Divine Wisdom: The Humble Exalted, the Proud Scattered

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound truths of the Gospel, it becomes evident that human wisdom and pride often stand as barriers to truly knowing God. The world, in its pursuit of understanding through intellect and philosophy, has failed to grasp the essence of the divine. This is not a denouncement of intellect itself, but rather the pride that often accompanies it. The coming of Christ serves as a divine intervention that scatters the proud in the imagination of their hearts, revealing the folly of relying solely on human wisdom to comprehend the infinite nature of God.

The narrative of Christ's birth and life is a testament to God's way of overturning human expectations. The mighty are brought low, and the humble are exalted. This is exemplified in the story of David and Goliath, where God uses the weak to confound the strong. Similarly, the rich and self-righteous, like the Pharisees and the Rich Young Ruler, are sent away empty when confronted with the truth of Christ. Their perceived righteousness and moral wealth are exposed as inadequate in the light of God's holiness.

The Gospel reveals that true wisdom and understanding come not from human effort but as a gift from God. It is the humble, those who recognize their need for God, who are filled with good things. The proud, who rely on their own understanding, are left wanting. This divine reversal is the heart of the Gospel message, where the last become first, and the meek inherit the earth.

In Christ, we find the ultimate revelation of God, a wisdom that surpasses all human knowledge. This wisdom is not reserved for the elite or the learned but is freely given to those who approach God with childlike faith. The exaltation of the humble and the filling of the hungry with good things is a promise that God’s kingdom operates on principles that defy worldly logic. It is a call to embrace humility, to seek God earnestly, and to find our true identity and inheritance in Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Folly of Human Pride: Human intellect, while valuable, often leads to pride that blinds us to the truth of God. The coming of Christ scatters the proud, revealing the limitations of human wisdom in understanding the divine. True knowledge of God is a gift, not an achievement. [24:39]

2. God's Reversal of Human Expectations: God consistently uses the weak to confound the strong, as seen in the story of David and Goliath. This divine reversal is a central theme of the Gospel, where the humble are exalted, and the mighty are brought low. [31:00]

3. The Inadequacy of Self-Righteousness: The Rich Young Ruler and the Pharisees exemplify how self-righteousness is exposed as insufficient before God. True righteousness is found in recognizing our need for Christ and His transformative power. [34:56]

4. The Gift of Divine Wisdom: True wisdom and understanding of God come not from human effort but as a revelation from God. This wisdom is accessible to all who approach God with humility and faith, transcending human limitations. [41:01]

5. The Exaltation of the Humble: In God's kingdom, the humble are exalted, and the hungry are filled with good things. This is a promise that God's ways are not our ways, and His kingdom operates on principles that defy worldly logic. [44:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [24:39] - The Folly of Human Wisdom
- [25:24] - Pride of Intellect
- [26:06] - The True Wisdom
- [27:28] - The Rejection of Truth
- [28:06] - Christ Crucified: A Stumbling Block
- [29:02] - God's Extraordinary Manner
- [30:12] - The Sin of Pride
- [31:00] - David and Goliath: God's Way
- [32:12] - The Downfall of the Mighty
- [33:23] - The Rich Sent Away Empty
- [34:56] - The Pharisees' Self-Righteousness
- [36:20] - The Spiritual Character of God's Law
- [37:52] - The Apostle Paul's Transformation
- [39:32] - The Blessed: The Humble and Meek
- [41:01] - The Gift of Divine Wisdom
- [43:18] - Exaltation of the Lowly
- [45:23] - The Hungry Filled with Good Things

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - This passage discusses the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of the world, highlighting how Christ crucified is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others, yet it is the power and wisdom of God.
2. Luke 1:51-53 - This passage reflects on God's actions of scattering the proud, bringing down rulers, and filling the hungry with good things, aligning with the themes of divine reversal and humility.
3. Matthew 5:3-6 - The Beatitudes, which emphasize the blessedness of the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

#### Observation Questions
1. How does the sermon describe the limitations of human wisdom in understanding God? [24:39]
2. What examples from the Bible are used in the sermon to illustrate God's reversal of human expectations? [31:00]
3. According to the sermon, how does the story of the Rich Young Ruler demonstrate the inadequacy of self-righteousness? [34:56]
4. What does the sermon say about the accessibility of divine wisdom to those who approach God with humility? [41:01]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that human pride can blind individuals to the truth of God? [25:24]
2. How does the sermon interpret the story of David and Goliath as an example of God's way of using the weak to confound the strong? [31:00]
3. What does the sermon imply about the nature of true righteousness in contrast to self-righteousness? [34:56]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of divine wisdom being a gift rather than an achievement? [41:01]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when pride in your own understanding may have hindered your relationship with God. How can you cultivate humility in your spiritual journey? [25:24]
2. Consider the story of David and Goliath. How can you apply the lesson of God using the weak to achieve His purposes in your own life? [31:00]
3. The Rich Young Ruler went away sorrowful after encountering Jesus. Are there areas in your life where self-righteousness might be preventing you from fully embracing Christ's teachings? [34:56]
4. How can you approach God with childlike faith to receive His wisdom and understanding in your daily life? [41:01]
5. In what ways can you actively seek to be filled with the "good things" of God's kingdom, as mentioned in the sermon? [44:34]
6. Identify a situation where you might need to let go of worldly logic to embrace the principles of God's kingdom. How can you take a step towards this change? [44:34]
7. Think of someone in your life who exemplifies humility and faith. What can you learn from their example to apply in your own walk with God? [41:01]

Devotional

Day 1: The Limitations of Human Wisdom
Human wisdom, while valuable, often leads to pride that blinds us to the truth of God. The world, in its pursuit of understanding through intellect and philosophy, has failed to grasp the essence of the divine. This is not a denouncement of intellect itself, but rather the pride that often accompanies it. The coming of Christ serves as a divine intervention that scatters the proud in the imagination of their hearts, revealing the folly of relying solely on human wisdom to comprehend the infinite nature of God. True knowledge of God is a gift, not an achievement. [24:39]

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 (ESV): "Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you rely on your own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom? How can you begin to invite God into those areas today?


Day 2: God's Unexpected Ways
God consistently uses the weak to confound the strong, as seen in the story of David and Goliath. This divine reversal is a central theme of the Gospel, where the humble are exalted, and the mighty are brought low. The narrative of Christ's birth and life is a testament to God's way of overturning human expectations. The mighty are brought low, and the humble are exalted. This is exemplified in the story of David and Goliath, where God uses the weak to confound the strong. [31:00]

1 Samuel 2:7-8 (ESV): "The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them he has set the world."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel inadequate or weak. How might God be using this situation to demonstrate His strength and purpose in your life?


Day 3: The Insufficiency of Self-Righteousness
The Rich Young Ruler and the Pharisees exemplify how self-righteousness is exposed as insufficient before God. Their perceived righteousness and moral wealth are exposed as inadequate in the light of God's holiness. True righteousness is found in recognizing our need for Christ and His transformative power. The rich and self-righteous, like the Pharisees and the Rich Young Ruler, are sent away empty when confronted with the truth of Christ. [34:56]

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV): "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get." But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.'"

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you rely on your own righteousness rather than Christ's? How can you shift your focus to depend more on His grace and mercy?


Day 4: The Gift of Divine Wisdom
True wisdom and understanding of God come not from human effort but as a revelation from God. This wisdom is accessible to all who approach God with humility and faith, transcending human limitations. In Christ, we find the ultimate revelation of God, a wisdom that surpasses all human knowledge. This wisdom is not reserved for the elite or the learned but is freely given to those who approach God with childlike faith. [41:01]

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

Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek God's wisdom in a specific area of your life where you feel uncertain or confused?


Day 5: The Promise of Exaltation for the Humble
In God's kingdom, the humble are exalted, and the hungry are filled with good things. This is a promise that God's ways are not our ways, and His kingdom operates on principles that defy worldly logic. The exaltation of the humble and the filling of the hungry with good things is a promise that God’s kingdom operates on principles that defy worldly logic. It is a call to embrace humility, to seek God earnestly, and to find our true identity and inheritance in Him. [44:34]

Matthew 5:5-6 (ESV): "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Reflection: How can you practice humility in your daily interactions and decisions? What is one way you can seek to serve others this week, reflecting the values of God's kingdom?

Quotes


this this is the final proof of their failure to find God do you listen to them sometimes on these programs Brain Trust any questions you hear them talking their Folly about immortality and about various other things how foolish they seem they don't know you see they have no knowledge they have no understanding they've been trying to understand the mystery and they can't of course they fail completely and they have their ideas about God but they're not satisfied how can they be how can they Define God how can a man with a finite mind Encompass the Eternal the infinite and the absolute they made to look silly aren't they well that's exactly what Mary says he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts the World by wisdom knew not God [00:24:23]

don't misunderstand me I'm not here to denounce intellect I'm not here to denounce ability I'm not here even to denounce philosophy but what I am here to denounce is this is pride of intellect pride of knowledge pride of understanding the attitude of the modern man who says I am sufficient and complete God he says very well put him on the table let me examine him I'll tell you what I think about God that's what I'm denouncing and that is what the coming of Christ spatters makes it look idiotic why well with all its wisdom and ability and learning he hasn't arrived at God he has failed completely [00:25:24]

the Jews require a sign the Greeks seek after wisdom we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness and by saying that it was foolishness they were displaying their own Folly they were being scattered in the imagination of their hearts they didn't recognize truth when it was standing incarnate before their eyes so Mary is perfectly right he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts [00:28:06]

when he chose to send wisdom to men he sends it Us in the form of a babe and a carpenter an ordinary man as it were and so what the Greeks and the wisdom and the wise and the proud of intellect have been totally and utterly incapable of doing God does it in this extraordinary Manner and the wise and the proud are the laughing stock of the universe at this moment they are the people above all others who in their pride of intellect are rejecting God's wisdom God's power God's way of Salvation he does indeed scatter the proud in the imagination of their hearts [00:29:02]

you see it typified to perfection in the great story about David and Goliath here is the mighty on their seats the Goliath the great power that is irresistible and is threatening to demolish the whole world and a strippling of a lead comes along who hasn't a sword and who hasn't armor he's only got a sling and five stones and he just flings one of them strikes the forehead brings to Earth demolishes this Mighty Tyrant that's God's that's God's way of dealing with the world you know that's what God has always been doing [00:31:00]

here's a rich man rich in money yes but priding himself on his richness in Morality all these have I kept from my youth upwards how rich he is in morals and in ethics and in righteousness but you know when he stands before this son of God this babe of Bethlehem who's now become a man and is beginning to teach at the age of 30 when the Rich Young Ruler has done all this and kept the Commandments of God and is full and overflowing with righteousness he looks into the face of son the Son of God he listens to his words and what is the end of the story he went away sorrowful he came with pride he went away sorrowful his riches were made to look very TDY [00:34:56]

this was the whole trouble with the Pharisees and that is why they hated our Lord that's why they finally conspired to crucify him and to kill him you know the effect of the coming of the Son of God upon the Pharisees was to send them empty away and they were so rich what do you mean says someone I mean this that when they listened to the preaching of the Son of God they could see their righteousness disappearing all they' boasted of all they had gloated in all they had prided themselves on their exceptional righteousness say they who' never committed adultery wait a minute says the Son of God have you ever looked on a woman to last if you have You' have committed adultery with her in your heart [00:36:20]

men are very satisfied with themselves and their own lives until they look into the face of Jesus Christ but the moment they look at him and listen to his interpretation of God's law they begin to say this that there is none righteous no not one a man says I'm a good fellow I've got my code I'm better than this man I'm much better than that man I do a lot of good I'm wonderful as the Pharisees said it in the temple and then he finds that God's law is that thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul and all thy mind and all thy strength and thy neighbor as thyself and he hasn't started he's nowhere [00:39:32]

the World by wisdom knew not God but suddenly God sends his wisdom and his Revelation these things a man can't arrive at by searching but God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for the spirit searcheth all things yay the Deep things of God we have the mind of Christ we are made wise here is a way whereby a man can know God what Plato Socrates Aristotle and all the succession of Mighty secular philosophers have failed to find is given as a free gift to the babes those who admit that they cannot a man who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as a knowledge of God he has an understanding of Life an understanding of himself which the ablest wisest man in the world in a natural sense is entirely lacking in [00:41:01]

the simplest and the most ignorant Christian has a knowledge and an understanding that is completely denied to such people I thank thee oh Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou Hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and Hast reveal them unto babes even so father for so it seemed good in thy sight the people who are wisest in the world tonight are these simple Christian people they're not afraid of tomorrow they're not afraid of death they know they're in the right relationship to God they are not surprised that the world is as it is [00:44:34]

he ha put down the mighty from their seats and the other side and exalted them of low degree what does it mean well it means this that it doesn't matter who you are or what you are as a Christian if you are a Christian you are a child of God you're a Son of God you won't appear in the New Year's honors list they never heard of you and the times knows nothing about you but thank God you're in the court circular of Heaven sons of God members of the Heavenly royal family he has made us says John Kings and Priests unto God or if you prefer it a kingdom of priests children of God HS of God join as with Christ exalted us blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth [00:45:23]

blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness why oh they shall be filled the rich Heath sent empty way we've seen that but look at the opposite the hungry the man who feels is a sinner vile the man who feels is a cad the the man who can't understand himself the man who feels his rotten the man who says unto himself in me that is to say in my flesh dwelleth no good [00:46:23]

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Transcript
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