Embracing Wisdom: A Journey to True Fulfillment

Devotional

Day 1: Wisdom is Accessible to All

Wisdom is not reserved for a select few but is available to everyone who seeks it. In Proverbs 8, Solomon personifies wisdom as a figure standing at the city gates, calling out to all mankind, regardless of their background, age, or social status. This inclusivity was revolutionary in the ancient Near East, where wisdom was often seen as the privilege of the elite. Solomon's message is clear: divine wisdom is within reach for anyone who seeks it. This challenges us to break down any barriers we might have about who can be wise and to recognize that God's wisdom is available to all.

[06:49]

Proverbs 8:1-4 (ESV): "Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: 'To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.'"

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who you might not typically consider wise. How can you encourage them to seek and embrace God's wisdom today?

Day 2: Wisdom as a Way of Life

Wisdom in Proverbs is not just intellectual knowledge but a way of living that aligns with goodness, justice, and righteousness. It calls us to live lives that reflect these values, leading to a life of richness and honor. This principle is akin to the teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous: "It works if you work it." Living wisely means actively applying these principles in our daily lives. Wisdom is about making choices that reflect God's character and bring about His kingdom on earth.

[17:05]

James 3:17 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you can better align your actions with the values of goodness, justice, and righteousness. What specific steps can you take today to live more wisely in that area?

Day 3: The Timeless Nature of Wisdom

Solomon describes wisdom as existing before creation, a timeless entity that was with God from the beginning. This description parallels the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus, who is described as the Word and the image of the invisible God. This connection underscores that true wisdom is found in Jesus, who embodies what is good, beautiful, and true. Understanding wisdom as timeless helps us see its value and relevance in every aspect of our lives, no matter the era or culture.

[23:07]

Proverbs 8:22-23 (ESV): "The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth."

Reflection: Reflect on how the timeless nature of wisdom impacts your view of its relevance in your life today. How can you incorporate this eternal perspective into your daily decisions?

Day 4: Jesus as the Embodiment of Wisdom

The early Christians understood that true wisdom is found in Jesus. John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-20 describe Jesus as the Word and the image of the invisible God, through whom all things were made. This understanding invites us to seek wisdom in a relationship with Jesus, who offers fulfillment and true life. By following Jesus, we align ourselves with the ultimate source of wisdom and allow His teachings to guide our lives.

[27:55]

Colossians 2:2-3 (ESV): "That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Reflection: Consider how your relationship with Jesus influences your pursuit of wisdom. What is one practical way you can deepen this relationship to better embody His wisdom in your life?

Day 5: The Invitation to Open the Door

Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting us to open the door to a relationship with Him. This imagery from Revelation 3:20 emphasizes that Jesus, the personification of wisdom, is always available to us. He offers guidance, fulfillment, and rest, but we must choose to open the door and let Him into our lives. This invitation is a daily call to welcome Jesus into every aspect of our lives and to allow His wisdom to transform us.

[31:52]

Revelation 3:20 (ESV): "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Reflection: What area of your life have you kept closed off from Jesus? How can you open that door today and invite Him in to bring His wisdom and transformation?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Over the past few weeks, we've been exploring the book of Proverbs, focusing on the concept of wisdom, or "chokmah," as described by King Solomon. Chokmah is not merely accumulated knowledge but an applied skill, akin to the craftsmanship of artisans. Today, we conclude this series by delving into Proverbs 8, which addresses three key questions: Who is wisdom for? What is wisdom? And how do we find wisdom?

Firstly, wisdom is for everyone. Solomon personifies wisdom as a figure standing at the city gates, calling out to all mankind, regardless of their background, age, or social status. This inclusivity was revolutionary in the ancient Near East, where wisdom was often seen as the privilege of the elite. Solomon's message is clear: wisdom is accessible to all who seek it.

Secondly, wisdom is described as a way of living that aligns with goodness, justice, and righteousness. It is not just about intellectual understanding but about living a life that reflects these values. Solomon emphasizes that wisdom leads to a life of richness and honor, not necessarily in material wealth but in the quality and fulfillment of one's life. This principle is echoed in modern movements like Alcoholics Anonymous, which teaches that "it works if you work it."

Finally, how do we find this wisdom? Solomon describes wisdom as existing before creation, a timeless entity that was with God from the beginning. This description closely parallels the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus. John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-20 describe Jesus as the Word and the image of the invisible God, through whom all things were made. The early Christians understood that true wisdom is found in Jesus, who embodies what is good, beautiful, and true.

In conclusion, wisdom is not an abstract concept but a practical way of living that is accessible to everyone. It calls us to live lives of integrity, justice, and righteousness. And ultimately, this wisdom is personified in Jesus, who invites us to open the door to a relationship with Him, promising fulfillment and true life.

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Key Takeaways

1. 3 and Colossians 1:15-20 describe Jesus as the Word and the image of the invisible God, through whom all things were made. This understanding invites us to seek wisdom in a relationship with Jesus, who offers fulfillment and true life. [27:55]
5. The Invitation to Open the Door: Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting us to open the door to a relationship with Him. This imagery from Revelation 3:20 emphasizes that Jesus, the personification of wisdom, is always available to us. He offers guidance, fulfillment, and rest, but we must choose to open the door and let Him into our lives.

### [27:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:07] - Introduction to Proverbs 8
[05:58] - Who is Wisdom For?
[06:49] - Wisdom is Accessible to All
[08:30] - Wisdom's Invitation
[09:11] - Breaking Social Barriers
[10:03] - Personal Reflections on Equality
[12:09] - The Impact of Privilege
[13:49] - What is Wisdom?
[15:44] - The Benefits of Wisdom
[17:05] - Wisdom Works if You Work It
[20:00] - The Transcendentals: Good, Beautiful, True
[23:07] - The Timeless Nature of Wisdom
[24:57] - Jesus and Wisdom
[27:55] - Jesus as the Embodiment of Wisdom
[30:08] - The Invitation to Open the Door
[31:52] - Jesus Knocking at the Door
[33:16] - Final Reflections and Call to Action

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 (NIV) — - "Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: 'To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind... The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.'"

2. John 1:1-3, 14 (NIV)
- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

3. Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
- "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

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Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 8, where does wisdom call out and to whom is it calling? ([05:58])
How does Solomon describe the nature and origin of wisdom in Proverbs 8:22-31? ([23:07])
In John 1:1-3, how is Jesus described in relation to creation? ([24:57])
What invitation does Jesus extend in Revelation 3:20, and what is the promise for those who respond? ([31:52])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean that wisdom is accessible to all, regardless of background or social status? How does this challenge ancient and modern notions of exclusivity? ([06:49])
How does the description of wisdom in Proverbs 8:22-31 parallel the New Testament portrayal of Jesus in John 1:1-3? What implications does this have for understanding wisdom? ([24:57])
In what ways does the concept of "it works if you work it" from Alcoholics Anonymous relate to the biblical understanding of wisdom as a way of life? ([17:05])
How does the imagery of Jesus standing at the door and knocking in Revelation 3:20 relate to the invitation of wisdom in Proverbs 8? What does this suggest about the nature of wisdom and relationship with Jesus? ([31:52])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt wisdom was out of reach for you. How does the idea that wisdom is accessible to all change your perspective? ([06:49])
Wisdom is described as aligning with goodness, justice, and righteousness. Identify one area in your life where you can better align with these values. What practical steps can you take this week? ([13:49])
The sermon mentioned that wisdom "works if you work it." What is one principle of wisdom you can actively apply in your daily life starting today? ([17:05])
Jesus is described as the embodiment of wisdom. How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus to grow in wisdom? ([27:55])
Jesus stands at the door and knocks, inviting us into a relationship with Him. What is one area of your life where you need to open the door to Jesus? How will you respond to His invitation this week? ([31:52])
Think about the ways you seek fulfillment and true life. How can you shift your focus to finding these in Jesus rather than in other pursuits? ([28:37])
Reflect on the idea that wisdom was with God from the beginning and is personified in Jesus. How does this understanding impact your view of the Bible and its teachings? ([24:57])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "And so here's the reality that whatever your background, whatever you've walked in with today, maybe you're feeling pretty secure in kind of how you've walked in, how you're doing in your own field or industry or workplace or relationships, or you're someone, you've been kind of through the ringer. Maybe this summer has been a difficult one. Maybe you've been on this up and down roller coaster. Maybe you've been battling addiction. No matter where you are in your journey, maybe you're someone who's not religious at all, but you came just because you heard there's air conditioning in here and it's quite potent at times and that we offer granola bars from Costco. I don't know why you came. But nonetheless, here's the invitation. The invitation is that wisdom stands on the street corner and it calls out and it's for all mankind, that anyone can come and get this kind of wisdom." [08:30] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Now, the reality is, again, most of us, whatever religious background you come from, some of you might say, like, well, you're saying if I become a Christian, then all of a sudden my life will be in order. No, I'm not saying that at all. What I'm saying is that this is the principle of wisdom. Whatever background you're from, in fact, that if you live... If you live according to wisdom principles, if you live according to... It actually works. Living a life of forgiveness, forgiving one another, living a life of love, living a life of generosity, living a life of integrity. Now, all these words, you don't even have to be a Christian to be like, you know what? I actually think that that's a good way to live." [19:31] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Would you look to Jesus? Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, maybe you've been searching for what is good and beautiful and true in all these different areas of your life and in mine. You've been looking for it through some sort of addiction that you can't seem to kick. You've been looking for it through some sort of career ambition and climbing the ladder, but you're increasingly kind of agitated because you realize that that doesn't really satisfy you. You've been looking for it through some sort of career ambition and climbing the ladder, but you're increasingly looking for it in the way that you parent and hopefully helicoptering over your parenting and thinking, all my hopes and dreams are found in my child and how good and how successful they are." [29:11] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Here's Jesus saying, will you look for me? Will you come in and eat with them? Here, wisdom is standing at the doorway, offering to be in relationship with you, to be part of your life, to help guide you where you feel like you need guidance today, to help fulfill you, to help give you rest where you need rest today. This is what Jesus is doing. Now, the story of God and the story of the Christian message is that we believe in a God who has come into the world to help us. And we believe in a God who has come into the world to help to force himself on you, but instead a God who stands at the door and knocks and says, everything that you've been longing for and looking for in this life, will you find it in me?" [32:26] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "But this idea of wisdom, chokmah, it's presented in Proverbs chapter 8. And really, there's all sorts of different kind of clues that are given in this chapter. And it's basically these three different questions. Number one is, who is wisdom for? Number two is, what is wisdom? And number three is, how do I find wisdom? And so in many ways, as we look at this passage, that's what we're going to be exploring." [05:07] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Now, here's what's so stunning about this, right? Because immediately what Solomon is talking about, about this principle of what wisdom is, is that wisdom is actually something that's available to all people. It's available to everyone. It's not something that's exclusively. It's just for the rich, the famous, the popular. Now, I realize some of us might be like, oh, that makes sense. Of course, we live in the United States of America that talks about the equality of all kinds of people. But the reality is, back in the ancient world, and even like societies today, there was this gradation of the ways that people viewed who is blessed by God and who is not." [07:42] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Now, notice what he says. He says, This kind of goodness, it can inform even kings and those with wealth and power. By me, princes govern and nobles all who rule on earth. I love those. I love those who love me. A little arrogant there, wisdom. I'm not going to lie. It's a little bit of an arrogant statement. I love those who love me and those who seek me, find me. With me are riches and honor. Now, isn't this interesting? Wisdom is speaking about all the kinds of blessings and beauty that wisdom allows one to attain. Somehow, wise wisdom is able to access things like riches and honor. In other words, it's this description of a life that is bountiful, that is blessed." [14:39] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Now, throughout history, different philosophers have talked about really three key themes. Now, of course, there's more than this in various different writings, but if you were to go back to Plato and Aristotle and kind of the rise of classic philosophy and into modern philosophy, Plato and Aristotle would talk about three transcendentals, these words, that three things that human beings, that throughout time and throughout places, people have searched after these three transcendentals, and it's this. It's basically what is good, what is beautiful, and what is true. That ultimately, we as human beings, this is what we're drawn to. What is good? Goodness, that's talked about, or what is beautiful and gives pleasure and desire, and what is true?" [21:21] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "See, Jesus comes on the scene and what the people, the early Christian followers knew and understood was, if you're looking for wisdom, a wisdom that's accessible to all people, a wisdom that really fulfills what is good and beautiful and true, there's one person that you can find it in. His name is Jesus. And the reason why there's these allusions to this book of Proverbs and this idea of being before creation is because ultimately, here's what the early Christians knew, that if you find Jesus, you find wisdom. That if you're looking for what true wisdom looks like, you can find it in Jesus." [27:55] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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