WISE FOOLS (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Figures of speech add much color to language.

1.      Without figurative language, sermons and articles would be cold and lifeless.

2.      The title of our lesson this morning, “Wise Fools,” involves a figure of speech called an oxymoron.

a.      An oxymoron contains two conflicting notions.

b.      In other words, contradictory terms are used in conjunction with one another.

3.      Wise Fools

a.      If one is wise, he is not a fool.

b.      If one is a fool, he is not wise.

c.       These are fools who are wise in their own eyes.

1)      If you asked them if they are wise, they would answer in the affirmative.

2)      Yet, God looks upon them as fools.  In fact, God’s Word labels them as fools.

 

B.     Romans 1:22 could be considered a key verse for this lesson.

 

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

 

1.      Paul is writing about the Gentiles.

2.      They looked upon themselves as wise men.  God looked upon them as fools.

3.      Wise fools have always existed, and they still exist today.

4.      We will look at some Bible examples of wise fools and some wise fools who are living today.

 

I.             THE CONCEITED

 

A.     Definition:  an excessively favorable opinion of self

 

B.     Proverbs 26:12

 

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?  there is more hope of a fool than of him.

 

C.     Conceit goes all the way back to the wicked one himself.

1.      Isaiah 14:12-15 deals with the king of Babylon.  Ezekiel 28:11-19 deals with the king of Tyre.

2.      Both of these kings were lifted up with pride and arrogance.

3.      The terms used to describe these men, however, seem to come from an event that happened long ago in the eternal realm:  fallen from heaven, above the throne of God, like the most high, anointed cherub, perfect in thy ways, thine heart was lifted up, thou shalt be brought down to hell, and I will cast thee to the ground.

4.      The heart, the rebellion, and the fall of Satan could be likened unto these two kings.

5.      Isaiah 14:13-14

 

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:  I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

 

D.     There are many conceited individuals in our world today.

1.      Leaders of nations, actors and actresses, sports figures, and even religious leaders.

2.      These individuals are talented.  They have accomplished much in their fields of endeavor.

3.      Their talents and accomplishments often “go to their heads.”

a.      They develop excessive opinions of themselves.

b.      They flaunt over one another.

c.       They want to rule over others.

d.      They come to believe that they are experts in all fields in every area of life.

e.      They put themselves on display.  They demand to be heard.  If you reject their message, you become their enemy.

 

E.      These individuals think they are wise, but God sees them as fools and will bring them down.

1.      Satan and his angels were cast down (2 Pet. 2:4).

2.      The king of Babylon:  “Yet shalt thou be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit” (Isa. 14:15).

3.      The king of Tyre:  “I will cast thee down to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee” (Ezek. 28:17).

4.      King Herod was eaten by worms (Acts 12:23).

5.      The Jewish nation was defeated and the temple was brought to ruins by the armies of Titus.

 

II.           THE RICH

 

A.     It is not wrong or sinful to be rich (Ex., Abraham).

 

B.     However, the Bible warns that there are dangers that face those who are abundantly supplied with resources, funds, and means (Prov. 28:11).

 

The rich man is wise in his own conceits.

 

C.     Rich man can be considered wise.

1.      They have the ability to amass great wealth.

2.      They know how to build businesses.

3.      They know how to assess risks.

4.      They know about real estate, banking, and investments.

5.      They are cognizant of tax codes.

6.      They know how to negotiate.

7.      They have built special relationships with people in power.

8.      They know how to save money.

9.      Most of them could lose their wealth today and within a few months or years be millionaires again.

D.     The rich can also manifest themselves as fools.

1.      They trust in their riches.

2.      They believe their riches make them self-sufficient.

3.      They believe their wealth makes them powerful.

4.      They believe their wealth protects them.

5.      They believe their wealth can purchase them anything they desire.

6.      They believe their riches make them knowledgeable in all areas of life.

7.      They believe their treasures give them the right to rule over others.

8.      They believe their wealth gives them the power to change minds, laws, rulers, and, even, history itself.

 

E.      They have not learned the warning from Jesus (Luke 12:15).

 

Take heed, and beware of covetousness:  for a man’s life consiseth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

 

1.      Wealth is a tool, but it is not God.

2.      Wealth is a blessing, but it is not the Fount of Blessings.

3.      Wealth is temporal, but it is not eternal.

 

F.      1 Timothy 6:17-19

 

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

 

1.      The rich can become proud and arrogant.

2.      The rich can trust in their riches rather than trusting in God.

3.      The rich can forget that the purpose of their riches is good works.

4.      They rich can forget that there is a time to come, that is, a life beyond this one.

 

G.     It is not easy for the rich to guard their hearts against their riches (Ex., the rich man who came to Jesus, Matt. 19:16-22).

1.      “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (v. 16).

a.      He asked the right question.

b.      He asked the right question to the correct individual.

c.       NOTE:  He asked it of him who possesses all riches, physical and spiritual.

2.      “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?  There is none good but one, that is, God:  but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” (v. 17).

3.      The young men knew there were many, so he asks:  “Which?” (v. 18).

4.      Jesus lists six commands in His response (vs. 18-19).

5.      The young man affirmed he had kept all of these, then asked:  “What lack I yet?” (v. 20).

6.      Jesus had omitted one from the list found in the Ten Commandments that pertains to man’s responsibilities to others.

a.      He did not list:  “Thou shalt not covet” (Exo. 20:17).

b.      Jesus brought this command into the man’s life by means of a test (v. 21).

 

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:  and come and follow me.

 

7.      The young man had a covetous heart.  Could he obey the command?  Could he give up his riches?  (See Matt. 19:22).

 

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:  for he had great possessions.

 

8.      Prior to this last response by the rich man, we would have believed he was very wise.  Yet, when Jesus asked him to give up his riches, he became a fool.  His possessions were more important to him than eternal life.

 

H.     Wealth has created more than one wise fool. 

1.      It appears to be something it is not.

2.      It makes promises it cannot keep.

3.      It causes individuals to commit idolatry (Col. 3:5).

4.      It keeps the heart focused on things on the earth instead of things above.

5.      It causes men to trust in uncertain riches rather than trusting in God.

 

I.        When smart, talented, and otherwise good men hold on to their wealth instead of possessing a relationship with Jesus, they fall into the category of wise fools.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Wise fools are not really wise. 

 

B.     True wisdom helps an individual.  It does not harm him.

True wisdom matures an individual.  It does not maim him.

True wisdom elevates an individual.  It does not endanger him.

True wisdom protects an individual.  It does not pommel him.

True wisdom delivers an individual.  It does not destroy him.

 

C.     Wise fools need to “wise up.”  If they do not, their “wisdom” will be exposed for the foolishness that it really is (Matt. 7:26-27).

 

And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:  and great was the fall of it.