Embracing Change: The Pursuit of Wisdom

 

Summary

Change is inevitable, and every day we are transformed in some way. The question is whether this change will be for the better or worse. Today, we are focusing on the foundational character strength of wisdom, which is essential for living well. Wisdom is a timeless pursuit, as evidenced by the ancient wisdom literature found in the Bible, such as the Psalms and Proverbs. These texts remind us of the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding how to live a life that honors God.

In our modern world, the quest for wisdom is still prevalent. People seek guidance from various sources, whether it be through lifestyle advice from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow or through academic pursuits at institutions like the University of Chicago. However, true wisdom is not merely about acquiring knowledge or following trends; it is about understanding how to live well and make decisions that align with God's will.

The Bible, particularly the book of James, invites us to ask God for wisdom. This requires humility and self-awareness, as it takes wisdom to recognize our own lack of it. We often make unwise decisions due to ego or emotional biases, as illustrated by a personal story of a hiring decision that was not made wisely. Recognizing our need for wisdom is the first step toward growth.

The 90th Psalm teaches us to "number our days" so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. This means valuing each moment as a gift from God and using it wisely. Time is precious, and we are accountable to God for how we spend it. The Cloud of Unknowing emphasizes the importance of taking good care of our time, as each moment is an opportunity to grow in love and wisdom.

Ultimately, wisdom is not guaranteed by age or experience but by maintaining an open, curious, and coachable spirit. Each moment is an opportunity to ask God, "What can we do together?" Whether it's helping someone, learning something new, or simply enjoying God's presence, we can grow in wisdom by being intentional with our time. Change starts today, and with God's help, we can make it for the better.

Key Takeaways:

1. Change is constant, and we have the choice to make it positive by seeking God's guidance in our transformation. Wisdom is foundational for living well, and it requires intentionality and openness to God's influence in our lives. [00:34]

2. Wisdom is not just about acquiring knowledge but about understanding how to live a life that aligns with God's will. The Bible invites us to ask God for wisdom, recognizing our own limitations and need for divine guidance. [03:36]

3. Time is a precious gift from God, and we are accountable for how we use it. The 90th Psalm encourages us to "number our days" to gain a heart of wisdom, reminding us to value each moment and use it wisely. [06:38]

4. True wisdom is not guaranteed by age or experience but by maintaining an open, curious, and coachable spirit. Each moment is an opportunity to grow in wisdom by asking God, "What can we do together?" [10:40]

5. Love is the foundation of wisdom, and in the love of Jesus, we find our help. By loving Jesus, we share in everything He has, and this love empowers us to manage our time and decisions wisely. [09:30]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - The Inevitability of Change
- [00:46] - Seeking Wisdom in Modern Times
- [01:28] - The Quest for Wisdom
- [02:22] - Education and Wisdom
- [03:36] - Biblical Invitation to Wisdom
- [04:25] - Personal Story of Unwise Decision
- [05:36] - The Need for Wisdom in Decision-Making
- [06:08] - Wisdom Literature in the Bible
- [06:38] - Numbering Our Days
- [07:21] - The Preciousness of Time
- [08:05] - God's Gift of Time
- [09:00] - The Power of Love in Wisdom
- [10:10] - Wisdom Beyond Age
- [11:17] - Growing in Wisdom Today

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Pursuit of Wisdom

Bible Reading:
1. James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
2. Psalm 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
3. Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of change in our daily lives, and how does it relate to wisdom? [00:34]

2. How does the sermon describe the modern quest for wisdom, and what are some sources people turn to for guidance today? [01:28]

3. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the consequences of lacking wisdom in decision-making? [04:25]

4. How does the 90th Psalm encourage us to view our time, and what is its connection to gaining wisdom? [06:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that wisdom is more than just acquiring knowledge? How does this align with the biblical invitation in James 1:5? [03:36]

2. How does the concept of "numbering our days" from Psalm 90:12 challenge the way we currently use our time? What does it mean to gain a heart of wisdom through this practice? [06:38]

3. The sermon mentions that true wisdom is not guaranteed by age or experience. What qualities are necessary to grow in wisdom according to the pastor? [10:40]

4. How does the love of Jesus empower us to manage our time and decisions wisely, as mentioned in the sermon? [09:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How might seeking God's wisdom have changed the outcome? What steps can you take to seek divine guidance in future decisions? [03:36]

2. Consider your daily routine. How can you be more intentional about "numbering your days" to gain wisdom? What specific changes can you make to better steward your time? [06:38]

3. Identify an area in your life where you feel you lack wisdom. How can you cultivate an open, curious, and coachable spirit to grow in wisdom in that area? [10:40]

4. Think about a moment when your ego or emotions led to an unwise decision. How can you practice humility and self-awareness to prevent this in the future? [04:25]

5. How can you incorporate the love of Jesus into your daily interactions to make wiser decisions? What practical steps can you take to share in everything He has? [09:30]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the pace of life. How can you pause and recognize each moment as a gift from God? What practices can help you stay present and intentional? [07:21]

7. Identify a person in your life who exemplifies wisdom. What qualities do they possess, and how can you emulate those qualities in your own life? [10:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Change with Divine Guidance
Change is a constant in life, and each day presents an opportunity for transformation. The key is to ensure that this change is positive and aligned with God's will. Wisdom is foundational for living well, and it requires intentionality and openness to God's influence in our lives. By seeking God's guidance, we can navigate the inevitable changes in life with grace and purpose. This involves a conscious decision to invite God into our daily transformations, allowing His wisdom to shape our actions and decisions. [00:34]

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 is one area of your life where you are experiencing change? How can you invite God to guide you through this transformation today?


Day 2: Wisdom Beyond Knowledge
True wisdom is not just about acquiring knowledge but about understanding how to live a life that aligns with God's will. The Bible invites us to ask God for wisdom, recognizing our own limitations and need for divine guidance. This requires humility and self-awareness, as it takes wisdom to recognize our own lack of it. By acknowledging our need for God's wisdom, we open ourselves to His transformative power, allowing us to make decisions that reflect His love and purpose. [03:36]

Proverbs 2:6-7 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom? How can you begin to seek His guidance in your decision-making process today?


Day 3: Valuing Time as a Divine Gift
Time is a precious gift from God, and we are accountable for how we use it. The 90th Psalm encourages us to "number our days" to gain a heart of wisdom, reminding us to value each moment and use it wisely. This means recognizing the fleeting nature of time and making intentional choices that honor God. By viewing each moment as an opportunity to grow in love and wisdom, we can live a life that reflects God's purpose and grace. [06:38]

Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Reflection: How can you be more intentional with your time today? What is one specific way you can use your time to grow in wisdom and love?


Day 4: Cultivating a Teachable Spirit
True wisdom is not guaranteed by age or experience but by maintaining an open, curious, and coachable spirit. Each moment is an opportunity to grow in wisdom by asking God, "What can we do together?" This involves a willingness to learn and be transformed by God's presence in our lives. By remaining open to His guidance, we can continually grow in understanding and live a life that reflects His love and wisdom. [10:40]

Proverbs 9:9 (ESV): "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can cultivate a more teachable spirit? How can you invite God to guide you in this process today?


Day 5: Love as the Foundation of Wisdom
Love is the foundation of wisdom, and in the love of Jesus, we find our help. By loving Jesus, we share in everything He has, and this love empowers us to manage our time and decisions wisely. This involves a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, allowing His love to transform our hearts and minds. As we grow in love, we also grow in wisdom, enabling us to live a life that reflects His grace and truth. [09:30]

1 John 4:16 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today? What is one specific way you can allow His love to guide your decisions and actions?

Quotes


well I don't know a lot but I know one thing today you're going to change I don't know if it's going to be for better for worse I don't know if it's going to be on purpose or by accident on your own or with some help but I know when you go to bed tonight you'll be a little different than you were when you got up this morning so why not make it for the better why not let's ask God to be a part of this change starts today [00:24:04]

we have this need for wisdom a desire to know how do we live well that is inextinguishable and so Gwyneth Paltrow offers a number of products and insight into kind of Lifestyle how do you decide what do you buy how do you handle your relationships and spend your time there's actually a podcast called goop and again I've not heard it but it features she says thought leaders culture Changers and Industry disruptors always we want to know where can we turn to gain wisdom [01:34:34]

in the Bible you might know there's a invitation in James in the first chapter where God says if anybody lacks wisdom James says if anybody lacks wisdom let them ask of God now who lacks wisdom well ironically it takes wisdom to know to be self-aware and to know whether or not I am a wise person so if I lack wisdom I probably don't know that I actually lack wisdom so if you think to yourself that you don't lack wisdom you're probably somebody who needs it [03:28:12]

I think for example many years ago when I was working at a church and we had been involved in a search process and we hired I hired somebody and it didn't really work out well and I heard afterwards one of the people who had been on a search team that was assisting in that process was asked about how did you end up hiring this person and her comment was well uh we were looking at a number of folks but John just made up his mind and from that point on we weren't really able to speak into it [04:19:68]

and when I heard that my initial response was to be quite defensive and to try to explain why that was not the case but then when I stepped back I realized nope that was exactly right that is exactly what happened and it did not serve the process well and really my own emotions and even more than that kind of my own ego who do I think might know and like me and what I have done already is what guided my thinking more than anything else and it was not wise [04:51:96]

in the uh in the 90th psalm and and by the way certain books in the Old Testament are what's known as wisdom literature because again there's just this ancient need for wisdom and that was understood to be part of education so the Book of Proverbs Tim Keller says that Proverbs are many guides to life or the Book of Ecclesiastes the first Psalm is an example of wisdom literature and we have this from the 90th Psalm I think it's verse 12 and the prayer is God teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom [05:58:02]

above all when we think about our need for wisdom for a good decision it comes back to time number our days this moment right here and the invitation today is whatever else is going on each time you think about it just pause and recognize now this moment is a gift from God that I get to steward for which I will be accountable because if God is truly just then each one of us will be responsible to God for how did we Steward Our Lives what kind of decisions did we make how did we treat other people what did we fill our minds with and mostly that's around time [06:40:25]

take good care of your time just pause there who Among Us doesn't need to hear that over and over watch how you spend time for nothing is more precious in the twinkling of an eye Heaven can be won or lost here's how we know time is precious God The Giver of time never gives us two moments simultaneously instead he gives them to us one after another after another here's one here's one here's one we never get the future we only get the present moment [07:27:39]

here's how we know time is precious God The Giver of time never gives us two moments simultaneously instead he gives them to us one after another after another here's one here's one here's one we never get the future we only get the present moment God does this to establish order in his creation to keep cause and effect in place time is made for us we're not made for time God is the ruler of nature but his gift of time has no strings attached [07:49:86]

and then the answer it is good that you said for the love of Jesus for in the love of Jesus you'll find your help love is so powerful that it shares everything so I love Jesus and everything he has will be yours and if you feel like you're batting about one percent I have 100 impulses one of my manageable I have 100 moments one of them I manage well just though you are in very good company and God sends the gift of his time in little one moment units and here it is right now [09:26:94]

the mere passage of time by itself does not bring wisdom but it can come and the primary need is an open non-defensive coachable interested curious spirit so the question for today each moment that it occurs to you God what can we do in this moment together can I help somebody can I learn something can I thank you can I worship can I ask can I rest can I enjoy can I confront teach us to number our days help me to number this moment God what should we do you can grow in wisdom change starts today [10:30:00]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?