The House That Wisdom Built Series :: 8/4/13 AM
The House that Wisdom Built
Prov. 24:3
Intro: There are two words that I want to focus on this morning as we begin this new series on the home. These two words are “builded” and “established”. These two words are actually synonymous.
Definition:
Builded – to build, to establish, to make permanent
Established – to be set up, be established, be fixed; be stable, be secure, be enduring
That’s where we want to begin in this series.
Wisdom builds a home that will endure.
In a time where there is very little commitment in the home, God wants to build homes that endure.
- Husbands committed to their wives.
- Wives committed to their husbands.
- Parents that are committed to their children.
- Children that are committed to their parents.
- Families that are committed to God.
One of the things I learned when I was building houses was the importance of building for endurance.
When building a house, you build a strong foundation.
When wisdom builds a house, it does it properly; permanently.
Wisdom doesn’t build shacks, and lean-to’s and shanties.
Wisdom builds something solid, something real, something of worth and substance.
Part I
It is Built to Endure
Turn to Psalm 112:1-10
A. An Enduring Fear – vs. 1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord
Definition of “feareth”: to fear, be afraid; to stand in awe of, be awed; to fear, reverence, honour, respect
- Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
A house that wisdom builds is build with a healthy fear of God.
A reverential fear that permeates every area of the home.
Verse 1 says that he delighteth greatly in his commandments.
This is an atmosphere where the precepts of God are not despised; but they are a delight.
This is a home where the family stands in awe of God’s person and His power.
It is a reverential fear that lasts all week. Not just on Sunday morning.
B. An Enduring Family – vs. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon the earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
When wisdom builds a house, it produces a family that can stand the test of time.
Satan is the instigator of division, strife, splintered families, divorce, unfaithfulness.
That is not God’s plan. It never has been.
The Bible is clear. Marriage is a covenant between a man and his wife and God.
- Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
God intended for man and wife to be married for life.
And God intended for families to stay together.
God never intended for children to run away from home and live with other people and on the streets.
Mark 10:7 says that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.
The home is a sanctuary from the world, evil influences and temptation.
The house that wisdom builds is a haven from the world and its wickedness.
God promised in Psalm 112 that the God fearing man would produce a family that shall be mighty.
MIGHTY: champion, chief, excel, giant, men’s, mightiest, strongest
God said that the house that wisdom builds will produce a family of champions; excellence.
What an encouragement! What a promise!
C. An Enduring Faith – vs. 6, 7
Vs. 6 – Surely he shall not be moved for ever.
MOVED: to totter, shake, slip, be moved, be overthrown, to dislodge, let fall, drop, to be greatly shaken
A house that is built on wisdom is one that is built on faith.
The house that wisdom builds is full of committed, dedicated, stable believers.
The foundation has been placed in Someone that is far greater than any problem.
The homes of the ungodly are built on emotion, fear, lust, greed, and selfish desires.
The home that is built by wise men is founded on something that never changes – God.
Notice verse 7, 8 – He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
NOTE: The Hebrew word for “he shall not be afraid” is the exact same word for “fear” in verse 1.
The house that wisdom builds will produce a reverential fear for God – not circumstances.
Bad tidings is everywhere.
- On the news
- In the paper
- On the radio
- On your voicemail
- In your Inbox
- In your bank statement
- In your mailbox
- In conversations with friends and family
A wise man that fears God is not moved by these things; his heart is fixed.
FIXED: to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring
Conclusion: This concept of endurance is used repeatedly in this chapter.
- Vs. 2 – his seed shall be mighty
- Vs. 3 – His righteousness endureth for ever
- Vs. 6 – surely he shall not be moved for ever; the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance
- Vs. 7 – his heart is fixed
- Vs. 8 – his heart is established
- Vs. 9 – his righteousness endureth for ever
If you’ve never been born again; never put your faith in trust in Christ, why not let him replace that temporary life for one that will last. Why not let him give you the gift of eternal life?
Part 2
Proverbs 24:3-5
II. It is Built to Educate
Intro: Our text makes at least three references to the importance of the learning process.
- Verse 3 – by understanding it is established
- Verse 4 – by knowledge shall the chambers be filled
- Verse 5 – a man of knowledge increaseth strength
When wisdom builds a house, it builds a house where education is a vital component of the home.
- Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
NOTICE our TEXT in PROVERBS 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war; and in multitude of counselors there is safety.
QUOTE: “The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance.” Charles Spurgeon
The Bible is filled with many references to the importance of learning.
In Proverbs alone, we find these references to God’s thoughts on education.
- KNOWLEDGE – 41 TIMES
- LEARNING – 4 TIMES
- INSTRUCTION – 25 TIMES
- UNDERSTANDING – 53 TIMES
- FOOL – 41 TIMES
- FOOLISH – 13 TIMES
- WISDOM – 53 TIMES
Wisdom doesn’t build a house based on ignorance, foolishness, and confusion.
Wisdom builds a house that stresses the importance of learning, knowing, understanding and being teachable.
I’m not talking about being a genius or having a high IQ.
I’m talking about having a desire to know more and to understand the important things in life.
QUOTE: “It is not that I’m so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.” ― Albert Einstein
If we are to have a home that honors God and reflects a godly, wisdom that is from above, we will have homes where there is an atmosphere of increased learning.
- Deut. 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
A. Educate on Morality
There is a lot of emphasis placed on a righteous life in the book of Proverbs.
Even in our text we find it referenced several time.
- Psalm 112:1 – that delighteth in his commandments.
- Psalm 112:2 – the generation of the upright shall be blessed
- Psalm 112:3 …his righteousness endureth for ever.
- Psalm 112:4 – Unto the upright there ariseth light…he is righteous
- Psalm 112:5 – A good man…
- Psalm 112:6 – the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance
- Psalm 112:9 – his righteousness endureth for ever
When wisdom builds a house, it stresses the importance of living according to the laws of God.
Parents and children alike need to be taught that there are is a right and a wrong.
Starting in chapter 1, Solomon begin teaching his children the importance of avoiding the sinful crowd.
- There is a right crowd, and a wrong crowd. – 1:10
- There are right activities, and wrong activities. – 11-14
- There are right paths, and wrong paths – 1:15
In chapter 5, he warns of the dangers of the strange woman and the sin of adultery.
- NOTE verse 1 – attend unto my wisdom
- NOTE verse 23 – he shall die without instruction
More teaching follows on the sin of adultery and sexual immorality from 6:20 – chapter 7.
NOTE: You must have a consistent standard of morality in the home to be effective in teaching.
You can’t teach morality in the home and send your children to a school that endorses immorality.
You can’t teach morality in the home, and let your children be influenced by the immorality on TV.
You can’t teach morality in the home, and then excuse immorality in your own life.
You can’t teach morality in the home and then go to a church where the pastor has been married two or three times.
You can’t teach morality in the home, and listen to music that promotes immorality.
B. Educate on Money
- Proverbs 24:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
- Psalms 112:3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Today’s children are taught the world’s perspective of money.
They are taught to play the lottery, to invest in stocks and bonds, and to lay up their treasures on earth.
- Matt. 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
- I Tim. 6:8-10 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The house that wisdom builds in Psalm 112 is a house that understands that the secret to having riches is to give.
- Vs. 4 – he is gracious and full of compassion.
- Vs. 5 – A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth
- Vs. 5b – he will guide his affairs with discretion
- Vs. 9 – he hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor
QUOTE: “Making money isn’t hard in itself… What’s hard is to earn it doing something worth devoting one’s life to.”
- Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Teaching our children what the Bible teaches about giving, and about wealth, and about money is a sign of a wise house.
Teach your children to tithe and to give to people in need and to support their local church.
Teach your children to understand faithful, consistent giving to world missions.
A wise man understands that prosperity is a BYPRODUCT of wisdom; but not the world’s definition of wealth.
A wise house will be a prosperous house.
QUOTE: “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
C. Educate on Might
- Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
The world’s definition of strength and might is carnal.
Their strength is displayed on a weight room, a ball field, a political arena, a courtroom or in a financial capacity.
In the house that wisdom builds, might is strength of character in the midst of negative influences.
Might is the ability to say NO to the wrong crowd.
Might is the ability to live for God in a wicked and perverse generation.
Might is the fortitude to be faithful to your wife, provide for your children and fear God in all you do.
Might is knowing your Bible and being able to produce Biblical proof for what God said.
- Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
David was known as a mighty man when he was just a young boy that demonstrated responsibility when doing his job.
- 1 Samuel 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
Might according to God is shown by having character, discernment, responsibility, maturity and spirituality.
Might is the ability to raise a generation of children up in the old paths.
Might is the skill to point your kids to God.
- Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Might is the Divine assistance that enables you to live victoriously over sin.
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
- 2 Corinthians 13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
Might is the ability to lean upon the everlasting arm of Almighty God each and every day.
- Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Conclusion: The HOUSE THAT WISDOM BUILDS is a house where God’s definition of money, morality and might is taught and obeyed. In order to submit to God’s will on these issues, it is imperative that those within the home submit themselves to the gospel and allow the saving power of Christ to transform their heart and mind. Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is the first step to having a wise and godly household.
Part 3
III. It is Built to Exemplify
Intro: The house that wisdom builds is a house that is a testimony. It is a witness. It makes a statement. It has an impact on those that see it. It will build a house that will have an effect on people that see it, and it will impact their life.
- Psalm 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved: he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
A. It will Exemplify the Fear of God – vs. 1
- Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
- Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
B. It will Exemplify the Favor of God
- vs. 1 – blessed is the man
- vs. 4 – unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness
- vs. 9 – his horn shall be exalted with honour
C. It will Exemplify Fervency for God
- Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
The hewing out of seven pillars demonstrates a dedication, commitment and a strong desire.
Those pillars were no doubt made of stone, or granite.
Took time and effort.
Not something you would undertake half-heartedly or on a whim.
The number seven is a type of completion and perfection.
Wisdom doesn’t stop until the job is complete; until it’s right!!
Solomon is an excellent example of this type of wisdom.
Solomon’s fervency for God was exemplified in:
- II Chron. 1:10 in his prayer for wisdom and knowledge.
- II Chron. 2:1 when he determined to build a house for the name of the Lord.
- II Chron. 3 and 4 by the expense of the construction of the Temple.
- II Chron. 5 by the installation of the Ark of God.
- II Chron. 6:1-11 by the sermon that he preached.
- II Chron. 6:12-42 by the prayer that he prayed.
- II Chron. 7 by his dedication of the Temple.
BUT – when the Queen of Sheba showed up in chapter 9, his love for God was exemplified in several ways.
I. Exemplified by your Abode – vs. 3 …and the house that he had built.
Is your home a testimony – a witness – of your fear of God, your fervency for God?
Is there anything in your home that would detract from your impact on unbelievers or struggling Christians?
II. Exemplified by your Appetite – vs. 4 …and the meat of his table
What are you eating (spiritually)?
What does your diet consist of?
What are your children eating in the home?
I’m not talking about physical food, but spiritual (or carnal) food.
What kind of diet are you living on in your house?
What kind of TV programs do you watch?
What kind of movies to you look at?
What kind of music is playing in your home?
What is on the walls? In the closets? On the computers?
- Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
- Psalms 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
III. Exemplified by your Attendance – vs. 4 …and the attendance of his ministers
The word attendance here is the ministry; the duties, the labor that was going on within his house.
What is your ministry? What is your duty?
What are you and your household doing to demonstrate your fervency for God?
When the world looks at your family, does your home exemplify a fervency for God?
IV. Exemplified by your Apparel – vs. 4
Does the apparel of those within your home exemplify a fear of God?
I’m not sure what they had on in this verse, but it was an overwhelming testament of Solomon’s wisdom!
Your clothes say it for you!
What you wear is saying something to those around you.
V. Exemplified by your Ascent to the House of God – vs. 4
Again, there was something special about the way that Solomon went to church that impressed the queen.
It was something to behold.
It was something special and very significant.
She was overwhelmed by the way and the manner that Solomon went to the Temple.
QUESTION: Would the way you attend church exemplify to the world a life of wisdom and fear of God?
Would it testify to them of a fervent spirit?
Conclusion:
In Psalm 112:10, it says that the wicked shall see it and be grieved.
In II Chron. 9:3, 4 it says that when she saw the house that wisdom had built, there was no more spirit in her.
