THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

FEBRUARY 25TH, 2007

PROVERBS 3:13-15

THE VALUE OF GODLY WISDOM

Introduction:     A life of godly wisdom brings happiness.

I.     “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom....”   (13)

     A.     Godly wisdom is attainable.

          1.     You can find it if you’re willing to look for it.

          2.     You don’t have to live your life according to the limited knowledge of your own mind and experiences.

     B.     Godly wisdom brings happiness.

          1.     The word “happy” usually refers to a feeling that results from good circumstances.

          2.     Godly wisdom will create an outward environment of happiness in your personal life.

     C.     Wisdom will give you a balanced view of life that keeps you from extremes.

               -     Godly wisdom creates a godly frame of mind.

II.     Happy is the man that getteth understanding.”   (13)

     A.     Godly understanding is another term for moral sanity.

          1.     There is no moral sanity in an “anything goes” society.

          2.     Godly understanding means that the ways of God make sense to you.

     B.     When you accept God’s position on right and wrong, you’ll be a happy person.

          1.     Sin produces slavery and bondage to the lusts of the flesh.

          2.     You can’t be happy when you are addicted to sin and sinful patterns in your life.

     C.     Solomon wants his son to be happy, and that means an understanding of godly principles.

III.     Godly wisdom is more valuable than a fortune of silver, gold, and rubies.   (14-15)

     A.     “Merchandise” is a term for material objects that can be purchased with money.

          1.     Silver, gold, and rubies are three objects of great monetary value.

          2.     All three objects must be mined from the earth.

          3.     All three objects are beautiful and rare compared to other objects of merchandise in the marketplace.

     B.     Godly wisdom is more valuable than money.

          1.     A fortune of money will not bring the happiness that wisdom brings.

          2.     Godly wisdom must be sought after, like silver, gold and rubies.   (13)

     C.     Solomon wants his son to be a wise and understanding man, not just a rich and wealthy man.

          -     To teach our children to be wise and understanding would not be a bad ambition for Godly parents today.

IV.     Solomon advises his son about the object of his desires.   (15)

     A.     The Bible contains many verses that refer to “desires.”

          1.     God will give a godly person the desires of his heart.   Psalm 37:4)

          2.     Solomon spoke of a man’s desires several times in Proverbs.

                    -     10:24, 11:23, 13:12, 19:22, 21:25, 3:15, 8:11, 13:4.

          3.     Godly wisdom should be the great desire of a godly son.

     B.     Solomon goes so far as to say that no merchandise can be compared to Godly wisdom.

          1.     In other words, Godly wisdom stands alone in value.

         2.     Gold, silver, and rubies can be compared to each other, but Godly wisdom cannot be compared with anything successfully.

     C.     Why is there no comparison between godly wisdom and any other thing?

          1.     Godly wisdom comes from the mind of God.

          2.     Godly wisdom stands alone because God stands alone.