Proverbs

Why Fatherhood Matters

Proverbs 3:1-12
Our world is wracked by the absence of fathers in the home. Countless children are growing up with no father to guide, instruct, and love them. A secondary result of this is that many in our world have concluded that fatherhood doesn’t matter after all. Scripture is counter-cultural in its view of fathers. Not only does God tell us that fathers matter; he requires that they be intentional. If the next generation is to “set their hope in God,” fathers must accept their call to “teach their children.”

Why Fatherhood Matters Read More »

But to the Humble He Gives Favor

Various Proverbs
Pride is a soul-destroying disease that affects everyone. The good news is that God has provided us with a remedy: humility. If humility is the answer for our sickness, then it is important that we understand as much as possible about it. In this sermon, we’ll try to understand what humility is and how we can express it.

But to the Humble He Gives Favor Read More »

A Word Fitly Spoken

Various Proverbs
Words are a gift from God; a gift we use countless times every day. Not every word is important, but some are. There are times when we need to speak just the right word that will encourage, comfort, and heal. It’s in these times that God uses us as his instruments to build up one another. One of the most common themes in Proverbs is the power of our words and the opportunities they provide to strengthen the souls of those around us. In order to be consistent in this, we must be able to do something that James says can never be done: tame the tongue.

A Word Fitly Spoken Read More »

Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue

Various Proverbs
Every day, we each wield a lot of power with the words we use. The Proverbs teach that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (18:21). Our good words can either build relationships and cultivate community, or our poor choice of words can tear down and destroy those very same relationships. Why are our words so powerful? And what can we do to change the way we speak?

Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue Read More »

Can a Man Carry Fire Next to His Chest and His Clothes Not Be Burned?

Proverbs 5-7
This is part 2 of 2 on sexual immorality in Proverbs. The father continues to warn his son against sexual immorality. Today we listen in as he gives several consequences of giving in to this temptation. Then he provides a better way to battle it: marriage. But what about sexual temptation and those who aren’t married? We attempt to pull all of these strands together in today’s sermon.

Can a Man Carry Fire Next to His Chest and His Clothes Not Be Burned? Read More »

A Forbidden Woman

Proverbs 5-7
There is a battle that rages each day for the souls of men and women, yet it isn’t talked about enough. It is the war that occurs within our souls over sexual temptation. Proverbs doesn’t shy away from this important topic, devoting two and a half chapters to it. In fact, God isn’t ashamed of sex. He created it and established its boundaries. He has a lot to say about sexual immorality, as well the proper place for sexual expression. We’ll unpack these chapters in order to get a better understanding of sexual immorality.

A Forbidden Woman Read More »

If Sinners Entice

Proverbs 1:10-19
We’re all tempted in many ways. In this passage, the Proverbs warn us against other people who tempt us to sin. While at first their offer may sound absurd, it is softened with promises. Soon enough the sin that once seemed beyond us has now become appealing to our minds. Proverbs 1 looks behind these promises to reveal the hidden reality of sin.

If Sinners Entice Read More »

Hear, My Son, Your Father’s Instruction

Proverbs 1-7
Children are a gift from the Lord to enjoy. They’re also work. In order to fulfill God’s desires for parenting, we need wisdom. The first nine chapters of Proverbs are the instruction of a wise father to his son. In this sermon, we’ll listen in on that instruction in order to gain wisdom for our own parenting.

Hear, My Son, Your Father’s Instruction Read More »

I Love Those Who Love Me

Proverbs 8:1-9:19
The father appeals to his son to get wisdom. As he does so, wisdom is personified as a woman, Lady Wisdom. In this passage, the father presents Lady Wisdom to his son as a woman he should pursue and love. Last week, he commended wisdom to his son largely in terms of negative consequences. Here, however, he makes his strongest case for why his son should choose wisdom.

I Love Those Who Love Me Read More »