God has a
field of service for every believer. Last week we examined John
4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold,
I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white
already to harvest.”
Before you
can “Look on the field” you must...
- Stop Making Excuses.
- Start Listening To The Savior.
- See what God sees.
- Desire what God desires.
To CONSIDER
is to do more than LOOK (v 16). [Hebrew - zamah]
- It means to fix thought upon, to plan, and to ponder.
- It is discerning to what extent you are willing to empower what you desire.
In Proverbs 31 we meet a woman who is a Wife, Mother & Homemaker. Her specific
identity is given in v 1; we will consider it later…
This passage is not JUST about being a godly woman.
- This woman is also a
picture of the New Testament Church.
- She is a role model for the church, The bride of Christ.
- She is a picture of everything God expects us to be
as a church.
· In 2 Corinthians 11:2 Paul said, “I am
jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have
espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to
Christ.”
· Revelation 22:17a “And the Spirit and the
bride say, Come.”
1.
What does it mean to “Consider A Field?” It means being…
- Focused (v 16a). “She considereth a field.” To spiritually consider, “am I willing to go where God wants me to go, and do what God wants me to do?”
- Faithful (v 16b). “With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”
- Strong (v 17). “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”
- Confident (v 18). “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:..”
- Courageous (v 21). “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.”
- Well Dressed (v 22). “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” Put on Christ! Purple = blue (royalty), red (blood).
- Disciplined (v 26-27). “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”
2.
Before you “Consider A Field” you must…
- Know who you are! Distinguish, Discern, Recognize, Understand…
Who are you? Proverbs
31:1 “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.”
Lemuel [belongs to God] is Solomon;
the woman is Bathsheba (gentile bride of King David).
You
are espoused to Christ! The word Espoused
means to take in marriage; to give one's loyalty and support to another.
You
are redeemed with a Heavenly dowry.
- The value
of the bride, “Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price
is far above rubies.”
- We are
redeemed by the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19 “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold,.. But with the precious blood of Christ,..”
We
are to personify the Virtuous Woman as an individual and as a Church.
- Demonstrate godly character. Questions???
Are
you trustworthy? (v 11). “The
heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of
spoil.”
- Can God
trust you with your Time, Talent, & Treasure.
Are
you faithful? (v 12). “She will do
him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
- Will your
fidelity hold during Temptation, Testing & Trouble?
Are
you diligent? (v 13-15).
- She seeks
(v 13) “She seeketh wool, and
flax,..”
- She
sacrifices (v 14) “She bringeth
her food from afar.”
- She serves
(v 15) “She riseth also while it
is yet night, and giveth meat to her household,…”
- Diligence begins with willingness (v 13) “She…worketh willingly…”
CONCLUSION: Why Consider A Field? (v 28). “Her
children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth
her.”
- The ones you win to Christ will bless you (v28a) “Her children arise up, and call her blessed;..”
- Christ will praise you (v 28b) “Her husband also, and he praiseth her.”
