WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.700 Who is the wisest person to ever live? 00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:11.279 We're going to stay here until somebody answers. 00:00:12.419 --> 00:00:13.179 Solomon. 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:18.640 I heard Angie Hester say, Brian Hester. 00:00:22.059 --> 00:00:23.820 You can stop laughing now. 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:27.339 Wisest person to ever live? 00:00:28.339 --> 00:00:29.620 King Solomon. 00:00:30.899 --> 00:00:39.200 Now, when you read what various Bible writers say about him 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:44.780 and what he personally wrote in the book of Proverbs in particular, 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:50.379 there is no doubt that he was smart and well-educated. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:58.579 But Solomon's wisdom was due to more than just his natural intellect. 00:00:58.579 --> 00:01:17.680 Solomon had a God-given wisdom that provided him with the spiritual insight to understand how God intends for life to work in this world. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:20.300 Now, think about it. 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:25.740 Solomon was a highly intelligent individual. 00:01:25.739 --> 00:01:29.359 He had a great education. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:32.060 He had all kinds of life experiences. 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:48.240 But it was because God gave him this special endowment of wisdom that he was able to write the kind of things that he did in the book of Proverbs that deal with how we really live our lives. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:57.319 I mean, he gave us wisdom as we've seen over the last several weeks about how God intends for us to use our tongue 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:00.359 and how he intends for us not to use it. 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:09.300 We've seen such things of how to value money, how to value money, how not to value it. 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:16.740 There's a lot that Solomon taught about having healthy relationships. 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:24.340 Having healthy relationships with people you're close to, family members, neighbors. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:32.540 He wrote a lot about developing a strong, healthy work ethic, not being lazy. 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:51.000 Proverbs, the major wisdom writing of the Old Testament, was written by someone that God had given him something special. 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:55.159 Special insight and wisdom. 00:02:56.739 --> 00:02:59.000 Now, how did that happen? 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:07.259 How did it come about that God gave this man such wisdom? 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:10.939 Well, we read about it in the book of 1 Kings. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:15.780 I want you to turn with me, and we're going to stay there throughout this message. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:19.539 The book of 1 Kings, chapter 3. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:25.039 What we're going to do today and next week, 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:29.299 we're going to conclude our study of the book of Proverbs 00:03:29.299 --> 00:03:31.939 by looking at Solomon. 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:35.639 We're going to look a little bit at his life, 00:03:35.739 --> 00:03:39.739 do a sort of a brief character study today and next week. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:45.799 Today, we're going to look at Solomon as a model of the kind of person God blesses with wisdom. 00:03:47.180 --> 00:03:49.519 Today, this is a very positive message. 00:03:49.520 --> 00:04:00.060 We're holding Solomon up as a model, as an example of the kind of person God blesses with wisdom. 00:04:01.160 --> 00:04:07.100 Next week, we're going to take a totally different look at this same man. 00:04:08.640 --> 00:04:13.219 Now, we need to understand here at the beginning, Solomon was unique. 00:04:13.219 --> 00:04:18.720 We're not going to be little Solomons no matter what. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:25.819 God chose him to be king over his chosen people, the people of Israel. 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:28.740 You are not going to be king. 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:31.839 You are not going to be queen in the days to come. 00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:33.600 I don't want to burst anybody's bubble. 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:34.800 That's just not going to happen. 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:45.379 Solomon also was, what you might say, 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:51.920 specially endowed with God-given wisdom. 00:04:53.660 --> 00:04:59.120 I mean, he was so favored by God, so gifted, 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:04.019 that he really is considered the wisest man who ever lived. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:08.759 You nor I are ever going to acquire that kind of wisdom. 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:14.759 No one's going to ever go out and write books about your and my wisdom. 00:05:15.900 --> 00:05:20.860 We're not going to be like Solomon in this respect. 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:23.519 But we can. 00:05:24.400 --> 00:05:27.660 We can be wise to some degree. 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:33.920 That's why God gave us the book of Proverbs and the other 65 books of the Bible 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:42.000 God wants us to grow in our knowledge, our wisdom, our understanding of him and life 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:45.080 and how to live life in a way that pleases him. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:52.460 I want us to look this morning in 1 Kings 3, verses 1 through 15, 00:05:52.459 --> 00:06:00.500 some of the character qualities found in Solomon that were an obvious prerequisite 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:05.379 to his receiving this special wisdom from God. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.259 And as we go through this, 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:13.060 we need to understand that these same character qualities 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:20.480 need to be found in our lives if we expect to receive God's wisdom 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:26.740 or grow in the development of wisdom. 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:32.519 So let's go ahead and read 1 Kings 3, verses 1 through 15. 00:06:33.800 --> 00:06:37.660 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh, king of Egypt. 00:06:37.660 --> 00:06:42.360 He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:45.320 until he had finished building his own house 00:06:45.320 --> 00:06:49.420 and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:53.700 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:58.760 because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord. 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:02.160 Solomon loved the Lord. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:05.960 Walking in the statutes of David his father, 00:07:07.020 --> 00:07:11.680 only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 00:07:12.520 --> 00:07:16.460 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, 00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:19.540 for that was the great high place. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:24.660 Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:29.900 At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:31.620 and God said, 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:35.399 Ask what I shall give you. 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:41.000 In other words, ask what do you want me to give you? 00:07:43.039 --> 00:07:44.199 And Solomon said, 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:49.919 You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David, my father, 00:07:50.659 --> 00:07:55.279 because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:58.699 and in uprightness of heart towards you. 00:07:58.699 --> 00:08:00.319 Let's just pause for a moment. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:03.579 Most of you here are familiar with the life of David. 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:08.219 David was not a perfect model of any of those things. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:14.019 David is known for some major moral failures in his life. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:21.099 But David never ceased to be known as the man after God's own heart. 00:08:21.100 --> 00:08:27.820 David is still considered here as one who walked in faithfulness, 00:08:28.140 --> 00:08:32.220 in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart before God. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.960 That should give us hope. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:38.080 That should give us an encouragement. 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:46.019 We do fail God, but God doesn't disqualify His people when they fail, 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:47.639 if they're truly His, 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:49.439 because they'll repent. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:51.079 They'll come back to Him. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:54.100 They'll renew their faith and their commitment. 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:55.840 David did such things. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:57.100 Let's read on. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:09:01.720 And you have kept for Him this great and steadfast love, 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:06.680 and have given Him a son to sit on His throne this day. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:08.700 And now, O Lord my God, 00:09:08.800 --> 00:09:14.680 you have made your servant king in place of my father David, 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:15.920 in place of David my father. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:18.200 Although I am but a little child, 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:21.519 I do not know how to go out or come in. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:25.919 And your servant is in the midst of your people, 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:28.279 whom you have chosen a great people, 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:32.500 too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 00:09:34.019 --> 00:09:37.360 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:39.000 to govern your people, 00:09:39.319 --> 00:09:41.559 that I may discern between good and evil. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:44.340 For who is able to govern this, your great people? 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:49.079 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 00:09:49.079 --> 00:09:50.740 And God said to him, 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:52.299 Because you have asked this, 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:55.500 and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, 00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:57.399 or the life of your enemies, 00:09:57.680 --> 00:10:00.500 but have asked for yourself understanding 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:02.539 to discern what is right, 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:06.220 behold, I now do according to your word. 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:10.360 Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:14.799 so that none like you has ever been before you, 00:10:15.180 --> 00:10:17.919 and none like you shall arise after you. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:21.299 I give you also what you have not asked, 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:24.120 both riches and honor, 00:10:24.579 --> 00:10:29.240 so that no other king shall compare with you all your days. 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:32.599 And if you will walk in my ways, 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:34.599 notice here, 00:10:35.599 --> 00:10:37.019 there's a requirement. 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:40.779 And if you will walk in my ways, 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:44.279 keeping my statutes and my commandments, 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:46.500 as your father David walked, 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:50.679 then I will lengthen your days. 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:53.699 And Solomon awoke, 00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:54.980 and behold, 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:56.460 it was a dream. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:58.379 Then he came to Jerusalem 00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:00.679 and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, 00:11:01.059 --> 00:11:03.860 and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:07.039 and made a feast for all of his servants. 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:11.000 What we're going to look for in these verses 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:13.560 are the character qualities 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:17.580 that we should consider to be prerequisites 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:20.759 for receiving God's gift of wisdom. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.019 Number one, 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:24.500 God's wisdom is a gift 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:27.460 given to those who love God wholeheartedly. 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:30.620 That's what we see in verses 3 through 6. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.280 Look at verse 3 in particular. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:36.639 It says that Solomon loved the Lord, 00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:41.400 walking in the statutes of David, his father. 00:11:42.400 --> 00:11:44.420 This is a more powerful statement 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:47.460 than it really appears to be, 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.139 as Philip Ryken, 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:51.620 who's now president of Wheaton College, 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.920 points out in his book on Solomon. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.639 Look at what he's saying. 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:58.720 He's describing how Solomon loved the Lord. 00:11:59.439 --> 00:11:59.720 He says, 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:02.120 this is virtually the highest praise 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:04.039 that any person could ever receive. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.039 In fact, 00:12:05.460 --> 00:12:08.439 Solomon is the only man in the entire Bible 00:12:08.439 --> 00:12:11.500 who is said to have loved the Lord 00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:13.539 in so many words. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:17.419 He's not saying that Solomon's the only person in the Bible 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:18.319 who ever loved God, 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:20.080 who ever talked about loving God, 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:21.080 but he is saying 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.799 this is a unique way of describing Solomon, 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:26.079 saying that Solomon, 00:12:26.479 --> 00:12:27.319 just real simply, 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:29.899 Solomon loved the Lord. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:32.259 He's describing a genuine, 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:35.459 heartfelt love that this man had for God, 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:37.639 and it wasn't just an emotional feeling. 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:39.859 You know, 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:43.120 a lot of people have emotional feelings 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:45.500 related to God or spiritual things. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.539 Something happens in their life, 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.759 and it causes an emotional crisis. 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:54.819 Some people maybe hear a certain song, 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:57.259 and it affects them emotionally. 00:12:57.699 --> 00:12:59.299 Some people come to a worship service, 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:03.099 maybe something that's said touches them in the moment. 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:07.920 A lot of people have emotional feelings, 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:11.379 and they'll talk about their love for God 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.899 or their belief in God, 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:15.220 but when the emotions subside, 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:18.240 that love can't be found. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:21.200 Those feelings don't remain. 00:13:22.800 --> 00:13:27.379 Solomon had a genuine, heartfelt love for God 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:31.500 that he expressed in tangible ways. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.019 Note in verse 4, 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:35.539 he is described as worshiping God, 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.340 and as a part of his worship, 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:40.379 he offered costly sacrifices. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.759 Look at it in verse 4. 00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:45.879 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:48.440 for that was the great high place. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:52.379 Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:54.059 on that altar. 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:58.159 Now, I want you to think about this. 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:01.279 He's just been described as loving God, 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:04.740 He's now being described as worshiping God. 00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:06.000 As a part of his worship, 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:11.879 he offered an extravagant, costly sacrifice, 00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:13.639 or numerous sacrifices, actually. 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:16.519 I want you to think about the great expense 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.559 that would have been. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:22.179 Think about how much trouble the labor involved 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:25.220 in sacrificing a thousand animals. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:28.740 But this was intentional. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:33.040 Solomon wanted to demonstrate his love to God 00:14:33.040 --> 00:14:37.100 by offering to God something that was valuable to him, 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:39.680 something that cost him something. 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:45.659 You know, it appears that God accepted Solomon's worship 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:48.099 as an expression of genuine love 00:14:48.099 --> 00:14:51.079 by the way God responds in verse 5. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:51.699 Look at that. 00:14:54.099 --> 00:14:54.939 At Gibeon, 00:14:55.479 --> 00:14:58.759 the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, 00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.779 and God said, 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:03.000 Ask what I shall give you. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:06.460 Ask what you want. 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:13.360 If God was not pleased with the sacrifice Solomon has made, 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:15.539 sacrifices he's been making, 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:18.519 why would he offer such? 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:22.600 Well, Solomon continues his heartfelt worship 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:24.879 and prayer to God in verse 6. 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.620 Look at that. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:27.960 And Solomon said, 00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:30.139 You have shown great and steadfast love 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:31.659 to your servant David my father, 00:15:32.079 --> 00:15:34.319 because he walked before you in faithfulness, 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.279 in righteousness, 00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:37.379 and in uprightness of heart towards you. 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:41.639 And you've kept for him this great and steadfast love, 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:46.000 and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:47.299 He's talking about himself. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:51.259 Solomon is praising God 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:54.679 for the faithful love that God has shown 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:56.259 to his father David 00:15:56.259 --> 00:16:01.659 in allowing Solomon to take over, 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:05.699 in allowing Solomon to succeed his father 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:08.139 as king over all of Israel. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.659 What we see in the way that Solomon declared 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:13.279 and demonstrated his love for God 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:19.559 is a model for how we should express our love for God. 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:22.120 I want you to think about 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:27.139 how you express your love to God. 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.659 Rehearse. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.699 Think about it for a moment. 00:16:32.819 --> 00:16:36.879 Do you regularly express your love to God in words? 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:41.480 Do you talk to God, 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:44.519 and do you say to him things like, 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.320 I love you? 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:47.019 I love you, Lord. 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.439 I love you, Jesus. 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:51.519 If you have a relationship with someone, 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:53.579 I mean, if you have a real relationship 00:16:53.579 --> 00:16:55.460 with your spouse, your children, 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:56.980 different people, 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:59.500 don't you tell them, 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.899 at least every now and then, 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:02.019 that you love them? 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.400 Isn't it natural 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:08.519 to look at someone that you really do love, 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:09.960 you really do care about, 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:11.400 and say to them, 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.259 I love you. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:17.500 You want to communicate that verbally 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:22.359 what Solomon did in his relationship with God. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:26.339 And I think if we really and truly 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:29.299 have a relationship with our Heavenly Father, 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.500 with Almighty God, 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.200 if He is our Heavenly Father, 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:36.480 if Jesus Christ really is our Savior and our Lord, 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:38.879 it should just be natural 00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:44.900 for us to want to say to the Lord Jesus, 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.540 to our Heavenly Father, 00:17:47.260 --> 00:17:48.160 I love you. 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.960 Do you regularly do that? 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:53.140 If you don't, 00:17:53.520 --> 00:17:54.460 why don't you? 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:57.760 Do you regularly express your love to God 00:17:57.760 --> 00:17:58.900 in your actions? 00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:03.720 Solomon did by the way he worshipped God. 00:18:04.260 --> 00:18:06.180 He worshipped God privately. 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.740 He worshipped God publicly. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.300 Do you? 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:12.260 I mean, we're here in a worship service. 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:14.740 Is this something that you normally do, 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:16.160 you want to do, 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.300 gather together with God's people 00:18:18.300 --> 00:18:19.600 and join together 00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:22.000 to worship and praise God 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.000 because you love Him? 00:18:24.080 --> 00:18:25.320 Do you do this privately? 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.660 Get up in the morning, 00:18:28.020 --> 00:18:29.120 around lunchtime, 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:30.140 at night? 00:18:30.760 --> 00:18:32.020 Do you regularly 00:18:32.020 --> 00:18:33.860 just get before the Lord, 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:35.180 maybe driving down the road for you 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.240 or walking somewhere, 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:40.440 and you just have a time of personal worship, 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.559 praise, 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:43.039 thanking God? 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:47.120 Do you do like Solomon? 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:49.620 Do you faithfully give to God offerings, 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:53.519 offerings that cost you something? 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:57.639 I've been in church all my life. 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.460 There's never been a time 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.680 when I didn't go to church as a kid. 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:05.299 Some of my earliest remembrances of people, 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:07.400 preachers preaching on giving, 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:10.940 I remember being, 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:12.519 hearing something like this. 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:15.720 A preacher described our giving 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:17.560 in terms of giving a tithe 00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:20.259 or a tip to God. 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:22.180 For some reason, 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.480 it's always stuck in my mind. 00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:26.259 Is your giving 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:28.700 a tithe 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.860 or is it a tip? 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:34.240 Which most accurately 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:36.240 describes you? 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.160 But I don't want you to think 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.140 that giving offerings 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:41.240 is the only way we can visibly 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.340 express our love to God. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.160 It is one way, 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.340 but it's certainly not 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:46.240 even the 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:48.220 most primary way, 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.819 the most important way. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.720 Jesus made it clear 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.600 that the most important way 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:54.180 we can express our love to God 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:55.680 is by 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:57.039 obeying Him. 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.600 Look with me. 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.359 There's three verses 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:00.679 I want to look at real quickly 00:20:00.679 --> 00:20:02.079 from John chapter 14. 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:02.839 I mean, 00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:04.119 how much 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:05.219 clearer 00:20:05.219 --> 00:20:06.779 and forcefully 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:08.319 could He say this 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:08.539 than 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.699 bam, bam, bam? 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:12.159 If you love me, 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.459 you'll keep my commandments. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.299 Whoever has my commandments 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.240 and keeps them, 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.799 he it is who loves me. 00:20:18.179 --> 00:20:19.099 Jesus answered him, 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.480 if anyone loves me, 00:20:20.679 --> 00:20:22.459 he will keep my word. 00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:26.139 It's good 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:28.199 if you have a heartfelt 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:30.779 love for the Lord Jesus. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.460 It's good 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.440 if you spend time 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:36.480 praising Him. 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.900 It's good 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:40.580 that you want to give 00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:42.840 offerings that cost you 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.920 something to Him. 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.720 But bottom line, 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.100 Jesus is saying, 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.420 if you love me, 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.720 you'll make it a habit 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.840 of obeying me. 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:55.179 you'll make it a habit 00:20:55.179 --> 00:20:55.859 of knowing 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:58.959 how I expect you 00:20:58.959 --> 00:20:59.379 to live 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:00.079 which is revealed 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.720 in His word. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.819 And it'll be your desire 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:06.500 to do God's will, 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.339 to put into practice 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.899 the things that He teaches us 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:10.559 in His word 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.980 that please Him, 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:13.859 that serve His purpose. 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:17.139 God's gift of wisdom 00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:19.379 is given to those 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:21.279 who truly love God. 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.059 That was true 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.740 about Solomon. 00:21:23.959 --> 00:21:25.339 It's true about anyone 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:25.939 who's going to experience 00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:26.679 God's wisdom. 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.399 But we also see 00:21:28.399 --> 00:21:29.179 from Solomon's 00:21:29.179 --> 00:21:30.199 example that 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:30.979 God's wisdom 00:21:30.979 --> 00:21:31.740 is a gift 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.719 given to those 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:34.039 who humbly seek it. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.799 Verses 7 through 9, 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.940 we see that again. 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.620 God responded 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.759 to Solomon's expression 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.440 of love 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:44.400 and worship 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:47.640 by inviting him. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:49.259 God invited him 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:51.579 to ask for anything. 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.039 Look again in verse 5. 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:55.380 Ask what I shall give you. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.559 Now Solomon responded 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.640 with one of the most 00:21:58.640 --> 00:22:00.200 well-known expressions 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.819 in the Bible 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:03.240 in verse 9. 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.220 Look at it. 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.420 Give your servant, 00:22:06.580 --> 00:22:06.880 therefore, 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:09.039 an understanding mind 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:11.140 to govern your people 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:12.660 that I may discern 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.860 between good and evil. 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.980 For who is able 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.019 to govern this, 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:18.000 your great people? 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.960 Solomon, when asked, 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.340 you can have 00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:21.980 whatever you want. 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:23.600 He responds here, 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.980 I want an understanding mind. 00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:27.980 Other translations say 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.100 an understanding heart 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:30.439 or a discerning heart. 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.159 What's happening here 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:35.259 in 1 Kings 3 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.439 is summarized 00:22:36.439 --> 00:22:37.839 in 2 Chronicles. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.419 In chapter 1, 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.019 verse 10, 00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:41.159 this statement 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:43.439 or Solomon's response 00:22:43.439 --> 00:22:45.319 is summarized like this. 00:22:45.959 --> 00:22:46.879 Give me now 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.839 wisdom 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:49.319 and knowledge. 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:52.799 That's what Solomon wanted. 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.519 Now understand, 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.419 God didn't place 00:22:55.419 --> 00:22:56.359 any conditions 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:58.740 on Solomon's request. 00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:01.259 God didn't tell Solomon, 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:01.959 I want you to be 00:23:01.959 --> 00:23:03.919 a good little Jewish boy. 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.719 I want you to act 00:23:05.719 --> 00:23:06.419 like a king 00:23:06.419 --> 00:23:07.439 and think like a king 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.379 as you respond. 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:10.019 I want you to be spiritual 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.919 with your response. 00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:13.500 It was an open-ended request. 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.439 Solomon could ask 00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:16.939 for anything. 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.819 Now of course, 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:19.139 we know 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:20.819 God would not have 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.939 answered his prayer 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:22.819 for just anything. 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:24.220 God never acts 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.139 contrary to his 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:26.439 holy character. 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.579 God's always 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.220 going to be faithful 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.279 to be who he is. 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:31.759 He's never going to 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.500 violate the truth 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.079 of his word. 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:33.899 He's never going 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.519 to do anything 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.139 that's contrary 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:36.319 to who he is, 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:38.599 our holy God. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.299 God's offer 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.139 to Solomon 00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:43.519 was genuine. 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.399 But it was also 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:46.319 a test 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:48.919 of Solomon's character. 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:51.480 Now note that Solomon 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:52.340 didn't just ask God 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:52.920 for wisdom. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.700 He humbly 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.759 acknowledged 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.140 his own limitations. 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.320 Look at verse 7. 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:02.460 And now, O Lord, 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.220 my God, 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:05.019 you have made 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:05.759 your servant 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.460 king 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.620 in place of my father. 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:10.140 Although I am 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:11.779 but a little child, 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:13.500 I do not know 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.600 how to go out 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:16.180 or come in. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.940 Now Solomon's 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.860 not being literal 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.199 here. 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.919 He's not a little 00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:20.399 child. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:21.679 We don't know 00:24:21.679 --> 00:24:22.559 exactly how old 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.500 he was but probably 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.399 around 20. 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.599 He's a young man. 00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:29.839 Solomon is saying 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.799 by making this 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.379 kind of statement, 00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:33.059 he's just letting 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.559 God know, 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.500 I know that I'm 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.539 inexperienced. 00:24:37.459 --> 00:24:39.039 I know that I 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:40.259 do not know 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.459 how to be king 00:24:41.459 --> 00:24:42.399 over these people. 00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.439 Solomon's saying, 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.219 Lord, you have 00:24:46.219 --> 00:24:46.979 entrusted me 00:24:46.979 --> 00:24:47.619 an awesome 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.439 responsibility 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:51.460 and I'm just 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.039 not equipped 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.700 to do it. 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.700 I need for you 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.960 to provide me 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:59.240 with the wisdom 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:01.440 to enable me 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.680 to be a good 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.460 and wise 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.580 and faithful king 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:05.259 to these people. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.059 I need for you 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.640 to provide me 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.200 with the wisdom 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:09.120 so that I'll be able 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:09.720 to discern 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:11.160 between good 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.160 and evil 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:14.160 and provide 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.440 and provide 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.680 good government 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:17.640 for your 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:19.380 chosen people. 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:22.259 Solomon was praying. 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.519 Solomon was going 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.000 to God 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.340 with genuine 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:26.259 humility. 00:25:27.540 --> 00:25:28.440 He knew 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.279 how limited 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.980 he was 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:33.340 but he had confidence 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:33.820 that God 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:34.200 could meet 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.820 his needs. 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.640 That's why he asked 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.680 God to supply him 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.259 with what he needed 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.819 and he would 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.680 do this job. 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.099 We can learn 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.039 a lot from Solomon's 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.500 example, 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.000 can't we? 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.660 We can learn 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.960 to admit 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.259 our limitations 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:51.599 and seek 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.460 God's 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.460 wisdom. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:56.400 You know, 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.799 we have been 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.380 given an awesome 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.019 responsibility 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.779 to live in this 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.220 world, 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.620 the world today 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:02.660 as God's people 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:04.200 and as Jesus said, 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.819 we have a responsibility 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.860 to be salt 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.620 and light 00:26:07.620 --> 00:26:08.559 in the world today. 00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:09.299 I mean, 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:09.880 you and me 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:11.019 living in today's 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.259 world, 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.460 we have a responsibility 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:15.559 to have a preserving 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.019 effect. 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.940 We have a responsibility 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:19.180 to add flavor. 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.120 We have a responsibility 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:21.819 to shine 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.539 the light 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.299 of truth, 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.299 God's truth 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.779 in this 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.619 spiritually 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.399 dark 00:26:27.399 --> 00:26:28.480 world. 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.839 How do you 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.379 do that? 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:34.639 Husbands, 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.539 how do you love 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.359 your wife 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:37.220 as Christ loved 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.659 the church? 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.279 That's what, 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.220 as Christian men, 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.819 we're commanded 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.379 to do. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:43.019 We need to ask 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.180 God to give us 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:44.899 the wisdom 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:46.240 to know what 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.259 that looks like 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.299 as we live together 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.879 every day. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.319 Wives, 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.079 you are told, 00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:52.259 this is in Ephesians 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.359 5 and Colossians 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:53.700 3, 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.259 both of these 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.740 statements. 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.799 You've been told 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.500 to submit to your 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.900 husband as unto 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.619 the Lord. 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.519 What does that 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.279 look like 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:04.940 in 2017? 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.619 Do you ever 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.440 ask God for the 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.140 wisdom to help 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.640 you to be that 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.539 kind of godly 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:10.980 wife? 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.819 And you know, 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.599 as parents, 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.660 Scripture's very 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.599 clear that it's 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.420 our responsibility 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:18.279 to be the primary 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.299 spiritual teachers 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.180 of our children? 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.960 We need help, 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.339 don't we? 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:25.319 We need help to 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:25.899 know how to 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:27.180 train them 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.799 according to the 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.559 way that they 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.119 should go. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.740 There is no 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.700 cookie-cutter 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.339 approach to 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.079 training children, 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.440 is there? 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:32.960 They're all 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.399 different. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.099 And we need 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.119 God to help us 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.639 to do it in a way 00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:38.220 that's appropriate 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:40.059 for each child 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.859 and it's true 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.700 to His Word. 00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:44.839 And to do it in a way 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.839 that we don't 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:47.879 provoke our 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:48.819 children to anger, 00:27:48.959 --> 00:27:49.299 one of the 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.579 passages says. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.299 And that's 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.039 sometimes hard to 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.559 do, isn't it? 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:55.839 To be the right 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.500 kind of leader 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.179 in the home 00:27:58.179 --> 00:27:59.579 as a parent, 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.240 the right kind 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.720 of attitude, 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.419 be the right 00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:04.619 kind of example. 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:07.339 And you know, 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:09.220 a lot of you 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:10.079 work in a place 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:12.319 where you're 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:12.959 expected 00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:14.799 to keep 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.680 your, 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.360 what we'll call 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.240 religious views 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.920 to yourself. 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.259 I mean, 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.160 in this day, 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:25.220 it is very, 00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:25.920 very difficult 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:27.420 in some settings 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:30.160 for us to 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.539 actually talk 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.400 about what 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.779 the Bible 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.360 teaches 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:34.380 concerning 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.140 morality. 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.759 There's some 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.840 settings where 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:40.880 we really need 00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.900 God's wisdom 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:43.340 to know 00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:44.540 what to say 00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:46.600 and the way 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.380 to say it. 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.880 And there's 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.440 just a lot of 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:49.960 settings where 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.519 we just need 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.160 God's wisdom 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:51.660 to know 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.660 if we should 00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.440 say anything 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.280 at all. 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.120 See, 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:56.560 we've got a, 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.940 there's a fine 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.620 line we've got 00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.380 to balance today. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.380 We cannot 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.360 be afraid 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.460 of people. 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.500 We cannot 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:08.800 deny the truth 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.339 of God. 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.879 We cannot 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:12.639 compromise 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:14.119 who we are 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.819 as God's 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.180 people. 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.119 We can't 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.579 compromise 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.180 His Word. 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:18.779 But at the 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.680 same time, 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:24.240 we've got to 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.440 be there 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:27.299 and be salt 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.879 and light 00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.680 and have as 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.480 good an influence 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.500 as we can. 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:31.799 And a lot of 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.339 times that means 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:32.879 we don't say 00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:33.399 everything that 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:33.919 we think. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.700 it means 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.300 that we say 00:29:36.300 --> 00:29:36.920 things 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:39.160 precisely, 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.539 lovingly, 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.500 trying to 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.000 convince, 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.539 not beat 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.060 somebody over 00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:45.500 the head 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.960 with it. 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.440 We need 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.880 God's wisdom 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:52.240 to know 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.759 how to live 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.580 in this world 00:29:53.580 --> 00:29:54.640 today. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.320 And if we 00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:58.900 want it, 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.740 we need to 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.560 just ask Him 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:01.960 for it. 00:30:02.320 --> 00:30:03.019 We need to 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.480 admit to God 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.299 our inability, 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.460 our limitations, 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.500 our weaknesses, 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.440 and ask God 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.200 to give it to us 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.099 because He promises 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:11.059 in James chapter 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:12.019 1 that He will 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.480 look at it. 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.000 James says, 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.519 if any of you 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.279 lacks wisdom, 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.339 let him ask God 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.220 who gives 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.779 generously to all 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.980 without reproach 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.880 and it will be 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.599 given to him. 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.140 James says that 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:23.880 in the context 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.380 of talking about 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:24.860 how to deal 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.740 with hardships 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.339 in life, 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:26.900 how to live 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.660 with difficulties, 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.299 how to live 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:29.240 with trials, 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.180 just like what 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.579 we're talking 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:31.819 about. 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:33.059 God will give 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.659 us the wisdom 00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:34.279 to live in this 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.240 world in the 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.899 midst of hard 00:30:36.899 --> 00:30:37.759 situations. 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.619 We've got to 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:40.480 learn to ask Him. 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.319 But also, 00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:42.159 we need to ask 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:42.799 God the right 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.220 way. 00:30:43.679 --> 00:30:44.579 James goes on 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.119 in this letter, 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:45.960 if you go ahead 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.319 and read, 00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:46.559 say, 00:30:46.659 --> 00:30:47.439 chapter 4, 00:30:48.439 --> 00:30:48.980 to point out 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.599 that God 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.859 requires that 00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:51.480 when we ask 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.000 for wisdom 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.579 or we ask 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:52.960 for anything, 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.859 we ask for 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:54.339 the right 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:55.059 motives. 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.899 We ask 00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:57.599 for the right 00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:58.259 purposes. 00:30:58.259 --> 00:31:00.180 James 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.619 refers 00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:01.019 what we 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.379 see in 00:31:01.379 --> 00:31:02.200 1 Kings. 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.819 There are 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.960 prerequisites 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:06.180 for receiving 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:07.359 God's gift 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:07.900 of wisdom. 00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:08.440 Let's look 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:08.960 at one more 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.559 real quickly 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.500 in verse 9. 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:11.619 God's wisdom 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.559 is a gift 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.359 given to 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:13.940 those who 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.400 want to 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:14.819 use it 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.400 to benefit 00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:16.379 others. 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:18.740 Note what 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.059 he says 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.720 in verse 9. 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:20.660 Give your 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.180 servant, 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:21.660 therefore, 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.500 an understanding 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.680 mind to 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.500 govern your 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:24.940 people, 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.299 that I may 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:27.279 discern between 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:27.700 good and 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:27.960 evil. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.920 For who 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.339 is able 00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.099 to govern 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.740 this, 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.160 your great 00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:31.480 people? 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.140 Solomon 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.839 asked for 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.420 wisdom so 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:34.799 that he 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.579 could be 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:36.420 a benefit, 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.759 a blessing 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:39.240 to God's 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:39.579 people. 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.859 He wanted 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.359 to be a 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:42.400 wise and 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.440 godly leader 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.160 for the 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.420 good of 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.039 his country, 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:45.839 for the 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.200 good of 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.759 God's 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.160 people, 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.079 for the 00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:48.420 good of 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:49.039 families 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.539 that he 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.599 was responsible 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:50.940 for, 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.059 for the 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:52.379 good of 00:31:52.379 --> 00:31:53.019 individuals. 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:54.660 Solomon 00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:55.039 did not 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.440 ask for 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.420 wisdom so 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:56.579 that he 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:56.879 could become 00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:57.299 a famous 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:58.079 wise man. 00:31:58.259 --> 00:32:00.299 I want 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.440 you to 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:00.720 understand 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.000 that. 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:02.920 What's 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.440 happening in 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.440 1 Kings 3 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.420 has nothing 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:06.140 to do with 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.240 Solomon seeking 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.059 anything for 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.700 himself. 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:10.500 It's all 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:10.859 about the 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:11.319 glory of 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:11.720 God and 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.220 the good 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.000 of others. 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.180 God's. 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:17.079 What are 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.819 your prayers 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:18.599 focused on? 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.740 The glory 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.400 of God and 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:23.859 the good of 00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:25.579 others like 00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:26.099 Solomon. 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.660 Now this 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.559 does not mean 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.200 we can't pray 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.880 for ourselves. 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:31.980 Solomon in 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.619 doing all of 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.759 this, he was 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.299 praying for 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.099 himself but 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:36.059 he was not 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.819 being selfish. 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.079 He wasn't 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:39.859 being greedy. 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:40.980 He wasn't 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.759 being worldly 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.180 with his 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:42.700 request. 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:43.819 He was 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.460 asking God 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:44.879 to make 00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.359 him a 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:46.319 wise leader 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:48.240 so that 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:48.660 God would 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:49.220 be honored. 00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:50.480 So that 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.359 God's people 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:51.720 would be 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.460 taken care 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.980 of for 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.640 the good 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:56.099 of other 00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.460 people. 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.059 That's what he 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.460 was praying 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:57.680 for. 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:58.879 We need to 00:32:58.879 --> 00:32:59.299 learn to pray 00:32:59.299 --> 00:33:00.019 like Solomon. 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.740 Openly admit 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.599 our limitations 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:03.720 and our needs 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:05.559 needs and 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:05.980 then ask 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.700 God to 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:08.120 meet those 00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:08.880 needs in 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.680 a way that 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.779 will please 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:13.240 him and 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.039 be of benefit 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.680 to the people 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.559 around us 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:15.960 that God 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.680 has put in 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.299 our lives. 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.160 You know 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:19.660 after giving 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.400 Solomon this 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:21.140 wisdom, God 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:21.839 proceeded to 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:22.319 give him 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:23.420 even more 00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:24.000 than he 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:25.000 asked for 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.700 or could 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.519 have imagined. 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.079 Look at 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.660 verses 13 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.140 and 14. 00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:29.960 He says, 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.579 I give you 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.620 also what 00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.039 you have 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.019 not asked, 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.559 both riches 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:35.860 and honor, 00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:36.900 so that no 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:37.600 other king 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:38.420 shall compare 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:39.180 with you 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.819 all your 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.420 days. 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.840 And if you 00:33:41.840 --> 00:33:42.620 will walk 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.680 in my ways, 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.880 keeping my 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:45.600 statutes 00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:46.340 and my 00:33:46.340 --> 00:33:46.819 commandments 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.360 as your 00:33:47.360 --> 00:33:48.100 father David 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:48.600 walked, 00:33:49.100 --> 00:33:49.920 then I 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:50.840 will lengthen 00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:51.840 your days. 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.440 God just 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.100 blessed him. 00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.240 Solomon 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.019 serves here 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.400 as an 00:33:59.400 --> 00:33:59.920 example 00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:01.480 of an 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.940 important 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.460 principle 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.080 that Jesus 00:34:03.080 --> 00:34:03.980 stressed in 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:04.400 the Sermon 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:04.660 on the 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.400 Mount in 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:06.140 Matthew 6. 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.539 Look at 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:06.680 it. 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.039 Jesus said, 00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:08.720 seek first 00:34:08.720 --> 00:34:09.139 the kingdom 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:09.639 of God 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.059 and his 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:10.680 righteousness 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:12.240 and all 00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:13.000 these things 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.360 will be 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.920 added to 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.240 you. 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.240 That's what 00:34:16.240 --> 00:34:17.000 Solomon did. 00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:18.720 Now as I 00:34:18.720 --> 00:34:19.059 said at the 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.400 beginning of 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:19.960 this message, 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.619 Solomon is 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.220 unique. 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.720 Solomon is 00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.039 totally 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.720 different than 00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:27.000 you and 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:27.220 me. 00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:29.320 We should 00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:30.400 not expect 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.580 God to 00:34:31.580 --> 00:34:32.140 make us 00:34:32.140 --> 00:34:32.980 the wisest 00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:33.740 and wealthiest 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:35.600 person in 00:34:35.600 --> 00:34:35.900 Pickens 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.260 County. 00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:38.500 That is 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.140 never a 00:34:39.140 --> 00:34:39.620 request, 00:34:39.780 --> 00:34:40.200 a proper 00:34:40.200 --> 00:34:40.780 request. 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.580 It was just 00:34:42.580 --> 00:34:43.740 a byproduct 00:34:43.740 --> 00:34:44.559 in Solomon's 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:44.960 life of 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.940 God's grace. 00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:46.940 God's grace. 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:48.800 But here's 00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:49.159 what you need 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:49.500 to think. 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.280 God is 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:50.760 able to 00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:51.440 surprise us 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:51.700 with his 00:34:51.700 --> 00:34:52.179 generosity. 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.700 Even us 00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:56.119 writing much, 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:56.700 much later 00:34:56.700 --> 00:34:58.000 to the 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:58.480 church in 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:58.900 Ephesus. 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.820 Paul said 00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.380 this. 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:01.780 It's in 00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:02.139 Ephesians 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:02.740 chapter 3 00:35:02.740 --> 00:35:03.260 verse 20. 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.059 It's really 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.920 an expression 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.980 of praise 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:07.099 worshiping 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:07.539 God. 00:35:08.200 --> 00:35:09.039 A doxology. 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.340 He says, 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:10.960 now to 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.480 him who 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:11.900 is able 00:35:11.900 --> 00:35:12.240 to do 00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:13.440 far more 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.220 abundantly 00:35:14.220 --> 00:35:15.059 than all 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:15.840 we ask 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:16.500 or think, 00:35:16.680 --> 00:35:17.340 some translations 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:17.680 say, 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.480 or imagine, 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.539 according to 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.140 the power 00:35:21.140 --> 00:35:21.820 at work 00:35:21.820 --> 00:35:22.720 within us. 00:35:25.720 --> 00:35:26.220 Paul, 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:26.460 as he 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:26.840 thought about 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:27.079 God, 00:35:27.140 --> 00:35:27.360 as he 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:27.720 prayed, 00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:28.059 he thought 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:28.480 about God 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:28.860 as being 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:29.559 able to do 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.039 far more 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.480 abundantly 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:30.940 than all 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.620 we ask 00:35:31.620 --> 00:35:32.480 or imagine. 00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:36.340 you know, 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:36.719 the best 00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.260 way for us 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:37.579 to follow 00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:38.159 Solomon's 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:38.639 example 00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:39.360 is to 00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:39.960 seek the 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.679 wisdom of 00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:41.260 God in 00:35:41.260 --> 00:35:41.940 its highest 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:42.559 form, 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:44.139 which is 00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:44.559 the person 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:44.940 of Jesus 00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:45.460 Christ. 00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:47.760 As wise 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:48.400 as Solomon 00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:49.159 was, 00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:50.800 the Lord 00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.719 Jesus Christ 00:35:51.719 --> 00:35:52.960 is far 00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.599 wiser, 00:35:54.260 --> 00:35:54.880 for he is 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.260 the Son 00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:55.780 of God. 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.719 The wisest 00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:58.300 thing that 00:35:58.300 --> 00:35:59.240 any person 00:35:59.240 --> 00:35:59.679 can ever 00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:01.559 do is to 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.000 give their 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.460 life, 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:02.900 to Jesus 00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.460 Christ, 00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:04.659 in total 00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:05.240 surrender, 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:07.099 trusting him 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:08.039 as Savior 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:09.119 and Lord. 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:10.820 Have you 00:36:10.820 --> 00:36:11.380 done that? 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:13.039 If you 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.380 haven't, 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:13.760 would you 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.559 like to? 00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:18.219 You can, 00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:18.679 if you will 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.079 do like 00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:19.980 Solomon there 00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:20.940 and admit 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.820 your need, 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:23.619 admit your 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.260 sin, 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:26.500 turn from 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:26.659 that, 00:36:26.740 --> 00:36:27.199 change your 00:36:27.199 --> 00:36:27.699 mind about 00:36:27.699 --> 00:36:28.300 living that 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:28.579 way. 00:36:29.780 --> 00:36:30.460 Put your 00:36:30.460 --> 00:36:30.920 faith in 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:31.340 Jesus, 00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:32.079 that as 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:32.579 God's 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:32.819 Son, 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.219 he came 00:36:33.219 --> 00:36:33.619 into this 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.019 world, 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:34.819 lived a 00:36:34.819 --> 00:36:35.159 perfect 00:36:35.159 --> 00:36:35.739 life, 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:37.480 obeyed God 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:38.880 with no 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.460 flaws. 00:36:41.039 --> 00:36:41.579 Then he 00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:42.099 died on the 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:42.559 cross, 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:44.139 according to 00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:45.900 God's purpose 00:36:45.900 --> 00:36:46.219 from the 00:36:46.219 --> 00:36:46.759 foundation of 00:36:46.759 --> 00:36:47.139 the world, 00:36:47.719 --> 00:36:48.219 he died on 00:36:48.219 --> 00:36:48.860 the cross to 00:36:48.860 --> 00:36:49.099 pay the 00:36:49.099 --> 00:36:49.799 penalty for 00:36:49.799 --> 00:36:50.480 your sins 00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:50.819 if you'll 00:36:50.819 --> 00:36:51.299 trust him. 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.340 Think about 00:36:53.340 --> 00:36:54.159 him dying as 00:36:54.159 --> 00:36:55.380 your substitute, 00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:56.739 taking your 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:57.119 sin upon 00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:57.539 himself, 00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:58.539 experiencing the 00:36:58.539 --> 00:36:59.079 punishment you 00:36:59.079 --> 00:36:59.400 should have 00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.079 experienced. 00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:01.279 If you'll 00:37:01.279 --> 00:37:02.579 trust him 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:03.940 and what he 00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:04.319 did that 00:37:04.319 --> 00:37:05.659 way and 00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.079 call upon 00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:06.500 him to 00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:06.980 save you, 00:37:07.219 --> 00:37:07.860 he will. 00:37:08.759 --> 00:37:09.239 God will 00:37:09.239 --> 00:37:09.779 forgive you 00:37:09.779 --> 00:37:10.219 because the 00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:10.539 penalty for 00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:10.880 your sins 00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:11.079 has been 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.539 paid in 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:11.779 Jesus. 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:12.980 God will 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:13.739 see you as 00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:14.539 completely 00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:15.279 right with 00:37:15.279 --> 00:37:15.880 him because 00:37:15.880 --> 00:37:16.380 of the 00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:16.799 righteousness 00:37:16.799 --> 00:37:17.519 of Jesus. 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.019 If you 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:20.360 don't know 00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:20.599 him as 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:20.900 your Lord 00:37:20.900 --> 00:37:21.259 and Savior, 00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:22.059 I encourage 00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:22.319 you, 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:23.699 right now, 00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:24.460 the wisest 00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:24.960 thing that 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:25.299 you could 00:37:25.299 --> 00:37:26.900 do would 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.360 be to 00:37:27.360 --> 00:37:28.240 call upon 00:37:28.240 --> 00:37:28.840 Jesus for 00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:29.539 your salvation. 00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:31.180 But I 00:37:31.180 --> 00:37:31.420 know that 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:32.119 Jesus Christ 00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:32.539 is the 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:32.940 Lord and 00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.579 Savior of 00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:35.059 most people 00:37:35.059 --> 00:37:35.400 in this 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:35.680 room, 00:37:36.680 --> 00:37:37.760 but what I 00:37:37.760 --> 00:37:38.180 want to ask 00:37:38.180 --> 00:37:38.700 you is, 00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:39.880 are you 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.440 looking to 00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:41.280 him seriously 00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:43.019 day by 00:37:43.019 --> 00:37:44.800 day and 00:37:44.800 --> 00:37:45.500 asking him 00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:45.920 to give you 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:46.460 the wisdom 00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:46.840 that you 00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:49.200 need for 00:37:49.200 --> 00:37:49.700 the day, 00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:51.220 for the 00:37:51.220 --> 00:37:51.680 family, 00:37:52.240 --> 00:37:53.019 for the 00:37:53.019 --> 00:37:53.400 workplace, 00:37:53.639 --> 00:37:54.360 for school? 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:55.840 Are you 00:37:55.840 --> 00:37:56.320 looking to 00:37:56.320 --> 00:37:56.740 him to give 00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:56.959 you the 00:37:56.959 --> 00:37:57.419 wisdom you 00:37:57.419 --> 00:37:58.199 need to 00:37:58.199 --> 00:37:58.979 live like 00:37:58.979 --> 00:38:00.399 a child 00:38:00.399 --> 00:38:00.979 of God 00:38:00.979 --> 00:38:03.079 in a 00:38:03.079 --> 00:38:04.179 hard world 00:38:04.179 --> 00:38:06.399 and really 00:38:06.399 --> 00:38:07.559 be salt 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.839 and light? 00:38:09.559 --> 00:38:10.259 If you're 00:38:10.259 --> 00:38:10.839 not asking 00:38:10.839 --> 00:38:11.159 him, 00:38:11.659 --> 00:38:12.879 why not? 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:13.619 And what 00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:13.939 would you 00:38:13.939 --> 00:38:14.319 need to 00:38:14.319 --> 00:38:14.959 change in 00:38:14.959 --> 00:38:15.500 order to 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:16.599 start asking 00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:16.919 him? 00:38:18.359 --> 00:38:18.939 You know, 00:38:18.979 --> 00:38:19.319 if there's 00:38:19.319 --> 00:38:19.879 sin in your 00:38:19.879 --> 00:38:20.199 life, 00:38:20.239 --> 00:38:20.599 if there's 00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:21.199 something in 00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:21.599 your life 00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:21.939 that you're 00:38:21.939 --> 00:38:23.119 just bowing 00:38:23.119 --> 00:38:23.379 up, 00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:23.779 rebelling 00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:24.479 against God 00:38:24.479 --> 00:38:25.659 about before 00:38:25.659 --> 00:38:26.239 anything ever 00:38:26.239 --> 00:38:26.699 changes, 00:38:26.879 --> 00:38:27.299 you've got to 00:38:27.299 --> 00:38:28.019 confess that, 00:38:28.319 --> 00:38:28.759 you've got to 00:38:28.759 --> 00:38:29.219 repent of 00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:29.500 that. 00:38:29.779 --> 00:38:30.159 If there's 00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:30.679 some priorities 00:38:30.679 --> 00:38:31.059 in your 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.479 life that 00:38:31.479 --> 00:38:31.759 you know 00:38:31.759 --> 00:38:32.079 are not 00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:32.500 right, 00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:35.199 you've got to 00:38:35.199 --> 00:38:35.819 admit that to 00:38:35.819 --> 00:38:36.359 God and ask 00:38:36.359 --> 00:38:36.799 him to help 00:38:36.799 --> 00:38:37.059 you to 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.779 rearrange those 00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:38.319 priorities. 00:38:39.919 --> 00:38:40.619 But I want 00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:40.979 to encourage 00:38:40.979 --> 00:38:41.559 you now, 00:38:43.559 --> 00:38:44.299 respond to 00:38:44.299 --> 00:38:45.459 God in 00:38:45.459 --> 00:38:46.079 loving 00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:48.759 obedience as 00:38:48.759 --> 00:38:49.319 he shows 00:38:49.319 --> 00:38:50.839 you how he 00:38:50.839 --> 00:38:51.559 wants you to 00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:53.579 respond to 00:38:53.579 --> 00:38:54.139 this message 00:38:54.139 --> 00:38:56.179 about developing 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:56.860 the kind of 00:38:56.860 --> 00:38:59.039 wisdom that 00:38:59.039 --> 00:38:59.679 Solomon did. 00:39:00.099 --> 00:39:00.559 Would you 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:01.099 pray with me? 00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:02.179 Dear God, 00:39:03.699 --> 00:39:06.779 help us to 00:39:06.779 --> 00:39:07.219 see in 00:39:07.219 --> 00:39:07.639 Solomon, 00:39:07.799 --> 00:39:08.539 not someone 00:39:08.539 --> 00:39:08.980 that we're 00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:09.480 ever going 00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:10.059 to be, 00:39:12.559 --> 00:39:13.239 but help us 00:39:13.239 --> 00:39:13.759 to see in 00:39:13.759 --> 00:39:14.019 him, 00:39:14.420 --> 00:39:14.699 Father, 00:39:16.699 --> 00:39:17.659 someone who 00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:20.880 had the 00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.319 kind of 00:39:21.320 --> 00:39:21.920 character, 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:22.960 the kind 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:23.640 of heart 00:39:23.640 --> 00:39:26.920 that enabled 00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:27.880 him to see 00:39:27.880 --> 00:39:28.720 his need for 00:39:28.720 --> 00:39:30.640 wisdom and 00:39:30.640 --> 00:39:31.720 ask for it 00:39:31.720 --> 00:39:33.420 so that he 00:39:33.420 --> 00:39:34.260 could use it 00:39:34.260 --> 00:39:35.800 in a way that 00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:36.420 would please 00:39:36.420 --> 00:39:37.640 you and help 00:39:37.640 --> 00:39:38.059 people. 00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:41.200 Help us to 00:39:41.200 --> 00:39:41.800 see, dear God, 00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:44.220 that we need 00:39:44.220 --> 00:39:44.640 to be people 00:39:44.640 --> 00:39:45.580 who love you 00:39:45.580 --> 00:39:46.600 with all of 00:39:46.600 --> 00:39:47.160 our heart, 00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:47.860 soul, 00:39:48.100 --> 00:39:48.480 mind, 00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:49.200 and strength. 00:39:51.320 --> 00:39:52.900 Help us to 00:39:52.900 --> 00:39:53.240 see that 00:39:53.240 --> 00:39:53.760 wisdom, 00:39:54.039 --> 00:39:54.400 like what 00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:54.840 we're talking 00:39:54.840 --> 00:39:55.180 about, 00:39:56.300 --> 00:39:56.960 this gift 00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:57.600 from you 00:39:57.600 --> 00:39:59.100 is something 00:39:59.100 --> 00:39:59.440 that you 00:39:59.440 --> 00:39:59.900 give to 00:39:59.900 --> 00:40:00.700 your children. 00:40:02.840 --> 00:40:03.480 It's a 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.220 loving gift. 00:40:06.460 --> 00:40:07.080 Help us, 00:40:07.280 --> 00:40:07.340 Father, 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:09.039 to desire it, 00:40:09.440 --> 00:40:10.300 to ask for 00:40:10.300 --> 00:40:10.519 it. 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:12.180 Help us, 00:40:12.300 --> 00:40:12.400 Father, 00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:13.340 to desire it 00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:13.920 and ask for 00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:14.480 it because we 00:40:14.480 --> 00:40:15.300 want to please 00:40:15.300 --> 00:40:15.900 you in how 00:40:15.900 --> 00:40:16.559 we use it, 00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:17.200 and we want 00:40:17.200 --> 00:40:17.880 to be a 00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:18.320 value. 00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:20.160 We want to 00:40:20.159 --> 00:40:21.099 be a 00:40:21.099 --> 00:40:21.759 blessing to 00:40:21.759 --> 00:40:23.139 people by 00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:23.500 the way that 00:40:23.500 --> 00:40:24.239 we use it. 00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:27.759 In attitude of 00:40:27.759 --> 00:40:27.940 prayer, 00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:28.500 you just listen 00:40:28.500 --> 00:40:28.779 to the Lord 00:40:28.779 --> 00:40:29.440 and respond to 00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:29.639 Him. 00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:31.420 If I could pray 00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:31.940 for you during 00:40:31.940 --> 00:40:32.279 this time, 00:40:32.339 --> 00:40:32.719 I'll be here at 00:40:32.719 --> 00:40:33.099 the front and 00:40:33.099 --> 00:40:33.659 be happy to do 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:33.920 that. 00:40:35.259 --> 00:40:35.799 Let's just be 00:40:35.799 --> 00:40:36.519 still and quiet 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:37.079 before the Lord 00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:38.159 and then respond 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:38.480 to Him.