2/7/12 GET WISDOM; GET UNDERSTANDING
2/7/12 GET WISDOM; GET UNDERSTANDING
Kevin Jesmer UBF at DeKalb Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Proverbs 4:1-9 Key Verse: 4:5
“5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.”
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for helping us to know your wisdom and to know your way. I want to follow in your wisdom and your way. I want to grow in the knowledge of God. I want to impart that wisdom to the next generation. Help me to impart that wisdom to the next generation. Lord, I pray for the cohort today. I pray that you help us to grow together in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I pray that my kids may know the wisdom of God and that they may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ and the Bible. Please plant your wisdom in my heart this morning. I thank you and I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
1. Father-son talk (1-4).
Verses 1-4, “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.”
King Solomon called his sons and instructed them. He told them how his father David had also taught him saying, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live” (4). David’s words were reaching the third generation. Parents and grandparents, how are you speaking into your (grand)children’s lives? Children, are you listening?
I need to pass on the wisdom of God to my children. Without the wisdom of God what we pass onto the next generation is limited. They are not eternal things. It may be love of music, love of traveling, hobbies like photography and love for sports. Sometimes it recipes, family history stories, household maintenance tips, photographs. Sometimes the wisdom is limited to some philosophy of the world, like “Don’t get old. It is not what it is cracked up to be.” or “Enjoy life when you are you”. which is nothing more than saying, “Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.” These are some to things that parents pass on to the next generation. Grandparents can transmit less.
But when we know the wisdom of God, then we then there are nuggets of truth that can be transmitted to the next generation that is life changing, that will change the lives of our kids…their kids and their kids…and even the many generations down the line. Maybe I should write a letter to my great-great –great grandchildren imparting some of Christ’s wisdom to them. I pray that I may pass on the life changing truth of God to the next generation of young people. With the gospel I would have very little life changing things to pass on. I actually would have very little to pass on or worth. It is Jesus who teaches me what is truly important that transcends the generations.
2. Though it cost all you have, get it (5-9).
Verses 5-9 read, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom. Though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
These verses continue with David’s words passed down through Solomon. These words influenced Solomon himself to seek wisdom. Twice we are told to get wisdom and to get understanding. It’s worth the effort. Wisdom will nicely repay those who get it.
David’s advice is the get the wisdom of God, then that wisdom will guide their lives. That wisdom will strengthen them. It is like telling our kids and grandkids to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus and get the Holy Spirit, then God himself will guide them.
God’s wisdom is quite accessible. We need to simply pray and ask and have ears that hear and eyes that see. Then God will impart wisdom. Jenn needs wisdom for her school choice. The kids need wisdom to be able to navigate this unbelieving world and be able to reveal the Gospel and Jesus to their friends. I need wisdom on how to raise my kids and to pass the faith onto them. I need wisdom on how to raise disciples among this new generation of young people. God will give us wisdom when we humble ourselves and pray. But this type of wisdom does not cost us very much.
There is a wisdom of God, that costs us all we have. These are the secrets and the knowledge of the kingdom of God. These come when we commit our hearts and lives to being disciples of Jesus. These come when we place both feet on the side of Christ. These is the wisdom we need to strive for. The wisdom that is sealed up among the disciples of Jesus.
God’s wisdom is worth more than making $1 million a year salary. It gives peace and health and strength and gives us something truly valuable to pass on.
Prayer: Lord, help us to instill the pursuit of wisdom in our children and lead them by example. Give us wise words to pass on.
One Word: Pass on words of wisdom
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