OceanSide church of Christ

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THE SEASONS OF LIFE (4)

Winter

Old Age:  Wisdom

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In this series of lessons, we are looking at “The Seasons of Life.”

1.      Spring:  Childhood (0-12)

2.      Summer:  Youth (13-27)

3.      Fall:  Middle Age (28-65)

4.      Winter:  Old Age (66+)

 

B.      In this lesson, we move into Winer.  This is what we refer to as Old Age.  It includes the years from 66 on.

 

C.     These years have been referred to in some very critical ways.

1.      Over the hill

2.      Washed up

3.      Old and good for nothing

4.      Out of touch

5.      Senile

 

D.    As young people, I want you to look toward old age with a goal.  I want you to become a person of wisdom.  This is the milestone that I want you to reach.

 

I.                   TYPES OF WISDOM

 

A.    Devilish wisdom (James 3:14-15)

 

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

 

B.      The wisdom of men (I Cor. 1:19-20, 25)

 

For it is written, I will destroy with wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.  Where is the wise?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the disputer of this world?  Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?...Because the foolish of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 

C.     Wisdom that is from above (James 3:16)

 

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 

D.    Practical wisdom

 

II.                WHAT IS WISDOM?

 

A.    A couple of illustrations

1.      It is like a cupboard or panty that it full of all kinds of goodies.

2.      It is like a toolshed that is packed with all kinds of useful things.

 

B.      Things that will be in our storehouse of wisdom:

1.      Knowledge

a.      This knowledge does not have to be knowledge obtained from a school or university.

b.      It is definitely includes a deep knowledge of God’s Word.

c.       It is also knowledge of how the world and things in it work.

2.      Honesty

a.      Correct understanding and application of the facts

b.      No hidden agendas

c.       Interacting the same way with all people

3.      Application of knowledge

a.      We are taught how to listen in counseling classes

b.      When a person comes into our home or office with a problem, we must now apply those skills as the person talks to us.

4.      Communication skills

5.      Discernment (Heb. 5:14)

6.      Problem-solving

7.      Advice

c.       Job. 32:7 

a.      There are two extremes in old age

1)      Never being willing to give advice to young people

2)      Always wanting to give advice to others

8.      Comfort (II Cor. 1:3-4)

9.      Navigation of relationships

 

III.             HOW TO OBTAIN WISDOM

 

A.    Study (II Tim. 2:15)

 

B.      Deep meditation (Ps. 1:2)

 

C.     Experience (Rom. 5:3-5)

 

D.    Relationships

 

E.      Following examples (I Cor. 11:1)

 

F.      The drudgery of life

 

G.     Documenting

 

IV.             SHARING WISDOM

 

A.    The type of life that you live before others (I Tim. 4:12)

 

B.      In private with others (NOTE:  Jesus often discussed things in private with His disciples).

 

C.     As a leader in a church or organization

 

D.    Through articles, posts, and books

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Solomon, the wisest man besides Jesus, exhorts us to get wisdom.

1.      Proverbs 4:5

 

Get wisdom, get understanding:  for it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

 

2.      Proverbs 4:7

 

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

 

3.      Proverbs 16:16

 

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!  And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

 

B.      Last note:  Youth can be wiser than the aged (Ps. 119:99-100)

 

I have more understanding than all my teachers:  for thy testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.