Wisdom not only leads to a life of blessing but today we are told that it extends your life as well. There are a number of reasons for this…take a look.
Proverbs 3: Trust in the LORD with All Your Heart
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favour and good success in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honour the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, do not lose sight of these--- keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbour, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"---when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbour, who dwells trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favour.
35 The wise will inherit honour, but fools get disgrace.
Things to think about…
1. Proverbs 3:1,2 says that length of days and a life of peace will happen as we honour our parents. This is not always easy, especially when parents do not follow the Lord or don’t get us emotionally or are flat out hypocrites. But this does not get rid of the imperative here though. How are we to honour those who have authority over us when they do not actively seek out the Lord’s wisdom or reflect His character? The promise when we do so is that we will receive honour and success from the Lord, Prov 3:4.
2. Prov 3:5&6 are fairly well known verses and we would constantly say them to our children. No doubt you have heard them quoted or have quoted them many times yourself. The promise is that we will not go off track – because He makes our paths straight. The challenge in our day of course is that this involves discipline because we are called to engage our minds and not be lazy. Romans 12:1,2 says the same thing. We are promised sanctification as a result – “Sanctify them by Your word, Your word is truth” John 17:17.
3. Can we take Prov 3:8 literally? If so, can we expect a healthy life as we honour the Lord? The same with verses 9&10. If we give financially to the cause of Christ, can we be guaranteed that our barns will be full and our wine vats burst and that we will know financial blessing? I know many of us can testify to the truth of this by many years of blessing from the Lord as the firstfruits of our labours have been given to the Lord. Malachi says the Lord asks us to test Him in this to see whether it is not so, Mal 3:10. God is faithful. The ultimate ‘bursting vat’ of course is heaven itself.
4. Do you think we discipline well within our homes and the church? Prov 3:11,12 tell us not to despise discipline. People tend to leave a church when they are challenged about their sin. Nevertheless we are being shown the Lord’s love in such cases. Let’s continue to love each other with the truth, regardless of what that truth is. Children later return if they have been lovingly disciplined. Hopefully this is the case with those that have been disciplined by the church.
5. The promises for those who seek after and receive ‘wisdom’ are repeated in Prov 3:16. We basically receive health, wealth and happiness. Some prosperity teaching has unfortunately come into poor African nations and is destroying the central tenants of the Christian faith, I.E repentance, humility, sacrifice and the need to pick up the cross and die daily to sin. But what is the other side of the coin? Surly the gospel also gives us wisdom in managing our finances which stops us falling into financial ruin? But I believe there is there a more noble principle in these verses.
6. The wicked and the violent will come to ruin. But is Prov 3:33 always true? How should we consider this verse? Psalm 73 gives a very good exposition of how this finally works out. Have a read. We know ultimately that the next life will result in the ultimate judgement upon all for what is done in this life. Jesus says “Do not fear those who can kill the body, but fear Him who can cast both soul and body into hell” Mt 10:28.
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
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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.
