The WWA (Lesson four)

This is lesson four of a four part series about seeking wisdom from God

If you could have one thing, what would it be? 

God asked Solomon that vary question and Solomon asked for Wisdom.

Solomon had wisdom beyond that of any King.  One could say he is the founder of the WWA

 

In this series we will explore what it takes to be a member of the World Wisdom Association 

1 Kings 3:28 NASB

(28)  When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

A member of the WWA will be noticed.  Word traveled.  In today’s explanations we could say “When this hit the O’Riley Factor the world knew that Solomon had the wisdom of God.”

Solomon found favor with God.  He asked for wisdom and showed that wisdom in the way he handled the incident with the two women.  People came from all over the world to see Solomon. 

The Queen of Sheba came from Egypt.  While this may seem great, one must always guard against the little foxes that spoil the vine.  We must never let things go to our head when God blesses and people notice.

It should always be an opportunity to tell others about the goodness and love of Jesus.

So the fourth step to becoming a member of the WWA is not longing to be noticed.  It is understanding, what is wisdom and doing what is necessary to get it.

If you want to know what is wisdom look up JOB 28:28

Now that you know what is wisdom look up James 1:5-7 and you will see how to get it.

The WWA (Lesson three)

This is lesson three of a four part series about seeking wisdom from God

If you could have one thing, what would it be? 

God asked Solomon that vary question and Solomon asked for Wisdom.

Solomon had wisdom beyond that of any King.  One could say he is the founder of the WWA

 

In this series we will explore what it takes to be a member of the World Wisdom Association 

1 Kings 3:16-27 NASB

(16)  Then two women who were harlots came to the king and stood before him.

(17)  The one woman said, "Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house; and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house.

(18)  "It happened on the third day after I gave birth, that this woman also gave birth to a child, and we were together. There was no stranger with us in the house, only the two of us in the house.

(19)  "This woman's son died in the night, because she lay on it.

(20)  "So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from beside me while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead son in my bosom.

(21)  "When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne."

(22)  Then the other woman said, "No! For the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son." But the first woman said, "No! For the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son." Thus they spoke before the king.

(23)  Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one'; and the other says, 'No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'"

(24)  The king said, "Get me a sword." So they brought a sword before the king.

(25)  The king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other."

(26)  Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, "Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him." But the other said, "He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!"

(27)  Then the king said, "Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother."

A member of the WWA trusts God.  God had told Solomon that he would grant him what he would ask.  Solomon asked for wisdom to lead Israel.  One thing you can always trust is that God will give us opportunities to test His answers.

It is at this time two women came to Solomon.  One woman’s child had died and in her grief, she claimed the other woman’s child.  In all the commotion, Solomon wisely called for his sword to divide the child so each woman could have a piece.  He knew all the while the real mother would not allow her child to be killed.

What a trying time for the ladies?  What trying time for a King?  How many times do we face situations that push us to our limits.  It is in these times we must trust God to take care of us as He said he would.

This why the writer in Hebrews tells us to come boldly before the throne of God, so we may find mercy and grace in our time of need.   

God proves His promises.  The wisdom Solomon used left no doubt as to the identity of the true mother.

So the third step to becoming a member of the WWA is trusting God to do exactly what He says he will do.

The WWA (Lesson two)

This is lesson two of a four part series about seeking wisdom from God

If you could have one thing, what would it be?

God asked Solomon that vary question and Solomon asked for Wisdom.

Solomon had wisdom beyond that of any King.  One could say he is the founder of the WWA

In this series we will explore what it takes to be a member of the World Wisdom Association

1 Kings 3:7-14 NASB

 (7)  "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.

(8)  "Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.

(9)  "So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

(10)  It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.

(11)  God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice,

(12)  behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.

(13)  "I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.

(14)  "If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days."

A member of the WWA worships God.  Solomon was not satisfied with just getting by he sent up 1000 burnt offerings.  Many times, we only do what we want or at most, what we think is required.  Solomon truly went beyond.  He gave and he listened.

As a result, God asked Solomon a question.  Do we listen to God or are we to busy giving Him our list?  We should humbly make requests to God.  Solomon poured out his heart to God.  It was not selfish.  It was in response to his desire to be God’s servant and to serve God’s people.

God’s response was YES and here are some nice parting gifts for you too.  God gave Solomon what he asked, He also gave him riches, and honor above all kings.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

So the second step to becoming a member of the WWA is worshipping God first and truly meaning it because you love and honor HIM.

The WWA (Lesson one)

This is lesson one of a four part series about seeking wisdom from God.

If you could have one thing, what would it be?

God asked Solomon that vary question and Solomon asked for Wisdom.

Solomon had wisdom beyond that of any King.  One could say he is the founder of the WWA

In this series we will explore what it takes to be a member of the World Wisdom Association

1 Kings 3:1-5 NASB

(1)  Then Solomon formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her to the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem.

(2)  The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.

(3)  Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

(4)  The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.

(5)  In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, "Ask what you wish me to give you."

 

A member of the WWA loves God, our love for God is demonstrated by our obedience.  Solomon walked in the statutes of his father David.

In other words, Solomon followed all the rule established by his father King David

Which best describes you when you are making decisions?

1.    I rarely consider what God would have me to do.

2.    I usually act in a way that honors my commitment to God, but sometimes I slip up.

3.    I always evaluate my decisions in relationship to God’s will and try to behave in a way that honors Him.

Solomon chose number 3.  The book of James tells us if a man lacks wisdom he should ask God.  However, we must always ask with faith and believing that God is willing and able to give according to His will.

So the first step to becoming a member of the WWA is being obedient to God.