We're picking up in Proverbs chapter 2 and we're going to start on page, I believe, let me back up a little bit, page 70. And again, the homework is always optional. So let me open a word of prayer and then we will get started. Heavenly Father, as we just begin this day of worship, we want to give all our attention to you. We're grateful for our salvation. We're thankful for the outcome of the election. We pray for a smooth transition in the days ahead and pray that our country would turn their hearts towards you, that you, like you have done before in our past, convicted people of the need to repent and believe and Place their faith in Jesus Christ and so as a church help us to be faithful to our calling to proclaim the gospel and life witness to be holy and obedient to the truth and Help us with wisdom to navigate the days ahead and help us to understand this book of Proverbs in Christ's name. We pray amen so like we like to do whenever we kick off a new section is look at a couple key verses for the chapter, right? So Proverbs 1.7, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, fools despise wisdom instruction. For chapter two, the key verse is Proverbs 2.6, for the Lord gives wisdom from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. And that really summarizes chapter two. So let's go ahead and if you turn to page 70 in the handout, you can see the structure. And like I said, I've done this with every chapter to help you see the parallelism so that you can see together what the full range of the meaning is. So we'll do verses one through nine this morning. Maybe a little bit further if we get it, but usually this will be plenty for sure. Proverbs 2.1, my son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding. Yes, if you cry out for discernment and if you lift up your voice for understanding and if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk uprightly. He guards the paths of justice and preserves the ways of his saints. then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity, and every good path. Do you see how the parallelism really opens up the range of meaning, like receive and treasure, incline, apply, cry out, lift up your voice, seeker, searcher, beautiful words that really capture the idea. So there's really four parts. There's seeking the path of wisdom, Then there's the securing the promise of wisdom. Then there's serving the provider of wisdom, how it helps us. And then it all helps us to stay on the path of wisdom. This is what really it's all about. And it's interesting how the Old Testament describes this picture of a walk and a journey, but the New Testament does the same thing. At the end of the day, our testimony to the world is how we apply the word in our life. That's how they know. That we love Christ that we love one another and that we honor the Word of God So let's talk about the seeking the path of wisdom and here's a question for you. How do you pursue your number one passion? Think about it. What do you love a lot? I grew up with a computer So I spent a lot of time in front of a green cathode ray tube Programming in the basement when I was cold when I was hungry when I didn't want to go upstairs have to go to the bathroom I just stay there in my end just passionately learn and study and things like that. Maybe it's sports, maybe it's a hobby. That's a good test. If you have some passion of yours, then take that passion and compare it to your passion towards the Lord and His word, particularly His word in this case. That's how we can really evaluate passion? Do we give the Lord equal time to the things that we have interest in? Let me give you a couple people to share about their passions. Tesla, he had a serious case of obsessive compulsive disorder. He was a germaphobe who refused to touch anything that was a little dirty or anything that was round in shape. He was also in love with the number three. He would walk three times around the block before entering the building. He'd only stay in a hotel room that was divisible by three. And he would require 18 napkins for each meal, three stacks of six. Now, you're going to find this among geniuses. They're peculiar. And how about Michelangelo? This one's pretty interesting. He is the most well-known and arguably the greatest artist of all time, but he wasn't known to be very hygienic. He would even go to bed in his clothes and boots. His assistant said he would sometimes go so long without taking his boots off that his skin would come away with his boots. Pretty gross, huh? But again, totally devoted to his craft, both of them totally devoted to the work that they do. And so how does one move from just hearing wisdom to doing wisdom? And this is really the idea. And so we begin with, my son, if you receive my words, treasure my commands within you so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding. So the moving is going from hearing to applying. That's the bottom line, right? That's how you know that you've actually heard, you've obeyed. And it's funny when the Lord comes and he, in his first coming, you can see that, right? This whole idea that if you hear me, you'll obey me. And that's the idea. Now the word receive here means to incline. It's the ear and you're receiving the words and the commands. The treasuring is where the application comes, the heart and the mind. And remember, heart is the mind in the Bible. That's how you remember it. The emotions are like the bottom, the stomach, and so forth. And so biblical listening is receiving and treasuring. It's inclining and applying. It's the ears and the mind, the heart. It's the words and commands and wisdom and understanding. So all of that is brought together. And like I said, the heart in Hebrew references the mind and affections. You can see that here in 1 Chronicles 28 9. As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father and serve him with a loyal heart, undivided heart, and with a willing, that means delight, mind. There you go, you can see that parallelism right there. For the Lord searches all hearts, that's the conscience, understands all the intent, your inclinations of the thoughts, that's your plans. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. I'm convinced that the reason why some grow more than others in the Christian faith is what goes on in the head. It's easy to make the word of God external, right? You can make it like, I know the truth. You can give lip service to it. But at the end of the day, what's going on in your mind? Are you understanding it? And when your conscience comes up and says, you know, I need to make this decision rather than that decision, because the word says to do this, what do you do in that moment? Those little incremental decisions is what causes you to grow. When we just kind of say, I know what's the right thing to do. And sometimes it's not like some huge moral dilemma, right? It's sometimes it's just a little decision to say, you know, I'm going to say an encouraging word versus slandering someone. It can be as small as that, but that over time will begin to pay like compound interest. And before you know it, you'll have shifted from where you were before in your sanctification to more Christ-likeness. That's the maturity. It's what really goes on inside of you and how that then gets expressed. I mean, I still remember the day I got saved, you know, coming out of drugs, alcohol, and everything else. And the first step was to toss all that stuff in the garbage. Now, that didn't change me overnight, but I had to now, that was the first start, right? And then day by day, turning from those things. The bowels, as you can see there in number three, let me jump over there. And good, I didn't realize I had it there. Is the seed of emotions, Job 30, 27. My heart is in turmoil, that's the word for your entrails, and cannot rest. Days of affliction confront me. And I don't know if you know this, but science now has proven that in your gut, you have the vagus nerve, which goes right to your brain. And so there's a brain-gut connection. And in your gut, your neurotransmitters are produced. And so if that's messed up, your brain can be messed up. And so it's very interesting how the brain and the bowels work together. And so very interesting. Let's see, the next one here, Lamentations 2.11. My eyes fill with tears. My heart, and again, you have to look at the original language, it's actually the word for entrails, is troubled. My bile, which is the liver, is poured out on the ground. because of the destruction of the daughter of my people because the children and the infants faint in the streets of the city. Now, I can't confirm this, but when you have a description like this, I don't know if you know this, but if someone hasn't eaten for a long time and there's nothing in their stomach, I hate to be very gross here, but if you were to regurgitate, it would create this green liquid would come out of you and that's your bile. And so this is showing you just how depressed they are, how they've been fasting, and now this stuff is on the ground. They're just vomiting up how upset they are. I know it's very graphic, but that's how the body works. OK. A little. desire here. They have Bob's assorted rodents and Al's small flightless birds and the cat is plastered themselves to the window because they crash and all these rodents and birds are out. How can I have all this and not be able to get to it? And so we're coming now to this idea of receiving. Okay. Dad pleads with his son, receive my words. And receive means to seize. to take hold, to obtain. So it's not like this kind of, yeah, whatever. Thanks, man. No, it's, I want this. Thank you and embrace it. My words, these are the father's words and not the actual word of God, but his words reflect the truths of scripture. This example reminds us that what we say should be rooted and grounded in God's word. It also implies the father has read and applied the scripture and can communicate its truths conversationally. So there is this little subtlety here distinguishing between the words of the father, human father, and the words of God. the father is to be the one who's espousing the truths of Scripture. This pleading will not be the last time he calls upon his son to listen, by the way. It's going to be multiple times. And this pleading, you can see in Proverbs 4.10, hear my son and receive my sayings and the years of your life will be many. Proverbs 8.10, receive my instruction and not silver and knowledge rather than choice gold. And I love what Solomon is getting there. Hey, don't put a price. on God's wisdom, don't compromise for money, over integrity, over truth. This is an indirect way of saying, you know, a bribe, right? Don't take the money for the bribe and compromise your truth. You can share this in multiple applications. And by the way, it's kind of interesting. There's a parenting, grandparenting principle here. Lovingly pursue your kids and share your wisdom. This is something that boy oh boy is right. You're older now. You're not making the same mistakes you did when you were younger. And so now you can share that wisdom with your grandkids. But be sure the lesson illustrates the blessings of obeying God's word or the consequences of rejecting God's word. Find a passage in the scripture that affirms the truth you are sharing. These are just some practical tips and Any thoughts on this some of you are grandparents? Have you had some opportunities to share the scriptures with some of your grandchildren? Have you had that opportunity? How's it going good? Not so good neutral. Not sure all the above Yeah, and so take advantage of those opportunities. Dad pleads with his son or daughter, treasure my commands. And again, treasure is an interesting word because the idea is that you take it now and you hide it for later use. That's the idea behind treasure. It has great value. It's not something you're just going to throw out for the whole world to have. have it for a later date when you need it. It's to be sheltered. It's to be protected. It's to be kept safe. It's storing something of value. Interesting to think of God's word this way. That's the idea behind treasure. And then my commands implies authority, that which must be followed. It's the primarily moral thinking and behavior. So you can see Solomon is really trying to help his son understand the value of what he is sharing. And I'm sure all of you can look back in your life to one degree or another and going, yeah, I wish I had God's wisdom in that situation. Or, yeah, I remember saying no to God's word, saying yes to my wisdom, and boy, that didn't end very well. This is the idea, treasure, hide it for a later use. The son or daughter response, you can see, incline my ears or your ear to wisdom, pay attention. That's a nice way of saying, shut up, sit down, and listen to me. Of course, it's much more gracious than that. But the idea to incline is to give total effort to hear and learn. So it's not like, yeah, whatever, I got it. Yeah, OK. No, it's like you're listening intently, hanging on every single word. And then the other idea here is apply your heart to understanding. And apply means, this implies one is willing to examine themselves to be influenced and changed by the biblical wisdom. So it's not just enough to receive it. You're saying, I'm going to reflect and examine myself in light of this truth and make some minor course corrections, or maybe even major course corrections. So very interesting, this idea of applying. It's, I'm going to allow it to influence me. And at the end of the day, isn't this what we hope would happen with all our kids as we share the word of God? And we know when we share truth, it sometimes is resisted. And so that's why we got to be in prayer. That's why we have to maintain a good relationship, give a good example so that we still have that credibility. Because as you see on TV and other places, do as I say, but not as I do, right? You never want to fall into that trap. And there must be love and humility in the context of worship for these conversations to take place. This is probably the most important part is maintaining that relationship through the process. Proverbs 2.3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver and search for her as hidden treasure. So let's take a look at that. But before that, wife, well this is just going from bad to worse. Entering the middle and you can see they have a map to nowhere. All right, the idea here is that without wisdom, this is where you end up. And I just read verse three and four if you seek her silver. And then one more little here. His rifle poised, Gus burst through the door, stopped and listened. Nothing but the gentle sound of running water and the rustling of magazines could be heard. The trail apparently had been false. I don't know if you look at the third stall to the right, but you can see the deer's hoofs there. But this is the idea that you're searching, you're seeking, you're following this trail. And that's the idea. All right, so to cry out, what does that mean? It means to seek. but with discernment. And they're comparing it to silver. Remember, silver and gold were pretty much the monetary system. That was where wealth was. To lift up is another word similar to search, but it's searching for understanding. So you're trying to discern what is truth and what is not. And then once you've discerned it, you're trying to comprehend it. You need both. The one is the filter that lets it in or keeps it out. And the second one helps you, once you've grabbed it, to fully understand it. This is why, when we study the Bible right, we can read a passage and say, I understand it, then come back six months later and go, ooh, I really understand it. And then you come back another six months, and you're like, ooh, I've gone deeper. I really understand it. That's the idea. The understanding is growing in the depth, where discernment is you're trying to say, should I keep it or not? And the idea here is you're crying out, you're lifting up your voice, you're seeking and searching, you're discerning, you're understanding, and you are pursuing this as if this was the way to gain wealth. But instead of gaining wealth, you're gaining wisdom. Any thoughts, comments on this? Make sense? You can see the passion. And the truth is, remember, these people at this time did not have the permanent indwelling Holy Spirit. They had to learn the scriptures by reading it, by reciting it, by practicing it. We have the spirit that gives us illumination, that's written the word on our hearts, but it still takes effort. Either way. Okay, so seeking her as silver. Silver was currency and one of the means for exchanging goods and services. It represented prosperity and financial security. Solomon understood the value of silver for sure. A couple passages, 1 Kings 10, 27. This is like amazing. When you think about the height of Israel's prosperity under Solomon, This sentence, verse summarizes, the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland. That is amazing testimony of prosperity. Deuteronomy 17, 17, neither shall he, any king, multiply wise for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. Whoops, Solomon broke both rules and he paid the price for that. Okay, hidden treasure. and search for her as for hidden treasure. Now again, this is a secret cache, a stockpile. The idea is hidden reserves in a time of need. This is why we go through the Bible week in and week out, right? Because we know down the road, there's going to be some trials. There's going to be some tribulations. There's going to be some challenges. And the wisdom that you've treasured, that you've stored up, will come in handy at that time. But if you're not studying, if you're not in the word, then you'll come into that trial and you're not gonna know what to do. That's the idea. So Genesis 43, 23 captures this, but he said, peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks, the same word. I had your money, then he brought Simeon out to them. So again, this is the idea of treasure. It was there hidden away. Dad pleads with his son. Cry out for discernment. This is a pretty passionate set of words here. Cry out means to appeal. It actually is the idea of inviting as a guest. And then discernment is this word bina. And this can be translated as understanding, but it focuses on insight, perceiving meaning, that's the idea. And then the application is this can take the form of a prayer, pursuing biblical wisdom by growing in God's word through personal Bible study, church, small group studies, reading excellent authors, systematic theologies, and having good godly Christian conversations. There's lots of ways in which you can grow in this way. Now the dad plays with his son and he says, lift up your voice for understanding. And this idea of lifting up is to shout, all right? This is much more intense action than the crying out. It also means to give or devote oneself in a diligent matter. So you can see the psalm in really persuading his sons. This is a big deal, guys. You got to pursue this with everything you have. Understanding is tabunah. So you can see binah, tabunah. There's a lot of this alliteration going on. Now, this is logic, aptitude. Intelligence, thinking biblically, that's understanding. Being rational, but biblically rational. And the pursuit of wisdom is vital in the formative years. By pursuing wisdom as a young man or young woman, one can avoid the fleshly traps of youth and the world. And so this is so critical, those early years. And you think about it, when a child reaches a certain point, right, they can understand the very fundamentals right from wrong. And that's so important during those formative years that that morality is put in place and modeled by mom and dad. Then comes the later years where they build off of that right and wrong. I think the best analogy I can think of is, remember the old stranger danger campaign? So for a child who doesn't discern very much, they just know the basics. That's a stranger, danger. But as you get older, what happens? You learn that, well, not all strangers are dangerous. Some are, and most are not. And that's where later the wisdom to discern comes in. But you have to start off with this foundation. 1 Timothy, I think 611 really captures this. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life to which you are also called. and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things and before Christ, who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless, until our Lord Jesus Christ appearing. which you will manifest in his own time. He who is blessed and the only potentate, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, who alone is immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. You see, Paul to Timothy, this pursuit. Do this until Christ returns. Don't waver to the left. or to the right. And that's not just for a pastor. This is for every one of us. So dad helps the son or daughter see the value of wisdom. If you seek her as silver. And again, this word seek is obtained with a great effort. Let's be honest. You can read your Bible every day and that'll work, but that's not studying. It's important to renew and I try to go through the Bible once a year audibly is the easiest for me in the car while I'm driving. And that's to remind and refresh the passages that I've read, but it's not study. I may contemplate a few things before the 2.5 speed speeds up and passes, but the idea is that this is to go deeper than just a surface reading. I think it's important to have those devotional times. You just read the word, enjoy it, and recall these truths, but it takes an effort. You know, the inductive Bible study precept is a great ministry for that and so forth. Dad helps his daughter to see the value, not value, the idea is search, right? And if you search for her as for hidden treasures, this is to plot. The word is to plot, to plan, and to track down. So when you come across something in the Bible and you don't know what it means, don't just go, ah, whatever, figure it out. One of the things that I've done over the years and it's paid dividends for me is in two ways. One, if someone asks me a question and I don't know, I go find the answer. And I have found that that experience reinforces the truth. Second, is if I read something and I don't understand it, then I go look it up. Get a commentary, some trusted author. And over time, those questions eventually becomes a well that you can draw from. But it takes an effort, it really does. And not everyone of you are going to be teachers. but you can still be very knowledgeable. I've met some very fascinating lay people over the years who frankly knew more than most teachers that I had met, just because they had devoted their whole life to knowing God's word, even though they were never an elder, never a professor, they just devoted their life to understanding the word of God. And so, but they made that effort, they made the sacrifice. Pretty neat. Solomon's conviction, Proverbs 8.10, take my instruction and not silver and knowledge rather than choices gold. So you can see the different ways he brings the money into the situation. Implication, Solomon sees in his son the desire for material wealth. But Solomon, however, has a unique perspective on wisdom and wealth, doesn't he? And who better to teach his children about all these things than Solomon himself, who had wisdom beyond most or all in his day. Questions, comments, thoughts? Listen to this on background. 1 Kings 3.5, Edgibion, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. Remember this? This is so cool. And God said, ask, what shall I give you? Now remember, Solomon's pretty young. And Solomon said, you've shown great mercy to your servant David, my father, because he walked before you in truth and righteousness and an uprightness of heart with you. You've continued this great kindness for him and you have given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day. Now, now, oh Lord, my God, you have made your servant king. Instead of my father, David, but I am a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in." So you can see the humility and I think fearfulness a little bit of Solomon here. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen. Look at the way Solomon understands his place. This is God's kingdom, God's people, and he's only here by God's choice. A great people too numerous to be numbered or counted. And that's going back and recalling the promises to Abraham. Look at the stars, if you can count them, so your descendants will be. So you can see Solomon already has some biblical theology. Therefore, give to your servant an understanding heart to judge your people. God come to you at night and he asks you, what would you ask? Your people that I may discern between good and evil for who is able to judge this great people of yours." This is kind of cool how it continues. The speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him, because you've asked this thing, and this is fascinating because you can see what we're getting here is the insight of God on men in general. You have not asked for a long life for yourself. Do we see people pursuing long lives? Nor have you asked for riches for yourself. That's a common request. Nor have you asked the life of your enemies. This is the world right here. But have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice. Behold, I have done according to your words. This is so cool, right? And this is, by the way, this is the Lord Jesus Christ speaking to Solomon, pre-incarnate. I have given you a wise and understanding heart so that there has not been anyone like before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. The exception, of course, would be Christ, but he was the God-man. So whoever, you know, take Einstein as one of the smartest people in the world, Solomon was smarter than him. And it wasn't just in one area of science. Solomon had wisdom in all areas. And he goes on to say, and I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there should be not anyone like you among the kings all your days. So now there's a little bit of conditionality. So if you walk in my ways to keep my statutes and my commandments as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days. Then Solomon awoke. And indeed, it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, stood before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. Wow. It's one of those amazing stories. You know, it's just like, what was that like? But again, this demonstrates not only God's promise to Abraham to bless his people, but also to David that someone of his descendants will sit on the throne. And let's be honest, anyone who's in any kind of authority of leadership needs wisdom. New Testament Insights, 1 Timothy 6.6, Now godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into this world, and as certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich, there's that request for money, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, or all sorts, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. And so you can see the challenges here. So the question is, what is the result of genuinely seeking God and applying his wisdom in hearing and doing? This is the question. What's the result? What should happen if you truly pursue God's wisdom? He'll bless you, right? And he may very well add some of those other things. Again, this is a principle. It's not always the case. There's parts of the world where you live this way and you're gonna be persecuted, hunted down, and killed for your faith. But in general, If you're truly living this way, God will bless you. He'll give you favor with people. And you'll see that sometimes He'll even promote you. Because let's be honest, doesn't the world desperately need people today with wisdom? who have ethics, who are uncompromising of integrity, who know how to deal with people. This is the challenge that we have in our day, and we have everything necessary for life and godliness. Think of some of the most basic truths that the scripture has, and the world completely ignores those things. We really do have something to offer. And the key is to live in such a way that others would seek you out or find yourself in a place where you can embed that wisdom into what you do and into the lives of others. It's a great opportunity. Questions, thoughts, comments? Okay. How about number two, securing the promise of wisdom? All right, verse five. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and fine knowledge of God. And I seem to have lost my spot. Here's a little cartoon here. Notice all the computations. Theoretical scribblings and lab equipment norm. Yes, curiosity has killed these cats. And curiosity in the Bible will not kill you, just so you know. Okay. So the order is important. Okay. Understanding leads to finding, okay? Understanding is to perceive and realize, okay? And to find is to discover and obtain. So this is in a particular order. It's almost like a researcher, right? You make this hypothesis, you go in, you start researching, you're perceiving, you're observing, you're realizing, but then you finally have the eureka moment, the aha, and now you understand it, and that knowledge is yours. knowledge, skilled living, okay? This is not about being intelligent and successful apart from God. Instead, it combines the ideas of loving God and living for God in a sinful world. You are skilled in holy living rather than unholy living. So what I want you to see is this, what Solomon is doing is he's moving from this idea of learning knowledge, which is truth and very important, to now living out that knowledge. And the truth is living godly is skilled living. And I don't think we think of it that way often, but it's true. Just as any of you have any tradesman who develops and cultivates a skill, whether it's carpentry or woodworking or metalworking, whatever. That's a skill, and over time you gain this knowledge. Well, godly living is a skill as well, and that's something to grow into. James 3.3, who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show. by good conduct, that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom, skilled living. Flashback, Proverbs 1.7, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. So again, understand is to perceive and realize. To find is to discover and obtain. Knowledge is skill living, and I seem to be repeating this slide. Okay, do you see the difference in the chronology between 1-7 and 2-5? So there's 1-7, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, beginning, but fools despise whose instruction. Now 2-5, then you'll understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. So 1-7 comes first, 2-5 comes second. This is the beginning of knowledge, right? You're beginning to fear the Lord. Now you have, you are understanding the fear of the Lord, and now you're discovering knowledge. So there's a intentional sequence here that Solomon is bringing us. And then, So here it is, find God's word to know God. We were talking about this yesterday. When you're witnessing and sharing, the first test that I have with anyone that I might disciple or share or encourage is read the Bible. Go to the book of John or book of Acts or something like that. If they never open the word, I know they're not interested. That's the first test. So if anyone says, I want to know God, say, let me give you an assignment. Go to the book of John, read it, go to the book of Acts, read it, and let's just talk about it. Just read as much as you want, as little as you want, doesn't matter. Just open it and read it. Do you have a Bible? Always good to ask that question, because a lot of times they don't. But now with the phone, you can do the U version and so forth. But if they will not open God's word, that's where you're at. That's where they're stuck. And all you can do is plead with them to do that, take that next step. When they find God, they repent. And I've seen this too. I'm sure some of you have as well. When you share the gospel and the person just like before, you can clearly see the spirits in their life. They've changed. And then fear of God is faith. And then fourthly, find God's word to know God, obedience. There's the progress. And this is no different in the New Testament, right? Romans 10, right? The Word of God comes to the person, they believe in their heart, profess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and with the heart they receive and believe, and they're saved. And then there's a change in life. And so it's the same for the old as it is for the new. No difference. The scriptures affirms these principles everywhere, Galatians 3.24, therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith, but after faith has come, we're no longer under a tutor. Ephesians 2.8, for by grace you've been saved through faith, not of yourselves, it's a gift of God, not as a rule of works, lest anyone should boast, for we are his workmanship, creating Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. How about Romans 1.16, I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it's the power of God and salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as is written, the just shall live by faith. Acts 8.26-40, Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, right? What are you reading? And he gets saved and gets baptized. Implication is whether you are leading your child, your grandchild, family, friend, or even a stranger, your mission is to give them the gospel and then get them reading the scriptures. Without a lamp to their feet and a light unto their path, without salt and light, they will be unable to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. And so this is kind of the pattern. And it's really pretty straightforward, isn't it? Thoughts? Questions? Comments? All right, summary principle, knowledge and fear of God will result in a relationship with the Lord. Proverbs 9, 10, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. You see how Solomon's even expanded even more. And we are out of time. So we have like a minute or two. Does anyone have any thoughts, questions, comments, anything they wish to add? Derek. Yeah, he needs a sermon because that undermined his first term as a president. Yeah, definitely. Comments, questions, thoughts on this particular? Roger. I was just thinking of Solomon. 500 plus, and that's not counting the concubines. Now, many of those marriages, by the way, were strategic political alliances, and so he probably justified it in his mind. And each relationship brought benefits to him and Israel, and so he could justify it. It still was totally inappropriate. But that's how, and I'm sure you guys have seen this, really, really smart people have a way of rationalizing and justifying just about anything. And sometimes they even make it work because they're clever enough to make so. But it doesn't mean, you know, that idea that just because something works doesn't mean it's right. That's called pragmatism, and that can be very dangerous. Yeah, it's, Solomon is baffling, isn't it? Which shows you that you can have all the wisdom in the world, but you're still immoral. And we see that in a lot of rich people who've acquired a lot of wealth, have made some really good strategic business decision, but they're lost and or their very, their lifestyle reveals a lifestyle of sin and sad. Other comments, thoughts? Yes, Cat. Yeah, and that's the key thing to remember. Paul talks about that all the time. Our joy should never ever be determined by the circumstances we're in, right? We must see through the circumstances to see the sovereign hand of God and what he's doing. And remember, Christ suffered in this first life. And that suffering served a great purpose, our redemption. And Paul talks about filling up his cup of suffering on behalf of Christ. I think all of us, sooner or later, if not already, I'm sure most of you have, have suffered at some point for a variety of reasons for the sake of Christ. And I believe that part of that suffering is to give us insight into the suffering of Christ, but also it's identification. As we suffer on behalf of Christ, when we meet him face to face, he will say to us, well done, good and faithful servant. And that helps us to have a shared experience, which will deepen our relationship with Christ, but also, I think, just demonstrate our love for Christ to the world, too, right? It's not just between us and Christ. The world sees this, and that sometimes is what it takes for them to say, yeah, I guess what you believe, you really do believe. I guess what you say must be true, because I wouldn't, you know, you wouldn't do that unless it was really a conviction of yours. And sometimes it takes that. for an unbeliever to see that this truth is real. Because don't forget, most unbelievers have seen Christians kind of wimp out, right? They just don't see Christians with convictions. And when they do, they step back and then they study you and they try to determine if it's real or genuine or fake and false. Any other thoughts? All right, I'm going to close in prayer. Heavenly Father, thank you for this time in this book. And we do lift up, as Derek suggested, we do pray for President Trump, for discernment, for protection, for a team that would bring in, that would honor you, a team that would honor righteousness. We just pray that your hand would be upon him and his administration for protection. for discernment, for wisdom, and that, Father, you would send your spirit in such a way that this country might repent and place their faith in Christ, and that you would use even us, Good News Bible Church, as part of your means in which you save lives.