Gifts of The Spirit Gift of Wisdom, Gift of Knowledge

BEYOND THE SERMON

Gifts of the Spirit

Message 2: The Gift of Wisdom, The Gift of Knowledge

Pastor Rod Meyers  •  Covington Community Church  •  Key texts: 1 Corinthians 12:8; James 1:5-8; Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

 

Message Overview

There is an ocean of knowledge, and we have teacup brains. That was Pastor Rod's father's saying, and it explains why the first two gifts on Paul's list are such a treasure. God holds infinite wisdom — every experience, every fact, every situation — and our brains could never take a full download of it. So He gives it the way we can receive it: a timely word of wisdom for a particular situation, a word of knowledge that brings understanding when we need it. Derek Prince put it this way: we can only receive a piece of these gifts, because the whole of them is God Himself.

This message defines the two gifts of revelation that head the list in 1 Corinthians 12:8, sums up how each works, and walks through two biblical character studies — Solomon and Daniel — who show what it looks like to ask for wisdom and knowledge and receive them. The third revelation gift, discerning of spirits, is held for a later message; next week is the gift of faith. The whole message lands on one appeal: if you lack wisdom, ask.

Key Scripture

 

 

 

Word Study

 

The Gift of Wisdom

The gift of wisdom is referred to as words of wisdom or utterances of wisdom. At the key moment when we need it, God provides what is wise far beyond our own years and ability. It refers to the intimate wisdom of God — the word of His command, which also means holy and upright living. In the context of 1 Corinthians 12:8 it means to speak to the life of an individual or a specific situation and give great understanding and a righteous perspective, with the goal of guiding others toward a life of holiness and worship. Is that not a good gift for a congregation to receive?

What Wisdom Looks Like

• It begins with the fear of the Lord (Psalm 111:10). We have our own oracles today — AI, Google, YouTube for how to turn a wrench or fix the kitchen sink, Siri (good luck) — but God is the ultimate Oracle, because His information is unlimited and He is the one we should seek.
• It is reasonable. "The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17). When you hear it you know instantly: that was exactly the word I needed.
• Its highest expression is the cross — folly to those who are perishing, but to those being saved the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). In the human drama it seems ridiculous that someone would give His life for us; in the wisdom of God it is what saves us.
• It does not end with knowledge but is expressed in transformed hearts and lives. A church yard sale looks like folly — but look how God provided, how many people saw us in the community, and the prayer and worship that happened right on the grounds.
• It reveals the holiness of God — and sometimes the lack of holiness in our own hearts. People with this gift can recognize that in others too, and have the compassion and boldness to share it, drawing on what God has taught them through their own lives.

Every age needs wisdom. Every church needs it and every family needs it. And it is one of the easiest gifts to receive — no wonder it is first on the list — because God gives it so liberally when we ask. Are any of us wise on our own account? Some of us have a little street credibility, but we do not have divine wisdom. God does, and He has people in our midst who carry it.

The Gift of Knowledge

A teacher spends thirty years teaching to knowledge: impart it, look back at the students, see what they got, and then — the test. There is no test at the end of this message. But the gift of knowledge is about learning particular things about God, or how to bring them about, and it is one of the speaking gifts. Paul opens 1 Corinthians by naming the highest form of knowledge among men: the gospel of Jesus Christ, "Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 1 Corinthians 2:1-2). What a word of knowledge that is.

• The gift of knowledge is an understanding of things in the world and in our lives that is founded in the gospel and rooted in Scripture. It is closely related to the gift of wisdom.
• The Holy Spirit gives this gift to some believers to bring about understanding and to inform the church or individuals. People with this gift are usually well-versed in Scripture and often have committed it to memory (Psalm 119:11; Colossians 3:16) — which challenges the rest of us a little.
• It does not belong only to pastors, priests, and rabbis. There are degrees of gifts, and some clergy have other gifts instead; anyone in the congregation could have this one. It is not just a gift of charismatics — it is a gift of every church.
• A word of knowledge for an individual never trumps what God has already said. If someone gives you one and it is meant for you, it will certainly come about; if not, keep it on the back burner and see what God does with it. Sometimes a single word of knowledge has changed the course of a life.
• People with this gift retain the truth and communicate it effectively at appropriate times. They can see how the gospel connects to every situation and circumstance — and how its truth is meant to inform every decision in a Christian's life.

Two Gifts, Side by Side

 

Can we handle a brain dump of all wisdom from God? No — our brains and our experiences could not take it. So the Spirit directs it: a timely word, well beyond human wisdom, that we can call on from Him.

Character Study: King Solomon

Solomon is synonymous with wisdom. The two women before him claiming the same child, the unorthodox proposal to divide the baby, and the mother revealed by her willingness to give him up rather than see him harmed (1 Kings 3:16-28) — that is wisdom well beyond his years. And he was a very young man when he took the throne after David, barely past his teenage years, following the legendary king of Israel's Camelot period. His prayer is unique, and his gifts from God are unique and supernatural.

Solomon's request, from 2 Chronicles 1:10: give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people — for who is able to govern this great people of yours? He was asking for something he did not currently possess. (Ever wish our leaders would pray for wisdom? That hits close to home.)

 

When you pray for wisdom, you get it all. It is like Jesus: you thought you just got saved, just got a ticket to heaven — and you got so much more. God's answer not only granted the request; it added riches, wealth, and honor, and confirmed profoundly to Solomon the importance of seeking knowledge and making wisdom the principal thing. People asked Jesus the same question — where does He get this wisdom, this knowledge, this teaching? (Matthew 13:54; John 7:15) — and the answer is the same: the divine wisdom and knowledge of God Himself.

Solomon's Own Advice

Solomon wrote about these things, and there is a Proverb for every day of the month. Read them and you will become more than worldly wise — you will become godly wise.

• "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold" (Proverbs 8:10). If you have these, everything else will come your way.
• "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown" (Proverbs 4:7-9).
• Solomon advises us to follow in his footsteps: lift up the Lord and ask for what we do not possess. That is part of the membership — direct access to the Almighty, who has unlimited power, resources, knowledge, wisdom, and love (Hebrews 4:16).

Character Study: Daniel

 

Daniel and his three friends were forced from their home as teenagers and carried into Babylon. Yet God gave them knowledge and wisdom at a very young age, well beyond any human resource — and that is exactly where we are. We do not have those things on our own, but we can call on God to bring them. Both Solomon and Daniel received revelation through dreams and visions (1 Kings 3:5; Daniel 2:19); these are gifts of revelation, and understanding and discernment are part of the same family.

Solomon, a young man, asked for wisdom. That is not what you expect from a young person — but there are young people looking for wisdom right now, and they may find it in you. Open the package. It may be a gift that continues to bless people the way Solomon's and Daniel's did.

Application: Ask, and Don't Doubt

We live in an age and a world of knowledge — more knowledge than we can reasonably use — and no matter how much there is, we still need the wisdom to discern. God gives that too. This is a gift you can experiment with: ask God for wisdom and see what He does. Pray. Spend time. "God, what is this about? Daniel and his friends and Solomon asked, and You provided." They were leaders, but these are gifts for all of us — for you, your family, your friends.

• Ask. "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault" (James 1:5). Every single person can be confident to ask. You cannot ask a pastor for wisdom — he will send you to God; he may impart some knowledge, but nothing God will not reveal to you too.
• Believe and don't doubt (James 1:6-8). The one who doubts is a wave tossed by the wind and should not expect to receive anything. God is not stingy, and He is not challenged when you become wise — He encourages it.
• Trust the delivery. Amazon is pretty good; God is better. He delivers every time, on time.
• Remember the source. "The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6). Wisdom does not come from any earthly source — and you will be swindled by some wise folk, but never by God.
• Expect more. If we ask in faith and follow on to know the Lord over time, He adds not only these gifts but honor and more (Matthew 6:33). Sometimes we are not rich or powerful, but what a thing it is to be known as wise in God.
• Put it on display. Whatever your gift, God is behind it — one Spirit, one Lord, one baptism (Ephesians 4:4-6). When you receive it, He will promote you, and this congregation will rejoice in your gift.

 

Series Roadmap

 

 

Reflection Questions

1. "An ocean of knowledge, but a teacup brain." Where in your life right now do you feel the gap between what you know and the wisdom you need? What would a single timely word from God change?

 

 

 

 

 

2. Read Psalm 111:10 and James 3:17. Pastor Rod named our modern oracles — AI, Google, YouTube. Where do you go first when you need to know something? What would it look like to go to God first?

 

 

 

 

 

3. Wisdom "doesn't end with knowledge but is expressed in transformed hearts and lives." Describe someone you know who has wisdom beyond their years. How does it show up in how they live, not just what they say?

 

 

 

 

 

4. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. Why is the cross the highest expression of the wisdom of God? Why does it look like folly to the world?

 

 

 

 

 

5. Has anyone ever given you "a word of knowledge"? How did you test it against Scripture, and what became of it? What is the difference between receiving such a word humbly and being led astray by one?

 

 

 

 

 

6. Read 2 Chronicles 1:7-12. If God said to you tonight, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you," what would you honestly ask for first? What does Solomon's answer teach about what God delights to give?

 

 

 

 

 

7. Read James 1:5-8. What does doubt look like in practice when you pray for wisdom? This week, name one decision or situation and ask God specifically for wisdom in it — then write down what happens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further Study

• 1 Kings 3:5-15 — the fuller account of Solomon's dream at Gibeon and his request.
• 1 Kings 4:29-34 — the breadth of Solomon's wisdom: proverbs, songs, plants, animals, and the kings who came to hear him.
• Proverbs 1:1-7 and Proverbs 9:10 — the purpose of Proverbs and the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom.
• Daniel 1:17-21 and Daniel 2:17-23 — Daniel's gifts, and his prayer of thanks for the God who gives wisdom to the wise.
• 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 — the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of the world, and the Spirit who reveals what God has prepared.
• Colossians 1:9-10 and Colossians 2:2-3 — Paul's prayer for wisdom and knowledge; Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
• Ephesians 1:17 — the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.
• James 3:13-18 — two kinds of wisdom, earthly and heavenly, and how to tell them apart.

 

Next in the series: the Gift of Faith — with a report from the Africa trip and a guest speaker sharing what faith looks like when God acts. Discerning of spirits follows after that.