Note: This sermon was preached by Rev. Steve Wilkins at Auburn Avenue Presbyterian (CREC).
Steve Wilkins
Proverbs 1:20-33
The overarching purpose is to communicate wisdom to the hearers. Wisdom brings skills and mastery in some field. This same word is used when dealing with artistic skills in the Old Testament (Exodus 28). Wisdom does not mean the ability to foresee the future. Wisdom is not some secret insight into God’s decrees. In Proverbs to have wisdom is to have skill; to do what is fitting and appropriate in the situation God has placed you, so that you produce results that are beautiful. The goal of Proverbs is to teach us to live skillfully. This is to be applied in the body so that the world may become beautiful.
Wisdom is based upon the fear of the Lord (1:7). To fear is to respect and reverence. If you fear the Lord, you do not want to displease Him. The wise man knows that though he cannot understand all of God’s ways, He understands that all happens for the good of His people. The wise man trusts in Yahweh.
Wisdom is a matter of relationships. It is very personal, not abstract. Wisdom comes through relating and communing with God and His people. If you isolate yourself from the church, you will perish.
Christ is the One who gives us wisdom and this is why He is called the wisdom of God. The Scriptures describe Jesus as the Word incarnate and wisdom incarnate. Continue reading “Sermon Notes on Proverbs 1:20-33”