Live In Gods Wisdom

Summary

The Reverend Antti Lepisto was a wise man.  I regarded Antti as my mentor, it was never formal, but for me as a pastor, he was the man whom I listened to, asked questions of, and simply  observed to learn from.  I speak in the past tense, for Antti died of pancreatic cancer in 2012.

Antti loved the Lord, he loved people, and he understood what it takes to serve God and a congregation as a pastor.  He spent his life ministering as a pastor in the U.S. and Canada, with further ministry in Finland and Russia.  Antti had much wisdom to share, both verbally as well as through his actions.

For instance, something that I learned from Antti, by observing him when he preached was that it is okay to show your emotions in a sermon.  Quite often Antti’s cheeks glistened with tears as he spoke of Jesus and his love for us.  His genuine tears combined with his words spoke volumes, opening his listener’s hearts to the Good News of salvation.

I also noticed how Antti never stopped being his genuine self no matter who he was speaking with, nor where.  The way that he spoke to a few friends in his living room, was the same way that he spoke to the Bishop of the Ingrian Lutheran Church in Russia.  Antti was authentic.  He was the real deal…always, and this was important, for people trusted him.

As I said back at the beginning, Antti was a wise man, and so, it was he from whom I wanted to learn, so that I could grow as a pastor.

I looked up a definition of the word: wisdom.  It is a noun, and it means; the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement.

That definition for the most part, explains Antti, and a few other people that I know, look up to, and try to learn from in my life.  If I am going to learn, I might as well choose people that display wisdom to emulate.

Interestingly, wisdom, at least in our modern age, and definitely in these days, seems to be unappreciated.  If anyone actually pauses, and takes the time to think, and answer a question thoughtfully, they are deemed dumb because they didn’t respond with a lightning-quick answer.  Speed of voice seems to be more important than thoughtful reason, humble experience, and a caring attitude.

No, sadly, crass retorts, ridiculous sound-bites, and unintelligible assertions seem to be the name of the game with some people, actually too many people these days.  And, all of this at a time when we really need to hear someone speaking words of wisdom to help us through the jumble of issues, troubles, and hurt that the world is experiencing.  I miss wise leaders, who are thoughtful and speak with intelligence and even wisdom.  Where has the wisdom gone?

In this morning’s verses from Ephesians, Paul starts off with these words, “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise.”  Then he continues later, “…do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is…be filled with the Spirit.”

So, we see that wisdom is an important part of the Christian life.  It is something that we should seek and try to become, right?

Yes, I would say so.  Remember King David’s son Solomon.  Upon his ascent to the throne of Israel God asked Solomon what he would like to receive from him.  Solomon responded, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this, your great people?”

In First Kings we read how God responded to Solomon.  “10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. 14 If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”

Interestingly, what is the commonality between Paul’s writing in Ephesians, and the story of Solomon in First Kings?  They tell us from where wisdom comes.  True wisdom comes from God.

God, the Holy Spirit is the giver of wisdom.  The Holy Spirit is the one whom reveals to us God’s will, yet…yet we need to be open, truly open to receiving what the Spirit wants to give us.  We need to seek and then try to understand God’s will for us, for our lives.

So, how do we do that?

We do it by going to the source of life, every day.  In the gospel readings from these past weeks, including today, Jesus has spoken of himself as the Bread of Life, listen, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven…those who we eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life.”

This means that Jesus is the source of all that is needed for life, for he is life.  So, if we are seeking to receive wisdom, we must go to the source of wisdom, and the wise ones do this often.  This is how we begin to receive the wisdom that God has to give, we believe in the promise of the cross, and then we seek to live out that promise in our lives.

Now, I feel that I need to clarify a point.  We must remember that what the world can interpret as wisdom, is not always the same sort of wisdom that is given by God.

For instance, the world would say that it is wise to destroy your enemy before she, or he can hurt you again.  Yet, we know that Jesus teaches that true wisdom means to try and love your enemy, forgiving them, that they might repent and know God’s love.  Martin Luther King understood this wisdom, not an eye-for-an-eye, but rather offering the other cheek to brutality, that the heart might break, and be made anew in Jesus’ love.

Or, the world’s wisdom is to hold onto your wealth, until you have enough, which never seems to happen, and then, only then do you give to charity.  Yet Jesus’ wisdom is different.  Jesus teaches us to give, right from the start to the poor, the needy, to God’s ministry in the world, for if you do not give from the start, you might never start, at all.

So, as we seek to do, and to live God’s will in our lives, we are at the same time seeking God’s leading to live wisely, and not as the unwise, be them Christian or not.  One way that you can understand whether you are living and growing in God’s wisdom it to look at your life.  Take an honest assessment, and see whether your actions are focused upon yourself primarily, or upon the love and care of others.

I know, I know, you will say, “But pastor, of course we need to take care of ourselves, and our families.  How can we care for anyone else if we are not cared for?”

I understand, of course, to a point.  Do you stop speaking the words, or taking the actions, sometimes hard actions for the love and care of another, because you fear you will not have enough?  Enough…money, things, pride, honor, respect in the world?  Or, anything else you are holding onto?

Hey, if we are going to try and live in, and live out God’s wisdom, we’re going to struggle with these questions, a lot at times.  Yet, if you do not struggle with them, and lose to yourself, and follow God’s wisdom, then you have forsaken God’s wisdom, and Jesus’ command, “To love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind and body, and love…your neighbor (whoever that may be at the moment) as yourself.”

My mentor Pastor Antti, sought God’s will for his life, and tried to follow his Lord Jesus each step of the way.  You could see the evidence of Jesus’ love in his actions, and hear them in his words.  It was evident that he did not put himself first, at least very often, but rather sought to follow where Jesus led.  Antti was a wise man…because he lived in the reality of the Source of Life.  Jesus’ love glowed in his life, and I felt that love’s warmth whenever I was with him.

I encourage you to eat of the Living Bread each day.  Seek Jesus’ and his wisdom, as you live in the reality of his gift of life, the salvation that he gives.

Amen.

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