From Knowledge to Wisdom: Living Out Our Faith
Summary
In today's gathering, we delve into the profound distinction between knowledge and wisdom, particularly as it pertains to our spiritual journey and growth in Christ. We find ourselves in an era where knowledge is abundant, accessible with the mere click of a button. Yet, it is imperative to recognize that not all knowledge is beneficial for our spiritual nourishment. As we explore Colossians chapter one, we are reminded that the Apostle Paul, though he had not visited the Colossian church, was deeply concerned about their spiritual well-being. The church was being infiltrated by various philosophies and the deceptive teachings of Gnosticism, which claimed that secret knowledge was key to spiritual enlightenment.
Paul's message to the Colossians, and to us, is clear: knowledge alone is insufficient. It is through the application of knowledge, through wisdom, that we truly grow and bear fruit in our Christian lives. Wisdom is the practical outworking of knowledge, the hands and feet of our faith in action. It is not enough to simply know what is good; we must do what is good. This is the essence of bearing fruit – not merely in the number of souls won for Christ, but in becoming more like Jesus in character and in our actions towards others.
We are called to be fruitful in every good work, to help those in need, to support our community, and to be a blessing to others. Our church, for instance, began as a mission church, a testament to the power of applied knowledge and wisdom. It is through the strength and power of God that we find the endurance to face trials with joyfulness, and it is through spiritual understanding that we discern whom to help and how to live out our faith.
As we consider our own spiritual lives, we must ask ourselves whether we are merely accumulating knowledge or actively seeking to apply it. Are we content with staying at the starting point of our faith, or are we pressing forward, growing, and becoming all that God intends for us to be? It is through prayer, spiritual understanding, and the application of God's Word that we move beyond the starting point and into a life of fruitful service to the Lord.
Key Takeaways:
- Knowledge without application is like a tool that is never used. As believers, we must not only seek to understand God's Word but also to live it out in our daily lives. This is the essence of wisdom – the practical application of spiritual truths that transforms us and those around us. [17:08]
- Fruitfulness in the Christian life is not limited to evangelism but encompasses all aspects of godly character and good works. Whether it is caring for a widow or offering a helping hand in the community, every act of service done in Jesus' name is a reflection of His love and a testament to our growth in Him. [34:39]
- Spiritual growth is not a passive process; it requires active engagement and the willingness to apply what we learn. The Holy Spirit guides us in understanding and applying God's will, leading us to a life that is pleasing to Him and impactful to others. [29:37]
- Prayer is a powerful tool for spiritual growth, not only for ourselves but for others as well. By praying for others to grow and become all that God intends, we participate in the spiritual development of the body of Christ. [19:57]
- Testimonies are a vital part of our Christian witness. Sharing how God has worked in our lives encourages others and bears witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. Let us not neglect to share our stories of faith, for they may be the sermon someone needs to hear. [43:14]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 1:3-12
2. Daniel 12:4
3. Ephesians 2:8-9
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main concern Paul had for the Colossian church according to the sermon? ([02:52])
2. How does Paul describe the starting point of a Christian's spiritual journey in Colossians 1:3-4? ([07:23])
3. What does Paul pray for the Colossians to be filled with, according to Colossians 1:9? ([22:33])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between knowledge and wisdom using the example of a Super Soaker? ([15:49])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of moving beyond the starting point of salvation in Colossians 1:10? ([13:11])
2. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in gaining spiritual understanding and applying knowledge? ([29:37])
3. What does it mean to be "fruitful in every good work" as described in Colossians 1:10, and how does the sermon expand on this concept? ([34:39])
4. How does the sermon suggest we should pray for others' spiritual growth, and why is this important? ([19:57])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are you at the starting point, or are you actively seeking to grow and apply what you learn? What steps can you take to move forward? ([13:11])
2. Think about a specific area in your life where you have knowledge but have not yet applied it. What practical steps can you take this week to put that knowledge into action? ([15:49])
3. How can you incorporate prayer for others' spiritual growth into your daily routine? Identify one person you can start praying for regularly. ([19:57])
4. Consider the concept of being "fruitful in every good work." What is one good work you can commit to this week to reflect Christ's love in your community? ([34:39])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of sharing testimonies. When was the last time you shared how God has worked in your life? Plan to share your testimony with someone this week. ([43:14])
6. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on spiritual growth. What can you do to minimize this distraction and prioritize your relationship with God? ([30:51])
7. How can you use the knowledge you gain from Bible studies and sermons to make a tangible impact in your church or community? Share one idea and commit to taking action on it. ([23:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Wisdom Activates Knowledge
True wisdom is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it is about the practical application of what we know to our daily lives. This wisdom is the bridge between understanding God's Word and living it out. It is the discernment to know when and how to use knowledge for the benefit of oneself and others, transforming information into action. Wisdom is the hands and feet of faith, moving believers from passive learning to active doing. It is in this doing that faith becomes alive, and believers grow in their spiritual journey. The challenge lies not in the accumulation of knowledge but in its application, which is the true measure of spiritual maturity. [17:08]
"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: What is one piece of biblical knowledge you have learned recently, and how can you apply it to a situation in your life today?
Day 2: Beyond Evangelism to Godly Character
Fruitfulness in the Christian life extends beyond the act of evangelism to include the cultivation of godly character and the performance of good works. It is about embodying the love of Christ in every interaction and through every deed, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. This means caring for those in need, supporting the community, and being a blessing to others in practical ways. Each act of kindness and service, done in Jesus' name, is a reflection of His love and a testament to the believer's growth in Him. The true measure of spiritual fruitfulness is found in becoming more like Jesus in character and actions. [34:39]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific act of kindness or service you can perform this week that reflects the character of Jesus.
Day 3: Engaging in Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is an active process that requires engagement and the willingness to apply what is learned. It is not enough to be a passive recipient of spiritual truths; one must also be a doer. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers to understand and apply God's will, leading to a life that is pleasing to Him and impactful to others. This active engagement is the catalyst for transformation and the pathway to becoming all that God intends for His followers. [29:37]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22 ESV)
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to move from being a hearer of the Word to a doer?
Day 4: The Power of Prayer in Spiritual Formation
Prayer is a foundational element in the life of a believer, serving as a powerful tool for personal spiritual growth and for interceding on behalf of others. Through prayer, believers connect with God, seek His guidance, and ask for the strength to endure trials with joyfulness. Praying for others not only supports their spiritual development but also unites the body of Christ in a common purpose. It is through this shared spiritual discipline that believers can grow together and encourage one another in their faith journeys. [19:57]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2 ESV)
Reflection: Who can you commit to praying for this week, asking God to help them grow in their spiritual journey?
Day 5: Sharing Testimonies of Transformation
Sharing personal testimonies is a powerful aspect of Christian witness. It involves recounting the ways in which God has worked in one's life, offering encouragement to others and bearing witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. These stories of faith are not just personal narratives; they serve as sermons of their own, capable of touching hearts and inspiring change. Believers are encouraged to share their testimonies, recognizing that their experiences may be the very message someone needs to hear. [43:14]
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you saw God at work in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone this week?
Quotes
- "Christianity is supposed to be lived out. There are many people that say knowledge, knowledge, knowledge, and there's a ton of people who have all this knowledge that are not doing nothing with it." [17:08] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "It's not your ending point which we also since the day we heard it do not cease to pray for you. I'm praying for you because... does God want you to become like Christ, does God want you to touch people's lives?" [19:13] (Download | )
- "If you just have this knowledge and you don't apply it, you don't learn it, then you're going to quit on God. Let me say that again, you don't quit on God, he doesn't quit on you." [40:51] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "Being fruitful in every good work now here's what you ask 99% of Christians what the word fruitful means they think it's evangelism only. They don't think it's chopping wood for a widow that needs help." [34:39] (Download | )
- "If you know you're supposed to do something here and you don't do it, can you ever change and please God? Just knowledge and intellectual facts without applying it ever please God?" [33:59] (Download | )
- "We're supposed to be a blessing to people in our community. We're supposed to help somebody. Now am I supposed to help everybody? I can't help everybody, but does God have a will the spiritual understanding can the Holy Spirit tell you who you're supposed to help and who I'm supposed to help?" [39:39] (Download | )
- "Unless you apply what you learn, you're never going to grow and you're never going to touch anybody's life. Knowledge is not enough unless you apply it to your life." [28:05] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "A testimony sometimes will be another sermon from God that you might need to hear. I gave you a sermon today, but maybe a testimony... that's the Holy Spirit, that's the person that knows they're supposed to be thankful for God." [43:14] (Download | )
- "We got all this knowledge and it's just sitting on the shelf week after week after week. We stay at the starting point... but we need to grow." [31:29] (Download | )
- "The Holy Spirit has to show you the knowledge and the Holy Spirit has to show you the application as well. That's why it's called spiritual understanding." [29:37] (Download | )
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