Pursuing Godly Wisdom

A Call to Spiritual Growth

In this sermon, Pastor Jonathan opened with a relatable illustration from the beloved children’s cartoon Bluey. He recounted a scene where Bandit, the father figure, teaches his daughters a lesson in disappointment and acceptance when their ice cream melts. Instead of offering more ice cream, Bandit imparts a “valuable life lesson.” This anecdote effectively introduces the sermon’s central theme: What essential wisdom do we wish to impart to the next generation? To answer this, Pastor Jonathan turns to the ancient and enduring wisdom found within the Book of Proverbs, emphasizing its value as a guide for living a life of virtue and integrity that we can share with those who follow us.

“I don’t know about you but I want to pass on valuable life lessons to the next generation”

Pursuing Godly Wisdom Over Worldly Knowledge

Pastor Jonathan’s first major point is a call to prioritize Godly wisdom above the accumulation of mere worldly knowledge. He outlines a four-step process derived from Proverbs 1, which serves as a blueprint for acquiring and utilizing wisdom in a way that honors God. The first step is to actively learn Godly wisdom, which can be found in the teachings of the Bible and through the insights of those who walk a path of faith. The second step involves remembering and understanding this wisdom, not just as information but as a foundation for moral living. Thirdly, we are encouraged to apply this wisdom in our daily lives by choosing what is right and just, thereby embodying the principles we have learned. The final step is to pass this wisdom on to others, particularly the young, ensuring that the legacy of Godly understanding continues through the ages. Pastor Jonathan emphasizes that true wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord, which he clarifies is less about terror and more about profound respect and reverence for the divine.

Pursuing Godly Wisdom Over Worldly Success

The sermon’s second key point addresses the choice between pursuing Godly wisdom and chasing after worldly, selfish success. Pastor Jonathan draws from Proverbs 1 to caution against the temptation of engaging in wicked schemes for personal gain. He argues that such pursuits ultimately rob us of the true life found in service to God and others. He reminds us that our purpose is not to serve our own selfish interests but to live in a way that reflects our commitment to God’s will and the well-being of our community. By prioritizing Godly wisdom, we align ourselves with a higher calling that transcends the fleeting allure of material success.

Pursuing Godly Wisdom Over Human Wisdom

In his final point, Pastor Jonathan warns against allowing human wisdom to overshadow or reject the divine wisdom that is personified in Proverbs 1. He explains that when we dismiss God’s wisdom, we open ourselves up to calamity and suffering. Conversely, embracing and heeding God’s wisdom offers us a life of safety, free from fear and filled with peace. Pastor Jonathan underscores the importance of recognizing the limitations of human understanding and the transformative power of divine insight.

“I want to make a case that God wants us to pursue godly wisdom”

To conclude his sermon, Pastor Jonathan shares heartfelt personal anecdotes about his own father, who exemplified the passing down of wisdom through his actions, his interests, and his identity in Christ. These stories serve as concrete examples of how wisdom can be integrated into every aspect of life and shared across generations. Pastor Jonathan passionately advocates for the pursuit of true wisdom found in Jesus Christ, emphasizing that it is only through knowing and following Jesus that we can hope to impart lasting and meaningful wisdom to future generations. The sermon is a stirring call to action, urging the congregation to invest in the next generation by living out Godly wisdom in every facet of their lives.

Discussion Questions

1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of pursuing Godly wisdom over worldly knowledge or success. In what areas of your life are you tempted to prioritize worldly pursuits over seeking God’s wisdom? How can you realign your priorities this week?

2. Pastor Jonathan outlines a four-step process for acquiring and utilizing wisdom from Proverbs 1: learn, understand, apply, and pass it on. Which of these steps do you find most challenging, and why? What practical steps can you take to strengthen that area?

3. The sermon cautions against engaging in wicked schemes for personal gain, as they ultimately rob us of true life. Can you think of a time when you were tempted to compromise your values for selfish reasons? How did you navigate that situation, and what did you learn from it?

4. Pastor Jonathan emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limitations of human understanding and embracing divine wisdom. In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying too heavily on your own understanding? How can you cultivate a greater openness to God’s wisdom this week?

5. The sermon highlights the importance of passing on Godly wisdom to the next generation. Whether you have children or not, what are some practical ways you can invest in the lives of younger people and share the wisdom you’ve gained from your walk with Christ?

Prompt: This week, identify one area of your life where you need to prioritize Godly wisdom over worldly pursuits or human understanding. Commit to taking specific steps to seek God’s wisdom in that area through prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking counsel from mature believers.

Prayer Prompts

1. Confession: Lord, forgive me for the times I have pursued worldly wisdom and success at the expense of seeking Your wisdom. Help me to humble myself and embrace a reverent fear of You that leads to true knowledge.

2. Petition: Heavenly Father, I ask that You grant me a deep hunger and thirst for Your wisdom found in the Scriptures, especially the book of Proverbs. Open my eyes to understand and apply its life-giving truths.  

3. Intercession: God, I lift up the next generation to You. May they encounter wise spiritual mentors and parents who model lives surrendered to Your wisdom. Raise up voices that call them to pursue an eternal perspective.

4. Praise: I praise You, Lord, for You are the source of all wisdom. Your ways are higher than our ways, and Your thoughts than our thoughts. Thank You for graciously revealing Your wisdom to those who seek You wholeheartedly.

5. Resolution: Search me, O God, and know my heart. I commit myself anew to walking in obedience to Your wisdom day by day. May my life become a living testimony that points others to the transformative power of Christ.

Proverbs 1 (NIV)

Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.

Wisdom’s Rebuke
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:

22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord.
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”