The Purpose of Proverbs

THE PURPOSE OF PROVERBS

Pastor Kevin Burden | Cornerstone Baptist | For Sunday AM, April 28^th, 2012

Proverbs 1:1-9 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; ² To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; ³ To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; ⁴ To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. ⁵ A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: ⁶ To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. ⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. ⁸ My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: ⁹ For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”

The English word “proverb” is from the Latin meaning “instead of words.”

·         A proverb is a brief statement used “instead of many words.”

·         It’s a short statement that summarizes a wise, prudent life principle.

The Hebrew word translated “proverb” means “a comparison.”

·         Many of the proverbs are joined together with similarities or contrasts.

·         These short sentences are easy to remember as they squeeze a wealth of wisdom into small spaces.

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings intended to serve as a guide for daily living.

·         These wise sayings cover numerous topics that explore attitudes and relationships.

·         They assess such things as Poverty, Promiscuity, Property, Prosperity & Power.

The Proverbs reflect a type of literature common in ancient times.

·         Many of the sayings in this book were written or collected by Solomon.

·         Proverbs 25:1 suggests that this collection was compiled in the days of King Hezekiah, about 700 B.C.

The book of Proverbs covers numerous topics of great importance to us today. Let’s examine a brief example in Proverbs 18:22-24 Þ

·         Domestic Life (v 22) “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”

·         Poverty vs Privileged (v 23) “The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.”

·         Friendship (v 24) “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Proverbs frequently mentions three types of people who desperately need wisdom. Proverbs 1:22 “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”

·         The Simple believes everything and everybody. They lack discernment and discretion. They are easily led astray by others because they have no solid foundation on which to stand. They cannot see ahead and, as a result, repeatedly get into trouble. They are self-satisfied!

·         The Foolish is a person who is dense, slothful, careless. They are self-possessed!

·         The Scornful mock God's wisdom because… ^1. It is over their head; ^2. They think they know everything. The Hebrew word for “scorner” means “to make a mouth.” You will often see scorners sneering and making faces. They never profit from rebuke. They are self-illuminated!

God has given us these Proverbs to help us…

1.       RECOGNIZE TRUTH (v 2_a). “To know wisdom and instruction;..”

Wisdom = skillful, perceptive, and wise:

·         True wisdom is mastery of the art of living in accordance with God's expectations.

·         In secular usage signifies a man who was a skilled craftsman.

·         A person with true wisdom is a person who has learned to be skillful in living.

Instruction = reproof, warning, correction, discipline, doctrine. It implies that to be wise a person must be willing to learn.

2.       RECEIVE TRUTH (v 2-3). “To perceive the words of understanding; ³ To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;”

·                  To perceive means to detect, distinguish, discern (Prov 3:11-12).

·                  To receive means accept, buy, own and carry away.

3.       RELAY TRUTH (v 4-5). “To give subtilty (prudence) to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. ⁵ A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:”

4.       RATIFY TRUTH (v 6). “To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.”

To truly understand is to be in agreement with by approval and endorsement.

5.       REVERENCE GOD (v 7). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of know-ledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The fear of the Lord is the continual awareness that I am in the presence of a holy, righteous, just and loving God; and that every thought, word action and deed is being evaluated by Him continually.

6.       RESPECT AUTHORITY (v 8-9). “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: ⁹ For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”

God’s creation is orderly, and subject to the laws He has ordained and established.

James Hervey [1789] wrote: “Who, that looks upward to the midnight sky; and, with an eye of reason, beholds its rolling wonders; who can forbear enquiring, Of what were their mighty orbs formed?

   Amazing to relate, they were produced without materials. They sprung from emptiness itself. The stately fabric of the universal nature emerged out of nothing. What instruments were used by the Supreme Architect to fashion the parts with such exquisite niceness, and give so beautiful polish to the whole? How was it all connected into one finely proportioned and nobly finished structure?

   A simple statement accomplished it all – ‘Let be’, said God. He added no more; and at once the marvelous edifice arose, adorned with every beauty, displaying innumerable perfections, and declaring amidst enraptured seraphs its great Creator’s praise.”

Psalm 33:6-8 “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.”

God has also ordained order in the Home, Church, Employment and Government…

A wise person will understand and honor those structures of authority!

The King is Calling!

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Today a person has to be cautious when answering their door. We are continually warned by Law enforcement agencies to be on the alert. We have installed deadbolts, peepholes, intercoms, burglar alarms, and video surveillance. When we have a visitor come to our door it is important that we know who they are and their purpose for coming.

In our text, there is someone knocking at a door – the door of our heart.

·         This person desires to be a blessing.

·         He has come to be our Saviour.

·         He is the Lord Jesus Christ.

·         What a wonderful visitor to have knocking at your hearts door!

1.       THE MAJESTY OF HIS PRESENCE: Revelation 1:10-18 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, ¹¹ Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. ¹² And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; ¹³ And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. ¹⁴ His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; ¹⁵ And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. ¹⁶ And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: ¹⁸  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

·         He’s more than a visiting dignitary, prince or pontiff – He is the Lord of glory! (Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, Judge)

·         I’ve often wondered why it is that men so often turn him away?

2.       THE MISSION OF HIS CALL: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Why is He knocking?

·         He’s on the same mission He was during the days of His earthly ministry: Luke 19:10 “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

·         Praise God He’s a seeking Saviour!

“Behold, I stand and knock” reveals Christ Persistence.

“Behold, I stand and knock” reveals Christ Patience.

·         There is a limit to His patience and persistence! “If any man will open the door.” (so much for irresistible grace)

·         We are free moral agents! He created us this way.

-   He does not force Himself upon anyone.

-   He will not force an entrance into your heart.

-   He will do all in His power to gain our attention, to touch our heart.

-   He will go no further - you must invite Him in.

-   The prodigal’s father waited, watched & wept till his son came home.

3.       THE MOTIVATION OF HIS APPEAL: “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,…”

·         His appeal is loving. 1 John 4:10 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

·         His appeal is personal. “If any man” [singular]

·         His appeal is universal. “If any man”

4.       THE MIRACLE OF HIS ENTRANCE: “I will come in to him, and sup with him,..”

·         Let me remind you of what Jesus said to His disciples. John 14:21-23 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

·         Let me remind you of what Paul said. Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

5.       THE MEASURE OF YOUR RESPONSE! You should Invite Jesus in because of...

·         His effect on your marriage. John 2:1-2 “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.”

·         His effect on your home. Duet 6:4 “The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

·         His effect on your occupation. Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. [23] And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

Ephesians 6:5-6 “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;”

·         His effect on your Friendships. Jesus is the best friend you’ll ever have! John 15:13-15 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ¹⁵ Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

·         His effect on your Church. Revelation 3:14-20 “Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; ¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. ¹⁷ Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: ¹⁸ I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

·         His effect on your Heart. Luke 12:34 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled…”

Eph 3:17-19 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;…”

1 Peter 3:15 “Sanctify the Lord God in your heart,…”

Romans 10:9-10 “If thou shalt confess…”

THE SEVEN OPENINGS OF EASTER

Matthew 27:46-60; 28:1-3

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most significant aspect of our faith. We live in a day when His resurrection is being denied or spiritualized away by skeptics, cults and liberal theologians.

The writers of the Bible considered the resurrection of Jesus Christ to be absolutely essential!

Paul stated “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life... knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God” (Romans 6).

Peter stated “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,.. but with the precious blood of Christ,..(God) raised Him up from the dead,.. that your faith and hope might be in God…..For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter).

Jesus said “My Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it up again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10).

It is noteworthy that of the 89 chapters in the four Gospels, 28 focus on the last week of our Saviors Death, Burial & Resurrection. That week was spent in and about the city of Jerusalem Purifying the Temple; Debating the diverse sects of Judaism; Proclaiming the Olivet discourse; He wept over the people he knew would cry out for His death.

While examining the last week of the Savior's earthly ministry I noticed seven events of great importance that took place. All of these events can be identified as “OPENINGS.” NOTICE The First...

1.       THE GATE OF THE CITY WAS OPENED (Matthew 21:9-11). The arrival of the King! “the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. ¹⁰ And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? ¹¹ And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”

2.       THE NEW COVENANT WAS OPENED (Matthew 26:26-29). “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. ²⁷ And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; ²⁸ For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. ²⁹ But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

3.       OUR SAVIOUR'S SIDE WAS OPENED (John 19:32-34). “Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. ³³ But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: ³⁴ But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”

4.       THE HOLY OF HOLIES WAS OPENED (Matthew 27:51). “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”

5.       THE GRAVE WAS OPENED (Matthew 27:52). “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,”

6.       THE TOMB OF JESUS CHRIST WAS OPENED (Matthew 28:1-3). “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. ² And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. ³ His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

7.       THE DOOR OF SALVATION WAS OPENED. John 10:9 “I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, shall be saved.”

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”