Cross Roads in the Journey of Life
Thesis: We will always face those cross roads moments in life as we travel on this journey. The key is to make sure that you seek the Lord’s directions, work hard, do not worry, do things right, and above all be sensible.
Scripture:
Proverbs 3:1-7:
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
Other Proverbs references
Introduction:
As I have been advancing through Proverbs I have discovered many wise and divinely inspired thoughts to live by as I travel this journey of life.
I recall when I graduated from High School that this was a cross roads moment in my journey.
I had to decide if I really wanted to be a construction worker or something else. I choose to pursue the construction field. I had doubts about whether I wanted to do this or if I should stay working in a grocery store. I made my choice and it eventually led me to Jesus. I found the Lord in Minnesota working on a construction site where I ended up working with a laborer who helped lead me to Jesus. When I made the choice to go into construction believe me this was not one of my goals. But it was God’s ideal goal for me! He knew how to get through to me and He did!
I recall when I crossed over from a Carpenter to a Bible College student this was a cross over moment.
This time in my life was filled with indecision, apprehension, doubts, and yet I felt this strong draw to go to Bible College. This draw was the Holy Spirit leading me and nudging me ever so gently that I needed to grow in the knowledge of the Word of God. I remember my dad asking me, “Why I wanted to spend more money on Bible College and then end up when I graduated making less money?” Believe me this was a struggle for me too. Do I leave my good Union Carpenter Job to go to school and make less money? I admit I felt a deep concern as to whether I could even do the school work. I was not accustomed to ever writing major papers. Kathy helped teach me how to write and she edited and typed a lot of my papers. I had really never had to do this before and it showed. But I remember my first day of school at NCBC. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was in the will of God. I also knew clearly what my purpose in life was and that it was to be a pastor for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord even reminded me that my boss is a Jewish Carpenter and I will still be a builder and construction worker for the Kingdom of God. My new jobs would be helping to build and rebuild people’s lives. That first chapel service at NCBC impacted me so much that I felt hope and peace for the decision I had made. I knew which way to go and how to get there.
I remember vividly my crossover from the Bachelors life to getting married to Kathy. I met the woman of my dreams. It was the greatest move I ever made and I knew the Lord wanted me to marry her. He told me, “She will be the best influence in your life” and she is! I lover her more today then I did when we first got married and she is wonderful. You might be thinking, “Were there questions of doubt at the time of the proposal and the wedding?” Yes! But I sought the direction from the Lord and He confirmed to me that this was the one who was to travel this path with me. I remember the confirmation Word from the Lord even today, “Get married it will do you a lot of good!” My wife has been a wonderful inspiration to me and an awesome teacher on how we should live in this life.
I recall when I graduated Bible College and took my first Pastorate this was a cross over moment.
While this was a scary time for me because now I had to step out in faith and really trust God to provide. I had to put my faith into action. Kathy and I candidated at a church in Grygla, Minnesota called Liberty Chapel. We went just to get experience in candidating as a pastor. I preached - God moved and they wanted me to come. I discovered what they would pay 1/8 of what I was making running my construction company. I was very convinced at first that this was not God. Why? Because I felt that I needed to work a couple years to pay off my school loan and Kathy’s school loan. But the Lord gave me direction from a radio minister and I listened to His direction and trusted the Lord. The day the Lord spoke to me He also confirmed to Kathy that we needed to go. We went and God stretched our faith and helped us to grow in Him. We learned what it meant to have God provide for our finances super-naturally. The fear and insecurity was replaced with hope and excitement as we worked at our God given construction project in Grygla.
I recall when I left Liberty Chapel and then went to take over Sand Hill lake Bible Camp. Here we where again at another cross roads in the journey of life. I also in this time of life choose to attend Bemidji State University and get another degree in Social Work.
When I left Liberty Chapel and went to SHLBC we went with excitement and joy. We knew this was the will of God for us. Kathy had always loved the camp life and now she and I got to run the camp. It was a dream come true and we were living it. What a time of refreshing and spiritual growth. We went and I matured in Christ a little bit more. I learned how to be a better leader and how to work with lots of volunteers. We genuinely loved the times we had getting to know all of the many Christians who came through the camp. We met Mennonites, independent Charismatic groups, Baptists, many FCA pastors and FCA Christians from Canada and the USA. It was a great experience and we absolutely loved this type of life. But we knew that this was just a temporary assignment in our journey of life and we still needed to prepare for the future tasks the Lord would have us do. So Kathy went back to school to get more knowledge in her field of teaching and I went back to college to become a better counselor.
I recall when I graduated from Bemidji State University and had resigned at Sand Hill Lake Bible Camp. I knew it was time! We once again found ourselves at a cross roads moment in our life and we now had 3 kids to care for. God opened the door to go become the Associate Pastor at Christian Hills.
In one way we did not want to leave the camp but we knew it was another cross roads moment in our journey. I remember the night I was awakened up and I felt compelled to go out into the living room. I had at this point in my life learned to respond when I felt the prompting of the Lord. So I went and as I entered into the living room I saw a silhouette of Jesus in the window motioning me that He wanted back into the pastorate. I wept that night and knew I had to go. I knew God called me to be a pastor and I needed to go were I was called by the Lord. I was reminded again who I work for, “My boss is a Jewish Carpenter.” My new construction project awaited me at Christian Hills and I needed to go. So we went with great expectations. Kathy got hired as a teacher at the Christian School fulfilling her dreams to teach and we set out on a new adventure in the windy city of Chicago.
I remember the cross over moment of leaving Christian Hills and then eventually coming here to New Life. Once again a time of stepping out in faith and listening to the direction of the Lord. Were there times of uncertainty? Yes there was!
When I reached my cross roads moment in Chicago I immediately resigned with no pastor position in place. I resigned and in the following weeks I wrote my philosophy of ministry. I felt God had taught me how to become not just a leader but a servant leader. I knew it was time to become a senior pastor again and to move to another construction project. Were that was I was not sure! But once again God reminded me, “I am your boss you work for me not for any church of for any person!” I was so convicted of this thought that went out and bought a license plate frame that said, “My boss is a Jewish Carpenter.” I still have it! So we set out on our miracle summer. We left Christian Hills and I candidated many other churches across the USA. The truth was we made more money that summer not working then I did working. And the rest of the story is we ended up here at New Life Community Church. We faced the unknown and trusted God and we are so glad that we did.
Each one of these cross roads on my journey of life were pinnacle times of reflection and trust in the Lord. I still feel the excitement and the apprehension I faced in each moment. I also had to face and deal with the thoughts of uncertainty and of concern. I remember looking out ahead of me thinking, “What a great adventure there is in front of me!” but then thinking, “Do I really want this adventure?” But each time I reached these moments I learned to do 5 things in these pinnacle cross roads moments:
1. I prayed to the Lord and asked for directions on what to do and which way I was to go.
2. I then stepped out in faith trusting God and moved forward battling against the worries.
3. I also took each one of these construction projects on knowing that I would have to work hard to get the task down. I was instructed by the Lord to make sure that I worked myself out of a job.
4. I also learned that I had to continue to make right choices in my building project to see it completed. It was essential to do things right so as not to destroy what I was building.
5. I also had to be sensible in what I was doing for the Lord. I was to make sure that I kept my balance in the assigned construction projects for the Kingdom of God.
It has been a great adventurous journey and I know there is more to come.
I am reminded of the Solomon’s wise words in Ecclesiastes. Listen to what he says about the cross roads moment in life’s journey:
Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Yes there is a time for everything in life! There is a time to move to the different plateaus in life and progress up the path of life. All of us will arrive at these cross roads in our journey of life and it will be our time to seek directions from the Lord, make our decisions, move out in faith with a determination to work hard, trust God and not worry, move in the right direction by making right choices and be sensible in the task He has called you to do.
Cross roads moments can be encountered in life by: Graduating from school, by changing your place of employment, changing were you live, accepting the Lord Jesus as you Savior, getting married, even getting divorced, changing churches, deciding to deal with bad habits in life, dealing with the death of a loved one and similar types of situations. So we need to make sure that we learn how to handle these times appropriately and wisely so that we do not do something foolish to our lives.
T.S. – Let’s look at what to do in those cross road moments in life from Proverbs! Remember I have learned to do these 5 steps in the cross roads moments of life.
I. Look to the Lord for directions when you reach one of those cross roads in your journey of life.
a. The reality check of traveling along this road of life is everything starts with God and success only comes from incorporating God into your plans of life. Listen to what Proverbs says about getting directions from the Lord on the journey of life.
i. Proverbs 3:1-7:
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
1. Wisdom tells us that we are to incorporate the Lord into our lives because if we learn to ask directions then we will live long healthy and prosperous lives.
a. I recall seeing the shirt that says, “Real men don’t ask directions!” My response to this comes from Proverbs which says, “They are fools!”
2. If you learn to get insight from the Lord you will not regret it. Instead of doing something foolish you will instead do something wise. If you do it this way people will respect you and consider you a wise person. But if you learn to do it your way you will be considered foolish.
3. The reality check is this:
a. Real Christians ask for directions when they come to the cross roads in their journey of life. Why? Because they have come to know that God never sends you in the wrong direction and He always does what is best for you.
ii. Proverbs 13:13-16:
13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
but a fool exposes his folly.
1. Proverbs the book of wisdom tells us that getting and listening to directions is the best way to live life.
a. It will keep us from the snare of death and destruction.
2. A person who seeks insight from God is considered a person with sound understanding.
3. People with wisdom and insight from the Lord will find that the journey of life is not as hard as those who, “Do it there way!” These types of individuals who reject the direction of the Lord are repeatedly called fools in Proverbs.
a. Fools are defined by Holman’s Bible Dictionary as: FOOL, FOOLISHNESS, AND FOLLY Translations of several uncomplimentary words which appear approximately 360 times throughout the Old and New Testaments to describe unwise and ungodly people. The words are especially predominant in the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Persons who do not possess wisdom are called “fools”; their behavior is described as “folly.” The picture which emerges from the biblical material is quite simple: folly is the opposite of wisdom, and a fool is the opposite of a wise person. Both wisdom and folly are depicted as philosophies or perspectives on life. The religious person chooses wisdom, whereas the non-religious person opts for folly. Wisdom leads to victory; folly to defeat. Wisdom belongs to those who fear God, and the “fear” of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Wisdom is the essence of life. The foolish person is the one who is thoughtless, self-centered, and obviously indifferent to God.
b. Webster defines a fool as follows: A person with little or no judgment, common sense, or wisdom. A stupid person.
i. Yes he said it, “A fool is someone who is stupid!”
ii. Now this is something to think about the next time we encounter a cross roads moment. Do I want to be considered wise or stupid? It’s your choice!
iii. Proverbs 9:10, 11:
1. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”
a. Notice to have a healthy fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and this healthy fear leads to wise living and wise travel. This healthy fear will also give you understanding in the journey of life.
b. Including God’s direction in your life will bring added years to your life and great eternal rewards.
c. We are promised in Scripture that wisdom will bring you great rewards but if you choose to not listen to direction or to respect God then you will suffer.
iv. Proverbs 21:1-5:
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD;
he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
1. Proverbs reminds us that our heart is directed by the Lord and He will direct and lead it to profit.
a. Listen to this thought!
i. God will never lead you down a path that will destroy you! His direction in life will only lead you to profit!
1. Profit – not deficits!
2. The Lord wants us to say “yes” to His ways and directives. Allowing God to leads us brings profit to our plans in life.
a. But a person with pride or the unwillingness to listen to God is headed for poverty and destruction.
T.S. – Once we have received directions from the Lord and we have made our decision to go then we need to make sure that we do our part and work hard at the construction project.
II. We must work hard at the project God has assigned for us to accomplish.
a. Proverbs 6:6-11:
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.
i. Those who choose to be lazy and a sluggard will suffer from their unwillingness to work hard at their tasks in life.
1. Their families will suffer.
2. Their church will suffer.
3. Their relationships will suffer.
4. Their community will suffer.
5. Their nations will suffer.
ii. Hard work brings great rewards laziness breeds a life filled with hopelessness and mediocrity.
1. People who become enslaved to laziness lead boring unfulfilled lives.
2. They do nothing and as a result fail to live life!
iii. The promise here is those who refuse to do their work in life will live in poverty and live in scarcity.
1. Illustration: A local grammar school pupil, when asked by the teacher to write a composition on “The Effects of Laziness,” turned in a blank sheet of paper. (5100 Quotations, Prochnow).
a. Many get to the end of their lives and turn a blank sheet of paper into the Lord! So sad!
2. Quote: Sir M. Hale stated, “Laziness grows on people; it begins in cobwebs and ends in iron chains. The more business a man has to do the more he is able to accomplish, for he learns to economize his time.”
a. People who defeat the spirit of sloth go on to do more than they could ever have expected because they learn to use their time well for the Lord.
b. But the slothful sleep their life away and never accomplish even the basic tasks in life.
iv. These types of people need to learn some lessons from the ant.
1. Work hard while the time is ripe and you will not end up in poverty or ruin in your life.
a. Graduates learn the important point from the ant work hard and you will be rewarded.
2. I think ants are smarter than some people. I sit back and observe lazy people and see how they just get worst not better.
a. So when it comes to the importance of hard work and persistence in accomplishing the tasks of life we must be determined to be diligent in our work for the Lord.
b. I am concerned with some trends I see in our culture today many people fail to see the importance of training their kids in the art of work.
c. I talked to one business man the other day and he said, “Most of these young kids today do not have a work ethic! They actually want people to pay them for doing nothing and here is the best part they expect this!”
b. Proverbs 12:24
i. “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.”
1. If you learn to work hard you will become a leader but if you fail to work you will become a slave.
a. A slave to going no where in life.
2. I know of too many people who have leadership potential but their work habits keep them enslaved in their laziness.
a. These people have great gifts and talents but they fail to put them in action.
b. Here is the best part of the whole deception mindset – they think God okay with it.
3. To defeat the attitude of sloth takes a determination to say yes to work.
a. You will have to force yourself to defeat this mindset and spiritual war.
b. But God can and will help you if you ask for help.
4. The truth is your success in the future is determined by how you spend your day today! So decide that today is the day to overcome the spirit of laziness.
a. Maxwell tells us that what you do today determines who you will be tomorrow. This means the way you live today determines whether you achieve success tomorrow.
c. Proverbs 13:4:
i. “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
1. The lazy want things in life but they get nothing because they are unwilling to work for it. But those who decide to work for their desires will achieve them.
a. This is a promise from the word of God and wisdom shows us the way. We need to be diligent with our life and be intentional about getting our work done.
2. Laziness will never help you it will only hinder you on your journey. But hard work will bring great rewards and you will have more than enough.
a. Working hard in your God given task in life will bring satisfaction and fulfillment to your life.
d. Proverbs 15:19:
i. “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.”
1. The way of the lazy is a path filled with thorns and road blocks. They come to a roadblock or a difficulty in their life and instead of moving it out of the way they veer off the path and get lost on the back roads of life going no where but in circles. Or they just give up and stay right where they are at and they end up going no where!
2. Illustration: Have you ever seen a straight river? Canals are straight, but all rivers seem to be crooked. We call it “meandering.” Why are rivers crooked? Because the natural tendency of a river is to take the easiest way around any obstacle. So rivers are always crooked, and they always run downhill.
Some people are like rivers. They are too lazy and immature to put forth much effort into walking with God. For them it’s easier to watch TV than to pray and easier to read their newspaper than to read their bible.
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Wayne Field
e. Proverbs 21:5:
i. “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
1. The truth repeated over and over in Proverbs is that hard work pays off in the end and laziness will end up leaving you poor and destitute.
a. So you need to decide!
b. Illustration – It is observable that God has often called men to places of dignity and honor when they have busy and honest employment of their vocation. Saul was seeking his father’s donkeys and David his father’s sheep when called to the Kingdom. The shepherds were feeding their flocks when they had their glorious revelation. God called the 4 apostles from their fishing and Matthew from collecting taxes. Amos from the horsemen of Tecoah, Moses from keeping Jethro’s sheep, Gideon from the threshing floor, Elisha from the plows. God never called a lazy man. God never encourages idleness and will not despise persons in the lowest employment. D.L. Moody.
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Troy Mason
2. So decide to work hard and learn a lesson from the ants before it is too late. They know what they are doing how about you?
T.S. – Once you have determined to work hard you must make sure that you don’t end up worrying about all the details in your project and instead trust God and have a joyful attitude.
III. We need to learn to trust God in our journey of life and not allow the heavy weight of worry to rob us of our joy in life.
a. Proverbs 14:10-14:
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and joy may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good man rewarded for his.
i. In our passage above we are reminded that even the happy ones will face times of distress but in the end they will come out and receive a good reward.
ii. Happiness is a choice in life and only you can decide to have a happy heart in this journey of life.
iii. Joy is a matter of your attitude and you perceptions in life.
iv. You can be happy and joyful even in the midst of a difficult task.
v. It takes will power and help from the Lord but you can become cheerful if you so desire.
b. Proverbs 15:13, 15
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
i. Do you have a happy heart? If you do then we will see it on your face.
1. Truth is “Don’t worry be happy!” This is a great truth to live by. It does your face a lot of good to smile at what you encounter in the journey of life.
2. If you have a cheerful attitude in life your life will be filled with good times -- but if you fail to learn to laugh at this life you will live a miserable existence.
a. Illustration: “Joy is like the hidden note in the glass. Joy is tuning in to what God is doing around you, seeing the world through his eyes, picking up on his delight in us as his children. Anyone can find happiness for a while… Happiness depends on what is happening to you. Joy is different; joy goes deeper. Joy is when your whole being sings because you have caught a glimpse of God at work. Joy can creep up on you and surprise you in unexpected places.”
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Jim Kane
3. Being joyful comes from having an absolute trust in the Lord to take care of you.
a. Illustration: The selfless love to which God calls you and me produces a deep joy in our hearts. This joy or happiness of the Spirit has three dimensions.
Joy is the assurance of faith that we are acceptable to God and that God’s good providences are working on our behalf. This joy is an inner calm produced by confidence in God. It is untouched by outward circumstances and is not diminished by pain and sorrow. Sometimes this joy gives us a sense of satisfaction and comfort. The highest level of joy is a kind of ecstasy or overflowing happiness. There is no way of describing this – no more than we can say what it is like to be in love. It is simply a graced moment, and may only last a short time. We are cautioned by spiritual leaders not to seek this experience. God gives it when it pleases Him – it is always a by-product of faith.
Jerry Mercer from God’s Treasury of Virtues: An Inspirational Collection of Stories, Quotes, Hymns, Scriptures and Poems (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Honor Books, 1995), 82.
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Joel Smith
4. We really need to think happy to be happy in the journey of life!
c. Thoughts on how to be happy:
i. Turning ninety-five, comedian Bob Hope told TV guide the secret to his longevity: “Laughter is it. Laughter is therapy-an instant vacation.”
1. Many of us are under so much pressure we need to laugh more because it relieves all the stress in those joyful moments.
ii. Happiness is the key to succeeding in this life. It’s what makes life worth living.
1. It’s the smile from the little one you help each day.
2. It’s the thank you from others for helping them out.
3. It’s the attitude of looking at the gas tank as being half full and not half empty.
4. It’s the heart that plays in the snow in April.
5. It’s the one who rejoices in the traffic jam and looks at as a time to spend in prayer with the Lord.
6. It’s the laughing with family and friends at our exploits.
iii. A smile- some laughter – some chuckles all of this makes it easier and delightful to go through the journey of life.
1. We all like to be happy so we do need to pursue it!
a. Look for the funny humorous things in your day!
b. The best laugh is at your self.
c. Mother Teresa said, “A person filled with joy preaches without preaching.”
iv. We have learned that laughter is good medicine and healthy for you:
• It reduces stress
• It reduces the chance of heart disease
• It drives our fear
• It drives out depression
• It creates a positive outlook on life
• Laughter helps us deal with pain better
• It’s a scientific fact that people who laugh more lead healthier lives. We discovered from Proverbs that laughter is one dimension of wisdom. Do you want to be wise then learn to laugh?
• Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh.
o So go ahead laugh more complain less and worry less!
• So decide to laugh more and you will be one step closer to wisdom.
T.S. – We need to approach our construction projects and our journey in life with a happy heart and then make sure we do not ruin our cheerfulness with wrong choices and wrong turns along the way.
IV. In this journey of life you must decide to make right choices and do the right actions in life.
a. Proverbs 13:9-13:
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
i. Wrong turns happen because you have your lights out and you do not know were you are going.
1. Proverbs tells us if you turn out your light you will get lost!
2. Wisdom says turn you head lights on!
ii. Remember ask for advice seek counsel along the journey so that you do make a wrong turn and get lost on your way.
iii. Too much pride in yourself will lead you down a wrong path. So avoid it like the plague.
1. Illustration: According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison; it was through Pride that the devil became the devil; Pride leads to every other vice; it is the complete anti-God state of mind...If you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, ‘How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronize me, or show off?’ The point is that each person’s pride is in competition with everyone else’s pride. It is because I am so annoyed at someone else being the big noise. Two of a trade never agree. Now what you want to get clear is that Pride is essentially competitive - is competitive by its very nature - while the other vices are competitive only, so to speak, by accident. Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man.”
SOURCE: C. S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” Book III; a chapter entitled, ‘The Great Sin’.
Contributed to sermon central by: Clark Tanner
2. Remember puffy heads eventually will explode and cause a mess.
iv. If you reject the Lord you will suffer the consequences. Accept the Lord and you will be rewarded.
v. Make sure you accept correction on the journey of life and make sure you take responsibility for your wrongs.
1. If you don’t take responsibility for your wrong choices in life you will end up poor and in destructive accident.
b. Proverbs 13:18 - 22:
18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Misfortune pursues the sinner,
but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
i. Once again the book of wisdom tells us we must be teachable and responsible with our lives. He that heeds correction will be honored but those who do not will end up in shame and poverty in the sight of God.
ii. We must make sure that we stay a way from evil because it will deter us from achieving our goals in life.
1. Sin and it’s lure is there on the journey of life but we need to say “No” to it and move in the right direction.
iii. We must also make sure we keep good company so that we stay on the path of life and not let bad company corrupt our destiny.
1. When I first became a Christian my pastor told me “ the only thing said Mike who you hang with will determine whether you are a success story for the Lord.”
iv. When we make right choices throughout life we will be able to leave our kids a rich inheritance and our families will be blessed.
1. But bad choices will affect our kids and our families.
c. Proverbs 13:25:
i. “The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.”
1. Promise here form the Lord is that those who make right choices will be content. But the ones who do make right choices will never be satisfied and content in life.
d. Proverbs 15:10-12:
10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path;
he who hates correction will die.
11 Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD—
how much more the hearts of men!
12 A mocker resents correction;
he will not consult the wise.
i. Those who make wrong turns off their path will be met with strong discipline and even for some death.
ii. We must make sure we seek wisdom through out our journey and do the right things and stay on the right path.
e. Proverbs 21:3-4:
i. “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!”
1. The Lord wants us to do right things not just sacrifice our lives for the wrong motives in life. Wrong turns put you in the wrong place and that is not where you want to be in your journey.
T.S. – We must on the journey of life continue to make right choices so we stay on the right path and then be sensible in the journey.
V. Be sensible in your journey and with the projects God asks of you to complete.
a. Proverbs 13:14-17:
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
but a fool exposes his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
i. Being sensible in life will require wisdom from above and it will bring the fountain of life to you.
1. Quote: Wisdom is the God-given ability to perceive the true nature of a matter and implement the will of God in that matter” (Larry Lea, Wisdom pg.14)
Contributed to Sermon Central by: ERIC OLSON
ii. Being sensible and wise will prevent you from falling into the traps of the enemy.
1. The enemy has set traps for you on the road to eternal life but you need to make sure that you do step into them or play with them.
iii. If you gain understanding by being sensible then you will be praised for your wise conduct and speech by others.
1. But if you fail to get good common sense you will fail and life will be harder.
2. Don’t be a fool and act ungodly!
iv. Don’t be a wicked messenger or allow a wicked a person to deliver a message for you because it will bring trouble.
1. Only trust those who have wisdom and understanding!
2. Note not every one of your professors in college will have wisdom and understanding. They may have knowledge but that is not wisdom.
3. Quote: If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge.
-- Vance Havner
Contributed to sermon central by: Dru Ashwell
b. Proverbs 14:6-9:
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7 Stay away from a foolish man,
for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
i. Proverbs warns us that if you make fun of wisdom then you will never find it in life. So be careful!
ii. Understanding brings knowledge but a fool will have no part of it because they are foolish- actually stupid!
iii. Wise people have enough sense to find their own way and that way is always rooted in wisdom from above.
1. Proverbs 15:3 – tells us that the Lord sees everything whether it is good or bad.
c. Proverbs 14:15 -18:
15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
16 A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
1. We are not to be foolish and believe everything we hear. We need to be smart and wise in the eyes of the Lord and measure everything we hear and learn in the future against the Word of God. We need to be sensible and know were we are going.
Conclusion:
Proverbs 16:1-3 and verse 9:
1 To man belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed…
9 In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
1. So to the graduates of today and to those of you who are at a cross roads moment in
life make sure that you incorporate the Lord into you decision making process.
2. Then make sure you decide to work hard on the construction project that God has
bestowed upon you in your life and avoid being lazy and quit looking for the easy way
out.
3. Then once you trust God and step out in faith don’t allow the worries of life to choke
out the joy in your heart.
4. As you continue on your journey decide to make right choices so that you do not make a wrong one that will get you off the road to success.
5. Then finally be sensible out there on the road of life and balance everything against the Word of God and by all means do not buy into everything you hear.
