The Wise Man pt I
- Today we're beginning a brand new portion of our study in the book of Proverbs.
- so far we've had four main divisions in our study:
1. Introduction to the book of Proverbs.
- we talked about this type of literature…
- we even moved over to the book of Ecclesiastes and did a comparison and contrast
- next we studied…
2. Wisdom's call
- this was centered on the information in chapters 1, 8 and 9
- remember, in those verses, wisdom is personified…she speaks, she calls out, she beacons us…and foolishness does the same thing…
- the question in those chapters was…whom will you follow?…who will you listen to?…To what voice will you pay attention?
- then we worked on chapters 2-4…
3. Wisdom's path
- chapter 2 - Wisdom protects your path.
- chapter 3 - Wisdom directs your path.
- chapter 4 - Wisdom perfects your path.
- our goal was to use these truths to evaluate what path we're on…what direction are our feet headed…and for those of us still raising children, what path are they following?
- the last several weeks, we've been studying chapters 5-7, which deal with…
4. Avoiding sexual sin.
- chapter 5 - Sexual sin is eventually disappointing.
- chapter 6 - Sexual sin is gradually destructive.
- chapter 7 - Sexual sin is ultimately deadly.
- so here's the bottom line, our method has been a bit unconventional, but now we have studied the first 9 chapters of the book of Proverbs, and to the degree that we could, we've worked verse by verse through the chapters that are linked together with some common thread.
- but things are about to change…because the remaining chapters are not organized in such a way that we can study verse by verse…because the verses are not linked together…they are more stand alone…
- so because of the natural of the literature, our method has to change…
- instead of asking, how does the next verse develop this idea further, we have to ask, what other verses in the rest of the book address this topic, and how is it developed…
- thus, we'll be much more topical in the rest of our study, going from one verse to another and one chapter to another, trying to learn as much as we can about each topic that is raised.
- so the bottom line is, we let the type of literature determine our method of study.
- here's the plan over the next several weeks.
- we have "met" a variety of "people" in our study thus far…
- the wise man, the wicked man, the simple, the fool, and the scorner
- our goal now is to scour the remaining chapters of the book and learn all we can about each group.
- you could say it this way…we want to develop a biblical theology of the wise man, a biblical theology of the fool, etc.
- after that, we're going to deal with some of the headline topics that appear in the remainder of the book…things like money, and friendships, and communication, and drunkenness, and disrespect, and greed, and pride….
- so there is a lot of important material left…and I think we'll find it to be very helpful and profitable.
- now, with the rest of our time this morning, let’s talk about the wise man.
I. Characteristics of the Wise Man.
- obviously, a major character in the book is this man.
- but what is he like, and how did he become wise?
- for the first answer, and foundational answer, we have to go to the NT.
- we would be incomplete at every step of the way if we interpreted these words in the OT apart from what God has revealed to us in the NT.
A. Wise people trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 - and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- Colossians 2:3 - in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 - But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
- Warren Wiersbe - "Educated and trained people who ignore or reject Christ can succeed in making a good living, but without him they can never succeed in making a good life--one that glorifies God. The wisest thing a person can do is to trust Christ and live in obedience to Him."
- INPUT - What is your response to that statement? How can/should these words give us great hope?
- when we turn our attention to what is specifically said about wise persons in the book of Proverbs, several key ideas emerge.
- for the first one, please look at chapter 22:17-21 [Read]
B. Wise people listen to wise instruction, especially the Word of God.
1. they listen to wise words.
- I realize you might say, PV, this verse is a little self-serving--are you saying that your words are the "words of the wise"?…only to the degree to which my words are consistent with [in fact, emerge from] the Word of God.
- I don't see anyone around our church strutting around as if they are intrinsically wise…but on the other hand, I see a sincere desire to try to learn the Word of God…
[develop -- two challenges that I would like you to be thinking/praying about regarding our next five year ministry plan…
a. What additional ministries can we develop that make wise instruction more accessible to people in our church, and our community?
b. How can we help our children desire this kind of teaching?]
2. they avoid foolish words.
- Proverbs 4:23 - Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.
- there ought to be all kinds of things that we don't listen to, and that we don't allow our children to listen to…
- wise people have learned the art of discernment, and caution…
- now, let's add something else to the equation…what do the following verses contribute to our topic?
Proverbs 9:8-9 - Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, Reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
Proverbs 10:17 - He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray.
Proverbs 17:10 - A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
Proverbs 13:10 - Through presumption comes nothing but strife, But with those who receive counsel is wisdom.
Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
Proverbs 19:20 - Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
3. they benefit from wise rebuke and advice.
[if time, do the following question as a neighbor nudge…]
- INPUT - Write out several evaluative questions based on the verses above. What questions should be asking ourselves? What questions should we help our children ask?
C. Wise people fear the Lord.
- we saw in the beginning of the book that…
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- INPUT - What does it mean to "fear the Lord" and what are some characteristics of a person who rightly fears God?
1. It is a fountain of life - 14:27
2. It gives security - 14:26
3. It gives hope - 23:17-18
4. It promises long life - 10:27
5. It helps a person keep priorities straight - 15:16
6. It helps you avoid evil - 8:13
Adult Bible Fellowship
The Wise Man #1
Proverbs Series #26
1. Introduction to the book of Proverbs.
2. Wisdom's call
3. Wisdom's path
4. Avoiding sexual sin.
I. Characteristics of the Wise Man
A. Wise people ___________ Jesus Christ as ____________ and ________.
Warren Wiersbe - "Educated and trained people who ignore or reject Christ can succeed in making a good living, but without him they can never succeed in making a good life–one that glorifies God. The wisest thing a person can do is to trust Christ and live in obedience to Him."
INPUT - What is your response to that statement? How can/should these words give us great hope?
B. Wise people ____________ to wise instruction, especially the Word of God.
1. They listen to ________ words.
2. They avoid ____________ words.
Proverbs 4:23 - Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.
3. They _____________ from wise rebuke and advice.
C. Wise people _________ the _________.
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
INPUT - What does it mean to "fear the Lord" and what are some characteristics of a person who rightly fears God?
1. It is a ______________ of ________ - 14:27
2. It gives ____________ - 14:26
3. It gives _________ - 23:17-18
4. It promises ________ ________ - 10:27
5. It helps a person keep ______________ straight - 15:16
6. It helps you __________ evil - 8:13
