Seeking Wisdom: Foundations for a Fulfilling Life
Summary
In our journey to seek wisdom, we must first acknowledge the vastness of God's knowledge compared to our own. True wisdom begins with the humility to recognize how little we truly know. This humility is the foundation upon which we build a life of wisdom, as we strive to understand God's will and walk in His light. As we delve into Ephesians 5:14-21, we are reminded to walk circumspectly, redeeming the time because the days are evil. This passage calls us to be filled with the Spirit, to speak to one another in psalms and hymns, and to give thanks always, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Walking in wisdom requires us to be intentional with our time. We all have the same 24 hours each day, yet how we choose to use that time can lead to a life of fulfillment or one of regret. Paul urges us to make the most of our time, to wake up from our spiritual slumber, and to start each day with God's Word. This practice not only equips us to face the evil in the world but also aligns our hearts with God's purposes.
The results of living a life of wisdom are profound. We gain godly understanding, which allows us to discern God's will. We experience godly control, as we are filled with the Spirit rather than being led astray by worldly desires. This leads to godly joy, a contentment that transcends circumstances and is rooted in our relationship with the Lord. Furthermore, wisdom fosters godly thanksgiving, as we learn to praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He has done. Finally, wisdom brings about godly submission, where we humbly place others before ourselves, reflecting the ultimate humility of Christ.
As we continue this series on seeking wisdom, let us commit to pursuing godly wisdom in our lives, knowing that it leads to a fulfilling life grounded in the truth of God's Word.
Key Takeaways:
1. Humility as the Foundation of Wisdom: True wisdom begins with the humility to recognize our limited understanding compared to God's infinite knowledge. This humility is essential for learning and growing in wisdom, as it opens our hearts to God's guidance and truth. [03:51]
2. Intentional Time Management: Making the most of our time is crucial because the days are evil. By starting each day with God's Word, we align our hearts with His purposes and equip ourselves to face the challenges of the world. This intentionality in time management leads to a life of fulfillment and purpose. [10:09]
3. Godly Understanding and Control: Wisdom produces godly understanding, allowing us to discern God's will. It also leads to godly control, as we are filled with the Spirit rather than being led astray by worldly desires. This control is essential for living a life that honors God. [14:58]
4. Joy and Thanksgiving in Wisdom: A life of wisdom is marked by godly joy and thanksgiving. This joy is rooted in our relationship with the Lord and transcends circumstances. True thanksgiving arises from understanding the joy creator and expressing gratitude for His work in our lives. [21:31]
5. Submission and Humility: Wisdom brings about godly submission, where we humbly place others before ourselves. This submission reflects the ultimate humility of Christ and is a testament to the transformative power of wisdom in our lives. [27:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:51] - The Humility of Wisdom
- [07:25] - Walking Circumspectly
- [10:09] - Making the Most of Our Time
- [14:58] - Godly Understanding
- [18:15] - Godly Control
- [21:31] - Joy Without Alcohol
- [23:54] - Thanksgiving and Praise
- [27:21] - Submission and Humility
- [30:00] - Invitation to Submit to Christ
- [32:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:14-21
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise" in Ephesians 5:15? How does this relate to the concept of wisdom discussed in the sermon? [07:25]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being "filled with the Spirit" as opposed to being "drunk with wine"? How does this relate to godly control? [18:15]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between wisdom and time management? What practical examples were given to illustrate this point? [10:09]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that wisdom leads to godly joy and thanksgiving? How is this joy different from worldly happiness? [21:31]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon define true wisdom, and why is humility considered its foundation? How does this understanding challenge common perceptions of wisdom? [03:51]
2. What does it mean to "redeem the time" in the context of Ephesians 5:16, and why is this important for believers today? How does this concept relate to the sermon’s emphasis on intentional time management? [10:09]
3. How does the sermon explain the connection between godly understanding and discerning God's will? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? [14:58]
4. The sermon discusses the idea of godly submission. How is this concept portrayed as a reflection of Christ's humility, and what implications does it have for interpersonal relationships within the church? [27:21]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: In what areas do you need to cultivate more humility to grow in wisdom? How can you practically pursue this humility in your daily interactions? [03:51]
2. Consider your daily routine: How can you be more intentional with your time to align it with God's purposes? What specific changes can you make to start each day with God's Word? [10:09]
3. Think about the influences in your life: What are you currently allowing to control you, and how can you shift that control to the Holy Spirit? What steps can you take to ensure you are filled with the Spirit? [18:15]
4. Identify a recent situation where you experienced joy: How was this joy rooted in your relationship with the Lord? How can you cultivate a deeper sense of godly joy and thanksgiving in your life? [21:31]
5. Reflect on your relationships: How can you practice godly submission by placing others before yourself? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate Christ-like humility in your interactions? [27:21]
6. Evaluate your current spiritual practices: How can you incorporate more praise and thanksgiving into your daily routine? What are some practical ways to express gratitude for who God is and what He has done? [23:54]
7. Consider the sermon’s challenge to wake up from spiritual slumber: What is one area of your spiritual life that needs revitalization, and how can you take steps to awaken and strengthen it this week? [10:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Humility as the Gateway to Wisdom
True wisdom begins with the humility to recognize our limited understanding compared to God's infinite knowledge. This humility is essential for learning and growing in wisdom, as it opens our hearts to God's guidance and truth. By acknowledging our limitations, we create space for God's wisdom to fill us, leading us to a deeper understanding of His will. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about recognizing the greatness of God and our need for His guidance. [03:51]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to acknowledge your limitations? How can you invite God to guide you in these areas today?
Day 2: Intentional Time Management for a Purposeful Life
Making the most of our time is crucial because the days are evil. By starting each day with God's Word, we align our hearts with His purposes and equip ourselves to face the challenges of the world. This intentionality in time management leads to a life of fulfillment and purpose. It requires us to be mindful of how we spend our time and to prioritize activities that draw us closer to God and His will for our lives. [10:09]
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to better manage your time in a way that aligns with God's purposes for your life?
Day 3: Godly Understanding and Control
Wisdom produces godly understanding, allowing us to discern God's will. It also leads to godly control, as we are filled with the Spirit rather than being led astray by worldly desires. This control is essential for living a life that honors God. By seeking wisdom, we gain the ability to make decisions that reflect God's character and intentions, leading to a life that is pleasing to Him. [14:58]
"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: Identify a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God's wisdom to ensure your choice aligns with His will?
Day 4: Joy and Thanksgiving in Wisdom
A life of wisdom is marked by godly joy and thanksgiving. This joy is rooted in our relationship with the Lord and transcends circumstances. True thanksgiving arises from understanding the joy creator and expressing gratitude for His work in our lives. By cultivating a heart of gratitude, we acknowledge God's goodness and faithfulness, which in turn deepens our joy. [21:31]
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you can thank God for today, even if your circumstances are challenging?
Day 5: Submission and Humility Reflecting Christ
Wisdom brings about godly submission, where we humbly place others before ourselves. This submission reflects the ultimate humility of Christ and is a testament to the transformative power of wisdom in our lives. By choosing to submit to others in love, we demonstrate the character of Christ and allow His humility to shape our interactions and relationships. [27:21]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can serve or prioritize today, reflecting the humility of Christ?
Quotes
Wisdom is kind of like this. Knowledge is kind of like this. There are so many things that happen in this world that we don't even know about. And the more we get to know things, the more we realize that we don't even know. That's what wisdom is. When you are wise, you realize that part of the learning process is understanding how little you know about something. [00:00:03] (21 seconds)
So I just want to throw this out there. You don't have to be a 10th grader to be a sophomore. I've known a lot of sophomore adults in my life. I've been a sophomore adult in my life as well. You see that knowing that our knowledge is just a tiny fraction of God's knowledge is very humbling, and it's at the heart of wisdom. [00:00:56] (21 seconds)
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is, and do not be drunk with wine in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. [00:02:20] (30 seconds)
The CSB uses the phrase pay careful attention while the New King James Version uses the word circumspect, which means looking around. So the idea here is to look around carefully, paying attention as you walk. Around this time last year, Zach Heppner, Cooper Burns, Brad Beatty, and I went to Kauai in Hawaii. We wanted to hike the Kalalau Trail. [00:05:21] (26 seconds)
That's what Paul had in mind in these verses. Don't leave your walk to chance because the consequences are deadly. One wrong step, and you could face unspeakable consequences in your life. King Solomon once said in Proverbs 4, 26, ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left. Remove your foot from evil. [00:07:30] (28 seconds)
Just take an inventory of your life last week and every day. What did you do with your time? Solomon teaches us that there's a time for everything, Ecclesiastes 3.1. To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. So we should make the most of it. Be purposeful with your time. [00:11:03] (19 seconds)
Paul tells us that when we are wise, we will understand the will of the Lord. Seeking God's knowledge for what he wants you to do in life is valuable. It brings wisdom with it. Part of understanding is knowledge and part of knowledge is acknowledging that every piece of information that we have or have ever had comes from God. [00:16:10] (26 seconds)
We will be controlled by something in our life. Everyone will. You can't go through life without being controlled by something. The question is, to whom or to what do you give your control of your life to? The Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus because in Luke 4.28, they were filled with wrath. They were controlled by their wrath. When you're filled with the Spirit, you are controlled by the Spirit. [00:17:50] (31 seconds)
True wisdom produces godly understanding, godly control, and then godly joy. Verse 19, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible because it talks about singing. I don't know about you, but singing brings joy to me probably better than anything else in life, except my grandson maybe. [00:19:59] (27 seconds)
Godly praise and thanksgiving is at the very heart of wisdom. In fact, it should be the target for every believer. Godly praise and thanksgiving should be our target. It's why we were created. We should be filled with the spirit to praise God and in doing so, offer him thanksgiving for what he has done in our life. [00:23:12] (23 seconds)
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