January 13, 2007

Proverbs 1:8-33

4 Principles to Follow

 

PRINCIPLE#1

 

INVITATIONS ARE A PART OF LIFE - vs8-14, 17-19

 

-there are 2 invitations presented here by Solomon

 

 

(1) INVITATION #1 - LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS - vs 8-9

 

father - speaks of discipline

-the father is to discipline the children

 

mother - do not even begin to forsake the teching of you rmother

-the father will hear about it

 

v9 - when a child is obedient, they are like a beautiful piece of jewelry/ ajoy to behold

 

-speaks of the neck also - a flexible, bending neck as compared to a stiff neck that is rebellious

 

 

(2) INVITATION #2 - AN INVITATION TO SIN - vs10-14,17-19

 

v10 - sinners - speaks of people or a system that falls short morally

 

entice - is a fishing term speaking of a lure or bait when fishing

-the world says to come join in with its parties and glitz

 

 

vs11-14 - those who accept the invitataion pay a huge price

-the world swallows you - a little becomes a lot

 

 

 

vs17-19 - your sin will find you out/no one gets away with their sin

-this is a picture of a net spread out on the ground and the birds get caught up into the net

 

 

 

 

PRINCIPLE #2 - SAY NO - vs10,15-16

 

Watch who you hang with.....................

 

v10 - consent - do not even begin to go there/do not take a step in that direction

 

v15 - do not - means to refuse/stay clear

-it is a command in a loud vocie

 

Why stay clear?  They are on the wrong path - Matthew 7:13-14

-run to evil - means something wicked and injurious

***it means the breaking up of all that is good...

 

 

 

PRINCIPLE #3 - WISDOM SHOUTS - vs20-32

 

-wisdom comes by knowing Jesus Christ

 

vs20-21 - wisdom cries out in private and public

 

 

v22 - wisdom cries out to:

 

a.) simple ones - carnal Christians - means not too smart

b.) scorners - unbelievers who ridicule the cause of Christ

 

c.) fools - they reject Jesus Christ/turn their backs on Him

 

 

 

v23 - Wisdom shouts for people to receive constructive criticism

-they turn at my rebuke

 

 

v23 - Wisdom shouts for people to hear His words

"I will make known my words to you"

 

-one reason is so we can identify our weaknesses and correct them-

 

 

vs24-27 - do not put off correcting your mistakes

-we take our medicine too late

 

 

vs28-32 - you begin to do everything right but things still do not change - it's too late

 

 

 

PRINCIPLE #4 - LISTEN TO THE LORD - vs23,33

 

listen - hear and practice

 

v23 - the Lord will pour out His Spirit on you

 

v33 - you will be secure - not insecure in yourself, your calling or future

 

      -you will be without the fear of evil - means the breaking up of all that is good and desirable

 

How do we hear from the Lord?

 

-personally

-through godly advice

-read the word