IN ALL YOUR GETTING, GET AN UNDERSTANDING Proverbs 4:5-3

 IN ALL YOUR GETTING, GET AN UNDERSTANDING   Proverbs 4:5-13

THE TEXT

Prov 4:5-13

5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 

6 "Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;

Love her, and she will watch over you. 

7 "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;

And with all your acquiring, get understanding. 

8 "Prize her, and she will exalt you;

She will honor you if you embrace her. 

9 "She will place on your head a garland of grace;

She will present you with a crown of beauty." 

10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings

And the years of your life will be many. 

11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in upright paths. 

12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;

And if you run, you will not stumble. 

13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your life. NASU

INTRODUCTION

Life on earth is a puzzle. Your birth is the first piece and your death is the last piece of the puzzle. The events of your life complete the puzzle. 

We never really know a person because we don’t have all the pieces. Some pieces are best kept secret and some pieces we don’t care to share.

At some point a man or woman acquires wisdom an ongoing process which changes and redirects life.

Webster defines wisdom as the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships which includes insight, judgement and knowledge. 

The problem with Webster’s definition is it leaves out God

The Bible defines wisdom as the Word of God in action.  True wisdom comes from the Lord.

WHAT GOD’S SAYS ABOUT WISDOM

Ex 28:3 whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom

Ex 36:2 in whose heart Jehovah had put wisdom

Job 12:13 With (God) is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding.

Job 28:28  Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom

Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! 

1 Cor 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 

You never get too much wisdom. It was an ongoing  process

The older you get the more qualified you are to give wisdom.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE WORLD TODAY

What is wrong with the world today is a lack of Godly wisdom. From the leaders down to the basic family unit is a lack of wisdom. It is not passed down or emphasized from generation to generation. 

This text emphasizes  the importance of passing  wisdom from family members. Proverbs 4 was written by King Solomon. The importance of wisdom was passed down to him by King David.

ACQUIRING WISDOM IS UP TO YOU

4:5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 

The Hebrew word for acquire is qunah which means to  buy or purchase.

Wisdom has a cost. It requires active participation. The purchase price is 

You obedience, your continued study of the Word 

Knowledge is information. True knowledge is the Word of God. Wisdom is 

The strength to put the Word in action in your life. Wisdom is living out the Word.

Forget not  a voluntary thing of the mind and soul. It is not a physical thing.

It is the action of the one who pursues wisdom. The promise of salvation is keeping memory of what we have received

1 Cor 15:2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.

WISDOM IS YOUR GUARDIAN

4:6 "Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;

Love her, and she will watch over you. 

There are benefits to wisdom; 

Never leave wisdom, she will guard you 

Develop a love for wisdom , she will watch you 

This implies that you live in danger,

You need someone to guard you in dangerous situations

You need someone to have a watchful eye on you

You need someone bigger than all the world together; Jesus

The watch anticipated danger

The guard protects you from danger

RECOGNIZING THAT YOU NEED WISDOM  GOD’S GRACE

V:7 "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;

And with all your acquiring, get understanding. 

The beginning of Wisdom is the action to obtain wisdom

It is the recognition that wisdom is beneficial

In life we acquire a lot of stuff. I have a house full of stuff.

But it has no way to protect or guard  me.

The best thing I can do in life is get an understanding of the Word of God and understand the benefits of wisdom

I need actual real life examples of wisdom in action. These examples were handed down to Solomom from his father David. He was teaching the principles to his children.

Understanding the Word takes active Bible Study and meditation 

Understanding wisdom requires living out the Word in obedience.

Make wisdom your business. It is first place and it is everything

Wisdom is the principle thing. Worldly knowledge is of no benefit,

It can only mislead you

Pursue wisdom above all other

1. What we lose is transitory, what we gain is durable

2. What we lose is hollow and empty. What we gain is full and substantial 

3. What we lose is vain, what we gain is profitable

4. What we lose is a matter of danger, what we gain is safety and security

THE PRIZE OF WISDOM

V:8 "Prize her, and she will exalt you;

She will honor you if you embrace her. 

The Word of God is Christ. If Christ is lifted up you will be lifted up

Humble yourself before Christ. Claim him as Lord and Savior.

The Lord blesses those who are obedient to His Word

Wisdom is a prize that many fail to realize. It is a prize that gives joy to

Being with God and God guiding them through life's situations

Honor comes to those who wisely follow the Lord guidance 

THE BEAUTY OF WISDOM

V:9 "She will place on your head a garland of grace;

She will present you with a crown of beauty." 

Wisdom is the principle thing. Everything else is of little value

Wisdom is the favor of God that blesses lives. Status, position,

Power and possession fail at some point and are useless in troubled situations.

Daniel brought captive to Babylon and was chosen to eat from the King’s

Table, that which was sacrificed to idol gods. He refused to eat but chose

Vegetables and water as his diet, After years of training in the kings college was found ten times smarter than the rest who ate from the kings table 

Because of his obedience to God’s commands in captivity, he was placed in High position in Babylon.  Daniel chose wisdom over substance. 

He chose obedience in the face of danger. He chose to trust God, when all the others chose to trust the worldly king.

LISTEN TO THE WISDOM OF YOUR MENTORS

V:10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings

And the years of your life will be many. 

The wisdom of God adds years to your life.

It is the job of the father to give wise advice to the children.

Eph 6:1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 

2 Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise),3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

The addition of years are years of well living, comfortable blessed living

THE WORD OF GOD IS YOUR DIRECTOR

V:11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in upright paths. 

Wisdom is practical understanding of how to live a life of righteousness and moral integrity. The fathers words of wisdom may not be heeded at first, but they take root. As one matures, his words become valuable and sound for 

Situations to come.

THE SURE STEPS OF THE WISE

12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;

And if you run, you will not stumble. 

The wise walk the path of Christ. It is a narrow road that is already straight. 

Nothing can correct the steps of Christ. 

When we run for Christ the ups and downs of the road are smooth by the confidence we have in Christ leadership

HOLD FAST THE COMMANDS OF GOD

13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your life. 

The Bible is full of God’s instructions for right living. The job of the believer is to pursue a right understanding for right living. Hold on to God’s  commands and let nothing cause you to stray, Wisdom is your life

SUMMARY

You gain wisdom and understanding from Proverbs 4:5-13, consider these key insights:

• Seek wisdom diligently and prioritize it above all else.

• Embrace understanding as a valuable treasure in your life.

• Guard your heart, as it influences your thoughts and actions.

• Follow the path of righteousness to avoid pitfalls and dangers.

• Listen to the teachings of your parents and mentors for guidance.

• Keep your focus on the straight path to ensure a successful journey.

I FOUND JESUS, COME AND SEE John 1:35-50

 

I FOUND JESUS, COME AND SEE

John 1:40-50

THE TEXT

John 1:40-50

40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means "Christ").

42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter").

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me." 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown.

45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

46 "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"

"Come and see for yourself," Philip replied.

47 As they approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity." 

48 "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." 

49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!"

50 Jesus asked him, "Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." 51 Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth." Holy Bible, New Living Translation 

INTRODUCTION

We are all unique in the way God made us. By God’s divine design we all different in body size, growth and development, in the the way we think,

Process information and make decisions. 

This text show us different ways people come to Jesus. Some believe

Because someone they trust believe. Some hear the Word but don’t accept it until they have a life changing event in their life. Some hear the Word,

Meditate until they get more information. It is not how you come to Jesus, when you come, but the fact that you come that matters. 

In the beginning of Jesus ministry, He chose 12 disciples who were all different. It is the mix that makes life interesting and exciting. We are all in the stage where we are commanded to share the Word with others.  

It is important to understand that people receive and understand the Word in different ways and different times in their lives.

THE BEGINNING OF JESUS PUBLIC MINISTRY

This text describes the choosing of the first five disciples of Jesus. They may all have been followers of John the Baptist. The story begins when John the Baptist witness a dove from heaven sitting on Jesus after he baptized Him. 

TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GOD

John 1:32-33

 And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. 

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.

From birth John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit and commission to be the fore runner of Jesus Christ. He was trained by his parents in the way he should go by the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. Some disciples are trained at an early age for a particular job in the ministry. 

When I think about my son, I recognized that God prepared him for a ministry in Japan when he was in elementary school. I didn’t know it then but he made friends with Japanese students in his school. In college he met and then married a Japanese girl. After college, the mission began. He has been in Japan for 20 years and now teaches the Bible in churches there.

EVERY EVENT I LIFE IS ALLOWED BY GOD

John 1:35 Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; 36 and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God!

Two of John’s disciples heard and followed Jesus ( V.37).

Some disciples come to Christ because they heard the Word from a preacher/teacher then followed Jesus.  They were convinced by what they

Heard by the power of the Holy Spirit, accepted it as the truth and their life with Jesus began.

Notice Jesus was involved, because He showed up at the right time in the right place for the two disciples to see Him. John had preached the coming of the Messiah clear enough for them to believe in Jesus the moment they saw Him

JESUS KNOWS THE MOMENT YOU BEGIN TO FOLLOW HIM

John 1:38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"

39 "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Jesus teaches us that new disciples need the attention of the shepherd. Fellowship is important in the growth and development of new believers.

Jesus is always aware that you are following Him and knows what questions to place in  your thoughts  to develop your education in the Word. 

Sometimes people need your time to get comfortable with you. Fellowship is a relationship of trust. To get to know Jesus you need to spend some quality time with Him, The two disciples made it their business to get to know the Savior in His space.  

Every believer needs some alone time with Jesus. There may be things that you may want to talk to Jesus about that you don't want to share with others. Meditation time with Jesus is important. 

SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH JESUS

V.39 "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

You have to come to Jesus for yourself. We are far removed from the time, the culture and the environment that Jesus lived in. We cannot assume that our environment, language and culture is anything like the time of Jesus. 

What was common to them is unknown to us. Your research into the culture

Of ancient times will help you gain a deeper insight into the meaning of the illustrations Jesus uses to explain spiritual truths. 

For example when Jesus said my sheep know me and will not follow anyone else. This  tells you that sheep are not dumb animals. Sheep remember the voice of their shepherd . They know his smell. They have poor frontal vision, but excellent side vision. They see the shepherd when he approaches them from behind. I suggest they know what their shepherd looks like.

You and I should know the voice of Jesus.  We know His voice if we know his Word. We ought to be as smart as sheep and not follow another voice. 

YOUR TESTIMONY IS IMPORTANT TO OTHERS

John 1:40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means "Christ").

42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter").

Evangelism should start at home. We need to be sure our family members

Know of Jesus. Andrew had spent the day with Jesus. He now knew Jesus was a man like him but was the Messiah. Andrew made himself a friend to Jesus. 

We become friends with Jesus when we study His Word and invite others to join us in Bible Study. The text tells us the Bible Study had already started. It started in their youth because they were required to learn scripture and attend services in their Synagogues.  They were expecting and searching for the Messiah as prophesied in  the scriptures.

Jesus is coming again. We ought to be getting ready for  His return. We

Should have a joyful expectation of His return.

Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter which means little rock. Every believer has a name change. You have your earthly name assigned to you by your parents at birth. You new birth in Jesus comes with a name change.You now have Jesus the son of God attached to you name 

You were a child of the world, but now a child of the KIng.

YOU WERE GIVEN TO JESUS BY HIS FATHER

John 1:43-45

Jesus  knows where you are at all times. He went to Galilee to inform Philip  

That he was chosen as a disciple. Philip did not question, he accepted the position. Since Philip and Andrew live in the same city the two may have 

talked about Jesus. Our familiar with others makes a difference in the lives

Of those we know

The word of God spreads from mouth to mouth, We should value others

With love of the Word.

John 1:45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

Notice as the Word spreads, more information about Jesus is revealed. More detailed scripture was used in the evangelism. This suggest to me that as the Word spreads more research or what they had studied was coming to their memory.

WE SOMETIMES HEAR THE WORD WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING 

John 1:46 "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"  "Come and see for yourself," Philip replied.

Nathanael's response to the revelation of Jesus was different from his friends. He received the information with skepticism. His own prejudice of the city was revealed. Nazareth was a small town of  200 to 400 people.

He expected the Messiah to be born in a much larger city with more

Prestige, or at least a city of some notoriety. 

God uses the poor not the rich, the weak not the strong to bring Him glory. Jesus was revealed to hard working fishermen not to scholars. He revealed His birth to shepherds not kings. He revealed Himself to the humble, not the proud. 

This is what the Lord does today, reveals Himself to those seeking Him. Those who recognize that they need a Savior.

Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Nathanael's question did not turn him away from Jesus, but made him look at himself. There are times when we speak without thinking, we become the devil's tool.  His first thought was to ignore the testimony of his friends. For Messiah to come from a small town did not match up with his expectations. Our ignorance of scripture shows up in our conversations. 

No where in the Old Testament scriptures which they quoted was the Messiah said to come from a wealthy, high class, notable city. The opposite is true. Bible Study is always in season. God will open our minds to receive it.

Come See Phillip replied.  You don’t argue your beliefs. You invited the unbeliever to Bible Study. Everybody is not at the same spiritual maturity.  You reach an unbeliever with tolerance and patience. Nathanael knew the Word, he needed more Word to see Jesus as the Messiah.

AT THE RIGHT TIME, JESUS WILL OPEN YOUR MIND TO HIM

John 1:47 As they approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity." 48 "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked.

When Jesus is in your Bible Study, compliments and encouragements

Starts the study. See how the compliments deescalated the tension.   We ought always be pleased when others join us in Bible Study. Jesus knows your hearts and does not judge your opinions. Opinions change when the truth is revealed. One question leads to answers and clarification. The study of the Bible challenges your understanding.

JESUS KNEW YOU BEFORE YOU WERE BORN

John 1:48b -49 Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." 49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!"

Let me suggest that Nathanael had heard his friends discussion about

Finding the Messiah but was puzzled by their belief. He didn’t reject their

revelation , he was puzzled by their excitement. He may have been under the fig tree meditating on the Word and came up with no satisfactory conclusion.

What appears to bring Nathanael to belief was Jesus' knowledge of where he was and what he was thinking. He saw Jesus, heard Jesus and believed.  His friends had come to an incomplete conclusion. Jesus was not the son of Joseph, but the Son of God, King of Israel. Perhaps Nathanael connected the dots of the virgin birth given in Isaiah 7:14 

FAITH IS THE BEGINNING OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

John 1:50 Jesus asked him, "Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." 51 Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth."

CONCLUSION

Constant Bible Study is the gateway to learn more about Jesus our Lord and Savior. Our faith grows as we continue our study and see the scriptures revealed in our daily life situations.  Heaven is our goal, Bible study and faith in Jesus is the ladder.

As your faith grows, God reveals more and more about Himself to you.

Notice God used the differences in His disciples to reveal a way to approach Bible study to others.

COME BE SAFE IN JESUS John 6:35-40

 COME AND BE SAFE

John 6:35-40

THE TEXT

John 6:35-41

35 Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day." 

New Living Translation

INTRODUCTION

Throughout the Bible the Word is repeated over and over again in verses, played out in stories in the lives of men and women and in parables we can remember and relate too. I believe that  God plan is to ingrain the Word in

Our hearts and minds for spiritual growth and development.

Some who followed Jesus ask this question; John 6:28-29

28 They replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?" 29 Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent." 

In all our getting this is the understanding that  God the Father wants for us. From Jesus' time on earth to now on it has not changed. The Bible is complete in its instructions with principles spread throughout the 66 Books.

The work is the work of the soul, not the work of the hands. It is a work of the heart. It is not a work that man can do independent of God. It can only be done through God. It starts with a recognition of one’s sinfulness  

THE BREAD OF LIFE 

35 Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 

The bread is the 66 books of the Bible.  Only the Word is life giving. Only the Word is life sustaining. The Word is food for the soul. The Word promises food for the body for the faithful

The never thirst is the constant abiding satisfaction in the  Lord.   He is all we need.  In Him is the promise of the desires of our hearts. The promise is with trials and tribulation which we are strengthen to endure

YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOT TO BELIEVE

John 6:36

 36 But you haven't believed in me even though you have seen me.

Everyone has seen the works of the Lord. No one is without the experience of the Lord’s glory around them each and every day. Many refuse to believe what they see is the Lord’s work,

Rom 1:20

 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Even the most evil and the most vile person who have never set foot in a church does not exist without the Lord’s mercy. He works in our lives without our acceptance of Him or our consent. 

YOU WERE GIVEN TO  JESUS

John 6: 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 

God the Father has given every believer, past present and future, 

Whether he be born yet or not to Jesus. It is God the Father that caused

You and I, to come to Jesus. 

Notice the text says we were given to Jesus and will come. Our salvation has never been in our hands. Jesus says He will never reject those given to Him.  Our only choice is when we accept Jesus.  We have a choice of how much hell, how many trials and tribulations we endure before accepting the invitation.  We are only safe in Jesus. 

JESUS IS COMMITTED TO THE FATHER’S WILL

John 6:38

38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.

Because of His love for us, Jesus volunteered to step down from heaven

As Lord, take on the position of a servant to do the Fathers will. In the heavenly realm choices were made on your behalf. The Holy Spirit didn’t do it, the Angels in heaven couldn’t do it, But Jesus did it. Jesus took on Human flesh so His blood would satisfy the Father’s demand for justice.

YOU ARE IN GOD’S WILL

John 6: 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.

God the Father has a will, Jesus has a will, the angels have a will, and we are given a will.  It was the Father’s will that initiated the plan of salvation. 

I can not tell you if God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit got together and decided on you and me. We are not told. At creation we see all three working in unison to bring the world into existence (Genesis 1).

We were given to Jesus for safe keeping. You cannot get lost from Jesus.

We all make mistakes and ge off the straight and narrow path, But you are never lost from Jesus. You can’t make a mistake too big for Jesus to reject you. 

Jesus gave His commitment to those given Him to His disciples

Matt 18:12 "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 

The text give us the purpose of Jesus for His commitment. You will be raised up on the last days. Your entry in heaven is guaranteed. Why would the Lord do this to us? We are certainly unworthy of this commitment, His grace and mercy is undeserved, but given because of His love.

DIVINE SALVATION FOR YOU

John 6: 40 For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."

The first thing we see is that God the father is involved in all phases of our salvation. 

1. God the Father executed His will

2. He sent Jesus to be the author of our salvation

3. He position our mind to see Jesus 

4. He selected all believes

5. He drew every one He chose to Jesus 

6. He fixed the mind each believer accept Jesus 

7. He planned our entry into heaven

SUMMARY

• JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE

• YOU WERE GIVEN TO JESUS FOR SAFE KEEPING

• NO ONE GIVEN TO JESUS WILL BE CAST OUT

• YOUR SALVATION IS THE FATHER’S WILL

• JESUS VOLUNTEERED TO BE YOUR PAYMENT FOR SIN

• THE WILL OF THE FATHER FOR YOU IS TO SEE JESUS AND BELIEVE

• YOUR PLACE IN HEAVEN WAS PREPARED THE MOMENT OF YOUR BELIEF