Courage

• II Timothy 1:7 – We must use this “spirit of power” to spread God’s word.

• Psalm 27

• II Timothy 1:7 tells us not to fear. Compare Psalms 111:10; Acts 13:16, 26; Romans 3:18; II Corinthians 5:11; 7:1; Hebrews 10:31. These are different types of fear. We should have a reverent fear of God.

• Luke 12:23-31 – God is in control. This should give us great comfort!

• Philippians 1:27-30

• Matthew 10:28

• I Corinthians 16:13-14 – We must stand firm like men, but in a loving way.

• John 14:27 – Jesus gives us great peace, which should help us have courage.

Elders rule by:

• Leading

  • Hebrews 13:17; I Timothy 5:17 – Elders are to lead in a way similar to how fathers lead in families.

  • I Peter 5:2 – Elders are shepherds of the flock.

• Service

  • Luke 22:25-26 – Those that serve are the greatest.

  • Matthew 20:25-28

• Warning and admonishing

  • Acts 20:31; Ezekiel 3:17

• Teaching

  • I Timothy 3:2; I Peter 5:2; Titus 1:9 – Elders should be able to teach and are to feed the flock.

• Example

Christians are to be crucified, peaceful, and loving.

• Matthew 22:37, 39

• Galatians 5:13-23

• Ephesians 4:1-3

• Philippians 4:2; 2:1-4 – Regard one another as more important than yourself.

• Romans 14-15 – Eating meat and principles of conscience.

• I John 2:9-11; 3:10, 15; 4:20-21

New Testament Christians were actually able to pull this off!

• Thessalonica – Acts 17:4-5; I Thessalonians 1:6-9

• Antioch – Acts 11:19

• Even Corinth! – I Corinthians 1:11; 6:1-8; 11:18; II Corinthians 7:6-16

Attitudes are contagious.

• Hebrews 10:24

Unnecessary conflict is embarrassing.

• Romans 2:17-24

There will virtually never be a unanimous matter of opinion.

• Acts 2, 6

James 1:22

Putting it all together

• The beginning of knowledge!

  • Proverbs 1:7, 29; 2:5; 3:7; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:2, 26-27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17; 31:30

  • The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

• Where am I heading?

  • Proverbs 5:11; 14:12-14; 16:25; 19:20; 20:21; 23:17-18; 23:32; 24:14, 20; 25:8

  • We have to keep the end in mind.

  • Our goal is to glorify God as long as we’re on earth, and then live with Him in eternity. Our decisions should lead us toward that goal.

• It’s time to make application!

  • Proverbs 3:5-7; 19:3, 21; 28:25

  • It takes a lot of character and deliberate willpower to truly, genuinely, fully trust in God!

  • Let Solomon be a warning to us! Deuteronomy 17:7 à I Kings 11:4

• “My son …” – Passing wisdom down as a legacy

  • Proverbs 1:8

  • This book gives parents wisdom to discuss with their children in order to guide them in the Divinely-ordained ways of life. Let’s use it for that!

Proverbs 9:1-2 – Wisdom is described as a character quality.

Hateful

• Proverbs 6:16-19

• We need to hate sin as much as God does.

Division/unity

• Proverbs 6:16-19

• Luke 11:17

• Jude 1:16-19

• II Timothy 2:14-19 – To be united, we must all handle God’s word correctly.

• II John 1:9-11 – Those who do not abide in God’s word do not have God.

• I John 1:5-8 – To have fellowship with God and be unified, we must walk in the light.

• Philippians 1:27-2:5

• We are never going to agree with someone else on absolutely everything.

• I Corinthians 11:17-19

• Ephesians 4:1-6 – We should be eager to maintain unity.

• Colossians 3:12-17