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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.

Hi again! A few weeks ago, Alan taught on Proverbs 10:1-16 all about the use of speech and money matters. 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 Bible Gateway for the Scripture references. Enjoy!

*Note: we didn’t get the first bit of this message recorded, so it starts in the midst of part two. Sorry!

Proverbs on the Use of Speech and Money

Proverbs 10:1-16

Big Point: How one conducts oneself in the matter of speech and money can be a matter of life and death. James 3:1-6

1. Parents have the responsibility of teaching wisdom in relation to the use of money and speech. (Proverbs 10:1)
   • The child’s responsibility is to listen and to “honor your father & mother” (Deuteronomy 5:16)
   • Wisdom (or lack thereof) affects both community and generations
2. There is a vital connection between wealth, righteousness, and eternal life. (Proverbs 10:2-5)
   • v. 2
     • Four things this verse doesn’t say –
       • If you live righteously, you’ll live a long life.
       • The wicked will live a shorter life.
       • A person can’t accumulate great wealth through wicked means.
       • If you live righteously, you will never experience want.
     • What this verse does say –
       • Your treasures can’t protect you from death/eternal judgment.
       • Luke 12:13-21 (this is where the recording begins)
   • v. 3 – the righteous do not get their satisfaction from their treasure (Matthew 5:6)
     • “You will never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” -Chuck Swindoll
   • v. 4 – the one who is always/continuously lazy/slothful will be poor
   • v. 5 – time is the most important commodity – you can never get it back
     • John 4:31-36
3. Words have powerful effects on ourselves and others. (Proverbs 10:6-14)
   • Big truth: Harmful words have a boomerang effect.
   • v. 6 – the wicked hide their true motives, but it will come back to haunt them.
   • v. 7 – the words of the righteous will bring them honor, but the words of the wicked will rot (decay, make it stink) their reputation
   • v. 8 – the wise person is teachable, but know-it-alls come to ruin.
   • v. 9 – the more you lie, the better your memory needs to be! The schemer will be found out.
     • Some people have a long enough tongue to cut their own throat.
   • v. 10 – the “wink, wink guy” or people who use prayer requests as an excuse to gossip, etc. – they are troublemakers, they divide people & will come to ruin
   • v. 11 – the speech of the righteous is refreshing – it brings eternal life; wickedness/deception is draining/soul-sucking
   • v. 13 – those whose ears are closed to the truth sometimes need the rod, nothing else will get through to them
   • v. 12 – two ways to respond to others’ words against us:
     • in like kind (with hatred, baiting)
     • in love (which covers all transgressions)
   • v. 14 – need to have a knowledge base to deal with people we encounter
4. Final words on wealth. (Proverbs 10:15-16)
   • v. 15 – A person who doesn’t have wisdom thinks their wealth will give them security.
     • It may give you some security in life, but not in eternal life.
     • 1 Timothy 6:10
   • v. 16 – Romans 6:23
   • Wealth can give a false sense of security and poverty can be a terrifying thing. The only way to get a proper perspective is to weigh things in light of eternity.
5. Conclusion: Another reason to read Proverbs is to keep a proper view on the power of words and money.

While we, unfortunately, did not get the message recorded from Easter Sunday, I am posting Alan’s outline and notes with links to the Scriptures on Bible Gateway. It was a beautiful message about what it means to be a Christian. Enjoy!

Introduction

Two Aspects of the Gospel

1. The objective aspect, which involves the actual reality of the person and works of Christ. Specifically, this week the focus is on the cross and resurrection as actual events that occurred. The objective aspect is the Truth.
2. The subjective aspect, which involves how we appropriate and benefit from the realities of the person and work of Christ. One example of this aspect is understanding and appropriating the truth that the risen Christ is alive to live in and through us. But for that to happen, we need to be aware of and act upon that truth. The subjective aspect is how you apply the truth to your life.

We will focus today on five elements of the subjective aspect. In light of the crucifixion and the resurrection:

1. We must realize our own sinfulness
   • Romans 6:23
   • 1 John 1:8
   • Ephesians 2:1-3
   • Sin = not being who God created you to be
   • Let’s be clear: we are all sinners. There is no such things as those who sin and those who don’t. It’s a matter of whether we are repentant/justified/reconciled sinners or unrepentant/unjustified/unreconciled sinners.
2. We must reject works
   • We can never merit/earn our way to being right with a Holy God.
   • Galatians 2:17-21
   • Ephesians 2:4-9
3. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ
   • Galatians 2:20
   • How do you become dead to sin? Identify yourself with the cross of Christ. Say, along with Paul, “I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.”
   • Know that with Christ we have the capacity to not sin.
   • Philippians 3:10
4. We must resolve to live in resurrection power through active faith
   • Faith isn’t just a one-time/passing thing. We need to be “faithing” it each day.
   • Hebrews 11 – in the “Hall of Faith” it is important to note that none of them were right with God by their works, but by their faith.
   • Romans 5:9-11 – we are made right/reconciled by His death on the cross; we are continuing to be saved by His life in us.
5. We must constantly remind ourselves of who we are in Christ
   • Psalm 8: what mankind was meant to be & can be in Jesus Christ

Conclusion: Putting faith in Christ is a constant lifestyle of trusting in Him to do what you can’t do for yourself. Is Christ alive in you today?

Hi all! I am attempting to get caught up (again!), so I’ll be posting the messages we have from Alan from the last few weeks over the next days, beginning with his Palm Sunday message. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included his outline and some notes, along with links to Scripture at Bible Gateway. Praying you are blessed by this message.

Jesus’ Entry to People’s Worship

Introduction: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, at the beginning of Passover week, is met by the praise of people. This event is commonly referred to as the Triumphal Entry and also referred to as Palm Sunday. Every gospel records this event. This event teaches us the reasons we should praise Jesus. I’ll only read one of the gospel recordings, but look at all of them, because there are unique words in each record. Palm Sunday is all about praise! We will look at praise from four aspects.

The four gospel accounts of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry:

• Matthew 21:1-14
• Mark 11:1-11
• Luke 19:28-40
• John 12:12-19

1. The Context of the People’s Praise: the feast of Passover
2. The Center of the People’s Praise: Jesus
3. The Content of the People’s Praise: Hosanna!
4. The Critics of the People’s Praise: the Pharisees

Conclusion: Praise is the answer to pity and the weapon against the enemy (Psalm 8:2).

Hello again! Terry’s final message in his series on Christian Living – taking us through the book of Ephesians – was given on March 19th. You can listen to it below. I’ve also posted the recording of his message last Sunday about The Kingdom based on Matthew 6:24-34. I pray these messages bless you!

To listen to a message, simply click play on the audio player below.

**Special Note regarding Easter Sunday: We won’t be holding Sunrise Service at the Cross this year (it’s still quite cold, and we’re expecting possible snow this week). However, we will be having a potluck breakfast at the church at 9:00 am, followed by Easter Sunday Service at 10:30 am. Praying you can join us for a blessed day of fellowship and worship!

Hi there! It’s been a while, but after a few missteps and things out of our control, I finally have a few of Terry’s messages in his continuing series on Christian Living from the book of Ephesians. There are five in this series, with one or two more to come. There will be some holes between these messages and the last few, due to my mistakes and Terry’s illness. But we have messages from the end of January and from February for you. I pray you are blessed by them!

Hello again! Pastor Alan’s second message he shared with us (from January 15th) was entitled “Wise Words to Live by in a Wicked World.” To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

I’ve also included Alan’s outline with links to Bible Gateway for the Scripture references. Enjoy and be blessed!

Proverbs: Wise Words to Live by in a Wicked World

1. Review
   • Proverbs says you cannot have wisdom without having a fear of God.
   • We must acknowledge the authority and control that God has in the affairs of our lives – that is a part of godly wisdom.
   • It is foolish to despise the wisdom and fear and instruction of God (in other words, trying to do it all on your own) – Proverbs 1:7.

Types of Fools in Proverbs

1. The Mocker/Scoffer (Proverbs 21:24)
   • Scoff at “ignorant, foolish Christians” who don’t understand the way the world “really” is.
   • The mocker may be “worldly or sophisticated” but they are really arrogant and have “overbearing pride.”
2. The Simple (Proverbs 14:15)
   • The simple/naive fool is marked by gullibility/easily led astray (“sheeple”) and are intellectually lazy
   • They tend to believe everything and remember nothing
3. The Obstinate (Proverbs 1:22c)
   • Most common and most dangerous type of fool in Proverbs.
   • Hates knowledge!
   • This person is highly opinionated: won’t listen to advice or correction.
   • Listening in Proverbs means acting upon advice or correction.
   • Proverbs 26:5, 26:17, 26:12, 26:16
4. The Troublemaker (Proverbs 6:12-15)
   • This person creates conflict, often through gossip (spreading lies) & fault-finding (pointing out others’ problems before examining themselves)
   • They cause real damage (both in the Church and in the world)
   • Think of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the Temple (Luke 18:9-14)
5. The Sluggard (Proverbs 6:6-11)
   • Lives by the motto: “Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?”
   • They build their ultimate demise little by little: A day off here and there won’t hurt; a few more minutes on break won’t hurt anyone…

Proverbs 3:1-12 – Our Responsibilities (the odd verses) and God’s Promised Responses (the even verses)

1. Introduction (v. 1-4) – A human father’s instruction to his son
   • v. 1: Responsibility: Don’t forget the father’s teaching and keep the commandments.
   • v. 2: Response (Reward/Promise): Long life, well-being
   • v. 3: Responsibility: Continually practice mercy and truth. Mercy is described in Proverbs 3:27-30
   • v. 4: Response: You will have a better relationship with God and others.
2. Our Relating to God (v. 5-10)
   • v. 5-6a: Responsibility: Trust God fully and acknowledge Him. The opposite is to arrogantly say, “I did it my way…”
   • v. 6b: Response: He will make things easier to navigate.
   • v. 7: Responsibility: Be humble, fear God, and repent.
   • v. 8: Response: Healing and refreshing
     • Don’t be deceived – a man will reap what he sows. (Galatians 6:7)
     • We can shorten our lives by constantly disregarding God’s wisdom.
     • God will no be mocked.
   • v. 9: Responsibility: Honor God through what we do with our financial resources – bring Him our first fruits
   • v. 10: Response: God gives more to those who show responsibility with what they’ve been given (Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30)
3. A Warning (v. 11-12)
   • v. 11: Responsibility: to avoid loving discipline, do the above. If discipline comes, don’t despise it.
     • No discipline = total disaster
     • Punished to the 3rd & 4th generations
     • Blessed to the 1000th generation (about 30,000 years!)
   • v. 12: Response: God disciplines those He loves. It is proof we are His delight!