Today we see the blessing of wisdom and the character of the fool.
Proverbs 8: The Blessings of Wisdom
1 Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,
7 for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
14 I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
22 "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.
32 "And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favour from the LORD,
36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."
Proverbs 9: The Way of Wisdom
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,
5 "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
The Way of Folly
13 The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
18 But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Things to think about…
1. We have often heard “Common sense, isn’t that common”. God’s wisdom is not common either and yet wisdom cries out aloud, Prov 8:1-4, at every corner and height and gate. How does wisdom cry out do you think? Surely creation is a good start, Rom 1:19, 20. Yet this wisdom is ignored. How else does the Lord’s wisdom cry out? Ans:- THE WORD OF THE LORD.
2. Prov 8:22-30 speaks about wisdom being there before creation, in fact rejoicing in the peak of creation – man himself. But more than this, verse 31 says wisdom rejoices in the children of men. We often think of God as austere and angry, but He created us and wants the best for us. If we find wisdom, we find God’s favour, Prov 8:35. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature. Finding Him means finding God’s favour. This is an ongoing thing, not just something that happens at conversion. What wisdom is the Lord wanting to impart to you today?
3. How has wisdom built her house and hewn out her seven pillars, Prov 9:1? What does this verse mean? Prov 8:12, 14 has a good list that might explain what these pillars are - take another look. These are good “pillars” to put in your own life.
4. Prov 9:10 says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Conversion is only the start. Often churches miss this important truth. Salvation is the start. Making disciples means that we must continually be taught God’s wisdom. Praise God for new insights.
5. Loud arrogant men are disgraceful, but there seems to be an added abhorrence associated with a woman who is known for her loud, proud, arrogance towards God, Prov 9:13-15. Simple, weak men are led astray by such women. Yet we are told when we rebuke such people we get abuse or injury, Prov 9:7,8. Has this ever happened to you? You have tried to correct someone by thinking you are helping them, only to have your head bitten off. Some people are never to be corrected, because it is like throwing pearls before pigs. How can we tell the difference between those who should be corrected and those who should be left alone? Assessing their character is a good place to start. Understanding the Person of Wisdom is a good place to start. Get Wisdom, get understanding.
6. Things that are stolen may satisfy for a season, E.g stolen bread, stolen identity, stolen sexual pleasure. But in the end the fool who steals by dwelling at the place of ‘Folly’ “does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.”, Prov 9:18.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Maintaining a healthy view of God – Reading Hebrews 12:18-29
1. What is the most fearful situation you have been in? What is is earliest fearful memory, have you ever been in fear of your life?
2. The ancient Israelis were in fear of their lives at Mt Sinai. Mt Sinai was covering in fire, smoke, lightening. There were loud trumpet blasts and the earth was shaking. Do you recall what was going on at the time with respect to Moses and the children of Israel? Did their fear ultimately save them and make them turn to the Lord?
3. We have come to Mt Zion. It is different than Mt Sinai for a number of reasons. Do you remember what some of those reasons are? Sinai is a place of law. Mt Zion is a place of grace. Has God changed in any way? The writer to the Hebrews says “Our God is a consuming fire”, Heb 12:29, not “was a consuming fire”. Jude, the Lord’s brother says he Apostle John says “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Jude 1:22, 23. He is basically saying some are saved through fear, others are saved through compassion. How do we discern/know the difference when we speak to people about Christ?
Prayer Points
1. Sydney floods – pray for safety
2. That the reversal of Rowe v Wade has a profound effect on future children yet unborn.
3. Safety for those travelling over the school holidays.
4. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
5. Folk sick with Flu A and Covid – relief and healing.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Good response to Newscop article from Ukraine.
2. More new folk came to CBC on Sunday.
3. Worship on Sunday – thankyou and technical team.
4. Café helpers on Sunday.
5. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for June...
Q. 5. Will the bodies of the dead be raised to life again? A. Yes; "There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both the just and the unjust.
