ERC MASORO/Sunday 16th February 2025 2025: RECEIVING GOD’S WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT (UNDERSTANDING/DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN SPIRITS) BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TERM 1: DEFINITION OF GOD'S WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT THE WISDOM OF GOD IS HOW A PERSON BUILDS HIS LIFE ON THE WORD OF GOD OR THE ROCK (JESUS CHRIST) BUILDING ALONG WITH GOD: It means the way we hear God's word and put it into practice to fulfill God's plan—while being led by and working with the Holy Spirit and are capable of guarding and protecting what God has entrusted to us. A. BUILDING YOUR LIFE ON THE WORD OF GOD, BELIEVING AND LIVING BY IT (Reminder Tuesday 11 Feb) SUMMARY (1) 1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ 10. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.“ ‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 24. Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” ‭‭ Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 6. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ‭‭ SUMMARY (1) (1) WHEN WE GET SAVED, WE BEGIN A JOURNEY OF BUILDING A NEW LIFE OF GOD’S CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN OF OUR LIFE OR GOD’S PLAN (Destiny). THE WORD OF GOD BECOMES OUR FOUNDATION UNTO WHICH WE BUILD OUR LIVES ENABLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE OUGHT TO PAY ATTENTION ON HOW WE BUILD ON THAT FOUNDATION WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD OR JESUS CHRIST, THE UNSHAKABLE ROCK. (2) WHEN WE BUILD OUR LIVES ON THE WRONG FOUNDATION/ CONTRARY TO GOD’S PLAN OR OUR DESTINY/DESIGN/MASTERPLAN/WILL OF GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT DESTROYS WHAT IS CONTRARY TO GOD’S PLAN AND BUILDS NEW THINGS IN OUR LIVES. TRUE WISDOM IS TO RECEIVE WHAT IS GODLY BECAUSE THE REST IS OF THE WORLD OR DEMONIC. B. BUILDING YOUR LIFE ON GOD’S WORD, LED BY AND WORKING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Reminder Friday 14/02) Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 14. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.“ ‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭27, 30‬-‭31‬ 27. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.“ 30. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”“ ‭‭ John‬ ‭6‬:‭66‬-‭68‬ ‭ 66. From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67. You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.“ ‭‭ John‬ ‭9‬:‭39‬-‭41‬ ‭ 39. Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind. 40. Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too? 41. Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.“ ‭‭ Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭1‬-‭3‬, 12-17 1. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, 2. I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” 12. Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13. If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” 14. The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15. Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” 17. And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” ‭‭ Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭17‬-‭32‬ ‭ 17. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18. I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20. So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22. But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27. Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28. The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31. “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”“ ‭‭ Jeremiah‬ ‭15‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭ 18. Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails. 19. Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.“ ‭‭ Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬-‭107‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 105. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 106. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. 107. I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.“ ‭‭ Numbers‬ ‭23‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 19. God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? 20. I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.“ ‭‭ SUMMARY (2) (1) Receiving salvation is receiving God's wisdom; It's to build our lives on Christ Jesus and in Him. Walking in salvation is God’s wisdom that leads us into God's ways according to His word. It's being blind on self into worldly things, Jesus becomes your sight, lamp or light. SCHEMES/DECEITFULNESS of demons and of the world misleads people by deceiving them in many possible ways; but believing in Jesus our victory. (2) The wisdom of God brings a person’s heart back to the word of God and to walk accordingly, that's what differentiates us from those who don't know Him, who lead themselves and loose their way. The Holy Spirit seeks to restore our hope and lead our thoughts in the word of God. Let's wrestle with every thing that leads us astray: the deceitfulness/schemes of the enemy, and the worldly wisdom that lead us to lust, and the distractions that steals God’s promises. For He will surely fulfill it. C. Building your life on the word of God while maintaining and guarding the valuable things entrusted to you. (Sunday 16/02) Genesis 2:8-15 8. Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9. The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10. A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12. (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) 13. The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. 14. The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15. The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Ephesians 6:11-13 11. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Psalms 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Proverbs 19:16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. Nehemiah 4:11-12; 17-18 11. Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 12. Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” 17. who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18. and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Mathew 25:1-10 1. “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 1 Kings 3:11-14 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 1 Kings 11:4,9-11 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 9 The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. 11 So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. 12 Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.” Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 1Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall 1 Peter 5:8-10 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. SUMMARY (3) (1) Winning a battle is one thing, guarding your victory is another: God entrusted you with many valuable things that need to be protected: your Salvation, the Word of God (Promises), your Heart (Life), your Marriage (Family), your Country, Church, Freedom,... Failing to guard them opens the door for the enemy to steal, kill and destroy. Distraction and lust can rob you of God’s wisdom. Let us have the zeal of pleading to God in prayer in every possible way, remembering and declaring His word, so that He may enable us to guard and build the valuable things He has entrusted to us. (2) The enemy will do by all means, with all of his strength to steal God’s wisdom from us, just as he misled king Solomon, Saul and others that had a tragic end. But let us find comfort in loving to hear and holding firmly to God’s word, being led by the Holy Spirit - building and guarding with the Holy Spirit and preserving all that God has given us through Jesus Christ. CONCLUSION Numbers‬ ‭23‬:‭19‬-20 “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” “I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.” May God bless you