https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1500519-the-crown-season-3-episode-2-(wisdom)
The Crown Season 3 Episode 2: Wisdom - Sermon Summary
This sermon explores the biblical account of King Solomon's request for wisdom, drawing from 1 Kings 3:4-14 as the central text. The message is part of "The Crown" series, focusing on the third king of Israel and the profound choice he made when God offered him anything he desired.
The Divine Offer
The sermon begins with Solomon's journey to Gibeon, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings. In a dream, God appeared to Solomon with an extraordinary proposition: "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." This moment represents every person's fantasy—the blank check, the unlimited wish, the ultimate opportunity. Yet Solomon's response reveals the depth of his character and understanding of true leadership.
Solomon's Wise Choice
Rather than requesting personal gain, Solomon asked for "a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong." This request pleased God so much that He not only granted wisdom but also added wealth and honor as bonuses. The sermon challenges listeners to examine their own hearts: what would they truly ask for if given the same opportunity?
Understanding Wisdom
The message defines wisdom through two key aspects. First, wisdom is the ability to lead others well. Everyone leads in some capacity—whether as parents, employees, students, or community members. People observe our lives and decide whether they want to follow our example. True wisdom enables us to lead others toward peace, hope, and joy. Second, wisdom involves recognizing the distinction between right and wrong. In a world that increasingly blurs moral lines, Solomon understood that some paths lead to life while others lead to death.
The Process of Gaining Wisdom
The sermon emphasizes that wisdom must be actively sought. The word "ask" appears six times in the biblical passage, highlighting that wisdom doesn't come accidentally. James 1:5-8 reinforces this principle, promising that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask in faith. The preacher stresses that we must be intentional about pursuing wisdom rather than passively hoping it will develop.
God's Generous Nature
Another key theme is God's willingness to give. The word "give" appears five times in the passage, demonstrating that God is not stingy but generous. Many people mistakenly view God as withholding or demanding self-reliance, but the biblical narrative shows a God who delights in blessing His people. This generous nature extends particularly to wisdom, which God eagerly wants to provide for every area of life—business, family, work, and ministry.
The Path to Wisdom
The sermon outlines three essential steps to gaining wisdom. First, we must acknowledge our need for it. Like Solomon, who called himself "only a little child" despite being an adult king, we must recognize our inadequacy for life's challenges. This humility is echoed in Jesus' teaching about becoming like children to enter God's kingdom.
Second, we must understand wisdom's immense value. Proverbs 3:13-18 describes wisdom as more profitable than silver, more valuable than gold, and more precious than rubies. Wisdom helps us make optimal life choices, navigate difficulties with grace and hope, and maintain proper perspective during both challenging and blessed times.
Finally, true wisdom begins with "the fear of the Lord." This represents merging our hearts, souls, and minds with God's perspective. When we align ourselves with God's character and values, we can bring life to ourselves and positively impact the world around us.
Personal Application
The sermon concludes with a challenging question: "What do I want? What is my vision for my life?" Solomon's choice reveals his priorities and values. His desire for wisdom above all else demonstrates a heart aligned with God's purposes. The message invites each listener to examine their own deepest desires and consider whether they reflect the wisdom and character that God wants to develop in their lives.
This powerful biblical narrative serves as both inspiration and challenge, encouraging believers to prioritize wisdom above material gain and to actively seek God's guidance in becoming the kind of people others would want to follow.