GOD TEACHES US ABOUT VIOLENCE: 1:8–19 My son, if sinners entice you … PROVERBS 1:10 THE BIBLE DOES NOT DESCRIBE how life ought to be. It matches how life is. The wisdom of Proverbs is reality-based counseling as we live in this fantasy-world of human invention. We see the blunt realism of the Bible in Proverbs 1:8–19. Why are we in the book of Proverbs at all? Because so much of life is a series of nuanced judgment calls. The Ten Commandments say, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Are you struggling with that decision today? Probably not. But even at this moment we are all creating social dynamics both subtle and powerful, and those dynamics are either life-depleting or life-enriching. What makes the difference is the wisdom of our life together as the church of Christ. Have you ever done something with the best of intentions, but then it exploded in your face—like pathetic Wile E. Coyote in the Road Runner cartoons? Good intentions and wishful thinking can be oblivious to reality. But wisdom helps us create the chemistry—not rules but chemistry—of life at its best together in the new community of Christ. Wisdom does not theorize. Wisdom pays attention to the realities built into us by God our Creator. Wisdom humbly gives in to God’s design; it adapts and adjusts. A wise person notices, picks up on the clues, cuts with the grain, tears along the perforated line. Unwise people can be gifted, but they are trying to be healthy on junk food, or run high RPMs on low-octane gas, or get home by the wrong road, or swim against the stream of the universe. Sin is trying to succeed by ignoring reality. And that makes the devil the ultimate fool. He wants to reengineer the creation his own way. He is both evil and dumb. C. S. Lewis wrote, “The Devil is (in the long run) an ass.” But the book of Proverbs is where God speaks to us as our life coach, guiding us into the only real success that’s out there. In Proverbs 1:8–19 we hear two voices—the wisdom that is reality-based and the folly that is in denial. Wisdom is speaking here as a loving father. Fools are speaking here too. Their message is a kind of reverse-evangelism. They are inviting us into their dead-end lives. But God is calling us into the beauty of real human relationships. Here is what God is saying in this passage: Refuse violence. It is tempting, but it will destroy you. Wisdom will beautify you. But hold on here. Violence? That is a bad thing, we all know. But why is that message here? Has anyone ever said to you, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood” (v. 11)? In certain neighborhoods, that might happen. But still, this passage can seem surprising. As we have already seen, the book of Proverbs opens with a mini-introduction in 1:1–7, and then the rest of chapters 1–9 is the mega-introduction. Chapters 1–9 are a series of poems in praise of wisdom, preparing us for the actual proverbs in chapters 10–31. So, now we come to 1:8. We probably come to this verse thinking, “Okay, Mr. Super-Smart Wise Man, we’re ready. Tell us the positive difference wisdom can make in our lives.” And the first thing he says is, “Don’t join a gang!” Why that? Let’s get inside this and dig out the wisdom. There are three points here: the offer of wisdom, the warning of wisdom, and the promise of wisdom. I HOPE YOU WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
DO YOU HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT YOU ARE SAVED? DO YOU HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD? The confident belief that one is truly saved, that he is already a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, destined to eternal life in glory, is not to be confused with the doctrine of security. “Quietness and assurance forever” are the effect of righteousness, Isa. 32:17. The NT speaks of full assurance of hope and of faith, Heb. 6:11; 10:22. The gospel came to the believers in Thessalonica in much assurance, 1 Thess. 1:5. Assurance comes to Christians when they understand the revelation God has given, Col. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18. Many of the occurrences of the word “know” in the NT emphasize the doctrine of assurance, Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 2:12; 15:58; 2 Cor. 5:1. It is normal for all Christians to know they are saved. 1 John was written so that believers may know they have eternal life, 1 John 5:13. The saints are exhorted to examine and prove to themselves that they are in the faith, 2 Cor. 13:5. Among the revelations which provide a basis for assurance is 1 John 3:14 , “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren,” cf. 2:3 , 5; 3:19 , 24. Assurance is the work of the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God,” Rom. 8:16. Assurance is therefore not presumption; it is faith. FOOD FOR THOUGHT, THINK ABOUT IT. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
A QUICK STUDY ABOUT LOVE, PART 3: ROMANS12:10 “Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other.” You don’t have to be related to someone to show them the same care you’d show your parents or siblings. Everyone is worthy of love. EPHESIANS 4:32 “Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.” Forgiveness comes out of the love you have for one another, and even in the hardest times, we remember how Christ forgives us for our own sins, too. EPHESIANS 4:2-3 “Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with love, and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together.” Love goes hand-in-hand with things like patience and kindness and being humble. Embrace all of those Godly traits. DEUTERONOMY 7:9 “Know now then that the Lord your God is the only true God! He is the faithful God, who keeps the covenant and proves loyal to everyone who loves him and keeps his commands—even to the thousandth generation!” The Lord is the ultimate form of love and loyalty. He forgives and cares about His people even when they make mistakes. His love should be modeled towards everyone in your life. LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER SAME AS GOD LOVES US. STOP THE HATE, STOP THE ENVY, STOP THE RACISM, STOP THE JEALOUSY. LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
A QUICK REFRESHER, BIBLICAL FACTS: Psalms 19:7-8 GW The teachings of the Lord are perfect. They renew the soul. The testimony of the Lord is dependable. It makes gullible people wise. The instructions of the Lord are correct. They make the heart rejoice. The command of the Lord is radiant. It makes the eyes shine. WE MUST NOT FORGET THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
HAVE FAITH IN GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE: Philippians 4:13 ESV I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Mark 9:23 GW Jesus said to him, “As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes.” Job 42:2 GW “I know that you can do everything and that your plans are unstoppable. Matthew 17:20 GW He told them, “Because you have so little faith. I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Proverbs 3:6 ESV In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
Hebrews 13:16 ESV Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Proverbs 19:17 ESV Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 28:27 ESV Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. Proverbs 11:25 ESV Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. SOME PEOPLE ARE TOO SELFISH, GREEDY, AND SELF-CENTERED, DON’T BE LIKE THEM. LET US BE A BLESSING UNTO THE ONES THAT STAND IN NEED, AND GOD WILL BE A BLESSING UNTO US. WE CANNOT OUT GIVE GOD. AS WE GIVE TO OTHERS GOD GIVES TO US. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
A QUICK STUDY ON DELIVERANCE, DELIVERER: (IT WILL BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO READ THE VERSES THAT I INCLUDED). Rescue from danger. In Scripture God gives deliverance (Pss. 18:50; 32:7; 44:4), often through a human agent. In the OT deliverance most often refers to victory in battle (Judg. 15:18; 2 Kings 5:1; 13:17; 1 Chron. 11:14; 2 Chron. 12:7). Joseph was God’s agent to deliver His people from famine (Gen. 45:7). The OT consistently stresses God as the giver of deliverance rather than the human agent. Thus Mordecai warned Esther that if she failed to act out her role as deliverer, God would provide another way (Esther 4:14). KJV also uses “deliverance” to describe the remnant that survives a battle or exile (Ezra 9:13). In KJV both NT uses of deliverance refers to release of prisoners (Luke 4:18; Heb. 11:35). Modern translations use “deliverance” to refer to rescue from danger in Acts 7:25; Phil. 1:19. A deliverer is one who rescues from danger. Two of the judges, Othniel and Ehud (Judg. 3:9, 15), are called deliverers in the sense of military heroes. More often God is spoken of as the Deliverer of His people (2 Sam. 22:2; Pss. 18:2; 40:17; 144:2). The picture of God as deliverer is paralleled with the images of a rock, fortress, helper, and strong tower. Acts 7:35 refers to Moses as a deliverer. Romans 11:26–27 refers to the Messianic King as the Deliverer who will take away Israel’s sins. The verb “deliver” is used in a wide range of contexts. According to Job 5:19–26, God delivers in seven ways: from famine, war, the scourge of the tongue, wild animals, to safety, abundant offspring, and long life. Scripture also speaks to deliverance from sin (Pss. 39:8; 79:9); the way of evil (Prov. 2:12); the power of evil (Matt. 6:13; Gal. 1:4; Col. 1:13); the law (Rom. 7:6); the body of death (Rom. 7:24); and the coming wrath of God (1 Thess. 1:10). God is the agent of deliverance in Col. 1:13 and Rom. 7:24–25. Christ is the agent in 1 Thess. 1:10 and Gal. 1:4, where He brings deliverance by giving Himself for sins. THERE IS A GREAT AMOUNT OF INFORMATION IN THIS QUICK STUDY. I HOPE YOU TAKE TIME TO REALLY RECEIVE FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
A QUICK LOOK AT CHRISTIAN ETHICS: Is 1:16–17 “Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Arrest oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.” Mic 6:8 You mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God. Mt 22:37–39 Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ 1 Pe 1:15–16 But because the God who called you is holy, you must be holy in every aspect of your life. Scripture says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
Psalm 119:9-11 ESV How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Ephesians 2:10 ESV For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM EVERLASTING SALVATION CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES PayPal.me/donatetochurch Church link: Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
