“A Just Man Falleth”
Proverbs 24: 16-18
2-23-2003
Bills Lake Baptist Church,
Newaygo Mi.
Proverbs 24: 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Some observations I made while at Reformers Unanimous this weekend.
1. Anyone can fall
We saw 2 former preachers that have Families ruined, ministries ruined, reputation ruined, with no future.
One came to the place in his life where his son, a preacher, called while his dad was praying for stringth to pull the trigger of a rifle he had in his mouth.
Then his mother calls right after that and said I feel something is wrong, and don’t do it!
He got help!
The other addicted to heroin and lost his family. Trapped with no way out. Pride said, I can do it my self.
In both these cases the preachers wese ruined when he neglected the leading of the Holy Spirit, gave up on Bible time and would not be honest enough to admit that he was in trouble.
I Cor. 6: 9-11
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
2. Pleasing God is more important than pleasing man.
“I am not looking to make friends while preaching, but I want you to know I am your friend.”
“I am not looking to make an enemy either. AMEN!”
We have a very unique opportunity here.
3. Victory is when you fall and chose to get back up.
I want to remind you of a couple things this morning.
I. I will let you down, But Jesus will Not
1.At times I did not get up and feel like praying
2.I did not spend all the time I should have in the Bible
3.When I had the chance to listen to others I was looking for the way out.
4.On more than one occasion I could have easily given up if not for the Lord.
5.I am not perfect, and if it makes you feel better you can remind me of this fact.
II. I am not looking for a Kingship, But I am looking for co-laborers.
There are no big shots here only little shots doing Big things for God.
1.I know the role of the pastor.
2.I want to you to see Christ through me.
3.Leadership is only effective when leaders lead and someone follows.
Ill. The snake will only grow as large as his skin will allow him. Then he must brake out of the restriction by striking his nose on a hard surface like a rock until he breaks the skin. Then he will wither and do strange things to get out of the old.
Could be a lesson in this!!
III. I will strive to grow in the Lord and so should you.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
When you feel like you are stagnating ask yourself a few questions.
I plan on growing and so should you.
1.Is there sin in my life that has caused me to not listen to My Lord?
2.Is there strife between someone that is causing me to have a hard heart or critical spirit?
3.How much time have I spent in the word today?
4.Have I prayed today?
5.What would I be willing to do to right a wrong?
IV. Quit making excuses to backbite, God is not in it.
James 3:5-6, 8-10
We have no defense for this wickedness until God’s people will tell the ones with nothing better to do but gossip to shut up.
Conclusion:
I want people to know Bills Lake Baptist is a place to come to find that God forgives.
I want them to know we are in unity serving.
I want God most of all to be pleased.
God Broke my hard heart and with His Grace I will stay the course.
Use this as you wish.
