SPRING QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2012
THEME: GOD’S CREATIVE WORD
Unit One: The Word Was In The Beginning. Lessons 1-6
“THE WISDOM OF THE LORD IS TALKING…IS ANYONE LISTENING?”
Sunday School Lesson No. I, March 4, 2012
Presented by Rev. Frank Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher
Lesson Text: Proverbs 8:22-35
Required Reading: Proverbs 8
Memory Text: Proverbs 8:33, (KJV), “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.”
Proverbs 8:33, (NLT), “Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don’t ignore it.”
Reliable Resources: Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Word Search 10 Electronic Library;
Libronix Electronic Library.
INTRODUCTION
Beloved, we who truly believe the Bible know well of the eternal existence of our Lord. Hebrews 11:3, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Thus, when we read “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…And God said let there be…” we believe by faith that God did it all by His Word’s omnipotent power! Now God does not have to explain anything, and that’s what gets a lot of people in trouble. They have inquiring minds that just have to know! But beloved, before we, with our finite minds can know anything, we have to remember Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” This brings me to our lesson for this week from Proverbs 8:33 and surrounding verses: “The Wisdom of the Lord is Talking…Is Anyone Listening?”
The Lord has always been talking, even before time as we know it ever came into being. That’s why Isaiah penned in 40:8, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Now listen to the textual presentation for our consideration: “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” “Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don’t ignore it.” Proverbs 8:33 (NLT). Using metaphoric expressions, the Lord is speaking to us as Solomon writes concerning the Person of Wisdom. “But isn’t wisdom something that is inanimate and figurative of the intellect?” you may ask. Isn’t wisdom the overseer of knowledge that superintends our thoughts and keeps them in divine check? Yes, that is true, but in Proverbs 8 today, Wisdom is personified or literally seen as a person with living attributes. Note the things Wisdom does: In Proverbs 8:2-3 – Wisdom is available; 8:4-9 – Wisdom has a voice; Wisdom’s values are expressed in 8:10-13. Also, Wisdom has accolades as described in vss. 14-21 such as giving counsel, strength and lasting riches, etc. But who is the Person called Wisdom? Who is talking; is there anyone listening?
Before I answer that, let’s note the three phases (or stages) of Wisdom in my Anticipated Power Points:
· Wisdom’s Pre-existence. Proverbs 8:22-26
· Wisdom’s Powerful Execution. Proverbs 8:27-31
· Wisdom’s Perpetual Expression. Proverbs 8:32-35
“THE WISDOM OF THE LORD IS TALKING…IS ANYONE LISTENING?”
LESSON OUTLINE
I. Wisdom’s Pre-existence. Proverbs 8:22-26
The Person of Wisdom has pre-existence, that is, before the universe, Wisdom was back in eternity with God! But who is the Person called Wisdom? I would like to offer this answer: It is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ. Note John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” Jesus is that Living Word. Colossians 2:3 says, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Read Proverbs 8:22-26).
Jesus as Wisdom was pre-existent before anything in the created universe existed. Why? Because systematically we believe He is co-existent, co-equal with God! I Timothy 3:16 tells us, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
II. Wisdom’s Powerful Execution. Proverbs 8:27-31
Here we see the awesome power of Wisdom executed in creation. (Read verses 27-31) The focal thought is hearing Wisdom speak of all He saw, did, or executed. “I was there,” showing not only His presence but Him doing the work of creation. John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16 qualifies the Proverb writer’s expressions about the Word’s powerful execution. Note John 1:3, “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” Colossians 1:16, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” Beloved, there was great joy at the creation of the universe, as we see in verse 30 (NLT), “The whole of creation and its angelic beings rejoiced at the presence, power and person of the Son of God. Also read Job 38:4-7.
III. Wisdom’s Perpetual Expression. Proverbs 8:32-35
This final thought is the foundation of my lesson, “The Wisdom of the Lord is Talking…Is Anyone Listening?” Jesus, according to John 1, is that “Light that shines in darkness.” Beloved, the foundation of our hope and the fulfillment of our whole existence and eternal destination is wrapped up in the answer to the question, “The Wisdom of the Lord is Talking…Is Anyone Listening?” Proverbs 8:32-33 (NLT), “And so my children, listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways. Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don’t ignore it.”
Why is it so important to follow Jesus Christ? Because He is God’s Wisdom who became flesh and dwelled among us. He demonstrated all of God’s love among us and paid the ultimate price to purchase eternal salvation to as many as would receive Him. Acts 4:11-12, “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Read John 1:12-13
CLOSING
Wisdom (Jesus Christ) is talking and the question is…Is there anyone listening? “Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.” Jesus, God’s voice of Wisdom says in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
“THE WISDOM OF THE LORD IS TALKING…IS ANYONE LISTENING?”
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LOOKING AHEAD: March 11, 2012 John 1:1-14
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REV. FRANK A. DAVIS, III, PASTOR-TEACHER
Greetings Beloved Students and Supporters,
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THE STUDY HOUR
Frank A. Davis, III
Rev. Frank A. Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher