Solomon's Wisdom: Finishing Strong in Faith

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound wisdom and life lessons from the story of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. Solomon's life is a testament to the complexities of human nature and the divine wisdom that God offers to those who seek it. Despite being born into privilege as the son of King David, Solomon's life was marked by both extraordinary wisdom and significant personal failures. His story serves as a reminder that wisdom alone is not enough; it must be applied to one's life to avoid becoming a "wise fool."

Solomon's journey teaches us that a good finish is more important than a glorious start. It's not about how we begin our spiritual journey but how we persevere and finish it. This is especially true in our faith walk, where complacency can lead to spiritual downfall. Solomon's life also illustrates the dangers of compromise. His alliances through marriage with foreign nations led him away from God, showing us that small compromises can lead to significant spiritual consequences.

Moreover, Solomon's story highlights the importance of godly wisdom and discernment over worldly success. When Solomon asked God for wisdom to govern his people, God granted him not only wisdom but also wealth and honor. This teaches us that when we prioritize God's kingdom, He blesses us in ways beyond our imagination. However, we must be cautious about what we ask for, as God may grant it and more.

Finally, Solomon's wisdom in resolving the dispute between two women over a child demonstrates the necessity of divine wisdom in solving earthly problems. God's wisdom provides heavenly solutions to our earthly challenges, reminding us to seek His guidance in all aspects of life.

Key Takeaways:

1. A Good Finish Over a Glorious Start: Solomon's life teaches us that it's not how we start but how we finish that truly matters. In our spiritual journey, we must remain vigilant and committed, continually striving to grow in our faith and relationship with God. Complacency can lead to spiritual downfall, so we must keep running the race with perseverance. [44:22]

2. The Dangers of Compromise: Solomon's alliances through marriage with foreign nations led him away from God. This serves as a warning that small compromises can lead to significant spiritual consequences. We must be vigilant in our decisions, considering the long-term impact on our spiritual well-being. [51:15]

3. Godly Wisdom Over Worldly Success: When Solomon asked for wisdom, God granted him not only wisdom but also wealth and honor. This teaches us that prioritizing God's kingdom leads to blessings beyond our imagination. Godly wisdom and discernment are more valuable than riches, longevity, and success. [01:02:25]

4. The Necessity of Divine Wisdom: Solomon's wisdom in resolving the dispute between two women over a child demonstrates the necessity of divine wisdom in solving earthly problems. We must seek God's guidance in all aspects of life, trusting that His wisdom provides heavenly solutions to our earthly challenges. [01:07:43]

5. Be Careful What You Ask For: Solomon's story reminds us to be cautious about what we ask for, as God may grant it and more. We must ensure that our desires align with God's will, seeking His wisdom and guidance in our requests. [01:04:37]

Youtube Chapters:

[0:00] - Welcome
[31:10] - Amazing Love and Sacrifice
[32:08] - Communion Preparation
[33:40] - The Bread and the Cup
[42:05] - The Parachute Story
[43:09] - Solomon: A Wise Fool
[44:22] - A Good Finish Over a Glorious Start
[45:58] - Solomon's Messy Family
[48:22] - Trusting God Despite Circumstances
[49:27] - Solomon's Strategic but Unwise Decisions
[51:15] - The Slippery Slope of Compromise
[52:21] - Solomon's Relationship with God
[54:30] - Cultural Influences and Spiritual Well-being
[59:16] - Solomon's Request for Wisdom
[01:07:43] - The Wisdom of Solomon's Judgment
[01:12:07] - Special Guests and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Wisdom and Life of Solomon

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Kings 3:5-14
2. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
3. James 1:5

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Observation Questions:

1. What request did Solomon make to God when he was given the opportunity to ask for anything? How did God respond to his request? ([59:54])

2. How does the story of Solomon illustrate the concept of a "wise fool"? What were some of Solomon's wise decisions and some of his unwise ones? ([43:46])

3. What was the significance of Solomon's alliances through marriage, and how did they impact his spiritual life? ([50:01])

4. How did Solomon's judgment in the case of the two women demonstrate his wisdom? What was the outcome of this judgment? ([01:07:01])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does Solomon's request for wisdom over wealth and honor reflect his priorities? How does this align with the biblical perspective on wisdom? ([01:01:06])

2. How does the concept of a "good finish" over a "glorious start" apply to one's spiritual journey? What does this suggest about the importance of perseverance in faith? ([44:22])

3. What lessons can be learned from Solomon's compromises, and how do they serve as a warning for us today? ([51:15])

4. How does the story of Solomon's judgment between the two women illustrate the necessity of divine wisdom in solving earthly problems? ([01:07:43])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas where you have become complacent? How can you ensure a "good finish" in your faith walk? ([44:22])

2. Consider a recent decision you made. Were there any compromises involved? How might you approach similar decisions in the future to align more closely with God's will? ([51:15])

3. In what ways can you prioritize seeking godly wisdom in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ask for and apply this wisdom? ([01:02:25])

4. Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you seek God's guidance to find a heavenly solution to this earthly problem? ([01:07:43])

5. Reflect on your desires and requests in prayer. Are they aligned with God's will? How can you ensure that what you ask for is in line with His kingdom priorities? ([01:04:37])

6. Identify a situation where you might be tempted to rely on worldly success over godly wisdom. How can you shift your focus to prioritize God's kingdom in this area? ([01:02:25])

7. How can you cultivate a heart that is tender to the things of God, like Solomon's initial relationship with God? What daily practices can help maintain this sensitivity? ([52:21])

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance in Faith Over Initial Enthusiasm
In the story of Solomon, we learn that a strong start does not guarantee a successful finish. Solomon, despite his privileged beginnings and divine wisdom, faced significant personal failures. His life illustrates the importance of perseverance in our spiritual journey. It's not enough to begin with enthusiasm; we must remain vigilant and committed to our faith. Complacency can lead to spiritual downfall, as seen in Solomon's life. We are reminded to keep running the race with perseverance, continually striving to grow in our relationship with God. [44:22]

Ecclesiastes 7:8 (ESV): "Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure that you are persevering in your faith journey, rather than relying on past spiritual experiences or achievements?

Day 2: The Subtlety of Compromise
Solomon's alliances through marriage with foreign nations serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromise. These seemingly small decisions led him away from God, illustrating how minor compromises can have significant spiritual consequences. We must be vigilant in our decisions, considering their long-term impact on our spiritual well-being. Solomon's story warns us to be mindful of the subtle ways in which compromise can erode our faith and lead us astray. [51:15]

1 Kings 11:4 (ESV): "For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you might be making small compromises. How can you realign your decisions with your spiritual values today?

Day 3: Prioritizing Divine Wisdom Over Earthly Success
When Solomon asked God for wisdom, he received not only wisdom but also wealth and honor. This teaches us that prioritizing God's kingdom leads to blessings beyond our imagination. Godly wisdom and discernment are more valuable than riches, longevity, and success. Solomon's story encourages us to seek divine wisdom above all else, trusting that God will provide for our needs in ways we cannot foresee. [01:02:25]

Proverbs 3:13-14 (ESV): "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize seeking God's wisdom in your daily decisions, rather than focusing on worldly success?

Day 4: Seeking Divine Guidance in Earthly Matters
Solomon's wisdom in resolving the dispute between two women over a child demonstrates the necessity of divine wisdom in solving earthly problems. We are reminded to seek God's guidance in all aspects of life, trusting that His wisdom provides heavenly solutions to our earthly challenges. By turning to God for direction, we can navigate complex situations with clarity and grace. [01:07:43]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively seek God's wisdom and guidance in addressing this issue today?

Day 5: Aligning Desires with God's Will
Solomon's story reminds us to be cautious about what we ask for, as God may grant it and more. We must ensure that our desires align with God's will, seeking His wisdom and guidance in our requests. This teaches us the importance of aligning our prayers and desires with God's purposes, trusting that He knows what is best for us. [01:04:37]

Psalm 37:4 (ESV): "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Reflection: Reflect on your current desires and prayers. How can you ensure that they align with God's will and purposes for your life?

Quotes

1. "Communion is a very important gift that God has given to His church. Sometimes it's very easy to take it lightly, but the reality is that this might be one of the most important things to make sure that we're properly aligned with God. The Scripture actually tells us in 1 Corinthians that before we partake, that we need to make sure that we are right with God, that we know Him as our Savior, but also that we are walking in intimacy with Him as our Lord." [32:28] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Whether we have smarts, gifts, talents, abilities, wealth, you name it, if we don't submit it to the Lord always, then we're more likely to squander it than we are to use it. And this is true of Solomon. His life is an incredible reminder for us that it isn't always how you start but how you finish that actually matters. In fact, today I'm going to give you seven principles for living from Solomon's life and the first one is this: a good finish is always better than a glorious start." [44:22] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God wants to do the same for you as he's done for me. As he did for Solomon, but it requires that you bend your knee. It requires that you bow your heart and it requires that you follow and trust in the leading of the Lord. Not perfectly none of this is perfect, but it is the condition. It is the default of your heart. Well, with Solomon, God did something unique. He wasn't the guy who was rightful to the throne. And yet on David's deathbed, he comes to bring Solomon to the throne." [48:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Choosing the slippery slope of compromise will most often lead to greater problems in your life. In other words, we need to be careful to always consider in advance the unintended consequences of our decisions. Because every decision you make, there are consequences. There are some consequences that are likely to happen. And if you're not careful, you'll make what you think is a prudent decision in the moment that will cost you greatly later." [51:15] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God is for you. Sin is against you. And you have to decide each day which one you want more. Do I want God more? Do I want God less? Do I want God more? Do I want God more? Do I want God more? Or do I want the world more? Do I want God more? Or do I want my flesh more? Do I want God more? Or do I want the temptation of the devil more?" [58:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Godly wisdom and discernment are more valuable in life than riches, longevity, and success. I'm going to say that again. Godly wisdom and discernment are more valuable in life than riches, longevity, and success. Do you realize that that statement alone smacks against the American dream? It smacks against everything that you and I have been taught our entire lives. Because what we've been taught is that riches, success, and longevity, that's what matters." [01:02:25] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Be careful what you ask for in life because with God, you just might give it to you and more. Be careful what you ask for in life because God just might give it to you and more. And that leads to the last part of the story, which is pretty interesting part of the story. From chapter, from verse 16 to verse 28, a situation arises. There's two women. They live together. The scripture may call them prostitutes." [01:04:37] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "God's wisdom is always necessary to solve earthly problems with heavenly solutions. God's wisdom is necessary to solve earthly problems with heavenly solutions. It's amazing how often we don't ever consult God when we're dealing with earthly issues. And yet what we learn from Solomon is what we really need is God's wisdom in order to handle earthly solutions." [01:07:43] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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