Author: Laurin

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.

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)

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:
    • The Rapture
    • 2 Corinthians 5:8 – physical death
  • 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.

Hello again. Last Sunday, Alan taught on Proverbs 27:1-22 regarding relationships. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included are Alan’s outline with some notes and links to Bible Gateway for the verses he references in the message. Enjoy!

Proverbs 27:1-22

Big Idea: These Proverbs teach on the relationships of friends, neighbors, marriage, and parenting.

1. The Need for Praise (Proverbs 27:1-2)
   • v.1 – don’t make boastful assumptions about how things are going to happen
     • James 4:13-17
   • v.2 – be careful about self-praise & self-promotion (especially above your own level of competence)
     • “Praise that has a degree of merit is that which comes from unbiased sources.”
2. Three Types of People to Avoid (Proverbs 27:3-4)
   • Fools (the emotionally irrational) – avoid the vexation (frustration, annoyance, or worry) of a fool
   • Hotheads (the angry) – are cruel & destructive, like a torrent or raging river
   • Jealous people (the envious) – an angry person is bad enough to deal with, but a jealous person is on a whole other level (think of Saul’s jealousy of David)
3. Proverbs on Friendship (Proverbs 27:5-10)
   • v.5-6 – the benefit of a caring rebuke
   • v.7-8 – two things to guard against in marriage
     • those who are so satiated by wrong things that despise healthy things are sick
     • wandering leaves you vulnerable & exposed to sin
   • v.9-10 – two marks of good friends
     • good friends give needed counsel & are there for you in times of need
4. Parenting Advice & Negative Warnings (Proverbs 27:11-16)
   • v.11-12 – father/son dynamic
     • a father should parent his son in such a way that the son’s life validates/honors his father
   • v.13-16 – three more people NOT to get involved with
     • shrewd business people
     • overly flattering people
     • contentious/nagging wives
5. Final Words on Friendship (Proverbs 27:17-22)
   • v.17 – a good friend helps you be more purposeful and effective
   • v.18 – a good friend makes life sweeter & easier
   • v.19 – a good friend helps you with self-evaluation
   • v.20 – a good friend has boundaries & respects yours (unlike the leech – Proverbs 30:15)
   • v.21 – a good friend knows what merits praise and what doesn’t
   • v.22 – a good friend is wise and doesn’t persist in foolish behaviors that bring the inevitable consequence of grinding discipline

Conclusion: The Proverbs are a trusty roadmap for navigating through the different relationships we are involved in.

Contact – Dr. Alan Brock: albrock.ab@gmail.com

Hi all! Alan started the month of May with a message about some of the sevens of Proverbs, going in a bit more depth about the seven perverted types of humanity that are described in chapters 25 & 26. 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 referenced Scriptures at Bible Gateway. God bless!

Seven Perverted Types of Humanity

Proverbs 25:28-26:28

Big Truth: There are all types of wickedness and perversions that God hates. Proverbs looks at their destructive force.

The Number Seven in Proverbs

1. Seven Deadly Sins – no actual list in the Bible, but found throughout the book of Proverbs
   • Pride
   • Greed
   • Envy
   • Wrath
   • Sloth
   • Gluttony
   • Lust
2. Seven Things God Hates (Proverbs 6:16-19)
   • Haughty Eyes
     • haughty = high or lofty; high-handed; acting in rebellion to God
     • pride
     • arrogance
   • Lying Tongue
     • intent on doing harm toward others
   • Hands that Shed Innocent Blood
     • not talking about warfare or the death penalty
   • A Heart that Plans Malevolent Action
     • In the center of the list, because all things flow from the heart.
     • wishes to do evil to others
   • Feet that Run to Evil
     • looking to do evil
   • A Lying Witness
     • perjury against another person so they can be harmed
   • One Who Unleashes Conflict
     • spreads conflict/discord, especially among family members

Seven Types of Perverted Humanity

1. The Undisciplined Person (Proverbs 25:28)
   • Lack of self-control
   • Lets their guard down; become vulnerable to attack
2. The Fool (Proverbs 26:1-12)
   • Psalm 14:1
   • doesn’t receive wisdom or instruction
   • let pride rule themselves
   • Don’t honor the fool!
     • If a person/country continues to honor fools, rot will set in.
3. The Sluggard (Slothful) (Proverbs 26:13-16)
   • There is a progression they follow:
     • can’t/won’t leave the house
     • can’t/won’t get out of bed
     • can’t/won’t even bother to eat
   • It’s just too much work to bother with.
4. The Busybody (Proverbs 26:17)
   • Always involving themselves in others’ affairs
   • It will come back to bite them
5. The Mischief-Maker (Proverbs 26:18-19)
   • one who does/says something harmful, but then claims they were only joking
   • damage happens whether it was a joke or not
6. The Slanderer (Proverbs 26:20-22)
   • always looking for/passing along that tasty bit of gossip
   • kindles strife
7. The Enemy Who Hates the Wise (Proverbs 26:23-28)
   • their key characteristic = deception
   • evil hates good

Conclusion: We need to be aware of the constant pervasiveness of the deadly deception that surrounds us and be careful who we trust.