Maybe you've heard the Lynyrd Skynyrd song, "Simple Man". The theme of the song is a mother pleading with her son to not forget what she has told him. She wants him to remember the simple things in life as the central things. Lyrics: ""Mama told me when I was young, Come sit beside me, my only son. Listen closely to what I say, and if you do this, it will help you some sunny day. --Take your time, don't live to fast, troubles will come and they will pass. You'll find a woman and you'll find love. And don't forget that there is someone up above. --Forget your lust for the rich man's gold. All that you need is in your soul. --And you can do this if you try, all that I want for you my son is to be satisfied." "And be a simple kind of man, oh won't you do this for me son, if you can." Written by: Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington This passage in Proverbs 1:20-33 helps us today to show us the call of wisdom- to LISTEN and LEARN to respond to it. "Wisdom is everywhere, yet it is found in someone." Wisdom, a definition: The skill of Godly living so that a life of lasting value is produced. Wisdom is results from the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the Lord is a reliance upon God; the realization that we were created to be wholly dependent recognizing the obligation we have in delighting in the God who created us for his glory. It is the whole of life through the eyes of the Creator. We see wisdom in this passage personified as a lady. She represents a personification of a right relationship to a God who knows all things. LISTEN: - Listen to Her Calling (Vv. 20-23) - She is vocal. She shouts out to everyone, "Be wise! Do the right thing! Do exactly what you should do!" - Wisdom is not hard to find. It is intentional and it is everywhere. The problem, however is that not everyone who hears it heeds it. People willingly reject it. It calls loudly to us to fear the God who created us, but we have made a habit of ignoring that call. - Listen to Her Critique (Vv. 24-32) - She publicly and directly confronts: 1. The simple 2. The mockers 3. The fools Observe wisdom's attitude toward those who do not know the fear of the Lord. She... - calls (v. 24) - stretches out her hand (v. 24b) - Offers her counsel (v. 25) - corrects (v. 25b) Observe the contrasting attitudes of sinful people. They... - refuse her (v. 24a) - pay no attention to her (v. 24b) - ignore her counsel (v. 25a) - refuse to accept her urgent, loving correction (v. 25b) Our problem is that we look for answers to our problem in all the places except where God has already reached out and provided an answer for us. - Listen to Her Comfort (v. 33) - We can lay claim on the promise that has been proclaimed by Lady Wisdom by listening. In Proverbs, Lady Wisdom called out and no one turned. In the Gospel, Jesus, the one who Isaiah (ch. 11) said would be filled with the Spirit of God's wisdom did more than callout to us. He came down for us. Jesus' message doesn't call for us to do better or try harder, instead Jesus grabs the heart of the sinner and brings us back to the cross. If you want this heart change it requires a turning which only Jesus can do. A turning which might seem painful because it admits what you have rejected your whole life. But if you would be changed by this Jesus and turn by the power of his grace away from your sins and towards the God who redeemed you, then you will finally find peace and dwell securely. LEARN: - Learn the Tendency of Human Nature - Learn the Tenderness God Has for the Wayward - Learn That the Time to Respond is Long but Limited