Jonathan has been mentioned to you.
I'm from Middleton Baptist Church and I bring greetings
from your friends and families that are
worshipping with us in Middleton Baptist Church.
I was once
part of this church, so when Johnny asked me to come and
preach, and I said, wow, that's like
me coming back home. So I'm feeling more like
I'm playing a home game today. So
I think I should be more relaxed, didn't I? But nevertheless,
you know, I've made some old friends and it's good
to see you all and I'm very, very thrilled and happy to be here.
I'm standing in the air
thanking God for His grace when I was
in this church. I wasn't a member of this church. The gospel
wasn't that very clear to me. But today, I thank God for how God has transformed
myself and my family and where we are at now. I'm standing here as a student of
Monster Bible College and
still have some few modules to complete before I fully graduated.
So please, I do value your prayers. Please continue to pray for me
so that I can continue to grow in this knowledge.
So let's turn our Bible to Proverbs,
if we have already got it. Let me get it. Proverbs chapter 9.
Jonathan has been given a wonderful introduction to the two invitations we're going to be looking
at this morning in Proverbs chapter 9.
So let me read it.
Wisdom has built her house. She has honed his seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
She has sent out her maids and she calls from the highest point of the city.
Let all who are simple come here. She says to those who lack judgment,
Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways and you will live. Work in the ways of understanding.
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult.
Whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke a mocker, for he will hate you.
Rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still.
Teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For through me your days will be many and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you.
If you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Verse 13.
The woman fully is loud.
She is undisciplined and without knowledge.
She sits at the door of her house.
On a seat at the highest point of the city.
Calling out to those who pass by.
Who go straight on their way.
Let all who are simple come in here.
She says to those who lack judgment.
Stolen water is sweet.
Food eating in secret is delicious.
But little do they know that the dead are there.
That our guests are in the death of the grave.
Let us pray for God's help.
Lord, we just want to come to your presence this morning.
As we hope in your words, we ask for your help.
Please speak through me.
I'm only a vessel.
I pray, God, that your words will come through me clearly.
And will be communicated well this morning to everyone.
And even to myself as well.
So I pray, God, that as we hear it, may we be transformed.
May your Holy Spirit help us to take it in.
And help us to apply it to our life.
Let us see clearly the invitation that you want us to choose for ourselves.
To have a better life.
To be able to live this world.
This circular world that we find ourselves in.
And to point us into your glory.
So we thank you for your help in this.
In Jesus' name.
These days, our primary reliance for navigation is Google Maps, isn't it?
To reach our destinations.
I don't know about you.
Recently, Alice and I traveled to a center of excellence.
It plays in County Mayo.
It's a GAA place where my daughter Alexis have a GAA Gaelic football match.
And on our way, Google Maps directed us through a shortcut.
It's believed to be a regular road.
But it turned out to be a road from a farm to people's backyard.
And we were wondering, what are we doing here?
Should we turn back?
But while we're desperately trying to find our way out into a better road,
we find ourselves driving through even more bushes and more, you know, uncomfortable roads,
desperately to get out onto the plain road.
But that never happened.
But thank God, somehow, we got to our destination.
But it wasn't pleasant.
Isn't it also true?
Isn't it true about our life as a journey?
As we travel through this world, we encounter various choices along the way.
And one thing we all strive to do is to ensure that we make the right decisions for ourselves.
Whether it is in choosing friends, partners, managing finances, or maintaining good health,
or even embracing a good lifestyle, or a godly lifestyle.
This passage we're going to be looking at this morning,
Solomon presents a picture of two invitations from two ladies.
One is Lady Wisdom, and the other one, Lady Folly.
Both of them are calling out to us, seeking our attention and response.
And this is what both seek every day.
In whatever we do, the constant invitation.
Constant invitation that is seeking our attention and looking at how we respond to it.
But first, let's have a look at the invitation of Lady Wisdom.
From verse 1 to 12.
The first thing we see with Lady Wisdom is,
have preparation.
Verse 1 says she has a beautiful home.
Wisdom has built her house.
She has set up its seven pillars.
This is not an ordinary home.
It's a home with seven pillars.
The number seven suggests completeness.
One that lacks nothing.
It's magnificent.
It's a solid and well-furnished house.
It has seven pillars, he says.
For builders who know this pillar, a pillar is needed to support a massive, massive building.
So a home with seven pillars means massive in size.
This metaphor, using describing Lady Wisdom, can be compared to the qualities of wisdom described in James 3.17.
James describes the home of wisdom.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven, he's first of all, pure.
Then peace-loving.
Considerate.
The wisdom is submissive.
It's full of mercy.
Good fruit.
It's impartial.
Impartial and sincere.
And also Proverbs 24.3-4.
It reads,
By wisdom,
A house is built.
And through understanding,
It is established.
Through knowledge,
His rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
You see,
Lady Wisdom don't only just have a beautiful home.
She has prepared a feast for her guest.
Verse 2 says that she has much to offer.
She prepares a satisfying feast.
And not only she prepares that,
She beautifully presented her face on a decorated table with meat and wine.
That is appealing, right?
That is appealing.
A decorated table with plenty of meat and wine.
And not only she does that.
She doesn't just leave it there and be looking at it.
She wants to be heard.
She makes great effort.
Verse 3-9.
Tell her that she wants to be heard.
Verse 3.
She makes great effort to reach all those who will listen.
In doing so,
She sends out a servant and cries out for the highest point of the city.
Crying out.
Inviting the sinful.
Those with no saints.
Verse 4-5.
To come and join
her in a feast.
Those who are sinful.
Those that are ignorant.
They are the ignorant to the gospel.
They are not stupid.
They are smart people.
Because Jesus
also encounters
so many of them
during his ministry.
Those that lack understanding.
But there is no discrimination here.
Lady Wisdom is inviting them to come.
All of them
to come and eat
and drink
her prepared face.
This meal
she has prepared
represents
divine understanding
and insight.
She is asking them
to leave
your simple ways
and you will leave.
Wisdom is not something
that can be bought
or earned
or for privileged fuel.
Wisdom extends
all that offer
to everyone
that passes by her city.
and she invited them
to her home.
She is asking them
to forsake foolishness
and leave
to go
in the way
of insight.
Do you receive
that invitation
every day
in your life today?
Whatever you are doing
whatever you are engaging
yourself into
are you getting
that invitation
that something special
is calling you?
or are you just
a mocker
and denying
the spirit of God
calling you
to come and participate
in a banquet?
Look at verse 7
to 9
she won't invite
mockers
the mockers
are quite different
from simple
the mockers
are wicked people
that's what Jesus
called them
in Luke 11
29
the wicked generation
why?
Because they were
asking Jesus
to give them
more signs
even though
Jesus has done
so many signs
pointing them
to himself
as the Messiah
so Jesus
called them
you mockers
are wicked
generation
they refused
to heed
to Christ's wisdom
this passage
is warning us
it's a waste
of time
to seek
the company
of the wicked
to seek
the company
of mockers
because in the
hope of doing
so
or trying
to help them
you are more
likely
we are all
more likely
to be corrupted
by them
why?
because they're
ridicule
wise words
there's nothing
you can tell
them that is
truth
that they
will not
try to
change it
or they
will not
try to
laugh about
it
and if
you're not
careful
they will
try to
destroy
someone's
reputation
no one
that Jesus
told his
disciples
supposed to
go into
the city
two by
two
but if
they don't
take you
in
if they
refuse to
hear your
words
dust your
feet
and move
on
but here's
the joyful
thing
in contrast
a wise
person
loves
lady
wisdom
and follows
his command
and wants
to learn
more
verse 8
9 says
rebuke the
wise
and they
will love
you
instruct
the wise
and they
will be
wiser
still
teach
the
righteous
and they
will
add
to
their
learning
lady
wisdom
is not
just making
this plea
for nothing
he's making
this plea
so that we
can come
and feast
in his
home
he has
set up
his
decorated
table
with
satisfying
mail
and he's
inviting
all the
sinful
to come
in
because
he
had
she
has
so much
promise
to give
them
three
promises
in verse
10
she's
going to
give them
wisdom
and
understanding
it says
the fear
of the
Lord
is the
beginning
of wisdom
and the
knowledge
of the
Holy
One
is
understanding
to fear
the Lord
is not
something
for us
to shrink
in error
but to
humbly
revere
and honor
God
that is
what it
means
to fear
the Lord
when we
have a
deep
intimate
and
respect
for God
for who
he is
the
holy
loving
master
of God
then we
will
recognize
his
greatness
his
sovereignty
and his
divine
nature
and the
result of
his
knowledge
will help
us to
turn away
from our
own
sin
and
seek
to be
Christ
like
Colossians
2
verse 2
to 3
he said
my goal
is that
they may
be encouraged
in heart
and united
in love
so that
they may
have the
full
riches
of complete
understanding
so that
they may
know
the mystery
of God
namely
Christ
in whom
are healing
all the
treasures
of wisdom
and knowledge
not only
her promise
is a
wisdom
and
understanding
she also
wants us
to have
a long
life
it's
guaranteed
verse 11
said
for true
wisdom
your days
will be
many
and years
will be
added to
your life
that is
those
who walk
in a way
will be
rewarded
with more
fulfilling
life
experiencing
the blessings
of wise
living
and avoiding
negative
consequences
that often
result in
lack of
godly
wisdom
following
lady
wisdom
is a
guarantee
of
long
life
verse 12
says we
have a
fruitful
life
because she
wants us
to have
the best
life
possible
her promise
about
wisdom
understanding
long life
fruitful
life
means reward
with fruit
of the
holy spirit
we have
relationship
with god
and the
heart
and the
heart
and the
fruitful
life
we will
receive
with
lady
wisdom
assures us
that no
matter the
struggle we
face
in this
world
by heading
to the
instruction
of god
obedience
to his
command
will
will be
compensated
in
eternity
but the
last
verses
12
what a
mocker
will suffer
in
isolation
so let's
leave it
there
let's go
to the
lady
fully
13 to
18
she
competes
with lady
wisdom
for souls
of men
and women
she also
have her
own
preparation
what does
she prepare
actually
she make
no preparation
at all
verses
13
says
she's
unruly
which means
she's
loud
disordered
and knows
nothing
she lacks
understanding
she's
wayward
all
knowledge
of holy
things
is lost
and forgotten
but she
pleads
in verse
14
she sits
on a
high seat
just like
lady
wisdom
in the
higher
city
she cries
out for
the seated
position
though
she doesn't
move
unlike
lady wisdom
who sent
her servants
to be
heard
lady
falling
doesn't
move
that's a
sign of
laziness
isn't it
she waits
for simple
and those
who lack
understanding
to pass
by
and come
to her
she doesn't
cry out
she promised
in verse
17
that stolen
water
is sweet
and bread
eaten in
secret
is pleasant
when you
think about
stolen
water
I'm a
native of
Nigeria
and I
remember
when
myself
and my
wife
went to
my
mother
in
house
she
had a
well
in front
of her
house
and my
wife said
I do not
like the way
people were
coming from
all over the
place
community
just coming
to fresh
from that
well
what should
we do
and then
we decided
to have
a ring
like a
gate
to lock
it
well she's
right in
doing so
because people
were coming
to her
yard
to take
water
that doesn't
belong to
them
this is
also
implied
to
when
we
we're
thrilled
in doing
what is
forbidding
or dodgy
activities
and we're
thinking that
stolen water
is sweet
the more
prohibited
the more
unlawful
things are
the more
things belong
to us
the more
tempting
and desirable
it becomes
because why
because we get
excited about
you know
I can quickly
just get away
with it
nobody
will save
me
a few
weeks ago
4.2
million
worth of
cocaine
was discovered
for money
for stolen
water
for
2017
reminds us
that food
gained
by fraud
tastes
sweet
but one
hander
with a
mouth
full of
gravel
food
the sad
thing is
the followers
of
lady
folly
they do
not know
the true
promise
about this
that
they were
all ended
up in the
house of
dead
their way
is a way
to hell
we are here
this morning
we hear
these two
invitations
coming into
our mind
every time
we long
for
wisdom
and understanding
we long
for fruitful
life
we long
for
long
life
or
a mouth
full of
gravel
taking
things
that doesn't
belong to
us
and calling
it
smartness
so with
invitation
shall we
accept
this morning
is it
that of
lady
wisdom
who has
prepared
much
and
delivered
what she
promises
or that
of lady
folly
who promises
much
and delivers
the opposite
let me
remind you
lady folly
delivers the
worst life
possible
she doesn't
offer
forgiveness
once you
fall into
her house
she's a
house of
hell
you're
dead
eternal
condemnation
you're not
going to
come out
of it
her punishment
is irreversible
there is no
single benefit
offered by her
she does not
only provide
obvious
worldly
laws
and the
morality
that destroys
human souls
she's also
present in
false
teachings
of God's
words
with
doctrines
that flatter
pride
and give
liberty
to lust
that destroy
people's
life
changing the
gospel
for something
that the
Bible doesn't
say
or try to
twist the
word of
God
into
something
that become
sweet water
and use
that as an
excuse
that you can
get away
with things
become
immoral
because
they're all
tradition
these are all
work of
Satan
which Lady
Foley
represents
2 Corinthians
11
13
sorry
2 Corinthians
11
3
warns us
that
just as
Eve
was deceived
by the
serpent
cunning
our minds
may somehow
be led
astray
from our
sincere
and pure
devotion
to Christ
in the
same
chapter
verse 11
that Satan
even disguises
himself as
an angel of
light
guys there are
things out
there
that are
out to
get us
serious
invitation
to turn
away
from a
godly way
into
the life
of lies
and ruin
I don't
know about
you
but my
choice
is Lady
Wisdom
between the
two
invitations
where Lady
Wisdom
symbolizes a
metaphor
for Jesus
Jesus
identifies
himself
as wisdom
he is the
creator of
wisdom
from
in Genesis
chapter 1
26 to 7
he initiated
creating a
man
in God's
image
if you
turn your
Bible
to me
please
to
Proverb
8
just to
flip back
from
22 to
31
let me
introduce
Jesus to
you
again
Jesus
introduced
himself
he says
the
Lord
brought
me
forth
as the
first
of his
works
before
his
deeds
of
old
I
was
appointed
from
eternity
from the
beginning
before
the world
began
when there
is no
oceans
I was
given
birth
when there
was no
springs
abounding
with water
before the
mountains
were settled
in place
before the
hills
I was
given
birth
before he
made
the hell
or his
field
or any
of his
doors of
the world
I
was
there
when he
set
the heavens
in place
where he
marked out
the horizons
on the
face of
the deep
when he
established
the clouds
above
and fixed
securely
the fountains
of the
deep
when he
gave the
sea
his
boundary
so the
waters
would not
overstep
his
command
when he
marked
out
the
foundation
of
the
earth
then
I
was
a
craft
man
at his
side
I
was
filled
with
delight
day
after
day
rejoicing
always
in his
presence
rejoicing
in his
whole
world
and
delighting
in
mankind
that's
Jesus
for you
all of us
are sinful
people
by God's
standard
we can
easily
be influenced
to do
things
that are
opposite
to God's
command
but
fortunately
God's
wisdom
is
readily
accessible
to anyone
to all
of us
this
morning
he does
know we
told it
for those
who
earnestly
want it
because
Jesus
as we
just read
from that
passage
chapter 8
30
31
he says
then I
was a
craftsman
at his
side
I was
filled
with
delight
day
after day
rejoicing
always
in his
presence
rejoicing
in his
whole
world
and
delighting
in
mankind
Jesus
is
constantly
reaching
out to
us
in
Jeremiah
1 5
his
water
firms
he knew
us
even
before
we were
formed
in the
womb
this is
what
this
passage
is
saying
he
loves
us
before
we
loved
him
he
becomes
for us
wisdom
from
God
our
righteousness
holiness
and our
redemption
therefore
if we
want to
acquire
his
wisdom
we
must
earnestly
desire it
and ask
him for
it
that's
what
James
advised
us
to
do
if
any
of
us
lack
wisdom
we
should
ask
God
we
give
generously
to
all
without
finding
fault
and
it
will
be
given
to
you
in
Proverbs
18
17
also
emphasize
that
he
loves
those
who
love
him
and
those
who
take
him
will
find
him
神
like
proget
the
that
dziele
of
course
the
bible
set
the path straight for us.
And not only set our path straight,
he points
us to Christ.
He points us to Christ
to show us his love
for us.
That he gave himself for us
as a fragrant
offering and a sacrifice to God.
Without the Christ wisdom
revealed to us in the Bible,
we cannot know the best choice
that prevents us from falling
into the hand of Lady Foley.
A theologian,
Donald Whitney,
says that there is simply
no healthy Christian
life apart
from a diet of milk
and meat of Scripture.
This means we need a
regular intake of words
as a spiritual diet to know
the ways and the will of the Lord,
to know what is pleasing to God
as well as what is
ultimately best
and most fulfilling
for ourselves.
Friends, this is crucial
to remember we're not only
the ones in these situations.
We have people out there,
the simples are out there,
and we need to go out
and invite them.
We need to let them know
about the nourishment
the words of God
offers.
That Christ
loves
for all.
So that we're not only
partakers in the feast,
but to extend
the invitation to others,
allowing them
to experience
God's grace
and to undergo
the transformation
through his wisdom.
Friends, if we accept
Christ's invitation
this morning,
through repentance
means
lady fully
has
no
more
power over us.
Simple as that.
We will receive
forgiveness.
We will become
an insider.
The mystery
of the gospel
will be unveiled
to us.
We will become
an adopter
child of God.
Becoming partakers
in his inheritance
and assurance
for eternal life
and
a grand
banquet
to come.
let me finish
by just reading
from Isaiah
25
6-8
It's a prayer
I want to leave
with you.
It says,
On this mountain
the Lord
Almighty
will prepare
a feast
of rich food
for all people.
a banquet
of aged
wine
the best
meats
and the finest
of wines.
On this mountain
he will destroy
the shroud
that enfolds
our peoples
the sheath
that covers
all nations.
He will swallow
up death
forever.
The sovereign
Lord
will wipe away
the tears
from all faces.
he will remove
his people
from all
the elves.
The Lord
has spoken.
Let us come
to him
in his invitation
as we experience
God's invitation
every day
in everything
that we do.
Once we are
in Christ
we have it all.
Satan
or Lady Foley
or whatever
description
that they can
come with it
has no power
over us.
So I plead
with you
this morning.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus
we thank you
for your words.
We thank you
for your word
is truth.
We thank you
for your love
that's shown
from the beginning
of Genesis
to the end
of Revelation.
We thank you
that your love
for us
never ceased.
They are fresh
every morning.
Lord please
I beg
and I pray
that you will
reach out to us
every day
whatever our position
with you.
If we are right
with you
Lord please
continue to
guide us
energize us
and encourage us
and increase
our faith
in you
Lord.
And we are
not sure
where we are
today
with you.
Lord we pray
God that you
will make us
right with you.
You bring us
to that position
not only to
tremble at your
words
but to submit
to it
and to give
honor
to you
and call you
Habba
Father.
So I pray
this in Jesus
name.
Amen.
Thank you
Aaron
and what
a wonderful
reminder
that Jesus
still calls us
he still gives us
that invitation
and just
thinking
to