Introduction

• God gave specific (II Samuel 6:7) instructions about carrying the ark, but David did not follow them, resulting in the death of Uzzah.

• Rehoboam corrupted worship.

• Naaman at first refused God’s commands and was not healed until he relented and obeyed.

• The Pharisees corrupted God’s teaching and were repeatedly rebuked for it by Jesus.

• II John 1:9

What do we learn about local churches from the New Testament?

• They assembled to worship God and edify each other (I Corinthians 14:12, 26, 40).

  • Singing – Colossians 3:16

  • Praying

  • Lord’s Supper

  • Preaching

  • Giving

• They appointed men to work as elders and deacons. I Timothy 3:1-13

• They dealt with sin among members. I Corinthians 5:1-2

• They sounded forth the word. I Thessalonians 1:8

• They used resources to care for needy Christians only. I Timothy 5:16

Modern religious “wisdom”

• Worship God commands vs. entertainment, praise bands, contests, youth ministries, etc.

• Elders and deacons vs. “pastor” system – a preacher who is the public face of the church and may run things.

• Dealing with sin among members vs. a vast majority of people who don’t like being confronted with their sin.

• Teaching and preaching vs. other gifts, treats, and coffee.

• Using resources for needy Christians only vs. operating as a public charity.

God knew exactly what He was doing!

• Worship commanded by God
  • Edifies us! Hebrews 10:23-25
• Elders and deacons
  • Gets the right work done the right way! I Peter 5:1-4
• Dealing with sin among members
  • Protects souls! I Corinthians 5:6
• Teaching and preaching
  • Saves! James 1:21
• Using resources for needy Christians only
  • Keeps the focus on spiritual things! Acts 6:2-4

Quote from Frank Turek – Stealing From God

Introduction

• Types of proverbs:

  • Contrast – Proverbs 13:20

  • Comparison – Proverbs 26:9

  • Straight-forward advice – Proverbs 18:13

  • Extended (parable-like) – Proverbs 24:30

• Writers:

  • Solomon – Proverbs 1:1; 10:1; 25:1

    • I Kings 3:5-12; 4:29, 32; 10:6-7; Ecclesiastes 12:9

    • “Transcribed” by men of Hezekiah, Proverbs 25:1

  • Wise men otherwise unknown

    • Agur – Proverbs 30:1

    • King Lemuel (his mother) – Proverbs 31:1

• We need more wisdom in this world!

  • Proverbs 14:15-16

• Why aren’t these wise sayings always true?

  • These are general truths with exceptions.

    • God created humans with the ability to choose (Joshua 24:15).

    • Time and chance affect everything (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

  • Some passages may pertain to promises unique to Old Covenant Israel.

  • Different circumstances call for different applications of wisdom. (Proverbs 6:4-5; Proverbs 18:22 vs Proverbs 21:9)

    • There is wisdom in each view because all things are not always true in life. These proverbs approach from different angles, sometimes giving us several points of view on the same topic.

Proverbs 1:2 – The purpose of Proverbs: to know wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:4 – Proverbs are for helping the young and naïve so they don’t have to learn everything the hard way.

Proverbs 1:5-7 – Pride works against wisdom!

Proverbs 1:10-19 – Peer pressure is not a new problem!

Proverbs 1:17-18 – Even a bird has enough sense to not enter an obvious trap, but people that run to evil set a trap for themselves!

Ephesians 4:1-6

How do you or I contribute to unity or division in a local church?

Do I cause problems or solve problems?

• Romans 16:17-18 – Avoid those who cause problems.

• Titus 3:9-11

• Galatians 6:1 – Help your brethren!

• I Corinthians 6:1-6 – We should be able to solve problems among ourselves.

Do I criticize or encourage?

• Galatians 5:13-15, 26

• Criticism in a local church can be particularly harmful. Criticism often says more about the critic than about whatever is being criticized.

• Acts 11:21-24 – Barnabas was a great encourager.

• Am I a critic or encourager?

Do I keep cliques or do I reach out?

• I Corinthians 1:10-13 – Cliques lead developed in Corinth.

• I Corinthians 12:14-27 – All members of the body have a function, and all should be honored. Schisms ruin this arrangement.

• Reach out to those outside your age range and social group. It will build unity in the church!

Matthew 21:23

Because – believe it or not – we’re not in charge!

• Deity – inherent authority

  • Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:1-2; John 16:7-15

• Inspired people – apostles, prophets

  • Acts 2:4; 8:17-18

  • The apostles and prophets carried the authority of God. Their writings carry that same authority.

• Inspired scripture – Bible

  • I Thessalonians 2:13

Sadly, few people seek God’s truth.

• Isaiah 8:19-20

• Commands

  • Matthew 28:18-20

  • Luke 17:7-10

  • I Corinthians 7:19

  • I Thessalonians 4:1-2, 11

  • II Thessalonians 3:4-6, 10-12

  • II Peter 2:21-3:2

  • I John 2:3-4; 3:22-24; 4:21-5:3

  • II John 1:4-6

• Statements

  • Psalms 119:104

  • Matthew 10:34-37; 15:9; 21:42-45

  • Acts 20:35

• Examples

  • John 15:12

  • Acts 20:35

  • I Corinthians 4:16; 10:6-11; 11:1

  • Philippians 3:17; 4:9

  • I Thessalonians 1:6

  • II Thessalonians 3:7-9

  • Hebrews 4:11

  • III John 1:9-11

• Implications

  • Creation → Romans 1:18-21

  • Genesis 2:24 → Matthew 19:3-6

  • Genesis 14:18-20 + Psalms 110:4 → Hebrews 7:7-11; 8:6

  • Exodus 3:6 → Mark 12:26-27

  • Psalms 16:10 → Acts 2:24-32

  • Psalms 110:1 → Matthew 22:41-46; Acts 2:33-36

  • Matthew 9:6 → Matthew 9:2

  • Acts 16:9 → Acts 16:10

• Acts 15:1, 7-29 – The religious matter was decided by looking at the scriptures and hearing from the apostles. It was not decided by voting or by one person deciding which way everyone should go.

God actually cares, and He punishes disobedience.

• Lamentations 1:1, 5

• Jeremiah 5:31

• I Timothy 6:3-4

• Hebrews 10:30-31 – “The Lord will judge His people.”