Wise Community III

Series Break • Proverbs 1:7, 3:7, 4:7 12:23, 9:8 • December 20, 2020 • English Service 10:00 AM

 
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Sermon Introduction

A wise community should fear the Lord. Knowledge without the fear of the Lord is just earthly knowledge. It will only make one knowledgeable in promoting selfish pursuits. However, the fear of the Lord leads to trusting in the Lord’s wisdom, which then leads to wise living. The failure to fear God leads to the failure to gain wisdom. 

Doy Sto. Domingo Elder

 

Proverbs 1:7 NASB

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 3:7 NASB

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 4:7 NASB

The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your possessions, acquire understanding.

Proverbs 12:23 NASB

A prudent person conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

Proverbs 9:8 NASB

Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you;
Rebuke a wise person and he will love you.

Notes

A wise community should fear the Lord. Knowledge without the fear of the Lord is just earthly knowledge. It will only make one knowledgeable in promoting selfish pursuits. However, the fear of the Lord leads to trusting in the Lord’s wisdom, which then leads to wise living. The failure to fear God leads to the failure to gain wisdom. 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7)

  1. Therefore, the members of the community should not be wise in their own eyes. We should avoid all temptation that we have figured out everything. Instead, we should keep learning God’s word together so we may grow in turning away from evil.

    Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    Fear the LORD and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:7)

  2. The wise desire wisdom. The wise community will invest in gaining wisdom and understanding. Those who do not acquire wisdom are wasting much of their lives. Acquiring wisdom should be the norm in a godly community.

    The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
    And with all your possessions, acquire understanding (Proverbs 4:7)

  3. Although the wise keep gaining in wisdom, they do not brag about it. They reveal their knowledge at the right time and context. Fools, on the other hand, reveal foolishness without even knowing it.

    The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
    but fools broadcast their foolishness (Proverbs 12:23)

  4. Foolish words and actions reveal the fool. One sign is the utter disdain for correction; the fool has little ability to appreciate rebuke. Instead, they defend and justify their foolishness. But the wise love correction. Thus, we must graciously correct one another and graciously receive correction.

    Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    Rebuke a wise person and he will love you (Proverbs 9:8)

Reflection & Discussion

  1. In your own words, describe a community who fears the Lord.

  2. How may we acquire wisdom at all cost?

  3. What do fools do with their foolishness? What does the wise do with their knowledge?

  4. What does a wise person do when rebuked? What does the scoffer do?