Living Waters Christian Fellowship - Lake Nacimiento - California

54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.

55 “And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.

56 “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?

58 “When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

59 “I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”


Introduction Knowledge and wisdom - know what’s happening, like clouds forming, and wind rising, or being challenged by an adversary, and then having the wisdom to know what to do.


Words:


discern - dokimadzo - to document or prove


time - kairos - an event


judge - krino - an accurate evaluation


right - dikaios - correct, righteous


adversary - antidikos - against what is right, opposed to righteousness


1. Knowledge - awareness of facts, our surroundings, what’s happening, how we might be affected.


We are called to discern:


Discerning the face of the earth and sky.


Discerning the time, the events which might affect us.


Discerning what’s going on concerning myself, either right or wrong. 57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?


Discerning conflict.


God made us to be able to know, to learn and have knowledge:


Knowledge - the reason parents teach their kids, schools, books, internet.


Knowledge will increase in the last days.


Word of knowledge.


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge


Pr 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.


Pr 1:29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,


Pr 2:5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.


Pr 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.


Isa 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

Isa 33:6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.


So - Knowledge - awareness of facts, our surroundings, what’s happening, how we might be affected.


2. Wisdom - what do I do with the knowledge I have?


What do I do about the times, the events going on around me?


What do I do about what’s wrong or right with myself? 57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?


What do I do about what other people may try to do to me?


What do I do about the world systems I have to deal with?


Wisdom in the Bible - Proverbs, the parables of Jesus.


Word of Wisdom


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom.


Pr 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.


Isa 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.


Isa 33:6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.


So - Wisdom - what do I do with the knowledge I have? What is the best decision I can make for the best outcome?


Conclusion Knowledge and wisdom - know what’s happening, know what to do



56 “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?


Isa 33:6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.