https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Wisdom-Learned-From-The-Animals.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\tby Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: Proverbs 2:1-6<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. The Lord God teaches us wisdom<\/p>\n A. His teaching comes in a variety of forms. We read His words and learn about right\nand wrong\n B. But God’s teaching doesn’t end there. Even in the world around us, through the\ncreation of God, God is instructing us – Romans 1:20\n C. Agur, the son of Jakeh, by inspiration left us words of wisdom. Many of them in\nthe form of lists – Proverbs 30:24-28\n
II. The Ant<\/p>\n A. Ants are small, weak creatures. We can crush hundreds beneath the soles of our\nfeet. \n
B. Yet the ant survives. How? Through preparation. – Proverbs 6:6-8<\/p>\n
C. The ant uses the opportunities that are available to prepare for difficult times.<\/p>\n
D. We have limited time to make preparations – Job 14:1-2<\/p>\n
E. Some prepare, but for the wrong things – Luke 12:15-21<\/p>\n 1. The thing that was most important, where he would spend eternity, was\nnot planned. He made no preparations, perhaps thinking he had plenty of\ntime to do so later.\n
2. In other words, he past up the opportunity to prepare.<\/p>\n 3. It is so easy to focus on the immediate needs and not look ahead – James\n4:13-17\n
a. Notice it is a sin to pass up the opportunity to do what is right.<\/p>\n
F. Eventually the time to prepare moves by. <\/p>\n
1. Israel had many opportunities to serve God, but chose to serve idols.<\/p>\n
2. Eventually, the opportunity to make amends ends – Jeremiah 8:20<\/p>\n
3. Eventually all of us reach the point of no return – Job 16:22<\/p>\n
4. It is the point of Jesus’ parable – Matthew 25:1-13<\/p>\n
III. The Coneys<\/p>\n A. Some translations will say rabbit or rock badger. A coney is a small rabbit-like\nmammal more formally called the Syrian rock hyrax.\n B. It doesn’t trust in its own strength, but lives among the rocks for protection –\nPsalm 104:18\n
C. Far too many people are confident in their own abilities<\/p>\n
1. Only a fool trusts in himself – Proverbs 28:26<\/p>\n
2. Proverbs 3:5 – Don’t lean on your own understanding<\/p>\n
3. Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Boast not in our abilities, but in our God<\/p>\n
D. God is our rock<\/p>\n
1. God is our refuge – Psalm 62:5-8<\/p>\n
2. Trust in our rock – Isaiah 26:3-4<\/p>\n
IV. The Locust<\/p>\n
A. A locust is a insect only about 3 inches long.<\/p>\n B. Without any organization or ruler, swarms of locust can cover wide areas and\ncompletely devour all plants. They are more destructive than an army.\n
C. How is it accomplished? They show the strength of unity.<\/p>\n
1. The day of God’s judgment is described as a locust swarm – Joel 2:1-11<\/p>\n 2. Working together provides strength beyond the individual members –\nEcclesiastes 4:9-12\n D. That is why unity is urged among brethren. Satan can pick us off one-by-one, but\nunited we are a formidable army\n
1. I Corinthians 1:10 – let there be no divisions<\/p>\n
2. We must work to preserve the bond of peace between us – Ephesians 4:1-3<\/p>\n
3. Divided, we cannot stand – Matthew 12:25<\/p>\n
E. Much can be accomplished with united effort<\/p>\n 1. The walls of Jerusalem were restored in an amazingly short time, even\nwhile under threat – Nehemiah 4:6; 6:15-16\n 2. We are the locust raiding the fields of Satan. Oh, what we can accomplish\nif we have the mind to work!\n
V. The Lizard<\/p>\n A. Some translations say spider (this is the only verse where this word is used).\nEither way, the same point can be made.\n B. In warm regions, lizards are found everywhere. Even though they are easily\ncaught, they still reappear. Even a king’s palace is not free from them.\n
C. How? Persistence.<\/p>\n D. We understand that trials mold us, but we cannot give up under trial – Hebrews\n12:5\n
E. We cannot give up in doing good – Galatians 6:9-10<\/p>\n
F. We cannot become tired of teaching the truth – II Corinthians 4:1-2<\/p>\n
G. Our labor is not useless – I Corinthians 15:58<\/p>\n
H. There is a reward awaiting those faithful unto death – Revelation 2:10<\/p>\n
VI. Do you show the wisdom displayed by even God’s smallest creatures?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 2:1-6 I. The Lord God teaches us wisdom A. His teaching comes in a variety of forms. We read His words and learn about right and wrong B. But God’s teaching doesn’t end there. Even in the world around us, through the creation of God, God is instructing us – Romans…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[730],"class_list":["post-25739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-wisdom"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":63896,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/jamaica-patois-wisdom-experience\/","url_meta":{"origin":25739,"position":0},"title":"Jamaica Patois Wisdom \u2013 Experience","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 4, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/old-broom-200x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":25736,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/who-is-wise-and-understanding\/","url_meta":{"origin":25739,"position":1},"title":"Who Is Wise and Understanding?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 3:13-18 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Bible speaks of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Knowledge are the many facts about life and the world we live in. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Understanding is the ability to take several facts and combine them to arrive at new information. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wisdom is knowing when information\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14361,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-jesus-the-wisdom-of-god\/","url_meta":{"origin":25739,"position":2},"title":"Is Jesus the wisdom of God?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 21, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have read that Jesus is called the \"wisdom of God\" in I Corinthians.\u00a0 Is he also the wisdom in Proverbs 8? If not, please do show me what or who the wisdom is in Proverbs 8. Thank you, sir. Answer: \"For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15043,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/squirrels-and-ostriches\/","url_meta":{"origin":25739,"position":3},"title":"Squirrels and Ostriches","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"by Doy Moyer We were casually on our way to the meeting house on Sunday morning. As far as I could see, we were the only vehicle on the road, at least for a few turns. Suddenly a squirrel came running out from the left side right toward us, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/squirrel-300x240.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":38786,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-wisdom-of-a-father\/","url_meta":{"origin":25739,"position":4},"title":"The Wisdom of a Father","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 1:1-9 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The rise of feminism brought about a demotion of fatherhood \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In an attempt to prove the worth of woman, many felt the need to \u201cprove\u201d that men were worthless \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We see the impact in society. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How many television shows show a well-meaning\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":27501,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-do-you-think-about-someone-claiming-you-can-make-an-idol-of-gods-word\/","url_meta":{"origin":25739,"position":5},"title":"What do you think about someone claiming you can make an idol of God’s Word?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 13, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: First, thank you for all the information you provide on your website. I came upon your website while looking for pictures for a Bible class\u00a0I was teaching. Let me say that my husband and I were baptized into Jesus Christ. I was raised Catholic, and my husband was raised\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25739"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25739\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}