Putting the No into November – Part III
INTRODUCTION – The alternative to the title of this series of messages was “No Sermon November”, and who could possibly want that? We have been studying the prefix un -, which negates the meaning of the root word. Two weeks ago, we considered how “unspeakable” are God’s grace, words, and joy; only God can make such a completely negative word thoroughly positive. Last week, we searched the “unsearchable” greatness, judgments, and riches of God; that we cannot know everything about God does not mean that we cannot know some things about God. Unlike these two uses of un-, this week’s usage is clearly negative. Ephesians 5:15-17 is written to Christians and is a sharp warning to us. We can be “unwise”. Fortunately, “walk” (verse 15) indicates direction not perfection. Wisdom is applying our knowledge to make right decisions, to move in the right direction. Where do we begin?
- LET US BEGIN WITH THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Romans 16:24-27 – God alone is always and absolutely wise; He employs His omniscient knowledge to ever make the right decision, the best decision. Two of God’s decisions are most evident in these verses. First, He has given us His “gospel”, the good news of eternal salvation through faith in God the Son, Jesus Christ. He moves us in that direction, drawing us to Himself; with His prevenient grace, He continues to protect us along the way. Second, God has granted us “revelation”. Especially through His Word (see II Timothy 3:15-17) and through His Son (see Hebrews 1:1-4), God has made Himself known and shows us the right way.
- LET US THEN BUILD ACCORDING TO GOD’S WAY
Matthew 7:24-27 presents a familiar and powerful parable. We all understand the folly of building solely on the shifting sands. Building on rock is wiser; still, we must build on the right rock. Three years ago, I preached a series of sermons entitled “It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time”; I enjoyed those messages (at least someone did). For introductions, I told stories from my youth, including when my cousins, my brother, and I (the Outhouse Gang – that is another story) tried to build a lean-to against a good-sized boulder. Because I was the lightest, I was told to work on the roof, but I refused because I was also the smartest and because I have always had respect for the law, including the Law of Gravity. Of course, the whole thing collapsed while they were on top. There were no serious injuries, just a serious sense of superiority on my part and serious silence as I said not a word. We had built on the wrong rock; the contours were not conducive to construction. Why is it so hard to be wise and so easy to be unwise? There is only one way to be right but many ways to be wrong. There is only one right direction but many wrong directions, including post-modernism, pragmatism, and the pride of my way.
- LET US CONTINUE TO BE AWARE OF THE TENSION OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
Matthew 10:16 – I speak often of our three enemies: Satan, the world system opposed to God, and the sin nature. Wisdom alerts us to the temptations of our opponents. We do not need to do evil to recognize and understand evil. Rather, we can simply contrast God with our antagonists. Let us choose salvation, peace, truth, compassion, promises kept, edification, and life rather than condemnation, anger, falsehood, hatred, promises broken, ridicule, and death. Romans 16:19 reminds us that simplicity is superior to sophistication (which the world prizes dearly).
CONCLUSION – We will end with the beginning. Romans 16: 24-27 tells us that we must start with God, with “God only wise.” We must begin with Him, with His “revelation” and with His “gospel”. God’s way is the wise way; God the Son said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” There is one way to be saved forever, and that is through a personal faith in Jesus as Savior. There is one way, and it is the way of “God only wise.”