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The Foolish Wise Man | Solomon's Secret to True Contentment

A New Beginning / Greg Laurie
The Truth Network Radio
December 2, 2024 3:00 am

The Foolish Wise Man | Solomon's Secret to True Contentment

A New Beginning / Greg Laurie

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December 2, 2024 3:00 am

So many think their happiest life is down the pathway of money, fame and pleasure. If that’s the case, every TV star, movie star, rock star and sports star would be ecstatic. Yet hundreds and hundreds have taken their own lives. We’re going to hear from the man who said, “vanity, vanity, all is vanity.” He was the celebrity of celebrities of his day. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us Solomon’s lesson for the ages about real contentment.

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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

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Pastor Greg Laurie recommends a great film about the 40th President of the United States. We have a movie that's going to tell you the story of this man who changed the world. Ronald Reagan was a man who believed in Jesus Christ. You're going to be inspired by it in this brand-new film starring Dennis Quaid. It's called Reagan, and it's our gift to you for your gift of any size.

Available on DVD and digital download at harvest.org. King Solomon was a smart man, and then the Lord blessed him with supernatural wisdom in addition. Pastor Greg Laurie says we should heed the man's counsel. The wisest man in where we live is going to tell you what the sum of the matter is. Are you ready? Fasten your seat belt. He said, here's what I've learned.

I'm a seasoned pro. I've experienced this all. You want to live a life that's meaningful, a life that is fulfilling? Number one, fear God.

Number two, keep His commandments. So many think their happiest life is down the pathway of money, fame, and pleasure. If that's the case, every TV star, movie star, rock star, and sports star would be ecstatic, yet hundreds and hundreds have taken their own lives. We're going to hear from the man who said, vanity, vanity, all is vanity.

He was the celebrity of celebrities of his day. Today on A New Beginner, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us Solomon's lesson for the ages about real contentment. David is at the end of his reign. He's done his job. He's completed the task that God set before him. Now he gives his final words to his successor Solomon.

And one day we too will give our final words. David says this in 1 Chronicles 28, verse 9, Solomon my son, learn to know the God of your father intimately. I would underline that. Know the God of your father intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. I guess I'd underlined that whole verse.

What a beautiful legacy he was leaving his son. Now with Solomon's to own and run with or to forget, but to make it even better, the Lord Himself now appears to Solomon. And that happened in 1 Kings chapter 3. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream. And God said, what do you want?

Ask and I'll give it to you. Solomon replied, well Lord you were wonderfully kind to my father David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you, which is a tribute to David. And you've continued this great kindness to him today by giving him a son to succeed him. Lord you've now made me king. But Solomon says, I'm like a little kid. I don't know what to do.

I don't know how to do it. So Lord I'm asking you to give me wisdom. And the Lord said, that was an excellent answer. Because you have asked for wisdom and you've not asked for riches or even a long life or even the death of your enemies, I'm going to give you what you asked for. I'm going to give you so much wisdom that you'll be the wisest man alive. And not only that, but I'm going to give you riches and honor as well.

Oh man. Solomon was set up for success. But somehow he managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

He had everything going for him. His dad was David. He was given the kingdom. He was given the throne. God Himself appears to him in a dream and gives him all this wisdom. And what does Solomon do? He immediately starts to compromise. Because one of the first things he did out of the gate was he married a non-believer.

1 Kings 3 tells us he made an alliance with Pharaoh and married one of his daughters. Before you know it he's offering sacrifices to her false gods. Because one thing always leads to another. That's his first compromise.

Now he literally goes into a full-blown backslide. He didn't do it overnight. It was just one thing leading to another. He compromised his morality.

So it's not bad enough. He marries this non-believing woman. Now he has 700 wives and 300 concubines. And so that's the next step he takes down. Now that brings us to our next passage. Ecclesiastes.

So I told you to turn there right? Ecclesiastes 1. Now Solomon describes what he did. It's almost like he's doing personal research on sin. It's like Solomon saying, look I hear these things are bad. I hear God say they're bad. But I don't know that personally.

Because I've not experienced it. So for the sake of research I'm going to go and do everything God tells me not to do to find out if he's telling me the truth. That is the stupidest idea of all time. That's exactly what the wisest man did. That's why I titled this message the foolish wise man. So in Ecclesiastes 1.13 Solomon says, I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven.

He's going to try it all. First he says try something noble. I'll just apply myself to wisdom and knowledge. I will acquire great knowledge.

Well that's that's a good pursuit. He says in Ecclesiastes 1.16 he says, look I'm wiser than all the kings that ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them. But you know I worked hard to distinguish wisdom from foolishness. Now I realize that it's like chasing the wind. For the greater my wisdom the greater my grief. Wow.

The pursuit of knowledge is not where it's at. So he literally goes from being a brainiac to a party animal. Yeah I'm just going to party.

And they do that a lot in college as well. I'm going to just party like there's no tomorrow. He apparently listened to the Beastie Boys. You've got to fight for your right to party. So literally Solomon says I'm going to party now. I'm going to drink. I'm going to get really drunk. I'm going to just seek after pleasure.

He says in Ecclesiastes 2. I said come on let's give pleasure a try. Let's look for the good things in life. I found this too was meaningless. It's silly to be laughing all the time.

What good does it to seek only pleasure. How true is that. You ever notice when people drink they just start laughing like a bunch of idiots.

They don't even know what they're laughing at. We're going to have a good time. What happened?

We don't know. We were really drunk but we were having fun I think. So we got pulled over for that DUI and that didn't work out so well. Yeah and then someone shows you a video of yourself and all your jokes weren't as funny as you thought and you weren't as clever as you thought and you're just acting like a stupid drunk.

It's kind of harsh isn't it. Don't forget I was raised in an alcoholic home. Don't forget I spent the first 17 years of my life watching drunk adults destroy their life. And that's one of the reasons I decided I don't want to drink.

I don't see anything positive that comes out of it whatsoever. And I've seen alcohol destroy Christians too who have the liberty or have the liberty to drink. And one day that liberty starts becoming a problem. And the same issues that non-believers have dealt with believers are dealing with as well. I've seen ministries destroyed by drinking. I've seen ministers destroyed by drinking. Solomon says I tried it but it was not the right thing. I realized he says in Ecclesiastes 2 3 I cheered myself with wine while seeking wisdom. I clutched at foolishness and I realized this too was empty. Now Solomon says okay I've tried acquiring knowledge.

I've tried partying and drinking. I was going to build big things. Big massive estates. Beautifully landscaped. He had unlimited funds.

I'm going to have private concerts. Ecclesiastes 2 he says I built big homes for myself. Beautiful vineyards. I had great sums of silver and gold. I had wonderful singers both men and women. I had many beautiful concubines.

I had everything a man could desire. Then I looked at everything I worked so hard to accomplish. It was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. Wow what a perfect analogy.

Chasing the wind. It was all so empty. He could have anyone do a concert for him. I read recently that you can hire well-known artists to do private performances. The Rolling Stones charged a Texan investor seven million dollars to play an hour-long set. So I mean if you had unlimited funds hey I'm going to you know pull out the yacht and we're going to be out in front of the estate and I'm going to have a top-tier rock band or hip-hop back performing.

Solomon had all that and more and he said it was still so empty. Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. Hey everyone I want you to know about our app called Harvest Plus. Think of it as a Harvest version of Netflix.

We have all of our resources in one place. We have our movies like Steve McQueen The Salvation of an American Icon, Johnny Cash or Redemption of an American Icon, A Rush of Hope and much more. Then we have our television program, daily devotions and much more.

So go and download the Harvest Plus app. We're following the unfortunate choices Solomon made. Even the wisest man could be swayed by sin. Pastor Greg continues his message called The Foolish Wise Man.

So after many wasted years Solomon finally comes to a census and guess what? He came right back to what David told him in the first place. If only he had listened.

What a sad thing. But now he says don't make the same mistake I made. Ecclesiastes 12 one he says remember remember the Creator and the days of your youth before the difficult days come and the years draw near and you say I have no pleasure in them. Another translation don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Okay so he says that it was all empty so now Solomon's going to give us his conclusion. The wisest man who ever lived is going to tell you what the sum of the matter is.

Are you ready? Fasten your seat belt. Ecclesiastes 12 13. Let's hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep his commandments. That is man's all for God will bring every work into judgment including every secret thing whether it be good or bad. Here's what Solomon is saying.

The house of David has been passed on to the son. He said here's what I've learned. I'm a seasoned pro. I've experienced this all. You want to live a life that's meaningful. A life that is fulfilling.

Number one. Fear God. Fear God. Now what does it mean to fear God? Does it mean be afraid of God?

No. To fear God means to reverence God. Just another word for reverence. Respect God. Be in awe of God. Believe in and trust in God. So fear, reverence, respect God.

Start there. The Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. One good definition I heard of the fear of God is the wholesome dread of displeasing him. So fear God. Number one. Number two. Keep his commandments.

Oh yeah. Those commandments. They are given for your own protection. They are given for your own good.

They are like a wall of protection around your life to keep evil out. This is why our nation is unraveling before our very eyes. We have pushed on every God-given boundary put there for our own protection. We are trying to redefine what God has defined and we are facing the consequences of it.

Keep his commandments. How many of you have been to Disneyland? Raise your hand.

Ok. Mostly everyone. Remember this ride. The Autopia ride. Remember those little cars. Those things are cool you know.

Now they are fun. And when you drive those cars there are these little concrete barriers that keep you in your lane. Even if you take your hands off the steering wheel you are not going to go anywhere dangerous. Can you imagine taking one of those cars downtown in the city and driving it around? Do you think you would be vulnerable if you were to do that?

Is this a good idea? Those cars are not meant to go on the real streets. They are meant to go on the fake streets of Disneyland and the Autopia ride. So in the same way God has given us barriers and absolutes. Why? Because He wants to ruin our life. No. He wants to protect you.

He doesn't want you to go out and kill yourself. I remember once I was riding a Vespa. You know what a Vespa is? A little scooter. And this Vespa said it was freeway rated. And I thought it doesn't seem the wheels are like donut sized wheels.

No. You can ride this on the freeway. So I was in Santa Barbara and there is this one way to get to the other side on the regular streets. But you could get on one little on ramp. Just one on ramp away. So I just had to get on the freeway and get on the on ramp.

It was that simple. And I thought I am going for it. So I got that thing going as fast as I could. I hit 30. I hit 40.

I was maybe at 45. Everybody is passing me. Big giant people. And I am on this little scooter. I am going to die as somebody goes by. The wind. Oh my gosh my heart was pounding.

I got off quickly. Never done that again. That thing was not rated for that kind of a road. God has put these barriers up for your own good. Imagine if we obey God. Imagine if America just said okay for one day for just the heck of it. Let's do what God says. Let's not do what God says we should not do.

It would change the nation. If we would just obey the commandments of God how many more marriages would be saved? How many more people would have a life that is meaningful? We have destroyed so many things and so many lives by disobeying God. Some people only care about consuming things.

They never think of others. Some people love people and use money. Other people love money and use people. We have got to find the balance. Don't waste your life like Solomon did. He self-destructed in slow motion. Such a tragedy. Such a waste.

The house of David. Ups and downs. Highs and lows. Mistakes were made but lessons were learned.

Sometimes a little later than they should have been but they were learned. And one day we like David will give our final message. We have two major dates in our lives. The date of our birth and the date of our death. We really have nothing to do with either one of those dates. We didn't decide when we would be born and we don't decide when we will die. God decides that.

Here's what we have input on. The dash. Just the dash. Born this year.

Died that year. Dash. That's your part.

What are you going to do with the dash? What are you going to do with the life? David said to Solomon know the God of your father. Jesus said many will come to me in that day.

The final day. The day of judgment. And they will say Lord did we not prophesy in your name? And did we not do miracles in your name? And did we not cast out demons in your name? And Jesus said I will say to them depart from me. I never knew you.

You workers of iniquity. I think there is going to be a lot of religious people on the final day that will say Lord did I not go to church in your name? And did I not try to follow rules in your name?

He says the problem was you never knew me. And that phrase that Jesus uses there means I never knew you intimately. That's what it is to be a Christian. To have an intimate relationship with God. Knock knock. Jesus. Knocking at the door of your life. Waiting for you to open it up and let them come in to be your Savior and Lord. In closing maybe I'm talking to somebody that's actually followed the course of Solomon.

Maybe I'm talking to someone that is following this course. Oh partying. That's where it's at. Possessions. That's where it's at. Sex.

That's where it's at. You're doing your own thing outside of the plan and purpose of God and I bet you're starting to come to that same conclusion that Solomon came to which was this is all empty and it's like chasing the wind. Sooner or later you'll come to your senses I hope and I hope it'll happen here where you'll say it's God. It's God I need. It's God I want and He wants a relationship with me. Jesus wants to come and live in your life and have a personal relationship with you. I know we say that a lot but then it's true. Friendship with God.

Does it get any better than that? If you would like your sin forgiven. If you would like to fill that hole in your heart you've tried to fill with all the things this world offers. If you would like to know that you go to heaven when you die you can have a change in your life by believing in Jesus right here right now. Let's pray. Father I pray for every person here every person wherever they are if they don't know you yet if they don't have this relationship with you right now let this be the moment they believe and come to you. Now while our heads are bowed and our eyes are closed and we're praying how many of you would say today Greg I want to know Jesus Christ in a personal way. I want my sin forgiven. I want to know that when I die I will go to heaven.

I want this hole in my heart filled. I want to know God. I want Christ to come into my life. If that's your desire I want you to pray this prayer out loud after me. Again pray these words out loud after me. Pray this Lord Jesus I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you're the Savior who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead. I turn from my sin now and I choose to follow you from this moment forward as my Savior and Lord as my God and friend in Jesus name I pray.

Amen. God bless each one of you that prayed that prayer. Today on A New Beginning an important prayer from Pastor Greg Laurie with those making a change in their relationship with the Lord. And if you've just prayed those words and meant them sincerely we want to first welcome you into the family of God and then we want to help you get started in living each day with the Lord. Let us send you a unique edition of God's word called The New Believer's Bible. In it Pastor Greg helps answer your questions and helps you build a solid foundation for spiritual growth. We'll send you The New Believer's Bible without charge when you call us at 1-800-821-3300. Call anytime that's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click the words know God. And Pastor Greg we're so thankful for the work God is doing through this ministry. We're touching lives for eternity and we're really thankful for our friends who see the fruit of this ministry and invest so this work can reach even further.

Isn't that right? Absolutely when you invest in Harvest Ministries you're investing in the souls of men and women boys and girls. And what is the value of a soul?

Well let me personalize it. What's the value of your soul? What's the value of the soul of your husband, your wife, your son, or your daughter, or your mom, or your dad, or your best friend?

Well I would say you probably couldn't put a price tag on it. It's so valuable. Well listen God says all souls are mine.

God loves us and sent his son to die on the cross to pay the price for all of our sin so we could be forgiven and come into a relationship with him. I can't think of a better investment of my resources of my money than in the work of the kingdom of God. So we would ask you to prayerfully consider investing in Harvest Ministries as we continue on to fulfill the Great Commission. Yeah that's right and you can make your donation right now at harvest.org or write us at A New Beginning Box 4000 Riverside California 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300 that's a 24 7 phone number 1-800-821-3300. Well next time Pastor Greg takes us to the Psalms for practical encouragement for our walk with God. The kickoff of the series Psalms of David, House of David. Join us here on A New Beginning with pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie.
Whisper: medium.en / 2024-12-02 06:03:23 / 2024-12-02 06:12:10 / 9

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