Proverbs 22:17-19. In these verses the wise man declares that one of his purposes in imparting wisdom is to deepen our trust in God. • In what ways might the obtainment of wisdom serve to deepen trust? Where have you seen this? Proverbs 22:24-25. Throughout Proverbs we discover that one aspect of wisdom is discernment in friendship. • Along with 22:24-25, review the proverbs below. What practical wisdom is advocated for choosing friends, and what warnings are given? What should the wise avoid? “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” 17:17 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” 18:24 “Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.” 19:4 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” 27:6 “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” 27:9 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” 27:17 • Proverbs 22:24-25 also teaches that a bad attitude toward life and people can be contagious and deadly. Of the character types we have encountered thus far in Proverbs, which ones are most likely to be destructively contagious? Proverbs 22:29. This proverb observes that one skillful in their labors will be recognized. • Why is excellence in one’s work an aspect of wisdom? Proverbs 23:4-5. (see also Matt. 6:19-21; 1 Tim 6:9-10; and Heb 13:5) • What do these words teach us about a wise outlook on wealth? Proverbs 23:17. • In this verse, what is set in contrast to envy? Why are the two mutually exclusive. Proverbs 24:1, 19. These proverbs also contain instructions about envy. In these instances, we’re warned not to be envious of the wicked. • Why might this be a temptation? Have you ever struggled with it? What might be a remedy for this kind of envy? (see Psalm 37:1-2 and 73:1-28 for two examples) Proverbs 24:27. This proverb encourages sensible preparation before building a house so that one may attend will to the life lived in it. Jesus uses similar imagery in Luke 14:25-33 when describing the cost of following him. • Whether the consideration is practical, as in Proverbs, or spiritual, as in Luke, what wisdom is being advocated in this teaching? What might be a consequence of not doing this? Proverbs 24:28-29. This proverb instructs against taking revenge. Rooted in God’s Law (Lev. 19:18), throughout Scripture God’s people are instructed to refrain from revenge because God’s justice will eventually come upon unrepentant sinners (Deut. 32:34-36; Rom 12:19; Heb 10:29-31). Furthermore, in Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus reveals that forbearance is an aspect of God’s character. • What are some ways that non-sadistic people seek revenge? When has this been a temptation for you? • How does refusing to engage in vengeful activity reflect wisdom as well as the heart of God? • What opportunity does doing good to those who hurt offer for the “unrepentant?” Proverbs 24:13-14. In these verses acquiring wisdom is compared to the sweetness of honey. This is not the only place where God’s Word is described this way. For example, Psalm 119:103 proclaims, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (see also Psalm 19:10). • Read the Proverb above, Psalm 119:103-104, and Psalm 19. According to these passages, why is God’s Word sweeter than honey? • What might be some other reasons this is true? • Where in your life have you experienced this? Application “Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you” (Prov. 22:17–18a). The words offered by the sage can impart wisdom to the reader, give him practical skills for dealing with people, and encourage the fear of the Lord. These words are transformative at a much deeper level, since they are actually God’s words, part of Scripture (Heb. 4:12). God’s Word is the primary means employed by the Holy Spirit to effect spiritual growth and Christlikeness in the lives of believers (Eph. 6:17). The longest psalm in the Psalter, Psalm 119, celebrates the gift of God’s Word, and its goal is to enable God’s people to admire his Word so strongly that they will work hard and pray to have it shape their character and conduct.” Take some time this week to consider some ways you can foster a habit of daily attending to God’s Word. *This entire lesson has been adapted from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/knowing-the-bible-proverbs/#week-4-wisdom-personified-81-36

An All Saints sermon on Psalm 149

Session 7 ~ The Big Picture Proverbs 17:1-22:16 continues Solomon’s “proverbs proper,’ where through vivid word pictures he lays out how God designed the world to work. The wise seek to understand and live within God’s design in day-to-day life, but the fool ignores or outright shuns this wise path. Breaking Things Apart Proverbs 17:20-22. In these verses we find three things that bring sorrow to the heart: a crooked and dishonest life, a foolish son, and too much discouragement. • What are some practical ways you’ve maintained a “joyful heart” amid struggles that can crush your spirit? Proverbs 17:27-28. These verses point out that one trait of wisdom is restrained speech. The opposite is also true—hasty, thoughtless speech is the way of the foolish. As 18:2 declares, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” • Have you ever interacted or seen someone who exemplifies the truths of 17:27? What was their impact on you? • Fool that he is, verse 28 is one of Pastor Shawn’s life verses. How might keeping silent make you not only appear wise, but actually set you on the path of not being a complete fool? Proverbs 18:24. In the Hebrew there’s a play on words that the ESV regretfully misses that is picked up nicely by the ERV which reads, “He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction…” • In what ways can making too many friends lend to our devastation? • In contrast to this, what some attributes of a friend who “sticks closer than a brother”? • Where in your life have you experienced both extremes? Proverbs 19:2. This verse refers to the impulsive person who acts before thinking and the folly of giving free reign to our desires. James 1:14–15 reads, “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” • What are some ways God’s people can rule their desires with wisdom? Proverbs 9:3. • Where in the world have you seen this? How about your own heart? • Hebrews 3:12-13 declares, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” In what ways can the body of Christ keep one another from “raging against God,” amid the chances and changes of life? Proverbs 21:24. As we learned at the beginning of our journey, “the scoffer” is the proud and arrogant person who scorns God’s ways and leads others astray. • Consider the overall picture of the scoffer in Proverbs from the passages below. How can you be on the lookout for “scofferish” tendencies in your own heart? What should you do if you find them? “How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing…” 1:22 “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you…” 9:8 “a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” 13:1 “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain…” 14:6 “A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.” 15:12 “Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.” 22:10 “the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.” 24:9 Proverbs 21:13. • In what ways can our church further open our ears to the cry of the poor? What are some practical ways we can address their needs?” Proverbs 22:7-9. • What wisdom can be gleaned from these verses for the rich and the poor respectively? Application “‘A joyful heart is good medicine’ (Prov. 17:22a). Joy is meant to be characteristic of covenant life. Joy characterizes the Psalms, as the covenant community worships God together (e.g., 5:11; 16:11; 21:6; 32:11; 35:27; 63:7; 132:9). Such joy isn’t circumstantial and can be experienced even amid great suffering. The cross of Christ represents the greatest suffering in history, for Jesus not only suffered physically but also experienced God’s just wrath in taking upon himself the sin of the world. Still, the promise of future reward and joy gave Jesus strength to suffer (Heb. 12:2). The apostle Paul was characterized by joy even while suffering in prison, and that was because his whole purpose for living was Christ (Phil. 1:21). Believers grow in joy as they are increasingly transformed into the likeness of Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and as they seek to rejoice in the Lord in all things (Phil. 4:4). Take some time this week to consider some ways you can cultivate a heart that seeks to rejoice in the Lord in all things. *Adapted from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/knowing-the-bible-proverbs/#week-4-wisdom-personified-81-36

A sermon on Luke 18:9-14

Session 6 The Big Picture Proverbs 10:1-16:33 begin the “proverbs proper,’ that are attributed to King Solomon. In this section we find word pictures of how God designed the world to work... The wise seek to understand and live within God’s design in day-to-day life, but the fool ignores or outright shuns this wise path. Breaking Things Apart Proverbs 10:1-5. The purpose of these proverbs is to promote righteous practices in one’s labors. • Taken together with Proverbs 11:28, what is the relationship between wisdom and wealth? Proverbs 10:18. This proverb along with 26:28 link lying with hatred. • In what ways might a liar harbor hatred toward those to whom he lies? Proverbs 12:15. This proverb along with several others advocate seeking counsel when planning or making decisions (see 11:14, 15:22; 20:18; 24:6; compare 18:1). Similarly, we find the expression, “right in his own eyes,” throughout Scriptures, most notably during the godless times detailed in Judges 17:6 and 21:25. The term refers to those who do whatever they want as opposed to what the Lord wants. • Where in the world do you see this dynamic? Where do you see such tendencies in your own heart? Proverbs 13:4. Way back at the beginning of our journey, we learned that “the sluggard” in Proverbs is one who “does not begin, does not finish, and does not face things. He is restless with unsatisfied desire, helpless in face of his affairs, and is to those who employ him.” Elsewhere in Proverbs they are admonished to observe the benefits of diligence (6:6-11), lest they live in fear (22:13; 26:13) and suffer a tragic end (21:25; 24:30-34). • Along with 13:4, read 21:25 and 24:30-34. In what concrete ways have you seen these truisms play out in the world and even your own life? Has sluggardish tendencies ever gotten you in trouble? Proverbs 13:23. This proverb notes that one of the causes of poverty is injustice. In addition to injustice, poverty can be caused by sloth (6:9–11; 28:19); by God’s punishment on wickedness (10:2–3; 13:25); or by his mysterious providence (e.g., 22:2). • Reread 13:23. What might be a modern example of this? Proverbs 14:15-16. shows that the wise gives thought to his path and turns away from evil. In contrast, the fool is reckless. • At the street level of our lives, what does it look like to give thought to our steps? • How might this inform how we put into action passages like Romans 12:2 (See also 2 Cor. 10:3-5 & Heb. 4:12)? Proverbs 14:17, 29; 15:18; and 16:32. In Exodus 34:6, God himself declares himself to be, “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Thus, being slow to anger reflects God’s character. • How can a quick temper be a barometer that things in your heart aren’t quite right with God? Proverbs 16:1-3; 33. This collection of proverbs highlight God’s sovereignty in human affairs. • How might these passages give you comfort amid the chances and changes of your life? Proverbs 10:11; 13:14; 14:27; and 16:22. In these verses we discover that a righteous tongue, wise teaching, fear of the Lord, and good sense can function as a “fountain of life.” • How might these four things practically function as a fountain of life for you? Don’t Forget the Gospel! One of the things we must avoid in Proverbs is disconnecting it from the redemptive story that’s being told in the whole of the Bible and simply make it a bunch of pithy truisms about how to live your best life now. Because of this danger, we of the utmost importance to remember that as a practical unpacking of the God’s Law, Proverbs functions in the same three ways the Law does: 1) A Curb: God uses his Law to limit outbursts of sin to keep order in the world (think traffic signs and laws against stealing and murder). 2) A Mirror: He uses his Law to reveal and condemn our sin to point us to our Savior. 3) A Guide: He uses his Law to guide and direct our thoughts, words, and deeds in ways that please him. What’s more, as it is with God’s Law, we must never lose sight of 2nd function: A mirror. Because all of us have played the sluggard, spoken like a scoffer, and drifted like the fool Proverbs foremost diagnoses our sin to point us to our deliverer: Jesus Christ. For example, take Proverbs 16:6. Though this is universally true, there is only for who has been able fulfill it. Thus Proverbs diagnoses our lack of love and faithfulness whilst pointing us forward in history to the steadfast love and faithfulness of Christ making atonement for our sins on the cross. Application Read through Proverbs 10:1-16:33 as a whole and take note of a few key things that the Lord may be teaching you and pray for God to bring them to fruition in your life. Adapted from www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/knowing-the-bible-proverbs/#week-4-wisdom-personified-81-36

A sermon on Luke 18:1-8.