WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.519 you this morning. You can open it up to Proverbs, the book of Proverbs, chapter 1. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:39.500 Proverbs 1. 00:00:39.520 --> 00:01:09.500 Proverbs 1. 00:01:09.979 --> 00:01:11.519 Proverbs 1. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:12.519 Proverbs 1. 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:13.519 Proverbs 1. 00:01:14.039 --> 00:01:15.519 Proverbs 1. 00:01:15.959 --> 00:01:17.579 Proverbius 1. 00:01:17.579 --> 00:01:24.120 people aren't born wise, not everybody becomes wise, so how do they get to be that way? 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:27.459 Is it simply age and life experience? 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:33.420 Is it that they're a voracious reader and devour everything that they can get their hands on? 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:40.920 Is it that they've talked to a lot of people, listened well to many people? 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:45.859 Is it that they pay close attention to things and think long and hard about things? 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:52.620 Is it that they have a humble spirit, a desire to continue learning? 00:01:54.400 --> 00:01:56.780 What has made that person wise? 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:02.759 Where does wisdom come from? 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:10.500 It's a wonderful thing that that person that you're thinking about right now is wise and 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:15.300 hopefully you've benefited from knowing them and from their wisdom, but what about you? 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:18.420 Are you wise? 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:23.360 Do you long to be wiser than you are today? 00:02:25.140 --> 00:02:29.420 And if so, how do you go about getting wiser? 00:02:29.419 --> 00:02:36.959 Well, there are many different answers to that question of how we get wisdom. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:39.079 Our world has all kinds of different answers. 00:02:40.119 --> 00:02:46.339 Some of your relatives may have some of their own answers and probably you yourself have some 00:02:46.339 --> 00:02:49.439 sense of how it happens, how we get wisdom. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:56.079 But of course, not every answer out there is right or true and actually leads to wisdom. 00:02:56.979 --> 00:03:00.479 And we probably also know that there are different levels of wisdom. 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:08.939 A person may have financial wisdom, but how well you manage your money matters only so much, 00:03:08.979 --> 00:03:12.900 especially if when you come to the end of your life, you realize that you have worked so hard 00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:18.960 to amass this wealth for yourself and then you can't keep it or take it with you beyond the grave. 00:03:20.319 --> 00:03:25.740 I think the kind of wisdom that we all long for is much bigger than any one little aspect of our lives. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:31.860 The kind of wisdom that we long for is the kind that will help us not just in one area of our life, 00:03:31.860 --> 00:03:39.900 but in every area of our lives, the kind that will govern and lead the big picture of our life story 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:42.720 on the best path, on the way that we want it to go. 00:03:44.640 --> 00:03:51.960 But also the kind of wisdom that will trickle down into every little decision and detail of our lives. 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:55.140 So where do we get this kind of wisdom? 00:03:56.280 --> 00:04:00.360 As I said a moment ago, there are answers floating around all over the place. 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:01.800 Our world has their answers. 00:04:02.440 --> 00:04:04.180 People we know have our answers. 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:11.040 We may have some answers, but this morning we want to begin to look at some of God's answer 00:04:11.040 --> 00:04:13.780 to this question of where wisdom comes from. 00:04:14.580 --> 00:04:20.800 So today we're going to embark on a new series for the summer from the book of Proverbs. 00:04:20.900 --> 00:04:24.420 And it's not going to necessarily build, each message won't build on one another. 00:04:24.520 --> 00:04:26.480 They're going to just kind of be standalone messages. 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:31.140 But we'll be looking at various pieces of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:34.240 And in a moment we're going to read these first couple verses here. 00:04:34.460 --> 00:04:37.780 But before we do, let's just consider what the book of Proverbs is. 00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:42.920 The opening line of this book goes as follows. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:48.420 The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. 00:04:48.420 --> 00:04:55.900 And what follows is a collection mainly of the wise sayings of King Solomon. 00:04:57.160 --> 00:05:02.960 Solomon was a legendary king, a man of great fame. 00:05:03.180 --> 00:05:06.900 And the records that we have in the Bible say this. 00:05:08.139 --> 00:05:13.060 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.200 2 Chronicles 9.22 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:22.759 All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:25.939 So he was a great king. 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:31.800 He had great wisdom, but we mustn't forget the source of his wisdom. 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:39.099 Notice that it says that it was God who put that wisdom into his heart. 00:05:39.100 --> 00:05:46.680 The beginning of Solomon's account in the book of Chronicles of the kings goes like this. 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:50.520 Solomon, son of David, established himself firmly over his kingdom. 00:05:51.340 --> 00:05:57.220 For the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. 00:05:58.840 --> 00:06:06.340 So he had a great kingdom, but he didn't achieve that all by himself on his own. 00:06:06.339 --> 00:06:08.119 He wasn't a self-made man. 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:11.179 He didn't do that all on his own. 00:06:11.359 --> 00:06:13.119 It was God who made him great. 00:06:13.239 --> 00:06:19.779 It was God who gave him wisdom in order to achieve what he did. 00:06:20.979 --> 00:06:25.199 And so the words that we're about to read here in Proverbs come from Solomon. 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:27.819 Yes, they are his sayings. 00:06:28.039 --> 00:06:31.459 But let's also remember where he got that wisdom from. 00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:35.839 These words are also the words of God. 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:42.159 And so we should listen carefully to what God has to say about wisdom through Solomon. 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:45.620 So let's read the first few verses of this book together. 00:06:45.740 --> 00:06:47.299 Proverbs chapter 1. 00:06:47.379 --> 00:06:51.500 The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:07:16.279 Let the wise listen and add to their learning. 00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:24.379 And let the discerning get guidance for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. 00:07:25.159 --> 00:07:29.239 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 00:07:29.799 --> 00:07:34.119 But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 00:07:35.799 --> 00:07:41.939 So it's kind of a bit of an introduction to this collection that we just read here. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:46.620 And the first thing that we notice here in this passage comes in verse 2. 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:55.160 The author tells us that these words, these proverbs, these sayings are for gaining wisdom. 00:07:56.300 --> 00:08:00.120 And instruction for understanding words of insight. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.259 Gaining wisdom. 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:07.459 Do you want to become wise? 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:10.339 Do you want to gain wisdom? 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:11.659 Grow in wisdom? 00:08:12.979 --> 00:08:14.979 Then read the proverbs. 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:16.680 That's what they're for. 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:23.859 Do you want valuable instruction and precious insight and understanding into things? 00:08:24.919 --> 00:08:26.120 Read proverbs. 00:08:27.039 --> 00:08:28.919 That's why they have been spoken. 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:34.820 The second thing that we see here is what kind of wisdom. 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:37.659 Insight and understanding into what? 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:40.259 What kind of wisdom? 00:08:40.440 --> 00:08:42.039 He tells us in verse 3. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:48.620 The proverbs for receiving instruction in prudent behavior. 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:53.440 Doing what is right and just and fair. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:59.640 So what kind of instruction are we expecting to hear about in these pages? 00:09:00.260 --> 00:09:04.660 The kind that will help us behave prudently. 00:09:04.920 --> 00:09:07.060 Live our lives skillfully. 00:09:07.780 --> 00:09:08.380 Wisely. 00:09:08.640 --> 00:09:08.960 Well. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:19.640 And not only that, but the kind that will help us know the difference between what is right and what is wrong. 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:23.799 What is just and what is unjust. 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:27.500 What is fair or straight and what is crooked. 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:35.759 This is the kind of wisdom that Solomon had to offer through his proverbs. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:39.860 We might say in summary that the proverbs are practical. 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:42.199 Some of them are very practical. 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:44.759 There's stuff about finances in here. 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:49.639 There's stuff about just relationship things and interactions in here. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:52.980 But they also have to do with what's moral. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:55.220 What's right and what's wrong. 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:57.700 What's good and what's evil. 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:00.799 Next. 00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:03.700 Who are these words for? 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:06.299 Verse 4. 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:06.360 Verse 4. 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:15.320 Verse 4. 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:19.000 For giving prudence to those who are simple. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:22.399 Knowledge and discretion to the young. 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:28.600 So he tells us two different groups of people that this collection of wisdom is for. 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:32.139 First one is those who are simple. 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:37.179 And some of your Bibles may have a little footnote there beside that word. 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:38.980 Mine does. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:47.259 To let us know that all throughout proverbs, those who are simple really refers to those who are gullible. 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:50.240 Or we might say those who lack discernment. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:52.840 Those who are without moral direction. 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:55.580 Perhaps even are inclined to evil. 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:58.539 Or some combination of those things. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:03.059 So if you are a person who lacks discernment. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:07.559 Then this collection of wisdom is for you. 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:11.500 That you might gain discernment or discretion. 00:11:12.579 --> 00:11:16.500 That you may learn to live skillfully and wisely. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:23.779 But it's not just for the simple or for those who lack discernment so that they can become wise. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:26.220 It's also for the young. 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:28.620 For giving prudence to those who are simple. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:30.639 Knowledge and discretion to the young. 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:40.059 Sometimes we may think of proverbs as words that were written by a wise old sage of a king. 00:11:40.059 --> 00:11:45.179 That are mainly for more mature people. 00:11:45.579 --> 00:11:48.839 Who are looking to become wiser. 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:50.719 Not so. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:57.459 Solomon says that these words are for those who are young. 00:11:58.139 --> 00:12:01.799 So that they might learn to be wise. 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:07.120 Put up your hand if you consider yourself to be young. 00:12:09.819 --> 00:12:11.179 We've got one person. 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:12.219 Two people. 00:12:13.359 --> 00:12:15.599 If you are in that category. 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:17.259 You consider yourself to be young. 00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:19.159 This book is for you. 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:22.179 So that you might become wise. 00:12:22.179 --> 00:12:25.139 And learn to live skillfully in life. 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:30.839 Verse 5 gives us another group who this is for. 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:35.479 Let the wise listen and add to their learning. 00:12:35.979 --> 00:12:37.919 And let the discerning get guidance. 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:45.359 Let's not make the mistake of assuming that these words are just for those who are young and inexperienced in life. 00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:47.599 And lack common sense. 00:12:48.719 --> 00:12:50.079 Are you wise? 00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:53.679 Then read these words. 00:12:53.819 --> 00:12:58.719 Let the wise listen and add to their learning. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:02.040 And you'll become more wise. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:05.460 Let those who are discerning read them. 00:13:05.680 --> 00:13:08.700 And you'll receive guidance in your life. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:09.820 So these words. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.120 As we kind of sum them up. 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:17.480 Everything that Solomon has said in these pages. 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:20.759 Is so that we might gain wisdom. 00:13:21.180 --> 00:13:23.840 So that we might grow in understanding. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:28.720 Not just some. 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:29.720 But all. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.700 Those who are young. 00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:33.820 Those who are experienced in life. 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.399 And mature. 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.139 Those who are. 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.680 Who lack discretion. 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:39.120 And those who already have it. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:43.379 From there. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:47.500 We hear the closing statement of this introduction. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.500 Which really. 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.639 Is. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:52.580 Foundational to the rest of what is to follow. 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:53.720 Verse 7. 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.200 The fear of the Lord. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.759 Is the beginning. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.279 Of knowledge. 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:00.840 But fools. 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:01.940 Despise. 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:02.899 Wisdom. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.340 And instruction. 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:11.040 The fear of the Lord. 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:11.879 Is the beginning. 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.700 Of knowledge. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.399 But fools. 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:15.200 Despise. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.100 Wisdom. 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.180 And instruction. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.879 This is one of my favorite proverbs. 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:20.220 In the whole Bible. 00:14:21.160 --> 00:14:21.399 And. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.440 Perhaps. 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.399 One of the most. 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.360 Significant. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.540 The most important. 00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:30.879 There's a whole. 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:32.240 World of meaning. 00:14:32.660 --> 00:14:33.340 In these words. 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:35.120 Even in just the first statement. 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.180 The fear of the Lord. 00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:36.860 Is the beginning. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.379 Of knowledge. 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:38.740 And so. 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.160 We want to spend the rest of our time. 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.660 Just unpacking this a little bit. 00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:42.620 This morning. 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:43.899 First. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.860 Notice how there are three different words. 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:46.740 Used. 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.639 For wisdom. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.120 Knowledge. 00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:50.620 Fear of the Lord. 00:14:50.660 --> 00:14:51.620 Is the beginning of knowledge. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.180 But fools. 00:14:52.300 --> 00:14:52.759 Despise. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.420 Wisdom. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.500 And instruction. 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.540 There's a sense in which these words. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.840 Are almost interchangeable. 00:14:57.920 --> 00:14:58.740 They're synonyms. 00:14:58.940 --> 00:14:59.700 They're related. 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.420 In their meaning. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.100 And we'll see this. 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:02.700 All throughout. 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:04.080 The book of Proverbs. 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:05.980 That Solomon uses these words. 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.080 All over the place. 00:15:07.140 --> 00:15:08.180 And even flips them in. 00:15:08.300 --> 00:15:09.220 One for the other. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.140 At different points. 00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:11.720 The reason. 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:14.420 Is not because they all mean the exact same thing. 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:14.980 But because. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:15.900 Together. 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:16.940 All of these things. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:17.540 Wisdom. 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.120 Knowledge. 00:15:18.540 --> 00:15:19.100 Understanding. 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:19.960 Discretion. 00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:21.440 Kind of make up this. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:23.600 This idea of wisdom. 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.920 That Solomon is seeking. 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.400 To impart. 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:27.180 To people. 00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:28.320 Through his Proverbs. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.000 Wisdom. 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.440 And we get a clear picture of this. 00:15:32.640 --> 00:15:34.480 In Proverbs chapter 9 verse 10. 00:15:34.560 --> 00:15:35.700 It's the very same words. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.600 The fear of the Lord. 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:37.300 Is the beginning. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.180 This time. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.500 He puts in the word wisdom. 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.379 Is the beginning. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.180 Of wisdom. 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:43.660 It's the starting place. 00:15:43.760 --> 00:15:43.860 And. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.180 We could. 00:15:45.640 --> 00:15:46.640 Talk about the difference. 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.420 Between wisdom. 00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:47.920 And knowledge. 00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:48.520 And discretion. 00:15:48.520 --> 00:15:50.020 But we're not really going to go into that. 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:50.640 This morning. 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:52.940 I think you kind of. 00:15:53.140 --> 00:15:54.440 You get the idea. 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.020 Wisdom. 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:56.659 You can be. 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.840 A really wise person. 00:15:59.059 --> 00:16:00.299 And yet not know a lot. 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.939 But be wise. 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:04.000 About what you do know. 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:05.100 And in how you live. 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.960 Or you can be a person. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.720 Who knows. 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:09.419 A whole ton of stuff. 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.759 Who is read widely. 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.439 Who is talked to all sorts of people. 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.759 But be a complete fool. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.620 In the conclusions. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.480 That you come to. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.039 From that. 00:16:17.579 --> 00:16:18.019 Knowledge. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:19.519 And how you live your life. 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:19.860 So. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.059 There's differences. 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:21.899 In the meanings. 00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:23.199 But all of these. 00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:23.919 Are kind of flowing. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.919 Toward this big idea. 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.939 Idea of wisdom. 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:28.519 Which Solomon is talking about here. 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.539 That's the first thing we notice. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.439 From this. 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.259 Verse. 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:34.220 The second thing. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.000 We notice. 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.059 The fear of the Lord. 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:38.439 Is the beginning. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.699 Of wisdom. 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:41.659 What does that mean? 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.039 The beginning. 00:16:43.439 --> 00:16:44.139 Of wisdom. 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:48.259 The fear of the Lord. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.720 Is the beginning. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:52.679 The starting place. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.199 Of wisdom. 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:57.840 There is a starting place. 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.480 To becoming wise. 00:16:59.480 --> 00:16:59.960 There is. 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.840 There is a beginning. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.159 There is a foundation. 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:04.500 On which the house of wisdom. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.240 Is built. 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.799 What is it? 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:11.819 It's the third thing. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:13.099 The fear. 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.359 Of the Lord. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.920 The fear. 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.660 Of the Lord. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.259 The fear. 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.660 The fear. 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.259 The fear. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.060 What does that mean? 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.480 Well. 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:23.180 Very simply. 00:17:24.540 --> 00:17:26.080 The fear of the Lord. 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:26.740 Means. 00:17:28.080 --> 00:17:28.779 Pretty much. 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:29.560 What it sounds like. 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:30.040 It means. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.840 It means. 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.460 The fear. 00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:31.960 Of. 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:33.000 Yahweh. 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.960 The fear. 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.700 Of God. 00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:36.820 Is. 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.380 The starting point. 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:39.500 Of. 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:40.380 Wisdom. 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:42.720 But. 00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:42.980 But. 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.040 Why is it like that? 00:17:44.120 --> 00:17:45.400 Why is that the beginning? 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.460 Why is that the place to start? 00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:50.940 Perhaps the real question is. 00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:52.380 Why should we fear. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.540 The Lord? 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.940 For starters. 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.400 He is great. 00:17:59.320 --> 00:18:00.560 He is powerful. 00:18:00.780 --> 00:18:01.640 He is glorious. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.080 He. 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.420 Made this universe. 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.420 And everything. 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.120 In it. 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.300 By speaking. 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:09.240 He is a wonderful being. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.140 He is kind. 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.460 He is good. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.640 He is patient. 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:14.359 He always keeps his promises. 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:17.319 And we are not like him. 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:20.000 We as a human race. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.680 Have rebelled against him. 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:22.220 We have. 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:24.799 Lived in ways that are corrupt. 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:25.799 And selfish. 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:27.079 And sinful. 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.559 He is. 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.480 The judge. 00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:31.200 The king. 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.420 Of the universe. 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.500 And the Bible tells us. 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.140 That one day. 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.599 He will bring justice. 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.319 To earth. 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:38.380 To all mankind. 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:38.620 Kind. 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.000 We will stand before him. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.620 And we will receive. 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.380 What we deserve. 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.220 For all of the wrongs. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.820 That we have. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.420 Committed against him. 00:18:46.520 --> 00:18:47.080 Unless. 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.180 We have accepted. 00:18:48.300 --> 00:18:48.920 His gracious. 00:18:49.540 --> 00:18:50.560 Offer of salvation. 00:18:51.020 --> 00:18:51.300 Through. 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.540 Jesus Christ. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.160 His son. 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:55.360 So these are some reasons. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.300 To fear God. 00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:58.260 He is big. 00:18:59.040 --> 00:18:59.820 We are small. 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:01.600 He is powerful. 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.100 We are weak. 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:04.780 He is holy. 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.660 We are sinful. 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:08.220 He is just. 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:10.240 And we have broken. 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.420 His holy law. 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.720 If we read the Bible carefully. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.680 We will discover that. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.319 Fearing the Lord. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:16.980 Is a theme. 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.579 That runs from cover to cover. 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:21.099 From that moment in the garden. 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.899 When Adam and Eve. 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:24.440 Hid from God. 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.460 Because they knew. 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:26.519 They were in big trouble. 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:28.779 To that moment in revelation. 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.599 Where John. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.599 sees. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.740 Jesus. 00:19:31.939 --> 00:19:33.059 In all his glory. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.639 And fell at his feet. 00:19:34.699 --> 00:19:35.559 As though dead. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.679 Trembling with fear. 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:40.099 But we will also. 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.139 Find out. 00:19:41.459 --> 00:19:42.480 That the fear of the Lord. 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.279 Is often. 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.419 Portrayed as a good thing. 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.719 Something that is fitting. 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:48.679 Something that is right. 00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:49.480 That is proper. 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.519 For us. 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.519 To have. 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.819 As people. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.039 Who are in relationship. 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.159 With Yahweh. 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:57.059 The great God of all. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:59.639 We see a glimpse of this. 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.500 At Mount Sinai. 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:00.819 Where. 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.379 Where God appeared. 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:03.220 To the Israelites. 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.659 Amidst a cloud. 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:06.339 And smoke. 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.379 And fire. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.259 And an earthquake. 00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:10.579 And the people of Israel. 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.240 Said that day. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.779 The Lord. 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.419 Our God. 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.440 Has shown us. 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.059 His glory. 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.000 And his majesty. 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.859 And we have heard. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.460 His voice. 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.220 From the fire. 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.259 Today. 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:21.940 We have seen. 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.500 That a person. 00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:23.279 Can live. 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.500 Even if God. 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.399 Speaks with them. 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:27.680 But now. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.240 Why should we die? 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:31.280 This great fire. 00:20:31.280 --> 00:20:32.340 Will consume us. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.320 And we will die. 00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:34.300 If we hear the voice. 00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:34.800 Of the Lord. 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:35.300 Our God. 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:36.060 Any longer. 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.840 For what mortal. 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:40.820 Has ever heard. 00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:41.320 The voice. 00:20:41.360 --> 00:20:42.240 Of the living God. 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:43.680 Speaking out of fire. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:45.100 As we have. 00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:46.420 And survived. 00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:49.120 The people. 00:20:49.280 --> 00:20:50.000 Were terrified. 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.519 By how God. 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.080 Chose. 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.300 To reveal himself. 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.759 To the people. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:56.599 At Mount Sinai. 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.319 When he gave them. 00:20:57.399 --> 00:20:58.359 The Ten Commandments. 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.460 And so. 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.619 They asked Moses. 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:03.279 You be the go-between. 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.799 You talk to God. 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.559 And you tell us. 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:07.180 What he says. 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.220 We don't want to hear him. 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.059 Directly. 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:10.899 Anymore. 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.039 Deuteronomy 5. 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.579 27. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.299 Go near. 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:14.799 And listen. 00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:15.720 To all that the Lord. 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.680 Our God says. 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.480 Then. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.379 Tell us. 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.200 Whatever the Lord. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.740 Our God. 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.460 Tells you. 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.659 We will listen. 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.639 And obey. 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:25.040 And so. 00:21:25.040 --> 00:21:25.500 Moses. 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.680 Has a conversation. 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.280 With God. 00:21:27.280 --> 00:21:28.200 About what the people. 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.080 Are asking for. 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:30.940 And this is what God says. 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:33.100 The Lord heard you. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.060 Said Moses. 00:21:34.060 --> 00:21:35.180 When you spoke to me. 00:21:35.280 --> 00:21:35.759 And the Lord. 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.800 Said to me. 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.900 I have heard. 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.580 What this people. 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.300 Said to you. 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.520 Everything they said. 00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:42.440 Was good. 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.180 Oh. 00:21:44.300 --> 00:21:45.340 That their hearts. 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:46.700 Would be inclined. 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:48.100 To fear me. 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:50.520 And keep all my commands. 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.300 Always. 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:53.259 So that it might go well. 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:53.799 With them. 00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:55.220 And their children. 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.220 Forever. 00:21:58.379 --> 00:21:58.899 Oh. 00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.799 That their hearts. 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.720 Would be inclined. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.559 To fear me. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.980 Said the Lord. 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.899 Does God desire. 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:06.759 That we fear him. 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.019 Yes. 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:12.259 And one of the good. 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.139 Consequences. 00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:14.480 Of having a proper. 00:22:14.639 --> 00:22:15.720 Fear of the Lord. 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:17.259 Is that we will obey. 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.500 His commands. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:21.839 Fear of the Lord. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.880 Is deeply linked. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.559 To obedience. 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:26.700 We see this in Proverbs. 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.420 As well. 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.299 Proverbs 14. 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:28.700 2. 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.720 For whoever fears the Lord. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:32.160 Walks uprightly. 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:33.960 Why? 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.880 Because they know. 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.119 That God has promised. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.380 To punish the wicked. 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:40.160 For their evil ways. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:42.000 And it's no small thing. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.680 To sin. 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:44.599 Or disobey. 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:45.660 God. 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:45.700 God. 00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:48.759 I often like to think. 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.740 Of the fear of the Lord. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.540 In terms of. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.259 Fire. 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:54.000 Fire is a really good thing. 00:22:55.040 --> 00:22:55.960 It's great for. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.820 Keeping warm. 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.220 It's great for cooking food. 00:22:58.840 --> 00:23:00.360 But it's also dangerous. 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.440 If you put your hand. 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.180 Into fire. 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:04.360 You will get burned. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.380 And even a small fire. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.540 Started by a match. 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:10.300 That's thrown into the grass. 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:10.860 Carelessly. 00:23:11.040 --> 00:23:11.759 On a hot day. 00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:13.140 Could burn an entire city. 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.900 To the ground. 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.000 And. 00:23:15.280 --> 00:23:15.720 Thankfully. 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:17.220 The residents of Fort McMurray. 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.759 Didn't have that happen. 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:19.840 But they got a feeling. 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.700 A little bit of what. 00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:21.840 What it could have been. 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.820 Because of the forest fires. 00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:25.880 That were raging there. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.620 Near the city. 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.440 And so there's a good. 00:23:28.540 --> 00:23:29.440 Even a healthy. 00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:30.519 Fear. 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.200 Of fire. 00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:34.180 And it's the same with God. 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:34.900 There is a good. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.100 And healthy fear. 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.180 Of him. 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.420 That he longs for us. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:38.960 To have. 00:23:39.780 --> 00:23:40.560 He is good. 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:42.140 He is kind. 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:43.720 But he is also. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:44.540 Just. 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.700 The Lord is gracious. 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.840 And compassionate. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.460 Slow to anger. 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:51.740 And abounding in love. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.440 But he will. 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.380 By no means. 00:23:54.520 --> 00:23:55.280 Leave the guilty. 00:23:56.040 --> 00:23:56.520 Unpunished. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.600 And so to fear the Lord. 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:02.060 Is all about having a right attitude. 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.780 And perspective towards him. 00:24:04.560 --> 00:24:05.980 It means that we regard him. 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:06.980 For who he is. 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.640 Especially. 00:24:09.020 --> 00:24:10.060 Compared to who we are. 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:12.579 It means that we take him seriously. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.599 It means that when he. 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.220 Tells us to do something. 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:16.740 We say. 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.480 Yes. 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.000 Lord. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.460 When he tells us not to do something. 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.359 Yes. 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:21.919 Lord. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.720 When he tells us how things are. 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.099 In this. 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:26.359 Great big. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.859 World that he has. 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.159 Spoken to being. 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:29.440 We. 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.440 We trust him. 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:32.240 And we take his word seriously. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.460 Even if there are some other people. 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:34.919 Over here. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.240 Who say. 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.460 No. 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.579 That's a bunch of rubbish. 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:38.960 We don't agree. 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:43.059 So this is the place that. 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:43.980 We need. 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.720 To start. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.960 The fear. 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:47.139 Of the Lord. 00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:48.619 Is the beginning. 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.000 Of wisdom. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.279 Do you want to be wise? 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:58.159 Do you want to know how to live skillfully. 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.480 In life. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.700 Then you first need to embrace. 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.360 In your heart. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.019 The reality. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.180 Of who God is. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:07.000 And who you are. 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.559 In relation to him. 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:11.440 We first need to understand. 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.360 Just who it is. 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.240 That speaks. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:15.099 Through these words. 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.559 Of Solomon. 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.559 And not just through his words. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.980 But through all the words. 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:20.980 Of scripture. 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.480 Without this. 00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:25.240 We can try all that we want. 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:26.079 To become wise. 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.019 Or to live well. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.799 Or to collect. 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.720 The various nuggets of wisdom. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.680 That we may find. 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.879 In all different people's. 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:33.099 Thoughts and writings. 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.440 But it will be like. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.180 Building a house. 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.099 With no foundation. 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.700 When we fear the Lord. 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:43.139 And when we take him seriously. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.039 It changes. 00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:46.220 The way. 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:46.960 We. 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.019 See. 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.000 These words. 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:51.519 We see them. 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.400 As more valuable. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.319 When we fear him. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.740 It changes the way we listen. 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.720 Because we know. 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.579 Just who it is. 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.319 That speaks. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.759 Through these pages. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.380 Solomon didn't build. 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.160 The greatest kingdom. 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.700 Of his day. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.420 Because he was. 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:07.200 Just a really smart guy. 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:09.099 It was God. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.200 Who gave him that wisdom. 00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:13.079 And amazingly. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.759 God longs. 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.339 To give. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:17.019 Each one of us. 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:19.200 His wisdom. 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.400 As well. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.620 Maybe not in the same proportion. 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.420 Or measure. 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.660 That he gave to Solomon. 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:29.500 But he's not stingy. 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.960 About giving wisdom. 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:33.000 As James says. 00:26:33.540 --> 00:26:34.340 In his letter. 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:36.420 If any of you lacks wisdom. 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.620 You should ask God. 00:26:38.060 --> 00:26:39.040 Who gives. 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.440 Not stingily. 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.560 But generously. 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:42.900 To. 00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:44.360 Not just some. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.300 But to all. 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.300 Without finding fault. 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:49.540 And it will be given to you. 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:52.139 That's the promise. 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.319 Of the Lord. 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.119 Do you have ears. 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:56.879 To hear. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:58.859 Do you have a heart. 00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.700 That respects. 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.759 The living God. 00:27:02.159 --> 00:27:03.420 And the words of wisdom. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.639 That he has to offer. 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:06.200 My hope and my prayer. 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.980 Is that we do. 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.960 And that we all. 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:11.059 Will continue to grow. 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:11.879 To have a heart. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.359 That loves him deeply. 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:16.479 And that fears him. 00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.479 As we should. 00:27:19.179 --> 00:27:20.179 And that from there. 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.579 We would continue to grow. 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.599 In wisdom. 00:27:22.699 --> 00:27:23.319 Day by day. 00:27:23.439 --> 00:27:24.119 Week by week. 00:27:25.979 --> 00:27:26.979 By every word. 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.699 That proceeds. 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:29.079 From his mouth. 00:27:31.479 --> 00:27:32.159 Let's pray. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:39.200 Father. 00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:39.920 We thank you. 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:41.100 That you have. 00:27:44.320 --> 00:27:44.800 Decided. 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:46.460 That you will give wisdom. 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.880 To us. 00:27:49.300 --> 00:27:50.460 People who lack it. 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.700 People who lack discernment. 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.100 Lord. 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:54.100 There's all kinds of. 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.500 Wisdom that we need. 00:27:56.040 --> 00:27:56.880 We could think back. 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.740 Over the last week. 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.400 Of our lives. 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.380 And each one of us. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:01.040 Give a whole list of things. 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.480 In which. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:03.620 We wish that we could have. 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.620 Done better. 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.019 Or. 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.800 Known just what to say. 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.240 Or. 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:08.519 Just. 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.720 Had the wisdom. 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:11.660 That would have made the difference. 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.600 In that situation. 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.980 But we don't want to stay. 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.000 As we are. 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:18.240 We ask that you would. 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.120 Give. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.820 Of your wisdom to us. 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.860 That you would make us. 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.100 Wise people. 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:26.660 People who live in this community. 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.640 With wisdom. 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.620 People who manage. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:30.080 What you've entrusted to us. 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.720 With wisdom. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:32.480 People who spend. 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.640 Our lives. 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.640 Our lives. 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.799 Here. 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.740 On this earth. 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:38.100 With wisdom. 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.779 We ask this. 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.380 In Jesus name. 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.880 And we thank you. 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.920 That you are generous. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.839 Amen.