February 10, 2008

PROVERBS 4

2 Paths

1.) vs1-13,16,20-23 - The Right Path - The Path of Wisdom (vs11,18)

2.) vs14-19,24-27 - The Wrong Path - The Path of Ruin (v14)

***It is our choice which path we take

***We are all responsible for the choices we make

***There are consequences for the choices we make

vs 1-4 - speaks of parents and 3 generations

-teach our children - turn them into self-feeders

THE RIGHT PATH -  THE PATH OF WISDOM

(1) Wisdom is to be pursued  - vs5,17

-GET WISDOM...

-it speaks of going after something until you get it and then keep it

v13, 27  - grab it and keep it

Ex: Jacob and Genesis 32:22-30

How do you pursue it?

a. go to the source

b. ask - james 1:5

c. read the word - 1 Peter 2:2-3

(2) Wisdom is the priority of life - v7

-nothing is more important in life than Jesus Christ

-the results:

v8 - promotion

v9 - blessing

v10 - live a long life

v22 - it leads to a specific destination

v22 - health

(3) Wisdom will not allow you to stumble - v12

run - Christianity is a marathon and not a wind sprint

stumble - to waver because of gthe weakness of your legs ------------- until you decay

***refers to false doctrine

(4) Wisdom hems us all in - v12

impeded or hindered - means to hem in

***boundaries are a sign of care and love

***submit to boundaries

The Wrong Path - The Path of Ruin - vs14-19, 24-27

1.) Say no to the wrong path

-stay away

-turn to the side

-pass by it

-don;t travel on it

-dislike it

2.) The reason for the wrong path - vs17,19

***darkness

Christian - flesh

NonChristian - sin nature

3.) The wrong path includes - vs24-27

-lips, eyes and feet

v24 - lips - put far away from you anything that does not edify

v25 - eyes - stare only at Jesus - have a single focus in Matthew 6:22-23

vs26-27 - feet

-planned walk - schedule your time

-perfect walk - do not turn to the right or to the left

-protected walk - there are some places none of us should ever go