Wisdom to Finish Strong: Walking with God’s Guidance

Today, we gathered to be reminded of the importance of wisdom—especially as we approach the end of the year and reflect on what it means to finish strong. Many of us feel the weight of unfinished goals and the fatigue of a long journey, but God’s word calls us not to give in to discouragement. Instead, we are invited to seek the wisdom that comes from above, a wisdom that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and sincere. This wisdom is not just for the end of the year, but for every season and every endeavor we begin and desire to complete.

It is easy to start things—whether it’s a new job, a business, a relationship, or a spiritual discipline—but it is wisdom that enables us to finish. The world celebrates those who finish, not just those who start. The Bible teaches that wisdom is more valuable than gold or silver, and that those who find wisdom find life and favor from the Lord. Wisdom is not simply knowledge or information; it is the proper application of truth in specific situations for godly outcomes. God gives wisdom, but He wraps it in knowledge and understanding. We must pursue understanding so that knowledge becomes wisdom in our lives.

God created all things through wisdom and has hidden many of His treasures in the mystery of wisdom. Jesus Himself is the wisdom of God, and to find Him is to find life. To walk profitably with God, we must understand how He works. God is a moving God—He is always at work, always advancing, and He calls us to keep moving, even when we are weary or discouraged. The tendency to stop when things get hard is not from God. Instead, we are called to keep moving—if we cannot fly, we run; if we cannot run, we walk; if we cannot walk, we crawl. The key is to never be found standing still, for God moves with those who move.

As we wait on the Lord, our strength is renewed. We mount up with wings like eagles, run and do not grow weary, walk and do not faint. This is the wisdom to finish strong: to align ourselves with God’s movement, to apply His word with understanding, and to trust that He can do in a moment what would take others a lifetime. Let us pursue wisdom, apply it, and keep moving forward, knowing that in Christ, we have all we need to finish strong.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Wisdom is more than knowledge—it's applied understanding Wisdom is not just knowing scripture or spiritual truths, but understanding them deeply enough to apply them in the right situations. Many people have knowledge, but it is only when that knowledge is understood and put into practice that it becomes wisdom. This is where transformation and true spiritual fruit are found. [32:22]
• 2. God is a moving God—keep moving with Him God never stands still; He is always advancing His purposes. When we face discouragement or exhaustion, the temptation is to stop, but God calls us to keep moving—flying, running, walking, or even crawling if we must. The key is to never be stationary, for God’s presence and power are found in movement and obedience. [56:40]
• 3. Jesus is the wisdom of God—find Him, find life All the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Christ. To pursue wisdom is ultimately to pursue Jesus Himself. When we receive Him, we receive not only knowledge but the very life and favor of God. This is why the pursuit of wisdom is inseparable from a relationship with Christ. [47:59]
• 4. Wisdom enables us to finish strong, not just start Starting is easy, but finishing requires wisdom. The world remembers and celebrates those who finish, not just those who begin. Wisdom helps us to discern, persevere, and make the most of every opportunity, ensuring that we complete what God has called us to do. [18:24]
• 5. Waiting on the Lord renews our strength True wisdom is seen in those who wait on God, anticipating His movement and aligning themselves with His timing. As we wait, our strength is renewed, and we are empowered to rise above challenges, run with endurance, and walk without fainting. This is the secret to enduring and finishing well. [55:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:22] - Greeting and Opening Prayer
• [04:17] - Turning to the Word
• [09:20] - Wisdom and the Good Life
• [10:29] - Earthly vs. Heavenly Wisdom
• [12:39] - Reflecting on the Year’s Journey
• [16:18] - Wisdom to Finish Strong
• [19:04] - The Value of Wisdom
• [23:31] - The Cost and Pursuit of Wisdom
• [25:04] - Walking Profitably with God
• [29:06] - Types of Wisdom: Worldly and Spiritual
• [32:22] - Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom
• [40:33] - God’s Creation and Hidden Wisdom
• [47:59] - Jesus: The Wisdom of God
• [56:40] - God is a Moving God
• [59:06] - Keep Moving: Lessons from Scripture
• [64:25] - Knowing God Fuels Endurance
• [71:04] - Prayer for Grace to Move
• [84:31] - Invitation to Receive Christ
• [85:58] - Closing and Final Blessing

Bible Reading

James 3:13-18 (ESV) — > Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Proverbs 4:7 (ESV) — > The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV) — > Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Observation Questions

1. According to James 3:13-18, what are the characteristics of wisdom that comes from above? How does this differ from earthly wisdom?
2. In Proverbs 4:7, what does the writer say is the “beginning of wisdom,” and what does he urge us to do, even if it costs us everything?
3. In Isaiah 40:28-31, what does God promise to those who wait on Him, especially when they are weary or exhausted?
4. The sermon said, “Wisdom is not just knowing scripture or spiritual truths, but understanding them deeply enough to apply them in the right situations.” What examples did the pastor give about the difference between knowledge and wisdom? [[32:22]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think James emphasizes that wisdom from above is “pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and sincere”? What does this reveal about God’s character and what He values in us?
2. The sermon mentioned that “God gives wisdom, but He wraps it in knowledge and understanding.” What does it mean to pursue understanding so that knowledge becomes wisdom in our lives? [[32:22]]
3. The pastor said, “God is a moving God—He is always at work, always advancing, and He calls us to keep moving, even when we are weary or discouraged.” How does this idea challenge the way we respond to setbacks or fatigue? [[56:40]]
4. The message said, “To pursue wisdom is ultimately to pursue Jesus Himself. When we receive Him, we receive not only knowledge but the very life and favor of God.” How does seeing Jesus as the wisdom of God change the way we approach our relationship with Him? [[47:59]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon highlighted that “starting is easy, but finishing requires wisdom.” Think about something you started this year but haven’t finished. What is one step of wisdom you could take this week to move forward, even if it’s just a small step? [[18:24]]
2. When you face discouragement or exhaustion, do you tend to stop moving forward or keep going? What would it look like for you to “keep moving”—even if it means crawling—in your current season? [[56:40]]
3. The pastor said, “If we cannot fly, we run; if we cannot run, we walk; if we cannot walk, we crawl. The key is to never be found standing still, for God moves with those who move.” Is there an area in your life where you have been standing still? What is one practical thing you can do to start moving again? [[56:40]]
4. Wisdom is described as “applied understanding.” Is there a truth from God’s Word that you know but have struggled to put into practice? What is holding you back, and how can you take a step toward applying it this week? [[32:22]]
5. The message said, “Waiting on the Lord renews our strength.” How can you intentionally wait on God this week—whether through prayer, worship, or another practice—so that your strength is renewed? [[55:18]]
6. The sermon taught that “all the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Christ.” What is one way you can pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus this month, knowing that He is the source of true wisdom? [[47:59]]
7. The pastor challenged us to “align ourselves with God’s movement.” Are there any areas where you sense God is moving, but you have been hesitant to join Him? What would it look like to say “yes” to God’s leading, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? [[56:40]]