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Introduction:
Every day we face circumstances that require us to make decisions and choices. Navigating them can be difficult. If we are going to live wisely, we need God’s knowledge and wisdom. The pursuit of Godly wisdom should be a priority of the Christian life. Without God, we cannot make wise choices.
“Wisdom is supreme — so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.” —Proverbs 4:7-8
God gave us a book called Proverbs to help us understand the value of wisdom and how to attain it.
- The theme of Proverbs is wisdom. It covers all the basic areas of life.
- The main writer of Proverbs is Solomon. He was the wisest person to ever live.
- The nature of Proverbs is pithy. They are short and concise statements of penetrating truth.
This collection of talks will help you wise up and live well and will include:
June 2nd/5th Living Wisely – Understanding Wisdom
June 9th/12th Living Wisely with Decisions – Honor the Grads Weekend
June 16th/19th Living Wisely in Relationships – Father’s Day Weekend
June 23rd/26th Living Wisely with Money
June 30th/July 3rd Living Wisely as a Citizen - 4th of July Weekend
Text: Proverbs 14:34 CSB; Romans 1:18-32 CSB
Today’s Takeaway: Wisdom builds a nation; foolishness destroys it.
Week 5 - Living Wisely as a Citizen
I. THE
IN OUR NATION
Foolishness from the lens of Romans 1:18-32:
A.
“If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.” —Proverbs 17:13
B.
“The one who commits adultery lacks sense; whoever does so destroys himself. 33He will get a beating and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed.” —Proverbs 6:32-33
C.
“It will rescue you from the way of evil — from anyone who says perverse things,13from those who abandon the right paths to walk in ways of darkness, 14from those who enjoy doing evil and celebrate perversion, 15whose paths are crooked, and whose ways are devious.” —Proverbs 2:12-15
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” —Exodus 20:3 (KJV)
D.
“Drink water from your own cistern, water flowing from your own well.” —Proverbs 5:15
E.
“The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.” —Proverbs 21:17
II. THE
OF OUR NATION’S PAST
A. America was founded on
“Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord — the people he has chosen to be his own possession!” —Psalms 33:12
B. America has been a
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:32
C. America has been a friend to
“I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” —Genesis 12:3
D. America has been a force behind world
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. 16But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message? 17So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” —Romans 10:13-17
III. THE
OF A CHRISTIAN CITIZEN
A. Our
“Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame, and they are focused on earthly things. 20Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.” —Philippians 3:17-21
B. Our
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. 6in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.” —Proverbs 3:5-8
C. Our
“When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.” —Proverbs 28:2 (NLT)
“The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.” —Proverbs 28:10
CONCLUSION: Are you living as a citizen that represents Christ in America?
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:
1. Are any of the 5 things from Romans 1:18-32 present in your life?
2. How important is individual soul liberty to you? What about a foundation of God’s Word?
3. Which of the final 3 points (character, compliance, conduct) needs the most work in your life right now?
4. Are you living as a citizen that represents Christ in America?