Point of Grace Online Worship - August 24, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 8.10.25 Seeking Wisdom – Part 6 “ Ecclesiastes – Part 1 What is the Meaning of Life?” 

“What is the Meaning of Life?”

Three Major Truths Found in the Wisdom Books…

#1 - We all need WISDOM

#2 - We all need JESUS

#3 - We all need HUMILITY 

The Fear of the Lord

“A relationship of awe and reverence for God with deep relational love, trust and submission.”  

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

WHAT IS THE MEANING—THE WHOLE POINT—OF LIFE? 

Our First Guest: THE AUTHOR OF THE ECCLESIASTES  

Ecclesiastes 1:1 

The words of the Teacher, a son of David, king in Jerusalem: 

Our Second Guest: THE TEACHER  

Qoheleth 

Ekklesia 

Ecclesiastes 1:2

“Meaningless! Meaningless!’” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!’” 

Ecclesiastes 12:8

“Meaningless! Meaningless!’” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” 

Hevel 

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

“Meaningless! Meaningless,” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” 3 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever….  

5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say…. 

The eye never has enough seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. 9 What has been will be again; what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time….  

11 There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.  

Ecclesiastes 1:13

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the  wind. 

Ecclesiastes 2:11

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. 

A Central Message of the Book of Ecclesiastes:

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A LIFE OF LASTING, UNSHAKABLE MEANING, PURPOSE, IDENTITY, CONTENTMENT, JOY AND PEACE IF YOU ONLY LOOK “UNDER THE SUN” 

Real Life is Not Found Horizontally but Vertically—“Above the Sun” 

1 Corinthians 1:24

…the Power of God and the Wisdom of God 

Colossians 1:17-18

He is before all things and in him all things hold together…so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.” 

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, 7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who made it. 

Ephesians 1:4-5,10 (LB)

Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose us to be His very own through what Christ would do for us with His love. 5 His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And He did this because He wanted to…10 And this was His purpose: that when the time is right He will gather us all together to be with Him in Christ forever.  

Why Did God Make You?

GOD MADE YOU TO LOVE HIM AND LIVE WITH HIM FOREVER! 

Ecclesiastes 3:10

God has also set eternity in the hearts of men. 

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. 

John 10: 10-11

I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays his life down for the sheep. 

Colossians 3:1-4

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you, died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Point of Grace Online Worship - August 17, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 8.17.25 Seeking Wisdom – Part 6 “Discovering the Love of God!”

Job 28
Where then does wisdom come from?    Where does understanding dwell?
23 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,
28 And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

“The Fear of the Lord” Is a relationship of awe and reverence with deep love, trust and submission.

To Discover the Wisdom of God is to discover the Love of God!

A Prayer for Discovering God’s Love

Ephesians 3:14-19

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may
             strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 
                    so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 
             may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, 
            to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 
                  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—
            that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Discoveries:

I need “help” knowing God’s love and how to live as a Beloved child of God
            so I ask and keep on asking for myself and others!

God’s love is where I sink my roots and spread my wings – “my foundation and my adventure”
                        so I immerse in His Presence and Love everyday!

A life of exploring and experiencing God’s love in Jesus fills us with God’s fullness
                        so I look no further for “fill-ups” of life but return often for deep dives in the ocean of His love.

Jesus, I love being loved by You.   ………
This time in your word and presence immerses me in Your deep love!.........  I love being loved by You! 

I love how deep your love is so I can swim freely,
I love how eternal it is so there is no rushing with you, 
I love how gracious your love is so my shame, guilt or that  haunting “not enough” feelings don’t exclude me,
I love how strong you love is so I can come tired … weak, overwhelmed
I love how cleansing your love is so I can come dirty, 
I love how patient your love is never tiring of my talking,
I love how visionary your love is filling my life with purpose beyond imagination
I love how wide your love is inviting even me to the table of Your presence treating me like I belong
I love how sacrificial Your love is serving me with a new life which what paid for by Your death.

Jesus I love being loved by You…….  Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - August 10, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 8.10.25 Seeking Wisdom – Part 5 “ Job – It’s ‘Still’ Not That Simple!”

“It’s ‘Still’ Not That Simple!”

Why is Job suffering?

The 3 Friends + 1 make long winded attempts at answering the question. (As if their answers would help.)

                        Chapters        Summary

Eliphaz           4-5,15, 22        Job is suffering because of some secret sin.  (Retribution Theology)

Bildad             8, 18, 25          Job won’t admit he has sinned so he is still suffering.

Zophar            11, 20              Job’s sin deserves even more suffering than He is experiencing.

Elihu                32-37              God is using suffering to mold and train Job for the future.

Job Replies   

“Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong. Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong? (6:29-30)

“I loathe my very life; therefore, I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. 
I say to God: Do not declare me guilty but tell me what charges you have against me”. (10:1-2)

“ As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself. As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.  If only you could be silent!
That’s the wisest thing you could do.  “Listen closely to what I am about to say.  Hear me out. I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent. Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and reply. Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin.
Why do you turn away from me?” (Job 13)

God Speaks   Chapters 38-41
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:2 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? (38)
“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?  Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?
2 Do you count the months till they bear?  Do you know the time they give birth?
3 They crouch down and bring forth their young; their labor pains are ended. (39)

The Lord said to Job: 2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”  (40)

Job Replies    40:3-4 3 Then Job answered the Lord:4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.  I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”
Job 42
Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. 4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ 5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

7 After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job's prayer.

            “In the end it is not Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar with their ‘retribution’ theology who are right but Job with his ‘lament’ theology who is right. He addressed God.  He came to God with his hurt and his grief, his pain and his desire to get an answer.  The friends never addressed God.” – Chad Bird (1517 Podcast) 

10 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came to him, all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.

12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations. 17 And Job died, an old man, and full of days.

Five Wisdom Gifts from Job

·       In suffering as well as all life’s twists and turns, the path of hope is complete surrender to God in trusting faith that He is all powerful, filled with grace and functions in ways beyond our understanding.

·       God knows the path of “Why _____?” does not lead to peace but is only resolved (not necessarily answered) as we take refuge in His Presence.  “Lament” is a gift that helps us process pain in the Presence of God.

·       It is not wise to make up things about God and the way He runs the world as we feel the pressure to make sense of our own suffering and that of others.  It’s usually not that simple.

·       When walking with people suffering, our ears are often more helpful than our mouth.

·       In Job’s stark but gracious encounter with God he was jolted out of the “wise in your own eyes” mindset and began to learn that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom” (Job 28)

Point of Grace Online Worship - August 3, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 8.3.25 Seeking Wisdom – Part 4  “ Job  – It’s not that simple!”

“It’s Not That Simple!”

The Book of Job

-        Sits in a class by itself

-        Ancient Story

-        Sophisticated poetry bookended with narrative prose

-        The characters and land is not “Israel” but filled with ancient Israel’s understanding of God

-        Helps the reader, of any era, wrestle with important questions about God’s wisdom in running things especially concerning human “suffering”

Job 1:1-3:1

The Setting
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. 
This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 
2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

Job is a really good guy, does things right and is morally and spiritually pious. 
He seems to hold the keys to the good life with his future secure! (Does piety = prosperity?)

The Setting from the “It’s Not That Simple” View
6 One day the angels (sons of God) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (adversary/opposer) also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”     Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Round 1 – “Is God’s relationship with Job that simple?’
13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

Job’s Response to Unspeakable and Instant Loss
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Round 2 “Is God’s relationship with Job that simple?”

2 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.  And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”
7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 
8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

Job’s Response to Unspeakable Loss and Suffering
9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

11 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
3 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth…. For sighing has become my daily food;
my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”

Job takes his lament, his anger, his pain, his questions to God - the only One who can help!    
Believing in an all-powerful sovereign God is scary unless “it’s not that simple”. Unless, the One who is sovereign over us is actually “for us”.  The One who Job cries out to, we now know chose the “It’s not that simple!” path of love even though it led to the cross.

Point of Grace Online Worship - July 27, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 7.28.25 “Seek Wisdom – Part 3 – The Way of Wisdom is the Way of Humility”

Seek Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”.  Prov.9:10

“Seeking Wisdom = Seeking Jesus “ – Proverbs 8

“The Way of Wisdom is the Way of Humility”- Proverbs 10-31

Proverbs 10-31
Hundreds of proverbial sayings on a myriad of topics applying wisdom to living … “with the grain living”.

Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. (10:10)
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (10:11)
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  (16:24)
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. (10:12)
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.  (10:18)
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.  (10:19)
A gossip betrays a confidence; so, avoid anyone who talks too much. (20:19)

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. (16:2)
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (16:3)
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.  (16:18)
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. (19:20)
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.  (16:20)
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.  (16:25)
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (16:32)

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!  (16:16)
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (22:9)
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.  (15:16)
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. (15:17)
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (3:9-10)
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. (11:28) 

Which proverbs will cost you something when applied in your life?

1 Peter 5
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Humility costs the “self” something… prying it loose from its authoritative position.
The “self” is relegated to the back seat and God is trusted in the driver’s seat.
Humility is the practical path moving us from “self-reliant” living to “God-reliant” living.

Philippians 2
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Corinthians 1:21-30
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength….
28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  

What does The Way of Wisdom cost me?

What does The Way of Wisdom offer me?

Point of Grace Online Worship - July 20, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 7.20.25 “Seek Wisdom – Part 2 – Proverbs 8-9”

Seek Wisdom

“Wisdom “- Chokmah (חָכְמָה):  Biblical wisdom denotes knowledge with understanding as well as practical skill in applying wisdom guided by a moral component.  To live with “wisdom” is to flow with the way the universe was designed to function.  Folly (wisdom-less-ness) on the other hand is living “against the grain” of the designer’s design for a meaningful life in this world.

“Fear of the Lord” – Awe and reverence with deeply relational love, trust and submission.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

The Case for Seeking Wisdom Above All (Spoiler Alert – Seeking Wisdom = Seeking Jesus)

Proverbs 8:1-11          Wisdom Pleas (Passionately)

Does not wisdom call out?    Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Proverbs 8:12-21       Wisdom Gives

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Proverbs 8:22-31       Wisdom Is … … … Divine Creator

22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth

30 Then I was constantly at his side, as a master craftsmen, I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Proverbs 8:32-36       Wisdom Blesses (don’t miss out the consequences are devastating)

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 9     Who will get my “Yes”… … … everyday?
Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,
4     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”  To those who have no sense she says,
5     “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

13 Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead. 

“Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.” - Jesus

Point of Grace Online Worship - July 13, 2025

Point of Grace Worship 7.13.25 “Wisdom – Proverbs and Ecclesiastes – Part 1”

Proverbs 1:1-7
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1 Kings 3:7-12  7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 

Wisdom - Chokmah (חָכְמָה):  Biblical wisdom denotes knowledge with understanding as well as practical skill in applying wisdom guided by a moral component.  To live with “wisdom” is to flow with the way the universe was designed to function.  Folly on the other hand is living “against the grain” of the designer’s design for a meaningful life in this world.

Fear of the Lord – Awe and reverence with relational trust and submission.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

The Problem – The folly of fools. 
Proverbs 3:1-10
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the  first fruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,  and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Where does God rank in your decisions, priorities and values?

“We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.  1 Cor. 1:23-24