COMPLETE SERMON NOTES
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
WISDOM’S CRY [in these dire times there is hope]: “Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square” (Prov. 1:20 NIV).
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Wisdom – the ability to look down the road and make choices now that will prevent disaster later.
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Wisdom isn’t just good advice – its truth that has been set in motion.
Many say, “I know it’s not wise – but let me take this as far as I can.”
IMPULSE IS THE ENEMY OF WISDOM: “We often act on impulse, satisfying immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences. When we see something we want, our first impulse is to get it [this is how the enemy works]. We feel such great pressure that nothing else seems to matter and we lose our perspective. Getting through that short, pressured filled moment is often the most difficult part of overcoming temptation” (Life Application Study Bible, NIV).
WHEN YOU HEAR the ROAR OF THE LION by David Wilkerson
When I was a young preacher, I didn´t give much thought to spiritual warfare. I thought anyone who walked in victory shouldn´t have any problems at all against the devil. To me, it was simply a matter of resisting him. But soon I found a roaring lion pouncing on my weaknesses with all his might and I felt helpless to do battle with him.
All too often I see the devil doing the same thing to other sincere Christians. I know multitudes of godly servants-people pure in heart, walking in grace-overwhelmed by demonic floods of confusion and despair.
Such Christians can labor diligently for the Lord for years. Then, one day, Satan suddenly injects accusing thoughts into their minds. Overnight they are overcome with awful troubles, unexpected temptations, covetousness, depression. Their trials are so deep, strange and mysterious that these saints have no idea where they came from.
I believe there is only one explanation: Their troubles are a demonic onslaught. Time after time I have seen this happen to Christians who are growing by leaps and bounds. At the very peak of their
spiritual growth, Satan puts an old seduction in their path. It may be an old lust, something they thought they had overcome years before. But now, after years of living in victory, they´re walking a
tightrope, teetering on the brink of an indulgence that could lead them back into terrible bondage…
KEY- wisdom is applying God’s truth even when we don’t ‘feel’ like it (and especially when we don’t feel like it).
“As Sheep”
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Sheep don’t harm and attack
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Be wise…sensible [not gullible]
*We should be the wisest – we have the truth and the leading of God. But often, we’re the most gullible.
CHECK OUR BRAINS AT THE DOOR OR WE THINK IT’S WRONG TO QUESTION:
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Its wrong when it comes from a critical spirit
Practical App.
~ An “open door” may not be God’s door; a “good thing” may not be a God thing.
*WISDOM CRIES OUT
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Make it a point to read PROVERBS weekly.
a] money schemes: *THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT INFO. I WILL LET YOU KNOW. or I’LL PASS FOR NOW
b] relationships: *THANK YOU FOR SHOWING INTEREST – NOW I’M GOING TO SIT BACK AND SEE HOW MUCH INTEREST YOU HAVE IN GOD. DO they READ, WORSHIP, AND ATTEND ON their OWN?
c) thought life – ‘terror’ism succeeds when we dwell on it.
d] apologetics: *I APPRECIATE YOUR HEART, BUT HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT THIS? It’s often the attitude that wins the argument.
CLOSING: WISDOM’S CRY … Prov. 1
Wisdom must be sought (position yourself to hear)
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Wisdom involves warfare
10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
Wisdom must start with “The fear of the Lord”
7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but foolsc despise wisdom and instruction.
Wisdom must be obeyed
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; 21on top of the walld she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: 22“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? 23Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
THERE IS A COST: 11At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. 12You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! 13I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. 14And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.”
