Wisdom on SermonAudio

It's easy to cut off a tree branch without thinking twice about it. But what if something was cut out of your life? Today on Fastened Like Nails, Dr. Mark Hamby is joined by Dr. Lew Sterrett. Together they unpack the meaning and importance of God's pruning in our own lives. We are never promised it will be painless, but when we are in the hands of the Master Gardener, we know there's a greater reward than anything we may lose. Join us today and discover how the price of pruning can lead to richer life in Jesus Christ.

Anchored in the Word Morning Reflection: Season 5 Episode 156 Longing for Divine Justice: Accusation Psalm 58 #morningreflections #strength #wisdom #perspective #trust

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-20 Text: Proverbs 3:13-20 Proverbs for Parenting (9) Setting Before Our Children the Happiness that Wisdom Affords 1. The Great Value of Wisdom 2. The Example of God Himself 3. The Calling that Follows

The sermon explores the necessity of seeking divine wisdom from God, particularly in the midst of life's trials and temptations. Drawing primarily from James chapter 1 and references to Proverbs and the Sermon on the Mount, it emphasizes that true wisdom is a gift received through humble, unwavering faith rather than human effort or mere knowledge. The preacher highlights God's generous character, noting that He gives wisdom liberally without reproach to those who acknowledge their spiritual poverty. Ultimately, the message asserts that this godly wisdom leads to a deeper reverence for God and an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, who embodies all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

This sermon introduces a study of Ecclesiastes by examining the life of its author, Solomon, tracing his journey from humble beginnings and divine wisdom to eventual compromise and idolatry. The preacher argues that the book serves as a coherent theological argument demonstrating that life apart from God is futile and repetitive, yet offers joy through faithful acceptance of God's sovereignty. Key themes include the emptiness of worldly pursuits such as wealth and pleasure, the inevitability of death, and the necessity of fearing God as the only source of true meaning. The message challenges listeners to reject secular fatalism and instead find purpose by viewing daily limitations and cycles as gifts from a sovereign Creator. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a reverent relationship with God, asserting that joy is received through faith rather than earned through autonomous achievement.

1Co 12:1-11 ESV - Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

The sermon explores God's transcendence as the foundational basis for Christian apologetics and faith. It argues that because God is wholly other, independent of creation, and the source of all reality, human reasoning must submit to His authority rather than relying on neutral empirical evidence. The preacher contrasts the finite nature of humanity with the infinite nature of God, asserting that truth and morality originate solely from Him. Consequently, defending the faith requires exposing the internal inconsistencies of unbelieving worldviews while pointing to Christ as the ultimate source of wisdom. This approach calls believers to humble worship and bold proclamation of the Gospel grounded in Scripture.