Trusting God: The Path to True Wisdom
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the theme of trust and how it affects our relationship with God. We live in a culture that is quick to trust unreliable sources while distrusting long-standing institutions, including the church. This distrust is not a new problem; it was prevalent even in Jesus' time. In Matthew 12, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes who demanded a sign from Him despite witnessing numerous miracles. Jesus calls them an "evil generation" for their lack of faith and trust in Him, highlighting that they were more willing to believe in the prophet Jonah than in Him, who is greater than Jonah.
We also examined the story of the Queen of Sheba, who traveled a great distance to seek Solomon's wisdom and ultimately praised God for it. This contrasts sharply with the Pharisees who, despite having Jesus—the source of all wisdom—right in front of them, rejected Him. This rejection is rooted in pride and a refusal to acknowledge their own depravity when confronted with Jesus' holiness.
Furthermore, we discussed the parable of the unclean spirit, emphasizing that merely cleaning up one's life is not enough. Without filling the void with the Holy Spirit, one is susceptible to even greater spiritual peril. This serves as a warning against the superficial morality that our culture often promotes.
In conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate sign and objective truth. True wisdom and eternal life are found in God's Word and in a relationship with Jesus. Cleaning up our lives is insufficient for salvation; we must accept Jesus as our Savior and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Distrust and Misplaced Trust: Our culture is quick to trust unreliable sources while distrusting long-standing institutions, including the church. This mirrors the Pharisees' distrust of Jesus despite witnessing His miracles. We must be cautious about where we place our trust and ensure it aligns with God's truth. [23:09]
2. The Danger of Pride: The Pharisees rejected Jesus because His holiness highlighted their own depravity. This prideful rejection is a common human response when confronted with divine truth. We must humble ourselves before God to truly accept His wisdom and love. [37:24]
3. Superficial Morality: Cleaning up one's life without filling it with the Holy Spirit is insufficient. The parable of the unclean spirit warns that without God's presence, we are vulnerable to even greater spiritual peril. True transformation comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. [45:21]
4. Objective Truth in Christ: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate sign and objective truth. Despite 2,000 years of attempts to disprove it, the resurrection stands as a historical and spiritual fact. Our faith and eternal hope rest on this foundational truth. [54:52]
5. True Wisdom and Eternal Life: True wisdom is found in God's Word and leads to eternal life. Solomon's wisdom, though great, could not save him or others. Only Jesus, the source of all wisdom, offers salvation and eternal life. We must seek wisdom in God's Word and apply it to our lives. [59:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:09] - Distrust in Authority
[24:56] - Pharisees' Distrust of Jesus
[29:09] - The Sign of Jonah
[35:14] - Greater Than Jonah
[37:56] - The Queen of Sheba
[43:20] - The Parable of the Unclean Spirit
[45:21] - Superficial Morality
[54:52] - The Resurrection as Objective Truth
[59:04] - True Wisdom in God's Word
[01:02:26] - Salvation Through Faith, Not Works
[01:06:14] - Invitation and Prayer
[01:09:44] - Offering and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 12:38-42 - "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, 'Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.' But he answered them, 'An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation; and look—something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What did the Pharisees and scribes demand from Jesus, and how did He respond? ([29:09])
2. How does Jesus compare Himself to Jonah and Solomon in Matthew 12:38-42? ([31:40])
3. What was the reaction of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon's wisdom, and how does this contrast with the Pharisees' reaction to Jesus? ([40:30])
4. What does the parable of the unclean spirit in Matthew 12:43-45 illustrate about superficial morality? ([45:21])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Pharisees and scribes were so insistent on seeing a sign from Jesus despite witnessing His miracles? ([30:39])
2. How does the story of Jonah serve as a foreshadowing of Jesus' death and resurrection? ([31:09])
3. In what ways does pride prevent people from accepting divine truth, as seen in the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus? ([37:24])
4. What does the parable of the unclean spirit teach us about the importance of filling our lives with the Holy Spirit rather than just removing sin? ([45:21])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you placed your trust in unreliable sources. How can you ensure that your trust aligns more closely with God's truth in the future? ([23:09])
2. Pride can often blind us to our own faults. Can you identify an area in your life where pride might be preventing you from fully accepting God's wisdom and love? ([37:24])
3. The Queen of Sheba traveled a great distance to seek wisdom. What steps can you take to seek God's wisdom more earnestly in your daily life? ([40:30])
4. Superficial morality is insufficient for true transformation. What are some ways you can invite the Holy Spirit to fill the voids in your life rather than just "cleaning up" your behavior? ([45:21])
5. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate sign and objective truth. How does this foundational truth impact your faith and daily life? ([54:52])
6. True wisdom is found in God's Word. What specific actions can you take to immerse yourself more deeply in Scripture and apply its wisdom to your life? ([59:04])
7. Cleaning up your life is not enough for salvation. Have you fully accepted Jesus as your Savior, and how can you allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within you more fully? ([01:02:26])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Truth
In a world where trust is often misplaced, we find ourselves quick to believe unreliable sources while distrusting long-standing institutions, including the church. This mirrors the Pharisees' distrust of Jesus despite witnessing His miracles. They demanded a sign from Him, even though they had already seen numerous miracles. Jesus called them an "evil generation" for their lack of faith and trust in Him. This serves as a reminder for us to be cautious about where we place our trust and to ensure it aligns with God's truth. We must seek to trust in God's Word and His promises, rather than the fleeting and unreliable sources of our culture. [23:09]
Jeremiah 17:5-7 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.'"
Reflection: Think about the sources you trust for guidance and truth. Are they aligned with God's Word? How can you shift your trust to be more rooted in God's promises today?
Day 2: Humbling Ourselves Before God
The Pharisees rejected Jesus because His holiness highlighted their own depravity. This prideful rejection is a common human response when confronted with divine truth. The story of the Queen of Sheba, who traveled a great distance to seek Solomon's wisdom and ultimately praised God for it, contrasts sharply with the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus. Despite having Jesus—the source of all wisdom—right in front of them, they refused to acknowledge their own need for Him. We must humble ourselves before God to truly accept His wisdom and love, recognizing our own shortcomings and our need for His grace. [37:24]
James 4:6-7 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride? How can you practice humility and submit to God's wisdom and guidance today?
Day 3: True Transformation Through the Holy Spirit
Cleaning up one's life without filling it with the Holy Spirit is insufficient. The parable of the unclean spirit warns that without God's presence, we are vulnerable to even greater spiritual peril. Our culture often promotes superficial morality, but true transformation comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. It's not enough to simply remove negative behaviors; we must invite the Holy Spirit to fill the void and guide us in living a life that honors God. This transformation is a continuous process that requires daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. [45:21]
Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have focused on outward change but neglected to invite the Holy Spirit in? How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and presence in those areas today?
Day 4: The Resurrection as the Ultimate Truth
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate sign and objective truth. Despite 2,000 years of attempts to disprove it, the resurrection stands as a historical and spiritual fact. Our faith and eternal hope rest on this foundational truth. The resurrection is not just an event in history; it is the cornerstone of our faith and the assurance of our salvation. Believing in the resurrection means trusting in the power of God to bring life out of death and hope out of despair. This truth should shape our daily lives and give us confidence in God's promises. [54:52]
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
Reflection: How does the truth of the resurrection impact your daily life and faith? In what ways can you live out the hope and power of the resurrection today?
Day 5: Seeking True Wisdom in God's Word
True wisdom is found in God's Word and leads to eternal life. Solomon's wisdom, though great, could not save him or others. Only Jesus, the source of all wisdom, offers salvation and eternal life. We must seek wisdom in God's Word and apply it to our lives. The Queen of Sheba recognized the value of Solomon's wisdom and praised God for it, yet we have access to an even greater wisdom through Jesus Christ. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and seeking God's guidance, we can grow in true wisdom that transforms our lives and leads us to eternal life. [59:04]
Proverbs 2:6-8 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints."
Reflection: How can you prioritize seeking wisdom from God's Word in your daily routine? What steps can you take to apply this wisdom to your life and decisions today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We got all of our trust, all of our security, all of our hope in the world and not enough of it or any of it in Christ. And so what Jesus here is dealing with is he's dealing with what he calls this section is bookended with the phrase evil generation. And so Jesus calls the generation that he was in an evil generation. And it's because of their trust or lack of trust, their lack of faith, their lack of obedience, their closed mindedness." [27:38] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest sign and objective truth that there is. If you were to research and study and look back throughout history, and you were to do so without bias, or you can have bias, but if you trust the facts, you will find that it's harder to deny the resurrection than it is to believe it. That there's more evidence for the resurrection than there is against it." [54:52] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God loves us so much that He gave His only Son to save us. Jesus died on a cross in our place to pay the penalty for our corruption and rose again on the third day. He took our corruption and He defeated it. He washed it clean. He wiped it out and then rose again. Now Jesus will forgive you of your corruption. He'll reconcile you with God. And He'll give you the life that God has always intended for you to have." [01:04:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "For those without Christ, right now, today, is as good as it's ever going to be. Because this life is a vapor. It'll be gone in an instant. And what little good we have will vanish. But when you put your faith and your trust in Christ, when you trust the wisdom of God and His Word, that lasts forever. And it just keeps growing and getting better and getting better. Trust the wisdom of God and His Word and in His Son, Jesus Christ." [01:00:40] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Is it possible for us to be so committed to maintaining what we have, so comfortable where we are so I'm going to use the word scared of change that we would completely miss what God is trying to show us or what God is trying to say to us. Is it possible that we could be so focused over here that God is over here doing miraculous things and we never see it because we're focused on the wrong things or because we trust the wrong things." [26:06] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Pharisees, like many people today, say they are looking for a sign, but in reality, they have ignored numerous signs and are blinded by their hatred of Jesus. And I say this next part because when I say blinded by their hatred of Jesus, my mind automatically goes to why do people hate Jesus? Why And here's why. Because when we look at Jesus, we look at his perfect life. We are confronted with his love and his holiness, which ultimately brings out our depravity." [36:53] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Queen of Sheba, the Queen of the South, who's a non-believer, when faced with the wisdom of Solomon, praises God. She acknowledges that God is the giver of wisdom. She acknowledges that God's love for Israel. She acknowledges that God made Solomon who he was. The Queen of Sheba, an idol worshiper, a non-believer, is introduced to Solomon's wisdom and recognizes that it came from God. Fast forward to the evil generation in Jesus' day. Christ is God incarnate, the one who gave Solomon his wisdom, and yet the Pharisees reject Jesus and his wisdom, but they accept Solomon." [41:01] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Casting out a demon isn't enough. Once the demon is out, the person is cleansed. So, think of the house as a person. House is your spirit. Right? So, Jesus had just cast this demon out of this guy. So, the demon is cast out. All the wickedness, all the evil is gone, and the chaos of being possessed by the demon is gone. So, what does the person do? They take a shower, they change their clothes, they straighten up their house, right? They get their life in order. They're living right. But the problem is, is if you don't put the spirit of God back in, then what's going to end up happening is only are you going to end up in the same position you were the first time, but it's going to get even worse." [44:18] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The problem is, wisdom can't lead you to eternal life. Solomon taught that seeking wisdom was futile. It was a waste of time, because it only added to the burdens in life, instead of bringing peace. Many people today are seeking wisdom for the answers of what lies ahead, and what's wrong with our world, but wisdom can't save you. Only Jesus saves. The Pharisees were looking at wisdom, and they missed the one who gave it." [42:43] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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