WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:05.599 All right, well, if you would grab your Bibles now and turn them to uh Proverbs chapter four. 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:08.720 Proverbs is the uh the new series that we began. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:10.720 It is on uh wisdom. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:15.839 Of course, we all need wisdom, we all lack wisdom, uh, and we know where wisdom is found. 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:24.399 It is found uh in our God, from our Lord, in his word, and so we are going to it uh for those very things. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:36.640 Now, if you um if there's something that you highly value in life, okay, there are chances are uh you you pursue that thing, right? 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:40.000 You you go after it and you want it. 00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:57.679 Okay, so for example, if you value uh something like wealth or or or even accumulating possessions, okay, you are probably putting in the effort that it takes to gain more of those things. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:10.319 You you probably work hard, you're you're you're trying to make money, you're trying to save money, maybe you're you're trying to get the cottage or or or get more another TV or whatever it might have. 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:15.200 You value something, you order your life in a way that helps you to go after it. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:18.719 Okay, another example, if you value health, right? 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:22.079 The chances are you're gonna take care of yourself. 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:24.959 You are going to eat a certain way. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:31.439 You are going to make sure that you get lots of exercise and you're you're working out. 00:01:31.599 --> 00:01:40.560 You're also gonna be, you know, probably have a focus on your mental health and and making sure uh that things are in a good place that way. 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:45.439 Hey, something that I value, I've said this before, uh, is the game of golf. 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:47.439 Okay, I I definitely value that game. 00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:53.359 And so as you can imagine, I spend uh some energy and some time uh trying to get better. 00:01:53.519 --> 00:02:09.360 You know, it could be something as simple as making sure my clubs are in the car and I can stop by the driving range or at the putting green and spend 20 minutes, half an hour there on my way home after work, or or or just you know, time out in the evening or an early morning or or whatever. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:17.199 I mean, you know, I know for me, because I I value golf highly, I'm looking at ways that I can upgrade equipment and spend money. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:23.120 And uh, I mean, if you want to get kind of a deeper, darker understanding of that, just talk to uh my wife. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:23.599 Right? 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:27.919 I have uh very much a passion for that, I value it, and I go after it. 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:33.360 Again, what we value is what we end up pursuing. 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:39.199 Okay, and we do that typically with a sense of determination and a sense of passion. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:03:01.520 Okay, well, our verse today shows us the importance of valuing wisdom and pursuing it, okay, and that uh there are great blessings that come to you and I when we you know when we when we pursue that and when we actually grab hold of and grasp wisdom. 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:03.840 All right, so here's our big idea today. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:05.599 Again, just one thing as we've been doing. 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:11.199 Okay, I will value wisdom and pursue it with determination. 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:16.159 Okay, now we see this here in Proverbs 4, uh, starting in verse 7. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:19.520 Looking at verse 7 and 8 today, here's what it says. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:22.960 It says, the beginning of wisdom. 00:03:23.360 --> 00:03:27.439 Okay, so you might be now remembering back to just last week. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:30.319 We looked at uh Proverbs 1, verse 7. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:38.639 And we saw there that the beginning, again, it uses the same word there, the beginning of knowledge or wisdom, what uh is the fear of the Lord. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:41.919 And again, that's exactly what we went into uh last week. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:47.199 And now this week, today, this verse, it's telling us that there's there's even more to the beginning of wisdom. 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:52.319 There's more to the start of our journey towards obtaining wisdom. 00:03:52.400 --> 00:04:06.560 And and so really what we're doing here this morning is is really just continuing to lay the groundwork or really build the foundation for what wisdom is and what that looks like in our life, right? 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:12.080 If we want wisdom, we better look at the verses and say, well, here's what the beginning of wisdom uh really is. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:12.800 Okay? 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:18.240 Now, here's what the beginning of wisdom is, according to verse 7. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:18.879 Take a look. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:21.839 It's this get wisdom. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:27.600 Okay, get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:30.240 Okay, it just says, get it. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:34.240 Now I love what Derek uh Kidner uh said about this. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:37.519 He's a commentary, he's written commentaries of a bunch of books of the Bible. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:41.360 This is what he says about this very verse here, and it's on the screen for you. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:49.600 It says, What it takes when it comes to getting wisdom, what it takes is not brains or opportunity, uh, but decision. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:51.040 Okay, do you want it? 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:52.160 Do you want wisdom? 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:53.839 Okay, well, come and get it. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:59.040 Okay, and I think this really goes in line with James 1, verse 5, which I think about all the time. 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:03.199 It's if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God. 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:04.879 If you lack it, ask God. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:10.720 God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:18.240 Alright, so so if we think about wisdom, I think sometimes we think of it as as smarts or brains. 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:27.040 Okay, but but wisdom is not really about being the smartest person in the room and and and knowing more than other people. 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:40.000 Not exactly it, or you know, it's not about having the highest IQ and and testing really well and having high scores in all of that, or or degrees, or whatever. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:58.879 Rather, it's it's simply about placing the right amount of importance on accumulating wisdom and then determining in your hearts and in your minds, with your will and your volition here, okay, that you're gonna pursue it with hunger, right? 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:00.959 Like a voracious appetite. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:09.519 Okay, I will I will value wisdom that much, okay, which is really what Solomon, the author of this, is urging us to do here. 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:10.959 Look at verse 8 now. 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:14.240 He says, prize her highly. 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:18.160 Okay, so he's personifying wisdom here, prize her highly. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:20.319 In other words, value it. 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:21.120 Right, right? 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:26.000 Treat it as though it's it's something great to have, which it is. 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:26.639 Why? 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:37.360 Well, because when you do, it says there, continue along, it says, she will she will exalt you, she will honor you if you embrace her. 00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:48.800 Okay, meaning that if or or when you embrace wisdom, that that determined pursuit of wisdom, okay, it'll come through in the clutch for you when you when you most need it. 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:51.439 I mean, is that not what we want? 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:55.199 I mean, I've even asked you to kind of think about this now. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:07:01.839 What are the various areas in your life where just like automatically, you know, like, man, I need wisdom there? 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:02.480 Right? 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:07.439 Maybe for you it's it's just like it's navigating the dating scene. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:08.000 Right? 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:09.120 Is that where you're at? 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:10.800 And you're like, man, I'm in a lockdown. 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:17.439 It's not like I can get out and and meet people, and this whole thing is happening online, and I'm and am I being just sold a bill of goods here? 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:19.439 Am I really getting to know this person? 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:25.040 Or or maybe as it progresses, you're like, should we, you know, should we get engaged and get married? 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:27.279 Are we are we rushing this? 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:36.639 Or or is it one of those like when you know you know things and and and we should move towards marriage quickly and and and in an but in a wise way, right? 00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:39.680 You're you're seeking wisdom, I think, in these areas. 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:40.959 Many people are. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:43.680 Parents out there, I mean, I don't know. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.360 I'm I'm always thinking about wisdom. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:46.639 I need wisdom. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:49.120 I feel like I'm constantly asking the Lord for that. 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:56.879 I mean, when from the from the moment our kids are born till beyond when they leave the house, right? 00:07:56.959 --> 00:07:58.639 And they grow up and they're older. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:01.600 I mean, we need wisdom in parenting. 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:11.199 We need to know how to how to shepherd and and guide them and encourage them and and rebuke them at times and be a support to them. 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:13.680 You know, at every at every stage. 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:15.839 I mean, that requires wisdom. 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:23.120 For many of us, we just need we need wisdom when it comes to various challenges that you that we experience in the workplace. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:26.319 You know, what should I what should I do here? 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.319 And how should I handle that person? 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:34.000 And and and and you know, it seems like I'm working a lot of hours and that and that's a good thing, but I want to be wise about it. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:38.799 I don't want to I don't want to burn out and and and kind of destroy myself or neglect my family. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:41.279 And again, wisdom's needed there. 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:44.720 It's needed when it comes when it comes to counseling people. 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:50.960 Okay, what's the what's the right counsel and what's the the thing that this person needs most? 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.639 Do they need the encouragement? 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:55.360 I think so much of counseling is just encouraging people. 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:56.799 Life's hard, right? 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:21.840 It's very, very difficult, and we want to encourage people to not grow weary of doing good and and and and and sin is difficult, and we gotta we you know we gotta submit ourselves to the Lord and ask for power from the Holy Spirit and continue to repent and cling to Him and believe what's true, and we gotta do all of that, and and so when do I do that versus when do I need to say a bit more of a stern word? 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:32.559 And again, maybe it's a rebuke, and the person is doing some very unwise things, and they need me to kind of shake them a little bit and and and warn them of the dangers of where they're going. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:35.759 Lord, give us wisdom in in those areas. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:40.399 God, give us wisdom when it comes to money and and our finances. 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:45.759 You know, how much should I be saving versus how much should I be spending? 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:53.120 I don't want to spend beyond my means, but I at the same time I don't want to just hoard and have all this money and be stingy with all that. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:57.279 I want to be I want to be generous and and wisdom there. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:04.320 We need wisdom when it comes to something like hobbies and and and things like like rest and and entertainment. 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:16.559 I mean, I just mentioned I I love to golf, and and and there have been multiple times throughout my life where I've thought, man, like like I I love this too much, and I'm getting too angry because I'm lousy at golf. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.639 And and man, should I just be giving this up? 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:22.240 Like this is it's something that's supposed to be fun and I'm not enjoying it. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:34.720 And I I've taken years away from the game, and at the same time realizing just last summer, like it's been good for me to get outside and and and be with some some friends, and it's just been good for me mentally to do that, but I want to I want to balance that right. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:38.799 I think anything that is your hobby, it can just take over your life. 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.279 Right? 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:42.639 Or or we push it aside and think it's just about working. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.440 We need wisdom there. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:56.559 How about wisdom when it comes to our response to the you know the pandemic and and and and lockdowns and and what we're reading and hearing in the news? 00:10:56.639 --> 00:11:00.480 I mean, as a pastor, I'm I'm constantly feeling the burden of this. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:03.679 And and and like, how do I how do I lead our church? 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:06.080 Our elders talk about this and think about this all the time. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:19.039 We're praying, like, Lord, give us wisdom in this, and and like, you know, I have no desire to be reckless and and and not care about people's health, and and and I don't want to be unsafe and and all of that. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:26.639 And I recognize that so many of us have have been impacted by people who have have even have even lost their lives because of all of this. 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:28.559 And so, God, give us wisdom in that. 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:38.399 But at the same time, you know, I I really honestly, I'm just being honest with you, church, I question a lot of the decisions that are being made here from higher levels of government. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:40.000 I I question the restrictions. 00:11:40.080 --> 00:12:03.919 I'm seeing that and hearing so much about the dangers of what's happening and the increased levels of domestic abuse and pornography and and just the proud depression and suicide, and all of these things are going up as people are just stuck at home and and can't do as much, and you know, religious freedoms being restricted, and all this fear-mongering that's going on in mainstream media and from our government? 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:08.159 I mean, God, give us wisdom. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:10.000 Give us wisdom with this. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:21.120 And so again, I would ask you are you pursuing wisdom in these areas of life, or or the very many others that I have not even mentioned? 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:41.840 Okay, wherever it is that you need it, do you value it enough to turn to the Lord right to ask him for wisdom and to continue to pursue it until you see it in your life and see its impact in your life? 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:47.360 Are you willing to ask questions when you're not sure what to do? 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:49.120 Are you willing to pray? 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:58.720 Are you willing to study and and read and have conversations with people about these things and grow in the area of wisdom? 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:09.200 Well, listen, we want to give us uh a moment here to pray and to to bring these things to the Lord and ask him for help. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:24.639 And and maybe for you, it's even like, Lord, give me a greater desire for wisdom, that I pursue it, that I wouldn't be lazy or neglecting this desire, that I would prize her highly, that I would go after this, that I would want it, and and to again to apply it to my life. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:31.519 And again, we want to pray as well that the Lord would actually give him, give us wisdom in the various areas that we need need it. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:36.240 And so we want to give you a few moments if you're at the office to pray with the people there. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:38.960 If you're at home, gather you know with your families. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:45.519 And again, if you uh need to, we're gonna have a time of prayer here in just a few moments at 9.50 on Zoom. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:55.519 And you can find the link in the email that was sent to you this morning or on our website, and I'll meet you there in just a few moments to pray, to pray that the Lord would give us wisdom. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:57.120 And so I just want to do that right now. 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:57.759 I want to pray. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:00.960 And so I would encourage you to join me as we do that, Lord. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:03.200 We thank you for uh this time together. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:06.399 We thank you for uh these two verses, Lord. 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:16.720 It's amazing how much there is in just a couple of short verses and how impacted we can be and how much there is to chew on uh in just a few words, even. 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:23.279 And so, God, I pray that that our church would grow in valuing wisdom. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:42.000 Lord, that we would not trust our own thoughts, we would not trust our own hearts and our own flesh, but that we would seek you for how to conduct ourselves, our how to think, how to act, how to speak, how to respond in the various ways that we do in the various areas of life. 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:44.799 And so, God, as we pray, would you hear our cries? 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:48.320 Lord, would you would you be honored through this? 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:49.759 Lord, would you be worshipped? 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:50.879 Would you be glorified? 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:53.679 Would you make us strong in you? 00:14:54.399 --> 00:15:01.120 So it's in the it's in your name, Lord, that we pray these things and we pray it in Christ's name. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.159 Amen.