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We had Pastor Alan back for a couple of weeks, and he continued his teaching in the Book of Proverbs. Here is the message from Sunday, January 8th. It’s all about knowing what is godly wisdom, and the process of applying that godly wisdom to your life.

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 Scripture references. Enjoy!

Proverbs: Instruction on How to Live Life in Godly Wisdom

1. Godly wisdom involves the learned ability to discern and then apply Godly wisdom to life’s situations and decisions. (Proverbs 4:1-9; James 1:5, 2)
   • There is a difference between common sense and godly widsom
   • You can have knowledge without wisdom, but not wisdom without knowledge
   • Wisdom is applying the knowledge of the Word of God
2. Godly wisdom is always built on the foundation of the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7)
   • The fear of the Lord is to acknowledge God’s existence, power, and control
   • We can do nothing apart from Him (James 4:13-17)
3. Godly wisdom is an applied process of ongoing life decisions that bring life, rather than death, into a person’s life. (Proverbs 4:20-23)
   • This process involves at least five parts

The Five Parts

1. Godly wisdom operates within a framework of relationship: specifically, a relationship with Christ.
   • 1 Corinthians 1:22-31
   • Wisdom is found in Christ
2. Godly wisdom calls us to daily repentance (turning).
   • Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great German pastor, theologian, martyr, and spy, was asked in 1943 how it was possible for the Church to sit back and let Hitler seize absolute power. His firm answer: “It was the teaching of cheap grace. Cheap grace is the teaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.” We live in a time and culture that not only teaches cheap grace but praises it.
   • Proverbs is a continual call to turn from folly to wisdom. (Proverbs 1:20-33)
   • Proverbs outlines the Seven Deadly Sins to turn from:
     • envy
     • gluttony
     • greed
     • lust
     • pride
     • laziness
     • wrath
   • Proverbs drives home the painful truth that moral neutrality is not a choice!
3. Godly wisdom calls us to review everyday choices.
   • The beginning of a new year is a good time to review where you went wrong before! (Proverbs 5:21-23)
   • God sees all we do, so we need to examine ourselves & make wise changes
4. Godly wisdom calls us to resolve to live a “much more” life.
   • The “Much More” Life according to Romans.
     • We are much more than just justified. Being reconciled to God allows us to live in God (Romans 5:6-11).
     • The much more life is a life of freedom from the destruction of sin’s habitual enslavement (Romans 6:8-11, 15-23).
     • The much more life stands & operates in the grace of God (Romans 5:1-2).
     • The much more life is a life of assurance, not ruled by continual anxiety and fear (Romans 8:37-39).
     • The much more life is living the resurrected life of Christ (Romans 6:4-11).
     • Galatians 2:20
5. Godly wisdom calls for daily renewal by walking in the way of wisdom. (Proverbs 10:17)

We must relate, review, repent, resolve, & renew. It’s the wise way to go!

Hello and Happy New Year! I’m trying to get caught up after a very busy and crazy few months. Pastor Alan has been away, so Terry has been teaching. Most of his messages were recorded, but not all, so I’m posting all that I have of Terry’s “Christian Living” series from the book of Ephesians. To listen to these messages, click play on the audio player of the message you’d like to hear below. Thanks!

Hello again! This past Sunday, Pastor Alan continued his lessons in the book of Proverbs by taking us through an overview of the first 9 chapters before going in depth in chapter 1. To listen to this wonderful teaching, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included is his outline with links to the verses he references. Enjoy!

Proverbs 1:1-9:18

1. Title and Preamble Proverbs1:1-7
    Writer:  Solomon Proverbs 1:1
    Genre:  Proverbs – wise sayings with moral instruction
    Purpose:  The benefits we looked at last Sunday. Proverbs 1:2-6
    Recipients:  Youths needing training.  We all need moral training though.
    Foundation:  The distinction of Hebrew wisdom is the fear of “I AM” Proverbs 1:7 
     
2. Prologue Proverbs 1:8-8:36
    Ten lectures on wisdom and two additional sermons by Lady Wisdom to easily induced youths.  We will look at part of these today.
   
3. Epilogue Proverbs 9:1-18 (to the first section)
    Two invitations, one by Lady Wisdom the other by Madame Folly, to unsuspecting youth to enter their houses.
    Note:  Chapters 1-9 are a sort of roadmap to understanding the rest of the book of Proverbs.
   
4. Today’s Message:  Don’t Join the Gang
   (the lure of peers and the quest for belonging and identity) Proverbs 1:8-19
   
   Lecture 1 of 10 – Introduction, main lesson, conclusion
   
   I. Introduction:  Proverbs 1:8-9
      An address:  my son
      An Admonition:  to listen (shema – Deuteronomy 6:4)
      Listen to your mother and father (both parents are to teach) – Deuteronomy 21:18-21
      Motivation:  If one listens to a parent’s instruction and teaching it will be a victory wreath.  A way to live above your enemy.  A life of victory, power, and order.  The idea of order is symbolized by the necklace.
   
   II. Main Lesson: Proverbs 1:10-18
      The warning here is against the lure of easy money and seduction by peers.  The warning is also against the naive idea of a community where all will share their ill-gained money equally.  Sound like some political narratives of today?  The real underlying problem is they have no fear of the Lord and no regard for law.
     1.  How to respond:  Don’t yield!  Proverbs 1:10.
     2.  Why not to yield:  Proverbs 1:11-14
          – An environment of violence and greed. All of it is premeditated with the intent of taking others’ possessions.
     3. An elaboration on “don’t yield” Proverbs 1:15-18
         Don’t even entertain the temptation.  It will drag you away. James 1:14-15
         Understand the maxim of what you sow you shall reap.  You sow a lifestyle of greed, violence and death, you will eventually become its victim.  Gangsters always turn on one another.  They don’t have the innate sense of danger that even a bird’s brain has (Proverbs 1:17).
   
   Conclusion:  A moral maxim. Proverbs 1:19.
   Greedy gain at the cost of others will take the life of the one who gets it.  A rip-off artist will be ripped apart.  Violence breeds violence.  Matthew 26:52, 1 Timothy 6:10, 2 Timothy 3:1-5
   
   Sources:  Proverbs:  A Shorter Commentary by Bruce Waltke and Ivan D. V. De Silva
   God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life by Timothy and Kathy Keller.

Hello! Since Pastor Alan finished our tour through the Gospel of John, he has now begun a wonderful series on the Book of Proverbs. To listen to the first message in this series, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included is the outline of the message with links to the verses referenced. Enjoy (I know I did)!

Wise Words for Living in a Wicked World

Proverbs 1:1-2:22

1. Introduction
   • It is absolutely necessary to gain wisdom.
     • Other words for wisdom used in Proverbs: moral instruction, prudence, righteous living
   • One way to gain wisdom is to absorb the Proverbs into our lives.
   • The starting point of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7)
   • Those who say there is no God are described as fools, wicked, and corrupt. (Psalm 10:4, Psalm 14:1)
2. Author of Proverbs
   • Most, but not all of Proverbs, was written by Solomon (who asked God for wisdom – 1 Kings 3:4-28). He spoke 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32).
   • The actual “proverbs” are found from Proverbs 10:1-22:16.
3. Daily Proverbs
   • The book of Proverbs is 31 chapters long. So, if you read one chapter a day, it makes for a great monthly Bible reading plan.
4. What is a proverb?
   • The Hebrew word is mashal and it essentially means a wise, short saying condensing wisdom into a brief form to aid memory.
   • Sometimes the saying can be enigmatic (puzzling, like a riddle).
   • Some of Pastor Alan’s favorites:
     • Proverbs 26:11, Proverbs 30:15, Proverbs 25:28

The Benefit of Proverbs (Proverbs 1:2-9, 2:1-8)

1. To learn wisdom and moral instruction. (Proverbs 1:2a)
   • Learn: experiential learning or skillful acting upon what one knows.
   • Wisdom: to have moral skill that produces something of lasting value, leaving a moral legacy.
   • Moral Instruction: parental discipline or chastisement, verbal warnings, and moral training.
     • Our Father (Matthew 6:9)
     • Children of God (1 John 3:1)
     • Whom God loves, He chastens/disciplines/rebukes (Revelation 3:19)
   • “Smart people learn from their own mistakes; wise people learn from the mistakes of others.”
2. To discern wise counsel. (Proverbs 1:2b)
   • Discern: the ability to discern right from wrong by God’s law.
   • Wise Counsel: words of discernment. Literally, the ability to distinguish the rightness or wrongness of words of discernment.
3. To receive moral instruction in skillful living. (Proverbs 1:3)
   • Moral instruction: parental discipline or chastisement, verbal warnings, and moral training.
     • Receive: the word carries with it the idea of treasuring up something in your heart. (Proverbs 2:1b; Psalm 119:11)
   • Skillful Living: involves knowing and practicing righteousness, justice, & equity.
     • Righteousness: conforming to a standard of God’s law.
     • Justice: doing the right thing in light of God’s law.
     • Equity: the idea of walking in a straight line.
4. To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, a discerning plan to the young person. (Proverbs 1:4)
   • Shrewdness: to be prudent/to not be naive/to not be simple-minded about what the world is all about. (Matthew 10:16)
   • Morally Naive: easily influenced, enticed, or misled.
   • Young person (son): one in need of training.
5. To gain guidance and instruction. (Proverbs 1:5)
   • Guidance: a combination of two Hebrew words – for sailor and rope. It is the imagery of directing a ship, giving direction for your life.
6. To discern — live by — the truths found in the Proverbs. (Proverbs 1:6)
7. To realize how valuable the wisdom of the Proverbs is and to do what’s necessary to gain it. (Proverbs 2:1-4)

The Source Behind the Wisdom? (Proverbs 1:7-9)

1. Fear of God
   • fear/dread, awe, reverence (Exodus 20:18-20)
   • Wisdom helps us discern what is/is not sin & keeps us from sinning.
2. The Proverbs are given in the backdrop of fearing God and listening to godly parents (of course, not all parents are godly). (Proverbs 1:8)

Two Sundays ago, Pastor Alan taught us about some of those important moments when Jesus appeared to His disciples from John chapter 20. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Pastor Alan’s outline with links to the Scriptures he references can also be found below.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

John 20:19-31

1. Jesus Proclaims Peace to the Fearful Disciples
   • John 20:19, 21a, 26
   • John 14:26-31
     • Worldly peace can fade
     • Peace from God is lasting
   • John 16:33
2. Jesus’ Presence Produces Gladness in His Disciples
   • John 20:20
   • Psalm 122:1
3. Jesus, as the “Sent One,” Sends the Disciples
   • John 20:21b
   • Jesus says the Father sent Him 43 times!
   • John 3:16, John 4:34, John 5 (6 times)
4. Jesus Breathes the Holy Spirit into the Disciples
   • John 20:22
   • Genesis 2:7
   • Ezekiel 37:9-14
   • John 7:37-39
     • Jesus wasn’t glorified until His resurrection.
5. Jesus Gives Authority to Forgive Sin to the Disciples
   • John 20:23
   • Is a factual statement:
     • We have been forgiven, so we must forgive others
6. Jesus Interacts with Thomas
   • John 20:24-29
   • The question of seeing and believing
     • Seeing doesn’t necessarily bring about believing, but believing allows you to see)
     • 2 Corinthians 5:7
7. What is Belief?
   • John 20:30-31
   • We are called to believe that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah/Anointed One
   • Jesus was anointed by the Spirit at His baptism
     • Acts 10:34-38
   • 1 John 2:18-23 – if you don’t believe in Jesus, you are – by definition – an antichrist.
   • Thomas should be called “Thomas the Proclaimer”
     • He was the first to say, “My Lord and my God!”

Good evening! Pastor Alan spent the last few weeks finishing up our studies in the Gospel of John. Below, you’ll find the first of three messages that wrap up his series. To listen to his message on John 19:38-20:18, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included is Alan’s outline and links to the verses he references. Enjoy!

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

John 19:38-20:18

1. Introduction
   • John 20:30-31
   • What is of first importance to the Church? 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
2. The Emphasis on a Buried Physical Body
   • John 19:38-42
   • The importance of the link between the physical and spiritual when it comes to life, death, and resurrection.
     • 1 Corinthians 15
     • 1 John 1:1-2
     • Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:31
     • John 12:24-25
     • Galatians 2:20
3. The Emphasis on a Physical Resurrection
   • John 20:1-9
     • The grave had not been robbed – grave robbers don’t fold face cloths! (vs. 6-7)
     • An urgency to tell others. (vs. 2-4)
       • Should convict us!
     • A change of belief. (vs. 8-9)
       • Should change what you believe is the most important thing in your life.
4. The Importance of Christ’s Ascension and Mary’s Devotion
   • John 20:11-18
   • Mary’s devotion is in response to what Jesus did for her.
   • The ascension of Christ establishes three things for us:
     • The sending of the Spirit (John 16:7)
       • The Spirit manifests Jesus to us and in us
       • The power of the Gospel is Christ alive in us, accomplished by the Spirit
     • The power of prayer
       • Surety that we are heard (Hebrews 4:14-17)
     • The surety of the future resurrection of the dead
       • 1 Corinthians 15:16-23
       • Without the resurrection, we have nothing.

Last Sunday, Pastor Alan taught from the final part of John 18, when Pilate spoke with Jesus and asked his ultimate question, “What is truth?” To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included the outline and links to the verses referenced. Enjoy!

Pilate’s Ultimate Question

John 18:33-40

Reason for John’s gospel? John 20:30-31

What is eternal life? John 17:3

1. Jesus demands we answer for ourselves what we have come to think of Him, not what others have told us to think.
   • John 18:33-34
2. Jesus demands we take accountability for the choices we make in life.
   • John 18:35
   • Pilate was the ultimate “buck passer.”
3. Jesus answers the question of kingship that the Jews were trying to catch Him on.
   • John 18:36
   • He is a King, but not a threat to Caesar.
   • His kingdom is not of this world.
4. In Jesus’ kingdom, it’s not about the world’s view of a powerful king.
   • John 18:37-38
   • It’s about the reign of truth.
     • Those who are aligned with Jesus’ kingdom listen to His truth.
     • Others say, “What is truth?”
5. We all have a choice as to whom we identify with.
   • John 18:39-40
   • The world wants Barabbas (evil/lawlessness/destruction).
   • The Christian wants Jesus (Truth/Life).

Conclusion: There is such a thing as objective truth! Christ is the Truth. It’s never a matter of whether Christ is or isn’t the Truth. It’s only a matter of whether we will answer the question, “What is truth?” with the declaration of Christ: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Application: It’s clear that Christ is the King of His kingdom. This calls us to the kingdom living outlined in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus’ model prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), and the High Priestly Prayer (John 17). The call is to be kingdom people who know that Jesus is the Truth.

Good afternoon! A few Sundays ago, Pastor Alan continued his lessons in the Gospel of John by teaching from John 18. He took us through the first part of Jesus’ arrest and betrayal. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve included the outline, along with links to the verses referenced for you. Enjoy!

Jesus’ Arrest & Betrayal, pt. 1

Introduction: Acts 4:26-28 helps us to understand what is going on in John 18:1-32. Here we see what Jesus allowed to happen to Himself for us!

1. Jesus is in total control of the events that will unfold.
   • John 18:1-11
   • His control is evidenced by the power of His Name (v. 6).
     • I am…
   • His control is evidence by the soldiers’ response to His request (vs. 8-9).
     • John 17:12
   • His control is evidenced by the completion of His purpose (vs. 10-11).
     • The cup = the wrath of God
     • “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards
2. Jesus’ death would fulfill the prophetic words of Caiaphas.
   • John 18:12-14
   • Caiaphas’ words – John 11:45-52
3. Peter’s Initial Denial
   • John 18:15-18
   • Just one more proof that Jesus knew how everything would unfold, down to the exact details.
4. Jesus wasn’t secretly plotting the overthrow of Rome or destruction of the temple.
   • John 18:19-24
   • He taught openly and clearly.
5. Peter’s 2nd & 3rd Denials
   • John 18:25-27
   • Peter was warming himself by the fire during his three denials of Jesus.
     • John 21:9, 15-17 – Jesus is by a fire on the shore while He asks Peter three times if Peter loves Him.
     • Three denials by a fire; three affirmations by a fire.
6. Pilate first meets Jesus.
   • John 18:28-32
   • The emphasis in these verses is that Jesus determines the means of His death.
     • John 8:28-30
     • John 12:32-36

Conclusion: Jesus controlled every outcome of His situation. He knew every thought and intention of those involved in His arrest, bogus trial, and crucifixion. He was not a helpless victim or martyr. He orchestrated the plan of our salvation.

Application: Don’t be anxious and afraid of a threatening world. Trust in Christ.

Matthew 10:16-42

5 Reasons Why (we shouldn’t be anxious): [from John Piper’s What Jesus Demands of the World]

1. We belong to Christ.
2. Truth will win out.
3. The worst thing that can happen to us: physical death.
4. He knows everything about us intimately.
5. Our lives are valuable to God.