Wisdom: The Principal Thing (Proverbs 4:7)
This sermon delves into the critical difference between human knowledge and divine wisdom, arguing that the latter is our most essential need. You'll learn how wisdom is not an abstract concept but a person, Jesus Christ, who provides guidance for every area of life.
The sermon argues that true wisdom comes from God and is personified in Jesus Christ, serving as our number one need for navigating life successfully. Seeking God for wisdom, rather than just miracles, leads to holistic blessings including health, riches, and honor.
Overview
The sermon opens by observing that despite a world inundated with knowledge from the internet and experts, society remains in a mess, suffering from a lack of something greater than mere information. This "principal thing" (Proverbs 4:7) is identified as wisdom, which the preacher emphasizes does not come from books, courses, or even old age, but solely from God as a revelation.
A core argument is that wisdom is not an 'it' but a 'He'—the person of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Matthew 12:42, Jesus is presented as 'greater than Solomon,' the ultimate source of wisdom. Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 1:30 reveals that Christ became our wisdom, making it our primary need. The preacher asserts that most problems, whether financial, marital, or relational, are fundamentally wisdom problems.
The sermon explores the rewards of wisdom from Proverbs 3, noting that length of days, riches, and honor are in wisdom's hands. While Solomon received riches and honor, his length of days was conditional upon walking in God's ways (1 Kings 3:14). The preacher connects this to Jesus, who sits at God's right hand, signifying that to receive 'length of days' (health and longevity) under grace, one must remain with Christ, the personification of wisdom.
Practically, the sermon encourages making wisdom and favor one's daily prayer. It suggests reading a chapter of Proverbs corresponding to the day's date as a way to receive insight. Wisdom also impacts parenting, guiding responses beyond shouting or scolding, and helps navigate daily annoyances by discerning which 'hooks' to avoid, promoting a life of peace and purposeful living.
Key points
- Despite abundant knowledge, the world suffers from a lack of true wisdom, which is identified as the 'principal thing' (Proverbs 4:7).
- Wisdom is distinct from human knowledge or experience; it is a revelation given directly by God (Proverbs 2:6).
- Wisdom is not an impersonal 'it' but a 'He'—the person of Jesus Christ, who became our wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30) and is greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42).
- The number one need and priority in God's heart for believers is wisdom, preceding righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
- Wisdom brings rewards like happiness, riches, honor, and length of days, found in wisdom's right and left hands (Proverbs 3).
- Solomon gained riches and honor from wisdom, but his length of days was conditional, a condition fulfilled in Christ, who is God's right hand (1 Kings 3:14).
- Practical ways to gain wisdom include daily prayer for wisdom and favor, and reading a chapter of Proverbs each day corresponding to the date.
In Joseph Prince's words
“Wisdom is not an it. Wisdom is a he. It's a person.”
“There is no money problem. There is a wisdom problem.”
“The one who didn't spend time with wisdom was the one stressed.”
Outline
- Introduction: The World's Need Beyond Knowledge
- I. Wisdom: The Principal Thing
- A. Knowledge vs. Wisdom (Proverbs 4:7)
- B. Wisdom Comes Only from God (Proverbs 2:6)
- C. Revelation is Wisdom
- II. Wisdom is a Person: Jesus Christ
- A. Jesus: "A Greater than Solomon" (Matthew 12:42)
- B. Christ Became Our Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)
- C. Jesus, the Master Craftsman (Proverbs 8)
- III. The Priority of Wisdom
- A. Wisdom is Our Number One Need (e.g., family, relationships, money)
- B. Wisdom Precedes Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)
- C. The Word of Wisdom: A Gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
- D. Jesus Increased in Wisdom (Luke 2:52)
- IV. The Rewards of Wisdom (Proverbs 3)
- A. Happiness, Riches, Honor, Enduring Wealth, Righteousness
- B. Wisdom's Two Hands: Length of Days (Right) and Riches & Honor (Left)
- C. Solomon's Example: Received Left Hand, Conditional Right Hand (1 Kings 3:14)
- D. Jesus is God's Right Hand: Seek Him for Length of Days
- V. Embracing Wisdom
- A. Don't Depart from Jesus, the Source of Wisdom
- B. Mary vs. Martha: The "One Thing" Necessary (Spending Time with Wisdom)
- C. Wisdom Combined with a Largeness of Heart (1 Kings 4)
- VI. Practical Ways to Receive Wisdom
- A. Read a Chapter of Proverbs Daily (31 Chapters)
- B. Ask God for Wisdom (James 1)
- C. Apply Wisdom in Daily Life (e.g., parenting, relationships, navigating irritations)
- Conclusion: Jesus Offers Abundant Life Through Wisdom
Scripture references
- Proverbs 4:7
- Proverbs 2:6
- Matthew 12:42
- 1 Corinthians 1:30
- Proverbs 8
- 1 Corinthians 12
- Luke 2:52
- Proverbs 3
- 1 Kings 3
- 1 Kings 3:14
- 1 Kings 4
- James 1
- John 3:16
- John 10:10
- Romans 1
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
1 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord, until those days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Insights
Knowledge can flood the world, yet true wisdom remains rare.
Wisdom is not an attainment of age, but a gift from God.
Jesus is not just wise; He embodies wisdom itself.
Questions & answers
What is the sermon's main argument about wisdom?
The sermon argues that wisdom is the principal thing, more valuable than mere knowledge, and is ultimately found in the person of Jesus Christ, making it the believer's number one need and priority.
How does the sermon define wisdom?
Wisdom is defined not as human knowledge, education, or experience, but as a divine revelation that comes directly from God and is personified by Jesus Christ.
Why is wisdom considered the 'principal thing' according to the sermon?
Proverbs 4:7 states wisdom is the 'principal thing,' meaning 'the first' or 'beginning.' The sermon emphasizes that God puts wisdom first, and Christ himself became our wisdom first, making it paramount for a successful life.
How is Jesus related to wisdom in this sermon?
Jesus is presented as the embodiment of wisdom. He is 'greater than Solomon' and, according to 1 Corinthians 1:30, God made Jesus to be our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
What practical advice does the sermon offer for gaining wisdom?
The sermon encourages making 'wisdom and favor' a daily prayer. It also suggests reading one chapter of the book of Proverbs each day, corresponding to the current date, to receive fresh insights and guidance.
What is the 'one thing' that Jesus says is necessary, according to the sermon?
Referencing the story of Mary and Martha, the sermon explains that the 'one thing' necessary is spending time at Jesus' feet, listening to His word, which is spending time with wisdom itself, freeing one from worry about 'many things.'
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