Pastor Rob Wheeler

February 7, 2010

The Value of Wisdom

Proverbs 3:13-20

I. Wisdom blesses mankind (13)

A. People are blessed by finding wisdom and gaining understanding

Eccl 2:10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. NIV

B. Process of growing in wisdom brings great blessing

Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. NIV

Prov 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. NIV

II. Wisdom is better than wealth (14-15)

A. More profitable than silver or gold

B. More precious than rare stones

III. Wisdom brings good things to life (16-18)

A. Wisdom provides long life, riches, and honor

Eccl 5:13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, 14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him. 15 Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs.

He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. NIV

B. Wisdom is pleasant and her paths are peace

C. Wisdom provides eternal life

Gen 3:24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

NIV

Rev 22:2 …On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. NIV

Heb 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. NIV

1 Cor 1:24 …but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. NIV

IV. Wisdom of God brought about all of creation (19-20)

A. God put everything in place by His wisdom

Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. NIV

B. God planned the weather system through His wisdom