Church Notes - Grace Church Tulsa

All scripture King James Version. These notes are what I got from sermon, not necessarily what was preached. Sermons are available to view/listen to at Grace Church website for approximately 1 month from time sermon preached.

2006 – 12-31 Pastor Bob Yandian - Wisdom Before Riches

A resolution, by definition is a promise that you will keep. Why do we not keep these promises to ourselves? It is the symptom of a deeper root.

Ecc 7:11-12

(11) Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

(12) For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

(13) Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

(14) In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Wisdom is good to have before prosperity comes. So often we give our birthright for something that is temporary. Do not look for quick riches. If you have wisdom what you inherit can be multiplied by what you do with it. God cannot bless us with more things until we learn how to handle it. He gives seed to sowers but not to keepers.

Pro 4:7-8

(7) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

(8) Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.

Seek after wisdom, not after blessings, prosperity, etc.

Ecc 7:12 show that money or wisdom is good but wisdom is better to have because it gives life to those that have it. Wisdom can extend your life but money cannot.

Pro 11:4

(4) Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Pro 18:10-11

(10) The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

(11) The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.

Do you want the fear of the Lord to be your protection or do you want your own conceit to be your protection?

Ecc 7:13-14

(13) Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

(14) In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

V.13- Money and other things can not take that which is crooked and make it straight. Satan makes it crooked but God straightens them. We need to know what we can and cannot change. We cannot get wisdom by osmosis. We need to pass it on to our children. We need to study to show our selves approved. Children are a blank slate that needs to be written to.

V. 14 says be joyful when you can, but be prepared for your times of adversity. Both are given to us side by side. We are not to know the future. Get wisdom to try to see that you can get through it or God can help. God can bring you through it as will wisdom. Wisdom comes with honor. Adversity comes to see where we will put our trust. Israel did not wipe out all the lands when they were instructed to. Tribes were left over.

Jdg 3:1-2

(1) Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

(2) Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;

Adversity is necessary for us to learn. It will be there for us to learn. We cannot conquer every problem of life. We cannot give our children a problem free life. They need to have the adversity so that they can grow.

Job 22:21-24

(21) Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

(22) Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

(23) If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

(24) Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

(25) Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defense, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.

Again, do not seek the gold or riches. Seek God first.

So what about resolutions?

Make a resolution to come back to the Word. You will have wisdom to handle the increase you will receive.

Ecc 11:1-2

(1) Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

(2) Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

Water represents people - bread represents finances. Give to those who need it. We do not know the future, give to the kingdom of God; He will protect you in the days to come. We can not give a better world to our children, but we can give better children to the world.

1Ti 6:17-19

(17) Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded; nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

(18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

(19) Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Again we do not know what is to come but by giving to the works of God we can get blessed, we need to seek wisdom.

What we need as a church for 2007; A year for gaining more wisdom.

Make commitment to LORD in four areas. You need to increase these:

1. More Prayer

2. More Worship

3. Witness and share faith with others.

4. Study of the word

Make a fresh Commitment to the Church.

1. Attendance

2. Giving increase

3. Join church

4. Listen to the word. It is a decision

5. Get involved in areas in the church

Make a fresh commitment to applying wisdom.

1. Spouse

2. Family

3. Job and attitude on job

4. Finances