If You Receive My Words and Treasure My Commands Within You (Proverbs 2:1-10) – Acquiring Wisdom

The father in Proverbs said, "My son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you...Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:1, 5).Wisdom’s availability has seemed a little mysterious up to this point. Our first sermon on Job 28 was titled, “Where Is Wisdom?” Job had grown weary of his friends’ counsel. He said:
• Job 28:12 “But where shall wisdom be found?
• Job 28:20 “From where, then, does wisdom come?

Job was asking where to find wisdom, which made it seem like it’s hard to find. Then, our next sermon on Proverbs 1:20-33 was titled, “Wisdom Calls Out.” Proverbs 1:20 says, “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; 21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks.” Wisdom is in the most prominent places calling out to everyone passing by. This makes Wisdom look very available. So the question: “Is wisdom hard to find…or is it available?”

Here’s the balance: Wisdom is near and available, but we must work to acquire it. Wisdom calls out to us, but at the same time we must put forth effort to obtain it. Do you see how wisdom is somewhat paradoxical? God gives it to us; it’s a gift. But we also work hard to get it. This is what we’ll see in the following verses. They describe the pursuit of wisdom better than any place in Scripture.

We’re picking up where we left off after our last sermon. We covered the end of Proverbs 1, verses 20-33. This morning we’ll look at Proverbs 2:1-10.

View all of pastor Scott LaPierre's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scott-LaPierre/e/B01JT920EQ

Receive a free copy of Pastor Scott's book, "Seven Biblical Insights for Healthy, Joyful, Christ-Centered Marriages": https://www.scottlapierre.org/subscribe/

For Scott LaPierre's conference and speaking information, including testimonies, endorsements, and contact info, please visit: https://www.scottlapierre.org/conferences-and-speaking/

Here's the accompanying podcast episode: https://www.scottlapierre.org/podcast/if-you-receive-my-words-and-treasure-my-commands-within-you/

Sermon Lessons for If You Receive My Words and Treasure My Commands Within You

Lesson 1: Acquiring wisdom involves __________ on our part (Pro 2:1-4; Matt 13:44)

Lesson 2: Acquiring wisdom must be our __________ pursuit (Pro2:1-5, 9).

Lesson 3: Acquiring wisdom has __________ benefits (Pro 2:5-6; Jam 1:5; Heb 1:1; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Pro 2:7-8; Matt 13:13-17).

Lesson 4: Acquiring wisdom has __________ benefits (Pro 2:9-10; Pro 4:23; Eze 1:26-27; 1 Cor 1:18).

Family Worship Guide for If You Receive My Words and Treasure My Commands Within You

Day 1: Read Pro 2:1-5, Matt 13:44, and discuss: Is acquiring wisdom an active pursuit or a passive pursuit? Why do you think this is the case? Why is it important to be attentive when pursuing wisdom? How is pursuing wisdom like searching for hidden treasure? Why should the pursuit of wisdom be something we do daily?

Day 2: Read Pro 2:5-6; Jam 1:5, Heb 1:1, 2 Pet 1:20-21, Pro 2:7-8, Matt 13:13-17, and discuss: How does wisdom and the fear of the LORD go hand in hand? How is wisdom something we put effort into getting and it still be a gift from God? What can we turn to that has the wisdom of God? What are some benefits of wisdom that you are needing in your life right now?

Day 3: Read Pro 2:9-10; Pro 4:23; Eze 1:26-27; 1 Cor 1:18, and discuss: How does wisdom allow for us to identify good paths in life? Why is it important to have wisdom in our heart? How is having wisdom in the heart like having a heart change? Why is rejecting the Gospel ultimate foolishness?

If invited for a speaking engagement, you can expect:
• Professionally prepared and delivered messages
• A handout with lessons and discussion questions
• Copies of Pastor Scott's books to offer as gifts to increase registrations (if you desire)
• Advertising of your event on Scott's website and social media (if you desire)
• Facebook ads and/or a Facebook event page so the event can serve as an outreach (if you desire)
• Prompt responses to any communication
• Prompt replies to phone calls, emails, and/or text messages