Increasing In Wisdom
Luke 2:40, 52
(40) And the child (Jesus) grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom:
and the
grace of God was upon him
(52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor
with God and man.
·
Define Wisdom
·
Give scriptural
support for obtaining wisdom
·
Give examples of
Wisdom in scripture
·
Apply concept of
wisdom to everyday lives
BALANCE
Critical
element of our foundational scripture
Verse
52 insight/knowledge/experience/resultant
action (wisdom) coupled with physical/social development (stature)
coupled with spiritual connectedness (favor of God). Jesus grew in mental, physical, spiritual,
and social maturity!
WISDOM -- Suggestions
Wisdom Gr. Sophia insight, discretion, prudence,
focus, specialized knowledge, practical & intellectual knowledge, mental maturity, common sense/book
senseact based on that understanding; a
unique knowledge of something; to
UNDERSTAND and TO DO GOODbased on that understanding!
e.g., Esther Chapters 4-6 Esther had a task and
she knew the urgency but she picked her time to go in for what she needed to
happen she was shrewd, discerning, focused, patient, and balanced in her
approach not emotional and reactionary but focused and wise
Example: A strong man or woman or a Woman or Man of
Strength/A wise man or woman or a Woman or Man of Wisdom broader
definition of who I am not just a description of me but it is a vested
position I hold I have wisdom and as a result I become a SOURCE of wisdom for
others.
KEY Aspect
of Wisdom it is
God given Wisdom of God (Divine Wisdom) vs. Wisdom of Man we all have
the capacity to have godly wisdom since we were created out of the Wisdom of
God!!!
PROVERBS
Wisdom
Books Job, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Song of Solomon . . .
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the
principal thing so get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding!
Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all
his mind but a wise man keepeth it in until afterward!
Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that
seems right to a man but in the end it leads to his destruction
Prov. 12:15
The way of a fool is
right in his own eyes but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise!
The Proverbs talk
about:
·
Avoiding
evil companions (chap 1)
·
Rewards
of wisdom (chap 2)
·
Rewards
of completely trust God (chap 3)
·
The
need for discipline
·
Wisdom
and Common Sense
·
Determination
·
The
Straight Path (chap 4)
·
Pursuing
Righteousness and Avoiding Evil
·
Sexual
Purity (chap 5)
·
The
Things God Hates (chapter 6
·
The
wise and the foolish
·
Chapter 31 The
Virtuous or Ideal Woman/Wife!!!
Proverbs
31:10-31 The Virtuous Woman
I. KNOWS HER
POSITION--ASSIGNMENT
She is:
·
Honest/Integrity (vs.
11)
·
Industrious she
seeks and works (vs. 13)
·
Servant attitude (vs.
15)
·
Not afraid of getting
hands dirty worker (vs. 13-16)
·
Physically Fit (vs. 17
·
Mentally Fit
confident in herself and others around her (vs. 18)
·
Giving, generous,
thoughtful, humble, kindhearted (vs. 19-20)
·
Fashionable and
elegant (vs. 21-22)
·
Helpmate to her
husband
·
Nurturer of her
children
·
Example to the
community
No time
for:
Gossip;
Sowing seeds of division; Jealousy or Envy She is
Happy,
Blessed, Determined and Focussed!
Not only
does she know her position she also:
II.
KNOWS HER
POWER!
·
Confident (vs. 18, 21,
24)
·
Selfless (vs. 27, 21)
·
Example to Others (vs.
25, 28, 29)
a. Clearly has dealt with her issues; the
pain of her past cant do all of this with unresolved pain
b. She has made some decisions;
c. Given up some dreams and replaced them
with new opportunities
d. She has gotten in touch with herself and
her strengths and is moving forward no matter what!
e. Healthy sense of herself
III. KNOWS GODS PROMISE
2
Corinthians 12:9-10
My grace
is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.
She
knows that if she surrenders and allows God to use her in his service that
his promise will be fulfilled never to leave her or forsake her.
------------
STRENGTH and
DIGNITY are her clothing Wisdom, Joy and Kindness are all around her (vs.
25) then read vs. 28-30
WISDOM is gained (and
nurtured) through prayer
WISDOM is gained through the fear of the Lord
WISDOM is gained through study of Gods Word
WISDOM is gained through suffering for the sake of Christ
WISDOM is gained through balancing our gifts, our blessings and our
giftings with our service to others and our sacrifices for the cause of Christ!
Our charge is to
increase in Wisdom!!!!! As Jesus Did
Ask yourself today
am I any different than I was last year this time?
Have I learned some
things from my mistakes and from my successes that cause me to act differently
than I use to?
Am I more patient in
situations that use to drive me crazy and stress me out?
Am I more giving in my
attitude toward others who are not where I believe I am?
Do I have a peace
which surpasses all understanding such that when things seem to be falling
down around me I can look up to the hills from which cometh my help and
trust God to fight my battles
Trust God to make a
Way
Trust God to do what
He promised he would do to never leave or forsake me?
Am I truly a new
creation in Christ?
These are questions we
should be asking ourselves as we walk this Christian journey. Being a Christian is about being made over
day after day! Growing in Christ day
after day and then transferring our Wisdom to others who are on their way
Are you a man or woman
of wisdom?