Choosing Wisdom: The Path to True Fulfillment

 

Summary

In reflecting on the life of Solomon, we are reminded of the profound choice he made when God appeared to him in a dream, offering him anything he desired. Solomon chose wisdom over long life, riches, or victory over his enemies. This choice is a powerful illustration of the decisions we face in our own lives. Life is a series of choices, and like Solomon, we are constantly deciding between the wisdom of God and the allure of worldly desires. The Bible presents us with two fundamental paths: the way of God or the way of the world, the flesh, and the devil. This choice is ever-present, and even in our ignorance or indifference, we are making a decision.

Solomon's choice of wisdom was not only right but also intelligent, selfless, and farsighted. Choosing wisdom acknowledges the greatness of the task before us and our own inadequacy to face it alone. It is a recognition that life is more than mere existence; it is a journey under the watchful eye of God, leading to an inevitable encounter with Him. Solomon's decision was not about self-gratification but about serving others and glorifying God. In contrast, the pursuit of worldly desires is shortsighted, as it neglects the eternal perspective and the ultimate reality of standing before God.

When we choose God's wisdom, we receive not only the wisdom we seek but also the blessings we did not ask for. God, in His grace, provides abundantly beyond our requests. This is the essence of the Gospel: when we acknowledge our helplessness and turn to God, He grants us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption through Jesus Christ. This wisdom empowers us to live a life of true fulfillment, peace, and joy, far surpassing any worldly riches or pleasures.

Key Takeaways:

- Life's Choices and Their Consequences: Every moment presents us with choices, and like Solomon, we must decide between God's wisdom and worldly desires. Our decisions shape our lives and reflect our ultimate allegiance. [02:57]

- The Two Paths: The Bible clearly delineates two paths: God's way or the way of the world. This fundamental choice determines our eternal destiny and is a decision we make daily, consciously or unconsciously. [05:02]

- The Nature of True Wisdom: Solomon's choice of wisdom was inherently right, as it aligns with our true nature and purpose. Pursuing worldly desires is unintelligent and diminishes our God-given potential. [13:03]

- The Greatness of the Task: Recognizing the enormity of life's task and our own inadequacy leads us to seek God's wisdom. This understanding is crucial for living a life that honors God and serves others. [34:12]

- God's Abundant Provision: When we choose God's wisdom, He not only grants us what we ask for but also blesses us abundantly beyond our requests. This reflects His grace and the richness of life in Christ. [50:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Solomon's Choice
- [01:35] - The Two Possible Choices
- [02:57] - Life as a Series of Choices
- [04:48] - The Two Paths
- [06:16] - God's Way vs. The World's Way
- [07:21] - Choices Made in God's Presence
- [09:09] - Our Personal Choice
- [11:38] - Why Choose Wisdom?
- [13:03] - The Essential Rightness of Wisdom
- [15:16] - The Unintelligent Choice
- [22:30] - Selfishness vs. Selflessness
- [28:24] - The Shortsightedness of Worldly Desires
- [33:36] - Why Choose Wisdom?
- [34:12] - The Greatness of the Task
- [41:42] - Our Weakness and God's Strength
- [46:06] - God's Response to Choosing Wisdom
- [50:10] - God's Abundant Provision
- [52:14] - The Richness of Life in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Wisdom of Solomon

Bible Reading:
1 Kings 3:9 - "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?"

Observation Questions:
1. What specific request did Solomon make to God when given the choice to ask for anything? ([00:28])
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of life in terms of choices and decisions? ([02:57])
3. According to the sermon, what are the two fundamental paths presented in the Bible? ([05:02])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the presence of God in our decision-making process? ([07:21])

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon suggest that Solomon's choice of wisdom was inherently right and intelligent? ([13:03])
2. How does the sermon contrast the pursuit of worldly desires with the pursuit of God's wisdom? ([28:24])
3. What does the sermon imply about the consequences of choosing worldly desires over God's wisdom? ([30:10])
4. How does the sermon describe God's response to Solomon's choice of wisdom, and what does this reveal about God's character? ([46:06])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you consider God's wisdom in that decision, or were you more influenced by worldly desires? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? ([02:57])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing the greatness of life's tasks and our inadequacy. How can acknowledging your limitations lead you to seek God's wisdom more earnestly? ([34:12])
3. In what ways can you actively choose God's path over the world's path in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can make a change this week. ([05:02])
4. Consider a time when you received unexpected blessings after choosing to follow God's wisdom. How did that experience impact your faith and decision-making? ([50:10])
5. The sermon highlights the selflessness of Solomon's request for wisdom. How can you incorporate selflessness into your prayers and decisions, focusing on serving others and glorifying God? ([23:07])
6. How can you cultivate a mindset that values eternal perspectives over temporary pleasures? What practical steps can you take to align your priorities with God's wisdom? ([28:24])
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about living under the watchful eye of God. How does this awareness influence your daily actions and choices? ([07:21])

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Choice in Life's Journey
Life is a series of choices, and each decision we make reflects our ultimate allegiance. Like Solomon, we are constantly faced with the decision between God's wisdom and worldly desires. This choice is not just a one-time event but a continuous process that shapes our lives and our relationship with God. The allure of worldly desires can be strong, but choosing God's wisdom leads to a life of fulfillment and purpose. Every moment presents an opportunity to align ourselves with God's will, and even in our ignorance or indifference, we are making a decision. [02:57]

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." (Proverbs 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one decision you are facing today where you can choose God's wisdom over worldly desires?


Day 2: The Path to Eternal Destiny
The Bible presents us with two fundamental paths: the way of God or the way of the world, the flesh, and the devil. This choice determines our eternal destiny and is a decision we make daily, consciously or unconsciously. The way of the world may seem appealing, but it is shortsighted and neglects the eternal perspective. In contrast, choosing God's way leads to a life of true fulfillment and peace. It is essential to recognize the significance of this choice and to consciously align ourselves with God's path each day. [05:02]

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What daily habits can you cultivate to ensure you are consistently choosing the path that leads to life?


Day 3: Embracing True Wisdom
Solomon's choice of wisdom was inherently right, as it aligns with our true nature and purpose. Pursuing worldly desires is unintelligent and diminishes our God-given potential. True wisdom acknowledges the greatness of the task before us and our own inadequacy to face it alone. It is a recognition that life is more than mere existence; it is a journey under the watchful eye of God. Embracing true wisdom empowers us to live a life that honors God and serves others, leading to an inevitable encounter with Him. [13:03]

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate true wisdom in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: Recognizing Our Need for God's Wisdom
Recognizing the enormity of life's task and our own inadequacy leads us to seek God's wisdom. This understanding is crucial for living a life that honors God and serves others. When we acknowledge our helplessness and turn to God, He grants us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption through Jesus Christ. This wisdom empowers us to live a life of true fulfillment, peace, and joy, far surpassing any worldly riches or pleasures. [34:12]

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel inadequate and need to seek God's wisdom today?


Day 5: Experiencing God's Abundant Provision
When we choose God's wisdom, He not only grants us what we ask for but also blesses us abundantly beyond our requests. This reflects His grace and the richness of life in Christ. God's abundant provision is a testament to His love and faithfulness, and it encourages us to trust Him more deeply. As we experience His blessings, we are reminded of the importance of seeking His wisdom and aligning our lives with His will. [50:10]

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)

Reflection: How have you experienced God's abundant provision in your life, and how can you express gratitude for His blessings today?

Quotes


The picture as you see is that of a young man on the threshold of Life confronted by a great decision. God appeared to him in this particular manner in the form of a dream, and God put to him that question: ask what I shall give thee. [00:01:14]

Life is ultimately just a question of making Choice all along as we go on in this world and as we live, we are taking a choice. There are always various possibilities lying open to us, and every one of us is constantly deciding and choosing. [00:02:57]

The Bible says that there are only two ways open to men, and that is the way of God or the way that is not God's way. Now, that can be subdivided almost endlessly, but that's quite irrelevant, says the Bible. [00:04:55]

All our choices are made in the presence of God and under God and under God's judgment. Solomon, as it were, thought that he was just having a dream, but there the choice comes, and he decides, and God is watching and God is listening. [00:07:31]

The choice of wisdom is something which is essentially right. Now, before I come to give any particular reasons, I make a general statement that Solomon's Choice was a choice that was essentially right. The choice of wisdom is always essentially right. [00:13:03]

Solomon's choice of wisdom is essentially right because to choose the others is shortsighted also, and how terribly shortsighted. Let's assume for a moment that he had chosen the other things which God commends him for not choosing. [00:28:24]

The moment a man realizes the nature and the character of life, oh, how small he feels he is. This tremendous thing that God has put us into, and we travel through it. What is it? What a stupendous thing we are but babes, every one of us. [00:42:39]

What happens to the man who thus with Solomon chooses wisdom? It's always essentially right choice. I've given you the reasons why Solomon took it and why every Christian has ever taken it. Let me just say a word on this. [00:46:06]

God said unto Solomon, because thou Hast asked this thing and has not asked for long life or riches for thyself or the life of thine enemies, but has dashed for thyself s and standing to discern judgment, behold, I have done according to thy words. [00:46:10]

If you have come to see yourself as a hopeless and a helpless and a vile sinner in the sight of God and have turned to him and have asked for the wisdom that you lack and that you need in order to know what to do about it, all he will give it you. [00:50:10]

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteous, and all these other things shall be added unto you. The psalmist said, didn't he, that a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. Do you want Length of days? Well, become a Christian. [00:52:14]

The question for you to answer is this: what have you chosen? You just want to go on living as you are? You just want riches in the so-called good time? You just want peace and Leisure to enjoy it without being disturbed? [00:55:28]

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Transcript
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