Embracing Wisdom: The Call to Personal Responsibility

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound theme of personal responsibility and the importance of heeding wisdom. We began by acknowledging the struggles many face, emphasizing that we are not meant to carry our burdens alone. God invites us to cast our cares upon Him, offering rest and peace in His presence. This invitation is not just for those who already know Him but also for those seeking a relationship with Him.

We delved into the book of Proverbs, focusing on the concept of acquiring wisdom. The message highlighted the importance of listening to God's wisdom and the consequences of ignoring it. We discussed how often people blame others, including God, for their misfortunes, instead of taking responsibility for their actions. The first step towards repentance is ownership, not blame-shifting. Wisdom is not silent; it actively seeks us out, calling us to pay attention and avoid destructive paths.

The sermon also addressed the allure of sin and the importance of choosing God's wisdom over the temptations of the world. We were reminded that while sin may appear attractive, God's holiness and wisdom are far more fulfilling. The message encouraged us to stay focused on God, ensuring that sin's beauty does not overshadow the beauty of a life lived in obedience to Him.

Finally, we were urged to respond to the call of wisdom in the present, understanding that there will come a time when it will be too late. The message concluded with an invitation to those who do not yet know Christ to come into a relationship with Him, and for those who have strayed, to return to Him.

Key Takeaways:

- Rest in God's Strength: We are not meant to carry our burdens alone. God invites us to cast our cares upon Him, offering rest and peace in His presence. This is a reminder that our strength comes from God, not from ourselves. [35:36]

- The Importance of Listening to Wisdom: Ignoring God's wisdom leads to calamity. We must take responsibility for our actions and not blame others, including God, for our misfortunes. The first step towards repentance is ownership. [42:57]

- The Allure of Sin vs. God's Holiness: Sin may appear attractive, but God's holiness and wisdom are far more fulfilling. We must stay focused on God to ensure that sin's beauty does not overshadow the beauty of a life lived in obedience to Him. [01:03:37]

- Responding to Wisdom's Call: There will come a time when it will be too late to respond to wisdom's call. We must heed wisdom now, understanding that God's grace is a gift, not a mandate. [01:25:11]

- Invitation to Relationship with Christ: For those who do not yet know Christ, today is the day of salvation. Respond to the call of wisdom and come into a relationship with Him. For those who have strayed, return to Him and experience His grace and mercy. [01:31:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [35:36] - Introduction and Prayer
- [36:23] - Standing with Living Stones Church
- [38:13] - Series on Proverbs: Acquiring Wisdom
- [39:33] - Message Title: It's On Me, I Didn't Listen
- [40:48] - Disclaimer: Responsibility and Blame
- [42:57] - Ignoring Wisdom and Blame Shifting
- [45:06] - Wisdom's Public Call
- [47:58] - Wisdom Seeks Us Out
- [49:34] - Confrontation and Accountability
- [51:05] - Wisdom's Confrontational Nature
- [01:00:28] - Wisdom vs. Adulterous Woman
- [01:03:37] - The Allure of Sin
- [01:25:11] - Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom
- [01:31:43] - Invitation to Salvation and Communion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Proverbs 1:20-33
- 1 Peter 5:7
- James 1:5-8

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Observation Questions:

1. In Proverbs 1:20-33, how is wisdom personified, and where does she make her call? What does this suggest about the accessibility of wisdom? [45:06]

2. According to the sermon, what are some consequences mentioned for ignoring wisdom's call? [01:25:11]

3. How does the sermon describe the allure of sin compared to the beauty of God's holiness? [01:03:37]

4. What does 1 Peter 5:7 say about how we should handle our burdens, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about resting in God's strength? [35:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to take personal responsibility for our actions in the context of the sermon, and how does this relate to the concept of repentance? [42:57]

2. How does the sermon explain the role of wisdom in guiding us away from destructive paths, and what might this look like in practical terms? [47:58]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that ignoring wisdom can lead to a hardened heart, and how does this relate to the biblical concept of a teachable spirit? [01:09:08]

4. How does the sermon interpret the urgency of responding to wisdom's call, and what implications does this have for our spiritual lives? [01:25:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you ignored wisdom's call. What were the consequences, and how might you respond differently in the future? [42:57]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of resting in God's strength. What specific burdens are you currently carrying that you need to cast upon God, and how can you practically do this? [35:36]

3. Consider the allure of sin in your life. What steps can you take to ensure that God's holiness remains more attractive to you than the temptations you face? [01:03:37]

4. How can you cultivate a teachable spirit in your daily life, especially when faced with correction or advice from others? [01:09:08]

5. The sermon warns of the danger of delaying our response to wisdom. What is one area of your life where you feel called to act now, and what steps will you take this week to respond to that call? [01:25:11]

6. How can you actively seek out wisdom in your daily routine, and what resources or practices can help you stay focused on God's guidance? [47:58]

7. Reflect on the invitation to a relationship with Christ mentioned in the sermon. If you have strayed, what steps can you take to return to Him and experience His grace and mercy anew? [01:31:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Rest in God's Strength
In life, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by burdens that seem too heavy to bear. The message reminds us that we are not meant to carry these burdens alone. God invites us to cast our cares upon Him, offering rest and peace in His presence. This invitation is extended to everyone, whether they already know Him or are seeking a relationship with Him. By resting in God's strength, we acknowledge that our own strength is insufficient and that true peace comes from relying on Him. This is a call to trust in God's provision and to find solace in His unwavering support. [35:36]

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: What burden are you carrying today that you need to release to God? How can you practically cast this care upon Him and rest in His strength?


Day 2: The Importance of Listening to Wisdom
Ignoring God's wisdom can lead to calamity and misfortune. The message emphasizes the need to take responsibility for our actions rather than blaming others, including God, for our troubles. The first step towards repentance is ownership, not blame-shifting. Wisdom is not passive; it actively seeks us out, urging us to pay attention and avoid destructive paths. By listening to wisdom, we align ourselves with God's guidance and open ourselves to His transformative power. This is a call to be attentive to God's voice and to embrace the responsibility of our choices. [42:57]

"Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray." (Proverbs 10:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been ignoring God's wisdom? How can you begin to take responsibility for your actions and seek His guidance today?


Day 3: The Allure of Sin vs. God's Holiness
Sin often appears attractive, drawing us away from God's path. However, the message reminds us that God's holiness and wisdom are far more fulfilling than any temporary pleasure sin can offer. By staying focused on God, we ensure that the allure of sin does not overshadow the beauty of a life lived in obedience to Him. This is a call to prioritize God's holiness and to find true fulfillment in His presence. It challenges us to discern the deceptive nature of sin and to choose God's wisdom over worldly temptations. [01:03:37]

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: What temptations are currently drawing you away from God's holiness? How can you refocus your heart and mind on the beauty of a life lived in obedience to Him?


Day 4: Responding to Wisdom's Call
There will come a time when it will be too late to respond to wisdom's call. The message urges us to heed wisdom now, understanding that God's grace is a gift, not a mandate. This is a call to action, encouraging us to embrace God's wisdom while we have the opportunity. By responding to wisdom's call, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open ourselves to His blessings. It challenges us to recognize the urgency of the moment and to make the most of the time we have to seek God's guidance. [01:25:11]

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near." (Isaiah 55:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been delaying a response to God's wisdom? How can you take immediate action to align yourself with His guidance today?


Day 5: Invitation to Relationship with Christ
For those who do not yet know Christ, today is the day of salvation. The message extends an invitation to come into a relationship with Him and to experience His grace and mercy. For those who have strayed, it is a call to return to Him and to find restoration in His presence. This is a call to embrace the transformative power of a relationship with Christ and to experience the fullness of His love. It challenges us to respond to His invitation and to seek a deeper connection with Him. [01:31:43]

"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." (Revelation 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: If you have not yet accepted Christ, what is holding you back from responding to His invitation today? If you have strayed, what steps can you take to return to Him and experience His grace anew?

Quotes



"The reason this is important is because the first step of repentance is ownership, not blame shifting. We got to learn how to be people of God who gets to a place of owning our stuff instead of being people who shift blame. Why? Because as long as you shift blame, you will never be broken to repentance." [00:44:15] (18 seconds)


"The reason we don't get excuses is because wisdom labors at getting our attention to keep us from traveling down the wrong path. It's a beautiful picture because guess what wisdom is doing and what wisdom isn't doing. What wisdom is not doing is saying, hey, come here." [00:47:29] (19 seconds)


"Wisdom says, I know we find wisdom. And I know they won't listen. So wisdom says, I'm coming to you. The text doesn't say wisdom is asking you to seek her. Wisdom is saying to you, I'm coming to seek you out. In the midst of where your life is taking place, in the midst of where your marriage is at, in the midst of where your children go to school, in the midst of your temptation, in the midst of your struggles, wisdom says, I'm meeting you where you're at and I'm screaming at you. Listen to me." [00:48:05] (32 seconds)


"Solomon says, let me put this in the female voicing. Why? Because what I want to communicate is that I know, young man, that the beauty of the adulterous woman is drawing you in. The lure of her speech, the glow of her skin. Y 'all know what you hear, huh? It's beautiful. Women, you got to make it man, though. It's beautiful." [01:00:38] (24 seconds)


"But guess what else is beautiful? Why is he putting wisdom in the female? Because he wants his son to know there's another woman that is attractive, too. And I know that the adulterous woman is beautiful, but wisdom is just as beautiful. She is just as attractive. And so if you're going to be attracted to something, attract yourself to her, not her." [01:01:29] (25 seconds)


"But people reject wisdom, which is the instruction of the Lord, because they want to. They want to satisfy their flesh. And yet people don't own up to that. We blame the messenger calling them. You judging me because we just don't want to be challenged because it's easier to shift blame again to it than to acknowledge arrogance. We blame our emotional state. And listen, mental health got people really out here blaming everything on their emotions, traumas and triggers. And I'm not saying we don't got mental health. But what I'm saying is mental health makes us vulnerable to seeing it doesn't make us yield to it." [01:03:37] (31 seconds)


"Some of us have to listen. I will speak. I will speak. Some of us have to listen. I will speak. I will speak. got to ask when we say god is silent is he silent or is your heart hard to his words we'll keep going we're running out of time if we want freedom growth and guidance wisdom says pay attention and she will shower it with us sounds good but wisdom did all of that just to set up the point that whenever you are in your situation she is saying you cannot blame me i have shouted on the streets i have went to the most public place i have called you to myself i have promised to give you my words if you would just listen to me so when you don't and you get the consequences of the path that you chose to walk wisdom says you cannot blame me proverbs 1 24 and 25 because i called and you refused i stretched out my hand and no one paid attention and you neglected all my advice and did not want my rebuke i will also laugh at your disaster i will mock when your dread comes when your dread comes like a storm and your disaster comes like a storm and your disaster comes like a storm and your disaster comes like a storm comes like a whirlwind when distress and anguish come upon you wisdom says i ain't got nothing for you but she says it because you refused when she says my my arms were stretched out it's the sign of a beckoning it's a parent who looks at their kid and we do this gesture right we're inviting them to come this is what wisdom is saying wisdom is saying i'm standing here it's the same thing that jesus said right oh jerusalem jerusalem oh how i wanted to gather you as a hand but but you refused to come to me all day long i had my arms stretched out to you saying come to me but you refused to come but then we blame god for our rejection of his invitation to come we say god is mad when we got to talk about wrath and judgment and hell and it's what evil god sent people to hell no a gracious god has asked you to come he has long suffered he has been patient he has endured our wickedness for thousands of years you said no he is not to blame for whatever state you find yourself in you got to look in the mirror and say god i rejected you i turned from you this is on me and this is the warning calamity is the consequence of the actions of the person who hated wisdom calamity refers to things that will wreck your life and things that go bad and wisdom says that it flows from our failure to respond to her i love what one commentator says it says the outcome for rejecting wisdom is not a lifetime of uncomplicated and innocent simplicity but rather one of calamity and terror in other words when you reject wisdom the outcome of that is not pretty it will be terror it will be calamity it will be destruction so when solomon says don't walk the path of sinners and his son does the destruction is his fault not solomon's yes the path destroyed the sun but the path could have been avoided and it seems crazy that wisdom would laugh and and mock but what wisdom is saying is how you did me i'm gonna do you you mock my wisdom i'll mock your disaster it doesn't mean that god is in heaven laughing and mocking no he's in heaven grieving our sin all that it is saying is that because of the choice you made i will simply just observe your situation and allow you to live it and have it when we reject and refuse wisdom the disaster of our lives is our fault and not his why because okay there's two ways you can look at this you got the passive and you got the active right so passive is if you touch a hot stove you're gonna get burned god don't gotta intervene in that and do nothing at the only intervention from god that's gonna help you is that somehow he cooled the stove off and you didn't burn right he stopped you right the right the uh the hebrew boys in the furnace like they should have just been burnt up he intervened so they wouldn't be burnt up but the natural consequence of getting in fire is you get burned so some stuff we go through ain't got it's just the universal principles of you touch a hot stove and you're gonna get burnt up if you touch a hot stove you're gonna burn yourself we ain't gotta be mad at god ask questions we can just be like i jumped off the roof without a parachute i broke my leg that's just what should happen we can't be like god why did you let me break my leg why did you jump i'm not up for like god be up there like what you okay you jumped and you asked me why oh test yes oh you wanted me to do them supernatural to help your stupidity got you it says i didn't it's my fault we understand it's easier to blame then okay but then there's the active consequences what's the active consequences active consequences is when god actually intervenes in your life and brings calamity and destruction to your life nehemiah one and eight remember please the word which you commanded your servant moses saying if you are unfaithful to god you will be punished and you will be unfaithful i will scatter you among the peoples i will lead you into captivity of the nations that wasn't passive that was active god intentionally raised up nations to go and take israel into captivity because of their continual unfaithfulness and disobedience if god doesn't do that those other nations got nothing on israel because they belong to the lords and who's gonna take who's gonna defeat the lord and take them into captivity that's why anytime he didn't want them in captivity no more who was gonna stop him from getting his people out nobody so he would actively get involved and lead another nations against israel as a consequence of their sin sometimes our destruction and calamity is a result of god getting involved and saying that's what you want bet got it i'm gonna give it to you and the reason that this is important that i love about god is he never runs from his responsibility like i don't i don't try to protect god why did god do that to me i don't know why he did that to me i don't know why he did that to me because you're a sinner because here's the problem if god is your problem only god can be your solution why does that matter because that means you can't fight or work your way out of this calamity you can only repent your way out of this calamity and even in repentance consequences still remain don't believe me romans 1 25 and 28 for they exchange the truth of god for falsehood and worship and serve the creature rather than the creation surrogacy who was blessed forever, amen, for this reason, God gave them over to degrading passions, for the women exchanged natural relationships for that which is contrary to nature. And likewise, the men, too, abandoned natural relations for women and burned in their desires towards one another, males with males, committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see it fit to acknowledge God, he gave them up to a depraved mind to do the things that are not proper. Eventually, God says, you want it, have it, and have everything that comes with it, every destructive path that comes with it, every broken relationship that comes with it. He says, if you want it so bad, you exchange the truth for a lie, you refuse to acknowledge me, then have it your way, but don't blame me for the consequences, for the path that you chose to travel, continuing to reject wisdom will result in wisdom's silence." [01:14:36] (0 seconds)


"This means she lets us follow our own way, keep rejecting wisdom. There comes a time when she stops speaking, and the conditions that we choose will be the conditions that we get. This is what the Proverbs is saying. It's not mocking, it's handing over. And it doesn't mean it's a permanent handing over all the time, because in Romans 2, he's then calling those same people to repentance." [01:22:58] (20 seconds)


"Let this sermon be the wisdom. Let this sermon be the spirit of God calling you to a present action. God doesn't delight in the death of the wicked, but he desires all to come to him. Second Peter three and nine come to repentance. This is why he hasn't come back yet. He wants people saved." [01:31:26] (16 seconds)


"And so if you, if you're here to plead of you as today is the day, respond to the present call of wisdom to come and receive Christ. And for the rest of us, stop rejecting wisdom. If you want to grow in your walk with the Lord, avoid foolishness that causes you to stumble because it can be avoided. If you listen to the conviction of the Lord and the wisdom of the, of your counsel, wise wisdom, but either way, take responsibility for your choices because the first step of repentance is ownership. It's not blame." [01:31:43] (32 seconds)


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Transcript
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