Righteousness Over Being Right: A Journey to Wisdom
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of righteousness over being right. The speaker referenced the story of Paul speaking to the Stoics and Epicureans, highlighting Paul's approach of understanding their flawed thought processes and using their own beliefs to respectfully address them. He didn't try to convince them of God's existence, but rather pointed out that God is not far from each one of us. The speaker also drew parallels to modern day, suggesting that the altar of the unknown God has taken different forms in our society, such as enlightenment, productivity, and politics.
The sermon also emphasized the importance of wisdom and understanding in our spiritual journey. The speaker suggested that divine wisdom is submission to goodness in its purest form, removing our preferences, certitude, and bias and replacing them with righteousness. The search for divine wisdom is the search for God, and as a result, we are gifted with the favor of a fuller life, a satisfaction of the soul, and a greater understanding of equity, justice, and righteousness.
Key Takeaways:
- Paul's approach to speaking with the Stoics and Epicureans serves as a model for engaging with others about faith, emphasizing understanding and respect over trying to prove one's point. [23:47]
- The altar of the unknown God has taken different forms in modern society, and we can find glimpses of truth in each one. [24:59]
- Divine wisdom is submission to goodness in its purest form, removing our preferences, certitude, and bias and replacing them with righteousness. [16:34]
- The search for divine wisdom is the search for God, and as a result, we are gifted with the favor of a fuller life, a satisfaction of the soul, and a greater understanding of equity, justice, and righteousness. [17:11]
- The parable of the prodigal son serves as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and the heart of the Father towards us. [18:59]
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. Jesus sought out those who were willing to make a difference, not necessarily those who would be considered prime candidates by today's ministerial standards. These individuals were willing to lay down what they knew to be right to follow the one who was righteous. Righteousness is more than a principle, it is a person, and by following that person, we embody righteousness. [26:19] [26:50]
2. Wisdom is needed in social settings. Wisdom isn't knowledge, wit, pride, or logic. Wisdom doesn't teach us what to think but rather how to think. We are challenged to trust in the wisdom of God and to submit to goodness, to search for understanding, and to engage with a world that needs meaning. [27:28]
3. We often sacrifice kindness, wholeness in relationships, and the opportunity to hear the perspective of another person in order to be right. We need to place value on good things and less value on being right. [28:47] [29:31]
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. Matthew 4:18-22 - The calling of the first disciples
2. Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trusting in the wisdom of God
3. Philippians 2:1-11 - The importance of humility and considering others above ourselves
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 4:18-22, what did the disciples leave behind to follow Jesus?
2. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 say about trusting in our own understanding?
3. How does Philippians 2:1-11 describe the attitude we should have towards others?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the disciples' response to Jesus' call in Matthew 4:18-22 reflect the sermon's point about righteousness being more than a principle?
2. How does Proverbs 3:5-6 relate to the sermon's point about the importance of wisdom and trusting in God's wisdom?
3. How does Philippians 2:1-11 challenge our tendency to prioritize being right over being kind and valuing relationships?
Application Questions:
1. How can we embody righteousness in our daily lives, following the example of the disciples in Matthew 4:18-22?
2. In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in God's wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
3. How can we apply the teachings in Philippians 2:1-11 to value kindness and relationships more than being right?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Divine Wisdom
Divine wisdom is not just a spiritual force for good, but it's also practical, protecting us from the consequences of our own poor choices. It removes our preference, certitude, and bias and replaces it with righteousness. This wisdom is submission to goodness in its purest form. [15:57]
Proverbs 2:9 - "Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you could have applied divine wisdom. How would it have changed the outcome?
Day 2: The Search for God
The search for divine wisdom is the search for God. As a result, we are gifted with the favor of a fuller life, a satisfaction of the soul, and we gain a greater understanding of equity, justice, and righteousness. [16:34]
Acts 17:27 - "God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us."
Reflection: How can you actively seek God in your daily life to gain a fuller understanding of His divine wisdom?
Day 3: The Righteousness of God
Righteousness is more than a principle, it is a person. By following Jesus, we embody righteousness. This is the mysterious nature of the Spirit indwelling and out of that, the goodness of God emanates outward. [26:50]
Romans 5:19 - "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."
Reflection: How can you embody righteousness in your interactions with others this week?
Day 4: The Sacrifice of Being Right
We often sacrifice kindness, wholeness in relationships, and the opportunity to hear the perspective of another person in order to be right. Reflect on what you sacrifice in order to be right and bring that before God. [28:47]
James 3:17 - "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
Reflection: What can you do to prioritize kindness and understanding over being right in your interactions this week?
Day 5: The Desire for Significance
Our desire to be right is overshadowed only by our desire to be significant. Every cultural ideal has a shortcoming and just as Paul spoke wisdom into the milieu of Athens, so we too can speak wisdom into our present-day circumstances. [25:43]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How can you use your desire for significance to bring wisdom and light into your community?
Quotes
1. "Wisdom isn't knowledge because information doesn't always lead to application. Wisdom isn't wit because our words can be destructive. Wisdom isn't pride because our ego can be our downfall and wisdom isn't logic because logic alone isn't life-giving. Wisdom doesn't teach us what to think but rather how to think." - 09:55
2. "Being right doesn't require repentance, being righteous does. They left behind their livelihoods and became almost unrecognizable to those who knew them before. They were more than informed, they were transformed. Righteousness is more than a principle, it is a person and by following that person we embody righteousness." - 26:50
3. "Our desire to be right is overshadowed only by our desire to be significant because the alternative leaves us racked with doubt. Every cultural ideal has a shortcoming and just as Paul spoke wisdom into the milieu of Athens, so we too can speak wisdom into our present day circumstances." - 25:43
4. "Rational thought exposes our errors, it can tell us what is wrong but can it tell us what is good? Morality does not speak to purpose, nuance, form or finality and when those go unanswered long enough, we stop asking about them." - 11:40
5. "There is a rabbinical term used to illustrate the many facets of scripture, it's known as turning the gem. The idea is that if you hold a precious stone up to the light, it will receive that light and refract it directionally. Turn the gem a little more and it reveals more detail." - 12:19
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