Multiple Choice: Sapphires Or Wisdom?
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: One of the disciplines of a concerned Christian should be continuing education.
Life is a multiple-choice activity. We are faced with decisions every day, and it would seem the best preparation for making the best possible choices would entail being well educated. The political vote, handling finances, moral decisions, questions raised by our children, etc. are examples of difficult questions we must answer or decide. The beautiful story of Solomon asking God for wisdom instead of wealth (1 Kings 3:1-14) should be a lesson and an inspiration to all of us. I suspect that given the choice, most of us would choose wealth over wisdom. The book of Proverbs, which was naturally attributed to Solomon, stresses the importance of wisdom, and even becomes emphatic on the matter (1:1-6, 22-33 and 8:1-36). Explicitly, wisdom is better than jewels (8:11) and everything else for that matter. Wisdom must be high on the Christian's priorities, but I don't see that as a reality.
a. What is wisdom? It is both knowledge and common sense. Both are derived from conscientious study. Intelligence helps, but wisdom is attainable despite intelligence. Education is critical and should never end. Education is attending classes of all kinds (and there is a great variety available for us today), reading the Bible and reading in general, attending Sunday school, keeping up with the news, having creative hobbies, thinking and meditation, getting acquainted with God's world, using libraries, educational television instead of Miami Vice, asking questions, doing new and different things, challenging one's mind with puzzles. In other words, having a voracious appetite for knowing. Scientists tell us that our minds do not slow up with age as much as we think, but rather because we tell ourselves they will or we simply let them.
b. Why is it necessary? 1) To enjoy life more. 2) To have a better life. 3) To be able to know and do God's will. 4) To be mentally alert and healthy as we age. 5) (There's more.)
c. Why not? 1) We are suspicious of education. 2) We are complacent and happy with things as they are (but we're not). 3) We don't have confidence in our capacities. 4) We do not like learning (when we get into it in earnest, we grow to enjoy it thoroughly).
Jesus said to be wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16).
Life is a multiple-choice activity. We are faced with decisions every day, and it would seem the best preparation for making the best possible choices would entail being well educated. The political vote, handling finances, moral decisions, questions raised by our children, etc. are examples of difficult questions we must answer or decide. The beautiful story of Solomon asking God for wisdom instead of wealth (1 Kings 3:1-14) should be a lesson and an inspiration to all of us. I suspect that given the choice, most of us would choose wealth over wisdom. The book of Proverbs, which was naturally attributed to Solomon, stresses the importance of wisdom, and even becomes emphatic on the matter (1:1-6, 22-33 and 8:1-36). Explicitly, wisdom is better than jewels (8:11) and everything else for that matter. Wisdom must be high on the Christian's priorities, but I don't see that as a reality.
a. What is wisdom? It is both knowledge and common sense. Both are derived from conscientious study. Intelligence helps, but wisdom is attainable despite intelligence. Education is critical and should never end. Education is attending classes of all kinds (and there is a great variety available for us today), reading the Bible and reading in general, attending Sunday school, keeping up with the news, having creative hobbies, thinking and meditation, getting acquainted with God's world, using libraries, educational television instead of Miami Vice, asking questions, doing new and different things, challenging one's mind with puzzles. In other words, having a voracious appetite for knowing. Scientists tell us that our minds do not slow up with age as much as we think, but rather because we tell ourselves they will or we simply let them.
b. Why is it necessary? 1) To enjoy life more. 2) To have a better life. 3) To be able to know and do God's will. 4) To be mentally alert and healthy as we age. 5) (There's more.)
c. Why not? 1) We are suspicious of education. 2) We are complacent and happy with things as they are (but we're not). 3) We don't have confidence in our capacities. 4) We do not like learning (when we get into it in earnest, we grow to enjoy it thoroughly).
Jesus said to be wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16).
