The Origin of Wisdom – Surrendering to Christ

The Origin of Wisdom – Surrendering to Christ

Pastor Joseph Clark – Airing May 21, 2023

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24) ESV

Shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Apostles continued his ministry and went throughout Jerusalem performing miraculous healings and preaching the resurrection and divinity of Jesus Christ. The local Hebrew authorities seized them for heresy against their Jewish laws and traditions and threw them into jail. The Apostles were facing possible torture and execution, for Jesus had been scourged and crucified, and the Apostles were preaching in the name of Jesus Christ. The next day, the Apostles Peter, John, and a man they healed, were brought before the Jewish elders and high council. When they were challenged about the alleged heresy, Peter proceeded to lecture and rebuke the high council, refusing to discontinue preaching in the name of Jesus Christ. This infuriated the high council who wanted to have the men put to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who had been a mentor to Paul, stood up in the Sanhedrin and argued their case to his peers stating:

“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Over 2,000 years later there are 2.3 Billion Christians in the World. Gamaliel’s argument requires no elaboration. If it was not of God.  It would have failed. 

There is only one who is proven to have performed the signs prophesied about him. Only one who was tortured, suffered, and died for his people as foretold in writing about him. Only one who was witnessed by thousands to have been resurrected and preached for 40 days before ascending into heaven. Only one whose story is told not just by witnesses who were his disciples but whose ministry and works are corroborated by non-religious historians, and who is even documented by his ancient Hebrew detractor’s who discredit him by describing his miracles as “Black Magic.” Even his enemies declare that he performed miracles! God the Son in the Flesh. The Son of God. Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit tells us in the word:

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) 

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) 

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) ESV

“As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.” (Acts 16:4-5) ESV

Gamaliel demonstrated wisdom. Where does that wisdom come from? Does a man or woman have to be educated or smart for the Holy Spirit to work through them? Wisdom comes from experience, from listening and observing, form making mistakes and learning by them. But it can also come from unexpected places. 

Many years ago, when I owned an agricultural / hobby farm, we owned ponies. One sunny summer afternoon, my youngest son Conner then aged 5 was keeping me company while I was building a shelter for our ponies. I was busy climbing a ladder, measuring, cutting, and hammering away, while Conner spoke to me without ceasing. Pretty soon as I focused on my work his ramblings became ambient noise. Every few seconds I would reply with uh huh, yes son, hmmm, etc. just to keep him feeling engaged and feigning that I was listening to him. Suddenly I paused my work and I looked at him with surprise.

“What did you just say to me son?” I asked. I was taken aback by something that I half heard.

In his cute little boy voice he said, “Dad! I said that we are all brothers and sisters no matter what colour we are or what language that we speak because we are all God’s children. 

I came down of the ladder and I hugged my boy and I said to him, Conner that was a very wise and blessed thing you just said. He went back to rambling away and I returned to my work on the shelter, however I listened closely to what he said moving forward. The Holy Spirit blesses us with wisdom, young and old.

We are called to obedience by our omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient God. A God to be loved, obeyed, feared, and devoted to exclusively. 

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is our authority. The Word is our authoritative standard, and The Word tells us repeatedly, that in all things, we are advised time and again that our salvation is in Christ and Christ alone. That he brings all things together for the good of those who love him. Let us have complete faith that no matter what ails us, no matter what befalls us, no matter how disheartening the state of the world is, no matter how many of our own religious leaders fall prey to the enemy, and in doing so sin or perform evil, let us have absolute faith in God, and know that his plan for us is for the long game. The betterment and salvation of eternal souls.

Please pray for me as I shall for you:

Thank you, Lord, for this holy sentence, this good news, this happy report, this exciting thought, this graceful truth, this fantastic lesson. Which is that God loves me. Even when I am at my worst. God loves me. Even when my faith is dim. God loves me. In the holy name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.