Choose Wisdom
A Sermon on 1 Kings 3:9
Originally preached Jan. 12, 1958
Scripture
9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Sermon Description
Everyone is given the choice of wisdom or pleasure in this life. This is the choice Solomon was given and he chose wisdom. In this sermon on 1 Kings 3:9, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that when the world is chosen over wisdom, humanity is guaranteed to experience emptiness. Humanity was created to be fulfilled most fully in the Lord and Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that to choose anything but wisdom is short-sighted and, in fact, an insult to humanity’s nature. So what is it that makes a person choose wisdom? When a person truly understands the greatness of the task ahead in this life, wisdom is chosen. The world will call for attention and promise its comforts, but it will not satisfy. God alone is strong enough to guide through this life and into the next.
Sermon Breakdown
- Life is a series of choices and decisions we make. We are always choosing between God's way or the way of the world.
- There are only two fundamental choices in life: God's way or the world's way. We must choose one or the other.
- All of our choices are made in the presence of God and under His judgment. God sees and knows all of our choices.
- The vast majority of people choose the way of the world, the flesh and the devil over God's way.
- Choosing wisdom, as Solomon did, is essentially right. It is the intelligent choice. Choosing the world's way is unintelligent and insulting to human nature.
- Choosing the world's way is selfish and self-centered. Choosing wisdom considers others.
- Choosing the world's way is short-sighted. Riches, long life, and victory over enemies are all temporary. Only God's wisdom transcends this life.
- The greatness of the task confronting us and realizing our own weakness in the face of that task should compel us to choose wisdom.
- The task includes understanding life, living morally, and facing death. We are helpless to accomplish this task without God's wisdom.
- Those who choose wisdom, as Solomon did, receive wisdom and also riches, honor, long life, and peace as a bonus.
- God's wisdom is found in Jesus Christ, who becomes our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
- The Christian life is one of enlargement, joy, and true riches in Christ. It is a thrilling life.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Solomon Ask For and What Can We Learn from His Choice?
What did Solomon ask for from God in his dream?
Solomon asked God for "an understanding heart" to judge the people of Israel, wisdom to discern between good and bad rather than riches, long life, or victory over enemies. As stated in 1 Kings 3:9, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge this thy so great a people?"
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones consider Solomon's choice of wisdom "essentially right"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones considers Solomon's choice essentially right because it was intelligent rather than selfish. By contrast, choosing long life, riches, or victory over enemies would have been: 1. Unintelligent and insulting to human nature by treating humans as mere animals 2. Entirely selfish and self-centered rather than others-focused 3. Short-sighted, as length of days still ends in death, riches can't be taken beyond death, and even with victory over enemies, death remains the "last enemy"
What two fundamental things made Solomon choose wisdom according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Solomon chose wisdom because of: 1. His understanding of the greatness of the task confronting him - ruling God's chosen people who "cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude" 2. His realization of his own weakness face to face with the task - "I am but a child and I know not how to go out nor to come in"
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the Christian's wisdom compared to worldly wisdom?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ himself is made wisdom for Christians. As he quotes from Paul's writings, "of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom." This wisdom consists of: 1. Righteousness - solving how we can stand before God despite our sins 2. Sanctification - providing the way to overcome sin and live a holy life 3. Redemption - conquering the fear of death and judgment with the guarantee of eternal life with God
What additional blessings did God give Solomon beyond what he asked for?
God gave Solomon not only the wisdom he requested but also added: 1. Riches beyond compare - "I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor" 2. Honor among kings - "there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days" 3. The promise of long life (conditional upon obedience) - "if thou wilt walk in my ways...then will I lengthen thy days"
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones apply Solomon's example to the Christian life today?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones applies Solomon's example by explaining that when we seek God's wisdom first, other blessings follow naturally. He references Jesus' words: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things shall be added unto you." Christians who choose God's wisdom receive: 1. Enriched days (quality over quantity) - "one day as a Christian is worth a thousand outside" 2. True riches in enjoyment and fulfillment 3. Genuine peace and happiness without the "bitter taste" that accompanies worldly pleasures 4. A life of "enlargement of the mind, enlargement of the heart, enlargement of the will"
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.