Text: Proverbs 24:3,4

We have learned some of the principles of God that He has blessed us with to be able to live in peace with one another. We have noted principles as recorded in Leviticus 19 and how they were applied by Ruth, and recorded in the New Testament by Paul and James.
Today we will read and be challenged to act upon what we know. As we have learned through the Word of God, the will of God has not been followed by most people. Why is this? To know and do the will of God is hard work and we must be committed to building our lives God’s way.
The Lord is speaking of building a house in these verses and we shall equate the house for our lives. Today you will have the opportunity to make one of the most important decisions you will ever make – building your life the right way.

I. Wisdom builds. 24:3 “Through wisdom is a house builded…”

As we consider this Word from God, we should say “I want to build that house.” When I think of family, I want to build a family that is blessed of God and a blessing to others. I want them to do the will of God for their lives.
In order to do this, I must follow His plan – “through wisdom is a house builded…”
If the house is to be built through wisdom, I should know what wisdom is.

A. Wisdom, according to Webster’s Dictionary is – “the right use or exercise of knowledge”. Also –
Harris, Archer, and Waltke define God’s use of wisdom as being different from the world view –“… Hebrew wisdom was not theoretical or speculative. It was practical, based on revealed principles of right and wrong, to be lived out in daily life.” With this in mind, we must consider –

B. Wisdom and its source.

Men have promoted their wisdom from the very beginning which brings into conflict the wisdom of men and the wisdom of God. Men become wise in their own ways because they are trying to promote their own beliefs or agendas.
This is seen through the discovery by Duboise in 1891 of the ‘Java Man’. He found a skullcap and a thigh bone and through these two pieces, constructed an entire man who he declared was an ancestor of modern man – a link between apes and humans.

The Word of God settles the matter without argument –

Romans 3:4 “…let God be true, but every man a liar…”
The source of all wisdom is God.

1. He is a personal Being and has revealed Himself to man – His Word.
2. He is omniscient and omnipotent; setting the standard for knowledge and power.
3. He is holy, righteous, and just; setting the standard for wisdom and conduct.

Wisdom comes from God! We are wise when we know the truth and live according to it. We then see –

C. Wisdom makes a difference in our lives.

1. Jesus spoke of a wise man and a foolish man in Matthew 7:24-27

a. The wise man built a house that stood through the storms. We learned through the message on faith or foolishness that to build something that is for the glory of God takes planning, patience, preparation in the unseen things, and persistent labour.

b. The foolish man built a house that collapsed when the storms came. “Easy to build, easy to fall”.

If you are wise, you will build on that which is true and right. You will dedicate yourself to the task of building on the rock. It is hard work, but it will hold out in the hard times.

2. Note the example of the feeding of the 5,000.

a. By sight there was no provision for the people – the world’s standard operates by sight
b. By faith, they were all filled – this is the Lord’s standard.
c. The wise people stayed and ate. Do you think there may have been those that departed because they did not think He could or would provide for them?

3. Compare two men that were with Jesus throughout His ministry.

a. Peter gave up his business and followed Christ.
b. Judas gave up Christ for a business deal – 30 pieces of silver.
c. Which one, Peter or Judas, was wise?

3. Jim Elliot said “He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep and gains that which he cannot lose.”

II. Understanding establishes. Proverbs 24:3 “…and by understanding it is established.”

You have built a house on the Rock. Now, what about the next generation? How will your household be established? Understanding will establish your house. The months of May and June have days that are set aside to honour Mothers and Fathers. I ask you this morning – do you want to be worthy of honour? If so, we will understand and live accordingly!

A. Men, do you know what God expects of you?
B. Ladies, do you know what God expects of you?
C. Understanding begins with having the right role models as a child.

1. Fathers teach sons how to be men, husband and fathers. They teach daughters what to look for in a husband.
2. Mothers teach daughters how to be women, wives and mothers. They teach sons what to look for in a wife.

Note: This is becoming more difficult as time goes on because the world’s wisdom is breaking down the distinction between male and female.

3. Understanding guides when the young people begin to seek that one that it is God’s will that they be joined with, becoming one in the Lord. Parents need to teach their children to join with that one who will complete them.

III. Knowledge fills. Proverbs 24:4 “And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches”

A. What is precious?

1. Gold, silver, jewels, houses, cars. Products that God has supplied through creation for the just and the unjust to be blessed with.
2. Peace, joy, love. The attributes of God Himself and only come from Him unto His children.

B. What makes a place pleasant?

1. Flowers, gentle music, friends, a magnificent sunset?
2. Read –

Psalm 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

3. We have an account of two friends in unity, praying together and singing together.

Acts 16:23-29 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

a. When the gates opened in the prison, did they try and escape?
b. No! Why leave in the middle of the meeting? They had not finished preaching and praising yet!
Even in the prison –

C. It is the knowledge of God that fills the place with that which is precious and pleasant. Whatever the place is, if God is there it is blessed!

1 Peter 2:6-8 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

Wisdom builds. Do you know the truth? Do you know what is right? Are you building based on what is right or are you building by sight?

Understanding establishes. Do you understand what God expects of you? If you do not yet understand, are you willing to learn and to do?

Knowledge fills. Do you have the knowledge of the presence of God where you are at now.
God knows where you are – He will be that which is precious and that which is pleasant.