(Part IV)

WISDOM FOR YOUR NEXT LEVEL

Isaiah 33:6

⁶ And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

Stability   -  mû∙nā(h)) 1. faithfulness, dependable  2. steadiness A state which has no linear or non-linear movement

Genesis 6:1-22

“… ⁵ Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶ And the Lord were sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord…¹³ And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. ¹⁴ Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch…²² Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

THE TIMES

§ (Flood was coming) Noah Building the Ark

§ Joseph in Egypt

§ Daniel in Babylon

§ Moses in Egypt (Build Tabernacle etc.)

§ Personal Times

         James 1:2-5

         ² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ³ Knowing this,     that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴ But let patience have her perfect   work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. ⁵ If any of you lack       wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;    and it shall be given him.

DAILY LIVING

Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act to consistently to produce the optimum results with a minimum of time and energy.

Wisdom is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge and so produce the desired results.

Wisdom is comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action.

Synonyms include sagacity, discernment, or insight. Wisdom often requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that one's principles, reason, and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions. – Wikipedia definition

 I. WHAT IS WISDOM

1.      Insight into the true nature of things.

        

1 Kings 4:29-34

God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. ³⁰ Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. ³² He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. ³³ Also, he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. ³⁴ And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

2.       Hearing Ear

            1 Kings 3:5-12

⁵ At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” ⁶ And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. ⁷ Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸ And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. ⁹ Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” ¹⁰ The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. ¹¹ Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, ¹² behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.

3.      A Person

1 Cor. 1:30

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Colossians 2:2-3

² That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; ³ In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4.      2 Kinds of Wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:26

²⁶ For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

James 3:13-17

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy        

The result is fruit, what it produces – Motive is key (serving or selfish).

BITTER ENVY

“A feeling of resentment and jealousy toward another person because of his possessions or good qualities. When we envy someone, we want something that they have, whether possessions or money or anything else

             

            SELF-SEEKING

 Constantly looking out only for yourself.

             

Worldly wisdom suggests that we ourselves should be first in our lives with no regard for others.

            The origin of worldly wisdom (3:15).

                        1. It does not come from above (from God).

                        2. It is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

           

II. HOW VALUABLE IS WISDOM

         1. The Principal Thing

          Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

2. Better than Rubies

3. Better than all that one can desire

                   Proverbs 8:11

          For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are    not to be compared to it 

4. Better than Gold

          Proverbs 16:16

          How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding        rather be chosen than silver!

5. A Defense and life

          Eccl 7:12

          ¹² For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of        knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

6. Better than Strength.  Eccl 9:16

7. Better than Weapons of War.  Eccl 9:18

David’s reign was a reign of war – Solomon’s a reign of rest

2 Chronicles  22:6-11

⁶ Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel. ⁷ And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house unto the name of the LORD my God: ⁸ But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build a house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. ⁹ Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. ¹⁰ He shall build a house for my name, and he shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever. ¹¹ Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.

David was able to build and ark (anointing, glory, gifts etc.) but not a place of habitation

III. HOW DO YOU GET WISDOM

1.      Ask

            James 1:5

            ⁵  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,    and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and       tossed.

2. Impartation

            Deut 34:9

⁹ And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.