-1 Ki. 3 – God granted Solomon 1 wish = asked for wisdom

-God so pleased gave it, along with long life, honor, incredible wealth

THESIS: Men, especially young men, have more information/education & less wisdom

= Unprepared. Uncertain. Unskilled.

Rom 1:22, “Claiming to be wise, they became fools…”

Wise/Wisdom = over 400X English Bible. (Eccl, Sos, Prov, Psalms, Job, James)

1. Knowledge tells you what to believe, wisdom tells you how to behave
2. Knowledge gives you facts to learn, wisdom gives you faith to live
3. Knowledge will challenge your mind, wisdom will change your life
4. Knowledge is about information, wisdom is about transformation
5. Knowledge comes from school, wisdom comes from the Spirit
6. Knowledge helps you good grades, wisdom helps
7. Knowledge changes what you know, wisdom changes who you are
8. Knowledge is loved by the haughty, wisdom is loved by the humble
9. Knowledge is theoretical, wisdom is practical (pots & pans, dollars & cents, wives & kids)

Western Cultural Crisis =We measure value A. intelligence B. Age = BUT NOT WISDOM!

7 Stages of Maturity

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

1. Baby (first few years) – all decisions & provisions – by another
2. Child (school age) – decisions & provisions – combo you/mainly others
3. Adolescent (teenager) – most decisions & provisions by you – more freedom/resp.
4. Young Adult (college age) – majority decisions & provisions by you
5. Adult (launched) – responsible for self
6. Mature Adult (spouse, parent) – responsible for others – bless/benefit
7. Very Mature Adult (grandparent) – teaching children, grandchildren = legacy

2 Crisis Causing Immaturity

1. Younger men – Adolescence extended indefinitely
2. Older men reverting back stages (midlife crisis)

A FATHERLY WORD TO YOUNG MEN – get a 10 year head start (Nascar race)

Wisdom Comes from the Holy Spirit Often Through People

Ephesians 1:17 remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom…

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

1. Scripture
2. Prayer and worship
3. Conscience
4. Experience
5. Wise counsel
6. Godly authority

= NOTEBOOK STORY

The Holy Spirit Matures Men in Wisdom to Be Like Jesus Christ

Isa 11:2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him [Jesus], the Spirit of wisdom…

Luke 2:40 the child [Jesus] grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Luke 2:46-47 they found him [Jesus around age 12] in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke 2:52 Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Luke 3:16b He [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit…

Luke 11:13 the heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Jesus =           A. Fully God (divinity)             B. Fully Man (humanity)

Chalcedonian Creed

1. over 100 XN Scholars Council of Chalcedon prayer & Bible study debate
2. Chalcedonian Creed AD 451 “hypostatic union,”  JC 1 person 2 natures— fully God/man
3. Emmanuel – God w/us
4. Added humanity to divinity

= Did not lose divine attributes, chose to not continually use them to benefit self

=Blindfolded

Spirit-Filled Jesus

Apostles (4^th Cen) – “born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified…”

Nicene (4^th Century) – “was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate…”

1. Life? Go to heaven when you die?
2. = Christianity about dying not living, for old people not young people.

Jesus’ in Luke 

1. Elizabeth & Zech “filled w/the HS”, John “filled w/the HS, from his mother’s womb”
2. Mary conceived “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.”, “Christ” – anointed HS
3. Isaiah 61:1–2 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”
4. “full of the Holy Spirit,” “led by the Spirit,” “in the power of the Spirit”, “rejoiced in the HS”
5. Baptism – 2/4 Gospels “HS remained”

= Jesus was mature @ every season & identifies w/us @ every season

= sins vs mistakes

= overly responsible (put grace on them). Irresponsible (load them up with responsibility)

Discussion and Prayer

1. What area(s) of your life do you have wisdom to help other guys?
2. What area(s) of your life do you need wisdom from other guys?
3. How can we pray for you?