{"id":1163,"date":"2019-09-29T17:41:10","date_gmt":"2019-09-30T00:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1163"},"modified":"2019-09-29T17:50:56","modified_gmt":"2019-09-30T00:50:56","slug":"wisdom-101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/29\/wisdom-101\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisdom 101!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"color:black;font: 10pt arial;\"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeComplexScript>   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\tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1163-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pentecost-16-09-29-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pentecost-16-09-29-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pentecost-16-09-29-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">September 29, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Proverbs 9:10-12<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Wisdom 101!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">The fear of the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. (NIV1984)<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Most of us here today would undoubtedly agree that education is extremely important.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is why we do everything we can to make sure that our children and our grandchildren receive the best education possible.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time, most of us here today would undoubtedly agree that education has changed dramatically over the course of time.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My Grandpa was born on a farm near North Branch, Minnesota, in 1902.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He graduated from the local country school\u2014 and that was it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Grandpa continued to work on the farm for a while, but eventually he moved to the \u201cbig city,\u201d St. Paul, and got a job in the largest department store in the state.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He worked there in the warehouse until the day he retired.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That doesn\u2019t happen very often anymore.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When I was in high school it was generally anticipated that once you graduated you would do one of three things:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>you would go out and get a job, you would go on to a Vo-Tec school and learn a trade or you would go on to college.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not many of my classmates went on to college.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And today?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Gone are the days when you could graduate from college and anticipate that you were finally done with school!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Graduate studies and continuing education are now the norm for everyone from plumbers to pastors.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To see how important a good education is all one has to do is scan the \u201cHelp Wanted\u201d sites such as Indeed.com, check out the enrollment at colleges and universities all across the country, or simply talk to someone who is desperately trying to find a job with better pay and better benefits, but they don\u2019t have the necessary educational background to get hired.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Our sermon text for today focuses our attention on the topic of education.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The type of education which is being emphasized here, however, is not in any way secular in nature.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This education that is being emphasized here is the education that prepares us for eternity!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With that in mind let\u2019s study this text under the theme:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Wisdom 101!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two things we want to look at today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, let\u2019s look at the definition of true wisdom. Then look at both the positive and negative results of either possessing or not possessing true wisdom.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Our text for today begins in a very straightforward way by placing before us two parallel truths.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>King Solomon\u2014 a man who knew a little bit about wisdom\u2014 says to us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe fear of the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are a number of key words in this verse that we need to understand correctly.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first key word is the word translated as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our first reaction might be to understand this word in the sense of dread or terror or fright.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For example, I can honestly say that I \u201cfear\u201d spiders.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The bigger they are the more I \u201cfear\u201d them!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> how the word <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear\u201d<\/i> is used here in our text.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Hebrew word that is translated here in our text as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear\u201d<\/i> very literally means: <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear, reverence, honor, awe.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear\u201d<\/i> God in the sense that we are to render unto Him the utmost reverence, humbly give Him the highest honor there is and hold Him in awe like no one else.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This understanding of the word <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear\u201d<\/i> is then supported by the parallel term used in this verse\u2014 the term <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cknowledge.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This Hebrew word can also be translated as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cinsight.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">When our heart is filled with reverence and honor and awe for God, when our heart has been illuminated with true insight into the one true God then King Solomon says we will possess both <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe beginning of wisdom\u201d<\/i> and true <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cunderstanding.\u201d <\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>Note very carefully, my friends, how King Solomon says that <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201creverence\u201d<\/i> or <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear\u201d<\/i> of God is the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cbeginning of wisdom.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Having true honor and respect for God doesn\u2019t encompass everything there is when it comes to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwisdom.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is only the starting point!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Standing in <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cawe\u201d<\/i> of the Lord God of heaven and earth is the foundation upon which true wisdom is built.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Standing in <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cawe\u201d<\/i> of God will lead us to want to learn even more about Him through regular study of His holy Word.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The more we know about God, the more insight we have concerning <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">who<\/b> He is and <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">what<\/b> He has done for us (pointing to the cross) the more <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwisdom\u201d<\/i> and the more <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cknowledge\u201d<\/i> we will possess.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">At the same time, however, do not allow anyone to deceive you, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Solomon very clearly emphasizes here in our text that there is no such entity as a \u201cgeneric god.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Scripture does not allow anyone to define God according to their own pre-conceived ideas.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Scripture does not allow anyone to shape God or to mold God so that He fits into their own personal little comfort zone.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">one<\/b> true God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Solomon proclaims <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">who<\/b> the true God is by using the parallel terms <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> and the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe Holy One.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only true<\/b> God is the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cL<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> the great <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI AM,\u201d<\/i> the God of absolute justice, absolute grace and absolute independence.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only true<\/b> God is the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHoly One,\u201d<\/i> the God whose perfection and holiness and righteousness soars far far beyond our human comprehension.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>True wisdom and true knowledge, true insight and true understanding recognizes and acknowledges and confesses this <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">one true<\/b> God.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Why is it important to recognize this?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why is it critically important to believe that the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only true<\/b> God is the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cL<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHoly One\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why can\u2019t we allow even the possibility of a \u201cgeneric one-size-fits-all kind of god\u201d There are three reasons, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>One reason is positive.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>One reason is negative.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And one reason connects this Old Testament text with the New Testament Scriptures.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">First, let\u2019s see how this Old Testament text dovetails perfectly with the New Testament Scriptures.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To do this all we need to do is look at two very familiar New Testament passages.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here in Proverbs 9 King Solomon proclaims that the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">one true<\/b> God is\u2014 the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHoly One.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In Luke 1:35 the angel Gabriel explains to the virgin Mary both how she will conceive her Child and Who her Child will be.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Gabriel says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">holy one<\/b> to be born will be called the Son of God.\u201d<\/i> (See also Mark 1:24; John 6:69)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here in Proverbs 9 King Solomon also proclaims that the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">one true<\/b> God is\u2014 the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cL<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In Luke 2:11 the angel of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> appeared to the shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks at night and proclaimed to them the glorious message of Christmas, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cToday in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">the L<\/b><\/i><\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><\/b><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">True wisdom recognizes the fact that the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">one true<\/b> God is the God who willingly came into this world as our true Brother to save us from our sins by living a perfect life in our place, by suffering and dying on the cross as our Substitute and by keeping His promise to physically rise from the dead on Easter Sunday.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>True wisdom recognizes the fact that apart from the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cL<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> apart from the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHoly One,\u201d<\/i> there is no salvation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That truth then ties in with both the positive and the negative reason as to why Scripture does not allow even the possibility of a \u201cgeneric one-size-fits-all god.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The positive reason is found in verse 11 and the first part of verse 12 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Through King Solomon the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cL<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHoly One\u201d<\/i> says to us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/i>When we have been given the gift of true wisdom\u2014 the wisdom that enables us to know the one true God\u2014 then we will be \u201crewarded\u201d with a long and a happy life!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But wait a minute.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If true wisdom rewards us with a long and a happy life then why is it that some Christians die in the \u201cprime\u201d of their life?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If true wisdom rewards us with a long and a happy life then why is it that sometimes Christians experience more pain and more sorrow, more hardships and more heartaches than many unbelievers?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">If<\/b> we were to look at <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only<\/b> at our life here in this world then this portion of our text would be very difficult to understand, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>True wisdom, however, true knowledge and true insight leads us to look beyond this world to\u2014 eternity!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Once again we turn to the New Testament Scriptures to help us understand this portion of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In Romans 8:18 the apostle Paul reminds us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The true wisdom that enables to know that the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cL<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> is our Savior God also enables us to look beyond all the difficulties we encounter in this world and rejoice in the glory and the perfection that the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHoly One\u201d<\/i> has waiting for us in heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Likewise the Lord Jesus Himself gives us this glorious promise, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI am the resurrection and the life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die\u201d<\/i> (John 11:25-26).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>True wisdom enables us to believe that we have an immortal soul.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We will live on into eternity.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>True wisdom enables us to understand this portion of our text from God\u2019s perspective, from the perspective of what is waiting for us in the life to come.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">That brings us to the last verse of our text for today as well as the last point we want to emphasize.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are disastrous results when someone rejects the truth proclaimed in the opening verse of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Through King Solomon the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cL<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHoly One\u201d<\/i> says in the closing words of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIf you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Some day every human being will be required to stand before the judgment throne of the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Holy One<\/i> and give an account of their life here on this earth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:12)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If their heart does not possess the wisdom which enables them to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> as in reverence, respect and honor then because of their own sin they will most certainly <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfear the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> as in dread and terror and fright.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Scripture clearly proclaims <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cDo not be deceived:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God cannot be mocked.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A man reaps what he sows\u201d<\/i> (Galatians 6:7) and, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIt is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God\u201d<\/i> (Hebrews 10:31).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is why we want to make sure that we share with as many people as we can the wisdom that enables them to know who the true God and what He has done for them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">We do indeed understand that education is extremely important.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is why we do everything we can to make sure that our children and our grandchildren receive the best education possible.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time, let\u2019s not forget that there is a wisdom that far surpasses all the wisdom and education and intelligence of this world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is the wisdom that comes to us from God through His holy Word and Sacraments.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is the wisdom that enables to know that there is only <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">one true<\/b> God\u2014 the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cLord\u201d<\/i> who suffered and died and rose for our salvation, the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHoly One\u201d<\/i> who invites us to His Supper where He personally assures us that our sins<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"> are<\/b> forgiven, the God who guarantees to us a glorious eternal life in His heavenly Home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Thank God, my friends, that purely by His power and purely by His grace He has granted to you the gift of true wisdom.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pentecost-16-09-29-19.mp3\">Pentecost-16-09-29-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 29, 2019 Proverbs 9:10-12 Wisdom 101! &nbsp; The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.&nbsp; For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.&nbsp; If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1163"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1163\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}