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:47.839 our own 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:49.160 competencies in 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.559 life. 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.980 So we 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:54.279 think wisdom 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:55.099 comes in 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:56.140 being seen to 00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:56.779 be competent 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:58.240 as parents, 00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.579 or competent 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.079 in the 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:00.640 workplace, 00:31:01.360 --> 00:31:01.980 or competent 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.900 at sport, 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.299 or competent 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:05.440 in relationships. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:07.380 and we 00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:08.360 measure wisdom 00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:08.779 by our 00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.380 competency, 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:11.200 even though 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.820 we cannot 00:31:11.820 --> 00:31:12.460 carry the 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:12.820 load of 00:31:12.820 --> 00:31:13.279 that on a 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.840 daily basis, 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.600 it crushes 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:14.900 us. 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.680 We just 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.340 cannot do 00:31:16.340 --> 00:31:17.080 it consistently, 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:17.960 and we 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:19.019 know and 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.740 fear that 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.420 it's exposing 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.120 us every day 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.440 as being 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:22.840 really unwise. 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:26.919 it suggests 00:31:26.919 --> 00:31:27.240 to us that 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.639 we've not 00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:28.359 got true 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:28.859 life. 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.119 My friends, 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.599 the comfort 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.079 for you this 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.699 morning is that 00:31:36.699 --> 00:31:37.619 Proverbs tells 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:39.240 us we can't 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.019 be competent 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.679 in the way 00:31:40.679 --> 00:31:41.099 we want to 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:41.279 be. 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.959 Proverbs tells 00:31:42.959 --> 00:31:43.740 us we don't 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.359 need to be 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.619 competent in 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:45.959 the way that 00:31:45.959 --> 00:31:46.399 we think we 00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:46.959 have to be. 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:51.120 we tend to 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:52.160 drag all our 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.759 competencies from 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.799 God's sphere. 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.579 We drag them 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.160 into our own 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:58.059 sphere of effort 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.680 and ability 00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.200 and action. 00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:00.500 But what we 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:00.980 need to do as 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.539 Christians is 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.759 recognize that 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.940 God is competent 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.840 in all things, 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:07.240 including your 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.279 life and mine. 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.559 We need to 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.700 trust and value 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:13.840 his competency 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:15.380 for us 00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:17.160 and in 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:17.540 us 00:32:17.540 --> 00:32:19.900 in Christ 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.460 producing 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.080 righteousness, 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:22.200 justice, 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.360 and equity. 00:32:28.020 --> 00:32:29.040 Proverbs shows 00:32:29.040 --> 00:32:29.780 us the extent 00:32:29.780 --> 00:32:30.340 of God's 00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:30.900 demands 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:32.320 on our 00:32:32.320 --> 00:32:32.720 lives, 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.700 the fear of 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.000 the Lord. 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.900 It's a huge 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.260 thing. 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:38.120 But it 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:39.040 should not 00:32:39.040 --> 00:32:39.720 lead us to 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.240 despair 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:42.120 as we 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.640 contemplate 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.300 how do we 00:32:43.300 --> 00:32:44.000 do that? 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:46.300 Instead, 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:47.900 it should 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.740 humble us 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.240 and point 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.200 us to 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:50.500 the Lord 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:50.880 Jesus 00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:54.220 who promises 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:55.360 to transform 00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:56.040 us, 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.980 to transform 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.360 us from 00:32:58.360 --> 00:32:58.940 the inside 00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:00.560 out into 00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:01.500 the wise, 00:33:02.300 --> 00:33:03.200 godly person 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:04.180 that we 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.840 want to be 00:33:04.840 --> 00:33:06.460 and that God 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.000 has created 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.600 us to be. 00:33:11.780 --> 00:33:12.320 And you 00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:12.660 see, that's 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:13.220 the aim of 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:13.680 Proverbs. 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:17.300 The aim of 00:33:17.300 --> 00:33:17.700 Proverbs is 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.400 not simply 00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:19.060 to modify 00:33:19.060 --> 00:33:19.960 your behavior 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:21.260 and make 00:33:21.260 --> 00:33:21.860 you a better 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:22.720 version of 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.360 your old, 00:33:23.520 --> 00:33:24.040 distorted, 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:25.180 sinful self. 00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:29.220 The aim of 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:30.360 Proverbs is 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.060 to show you 00:33:31.060 --> 00:33:31.440 how to be 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.300 transformed 00:33:32.300 --> 00:33:34.200 through the 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:34.620 work of 00:33:34.620 --> 00:33:35.360 Jesus for 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:36.260 you and 00:33:36.260 --> 00:33:36.760 in you 00:33:36.760 --> 00:33:37.560 by his 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.840 spirit to 00:33:38.840 --> 00:33:39.300 make you 00:33:39.300 --> 00:33:39.840 the wise 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:40.960 image bearer 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.280 you were 00:33:41.280 --> 00:33:41.720 created to 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:41.940 be. 00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:44.720 So my 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.000 friends, 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:47.180 I finish 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.580 with just 00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:48.140 a very 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.680 simple but 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.140 I hope 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:50.000 a profound 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.980 question for 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.180 you. 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.700 Which side 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.039 of the 00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:54.920 divide are 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:55.240 you? 00:33:59.380 --> 00:34:00.200 Are you 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.059 defined by 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.940 autonomy from 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.320 God? 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:03.220 And you 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:03.779 may well be 00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:04.420 defined by 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:05.220 autonomy from 00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:06.240 God even 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.860 though you 00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:07.779 claim to 00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:08.420 live under 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:08.960 his rule 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.619 and even 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.019 though you 00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:10.559 are quite 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.199 active 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:12.039 religiously, 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.260 you're here 00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:13.720 this morning, 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:15.440 it's quite 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.460 possible still 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:17.220 to be defined 00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:17.920 by autonomy, 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:20.639 self-reliance, 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.679 self-made, 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:24.480 self-promoting, 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.639 self-satisfying, 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:31.360 wise in 00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:31.740 your own 00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:32.119 eyes. 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.179 Now I'll 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:35.860 bet if that's 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.119 you, 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.420 your friends, 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.019 your wider 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.820 family and 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:39.360 your neighbours 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:40.460 will admire 00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:42.780 you because 00:34:42.780 --> 00:34:43.219 of what 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:43.420 you've 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:43.980 achieved for 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.420 yourself, 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:45.619 what you've 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.159 made of 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:46.539 your own 00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:46.920 life. 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.139 But God 00:34:52.139 --> 00:34:52.559 will judge 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:52.840 you a 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.179 loser, 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:55.119 a fool. 00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.619 The other 00:34:59.619 --> 00:34:59.980 side of the 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.340 divide, 00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:03.519 are you a 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.340 fool in 00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:04.900 the eyes 00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:05.320 of the 00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:05.740 world 00:35:05.740 --> 00:35:07.480 because 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.320 they can 00:35:08.320 --> 00:35:08.599 see 00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.099 clearly 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:09.340 your 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.800 first 00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:10.180 point 00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:10.380 of 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:10.820 reference 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:11.700 is 00:35:11.700 --> 00:35:12.420 always 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.260 obedience 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:14.039 to God 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.320 in the 00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:14.480 Lord 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:14.720 Jesus 00:35:14.720 --> 00:35:15.280 Christ. 00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:21.039 Yet 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.599 confident 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.119 you're a 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:22.539 person of 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:22.940 true 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:23.460 wisdom, 00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:25.300 defined 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:26.059 by Christ 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:27.559 and glad 00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:28.320 submission to 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:28.800 his word 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:29.660 at every 00:35:29.660 --> 00:35:30.039 point in 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.340 life. 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:33.760 there is 00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:34.300 no third 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:34.700 alternative. 00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:36.260 Let's pray. 00:35:38.180 --> 00:35:38.579 Lord, 00:35:38.640 --> 00:35:39.079 help us 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:41.360 to be 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:41.800 wise, 00:35:42.600 --> 00:35:43.380 not in 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:43.700 our own 00:35:43.700 --> 00:35:44.039 eyes. 00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:45.760 Help us, 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:45.980 Lord, 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:47.000 to come 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:47.640 to Jesus 00:35:47.640 --> 00:35:50.360 for power 00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:51.140 and wisdom. 00:35:53.220 --> 00:35:54.019 Help us 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:54.700 to stand 00:35:54.700 --> 00:35:55.280 firmly 00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:56.039 alongside 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.480 him, 00:35:57.360 --> 00:35:58.380 gladly living 00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:58.720 under 00:35:58.720 --> 00:35:58.960 his 00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.260 rule 00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:02.220 and 00:36:02.220 --> 00:36:02.680 seeking 00:36:02.680 --> 00:36:03.059 daily 00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:03.680 to express 00:36:03.680 --> 00:36:03.940 his 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.420 character 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.180 in 00:36:05.180 --> 00:36:05.760 ourselves 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.900 and to 00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:07.099 those 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:07.380 around 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:07.640 us. 00:36:08.059 --> 00:36:08.280 In 00:36:08.280 --> 00:36:08.480 Jesus' 00:36:08.640 --> 00:36:08.760 name 00:36:08.760 --> 00:36:08.920 I 00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:09.099 pray.