evans, our god is awesome: god's wisdom

THE WISDOMOF GOD

Tuesday 15 February 2011

THE WISDOM OF GOD IS HIS

UNIQUE ABILITY TO SO

INTERRELATE HIS

ATTRIBUTES THAT HE

ACCOMPLISHES HIS

PREDETERMINED PURPOSE BY

THE BEST MEANS POSSIBLE


“God’s ability to use his attributes in perfect wisdom is unique because he is the only one who can do it.

His attributes are the outworkings of his character - he has a predetermined plan and purpose (see sovereignty of God) - his power and perfections guarantee he will always accomplish this by the best means possible.”

Evans


“GOD’S WISDOM MEANS THAT

HE ALWAYS CHOOSES THE

BEST GOALS AND THE BEST

MEANS TO THOSE GOALS”WAYNE GRUDEM


Wisdom is more than knowledge or information. You can have knowledge and yet have no idea how to live day by day.

To be wise means you can use the knowledge you have in the best way possible.

Exodus 31:1-5 - Bezalel -I have chosen Bezalel...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills


Wisdom is more than knowledge or information. You can have knowledge and yet have no idea how to live day by day.

To be wise means you can use the knowledge you have in the best way possible.

Exodus 31:1-5 - Bezalel -I have chosen Bezalel...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills

Wisdom involves three things:

1. Having a goal in mind

2. Having the best means to achieve that goal

3. Having the materials necessary to get there


1. GOD’S WISDOM AND ETERNAL PURPOSE

God’s wisdom does not operate outside of his purpose, his wisdom is tied to his purpose - Eph 1:7-11

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,


...he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

God’s will is tied up with his purpose - and so all God does in wisdom is moving to that purpose - which is to manifest his own glory


Some people get upset that God is working for his glory, “why should it be all about him?” - they want it to be about them, it makes more sense to them if it is about their life, their salvation, God’s love for them...

But God lives for himself - he is the greatest or highest goal that can ever be reached - there is none wiser or greater than him.

1.A. NO ONE WISER


We live for him who is greater than us - God - who, as there is none greater has set his glory as his highest goal

Rom 11:33-36 -Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.


So all God does he does with that end in mind - his glory. All of history is set up for this single purpose.

People might try to bend things towards them and their purpose - but they fail because they aren’t God, aren’t smart enough, and they all die someday


You might not like what God is doing - but you can only stop him if you are greater than he is.

So the best idea is to cooperate with him in the here and now.

He will achieve his glory, with, or without, you.

Even in hell ultimately God’s purposes will be achieved - after all there are no atheists in hell!

1.B. NO ONE GREATER


The emphasis here is on the unique ability of God to use his attributes in perfect harmony and balance - so a number of attributes are perfectly combined to achieve the purposes of God.

2. GOD’S WISDOM IS UNIQUE


In Daniel 2:19-20, we see the wisdom and power of God working together to produce revelation for Daniel to speak to Nebuchadnezzar,

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.

2.A. A REVEALING WISDOM


In Daniel 2:19-20, we see the wisdom and power of God working together to produce revelation for Daniel to speak to Nebuchadnezzar,

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.

2.A. A REVEALING WISDOMHe changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”


God arranges, people, places, nations, situations - all because he knows which situations will best bring about his perfect plan - this requires his infinite wisdom

Acts 15:18 - TM -"God said it and now he's doing it. It's no afterthought; he's always known he would do this.

Because God sees it all in advance he can plan every detail to work out.

2.B. AN ORDERING WISDOM


Usually we are happy to accept things as long as they work out - like using a watch, we don’t know how it works and don’t care as long as it does. (in some situations we care more - like in a plane, car or life / death situation)

God cares for the details all of the time.


Usually we are happy to accept things as long as they work out - like using a watch, we don’t know how it works and don’t care as long as it does. (in some situations we care more - like in a plane, car or life / death situation)

God cares for the details all of the time.

2.C. A DETAILED WISDOM


Psalm 104:24

How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

The earth tells of the wisdom of God in bringing it forth - see also Ps 19:1

3. GOD’S WISDOM IS EVIDENT


Psalm 104:24

How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

The earth tells of the wisdom of God in bringing it forth - see also Ps 19:1

3. GOD’S WISDOM IS EVIDENT3.A. IN CREATION


God’s wisdom is shown superbly in the plan of salvation he devised for us in Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 1:19-20 shows how God outwits the wise - who might have had all sorts of other ideas for how to bring about salvation - and probably not as free and accessible to all as the one God devised is.!

3.B. IN SALVATION


1 Cor 1:21, 25, 27-29

What becomes clear is that God chooses a way we would not have. One that might not make sense to us - but that results in him getting maximum glory.

Jesus said it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved - why? Because [often] the rich man can think his money gets him the glory.


Col 2:2, 3

...in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Cor 1:30

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

3.C. IN JESUS CHRIST


Eph 3:9-11

...and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3.D. IN THE CHURCH


Eph 3:9-11

...and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3.D. IN THE CHURCH

God’s wisdom is shone in the church - and out of it, the church acting like a prism revealing all the colours of God’s wisdom.

In spite of all the ‘deficiencies’ in the church God gets glory in and through it.


E.g. Joseph - sold into slavery, becomes 2nd in command in Egypt - by chance, money, good education?

Gen 50:20

God gets into your life and orders it in a way that he gets the glory.

3.E. IN THE ORDERING OF LIFE


Consider Esther - the hand of God is all over her life.

King Ahasuerus chooses her as his wife - God made her beautiful to his sight.

Haman plots, she knew nothing - but Mordecai, her uncle did - and God has her in place already.

2 Cor 1:3-5

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.


Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

4. GOD’S WISDOM IS GENEROUSLY AVAILABLE


God brings you a trial - that you might pass it, and in so doing, bring him glory.

Just as you have to pass tests in school, college etc. In fact tests are important to show you can do something or have knowledge - without them how do you know?

The good thing is we get through these with the wisdom of God - well he offers it to us, we choose if we accept it

4.A. IN TRIALS


God brings you a trial - that you might pass it, and in so doing, bring him glory.

Just as you have to pass tests in school, college etc. In fact tests are important to show you can do something or have knowledge - without them how do you know?

The good thing is we get through these with the wisdom of God - well he offers it to us, we choose if we accept it

4.A. IN TRIALSOne important thing to note is that the wisdom does not get us out of the trial - verse 4 talks of perseverance being developed in us.

We still have to get through the trial - but God helps us.

We don’t pray, “God get me out of this” - because God wants us to get the ‘right’ answer and be able to move on.


In every situation in life you need the wisdom of God - work, rest, play.

God gives wisdom - as long as we ask for it.

4.B. IN OUR CONSTANT NEED


Commit yourself to asking in faith - ask - then when you receive move in the revelation you get.

You don’t ask then decide if you like what God says - you commit to it

Do not be double minded

4.C. WHEN WE ASK


Pray and ask related to the trial you are in - this is not about general prayer but specific to what you are going through.

4.D. ONE DOSE AT A TIME


You will get wisdom - but you won’t necessarily know why God allowed the trial.

Job knew God was putting him through a trial - but had no idea why. He simply asked God to show him how to go through it.

The wisdom of God comes as we go through our trial in faith.

4.E. WHEN WE WANT ANSWERS


James 3 - you cannot mix God’s wisdom and the world’s wisdom.

5. GOD’S WISDOM AND THE WORLD’S WISDOM




James 3:13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness


God’s wisdom is not about being clever, smart, intelligent - it is about walking, not talking.

James 3:14-16

A child of the devil thinks like his father - and you see all the ungodly results of such thinking listed here.

5.A. VISIBLY DIFFERENT


Earthly wisdom means operating with my own agenda - with everyone in a home or college or business working in this way the result is obvious - discord and disunity. We saw the result of living in the world’s wisdom is powerfully different to that of God.

God’s wisdom is pure - Ps 19:8 - the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

5.B. EXPERIENTIALLY DIFFERENT


Earthly wisdom means operating with my own agenda - with everyone in a home or college or business working in this way the result is obvious - discord and disunity. We saw the result of living in the world’s wisdom is powerfully different to that of God.

God’s wisdom is pure - Ps 19:8 - the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

5.B. EXPERIENTIALLY DIFFERENT

Psalm 90:10-12

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.


1. Admit you need God’s wisdom - Prov. 11:2 - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

2. Fear the Lord - Ps 111:10 -The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.

RESPONDING TO THEWISDOM OF GOD


3. Study the Bible - Ps 119:97-100 - Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

4. Ask - God gives it to those who ask - James 1:5


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