Let’s visit and chat for a while. I wish it could be possible to visit with each of you personally, but distance makes that impossible. We have readers all over the globe, and I would dearly love to visit your state or country. I’ll bet where you live is beautiful. God certainly made a wonderful planet we are all privileged to call home. I enjoy where He has put me, and I hope the same is true for you.
Before I go any further, several of you asked about the class I teach and what two questions I gave for a final. For those of you who might not remember, I gave my students three questions a week prior to the test. I directed them to study all three, because they would see two of those questions on the exam. They would not know which two, so it was imperative they study all three. On exam night, they would choose from one of those two and write an essay on it. Low and behold I had a student who studied only one question, and it was not the one I selected for the exam. Fortunately this is a good student who remembered the prior lessons and did well. The question I eliminated was the one about Alexander The Great. The other two, Assyria, and Babylon, were on the test. About half wrote on Assyria, and half wrote on Babylon. All of my students passed the class, the large majority with A’s. Those people really made the class enjoyable. This past semester was my rookie semester, and they made it so easy. It is truly an honor to have had people work so hard. Only once did I have to answer a, “But how do you know…?” with a, “Because I’m a professor, that’s how I know.” I still have one question to answer. The question came from my own daughter, Amanda, who is a psychology student through Liberty University in Virginia. Her question was a theological humdinger, so I’m looking into it.
Yesterday at Friendship Harmony was fantastic, but before I go any further, I want to say “Thank you” to our ladies. On the second Sunday of each month we have a carry in fellowship meal at the conclusion of our morning service. This month we had a soup, salad, and dessert supper. Wow!!! I believe the ladies of Friendship Harmony are some of the finest cooks around! The word “delicious” does not come close to describing the meals they fix and bring in. At Friendship Harmony you can feast both spiritually and physically. If you are ever in the area, stop by on a second Sunday of the month and see for yourself. Thank you to all of those who contribute to our monthly meals. Just so I don’t leave anyone out, somtime our men fix something as well. Thanks to everybody involved.
The message was on wisdom. I really enjoyed preaching this one. The notes are below, and the video should be available sometime on Tuesday. For those who might not know, it actually takes longer to upload the video than it does to preach. I am indebted to Jim and Gwen Cook for taking the time to see to it that you can watch the videos. This is their ministry and they do it so very well. You can see the videos at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. You you do NOT have to have a Facebook account to see the video. If you know of someone who cannot get to church, invite them to watch. Better yet, why not watch it with them. I’m sure they would enjoy your fellowship. Here is yesterday’s notes.
The Gift Of Wisdom ©
Proverbs 4:7
By Victor Cooper
10/11,12/13
Intro: A teacher once asked the assembled students, “Who can untie the gold bell under the neck of a tiger?”
None could answer. At this point ask the congregation.
Another teacher came into the class, and the first repeated the same question.
The visitor replied, “Let the one who tied the bell undo it.”
Intro: King Solomon is considered one of the wisest men who ever lived. In I Kings 3, and II Chronicles 1, we read that Solomon asked God for wisdom and understanding. God granted his request. That same wisdom is just as available to us today as it was to Solomon many centuries ago.
I. Our text verse teaches that wisdom and understanding can be achieved.
Note: Wisdom and understanding are often linked.
A. To get it one must see its worth and desire it.
Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
B. Getting wisdom brings its own rewards.
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
II. You can get wisdom by asking God for it.
James 1:5 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.
1. God gives it liberally. Bountifully; generously
“There is absolutely no reason for a Christian to not have wisdom and understanding.” Pastor Victor Cooper, 10/13/13
III. There is a wisdom to avoid. Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
A. Note what Solomon din NOT say. “Depart from evil. then fear the LORD.
1. That would be a works approach
2. You cannot depart from evil without first having a holy, reverential respect for the LORD!
B. Any wisdom which does not honor Christ must be avoided.
Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Conclusion: Wisdom is not to be hoarded, wisdom is to be used.
Illustration: Best Leave Rock On Snake’s Back
A large rock fell on the back of a snake one day, says an old fable. The snake called to a calf who was passing to remove it, but he refused. “If I take it off, you will bite me,” he said. “No,” replied the snake, “I will promise not to bite.”
The poor calf removed the rock and they went on together. “Now I am going to bite you,” said the snake. “But you promised not to,” the poor calf said. “I know, but it is my nature to bite and I cannot help it.”
They met a fox just then and the calf asked him to settle the dispute. He would not, unless he could see how the rock was placed on the snake.
Then the fox turned to the calf and said, “Now that the rock is on his back I think it is safest to leave it there.”
That little illustration definitely shows both wisdom and un derstanding. Understanding is using the wisdom you have. A wise man or woman will use it well.
Have a good upcoming week. Some of our winter friends are starting to filter back in, so if you plan to travel to Florida to see us, please be careful out on those roads. I want to see you arrive safely, and I hope to see all of you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!
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