Sermon Central
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Proverbs
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 19, 2011 (message contributor)
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1. Living A Wise Life
Contributed on May 19, 2011
Proverbs is a guide book that teachings its readers how to lead wise, godly lives and how to avoid the pitfalls of unwise, ungodly behavior.
PROVERBS 1:1 LIVING A WISE LIFE [Proverbs 10: 17] The book of Proverbs is sound sense for successful living. It is so needed today because as late British poet T. S. Eliot asked; "Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?" We ...read more
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2. The Path Of Wisdom & Life
Contributed on Jul 7, 2011
In the Book of Proverbs, the words "path" & "way" (& their plurals) are found nearly 100 times. It is while we walk with God that we learn to enjoy the blessings of God.
PROVERBS 2:9-22 THE PATH OF WISDOM AND LIFE A newspaper cartoon shows an AUTOMOBILE BALANCING PRECARIOUSLY over the edge of a cliff, with an embarrassed husband at the wheel and his disgusted wife sitting next to him. Meekly, he says to his wife, "Honey, there's got to be a lesson here ...read more
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3. Watch Your Step
Contributed on Aug 25, 2011
Often we Christians believe that we are so insulated against evil that we do not need to be isolated from evil. Everything the Bible says is opposed to such a view. The people and the activities we are involved with can hurt us and cause us to fall.
PROVERBS 4:10-19 WATCH YOUR STEP [Jude 24, 25] A sign on the entrance to the IRS office read, "Watch your step." A sign on the exit read, "Watch your language." Two good pieces of advice! The first warning is especially appropriate, for as we walk through life, it is easy to stumble and ...read more
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4. Making A Meaningful Life
Contributed on May 30, 2011
These first verses of chapter one reveal the purpose of the book. It was written to teach wisdom by applying wisdom to life. It's wise practical teaching leads the understanding man who fears the Lord to wisdom.
PROVERBS 1: 2-7 MAKING A MEANINGFUL LIFE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY, a company hired a consultant, who called a meeting of all shop personnel. Stressing the need to listen to experts, he said, "Imagine you're on the Titanic, and it's sinking. You climb into a lifeboat. Which direction would you ...read more
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5. Choosing Companions
Contributed on Jun 2, 2011
A great tragedy of our day is that there is so much noise that people can't hear the things they desperately need to hear. God is trying to get through to them with the voice of wisdom, but they are confused by the clutter of communication; the foolish vo
PROVERBS 1: 8-19 CHOOSING COMPANIONS [2 Corinthians 6: 14-18] How do we learn wisdom or the capacity to exhibit God's character in the many practical affairs of life? We learn wisdom by listening to godly instruction and counsel which is so difficult to hear today. The world's volume ...read more
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6. Wisdom's Shouts
Contributed on Jun 9, 2011
Here true wisdom is the revealing of the mind of God. Wisdom is shouting out to humanity and humanity seems to pay her no mind. But the real question is are you hearing and responding to wisdom's call?
PROVERBS 1:20-23 WISDOM'S SHOUTS Wisdom is depicted as a beautiful and noble queen standing in the crowded plaza of humanity. There she lifts up her lovely and authoritative voice to those passing by. The personification here of wisdom was meant to give some kind of tangibleness to ...read more
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7. Discerning & Discovering Spiritual Blessings
Contributed on Jul 5, 2011
In chapter 2, a father encourages his son to search diligently for this rare jewel because wisdom is not usually discovered by the casual observer. Wisdom is discovered and enjoyed only by those who are diligent, devoted, and determined to seek it.
PROVERBS 2:1-8 DISCERNING AND DISCOVERING SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS When Betty Goldstein of Staten Island, New York, entered the hospital, her husband Ron wrapped her 3.5-carat diamond ring in a napkin for safekeeping. But in a forgetful moment, the 63-year-old Goldstein threw the napkin in the ...read more
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8. The Instructions Of A Father
Contributed on Aug 11, 2011
God wants to raise you up, to educate you and train you in His wisdom. He use a home and earthly fathers and mothers as His schools and teachers. Those that graduate from God's School of Wisdom receive its watch-care and honor.
PROVERBS 4: 1-9 THE INSTRUCTIONS OF A FATHER or Finding God's Direction [2 Timothy 3:14 / 1 Kings 3:5-14] We all need a relationship with our father. A little boy sat frustrated and near tears. He was trying to build a toy wagon but he just couldn't get the wheels to go on. His dad came ...read more
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9. A Sexually Pervasive & Permissive Society
Contributed on Sep 8, 2011
Here we learn of the poisoning and deadly consequences of sexual permissiveness.
PROVERBS 5: 1-14 A Word to A SEXUALLY PERVASIVE & PERMISSIVE SOCIETY [1 Kings 11:1-8] A man ordered a book on sex education from Broadman Press a several years ago. The materials in the warehouse are coded by number, so the keypunch operator handling the order punched the code into the ...read more
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10. How To Succeed In Life
Contributed on Sep 8, 2011
God says He will guide & direct us. He will led us into a balanced life & proper decisions. The big question though is will we obey God's will if He reveals it to us? Trusting & obeying is what is absolutely necessary to be guided by God.
PROVERBS 3: 5 & 6 HOW TO SUCCEED IN LIFE [Jeremiah 10:23-24] [This text has a special place in my heart. Since 1977 it has been one of my life verses. I have not always been fully obedient to its injunction, but when I have the promise that He shall direct my paths has proven true.] ...read more
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11. Pure Or Polluted Refreshment
Contributed on Sep 14, 2011
Don't let God's best for you be wasted on the illusion of greener pastures somewhere else. Instead, rejoice with your spouse as you give yourselves first to God, then to each other.
PROVERBS 5: 15-20 PURE OR POLLUTED REFRESHMENT This eye opening chapter deals with a delicate subject daringly and with great directness. The way of wisdom is superbly illustrated by contrasting the false (7-14) with the true. These positive teachings concerning marriage relationship are ...read more
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12. Providence's Restraint Of Evil
Contributed on Sep 15, 2011
Let us look at the end result of those that refuse to hear God's instruction, and do not heed His rebuke concerning the holy state of matrimony. God has foreordained that sin should be its own worst enemy.
PROVERBS 5: 21-23 PROVIDENCE'S RESTRAINT OF EVIL In chapter 5 we have viewed the deadly enticements of sin (5:1-14) and then the happiness provided by keeping the marriage bonds tight and uncorrupted (5:15-20; Heb. 13:4). This should motivate us to avoid adultery and esteem our marriage. ...read more
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13. The Snare Of Over-Extended Financial Obligation
Contributed on Sep 29, 2011
We might call this a warning against ill-considered kindness, or against unnecessary debt creation. God does not want you needlessly in debt or responsible for someone who is.
PROVERBS 6: 1-5 THE SNARE OF OVER-EXTENDED FINANCIAL OBLIGATION [Matthew 5:25-26] Our master teacher warns against becoming liable for the financial obligations of others. These verses are not a case against generosity, but against overextending one’s financial resources and acting in ...read more
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14. A Warning Against Laziness & Procrastination
Contributed on Oct 6, 2011
Ants are used as models of industrious workers whose diligence provides for the present & prepares for the future. Laziness keeps one from fulfilling their physical & spiritual responsibilities & realizing the potential of their earthy & eternal future
PROVERBS 6: 6-11 A WARNING AGAINST LAZINESS AND PROCRASTINATION [John 4:31-38] God speaks to us most clearly and directly through His Word, but if one does not trust the wisdom of His Word, then he can extract wisdom from observing nature and fallen man. Nature teaches us to be prepared ...read more
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15. Perverse People Spread Strife
Contributed on Oct 13, 2011
The emphasis of the passage is on the dangers of perversity and the disastrous fate of its perpetrator. We here have a description of a person who deceives and stirs up strife & how to spot the scoundrel.
PROVERBS 6: 12-15 PERVERSE PEOPLE SPREAD STRIFE [Genesis 37:29-35] What and how we communicate is important to God. There are those who are skilled in the methods of communication but deceitfully use their skills to spread slander and strife. This description is not a picture of a real ...read more
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16. Seven Abominations
Contributed on Oct 27, 2011
Man conceives of God as "one such as himself" who looks at sin with indifference. It is not so. God is not nearly so neutral as man is concerning sin. There are actually sins which God absolutely hates.
PROVERBS 6: (12-) 16-19 SEVEN ABOMINATIONS [Psalms 133] Man conceives of God as "one such as himself" (Ps. ) who looks at sin with indifference. It is not so. God is not nearly so neutral as man is concerning sin. There are actually sins which God absolutely hates. This familiar list ...read more
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17. A Mother’s Teachings
Contributed on Nov 3, 2011
It is by trusting & obeying the truth that God keeps us from believing the enemies lies. God watches over us, protects us, & directs us through His Word.
PROVERBS 6: 20-24 A MOTHER’S TEACHINGS The warnings against adultery in Proverbs are prefaced by admonitions to pay attention to the Word of God (5:1-2; 6:10-24; 7:1-5). It is by trusting and obeying the truth that God keeps us from believing the enemies lies. God watches over us, ...read more
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18. Life Or Lust
Contributed on Nov 10, 2011
When we consider how adultery abounds, how heinous a sin it is, what evil consequence it brings, & how destructive it is to the spiritual life & even physical life (1 Cor. 6:15-20), it is no wonder that the warnings against it are repeated so often.
PROVERBS 6: [24] 25-35 LIFE OR LUST [ Matthew 5:17-30] THE SONG OF THE SIRENS- carried by the wind, skimming the surface of the sea, captured in the sails of the ship-lured many a captain and his sailors to change their charted course. Powerless to resist the sirens' mesmerizing song, the ...read more
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19. A Wise Father's Instruction
Contributed on Nov 17, 2011
Solomon's instruction is to go for wisdom & to flee from the evil woman. The teacher wants to rivet the student's attention on the subject. His admonitions are as inescapable as commands & laws.
PROVERBS 7: 1-5 A WISE FATHER'S INSTRUCTION The first nine chapters of Proverbs basically deal with two subjects: wisdom and women. Solomon's instruction is to go for wisdom and to flee from the evil woman. The teacher wants to rivet the student's attention on the subject. His admonitions ...read more
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20. Wisdom's Noble Call
Contributed on Dec 1, 2011
Wisdom leaves no doubt about the importance and meaning of her call. She comes near to mankind & seeks to win them by her noble & uplifting gifts. May we heed the call & follow heavenly wisdom's guidance.
PROVERBS 8: 1-11 WISDOM'S NOBLE CALL Speaking without wisdom is of little value and wisdom without a voice is of little use. So here we have wisdom taking voice and speaking. The Word of God and wisdom go hand-in-hand crying out to be heard. Wisdom's inviting call here in chapter ...read more
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21. Wisdom Brings True Success
Contributed on Dec 8, 2011
Wisdom endows its seekers and their life with true wealth (CIT). In this passage the beauty and grace of wisdom are set forth with the understanding that it can never be achieved without the fear of the Lord.
PROVERBS 8: 12-21 WISDOM BRINGS TRUE SUCCESS [Isaiah 55] Having just stated that the worth of wisdom's instruction and knowledge is more valuable than all monetary achievements (8:10-11), Solomon now develops the proof. Wisdom endows its seekers and their life with true wealth (CIT). ...read more
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22. Wisdom's Invitation
Contributed on Jan 12, 2012
Wisdom's invitation is not given without costly preparation so let those who hear come & enjoy life at God's table.
PROVERBS 9: 1-6 WISDOM'S INVITATION [Matthew 22:1-4 / Luke 14:15-24] In chapter 8, wisdom appears when the world formed and populated. Wisdom anticipated the needs of man and provided a remedy. There wisdom stood and spoke from the high stage of the heaven. In chapter 9 we get a view ...read more
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23. Corrections For Life
Contributed on Jan 30, 2012
We need to be aware of how to distinguish scorners & the wicked from those simply ignorant of the way of wisdom. The wise are those who heed wisdom by responding to & learning from rebuke.We need wise counsel to guide us in this difficult but necessary ma
PROVERBS 9: 7-12 CORRECTIONS FOR LIFE [2 Peter 1:2-4] Wisdom has been issuing her invitation and calling us to walk in the way of understanding. She directs her invitation to the simple, the naive, the ignorant, to those who have not already made up their mind. There are others who have ...read more
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24. The Invitation Of Pleasure
Contributed on Feb 2, 2012
Wisdom's great rival, worldly lust, is no less earnest to destroy that wisdom is to save. Each invites to partake of her feast. Every man moves between these rival invitations in every step of life, The text presents three aspects of temptation's allurem
PROVERBS 9:13-18 THE INVITATION OF PLEASURE [2 Samuel 11:1-15] Wisdom's free and gracious invitation already has been set before us. Her invitation invites to goodness, holiness and peace. We might ask who in his or her right mind could resist? Now we have the allurement from the opposite ...read more
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25. A Good Word For The Diligent
Contributed on Feb 9, 2012
The words diligence and industry do not carry as positive a connotation in our society as they once did. But the Bible exalts those that work over the "leisure-holics," and those who work with diligence over those who work with negligence.
PROVERBS 10: 1-5 A GOOD WORD FOR THE DILIGENT [Proverbs 6:6-11] The subscription stated as "The Proverbs of Solomon" informs us that we have come to a new portion of the book. The first nine chapters have set forth beautifully in what has been mainly connected discourse concerning the ...read more
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26. The Blessed & The Perverted
Contributed on Feb 16, 2012
The righteous are blessed for they receive & obey God’s Word & therefore walk in safety & will be well remembered. The wicked bring about strife, hurt, & harm. Since they sought the downfall of others their remembrance & work will be cast down
PROVERBS 10: 6-10 THE BLESSED AND THE PERVERTED [or the Blesser and the Perverter] Here we have two characters -the wicked and the just- contrasted. They represent the two great classes of mankind. From their opposite characters, there springs an opposite way of living which leads to ...read more
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27. Think Before You Speak
Contributed on Feb 23, 2012
We have the glorious privilege to choose our words. This privilege is one of the main reasons we are to gain wisdom. The righteous speak wise words. Thus they are fitting or appropriate & give life to people & situations.
PROVERBS 10: 11-14, 18-21, 31-32 THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK These verses address the subject of talking. Speech is one of the most distinguishing gifts of man. The faculty of speech offers immense influence either for good or evil. It is the principle channel by which we will affect people ...read more
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28. Valued Words
Contributed on Mar 8, 2012
It takes a change of heart as well as a change of mind that we might speak righteously. Yet the difficult task of refining our speaking process is worth the effort, for the righteous use valued words that bring blessings
THE WORDS OF THE RIGHTEOUS VALUED WORDS PROVERBS 10: 31-32 Words spring from the heart and are then formed by the mind. If the heart is pure, righteous speech should flow out of it. If the heart is wicked it also flows from the mouth. Yet even if the heart is pure it is not a given that ...read more
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29. Integrity
Contributed on Mar 15, 2012
To have integrity is to be consistently and predictably honest in your dealings & relationships. God’s people are to be people of integrity. Let us open our heart & learn that the true way is always the best way.
INTEGRITY PROVERBS 11: 3 A person of integrity has the blessing of the Lord. To have integrity is to be consistently and predictably honest in your dealings and relationships. It is a noble thing to be known as a person of integrity. It means being willing to do what is right-even if it ...read more
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30. Pride Verses Humility
Contributed on Mar 29, 2012
Pride and humility are the outcomes of attitudes and opinion we harbor and the choices we make. The harmful results of pride are repeatedly contrasted with humility & with its benefits. So the sayings in Proverbs hammer hard against pride & drives home th
PRIDE VERSES HUMILITY Proverbs 11:2 Proverbs is direct and forceful in rejecting pride and honoring humility. Pride is pagan behavior. It has no place in the lives of God's people. Pride is a declaration of independence from God if not an assertion of war against Him. Pride therefore ...read more