Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher - Jim Rickard Sunday, June 30, 2013

The Book of Proverbs Chapter 8 Wisdom’s Excellence and Gifts.

Outline for Chapter 8.

Outline for Chapter 8. I. Introduction: Wisdom’s availability, 8:1-3.

Outline for Chapter 8. I. Introduction: Wisdom’s availability, 8:1-3. II. 1 st Exhortation: Discern and listen, 8:4-9.

Outline for Chapter 8. III. 2 nd Exhortation: Choose Wisdom above all else, 8:10-31.

Outline for Chapter 8. III. 2 nd Exhortation: Choose Wisdom above all else, 8: IV. 3 rd Exhortation: Listen and heed, 8:32-36.

Chapter 8 has Three Points and a Decision to be Made.

1. You Can Trust My Words, vs God’s Word has integrity and commands respect being right, straightforward, correct and TRUE in all its teachings.

2. You Can Receive True Wealth, vs This is speaking of enrichment, not riches in the material sense.

3. You Can See My Works, vs

3. You Can See My Works, vs The power and splendor of God, seen all around us in creation, are evidence of what God’s wisdom can do.

The same God who worked in the “old creation” to make you a “new spiritual species” also wants to work in your life with that “new creation”, 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:10; 4:24; Col 3:10.

4. You Must Make a Decision, vs

4. You Must Make a Decision, vs How people respond to God’s message is a matter of life or death, vs , it is impossible to be neutral.

Those who reject God’s truth sin against their own souls. Those who hate God’s truth are heading for eternal death, Rev 20:11-15.

I. Wisdom’s Introduction: Wisdom’s availability, 8:1-3.

Wisdom’s open and public invitation contrasts with the secrecy of the adulteress, Prov 7:9-10, and continues her speech from Prov1:20f.

The rhetorical question is, “Does not wisdom and understanding try to make contact by means of her rejoicing voice.”

To have “understanding” is to act “wisely” and means to carry out right principles in everyday life.

Wisdom is trying to pass on knowledge and instruction. Prov. 9:9, “Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.”

Vs. 2-3, The locations of “wisdom”: 1) Familiar places, 2) Easily accessible - public, 3) Available, 4) Encouraging.

Wisdom is not difficult to find for those who respond to her invitation.

Wisdom is found at the place where you must decide to follow her or folly because there is no third way. Cf. Psa 1:1-2.

Grace Offering Ex 23:19, “You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God.”

Grace Fellowship Church Sunday June 30, 2013 Tape # Proverbs Chapter 7 Wisdom Calls Out To All Prov 8:1-3; 1:20-21: 9:9 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2013