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Sermon Introduction

As believers, the gospel should be the center of our lives. By grace, we should live it and proclaim it. The gospel wrote eternity in our hearts, and that will never change. However, we live on earth, which means that we must deal with earthly things. Earthly things like work, marriage, planning, and wealth are temporal concepts, yet the word of God instructs us to act wisely. While on earth, we should model the wisdom of the word. It is not a pleasant sight to see professing Christians make many regrettable mistakes because they did not listen to godly counsel and instruction.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Proverbs 12:15 ESV

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
     but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 15:22 ESV

22 Without counsel plans fail,
     but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
     that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Notes

As believers, the gospel should be the center of our lives. By grace, we should live it and proclaim it. The gospel wrote eternity in our hearts, and that will never change. However, we live on earth, which means that we must deal with earthly things. Earthly things like work, marriage, planning, and wealth are temporal concepts, yet the word of God instructs us to act wisely. While on earth, we should model the wisdom of the word. It is not a pleasant sight to see professing Christians make many regrettable mistakes because they did not listen to godly counsel and instruction.

1. Fool or Wise?

   Fools think their way is right, directly contrasting with the wise person. The wise person listens to advise, which the fool often does not do. The way of wisdom leads people to listen to advice.
   
   15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
        but a wise man listens to advice (Prov. 12:15).
   
   

2. Many Advisers

   One way to fail is not listening to counsel. The fool ignores those who can give wise counsel. However, the one who listens to many advisers will succeed. The more angles, the better for assessment and decision-making.
   
   22 Without counsel plans fail,
        but with many advisers they succeed (Prov. 15:22).
   
   

3. Wisdom for the Future

   One must gain as much advice and instruction as possible, which helps for a better future. People who neglect advice and instruction are less prepared for the future. But the knowledge gained today will benefit one for a lifetime.
   
   20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
        that you may gain wisdom in the future (Prov. 19:20).
   
   

Application

1. Do not be a fool

   Let us avoid foolish confidence, which assumes that we are often correct. Instead, let us listen to advise. Let us seek advice from godly people who are knowledgeable. Yet our final authority is the word of God.
   
   

2. More Good Advisers

   Lessen the possibility of failure by seeking wise advice. The failure to listen to wise advise is foolishness. In fact, it is better to listen to increase the number of wise advisers. It shows us more angles of a situation.
   
   

3. Improve the Future

   We should listen to advise. Moreover, we should listen to instructions. If we apply this, we will gain wisdom, which benefits us as long as we live. Let us never make a significant decision without listening to advice.
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. Describe the fool. In what ways do we act like a fool?

2. Why should we listen to wise advise?

3. What is the result of gaining advice and instruction?