Wisdom-Trek ‪©‬ H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III

Welcome to Day 2394 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Day 2394 – How to Shock an Unbelieving Crowd 4:1-6 – Daily Wisdom
Putnam Church Message – 06/02/2024

Our Strange Life – How to Shock an Unbelieving Crowd.

1 Peter 4:1-6

Last week, we explored the importance of being a faithful Christ Follower and the necessity of public baptism for Focusing Fully on Jesus Christ.

Today, we focus on the attitude that we, as Christ's Followers, should have and on the possibility that our lives may shock the unbelieving crowd.

Today’s passage is 1 Peter 4:1-6, on page 1890 of your Pew Bibles.

 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Throughout the New Testament, we read of the changed life that follows genuine conversion. When God freely and fully forgives the sins of our former life|when the righteousness of Christ is credited to our account |and the Spirit of God takes up residence in our hearts|then the old things pass away, and all things become new (2 Cor. 5:17). This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! The lifelong process of transformation begins. This radical series of changes alters our attitudes, inner motives, habits, and pursuits, as well as our choice of close friends.

As far back as the first century, Peter wrote of all these things. Though almost two thousand years separate us from Peter’s original audience, there isn’t a Christian today who can't identify with the apostle’s words. Written for a particular time, they are nevertheless timeless. They speak with incredible relevance today, especially his comments regarding the reaction of those who don't know the Lord. In this section, Peter reminds us that because our citizenship is in heaven, the current world isn’t our true home in its current form until Jesus transforms it into a Global Eden upon his return. We're representatives, yes, Ambassadors of a different kingdom. And like foreign tourists visiting another country, we may be the only way people get a picture of what God's kingdom is like. As a result, unbelievers today will either be attracted or repelled by our heavenly home.

-4:1-3-

With the logical conjunction “therefore," Peter is saying in shorthand, “Now, in light of everything I have just written about Christ, I’m going to present you with some practical conclusions.” In the previous...

Welcome to Day 2393 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2393

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2393 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 from the New Living Translation. In these verses, Solomon offers profound insights into the principles of generosity, the unpredictability of life, and the importance of diligent work. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (NLT):

1 Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you.

2 But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.

3 When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls.

4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.

6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.

The Principle of Generosity and Investment:

Solomon begins this passage with a powerful metaphor about generosity and investment: “Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you” (verse 1). This suggests that we should not be afraid to take risks and invest our resources, whether they be financial, time, or talents. By putting our resources out into the world, we open up the possibility of future returns. It’s a call to action, encouraging us to be proactive and forward-thinking.

In verse 2, Solomon advises, “But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.” This introduces the principle of diversification. As wise investors spread their investments to mitigate risk, we should diversify our efforts and resources. This means not putting all our eggs in one basket but spreading out our resources to increase the chances of success and minimize potential losses.

These verses teach us about the importance of generosity and strategic investment. By being generous and wise with our resources, we create opportunities for growth and future returns. It’s about taking calculated risks and being open to the possibilities that come from sharing what we have with the world.

The Unpredictability of Life:

Solomon then addresses the unpredictability of life in verse 3: “When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls.” This verse reminds us that certain events in life...

Welcome to Day 2392 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 10:15-20 Daily Wisdom
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2392

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2392 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. We’ll be examining Ecclesiastes 10:15-20 from the New Living Translation. In these verses, Solomon provides us with deep insights into the consequences of foolishness and the importance of wisdom in leadership, work, and speech. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover Solomon’s timeless truths.

Ecclesiastes 10:15-20 (NLT):

15 Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can’t even find their way home.

16 What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders feast in the morning.

17 Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.

18 Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house.

19 A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!

20 Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don’t make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said.

The Futility of Foolishness:

Solomon begins this section with a poignant observation about the nature of foolishness: “Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can’t even find their way home” (verse 15). This verse paints a vivid picture of the ineffectiveness and incompetence of foolish people. They are overwhelmed by even the smallest tasks, to the point where they become disoriented and incapable of completing simple actions like finding their way home.

This highlights the futility and lack of productivity that characterize foolishness. It serves as a reminder that wisdom involves not just knowing what to do, but having the capacity and determination to see tasks through to completion. The wise person approaches work with diligence and perseverance, ensuring that their efforts yield results rather than leaving them lost and exhausted.

Wise Leadership vs. Foolish Leadership:

In verses 16 and 17, Solomon contrasts the impact of wise and foolish leadership on a nation: “What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders feast in the morning. Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.”

A nation suffers under leaders who behave foolishly, indulging in feasting and revelry at inappropriate times. Morning feasting, in this context, implies a lack of discipline and a neglect of responsibilities. Such behavior from leaders leads to sorrow and instability for the land they govern. This could be interpreted as leaders prioritizing their own pleasure over their

Welcome to Day 2391 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – A Tale of Courage We Never Teach – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2391

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2391 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

 

Today is the Eighth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church.

The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today, our lesson is A Tale of Courage We Never Teach.

Moses’ encounter with God in Exodus 4:21-26 is arguably one of the strangest, most confusing events recorded in the Bible. In this passage, Moses is en route to Egypt—seemingly following God’s call to deliver the Israelites from Pharaoh’s vice-like grip. But then something shocking happens:

21 And the Lord told Moses, “When you arrive back in Egypt, go to Pharaoh and perform all the miracles I have empowered you to do. But I will harden his heart so he will refuse to let the people go. 22 Then you will tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son. 23 I commanded you, “Let my son go, so he can worship me.” But since you have refused, I will now kill your firstborn son!’”

24 On the way to Egypt, at a place where Moses and his family had stopped for the night, the Lord confronted him and was about to kill him. 25 But Moses’ wife, Zipporah, took a flint knife and circumcised her son. She touched his feet[a] with the foreskin and said, “Now you are a bridegroom of blood to me.” 26 (When she said “a bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.) After that, the Lord left him alone.

This passage is not only difficult and confusing, but it raises numerous questions. Why would God want to kill Moses right after calling him to deliver Israel? In addition to this theological conundrum, there are other uncertainties. We’re startled and confused when Zipporah, Moses’ wife (Exod 2:21), deals with this threat by immediately circumcising her son Gershom and touching the foreskin to Moses’ “feet.” What does that mean? And why would her action appease God’s wrath?

Doing the Wrong Thing: Moses’ Negligence

If we look at the original Hebrew text of this passage, we would notice that the name Moses does not actually appear in the phrase translated as “touched Moses’ feet.” The text literally reads, “touched his feet.” Consequently,...

Welcome to Day 2390 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 10:8-14 Daily Wisdom
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2390

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2390 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we continue our journey through the profound insights of Ecclesiastes. We’ll be diving into Ecclesiastes 10:8-14 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer practical advice on the consequences of foolish actions, the importance of wisdom in work, and the impact of our words. Let’s set out on this trek together and uncover the wisdom that Solomon shares with us.

Ecclesiastes 10:8-14 (NLT):

8 When you dig a well, you might fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake.

9 When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax.

10 Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

11 If a snake bites before you charm it, what’s the use of being a snake charmer?

12 Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words.

13 Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness;

14 they chatter on and on. No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future.

The Consequences of Foolish Actions:

Solomon begins this passage by highlighting the inherent dangers in everyday activities. In verses 8 and 9, he says, “When you dig a well, you might fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake. When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax.” These verses illustrate that many tasks we undertake come with risks. Whether it’s digging, demolishing, quarrying, or chopping wood, each activity carries the potential for harm.

This serves as a reminder to approach our work with caution and awareness. While we can’t eliminate all risks, we can mitigate them by being mindful of the dangers and taking appropriate precautions. Wisdom in our work means understanding the risks and preparing adequately to avoid unnecessary harm.

The Importance of Wisdom in Work:

In verse 10, Solomon shifts to the importance of wisdom in making our efforts more effective: “Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.” This analogy of a dull ax emphasizes that working harder isn’t always the solution; working smarter is. A sharp ax makes the task of chopping wood easier and more efficient, just as wisdom makes our efforts more productive and less strenuous.

Applying wisdom in our work means seeking the most effective methods and tools, planning carefully, and being prepared. It’s about making decisions that maximize our...

Welcome to Day 2389 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Day 2389 – OUR STRANGE LIFE – FOCUSING FULLY ON JESUS CHRIST 1 PETER 3:8-17 – Daily Wisdom
Putnam Church Message – 05/26/2024

Our Strange Life – Focusing Fully on Jesus Christ

1 Peter 3:18-22

Last week, we moved forward with our overall submission theme as we learned how to have A Righteous Life and a Ready Defense utilizing the nine maturity checkpoints of our Christian faith.

Today, we switch the focus of why we,| as Christ Followers,| may suffer for our faith to the One who suffered all for us in a message titled, Focusing Fully on Jesus Christ.

Today’s passage is 1 Peter 3:18-22, on page 1890 of your Pew Bibles.

 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

This passage of 1 Peter 3:18-22 is one of the most challenging passages to translate and interpret. Let’s look at this passage, focusing on its context to help us better grasp its content.

— 3:18 —

This section begins in the middle of a paragraph, a larger unit of Peter’s thought and argument. In the previous section, Peter referred to the believer’s appropriate response to unjust suffering (3:14-17). Believers who conduct their lives virtuously (3:8-12) sometimes incur unfair treatment as a result (3:14). Peter makes his point clear in 3:17: Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! At this point in the paragraph, Peter turns our attention to Christ, who exemplified unjust punishment. In 3:18-22, Christ alone is the focus of our attention.

Peter outlines in summary fashion the significant movements of Christ from His suffering and death on our behalf (3:18) to His resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God (3:21-22). Sandwiched between the familiar recounting of Christ’s death and resurrection, we find a few brief statements about what Christ did amid His descent (3:19-20) and how we publicly associate ourselves with Christ’s death and resurrection...