WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.379 Bible's most well-known book of wisdom, Proverbs. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:14.380 Let me ask you, how do you read it and interpret it? 00:00:15.200 --> 00:00:18.800 For that matter, how do you read and interpret any Old Testament book? 00:00:19.580 --> 00:00:27.019 Do you read it the same way as an Orthodox Jew would read it today? 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:32.460 You know, a faithful Jewish person believes that the Old Testament is the Word of God. 00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:41.019 But they do not believe that Jesus is the Old Testament's promised Messiah. 00:00:42.340 --> 00:00:47.120 They do not believe that the New Testament is the authoritative Word of God. 00:00:48.120 --> 00:00:55.780 An Orthodox Jew would read the book of Proverbs to learn lessons on how to live wisely. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:00:59.800 How to live a morally good life. 00:01:01.700 --> 00:01:11.640 But he or she would not consider how Jesus Christ fits into Proverbs. 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:24.680 Nor would they turn to the New Testament and allow God's Word there shed light on understanding Proverbs. 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:27.820 They wouldn't do that with any Old Testament book. 00:01:29.100 --> 00:01:31.200 I want us to understand this morning. 00:01:31.700 --> 00:01:33.540 I want us to be real, very clear. 00:01:34.860 --> 00:01:45.820 We as Christians must not read Proverbs or any book of the Old Testament as if Jesus had never come. 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:47.819 As if He had never come into this world. 00:01:47.819 --> 00:01:53.959 As if He has not come into this world and taught and died on the cross for our sins. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:57.559 And risen and ascended back into heaven. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:01:59.859 And sent His Holy Spirit. 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:11.719 And gave us a fuller explanation of who God is and what God's doing in this world through the New Testament. 00:02:11.719 --> 00:02:16.159 In the life and ministry of Jesus. 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:21.900 God reveals Himself and His plan. 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:23.199 His plan of salvation. 00:02:23.579 --> 00:02:26.539 His plan for what He's doing in this world period. 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:33.979 He reveals it more clearly and more completely than He did in the Old Testament. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:36.460 And the Bible explains that. 00:02:36.460 --> 00:02:40.900 Look on the screen at Hebrews chapter 1. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:43.260 The first three verses. 00:02:45.020 --> 00:02:45.600 It says, 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:53.319 In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways. 00:02:54.180 --> 00:02:58.340 Now that writer is explaining how God has spoken through the Old Testament. 00:02:58.340 --> 00:03:07.219 But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:11.659 Whom He appointed heir of all things. 00:03:12.039 --> 00:03:14.900 And through whom also He made the universe. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:20.439 The Son is the radiance of God's glory. 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:24.740 And the exact representation of His being. 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:29.620 Sustaining all things by His powerful Word. 00:03:30.859 --> 00:03:36.199 The book of Hebrews is a great place to look, to study. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:41.120 To understand the Old Testament as we should understand it today. 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:47.740 For an example, in the book of Hebrews, you'll find that the Old Testament sacrifices, 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:52.580 the temple, the priesthood, things like this. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:57.620 They were signs that pointed to Jesus Christ. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:00.319 They pointed way into the future. 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:02.379 To the coming of Jesus. 00:04:02.980 --> 00:04:05.280 And who He was and what He would do. 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:11.680 Hebrews describes these things in the Old Testament as being like shadows. 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:17.680 But the reality is found in Jesus Christ. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:20.680 Now that Jesus has come. 00:04:21.620 --> 00:04:24.680 He's completed His work of providing salvation. 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:31.399 Those signs from the Old Testament are no longer needed. 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:34.779 They have served their purpose. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:39.779 They now are still the Word of God. 00:04:41.179 --> 00:04:46.000 But what they pointed to has come in Jesus. 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:48.099 For an example, 00:04:49.859 --> 00:04:51.319 why don't we ever go, 00:04:51.859 --> 00:04:55.959 why don't we think we have to go to Jerusalem and worship in the temple? 00:04:56.619 --> 00:04:59.959 Why don't we continue to offer animal sacrifices 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:04.939 and observe those dietary laws and rituals that we learn about, 00:05:05.039 --> 00:05:06.539 for example, in the book of Leviticus? 00:05:07.859 --> 00:05:09.239 The reason being, 00:05:10.159 --> 00:05:19.439 those shadows have been replaced by the reality of what God has done in Jesus. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:24.899 In who He is and in what He did when He came into this world. 00:05:24.899 --> 00:05:31.439 Understanding this will help us to see why we must read the Old Testament 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:38.519 in light of God's more complete revelation detailed in the New Testament. 00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:43.699 That means we must not leave Jesus out of our study of the Old Testament, 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:46.799 including the book of Proverbs. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:52.780 You know, Jesus made it clear to both His own disciples and to His enemies 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:55.980 that the Old Testament reveals me. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:05:58.600 Jesus told them, 00:05:58.840 --> 00:05:59.600 I'm there. 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:02.199 You just haven't read it. 00:06:02.280 --> 00:06:04.000 You just haven't understood it. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:05.160 Let me give you two examples. 00:06:05.160 --> 00:06:08.820 Jesus actually condemned His opponents. 00:06:09.960 --> 00:06:13.220 Those Jewish leaders who were always trying to trap Him, 00:06:13.840 --> 00:06:14.800 out to get Him. 00:06:15.720 --> 00:06:19.160 He condemned them for not believing what the Old Testament taught about Him. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:21.540 Look in John chapter 5. 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:23.140 Jesus said, 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:28.240 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. 00:06:28.840 --> 00:06:33.080 And it is they that bear witness about me. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:36.800 Jesus was chastising them, 00:06:37.359 --> 00:06:38.240 condemning them, 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:45.000 because they failed to see Him in the Old Testament. 00:06:45.919 --> 00:06:48.800 Going on in Luke chapter 24, 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:50.839 following His resurrection, 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:54.199 Jesus rebuked two of His own disciples 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:59.279 for their failure to see Him in their Scriptures, 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:01.159 which was the Old Testament. 00:07:01.719 --> 00:07:02.339 Look at it. 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:03.919 And He said to them, 00:07:05.299 --> 00:07:06.619 O foolish ones, 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:11.000 and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. 00:07:11.619 --> 00:07:15.599 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things 00:07:15.599 --> 00:07:17.239 and enter into His glory? 00:07:17.859 --> 00:07:20.819 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:25.179 He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures, 00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:28.019 I underline that and put it in bold on the screen, 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:31.379 the things concerning Himself. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:34.359 As we study Proverbs, 00:07:34.859 --> 00:07:38.859 it's important that we open that book 00:07:38.859 --> 00:07:42.399 and read it, study it, interpret it, 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:45.079 just like any other book of the Bible that we open. 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:48.800 As we read in Proverbs in the weeks to come, 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:51.500 and I don't think I said it in case you're here for the first time, 00:07:52.659 --> 00:07:55.180 we're in a study called Becoming Wise. 00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:58.079 We're going to be focusing primarily on the book of Proverbs. 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:03.539 As we open these pages in the book of Proverbs, 00:08:04.539 --> 00:08:08.240 we're going to be looking at the meaning of words. 00:08:09.359 --> 00:08:12.259 We're going to think about the day in which they were written, 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:14.939 their context that way. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:16.819 We're going to look at the context, 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:18.659 where they're found, 00:08:18.779 --> 00:08:20.899 the Scriptures before them and after them. 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:25.120 But we're also going to look at the big context of the Bible. 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.779 The book of Proverbs does not exist in isolation. 00:08:30.179 --> 00:08:34.939 The book of Proverbs is a part of the Old and New Testament together, 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:36.459 our Bible. 00:08:37.439 --> 00:08:40.579 That means we need to read Proverbs in light of 00:08:40.579 --> 00:08:43.279 the person and work of Jesus Christ 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:47.500 as explained in the New Testament. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:50.940 That's the goal of today's message. 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:54.220 I want us to see how we as Christians 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:56.840 should study Proverbs 00:08:56.840 --> 00:09:00.379 in light of God's fuller revelation of Himself 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.799 and His plan in Jesus 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:06.460 and in the New Testament witness to Jesus. 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:10.700 I'm going to use some material from a man 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:13.220 by the name of Anthony Salvaggio. 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:15.340 Anthony Salvaggio. 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:18.480 He is a pastor and theologian from New York. 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:20.879 And he has written a little commentary, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:22.360 not real long, 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:23.820 on the book of Proverbs. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:26.440 And he pointed out some things about how 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:28.080 Jesus fits into Proverbs 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:30.540 and explained it so well 00:09:30.540 --> 00:09:32.480 that I want to share some of it. 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:34.280 I'm adapting it some. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:35.720 If you've got his book, 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:36.700 you may say, 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:38.139 well, you misrepresented him. 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:39.340 So I'm not going to say, 00:09:39.400 --> 00:09:40.600 I'm saying everything he said. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:43.759 But I am using his material a good bit. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:45.120 It's a good little study, 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:46.100 what I've read of it, 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:47.340 but this part especially. 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:49.919 If you're interested in further study, 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:50.840 pick it up. 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:53.919 In our first study of Proverbs two weeks ago, 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:57.399 we began in chapter 1, verses 1 through 6. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:10:00.399 And we found that the purpose of this book, 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:01.279 the book of Proverbs, 00:10:01.939 --> 00:10:03.439 is to make us wise. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:05.760 We saw in that message 00:10:05.760 --> 00:10:09.000 that while Proverbs will certainly teach us 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.280 much about wisdom, 00:10:10.780 --> 00:10:12.400 and we need it, don't we? 00:10:13.420 --> 00:10:15.460 The greatest source of wisdom 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:17.860 is found in Jesus Christ. 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:20.780 And Jesus makes that very clear 00:10:20.780 --> 00:10:21.820 in the New Testament. 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:23.460 And we read it last week, 00:10:23.540 --> 00:10:24.760 but let me refresh your memory. 00:10:24.820 --> 00:10:25.840 Actually, two weeks ago. 00:10:26.560 --> 00:10:27.740 Matthew chapter 12. 00:10:28.300 --> 00:10:29.240 Jesus said this, 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:31.159 The queen of the south 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:32.919 will arise at the judgment 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:35.600 and with this generation 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:37.159 and condemn it. 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:39.940 For she came from the ends of the earth 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:41.700 to listen to Solomon's wisdom, 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:44.620 and now one greater than Solomon 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:46.200 is here. 00:10:47.680 --> 00:10:48.919 Proverbs begins. 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:50.919 These are the Proverbs. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:51.919 These are the sayings, 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:53.080 the teachings of Solomon. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:55.440 They're not all from Solomon, 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:57.000 as we saw two weeks ago. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:59.000 But the book of Proverbs, 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.100 we normally associate 00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:01.700 the wisdom of Solomon, 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:03.159 the wisest man who ever lived. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.200 And Jesus says, 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:07.080 in himself, 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:08.860 well, look at me. 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:11.500 One greater than Solomon, 00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:13.759 one wiser than Solomon, 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:15.639 is here before you. 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:18.259 That's why we need to listen to Jesus 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:20.000 as we study wisdom 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:22.100 wherever in the Bible. 00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:24.200 Let's look in more detail now 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:26.600 at what Jesus 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:27.740 and how Jesus 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:29.080 will teach us wisdom. 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:29.879 First, 00:11:30.520 --> 00:11:31.200 Jesus taught 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.860 that the entire Old Testament 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:34.140 points to him. 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:36.580 Jesus himself taught, 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:39.280 you cannot have a full understanding 00:11:39.280 --> 00:11:40.140 of the Old Testament 00:11:40.140 --> 00:11:41.660 if you leave me out. 00:11:42.140 --> 00:11:42.940 Look at what he said. 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:44.460 I want to read one verse. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:46.920 It's the same as several verses 00:11:46.920 --> 00:11:47.780 we saw a minute ago 00:11:47.780 --> 00:11:48.900 or from several verses. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.420 Luke 24, 27. 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:52.199 And beginning with Moses 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:53.319 and all the prophets, 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:55.379 he interpreted to them 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.419 and all the scriptures 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:58.539 the things concerning himself. 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:00.299 But then Jesus went on 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:02.179 in that same chapter 24 of Luke 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:04.199 to say this. 00:12:04.839 --> 00:12:05.839 It's on the screen. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.559 Then he said to them, 00:12:08.199 --> 00:12:09.539 these are my words 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.679 that I spoke to you 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:12.299 while I was still with you 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:14.299 that everything written about me 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:15.299 in the law of Moses 00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:16.639 and the prophets 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.319 and the Psalms 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.879 must be fulfilled. 00:12:20.140 --> 00:12:20.800 That was his way 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:21.320 of describing 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:22.260 the whole Old Testament. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.560 Then he opened their minds 00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:27.360 to understand the scripture. 00:12:28.160 --> 00:12:29.140 Understand the scriptures. 00:12:30.640 --> 00:12:32.220 That's verse 45 there. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:33.780 I want you to think about that. 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:36.600 Jesus opened their minds 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:38.100 to understand the scriptures. 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:40.200 Do you know that 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:42.560 while we should, 00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:44.600 we must read the Bible 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:45.180 for ourselves. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:46.000 I mean, 00:12:46.180 --> 00:12:47.260 God expects you. 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:49.080 God will never give you knowledge 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:49.980 just out of the blue. 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:51.659 He's not going to just zap you 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:53.539 and make you wise 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:54.620 about the things of God. 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.340 God expects us 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.639 to open the Bible, 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:58.799 to read it, 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:00.559 to study it, 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.360 to think about it. 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:05.480 Just let it sink in. 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:07.039 Try to understand it. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.379 Try to figure it out. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.580 But the only way 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.659 that we're ever really going 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:12.460 to understand 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:14.000 what God is saying 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.419 and how it applies 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:16.299 to our lives 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:18.899 is if God enables us. 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:21.200 And God will enable us 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.159 if we're Christians 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:24.179 through his Holy Spirit 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:26.279 who lives within us. 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:28.419 That's what Jesus was telling 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:30.340 his disciples there 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:31.299 about himself. 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.500 The English Standard Version, 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.679 ESV Study Bible, 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:35.980 has a good note 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.940 on verse 45. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:37.860 Look at it. 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.779 They say, 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:39.720 true understanding 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.419 of the Scriptures 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:42.759 so that one understands 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:44.740 how all of redemptive history 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.500 fits together 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:47.039 is a gift of God. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:49.120 God has to be the one 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:51.000 to sort of turn the light on 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.659 for us to understand 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:53.220 his Word 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.700 and to understand 00:13:54.700 --> 00:13:56.340 how the New Testament 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:57.519 completes, 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.779 fulfills 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:00.200 that which is taught 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:01.139 in the Old Testament. 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.620 Let's look now 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.659 more specifically 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:05.439 at why we cannot 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:06.419 exclude Jesus 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.699 from our study 00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:08.439 of wisdom 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:09.480 in Proverbs. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:10.159 Number two, 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.039 Jesus demonstrated wisdom 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:13.259 throughout his earthly life. 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.159 I want you to really 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:15.960 pay attention here. 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.720 I want you to note 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:19.340 with me 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:21.819 how from childhood, 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.860 from childhood, 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:26.620 Jesus Christ 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:28.720 was wise. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:31.279 He demonstrated it. 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:34.180 He grew in wisdom 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:36.060 as the God-man 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:36.879 that He was. 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:39.080 Jesus revealed wisdom, 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:40.180 His wisdom, 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:40.840 at the beginning 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:41.500 of His life. 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.300 Luke chapter 2, 00:14:44.180 --> 00:14:45.100 verse 40. 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:47.680 The very first description 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:49.980 of Jesus as a child 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.360 says this, 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.779 and the child grew 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.680 and became strong, 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.759 filled with wisdom. 00:14:57.560 --> 00:14:58.220 The only things 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.080 that we know about 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.660 Jesus as an infant, 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:02.399 as a little child, 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.800 Matthew 1 00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:06.660 and Luke chapter 2. 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.779 Luke is telling us here, 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.240 after he's told us 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:13.500 about the birth of Jesus, 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:15.460 Luke is doing 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:17.500 sort of a summary statement here. 00:15:18.160 --> 00:15:19.040 Jesus still, 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.360 this little child, 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:22.220 how He grew, 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.540 became strong, 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.360 and even then 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:27.460 filled with wisdom. 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:30.180 The next thing Luke tells us 00:15:30.180 --> 00:15:31.600 is the only information 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.360 we have 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:34.399 from Jesus 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.660 as a little child 00:15:35.660 --> 00:15:38.139 until He was 30 years old. 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.840 That's a big gap, 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:40.360 isn't it? 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:42.639 Jesus as a little child 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:45.399 and then He's 30 years old. 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.440 What happened? 00:15:47.660 --> 00:15:48.340 Well, we don't know. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.000 And I want to encourage you, 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.720 don't waste your money 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:53.179 and time reading a book 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.460 that fills in the story 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:54.919 for you 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:56.840 as to what Jesus did, 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:58.039 what was going on 00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:59.379 between His childhood 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.279 and adulthood. 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.860 Nobody knows. 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:04.019 We're not intended to know 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:05.179 because it's not 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:06.259 in God's Word. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.580 But there's one incident. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.919 One thing did happen 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:11.299 that the Scripture tells us about 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:13.899 when Jesus was 12 years old. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:16.159 He went to the temple. 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:19.579 He sat with the Jewish teachers. 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:24.039 He sat with the scholars of His day. 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.600 And He listened to them teach. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:29.879 He understood what they were talking about. 00:16:30.219 --> 00:16:32.719 He asked questions. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.120 And just by, I guess, 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.699 the way He sat there, 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.819 the way He listened, 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:42.179 and the questions that He asked, 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:43.980 they were just blown away. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:47.320 They were just so impressed 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:49.259 with the 12-year-old Jesus. 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:52.240 And this is how Luke describes Him. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:54.220 Luke chapter 2, verse 47. 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.920 And all who heard Him 00:16:56.920 --> 00:16:59.720 were amazed at His understanding 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:01.360 and His answers. 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.880 Smart people. 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:09.720 Jewish scholarly types, 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:12.279 as well as the common people. 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:14.799 all were amazed 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:16.460 at His understanding 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:19.740 and His answers. 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.839 Not questions here. 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.559 And His answers. 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.379 Now Luke goes on 00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:26.299 in this same chapter 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:29.299 to conclude this account 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:32.399 of Jesus' early life like this. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.519 Luke 2, 52. 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:36.399 And Jesus increased in wisdom 00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:37.279 and in stature 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:39.359 and in favor 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:41.279 with God and man. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.039 man. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.279 Jesus is described 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.220 as being wise 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.079 as we see Him. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.720 He demonstrates it 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:50.059 as a 12-year-old. 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:52.220 He's described here 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.759 as one who was wise 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:55.079 and grew in wisdom 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:57.399 as He grew into adulthood. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.559 Now Jesus also revealed 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.139 His wisdom 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.319 throughout His public 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.379 teaching ministry. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.940 There's many examples 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:05.119 we could turn to. 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:06.940 Jesus' wisdom 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:07.500 was evident 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:09.359 in the way He taught, 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.559 the content of His teaching. 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.500 Here's an example 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.799 from Mark chapter 6 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.440 and verse 2. 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:14.419 It says, 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.200 And on the Sabbath, 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.639 He began to teach 00:18:16.639 --> 00:18:17.179 in the synagogue. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.839 And many who heard Him 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.179 were astonished, 00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:21.679 saying, 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.220 Where did this man 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.359 get these things? 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:26.440 What is the wisdom 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:28.119 given to Him? 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:29.440 See, 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.720 when Jesus came on the scene, 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.419 He was unknown. 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:35.440 Or the ones who knew Him, 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.519 they knew His parents. 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:38.620 He was not 00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:41.100 a well-trained, 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:43.500 formerly trained rabbi. 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.900 But they were blown away 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:48.800 with what Jesus taught, 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.539 the content of His teaching, 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.620 the wisdom 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:53.960 that He displayed. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:56.240 And then Jesus' wisdom 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.940 is also seen 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.860 in one of His primary 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:00.140 teaching methods, 00:19:01.100 --> 00:19:01.740 the parable. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.519 If you know anything 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.700 about the teaching of Jesus, 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:05.259 if you know anything 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.380 about Matthew, Mark, 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:07.380 and Luke especially, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:10.240 Jesus taught many things 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.259 about the kingdom of God, 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:12.059 about life, 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:15.259 by telling little stories, 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.519 parables. 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:18.059 Now, the Greek word 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.860 translated parable 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:19.559 in the New Testament 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:21.339 comes from the Hebrew word 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:23.220 for proverbs 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:25.379 in the Old Testament. 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:28.179 So Jesus taught, 00:19:28.679 --> 00:19:29.799 we can say, 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:34.639 by using proverbs. 00:19:35.639 --> 00:19:36.940 Just like we see 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:38.299 in the book of Proverbs, 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:40.679 except He demonstrated 00:19:40.679 --> 00:19:41.639 and He taught 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:43.139 greater wisdom. 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.759 Jesus demonstrated wisdom 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.579 throughout His life. 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:49.379 It was an obvious characteristic 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.620 that He possessed. 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.200 It's who He was. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.380 And it came out 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:56.340 in the things that He did 00:19:56.340 --> 00:19:57.440 and the things that He taught. 00:19:58.360 --> 00:19:59.760 Jesus is the perfect 00:19:59.760 --> 00:20:01.740 proverbs man, 00:20:02.580 --> 00:20:03.580 a man of wisdom. 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:06.080 But wisdom is not just evident 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:07.340 in the earthly life 00:20:07.340 --> 00:20:08.240 and teaching of Jesus. 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.780 Number three, 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:13.520 Jesus embodies wisdom. 00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:15.480 This is more, 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:18.940 this is a more difficult concept 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.099 to understand, 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.579 to grasp hold of, 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.920 but the Scripture teaches it. 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.299 And so bear with me here. 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:24.940 Let's look, 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.700 let's think about this 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.259 real carefully. 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.259 The Apostle Paul 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.200 describes Jesus 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.480 this way 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.579 in 1 Corinthians 1, 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.440 verse 30. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.259 By the way, 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:35.720 Paul describes Jesus 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:37.500 as being the wisdom of God 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:39.720 in various ways 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:41.180 in 1 Corinthians 1 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:42.220 and 2. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.620 But look at this. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.420 Paul writes in, 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.339 because of Him, 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:46.940 God, 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.319 because of Him, 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.579 he's talking about God 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.620 in the previous verse. 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:51.940 Because of Him, 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.039 because of God, 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:55.579 you are in Christ Jesus 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:58.680 who became to us 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:01.100 wisdom from God. 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:04.339 Jesus is a gift of wisdom. 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.519 He embodies it. 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:07.100 Look at what Paul said 00:21:07.100 --> 00:21:08.819 in Colossians 2. 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:10.240 He says, 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:11.079 My goal 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:12.559 is that they may be 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.779 encouraged in heart 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.980 and united in love 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:16.939 so that they may have 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.819 the full riches 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:20.019 of complete understanding 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:22.039 in order that they may know 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.779 the mystery of God, 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.980 namely Christ, 00:21:26.679 --> 00:21:27.859 in whom are hidden 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:29.159 all the treasures 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:30.240 of wisdom 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:32.119 and knowledge. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.759 Paul, 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.799 in writing 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.639 the letter 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:37.720 to the Colossians, 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:39.660 makes much 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.900 of the glory 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:42.000 of Jesus Christ. 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.299 I mean, 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.200 he just points out 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.940 the supremacy 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:46.339 of Jesus Christ 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.920 in creation. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.019 And a part of what 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.960 he's talking about here, 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.860 look at it there. 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.880 It's still on the screen. 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:53.579 Look at it. 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.680 The mystery of God, 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.880 namely Christ, 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.819 in whom are hidden 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.740 all the treasures 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.700 of wisdom 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:02.620 and knowledge. 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.880 Old Testament scholar, 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.880 Tremper Longden, 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:08.620 says that Paul 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.640 is teaching us 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.200 that Jesus 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.260 is the very 00:22:11.260 --> 00:22:12.420 incarnation 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:13.500 of wisdom. 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:14.460 That means 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.860 he personifies 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:16.820 wisdom. 00:22:17.260 --> 00:22:18.240 He embodies 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:18.860 wisdom. 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.820 It might help us 00:22:20.820 --> 00:22:21.200 to think 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.080 along this line. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.100 If you want to see 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.980 one of the greatest 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.140 demonstrations 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:29.140 or displays 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.160 of wisdom 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.800 in print, 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:33.500 read the book 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.059 of Proverbs. 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:35.859 I mean, 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:36.420 if you really want 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:36.900 to study 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.980 a body of material, 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.079 you can read it. 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.640 Something that's 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.140 in print. 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.859 Great wisdom. 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.500 Then you'd read 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.279 the book of Proverbs. 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.259 But, 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.819 if you want 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:51.740 to see 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:53.880 the greatest 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.500 display 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:56.680 of the wisdom 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.460 of God 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.700 in human form, 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.700 look at Jesus. 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:00.880 Jesus, 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:03.019 he modeled it. 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.980 He personified it 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.100 in just 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:07.200 who he was, 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.240 what he taught, 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:09.920 how he taught. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.720 Let's look at 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.400 one more reason 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.019 for not leaving 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.700 Jesus out of our 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.600 study of Proverbs. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.559 Jesus is the 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.580 ultimate wisdom 00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:18.880 God calls us 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.640 to choose 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.220 to follow 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.759 in life. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.000 Jesus is the 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.140 ultimate wisdom 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.380 that God 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.480 calls us 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.759 to make 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.980 the choice, 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.360 make the decision 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:30.559 to follow 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.599 in life. 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.500 Throughout the 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.319 book of Proverbs, 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.579 we're going to be 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.599 called to choose 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.960 the way of wisdom 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:39.099 instead of the 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:40.039 way of foolishness. 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.059 Throughout the 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.880 book of Proverbs, 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:44.599 the writer's 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.240 going to say, 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.799 if you want to 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.339 live a way 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.180 that's wise, 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.779 that'll be to 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.680 your advantage, 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.380 a way that 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.799 will make you 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.740 or enable you 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.120 to live just 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.860 the best possible 00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.200 life, 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:56.720 then you live 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.160 this way. 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:00.839 Or you can 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.640 live this foolish 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.000 way. 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.140 It's up to you. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.460 The paths 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.059 are laid out 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.579 for us. 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.259 If you live 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.799 this way, 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.420 it'll result 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:08.920 in you being 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.480 wise, 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.019 and it'll be 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.460 the best way 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:10.880 you can live. 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.620 If you live 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.160 this way, 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.420 it's a fool's 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:13.700 way, 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.839 and it can 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:15.559 kill you, 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.680 but it will 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:17.360 certainly hurt 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.360 you even 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:19.079 if you live. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.680 Well, 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.160 in a similar 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:22.559 way, 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:23.839 we're called 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.240 in the New 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.360 Testament to 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:26.500 choose the way 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.359 of God 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:28.619 instead of 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.140 the way 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:29.900 of the world. 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.680 The Apostle 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.619 Paul explains 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.259 it in terms 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.859 of choosing 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:35.279 the secret 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.920 wisdom of 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.279 God, 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.799 now revealed 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.480 in Jesus, 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.480 instead of 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.599 the foolishness 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.339 offered by 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.880 the world. 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:42.920 Look with me 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.440 if you would, 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.200 1 Corinthians 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.900 chapter 2. 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:46.220 But we 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.420 impart a secret 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.120 and hidden 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:48.940 wisdom of 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.360 God, 00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:51.060 which God 00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:51.960 decreed before 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.480 the ages 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.040 for our 00:24:53.040 --> 00:24:53.460 glory. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.700 None of the 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.240 rulers of 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:55.720 this age 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.080 understood 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:56.660 this, 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.700 for if they 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.200 had, 00:24:58.340 --> 00:24:58.660 they would 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.200 not have 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:00.259 crucified the 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.320 Lord of 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:01.740 glory. 00:25:02.580 --> 00:25:03.280 You know 00:25:03.280 --> 00:25:03.580 what that 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:05.040 secret wisdom, 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.120 secret knowledge 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:07.440 is that he's 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:07.980 writing about? 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.720 It's about 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.480 Jesus, 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.099 the Son of 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.380 God, 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.099 the Messiah, 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:15.019 coming into 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.860 this world, 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.579 but not like in 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.220 the Old Testament 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.740 they thought he 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:18.940 would, 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.480 not like the 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.059 Jews thought he 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.279 would. 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.759 They thought and 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:23.039 hoped he would 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.000 come in as a 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.920 political leader, 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.460 as a military 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.900 leader. 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.980 In the first 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.160 century, the 00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:31.960 Jews had this 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.759 hope that the 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.660 Messiah, when he 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.799 comes, he's going 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.680 to destroy the 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.019 Romans. 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:37.259 He's going to 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.160 set us free from 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.980 Roman rule. 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:39.920 He's going to 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.240 set up a new 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:43.240 earthly Jewish 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.579 kingdom, like we 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.500 enjoyed under 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.339 David and under 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:46.799 Solomon. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.059 But God's plan 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:51.299 was to send his 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:52.339 son, the Messiah, 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.059 to save the 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:54.799 world a different 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.160 way. 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.420 God's plan was to 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.059 send Jesus into 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:58.759 the world to die 00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.279 on the cross, to 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.119 pay the penalty for 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:03.059 our sins, so that 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.720 through faith in 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:05.500 him, all people 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:07.059 could be liberated 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.059 from sin. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.599 All people could 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:12.000 be saved from 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.740 death and hell. 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:16.700 All people could 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:18.240 be free, truly, 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:21.240 spiritually, and 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.880 eventually, physically, 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:24.460 in a new heaven and 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:26.339 a new earth, eternal 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:26.819 life. 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.539 That was the great 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.140 mystery. 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.799 God was going to 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.539 unite all people in 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:33.460 Christ, the suffering 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:35.160 servant of God 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:36.460 through his death 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.039 on the cross. 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.440 Old Testament 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.460 scholars Raymond 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.160 Dillard and 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.140 Trimter Longman 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:42.079 describe this 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:43.000 connection between 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.799 Proverbs and Jesus 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.340 like this. 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.900 Look at it. 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.840 Thus, as Christians 00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:47.519 read the book of 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.319 Proverbs in the 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.620 light of continued 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.980 revelation of the 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.360 New Testament, they 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:53.299 are confronted with 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.620 the same questions as 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.640 the ancient Israelites, 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.240 but with a different 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.019 nuance. 00:26:58.019 --> 00:27:00.220 Will we dine with 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:02.039 wisdom or with 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.619 folly? 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:03.779 Foolishness. 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.980 The wisdom who 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:07.299 beckons us is none 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.059 other than Jesus 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:09.700 Christ, while the 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.779 folly that attempts 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.680 to seduce us is any 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:15.220 created thing that we 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:17.019 put in the place of 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.599 the Creator. 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:26.099 If you want to be 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:28.859 wise and live this 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:31.399 way of wisdom, you 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:31.839 will do it by 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.599 following Jesus. 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.359 What they're saying 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:39.219 is the foolish way is 00:27:39.219 --> 00:27:40.199 just choose whatever 00:27:40.199 --> 00:27:41.099 else you want to 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.579 choose. 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:43.799 Anything other than 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.279 Christ. 00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:45.980 You can choose to 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.839 follow the crowd. 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.679 You can choose to 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.319 follow money. 00:27:48.679 --> 00:27:49.379 You can choose to 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.379 follow popularity. 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:51.559 You fill in the 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:51.939 blank. 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:54.799 But in the end, the 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.619 way of following 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:57.599 Jesus is the wise 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:57.939 way. 00:27:58.699 --> 00:27:59.839 And everything else 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:02.299 eventually will prove 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.919 to be the foolish 00:28:03.919 --> 00:28:04.319 way. 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:06.699 As we study the 00:28:06.699 --> 00:28:07.659 wisdom of Proverbs 00:28:07.659 --> 00:28:08.240 over the coming 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:10.740 weeks, we're going 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.939 to see what God is 00:28:11.939 --> 00:28:13.000 saying in that Old 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.799 Testament book. 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:17.460 Proverbs speaks to 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:17.919 us today. 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.019 It's relevant for 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.899 our lives today. 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:22.139 We're not just going 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:23.359 to stop with what we 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:26.519 see in that book as 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.480 if Jesus has not 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:27.819 come. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.200 God has given us an 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.519 even greater source of 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.740 wisdom that will help 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.299 us to better understand 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:37.039 and live according to 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.139 the wisdom of 00:28:38.139 --> 00:28:38.720 Proverbs. 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:40.440 The source of 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.720 wisdom is the person 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:43.680 and work of Jesus 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:45.940 Christ as explained, 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:48.620 as presented in the 00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.120 New Testament. 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:51.259 Here's what I want us 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.759 to understand. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:55.619 Jesus does more than 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.680 just help us to 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.039 understand what it 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.140 means to be wise. 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.779 Jesus can actually 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:03.420 help us if we are 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:06.440 His to live wisely 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:08.259 through His 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:09.279 indwelling Spirit. 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:10.579 When a person 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.299 becomes a Christian, 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.279 the Holy Spirit, 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.599 the Spirit of Christ, 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.579 the Spirit of God 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.359 comes to live within 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:15.720 us. 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:17.059 And He's the one who 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.599 will enable us to 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:20.859 put into practice the 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.759 teachings that we 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.719 learn, the truth that 00:29:22.719 --> 00:29:23.859 we learn about wisdom 00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:25.000 in the book of 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.559 Proverbs. 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.919 If we seek to live 00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:29.279 wisely as Proverbs 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.979 teaches and the Holy 00:29:30.979 --> 00:29:32.219 Spirit enables us, 00:29:33.219 --> 00:29:35.039 we will be living more 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.939 and more like Jesus. 00:29:36.579 --> 00:29:38.199 We will be conforming 00:29:38.199 --> 00:29:39.559 more and more to His 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.779 likeness, developing His 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:42.000 character, which is 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:43.459 God's goal for us, as 00:29:43.459 --> 00:29:44.740 you well know, as we've 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.719 studied on other 00:29:45.719 --> 00:29:46.279 occasions. 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:48.399 But before we can ever 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.859 really live like Jesus, 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.919 we've got to have a 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:53.039 relationship with Him. 00:29:54.959 --> 00:29:55.879 And I want you to 00:29:55.879 --> 00:29:56.779 listen very carefully. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.139 We're about at the end 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:59.839 because this is vitally 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.359 important. 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:07.139 Do you truly have a 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:08.259 relationship with Jesus 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.799 Christ? 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:13.319 He is your Savior and 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.240 Lord of your life. 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:17.319 If you have such a 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.459 relationship, you should 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:20.720 be able to point or 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:23.299 point out the way God 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:25.079 has and is changing 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:27.860 you and conforming you 00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:29.920 more and more to the 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.700 likeness of His Son. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.620 In other words, helping 00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:32.840 you to develop Christ-like 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.279 character. 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:37.620 Lisa and I went to fall 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.720 for Greenville Friday 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.319 night. 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.799 Ate a lot of junk food, 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:43.000 things that, you know, 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.980 not good and healthy for 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:45.259 you, but we enjoyed it. 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:48.059 Well, in that sea of 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:49.220 people, we came to one 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:50.759 spot and there were some 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.859 individuals there who were 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:53.519 passing out tracts, 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.720 religious tracts. 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:57.680 And one person handed one 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.240 to Lisa. 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:00.460 He didn't hand one to me. 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:03.279 And I just thought, he must 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:04.200 think Lisa needs it more 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.640 than I do. 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:10.720 The little tract said, 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:11.839 are you born again? 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:14.639 Lisa brought it home and I 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:15.399 looked at it when we got 00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:15.699 home. 00:31:17.199 --> 00:31:19.419 It was an excellent tract. 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.599 It asked the question, are 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.439 you born again? 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:25.679 And as you opened it up, it 00:31:25.679 --> 00:31:27.379 explained from the book of 00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:31.319 1 John how a Christian will 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.839 live. 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:34.240 Very biblically sound. 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:40.119 If we're Christians, we will 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.559 live a certain way. 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.979 It will be evident in our 00:31:43.979 --> 00:31:47.299 lives that God has put his 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.319 spirit in us. 00:31:49.199 --> 00:31:52.079 We'll have a desire to love 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:55.579 God, to do his will, to obey 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.319 his word. 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:58.339 We'll have a desire to love 00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:58.959 one another. 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:01.639 The book of 1 John tells us 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:03.319 it's written to give Christians 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:05.079 assurance of their salvation and 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:06.899 it explains what really will 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:09.419 happen, how a Christian will 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:10.840 think, how a Christian will 00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:12.039 feel, how a Christian will 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:14.360 want to live in this world. 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:18.980 Salvation is by the grace of 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.860 God through faith in Jesus. 00:32:22.060 --> 00:32:25.259 But saving faith is 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.360 continuing faith. 00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:29.900 Saving faith is not invisible. 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:32.060 James tells us, as we've said 00:32:32.060 --> 00:32:33.759 it on Sunday morning even, not 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.480 too long ago. 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:38.839 Saving faith is life-altering 00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:39.740 faith. 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:44.640 If we truly are believers in 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:47.620 Jesus Christ, it'll be evident 00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:49.880 in the way that we live our 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:52.799 lives in our home, where we work, 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:55.299 where you go to school, wherever 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:55.960 you are. 00:32:55.960 --> 00:33:03.279 Is such faith, saving faith, life-altering 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:05.079 faith evident in your life? 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:10.799 It really does not matter if you 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.700 claim to be a Christian. 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:13.539 I'm a Christian because I prayed a 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.160 certain prayer. 00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:15.620 You won't ever find anything in the 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:18.440 Bible that tries to offer you any 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:21.299 assurance based on you praying a 00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:21.579 prayer. 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:24.339 Or because you walked down an aisle 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:26.639 in a church and spoke to some 00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.099 pastor. 00:33:27.399 --> 00:33:29.099 Or even because you were baptized. 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:34.480 Saving faith will be evident in 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:38.199 your life by the way that you live, 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:40.259 by the way you seek to know and 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:43.319 love and serve God, please Him by 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:46.119 doing His will, love other people and 00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:47.720 serve other people truly. 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:51.860 Is saving faith evident in your life? 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:54.579 If it is, thank God because it 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:56.279 itself is a gift from God. 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:58.620 Continue to cooperate with Him and 00:33:58.620 --> 00:34:01.079 to obey Him and live for His glory. 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:04.880 Live according to the leadership of 00:34:04.880 --> 00:34:05.400 His Spirit. 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.680 You have to have that. 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:09.840 But saving faith is really not 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.820 evident in your life. 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:14.420 But you want to be right with God 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.820 today. 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:17.900 You want to have a real relationship 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.940 with Jesus Christ. 00:34:19.640 --> 00:34:21.280 I want you to understand that can 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:22.120 happen right now. 00:34:22.660 --> 00:34:24.640 If you'll admit to God that you are 00:34:24.640 --> 00:34:27.019 a sinner, that you are guilty of sin 00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:29.720 against Him and truly repent. 00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:31.240 That means change your mind about it. 00:34:31.580 --> 00:34:32.539 Turn away from it. 00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:33.840 Hate it. 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:36.800 And ask God to deliver you from it. 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:39.300 And as you turn from your sin, you 00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:40.760 turn to Jesus Christ. 00:34:41.240 --> 00:34:44.160 In faith and trust, you're confident 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:45.819 that when He died on the cross, He 00:34:45.819 --> 00:34:47.899 actually died for you to pay the 00:34:47.899 --> 00:34:49.000 penalty for your sins. 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:52.079 And if you'll truly call upon Him to 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:55.039 save you as you turn from your sin, 00:34:56.319 --> 00:34:57.379 He will. 00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:59.539 The Bible says that whoever will call 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:01.199 upon the name of the Lord will be 00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:01.859 saved. 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:07.000 God will save you now if you will 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:10.339 humbly, sincerely, wholeheartedly 00:35:10.339 --> 00:35:13.299 turn from your sin, put your trust in 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:16.019 Jesus and surrender control of your 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.900 life to Him. 00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:20.140 He's got to be Lord of all. 00:35:21.140 --> 00:35:23.260 Or as that little cliche says, He will 00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:24.860 not be Lord at all. 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:31.000 The wisdom of God certainly is revealed 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:33.880 throughout the Bible, especially in the 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.760 book of Proverbs. 00:35:34.760 --> 00:35:35.760 God is the most powerful 00:35:35.760 --> 00:35:40.860 but most powerfully seen and experienced 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:43.160 in the person of Jesus Christ. 00:35:43.560 --> 00:35:45.600 Make sure you have a relationship with 00:35:45.600 --> 00:35:49.800 Him if you truly want to be wise and have a 00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:52.400 relationship with God now and forever. 00:35:53.160 --> 00:35:53.860 Let's pray together. 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:58.660 Father, show each person in this room how 00:35:58.660 --> 00:36:00.880 they should respond to you and your word 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:01.500 this morning. 00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:07.119 Lord, especially make it clear 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:13.260 that salvation is by your grace. 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:14.039 It's undeserved. 00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:16.340 It is through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:18.579 But help everyone here to understand that 00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.640 saving faith, 00:36:19.640 --> 00:36:23.400 it continues. 00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:27.780 It is evident by the way that we live. 00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:33.680 Help everyone here to understand that 00:36:33.680 --> 00:36:36.420 if you have saved them, your spirit's in 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.680 them and they will know it. 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:45.680 They will know it by looking at their life. 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:50.240 Other people will know it. 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:52.960 Help them to ask questions if they need to. 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:56.980 But right now, dear God, make it clear 00:36:56.980 --> 00:37:01.559 how we all should respond to you and to Jesus. 00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:05.700 In an attitude of prayer, you respond to the Lord. 00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:08.619 If I could help you, pray with you, 00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:10.280 talk with you right now, I'll be happy to hear 00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:10.720 it at the front. 00:37:11.720 --> 00:37:13.579 But the important thing is you respond to the Lord 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:15.480 as He speaks to you right now. 00:37:16.260 --> 00:37:16.880 Let's do that.