December 15, 2024 The Way of Wisdom: Annual Children's Christmas Program | 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34; Luke 1:11-17

Today for the third Sunday of Lent, our children are leading us through their Christmas play. We will reflect on 1 Kings 3:4-15; Matthew 2:9-12; and Philippians 2:6-11, The Way of Wisdom. Solomon is king and God comes to him in a dream and tells him to ask him for anything he wants God to give him. Solomon chooses wisdom! Wisdom is found in recognizing who Jesus is and in imitating Jesus in his humility and obedience to God.

Transcript

The Way of Wisdom
1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34; Luke 1:11-17

Thank you, children, for telling us all about Jesus’ birth and how he came to die to wash away our sin when we believe in him. This morning we’re looking at another dream that also teaches us more about who Jesus is. Do you remember King Solomon? King Solomon ruled over Israel and during his reign there were no wars, he was a king of peace. Later on, people longed for the Messiah who was going to bring peace and the kingdom of heaven. Solomon’s name even means peace. Solomon built a beautiful temple where the priests would offer sacrifices to God and teach the people about God. King Solomon was also known for his great wisdom and learning, lots of people came to visit him to learn from him, this reminds me of when Jesus is 12 years old and the rabbis are amazed at his knowledge. When Jesus is older, lots of really smart people like Pharisees and Sadducees also came to learn from Jesus, like Nicodemus.
When Solomon first becomes king, God comes to him in a dream and offers Solomon anything he wants! “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” Solomon asks God for wisdom because he knows being king is going to be really hard. God’s very happy with Solomon’s choice; that Solomon knows that he needs God to give him wisdom to be a great king for God. He asks to be able to know right from wrong and to rule with wisdom and justice. He asks for the things we hope to see in our rulers; for the qualities that only Jesus has perfectly. God gives Solomon the gift of wisdom and he becomes known around the world for his wisdom.
The Bible teaches that wisdom is very important. There’s a whole book focused just on wisdom in the Bible called Proverbs, lots of them written by Solomon. In the Bible, God tells his people they have to choose between following him or idols, and when Jesus comes, to choose Jesus or reject him. In Proverbs 2, Solomon teaches us that there are two paths we can take: the path that leads to death and the path that leads to life. Jesus teaches us the same thing in Matthew 7 when he tells us to, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Wisdom is choosing to follow the path that Jesus has made for us. 
The Apostle Paul shows us that Jesus is our wisdom, now this is a bit more for those a little older than you are, but you will learn it as you grow older. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength…. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 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.”  
There’s a lot of talk about intelligence today, about being smart, but little talk about wisdom. Wisdom’s often seen as an old-fashioned concept. That’s because biblical wisdom is about knowing how to live well with others, with God, and with ourselves. There’s humbleness in wisdom, a willingness to listen and to learn from each other that is not often evident today. People looking for wisdom today are told to find wisdom by trying new things, pushing yourself past your comfort zone, talking to people you normally wouldn't talk to, being open-minded and reserve judgment, finding a mentor, and never hesitating to ask for help when you need it. 
Instead of what we can do, Paul reminds us that Jesus has become our wisdom from God, wisdom that is rooted in finding our righteousness, holiness, and redemption in Jesus through his birth, life, death and resurrection to fulfill God’s plans and promises to overthrow Satan’s power and influence over us, washing away our sin to restore our relationship with God; this is God’s wisdom! Jesus told the people in Matthew 6: 33 to "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Solomon’s dream calls us to choose wisdom, wisdom rooted in Jesus and trust in God’s plan, walking the path that leads to life. Will you choose the way of wisdom?