The Steps of a Good Man

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-19-2025

Psalm 37:23–26

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 37 is one of David’s wisdom psalms and is instructional in nature.  It presents a profound contrast between the righteous and the wicked, between those who trust God and those who envy evildoers.

 

B.  Verses 1-8 show a progression of trust and acceptance of God’s will and way that bring about resting in the Lord. 

 

1.  God begins this psalm with an admonition, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” 

 

2.  We often see the wicked, seemingly blessed, while we suffer hardship.  There is an old saying, “Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to evil people, but neither stays that way.”

 

C.  We find that God governs the affairs of men, and that the prosperity of the wicked is short-lived, while the righteous are preserved and guided by the Lord.

 

D.  Verses 9-22 show a stark contrast between the final outcome of the righteous and the wicked.  The righteous will be rewarded and prosper, while the wicked will not.  It pays both temporally and eternally to trust, rest, and walk with God!

 

E.  Our text shows us four things that are a reality of the life of the righteous that we will explore for a few minutes.

 

1.  Verse 23.  The Steps of the Good Man.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

 

a. The Person – “A good man”

 

1)  This “good man” is not good in himself, for “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

 

Romans 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

2)  Rather, this refers to a righteous man, one who trusts in the Lord as described in verse 3: “Trust in the LORD, and do good…”

 

3)  A good man is one made righteous by faith, walking in obedience and fellowship with God.

 

b. The Path – “Ordered by the LORD”

 

1)  The word “ordered” means established, directed, or arranged. 

 

2)  A path controlled by God.  The righteous man’s path is not random, nor guided by chance or fate. A wise and loving Lord divinely arranges every step.

 

Isaiah 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

 

Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

3)  Even the smallest details—where he walks, whom he meets, what he endures—are under God’s control.

 

c. The Pleasure – “He delighteth in his way”

 

1)  The “he” here may refer to both the Lord and the good man.  God delights in our way and the good man delights in God’s way.

 

Psalms 37:28  For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

Psalms 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

 

2)  There is mutual delight—the believer walking in step with his God, and the Lord rejoicing in His faithful servant.

 

2.  Verse 24.  The Fall and the Upholding of the Good Man. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”

 

a.  The Possibility of Falling.  The righteous man can fall, but not utterly.

 

1)  He may stumble through temptation, trial, or weakness—David himself knew that.

 

2)  Yet God’s child never falls out of grace, only within it.

 

Proverbs 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

 

b. The Preservation by God’s Hand.

 

1)  The phrase “the LORD upholdeth him with His hand” shows divine intervention and gracious preservation.

 

2)  Even when we fall, His hand is underneath us:

 

Deuteronomy 33:27  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

 

3)  God’s hand keeps His child from ruin, restores him from his fall, and sustains him in his walk.

 

3.  Verse 25.  The Testimony of the Good Man.  “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

 

a. David’s Life-long Observation. 

 

1)  David had lived a full life—shepherd, soldier, king, and psalmist—and he gives a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness.

 

2)  He had seen many things, but one thing he had never seen—a righteous man truly abandoned by God.

 

b. The Faithfulness of God.

 

1)  God never forsakes His own.

 

Psalms 37:28  For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

2)  Even in times of famine, the Lord provides.  Elijah was fed by ravens; Israel by manna; the widow of Zarephath by a barrel that never emptied.

 

c.  The Heritage of the Righteous

 

1)  David adds, “nor his seed begging bread.”  The blessing of righteousness extends beyond the individual—it reaches his children.

 

2)  God’s promise is generational:

 

Proverbs 11:21  Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

 

4.  Verse 26.  The Character of the Good Man.

 

a.  His Compassionate Spirit.

 

1)  The righteous man, being upheld and supplied by God, becomes merciful and generous toward others.

 

Psalms 41:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

 

2)  His mercy is not occasional, but constant—“ever merciful.” His generosity reflects the mercy he has received.

 

b. His Continual Blessing.

 

1)  Because of his faithfulness and kindness, “his seed is blessed.”

2)  The children of the righteous often enjoy the overflowing benefits of their parents’ faith and integrity.

3)  God delights to honor a godly lineage.

 

Conclusion: 

 

Psalm 37, as a whole, contrasts the fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the sure preservation of the righteous.

Verses 23–26 give a personal, tender look into the life of a believer under God’s care:

 

1.  His steps are ordered.

 

2.  His falls are cushioned.

 

3.  His needs are supplied.

 

4.  His seed is blessed.

 

The Good Man takes comfort:  Though the wicked may prosper for a season, the righteous are under divine direction, divine correction, divine provision, and divine preservation.

The Mysteries of God

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-7-2025

1 Corinthians 2:6-14

 

Introduction:  As we read our text, we find that there are two classes of people seen in these verses: saved and unsaved.  Those who understand the revealed mysteries of the Bible are the saved, and those who not only do not understand, but cannot understand, are the unsaved.

 

A.  In our text, in verse 6, we find the word “wisdom,” and in verse 7, we find the word “mystery.” 

 

1.  These two words are tied together.  Here is the tie: the wisdom of God has been, to this point, a mystery.  The third word that defines mystery is “hidden.”

 

2.  A biblical mystery is not something that we must investigate to understand.  Sherlock Holmes could never find out what the mystery was through his investigative prowess.  “Mystery” means to close the mouth, or something not previously said, a silence imposed. 

 

3.  When “mystery” is used, it is always followed by a vocal answer to explain it.  A “mystery” is a biblical truth not yet revealed.  Though it is a mystery to the world, according to verse 6, it is understood by the mature believer. 

 

4.  That which was silent could not be known through world investigation but became known to the believer through the Scriptures.

 

B.  However, Paul never used it in that way. Rather, that which had been silent has now become vocal. That which had not been known and could not be known by human investigation is now made known through the revelation of Scripture.

 

C. Some things remain hidden or a mystery because it is not time to be revealed.

 

Deuteronomy 29:29  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

 

Ephesians 3:1-5  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,  (2)  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  (3)  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  (4)  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  (5)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

 

D.  We often misinterpret verse 9 by applying it to the children of God who have not seen, heard, or even thought of what God has prepared for them. While that may be a right application to some degree, it is not the correct interpretation of verse 9.

 

 

E.  Verses 10-13 clarify this by saying that the children of God know these truths through the teaching of the Holy Spirit and the illumination of the Word of God, while these same truths remain a mystery to the world.

 

1.  We have seen the New Heaven, the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem through the Spirit of God and the Bible.

 

2.  We have heard with our ears about this wonderful place called heaven.

 

3. These blessed truths of the Bible have taken root in our hearts as we have meditated on and envisioned what God has said in the Bible.

 

F.  The contextual interpretation indicates that the world knows nothing about what God has prepared for His children. Consider the preceding verses 6-8. 

 

G.  Verse 14.  The natural man has no understanding of spiritual things.

 

1.  The natural man will not receive the things of God because they are foolishness to them.  Why?  Because he/she refuses the truth of God’s Word.  They want no part of it and will never have any part of it.  Their refusal is willful.

 

2.  The natural man cannot discern the things of God because they are spiritually discerned.  The natural man does not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to aid in understanding.  These things are discerned spiritually, not physically.

 

Matthew 11:15  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

 

Paul’s words imply that although everyone has ears to hear in the physical realm, not everyone has spiritual ears and understanding to listen and take in things of a spiritual nature.

 

H.  Why the natural man cannot understand the mysteries of God.

 

1.  Natural Man Is Spiritually Dead - Ephesians 2:1-3  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

John 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

 

2.  The Natural Man Has Not The Spirit Of God - Isaiah 11:2-3  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

 

Romans 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

 

3.  The Natural Man Is Blinded By Satan - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

a.  Blinded By The Cares Of This World - Mark 4:18-19  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,   And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

 

Isaiah 56:11  Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

 

b.  Blinded By Self - Ephesians 4:17-20  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  But ye have not so learned Christ;

 

c.  Blinded by Sin - Daniel 12:9-10  And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

 

Romans 1:28-32  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 

4.  They Have No Understanding Because They Do Not Seek After God - Psalms 14:2  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

 

Romans 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

 

5.  They Fail To Understand God’s Word - Matthew 13:14-15  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

 

Acts 8:30-31  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

 

1 Timothy 1:7  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

 

6.  They Fail To Understand Man’s Depravity And God’s Righteousness - Matthew 15:16-20  And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?  Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

 

7.  They Fail To Understand God’s Peace - Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

a.  Peace In The Storms Of Life - Mark 4:39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

 

b.  Peace In The Sorrows Of Life - John 16:20  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

 

8.  They Fail To Understand The Will Of The Lord - Ephesians 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

a.  God’s Will In Salvation - Galatians 1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

 

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

b.  God’s Will In Sanctification - 1 Thessalonians 4:3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

 

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

c.  God’s Will In Service - Acts 13:36  For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

 

9.  They Fail To Understand The Judgment Of God - Proverbs 28:5  Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

 

10.  They Fail To Understand Israel, God’s Chosen People - Micah 4:11-12  Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.  But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

 

11.  They Fail To Understand Our Relationship With Christ - 1 John 5:20  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

 

12.  They Fail To Understand God’s Inheritance - Ephesians 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

 

13.  They Fail to Understand The Unsearchable Riches Of Christ - Ephesians 3:3-9  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

The Infinite Wisdom of God

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-9-2025

1 Corinthians 1:17-31

 

Introduction: 

 

1. In our recent theological study of God over the past few Sundays, we have explored His omniscience—His all-knowing nature—and His omnipotence in power—His all-powerful capability.

 

2. Because God knows everything and can do anything, it is wise for us to submit to His wisdom and His ability to act rightly. Tonight, I would like to focus on one aspect of God's omniscience: His wisdom.

 

A.  In our text, the wisdom of God is contrasted with the wisdom of man. Wisdom involves the rightful application of knowledge, and godly wisdom critiques human wisdom, especially when it seeks to dismiss God.

 

1. Humanity possesses extensive knowledge and the wisdom to make certain things work, but humans are neither omniscient nor omnipotent.  There are things we do not know and cannot do.

 

2.  To God, human wisdom is foolish when one rejects the things that can be known about Him.  Because of this rejection, God’s wisdom becomes foolishness to humans.

 

2 Timothy 3:7-9  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (8)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  (9)  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 

 

3.  Men possess great knowledge; however, within that knowledge, they often resist the truth of God and become fools.

 

B.  Wisdom is defined as accumulated knowledge or enlightenment, utilizing expertise and experience with common sense and insight, and being prudent and sensible. By my definition, wisdom is the right application of knowledge.

 

C. One of the attributes of God is omniscience.  

 

1.  Omniscience comes from two words meaning “all” and “knowledge.”  The state of having infinite knowledge.  As Dr. B. R. Lakin said, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” 

 

Isaiah 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 

2.  God knows everything about everything!  He knows the end from the beginning because He is on both sides of time.  I AM THAT I AM declares that God has no time and lives in an eternal moment.  He sees the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end.

 

Revelation 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

 

D. There is a difference between having knowledge and having wisdom. 

 

1.  Many men of our time have had great intellect and extensive education and have died without Christ!  That is the most foolish thing that I can think of.   “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God!” 

 

2.  To see nature and deny a Creator is foolishness.  To witness the universe and deny a Creator is sheer foolishness. Figures like Confucius, who have left a legacy of worldly wisdom, denied Christ, died lost, and are in hell today.  That is the ultimate folly!

 

E. God not only has all knowledge, He also has all wisdom!  God’s knowledge and wisdom are far above that of the smartest and wisest of men.

 

Revelation 7:12  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Isaiah 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (Notice the analogy here: “as the heavens are higher than the earth.”)

 

F. When I think of the wisdom of man, I think of Solomon.

 

1 Kings 4:30-34  And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.  31  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.  32  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.  33  And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.  34  And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.  (Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived!)

 

G. Yet, the Bible declares that Christ was wiser than Solomon!

 

Matthew 12:42  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

 

Romans 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

 

1. The Wisdom Of God Penned Down In The Bible – Proverbs 1:1-5  The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;  2  To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;  3  To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;  4  To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.  5  A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

 

Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

2 Peter 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;  (There has never been a book like this one.  You can live by it and be glad you did!  You can trust it and find it true!  You can learn from it and find it both factual in its truth and perfect in its detail!  What a Bible!  What Wisdom!)

 

2. The Wisdom Of God Previewed In Creation - Genesis 1:31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

 

Proverbs 3:19  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

 

Psalms 19:1-4  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  2  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  3  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  4  Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun.  (God created in wisdom!  It was and is still very good – so good that He has never had to change or correct anything in the heavens or the earth.  All was created perfectly and remains perfectly unchanged.  All of earth and space remain in perfect harmony!  What a wise God we serve!)

 

3. The Wisdom Of God Personified In Jesus Christ - Proverbs 8:1, 22   Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?...The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

 

1 Corinthians 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

 

Colossians 2:2-3  That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;  3  In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  (Jesus Christ did not have wisdom, He was Wisdom!  He never said a wrong word, did a wrong deed, think a wrong thought, or give a wrong advice!  He was all wise!)

 

4. The Wisdom Of God Performed In Salvation - 1 Corinthians 1:17  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

 

1 Corinthians 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

 

Ephesians 1:6-10  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

 

Ephesians 3:8-11  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,  11  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:  (God came to us in grace and mercy.  Thank the Lord for His perfectly free salvation!)

 

5. The Wisdom Of God Personalized In Justification - 1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

 

1 Corinthians 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

 

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  (God knew what we were.  God knew what we needed.  God knew that we could not maintain our salvation.  It was perfected in wisdom!)

 

6. The Wisdom Of God Perfected In Eternity – 1 Corinthians 2:9-10  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

 

Psalms 31:19-20  Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!  20  Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

 

Hebrews 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

 

Revelation 21:1-5  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  4  And God shall wipe away allgod tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.  (A perfect place prepared for a perfected people!  I promise you, you will never be disappointed in Heaven!)