“WISDOM FOR YOUR NEXT LEVEL”

(Part 3)

Lord! Give Me Wisdom

Gen 41:1-42

Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. ² Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. ³ Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. ⁴ And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. ⁵ He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. ⁶ Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. ⁷ And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. ⁸ Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh. ⁹ Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: “I remember my faults this day. ¹⁰ When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, ¹¹ we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. ¹² Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man, he interpreted according to his own dream. ¹³ And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”

¹⁴ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon, and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. ¹⁵ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”

¹⁶ So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace…”

²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: ²⁶ The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. ²⁷ And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. ²⁸ This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. ²⁹ Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; ³⁰ but after them, seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. ³¹ So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. ³² And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

³³ “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. ³⁴ Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. ³⁵ And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. ³⁶ Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.” ³⁷ So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. ³⁸ And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” ³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” ⁴¹ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” ⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

Def. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. Knowledge is the ability to take things apart, while wisdom is the ability to put them together.

I. WHAT IS WISDOM

            Def. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. Knowledge is the ability to take

things apart, while wisdom is the ability to put them together.   

1.      A supernatural gift.

            1 Corinthians 12:8

8        For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom

2.      Impartation of special skill.

            Exodus 31:1-6

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³ And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, ⁴ to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, ⁵ in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. ⁶ “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you.

9        Largeness of Heart.

            1 Kings 4:29-34

²⁹ And 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.

10    A Continual stream of revelation and understanding flowing.

1 Kings 10:1-3

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. ² She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. ³ So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her.

Ephesians 1:16-18

¹⁶ Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

11    Not just a gift but a grace that has power and character

Proverbs 9:10 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

James 3:13-15

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.

12    It can be imparted

            Deuteronomy 34:9

⁹ Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

IT IS:

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it Proverbs 8:11

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!

Better than Strength.  Ecclesiastic 9:16

Better than Weapons of War. Ecclesiastic 9:16

II. WHAT CAN WISDOM DO FOR YOU

1.      Helps you solve problems.

            Primary Manifestation of Jesus

                        Proverbs 11:1-2

¹ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: ² And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD

§  Herodian’s - Tribute to Caesar Matthew 22:17

§  Sadducees – Marriage in Heaven

§  Pharisees – Greatest Commandment

§  Jesus asked them – Whose Son is Messiah?

§   

2.      Gives you good ideas

Proverbs 8:12

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

3.      Helps you get riches

            Proverbs 3:13-18

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; ¹⁴For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. ¹⁵        She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. ¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.

4.      Keeps You

            Proverbs 3:21-24

²¹ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: ²² So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. ²³ Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. ²⁴ When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

5.      Promotion and Great Honor

            Proverbs 4:5-9

⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. ⁶ Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. ⁷ Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. ⁸ Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor when thou dost embrace her. ⁹ She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

 

Holy Spirit 

John 14:16-17

¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

I.                   THE PROBLEM

1.       Many are neglecting Holy Spirit

Galatians 3:3

³ Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

           

2.      It’s impossible to successfully live the Christian life in our own strength

3.      Jesus depended on the Father for everything

·         John 8:28   “…I do nothing of myself…”

·         John 5:19 “...The Son can do nothing of himself but what he sees the Father do…”

4.      We are helpless without Holy Spirit

Ezekiel 36:25-17

²⁵ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. ²⁶ A new heart also will I give you, and ^fa new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to ⁱwalk in my statutes, and ye shall ^jkeep my judgments, and do them.

II.                8 WAYS TO FOCUS MORE ON HOLY SPIRIT

1.      Refocus on our Identity

1 Corinthians 3:16

¹⁶ Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

                       

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

                       

                       

2.      Focus of the Spirit’s Ability

Ephesians  3:20

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

1 John 4:4

“…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

3.      Focus on Spiritual Capacity

Ephesians 5:18

¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

4.      Make a demand on the Spirit’s Emotions

Galatians 5:22-23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentlenesses, self-control.

5.      Stir up Spiritual Ability

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸ for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

2 Timothy 1:6

⁶ Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands?

6.      Tap into the Spirit’s information

1 Corinthians 2:16

¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

7.      Take Advantage of the Spirit’s Prayer language

a.     It Helps our Weaknesses

Romans 8:26-27

²⁶ Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

b.     It Builds our Faith

Jude 1:20

²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:4

⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself….

           

c.      It Provides spirit to Spirit communication with God.

1 Corinthians 14:2

² For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit, he speaks mysteries.

d.     It’s Spiritual Refreshment

John 7:37-39

³⁷ On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” ³⁹ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

e.      It’s Healthy

1 Corinthians 14:4

⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself….

Dr. Carl Peterson, M.D. conducted a study at ORU in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Being a brain specialist, he was doing research on the relationship between the brain and praying or speaking in tongues. He found that as we pray in the Spirit or worship in the Spirit (our heavenly language), the brain releases 2 chemical secretions that are directed to our immune systems giving a 35 to 40 percent boost to the immune system. This promotes healing within our bodies. Amazingly, this secretion is triggered from a part of the brain that has no other apparent activity in humans and is only activated by our Spirit-led prayer and worship!

8.      Practice cooperation with Holy Spirit

1.      Don’t grieve Him

Ephesians 4:30

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

2.      Don’t quench Him

1 Thessalonians 5:19

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit.

III.             WRAPPING IT UP!

1.      Receive the Baptism of Holy Spirit

a.     Trust God

Luke 11:11-13

¹¹ If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

b.     Realize it’s for You

Mark 16:15-18

¹⁵ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover”

Joel 2:28-29

²⁸ “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. ²⁹ And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

c.      Differentiate between the Gift of Tongues requiring Interpretation and your Personal Prayer Language

1 Corinthians  14:18-19

¹⁸ I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; ¹⁹ yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28

²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

d.     Realize it’s a free gift you can NEVER earn it

Luke 11:13

¹³ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

e.      Recognize the Holy Spirit has Already Come and is Already in you

Ephesians 1:13

¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

f.       Cooperate with God. He will give utterance but you MUST speak

Acts 2:4

⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

TIPS:

1.      Relax

2.       Receive

3.       Speak but not in English

4.       Trust God and Let Go

2.      Pray regularly to be filled with Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18

¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

3.      Do life with Holy Spirit

(Part II)

“FINANCES: The Laws of Sowing and Reaping”

Proverbs 11:18

¹⁸    The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

INTRO:

·         The universe runs on both physical & spiritual laws

·         You don’t have to understand these laws to benefit You just have to cooperate with them.  (Even unbelievers

     EVERYTHING STARTS AS A SEED

1.      God created the word on a seed principle

Genesis 1:11

¹¹ Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

I.                   NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL A SEED IS PLANTED

The farmer with a barren field doesn’t gripe or complain, or pray to God!

 HE JUST STARTS SOWING SEED!   No sowing= no reaping!  No harvest!

            Jesus used this principle to explain why he came to die on the cross:

            John12:24

²⁴ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

II.                WHATEVER I SOW IS WHAT I REAP (Law of Pre-Production)

                        If a farmer plants a field with peas. What crop should he expect?

                       

‘

                        Genesis 1:11

¹¹ Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

                                Galatians 6:7

⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

             

`                       Proverbs 26:27

²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.                       

                        We cannot SOW irresponsibility & REAP success

                                    Laziness                                    Reward

                                     Stinginess                                          Blessing!

Sow a thought, reap an act;      Sow an act, reap a habit;
Sow a habit, reap a character;  Sow a character, reap a destiny.

III.             I ALSO REAP FROM WHAT OTHERS HAVE SOWN

                        John 4:38

³⁸ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

                        We reap both good and bad from those who went before us.

                        Everything has consequences.          

                        Your life will affect future generations!

           

IV.              WE REAP IN A DIFFERENT SEASON THAN WE SOW

      Ecclesiastics 3:1-5

                        “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity

under heaven … A time to plant and a time to harvest … a time to scatter and a time to gather…’           

                        Fruit ripens gradually – not usually all ripe on the same day!

V.                 I ALWAYS REAP MORE THAN I SOW (Multiplication)

                        One kernel of corn…      

                                In the parable of the soils, Jesus gives an example

                        Mark 4:8

 “Some seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times."

                        This works either for/against you depending on what seeds you plant!

VI.              I CAN INCREASE MY HARVEST BY PLANTING MORE SEED

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NKJV)

²⁴ There is one who scatters, yet increases more, And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. ²⁵  The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (MESSAGE)

²⁴ The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. ²⁵ The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

VII.          THE TIME TO START PLANTING IS NOW

Ecclesiastic 11:4

⁴ He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Ecclesiastic 11:6

⁶ In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.

2 Corinthians 9:10

¹⁰ Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

VIII.        TO REAP A HARVEST I MUST HAVE FAITH AND NOT GIVE UP

Mark 4:26-28

²⁶ And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷ and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. ²⁸ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. ²⁹ But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.

Gal 6:9

⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.