Wed.7.8.15...Wisdom, Philosphy and UFOs...Prov.30:1-14

I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One" Prov.30:3

We have come to the second to the last chapter in Proverbs and we have come to a new author. It is no longer Solomon, but a man named Agur. His name means "Gatherer" and it may simply indicate that he was a gatherer of wise sayings. I'm glad you are now a gatherer of wise sayings. Proverbs is full of them and you have been picking and gathering your favorite ones all throughout this book. I've always enjoyed great quotes. Someone has aptly said that a good quote is a short statement based on long living. I have hundreds of them which I've gathered over a lifetime. It's a great way to quickly learn from the wisdom of others. But Agur confesses, "I have not learned wisdom..." Then how did he end up writing inspired scripture? I'm so glad you asked, for this is a huge philosophical issue which plays out with every single person you seek to talk with about the Lord. Let me explain.

I just said that the learning of wisdom and writing inspired Scripture is a huge philosophical issue. So let's talk about philosophy for a moment. The very word "philosophy" comes from two words "philo"meaning love and "sophy" meaning wisdom. Thus, the meaning of philosophy is the love of wisdom. (Sadly, it's often opposed to the love of God's wisdom.) One issue that philosophy focuses on is metaphysics, meaning things beyond our earthly physical realm (such as God). Another focus of philosophy is "epistemology" which is the study of how we can know things. 

Don't let such big philosophical words from a skeptic intimidate you. Imagine you are on a camping trip far from the city. You are enjoying the stars, your campfire, and chatting with a couple M3 brothers, when a unsaved gentleman comes from his nearby tent, attracted by your friendly fire. As you gaze into the star filled sky, you bring up the subject of God. Then he reveals that he is an agnostic (one unsure if there is a God) and that he teaches philosophy at a university. Ugh! You are feeling like Agur, "I have not learned wisdom. I haven't studied philosophy. How can I hope to debate this learned man?" He brings up epistemology (How we can know something) and how can we even know there is a God. "How can you say you know for sure God exists? We know things by using our five senses. Have you ever gone up into heaven to meet this God? Of course not, so how can we know whether there is a God or not?"

Then you remember something we discussed in M3 and you tell him this great UFO story. 

"Imagine right now we were debating whether intelligent space aliens existed and what color eyes they may have. One of us says blue, another green, another red, and another says he doesn't believe space aliens exist. Now we could speculate about such a metaphysical question all night long. But our ability to know (epistemology) is really just speculation. And all the great philosophers throughout the ages could also only speculate. But what if a space ship suddenly landed nearby and an alien walked out with one purple eye? We would no longer be left to our speculations; we would now have revelation. Mr. Professor, this is reason I believe there is a God, because of revelation. God revealed himself. He came down to man in the person of Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins and then was raised to life and seen by hundreds of people up close and personal. Plus, He has changed my life and countless others throughout all of history." (Well said my M3 philosopher!:)

Philosophy can only offer us it's speculations. God's word and Christ gives us revelation. When philosophers rule out revelation, then although they claim to be wise, they become fools (Rom.1:22). Paul even taunts such proud wise men, "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" 1 Cor.120. Christ is the wisdom of God.The world through its wisdom will never come to know God. Learning philosophy or human wisdom in a classroom won't bring anyone to a true knowledge of the Holy One. Thus, we can now better understand Agur's words,  "I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One" Prov.30:3. His wisdom and knowledge of God was not gained through human learning, reason and speculation. But he most certainly did know the Holy One through revelation. His following questions mock and stump worldly philosophers, but even a young Christian could answer them- "Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!" 

And surely you know. His name is Jesus! So don't let worldly wise people snow you with their big epistemological and metaphysical words. It can't hide the fact that they don't know Christ, who is the wisdom and revelation of God. You are the one who is enlightened and wise. No matter what big words a person may use on you, always keep coming back to the wisdom of God, the revelation of His Son Jesus. "In Christ are "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" Col.2:3. And every lost person you talk with must give up his speculations about God to come to know Him through the revelation of His Son. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" John 14:6. 

1.- It's crucial that we help people come to know God through the revelation of His Son. This is at the heart of our mission and the great commission- to make disciples, whom we are then to mature and multiply. So please watch another one of our greatestminimovies.com and share its name and a bit of what it was about. Then continue to look for opportunities to pass that site and our cards to other people. Way to go! Our website registers how many times our site is being viewed. People are going to it and I'll reveal the numbers at our M3 meeting this Sunday.

2.- Read through Prov.30:1-14 and share a verse you picked out and a bit of what you liked about it.

Agur declared he did have knowledge of the Holy One. In A.W. Tozer's classic book, "Knowledge of the Holy, he wrote these important words, What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us...Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, ”What comes into your mind when you think about God?” we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man...The heaviest obligation lying upon the Christian Church today is to purify and elevate her concept of God until it is once more worthy of Him - and of her. In all her prayers and labors this should have first place. We do the greatest service to the next generation of Christians by passing on to them undimmed and undiminished that noble concept of God which we received from our Hebrew and Christian fathers of generations past. This will prove of greater value to them than anything that art or science can devise.

Announcements
Yesterday, I asked you all about opportunities you've had to give out Greatest-Minimovies cards to others. I really liked what Phil shared- "This Sunday was my first time ever in life that I went up to the altar and prayed over another guy. I must admit I was nervous, but I had a strong desire to do this and I prayed the whole way up there. It went pretty good and I felt good about it. Afterwards I gave him a "greatestminimovies" card and wrote my phone number on it and told him to check out some powerful videos and to feel free to call me anytime." Excellent Phil! I like the way you also put your name and phone number on it for that guy. You made yourself available to help him further if he wishes.

And by the way Phil, Happy Birthday! If you are working nearby my home again, I'm coming over with lemonade :)