THE WISDOM OF GOD - MOVING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

 

Psalm 84:5-7

The wisdom of God remains unsearchable; His ways are past finding out, they are  unknown to the world.

Oh the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How     unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33).

God is raising kings and priests in this end time, those who will showcase His manifold wisdom and proclaim His glory to the world, that Jesus may be glorified...

The Lord God wants us to move from strength to strength, through His manifold    wisdom, so that we don't get stuck in the value system of the world... Through     wisdom, we embrace the culture of Christ and follow His footsteps closely.

Wisdom is a function of what you hear (Mark 4:24), how you hear (Luke 8:18) and your response to what you hear (Matt. 7:24)!

Many folks have dwelt for too long on 'Mount Horeb', clinging to what God has       done for them in the past, clinging to the breakthroughs of the past, holding on    dearly to old achievements, leaving in the realm of the past, thereby forsaking what lies ahead...The Word of the Lord to you this morning is '...it's time to move   on...' As we move on, our strength will be renewed!

Some of the people who experienced transition from strength to strength in their  earthly journey, through the manifold wisdom of God, were people like Joseph,  David, Apostle Paul, etc...

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever     brighter until the full light of day (Prov. 4:18).

How can I move from strength to strength?

1. Submission to divine process (let God perfect His work in you). Enough of      struggling with God. Stop leaning on your own wisdom and understanding, it has     taken you thus far...Whatever He tells you to do, do it...Whatever process He        takes you through,  be rest assured it's for your good. You will surely come forth as gold (Job 23:10).

2. Set your heart on pilgrimage. See yourself as a stranger and pilgrim on earth    (Gen. 37:1; Heb. 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11). Let your heart be focused on Christ! Let     GOD be your permanent dwelling place (Psalm 90:1). Refuse to be caged by the     glory, honour, power and riches of this world...They will pass away!

Those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage don't get stuck by the glory of the world. Because their hearts are set above, they cling to the wisdom that comes from       above. As they pass through the valley of Baca (weeping), they experience a          turnaround, and gather a spring (pool) of heavenly blessings. God sends a rain of    restoration upon them...In spite of all these, they keep moving...from strength to strength...until they appear before the King of Glory, in Zion!

3. Cultivate a lifestyle of perfection. Follow Jesus! (Luke 6:40). Be a true disciple of Christ. Let His nature and character be formed in you...

4. Covet earnestly the presence of God. Desire His presence more than every      other thing in life. Be willing to trade away the whole world for His ever-abiding    presence. When you get accustomed to God's presence, you know when He shows   up and when He moves...(Psalm 91:1; 1:1-3; 2 Cor. 3:18).

You can secure God's presence through continuous study of the Word, fervent        prayer, praise & worship sessions, etc.

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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THE WISDOM OF GOD

TEXT: Proverbs 4: 5-12  

What is wisdom?

-     Is it something we get from long periods of reading and studying?

-     Is wisdom what we practise over time or what long years of experience have made us to achieve?

-     Is it craftiness?

-     Is it mischief like yahoo yahoo?

-     Or is it in quotes? Isaiah 11:2.

Ø WISDOM IS A SPIRIT FROM GOD WHICH ONLY GOD CAN GIVE. Eph.1:17,1Cor.2:7,1Chro.22:12

·      If you are looking for those who can handle a thing well, look for those with the wisdom of God. Ex.35:30-31

If the spirit of wisdom is upon you, you will have the following benefits.

1.    Wisdom of God brings Preservation of your life. Ecc.7:12, Prov.19:8, Ecc. 10:15

2.    Wisdom of God Brings Abundant Profiting       

Wisdom does not necessary mean wealth. God gave Solomon wisdom and wealth when he asked for only wisdom. Ezekiel 28:4

3.    Wisdom of God have the potentials to solve problems.

·      Solution providers are often celebrated and honoured .(Joseph-famine, Bezeleel and Aholiab built the sanctuary) Gen.41:39-40, Ex.36:1

4.    Wisdom Gives Direction.

·      He can give you the business ideas, the knowledge, the insight, etc. that will move you forward. Prov.14:8

The Wisdom of God as Compared to the Wisdom of Men

In James 3, there was a question asked which I want us to look at: who is a wise man?

James 3:13-18

·      The scripture above makes us to understand that there are two kinds of wisdom. “The earthly, sensual and devilish wisdom and the wisdom from above.

Ø Godly wisdom is foolishness to the world; and worldly wisdom is foolishness to God.

·      God in His wisdom instituted marriage; Man’s wisdom promotes divorce and immorality

·      God in His wisdom created males and females to marry and procreate; Man’s wisdom embraces homosexuality and abortion

·      God in His wisdom teaches responsibility and accountability; Man’s wisdom looks encourages the blame game

·      God in His wisdom promotes initiative and hard work; Man’s wisdom teaches dependence on others for survival.

·      God in His wisdom desires for all men to be saved; Man’s wisdom denies the need for salvation.

·      God in His wisdom provided salvation full and free to every person; Man’s wisdom insists on paying his way to everything

Notice the Consequences in Isaiah 29:13-14, 1 Cor. 1:20 

·      The wisdom of Babel resulted into a global crisis; one that the world has still not recovered from (One language changed into many languages)

Even among the Christians, Man’s wisdom says;

·      TURN OVER A NEW LEAF (not necessarily become Born Again)

·      GET BAPTIZED AND JOIN THE CHURCH (Become a Church Goer)

·      GIVE MONEY TO THE CHURCH, BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR… ( Pay your tithe and offering and give back to the community)

Ø This fleshly, worldly approach to wisdom can never take you far

But God’s wisdom says;

·      REPENT! PUT YOUR FAITH IN THE FINISHED WORK OF CALVARY

·      GIVE YOU LIFE IN TOTALTY TO GOD NOT PARTIALLY

·      WITNESS CHRIST ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE

·      AND LET GOD MEET YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY

HOW DO I GET THE WISDOM OF GOD

Wisdom is not what you get by just reading books,

FIRST;

1.    Ask the Owner of Wisdom.

·      The Bible says “Let him ask of God”. It starts with a simple prayer

·      “Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom”Prov.4:7.

-     We have been commanded to get Wisdom, It then means it is AVAILABLE to as many as want Wisdom

-     Available to those who are saved and are born again. James 1:5

·      God is ready to release Wisdom to anyone who is willing to ask (Solomon asked; and so you too can ask) 2 Peter 1:3, Psalms 84:11, 2Tim. 3:17  

·      You are a child of God. He wants' you to have wisdom, He will not mock you, or laugh at you if you pray for wisdom. Psalms 66:20, Psalms 102:17 

·      Only those that are sincere will get their prayer answered. James 1:6 

·      What we only need is to exercise the right faith to receive God’s most valuable asset- Wisdom. John 14:14, 1John 5:14

·      Just ask God the owner and He will release the spirit of wisdom to you

2.    Observe and do as He commands. Deut.28:13

·      God brings unchallengeable opportunities to those who can position themselves for the move of the wisdom of God

Ø Nobody could kill Goliath until David appeared at the scene

Ø No one could solve Nebuchadnezzar’s dream until Daniel showed up

Ø No one attempted to solve Potiphar’s dream until Joseph was remembered. Proverbs 6:6

3.    You can now read anything you can lay your hands on.

·      Read books, listen to tapes, watch programs, keep educating yourself.

-     Position yourself for opportunities and allow God do the rest.

Ø Daniel understood by books. Dan.9:2, Daniel 9:2

In Conclusion: The Bible is very clear about this matter of getting wisdom.  Wisdom is available for those that ask.  But it is imperative that we understand that God’s wisdom is clearly different from earthly or man’s wisdom. 

-     God’s wisdom begins with an introduction to the Son of God – Jesus Christ.. 1Cor. 1:30

Ø Jesus Christ is both the Wisdom and the Power of God. 1Cor.1:23-24, 1Cor.1:30

·      WISDOM – the power of Christ

·      RIGHTEOUSNESS – the product of Christ (without Righteousness and Holiness, no man shall see God)

·      SANCTIFICATION – the purpose of Christ

·      REDEMPTION – the purchase of Christ

PASTOR OLANREWAJU AREOLA

   Pastor

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THE ATTRIBUTES OF HEAVENLY WISDOM

James 3:17
Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). He is the embodiment of wisdom…
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33).
 

He that proceeds from above is above all… (John 3:31). His wisdom surpasses that of the world. The wisdom of this world will surely come to nought (1 Cor. 2:6), but that of God, which proceeds from above, abides forever (1 John 2:17).
 

In Proverbs 4:7, the Bible states that wisdom is the principal thing…
The word principal connotes that it is first in order of importance, chief in order of priority, it is of foremost importance, second to none, the primary thing to be sought in life, etc.
 

In Proverbs 9, there is an open invitation from Wisdom to all and sundry…
Verse 1 says ‘Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars’.
According to some Bible commentators, the word ‘seven’ signifies the perfection and completeness of wisdom, not necessarily a list of the ‘seven pillars’.
 

However, we want to consider some of the attributes of heavenly wisdom today:

Pure
The wisdom that comes from above is first pure! It’s free from defilements and iniquity. The wisdom of God separates you from the world, distinguishes you, sets you apart and places you on a higher realm, than that of the world (Psalm 24:3-6; 119:9; Matt. 5:8).

Peaceable
Heavenly wisdom establishes the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding in our hearts (Phil. 4:7). When you operate within the sphere of divine wisdom, you enjoy peace with God and you are at peace with all men (Rom. 5:1; Heb. 12:14).

Gentle
Heavenly wisdom establishes gentleness (tenderness) in our hearts. Through an encounter with wisdom, your heart becomes mild and softened. You no longer become unnecessarily aggressive…God begins to re-shape your value-system (Titus 3:2; Ephesians 4:2; Matt. 5:9).

Willing to yield (easy to be intreated)
The wisdom of God enables men to forsake their ways and yield totally to the ways of God. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts (Prov. 21:2; 16:2). As we daily look unto the perfect law of liberty, we receive divine insights through the Word of God, and we become more willing to yield to God’s purpose for our lives.
However, this willingness to yield is not a sign of weakness on one’s part, nor is it an opportunity to compromise one’s stand for God.

Full of mercy and good fruits
The wisdom of God compels us to show mercy to those who ‘seemingly’ don’t deserve such. Even the dispersion of God’s mercy and compassion amongst men reveals the depth of God’s wisdom (Rom. 9:15-16). Heavenly wisdom demands that we extend God’s mercy and good fruits (goodness) to everyone around us.

Without partiality
The wisdom that comes from above shows no favouritism amongst men, as God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11). Such wisdom gives no room for sectarianism. Everyone is treated equally and with the love of God.

Without hypocrisy
The wisdom that proceeds from above is not deceitful, neither is it crafty. It’s sincere, open, steady and ever consistent. Assuredly, such will always stand the test of time (2 Cor. 1:12; 4:2).
When these attributes begin to manifest in your life, you are rest assured that you are walking in heavenly wisdom. 

May the LORD grant us grace to walk in wisdom!

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

        Resident  Pastor

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