Month: June 2023

The Praise of Wise and Godly Women

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Last Sunday, Alan gave his last message on the book of Proverbs by taking us through Proverbs 31. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included Alan’s outline with some notes and links to verses her references. Enjoy!

The Praise of Wise and Godly Women

Proverbs 31

Big Theme: Wisdom is personified as a woman in Proverbs. Three significant passages in Proverbs give the full picture of Lady Wisdom (1:8-33; 8:1-36; 9:1-12). Lady Wisdom was even present at Creation (Proverbs 8:22). When you look at creation, you can see the wisdom of God.

Proverbs closes with an exhortation to praise wise and godly women, specifically wives. So the overall thrust is to give godly women the respect and authority they are due. This would involve respecting their gifts, wisdom, and voices. This is the overarching theme of scripture in relation to women. One of the things Jesus obviously stood against was the oppression of women by the male-dominated religious structures of the day.

  1. An Old Testament and New Testament Review of Women in Ministry
    • Old Testament
      • Two books named after (and centered around) women:
        • Ruth
        • Esther (who saved her nation)
      • Three Prophetesses
        • Miriam (Moses’ sister)
        • Deborah (one of Israel’s judges)
        • Huldah (2 Kings 22)
      • Women were privy to angelic visitations
      • Women could take a Nazarite vow & offer the appropriate sacrifices for it (Numbers 6:1-21)
      • Women could minister at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting
      • Women could participate in music and processionals
      • The prophet Joel envisioned a time when God’s Spirit would pour out on all people, irrespective of gender and class (Joel 2:28-29).
    • New Testament
      • Acts 2 – correlates Joel’s vision with the coming of the Holy Spirit
      • Women who were followers of Jesus were engaged in both serving and speaking
        • In the book of Acts:
          • Dorcas
          • Lydia
          • Priscilla
          • Philip’s four daughters
        • Luke gives attention to several women who were important in Jesus’ ministry, including:
          • Mary, the mother of Jesus
          • Anna, the prophetess
          • A circle of women who served alongside and supported Jesus and the twelve
          • Mary, the sister of Martha
        • Paul notes a number of women who had roles in the work and ministry of the Apostle Paul:
          • Lydia and Priscilla (Acts)
          • Phoebe & Junia (Romans)
          • Chloe (Corinthians)
          • Euodia & Syntyche (Philippians)
          • Nympha (Colossians)
          • Lois & Eunice (Timothy)
          • Apphia (Philemon)
          • And others…
  2. Attributes (not all) of Godly Women/Wives
    • Her Value (Proverbs 31:10-12)
      • The scarcity of competent strength (valor, noble character), trust, and seeking others’ good makes them valuable.
      • It’s a unique thing to find an excellent, godly woman.
      • A husband finds his reward in a godly wife.
    • Her Activities (Proverbs 31:13-20)
      • The picture of an industrious woman who makes things happen (v. 13-14)
      • She can be a lioness of provision and protection (v. 15)
      • She plans and executes her plan (v. 16-17)
      • She saves accordingly so as not to run out of necessities (v. 18)
      • She is philanthropic with her revenue (v. 19-20)
    • Her Achievements (Proverbs 31:21-27)
      • She is successful – richly supplies her household (v. 21-22, 24-25)
      • She is a driving force behind her husbands success (v. 23)
      • She speaks wisdom coupled with love and is continually diligent (v. 26-27)
    • Her Praiseworthiness (Proverbs 31:28-31)
      • She earns her family’s praise for her competent strength [hayil in Hebrew] (v. 28-29)
      • She has earned and deserves the praise of all because she knows the principle characteristic of wisdom (v. 30-31)
  3. Practical Application to Decide Upon
    • How can a community of faith show the honor and respect that is due women is an important question to answer, not only in theory but in actual practice of the church.
    • The right for women to teach, to vote, to serve communion, what about women pastors? Are our views on these questions in line with Jesus’ treatment and respect of women?
      • The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-26)
      • The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:2-11)
      • Jesus recognized the dignity of women
    • Or are our views based on misinterpretations of a very few Pauline scriptures and our own cultural biases?
      • Women are to be silent (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)
        • Paul wrote this to a specific church, at a specific time, for a specific reason – those women were causing dissension in their church. Paul didn’t write that admonition because they were women, but because they were causing problems in their sin.
    • It is a question worth thinking upon and answering.

How to Walk in the Way of Wisdom

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Alan took us back into the book of Proverbs with a lesson on how to walk in the way of wisdom from Proverbs 4. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included Alan’s outline, along with some notes and links to Scriptures referenced. Praying it blessed you as much as it did me!

How to Walk in the Way of Wisdom

Proverbs 4:10-27

Introduction: Walking in the way of wisdom versus walking in the way of evil is a common theme of Proverbs. It’s also a choice we have to make every day.

New Testament Equivalent: Jesus refers to Himself as the Way (John 14:6). Believers are called to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).

  1. The Call and Command to Walk in the Way of Wisdom (Proverbs 4:10-13)
    • The call to listen and act (v. 10)
      • Wise choices lead to prolonged life
      • Unwise choices can shorten your life
      • This idea is also found in the beginning and the end of the Sermon on the Mount
    • Wisdom as a tried and true path (v. 11)
    • Wisdom is both freeing and protective (v. 12)
    • Walking in wisdom demands continual perseverance (v. 13)
  2. Avoiding the Addictive Ways of Evil (Proverbs 4:14-17)
    • Avoid the way of the wicked (v. 14-15)
      • The speaker uses six different ways to tell the listener to avoid evil, with each set of words intensifying the command.
    • Evil has an addictive “trap like” quality to it (v. 16-17)
      • Those who eat, sleep, and drink evil
      • Contrast with John 6:52-58 – those who eat, sleep, and drink the Word
      • What consumes our thoughts/ways
  3. Blessings of Walking in Wisdom (Proverbs 4:18-19)
    • Walking in wisdom is like walking in the brightness of sunshine
    • Walking in evil is like a gloomy day
    • Evil blinds us to what is good, makes us believe what is bad is good and what is good is bad
  4. Walking in Wisdom Involves the Whole of Our Person (Proverbs 4:20-27)
    • These verses tell the listener how to use their ears, eyes, heart, mouth (lips) and feet.
    • The heart is at the center of how we receive and use wisdom.
    • As Bruce Waltke says, “Proverbs is full of straight talk about talking straight.”

Giving

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good afternoon! A few weeks ago, Terry stepped in when Alan wasn’t feeling well to teach about Christian giving. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes with links to Bible Gateway for verses he referenced. Enjoy and be blessed!

Giving

  • Everything we have belongs to the Lord.
  • In the OT, 10% of the peoples’ increase was to go to the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:22-23)
  • Psalm 24:1
  • Proverbs 11:24-25 explains what God says about giving
    • When we step out in obedience, something supernatural happens.
    • disperse (by the guidance of the Holy Spirit) to/for God & we will have increase
    • withhold from God & live in want
  • We can’t out-give the Lord, but we must remember to give wisely.
  • God wants us to be a conduit – He will bless us, so that we can turn around and bless others
  • Proverbs 19:17 – the economy of how God works is opposite of the way the world works
  • Luke 21:1-4 – giving from the heart
  • Matthew 6:1-4 – be more concerned with helping than with how much you’re giving
  • Malachi 3:8-10 – only time God tells Israel to test Him (in regards to giving to the Lord and being blessed in return)
  • Exodus 16:14-20 – manna was not to be stored, only for meeting the needs of the day
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – no longer are we under the 10% tithe (that was the Old Covenant)
    • v. 6 – reap what you sow
    • v. 7 – give from your heart (not grudgingly)

What Next?

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Memorial Day weekend found Terry teaching about what’s next, based ultimately on 1 Corinthians 15. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included notes and links to BibleGateway for the verses he references. May it bless you richly!

What Next?

  • Genesis 3 – man fell into sin & generally made a mess of everything
  • God, in His love and mercy, made a way for fallen, sinful man to be reconciled unto Him – the blood of Jesus Christ
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – created in the image of God means that we are three parts (spirit, soul, body), just as He is three parts (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
  • Ephesians 1:13-14 – the Holy Spirit brings salvation (comes to indwell those who believe), seals/marks us as the property of God (a down payment/earnest money for eternal life)
    • God bought us out of sin & death at a tremendous cost to Jesus
    • We are a purchased possession of God
  • Spirit and Soul are made alive at the moment of salvation, but we are still looking forward to the redemption of the Body (which is dying every moment of every day)
    • It takes the grace of God to nurture this bag of bones over the finish line!
    • Romans 8:28 – our bodies breaking down is part of the humbling that we need to realize our need for the salvation that is found only in Christ.
    • The full, eternal, everlasting inheritance that we have in God includes redeemed bodies.
    • Our already redeemed spirit and soul are for us to be the salt and light for those who are still in darkness
    • Lamentations 3:22-23 – He will give us what we need to fulfill His purpose
  • Two Resurrections:
    • John 11:25-26 – He that believes in Jesus will live forever.
    • John 5:28-29 – All that are in the grave (a temporary holding place) will be raised
    • 1st Resurrection – for God & His people (believers)
    • 2nd Resurrection – for judgment of those who reject Christ
  • Philippians 3:20-21 – our citizenship is in heaven!
    • v. 20 – we eagerly wait for Jesus to return (fix our eyes on Him) – two ways to meet Him:
    • v. 21 – will change our lowly bodies to be like His glorious resurrected body
  • 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 – the last enemy is death
  • 1 Corinthians 15:50-52
    • flesh and blood cannot enter God’s presence (our earthly bodies are corrupted with sin)
    • we won’t all die (some of us will rise in the Rapture – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
    • Being with Jesus Christ is the hope of the believer.
  • What’s next? Salvation now, but a new body to house that life that God has imparted unto us. Until then, be busy doing the Lord’s will.

Proverbs on Wealth, Speech, Satisfaction, & Destinies

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Hello! Two Sundays ago, Alan continued his teaching through the Proverbs by taking us to Proverbs 13:1-25. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included Alan’s outline, along with some notes and links to BibleGateway for Scriptures referenced.

*Note: the audio recording was not started until about halfway through the message. Check the outline for where the audio matches up with the notes.

Proverbs on Wealth, Speech, Satisfaction, and Destinies

Proverbs 13:1-25

The Big Theme: Through morally good behavior there are gains earned.

Proverbs 13:1 – sets the stage, essentially saying that you will listen to the rest of what he has to say if you are wise; if you are foolish, however, you will ignore it.

  1. Proverbs on Speech and Being Industrious – Proverbs 13:2-6
    • v. 2: There is speech that will benefit you and there is speech whose motive is violence.
    • v. 3: A wise person is cautious in what they say. A fool says all kinds of things that ruin their lives and the lives of others.
      • Basically, when in doubt, don’t shout it out.
    • v. 4: A lazy person wants the good things but doesn’t get them (at least when things are operating in a normal way).
      • The Proverbs operate on the principle that diligence is good and rewarded, while laziness is evil and left wanting.
    • v. 5: Speech here is connected to practical righteousness on one hand and wickedness on the other.
      • Must be able to determine what is true & what is false; the Holy Spirit will help you discern.
      • Righteousness rejects falsehood
      • Wickedness embraces shameful things (Ephesians 5:11-12)
    • v. 6: Righteousness guards the one who lives with integrity
  2. Proverbs on Wealth from an Ethical Perspective – Proverbs 13:7-11
    • Morality (the quality of what you do) vs. Ethics (how you should live) in our culture.
    • v. 7: The fraudulent use of money.
      • Here there are two ways to be a fraud:
        • “Thousand-dollar millionaires” – those who lead others to believe they are wealthier than they actually are, who live outside their means.
        • Those who pretend to have nothing – not flaunting their wealth, but also not willing to share with others, using the excuse that they can’t afford to help
    • v. 8: Two dangers with wealth:
      • The danger of finding false security in your wealth
      • The attitude of not caring because you don’t have wealth, which could (not always) be linked to lack of ambition and not saving
    • v. 9: Just as speech was connected to righteousness or wickedness, so is the use of money:
      • The righteous use money and speech in their lives in a way that lights up life
      • The wicked use their speech, money, and lives in ways that God will see to it flicker out in the end
    • v. 10: This proverb is a word on listening:
      • A person whose pride rules their view of everything will always be ready for a fight
      • A humble person will listen because of their wisdom (One can’t have godly wisdom without God! You can only have worldly wisdom, which is foolishness to God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
      • Surround yourself with wise people, not “yes” men
    • v. 11: This proverb deals with the danger of high risk, get-rich-quick schemes versus the virtue of diligent accumulation of wealth
  3. Proverbs on Fulfillment (Satisfaction) or Frustration – Proverbs 13:12-19
    • v. 12: The truth is, it’s impossible to live a fulfilled life without hope.
      • You can survive almost anything if there is a ray of hope, but without it, it’s a sickness slowly killing you.
      • The believer’s hope is Christ – our Living Water & Tree of Life
      • Proverbs 29:18
    • v. 13: Two choices with two outcomes are given in life.
      • You can esteem God’s Word and be rewarded.
      • You can despise God’s Word and face the built-in penalty
      • It’s the maxim of you reap what you sow.
    • v. 14: This world is an ever-increasingly dangerous minefield. *Note: this is where the audio recording begins.
      • There are traps we cannot see without the life-giving fountain of God’s wisdom in Christ.
      • We need to be in connection with God to be able to discern traps and then avoid them.
    • v. 15: We need the moral clarity that comes from Proverbs’ instruction to shape our conduct.
      • Bad conduct is inherently destructive – it never ends well.
    • v. 16: A shrewd person is characterized as knowing not to openly play a fool’s life.
      • Know how to use self-control
    • v. 17: This proverb asks the question of us, “Are we faithful messengers of God who don’t speak on our own authority, or are we the world’s foolish messengers?”
      • We are supposed to be God’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), speaking from God’s authority.
    • v. 18: If you can’t be disciplined (by self or others), you end up a poor disgrace.
      • If you can be disciplined, there is hope for you!
    • v. 19: All about the frustrated life of the fool…
      • A fool doesn’t want to give up what may well be poisonous “fun”
      • Addictions are hard to break
      • Because a fool abhors the idea of giving up evil fun, they can’t know what would be a truly sweet deal, what will truly satisfy their soul.
  4. The Choices of Good or Evil – Proverbs 13:20-25
    • v. 20: The choice of wise (good) company versus foolish (evil) company is constant.
      • Be careful of the company you keep
      • Not many people are influencers; they are instead influenced
        • To deny this reality is foolish
        • The greatest influence we can have in the life of a fool is our absence – don’t put up with/encourage their foolishness
    • v. 21: The general maxim here is this: the harm you do to others will return on you
      • Conversely, the good you do to others will also return to you
    • v. 22: The ultimate redistribution of wealth
    • v. 23: This life’s injustices to the poor will be taken care of, if not in this life, then in the next.
    • v. 24: The demise of an undisciplined household
      • Discipline isn’t fun for anyone, but it is necessary.
    • v. 25: God is the satisfaction of the righteous, but the wicked will ultimately never be satisfied.

Conclusion: In the end, the wise and righteous person is satisfied, while the foolish and evil one is not.