• Proverbs 1:1-4 – the purpose of proverbs
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – See Jeremiah 10:23; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:3. Compare Proverbs 14:12.
• Proverbs 4:23
• Proverbs 5:15-21 – A man should be satisfied with his own wife and control his lust.
• Proverbs 6:32 – An adulterer destroys himself.
• Proverbs 9:10 – Wisdom begins with fear of God. See Hebrews 5:14.
• Proverbs 11:22 – The beauty of the woman is compared to the gold ring. The woman herself is compared to a swine because of her lack of discretion.
• Proverbs 12:4 – A good wife is like a crown for her husband. She can give him great peace in this world.
• Proverbs 14:12 – This is the other side of Proverbs 3:5-6.
• Proverbs 16:18 – Pride brings destruction!
• Proverbs 18:10 – There is nothing as strong as the Lord. Those who run to God will be saved.

• Religion:
  • Acts 26:5 – a way of living
  • Galatians 1:13 – a manner of life
  • James 1:26-27 – what we do
• The Bible heart:
  • Intellect: Matthew 9:4; Mark 2:8; Matthew 13:15
  • Emotions: Matthew 22:37-38; II Samuel 6:16; Acts 2:26; John 14:1
  • Will – power to choose: Hebrews 4:14; II Corinthians 2:1; Acts 11:23; Romans 6:17
  • Conscience – Acts 2:37; 23:1; I Timothy 1:13; Acts 26:9
• God addresses the intellect of man. The other aspects of the heart are informed by the intellect.
  • Genesis 37:34
  • Philippians 3:3
  • I John 3:21
• Receiving the right information and acting on it is pure and undefiled religion.
• True heartfelt religion is doing what God says with the correct disposition!
• Worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

• A little background/reminder
  • First learn of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego along with Daniel
    • Taken to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar raided Jerusalem.
  • Stood with Daniel
  • Daniel (as an agent of God) interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
  • Nebuchadnezzar set up a huge gold statue, etc.
• They had religious conviction (Daniel 3:15-18)
• What about your religion?
  • Is it a religion of conviction or convenience?
• “How Spiritual Are We?” PARADE magazine, October 4, 2009
• It’s easy to claim to be religious, but it’s hard to actually be religious.
  • James 1:22-25
  • Let’s look at a few practical things that may demonstrate our conviction to serving God:
    • Our language (Titus 2:7-8)
      • This includes euphemisms – don’t rationalize to be like the world.
      • Exodus 20:7 – Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.
      • Revelation 4:11
      • Psalms 19:14
      • Romans 1:21
    • Our attendance (Hebrews 10:23-25)
      • First day of the week (Acts 20:7)
      • At every opportunity to edify, encourage, and learn – we should be there – it speaks to our conviction.
    • Our study habits and teaching
      • John 14:15 – We need to know the commandments of the Lord.
      • II Timothy 2:15 – The Lord expects us to be diligent to study His word.
      • II Timothy 2:2
    • Help others
      • James 1:27
      • James 2:15-16
      • It takes personal involvement – not just money and/or well-wishes.
    • Live every day as if it were our last.
      • James 4:13-15
• Do you agree with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
• Do you have deep, constant conviction in God?

• The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, continued:
  • Point 1: Murder and the law (Matthew 5:21-26)
    • Jesus looks at the roots of murder.
    • Anger, contempt, hatred – murder’s mileposts (I John 3:15)
    • These are attitudes, under our control.
    • Don’t let it fester. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
      • So important, make it right before worshiping.
      • What did God say about sacrifice?
    • Worship not acceptable with the wrong attitude.
    • Don’t let legal adversity linger – get it resolved quickly.
  • Point 2: Adultery and the law (Matthew 5:27-30)
    • Where does adultery begin?
    • Don’t go there.
    • Do whatever it takes not to go there.
  • Point 2 ½: Marriage and divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; Genesis 2:18-25)
    • Adultery was considered very bad.
    • Divorce (other than for fornication) just as bad (Matthew 19:3-9)

[Sorry, no audio available for this lesson.]

• The Bible’s usage of “ekklesia” continued:
  • Local church assembled: I Corinthians 14:26,28
  • Evaluate the following:
    • “I was baptized in the church.”
    • “I was baptized into the church.”
    • “I was baptized into the Benchley church.”
    • “He’s an elder of the church.”
    • “Christ is Head of the church.”
    • “Christ is the head of the church, and elders oversee the church.”
    • “This church established 33 A.D. This building erected in 1994.”
    • The church
      • Its origin: Jerusalem, 33 A.D.
      • Its organization: Elders, deacons, saints, …
• The Bible uses “church” as a collective noun.
  • A collective noun names (collects) a group that is composed of individual members. Examples: A team of players; a pack of wolves; an army of soldiers; a pride of lions; a colony of bats; a family composed of members.
  • Just look at how the word “church” is used. Notice that the Holy Spirit uses the word to refer to a unit of people (either universal or local) who are saved.
    • Acts 8:1,3
    • Acts 11:26
    • Acts 14:26-28
    • I Corinthians 1:2
    • I Corinthians 12:27-28
    • Philippians 1:1 (“church” in Philippians 4:15)
    • Hebrews 12:23
    • Acts 2:41,27 (KJV/NKJV say “church” in Acts 2:47; Acts 5:11)
  • Which is more accurate?
    • The church saves.
    • The church is the saved.