As we continue our study of Proverbs today we hear a new voice—the voice of Wisdom. Wisdom is presented to us as a person, Lady Wisdom, who calls out at the entrance to the city to all of those who pass by and are heading into dangerous surroundings.
Archive for April, 2004
The Voice
Proverbs 1:20-33
Saturday, April 24th, 2004
The Company We Keep…
Proverbs 1:7-19
Sunday, April 18th, 2004
The invitations go out every day. They’re in the mail, they’re on our front doorstep, they’re waiting for us at the street corner, they’re lying around the offices where we work, and they’re posted all over the neighborhoods where we live. They come by way of people who are persuasive, passionate, and thoroughly convincing. They’re invitations to walk in the ways of the wise. Invitations to cut corners in order to get ahead. Invitations to pray for those who are hurting, sit with those who are struggling, and walk with those whose life has been paralyzed with pain. They are invitations to strike back at those who have hurt you, sabotage those who stand in your way, and join forces with those who are moving to the front of the class regardless of how they are getting there. They are invitations to cut and run when God calls you to stay put, invitations to sit still when you are called upon to act, and invitations to look out for yourself even when it means someone else will be hurt. They are invitations to forget your wedding vows for a moment’s pleasure, invitations to lie when you need to confess, and invitations to continue to take more and more when you know it is time to give. The invitations are in the mail, but the writer of Proverbs urges us to carefully consider each and every invitation before we act.
The Power of the Resurrection!
Matthew 28
Sunday, April 11th, 2004
We live in a remarkable day. There are so many discoveries that have been made in our lifetime that it is truly mind-boggling. As remarkable as these days are they are not anywhere close to the greatest day ever experienced by humanity. With all of the various discoveries and ideas that have made an impact on society there has been none more long lasting, more transforming, than the event that took place almost 2,000 years ago. There were no satellite trucks present. Ted Koppel and Barbara Walters were nowhere to be found. There were no reporters. Spielberg didn’t try to buy the script. Grisham has never written about it. The event didn’t win an Academy Award. As a matter of fact, hardly anybody even noticed – except a few. Those few people who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus went on to change our world.
Walk in Wisdom? Walk with God.
Proverbs 1
Sunday, April 4th, 2004
Last week we began our new study of Solomon’s book of Proverbs. I hope that you walked away from our study thinking to yourself, “Those ancient wisdom sayings of Proverbs are more relevant to my life today than anything being offered by the authorities and experts of our own day.” I say, “I hope you walked away with that insight…” because it is absolutely true. The reason it is true is because the book of Proverbs is God’s wisdom for living life, not the wisdom of the world. The wisdom of God is like God’s character and nature—it is unchanging. Scripture says, 29“He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.” (1 Samuel 15:29 NIV)