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A Wise Man will hear and increase learning

Text: Proverbs 1:1-7
6 January 2008

(I) THE TREASURES OF WISDOM

1. Possession of sound basic Knowledge

“To know wisdom and instruction…” Proverbs 1:2

2. Perception

“…To perceive the words of understanding” Proverbs 1:2

3. Acquisition of profound knowledge

“To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment and equity” Proverbs 1:3

4. Prudence and Discretion

“To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion” Proverbs 1:4

(II) WORTHY GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR (AND LIFE)

“A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel” Proverbs 1:5

1. Worthy Goals:

a) To be a wise man

b) To be a man of understanding

c) To attain wise counsel

2. Means:

a) To hear

b) To increase learning

3. Proof of wisdom

“To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.” Proverbs 1:6

a) Deep understanding

b) Ability

i) To understand a proverb

ii) To understand an enigma

iii) To understand riddles

iv) To understand the words of the wise

(III) SEEKING GOD FOR WISDOM

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
For let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8

1. Admitting the lack of wisdom

a) Humility

b) Honesty

2. Asking of God

a) As One who gives liberally

b) As One who gives without reproach

c) Asking in faith

d) Asking without doubts

3. What God will not entertain

a) Requests made with doubts

b) Requests made with a double-mind

c) Requests from an unstable person