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Wisdom’s Call
Finishing Well
I Kings 11
Pastor Tom
1-27-10

Introduction – How does someone so wise end up being deceived?

I. Solomon’s defection – vv.1-8

• A mother’s warning – Proverbs 31:3
• Scripture recounts – Nehemiah 13:26
• 700 wives, 300 concubines, none good- Ecclesiastes 7:28
• Horses first – wives second – Deuteronomy 17:16-17

II. God’s Anger – vv.9-13

• From appearance to displeasure
• Base ingratitude
• Split kingdom

III. God sent enemies – vv.14, 23

• Adversaries in David’s time
• Gave away posterity to Jeroboam – v.31

IV. Too late to change? – vv. 41- 43

• Solomon’s memoir – Ecclesiastes 7:25-26

Conclusion – God’s mercy – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

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Wisdom’s Call
Watch Our Mouth
Proverbs 18:2, 6-8, 13, 21
James Jackson, Guest Speaker
1-20-10

Introduction: Our mouth can be our greatest weapon or worst enemy… (James 3:3, NLT)

I. Our Mouth Tells On Us (v. 2)

• Fools have trouble keeping their mouth shut
  • Wisdom uses the Word of God to filter our words
  • Fools say whatever comes to their mind
• A wise person knows when to be silent (Proverbs 17:27, NLT)
  • Listening to a person will reveal what they are.
  • Watch out for people who seem to always express their opinions, especially when their opinions are baseless and contradictory.
  • We are known by the company we keep. (Prov. 13:3, NLT)

II. Our Mouth Will Get Us into Trouble

• Our mouth can write a check the rest of our body can’t cash (V. 6)
  • This is physical trouble
  • It is wiser to run then to run your mouth (V 7)
• Our mouth may create a trap we cannot escape
  • This is spiritual trouble, and harder to get away from
  • Don’t make promises you can’t keep (James 5:12, ESV)
• James is quoting Christ’s words from Matthew 5:37
• Christ debunks the idea that swearing on something other than the Lord was an oath that could be broken (Numbers 30:2, NLT) (Ecclesiastes 5:4, ESV)
• People thought an oath would not count if it were sworn upon:
  • • The temple
    • The altar
    • The Gold on the Altar Or Today
    • Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye
    • I swear on my grandmother’s grave
    • I swear on my kid’s life
    • I swear on my mother’s eyes
    • The “Pinky” promise
• When we make a promise as Christians, the Lord will hold us to it

III. Our Mouth Can Create Evil (v8)

• Rumors are stories with unverified or doubtful truth
• Rumors sink deep down and are almost impossible to undo
  • Rumors can create a whirlwind of gossip
  • Rumors constantly change and are usually not based on facts
• Rumors and Gossip are twins
  • Rumors spread like wild fire
  • Rumors and gossip are irresistible to fools, like sweet deserts – “a moment on the lips forever on the hips”
  • Gossip is sinful
  • Gossip is hurtful (Proverbs 16:28, NLT)

IV. Our Mouth Moves Too Quick (v 13)

• It is foolish to give an answer before we have all the facts
• We should be active listeners and give others the same attention we expect

V. Our Mouth Has More Power Than We Think (v. 21)

• The mouth can kill far more people than a sword or gun
  • Hitler killed between 11-17 million people
  • Stalin killed 23 million plus people
  • Mao Ze-Dong killed an astonishing 49-78 million people
• The mouth can bring life when it is energized by the Spirit of God
  • Martin Luther King- (We celebrated his 81st birthday this week)
    • Born January 15th 1929
    • 3rd generation minister
    • His mouth was energized by the Word of God
    • His mouth brought life to countless millions of people

Conclusion: Wisdoms call is to watch our mouth as we live like we are dying. Bless those around us and think before we speak. Don’t let the enemy use our mouth to take advantage of those around us, rather be filled with the Spirit and become a blessing to others.

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Wisdom’s Call
I Thought I Saw a Puddy Cat
Proverbs 27:12 (NLT)
Pastor Tom
1-13-10

Introduction – Life would be easier the second time around but we only get one chance.

I. The wise traveler – v 12a

• He understands that life is connected
• The cause and effect relationship between today’s choice and tomorrows experience
• Appropriate action when danger is ahead

II. The naïve traveler – v.12b

• Lives as though life is disconnected
• They know it’s connected but do not act as if it is – Keep going

III. The difference

• One changes, one does not
• Suffer for being oblivious to the obvious – Proverbs 22:7(NLT)
• Michael Vick

IV. What should I do?

• Take refuge – Action – Be extreme
• What to expect: embarrassment and relief
• Pay now/play later

Conclusion – Change direction, for it determines destination

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Wisdom’s Call
Aligning Intention and Direction
Proverbs 7
Pastor Tom
1-6-10

Introduction – Good intentions do not determine direction: the road I have chosen does.

I. Connecting the Dots

• We do not lose our way purposefully
• We do not know when ‘lost’ happens
• The road we are on determines the destination
• Falsehood – If I have a good heart and intentions, no matter the path I choose, I will end up in a good place.

II. Solomon’s window – vv. 6-7

• Frontal lobe undeveloped until mid-twenties
• Where is he headed: Trouble – vv. 8-9
• How could he not see? – vv.10-12
• Quick to confess, slow to repent – vv.13-15
• The clincher – vv. 16-20

III. True destination – v. 21t

• Ox to the slaughter – v. 22a
• Throwing his future away – vv. 22b-23
• Do not go on that path – vv.24-25
• Many on the highway – vv.26-27

IV. Nothing new

• So and so needs to hear this:
• Are there disconnects between desire and choices?

Conclusion – Take a new road – Proverbs 7:4

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The Hunt for the High Places
Wisdom’s Call
Pastor Cook
December 27, 2009

Introduction: Oops, I missed Minneapolis – II Corinthians 10:4-5

I. Making it personal

• The history
• The condition
• The declaration

II. The high places tolerated

• I and II Kings, II Chronicles
• What is a high place/stronghold?
• The grace side – The mercy side

III. The Results

• A broken heart Psalm 51:17
• The New Covenant – Nehemiah 9:16-17
• The fresh oil – Psalm 92:10b, 12-14
• Life results

Conclusion: Time with God – He is The Path – The Abundance of Rain.

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Heaven’s Good News
Wisdom’s Call
Luke 2:8-14
Pastor Tom
December 20, 2009

Introduction: The world loves to deliver bad news – Good News comes from above. James 1:17

I. The setting – v. 8

• Not sent to chief priests or elders
• Shepherds like Moses and David
• Not sleeping but alert

II. The sudden spectacular – v. 9

• Dispatched with great speed – Luke 1:26
• Conscious of their guilt caused fear

III. The declaration – vv.10-12

• Fear not I bring good news for you.
• Great joy for all people – Isaiah 9:6
• Remarkable for His humility – A stable – Philippians 2:6-8
• Only suitable payment for our guilt

IV. The result of Good News – vv. 13-14

• Glory to God in the Highest – Revelation 5:11-12 (God’s wisdom designed redemption so that no divine attribute is glorified at the expense of the other)
• Good will ambassador – mediator – receptive
• Peace through Grace – Ephesians 2:1-10

Conclusion: Jesus Christ is heavens Good News to all who believe – Let us live for Him.

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Wisdom’s Call
The Third Option Fantasy
Pastor Tom
December 16th, 2009

Introduction – Relationships are either growing or diminishing in intimacy – is a plateau possible?

I. The danger of neutral spirituality – Matthew 12:43-45

• The blessing of cleansing – Genesis 4:4
• The failure to replace – Genesis 4:3, 5-7
• Neutral is an easy target – Exodus 16:1-3
• Neutral is death – Numbers 13:30-33; Matthew 15: 8-9

II. The blessing of choosing intimacy

• Proverbs 10:17 – Accept correction – get life
• Proverbs 11:23 – Do right – get happy
• Proverbs 11:25 – Bless others – get a full heart
• Proverbs 14:30 – Pease with God – get life

Conclusion – Luke 10:38-42 – Martha and Mary’s interaction with Jesus proves intimacy with Christ is the only lasting option.

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Wisdom’s Call
The Great Meeting at the Manger
Proverbs 22:2-4
Pastor Tom
12-13-09

Introduction – Riches, or lack thereof, separate mankind into groups or classes but all stand the same before God.

I. Why some rich, some poor? V. 2

• Rich – charitable, thankful, benevolent
• Poor – patience, contentment, dependence
• I Corinthians 12:21 – Need each other
• Meet together before God – Romans 3:10, 19b

II. Planning ahead – v. 3

• The coming storm – Judgment
• Hiding – James 5:20
• Rash inconsideration of living momentarily

III. The manger manifest – v. 4

• Submission to Christ-child
• Poor shepherds – Luke 2:12, 20
• Rich- Magi – Wise Men – Matthew 2: 10, 11

Conclusion – As rich and poor place themselves under the covenant of grace, eternal life becomes the future.

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Wisdom’s Call
The Difference Christmas Makes
Proverbs 3:27-35
Pastor Tom
12-06-09

Introduction – God giving His Son to and for the world’s sake changes the whole viewpoint of life – John 3:16

I. The Christian’s duty – vv. 27-28

• What is due – v. 27
  • Our debts
  • Wages
  • Care for family
  • Church and state
  • Friendship
  • Charity to poor
• What it takes – diligence – v. 28

II. Christian abstinence – vv.29-31

• Take advantage of innocent neighbor – v. 29
• Striving and suing – v. 30
• Envious of rich oppressors – v. 31; Psalm 37: 1-2

III. Proving envy wrong – vv. 32-35

• Sinners repulse God – Saints are intimate – v. 32
• Sinners are cursed – Saints are blessed – v. 33
• Sinners are resisted – Saints are respected – v. 34; I Peter 5:5b
• Sinners are shamed – Saints will shine – v. 35

Conclusion – Promoted into glory or shame? – II Corinthians 3:18

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Wisdom’s Call
The Excellency of Wisdom
Proverbs 3:19-26
Pastor Tom
12-2-09

Introduction – Tuning our ears for God’s wisdom keeps us safe when trouble abounds.

I. Founded by wisdom – vv.19-20

• Cannot be removed – earth, natural laws
• Directed the heavens – vast , motion
• Sure as precipitation cycle
• V. 13 – Wisdom supplies happiness

II. Renewal equals retention – v. 21

• To have in view – eyes, mind
• Wander into vanity
• To have at heart
• The principles and ways of it

III. Life advantage vv. 22-25

• Life to soul – awaken when lazy – v.22a
• Grace for words and actions – v. 22b
• Protection from God for:
• Natural life – v. 23a
• Temptation – v. 23b
• Resting – v. 24 – down time
• Immediate trouble – v. 25a
• Destructive designs of men – v.25b

Conclusion – v. 26 A sure (confident) foot keeps us upright.