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TH1121: On-Line
Teaching Notes
PROVERBS
Please turn in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs chapter 4, as we continue our study through the Word of God. And as you may remember from our last study, Proverbs is a book that shows us how to live godly in an ungodly world! Thus, we would be wise to heed the instructions that God has set before us in this book.
PROVERBS 4
VERSE 1
1. Solomon, speaking to his children, is trying to impart to them his wisdom which he has learned throughout his life. And like any good father, he doesn't want them to make the same foolish mistakes that he made, but to learn from his mistakes. Solomon lived in a backslidden condition most of his life, and it wasn't until the end of his life that he returned to the Lord. The book of Ecclesiastes covers that period, and at the end of his life, this is the conclusion he came to: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
2. I believe these words go beyond what Solomon has to say, for the Scriptures have come to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the reality is, our heavenly Father is speaking these words to us, His children.
VERSE 2
1. Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 4:6, "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." Doctrine, teaching, nourishes our lives, it helps to keep us spiritually healthy. But we are seeing a gradual moving away from good doctrine, healthy doctrine to the point where we see the pastor of the Community Church of Joy in Glendale, Arizona say: "People today aren't interested in traditional doctrines like justification, sanctification and redemption." We must get back to sound doctrine and not listen to the foolishness of man. If we don't, the church will continue to be tossed to and fro by the winds of false doctrine that are blowing by!
VERSE 3
1. Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba, and was a only son born from them for a time. (I Chronicles 3:5). Now David's son, born out of the adulterous relationship between David and Bathsheba, died. And many wonder why God punished the child and not the ones that committed the act? He did! David and Bathsheba never had the joy of loving that child, seeing it grow. And that child, he was not punished, but entered into glory.
2. Interestingly enough, David called his second son, Solomon, which means "peaceable." But God called him Jedidiah, which means "beloved of Jehovah." You see, God is gracious and forgiving.
VERSE 4
1. As Solomon is preparing to instruct his children, he tells them that his father, David, before he died and before he, Solomon took the throne, gave these instructions to his young son, who was only 14 or 15 years old at this time. And this was David's charge to Solomon as he was about to take over the nation: "I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,' He said, 'you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'" I Kings 2:2-4.
VERSE 5
1. Today we see people that are very intelligent, they have much understanding, and yet they are fools. Why do I say that? Because they have not applied that which they know to be true to their lives. The proper application of knowledge is wisdom. A great example of this is seen with those who believe in the theory of evolution. They have all kinds of information but their application of that information shows they are fools. Dr. Wald, one of the foremost biologists in this country, said: "Spontaneous generation was totally disproved 100 years ago by Louis Pasture...That leads us only one possible conclusion. That life arose as a super natural creative work of God. I can not accept that philosophically, because I don't want to believe in God. I choose to believe that which I know is scientifically impossible, spontaneous generation arising to evolution." You see, he has all the right information, he just refuses to apply it properly.
VERSES 6-9
1. Solomon is likening wisdom to that of a woman, that if you apply knowledge to your life, you will be wise, you will be blessed. In schools we teach our children knowledge and we don't always teach them the proper application of that knowledge or the RIGHT application of that knowledge. For example, we teach our children about sex and the application of that knowledge that we have taught them is that you can have sex with anyone you want, just be protected. Wrong application of knowledge, and it shows how foolish we are. In Hebrews 13:4 we read "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." You see, that is the right application of knowledge, sex within marriage is beautiful and enjoyable. Sex outside of marriage is a sin before God and you are accountable for your actions.
VERSES 10-13
1. Many feel that God's Word restricts us from having fun. The reality is that God's Word gives us life, abundant, joyful life. When we do things contrary to God's Word we find ourselves in bondage, we stumble through life. There is life found in being wise.
VERSE 14
1. A few years ago some young adults removed a stop sign in a busy intersection. With that warning gone, a car entered that intersection and the results were death and destruction. God has placed warning signs for us to follow, to warn us of the danger that is around us. To ignore them is foolish because it will only lead to death and destruction in your life. And understand this, once you start traveling down these wicked paths, it is hard to get out.
VERSE 15
1. Many see this as a game, but it is not! We are told to avoid it, don't' even travel down it, turn from it before it is to late and it captures you, taking you down the wrong path.
VERSES 16-17
1. The wicked live to do evil, they feed upon it and unless they are doing wickedness, they are not happy. How sad a state to be in, that your life is bent on doing evil.
VERSE 18
1. What a glorious truth. The more time you spend with Jesus the more He will shine through you. Think of it this way, the more time you spend in the sun the more its effects will shine from you. Some who are fair-skinned will be glowing red, others will tan, but either way, you will see the effects the sun has had in their life. The same is true as we spend time with the Son of God, with Jesus Christ. It is as Paul said in II Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." You see, the longer you walk with Him, the more He will shine through you, till one day you go to be with Him.
VERSE 19
1. The wicked have the opposite effect, they are in darkness and that is what is seen in their life. They can't see where they are going, for there is no light in them to guide them. Now which one is free and which one is truly in bondage? Where do you want to walk, in the light or in the darkness? I think it is easy to see that Christ sets us free as we walk in His light.
VERSES 20-22
1. There truly is life found in keeping God's Word. And we are told to pay attention to it, listen to it, keep your eyes focused upon it, because you will be blessed if you do. God, in instructing Joshua before they enter the land of Canaan, said "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8.
VERSE 23
1. Watch what enters the gates of your ears and your eyes, for these things will flow to the master control center - THE HEART! What comes in will flow out, either pure things or wicked things. I like what David said in Psalm 101:3-4, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness." You need to make a conscious decision of what you are going to allow into your life. It is as Jesus said in Matthew 15:11, 17-20. We read that it is "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man...Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."
VERSES 24-25
1. There are a lot of wicked things in this world that want to destroy our life if we let them. We need to be like horses that have those blinders on so they can not be distracted by what is going on around them, but be focused ahead. Now I am not saying that we should be blind to what is happening around us, but we are not to be taken captive by it. Don't allow your eyes to dwell upon evil, or your ears to listen to it.
VERSES 26-27
1. If more people would consider the consequences of their sin, they would not go down that path. The lives that have been destroyed for a few moments of pleasure is really tragic. One person put it this way, "Be careful how you walk for there is always someone following in your steps." You see, sin does not only affect you, but many around you, even those looking up to you. Walk down the straight path, be established in the ways of God.
PROVERBS 5
VERSES 1-6
1. Solomon is speaking to his son, but this is also against men who seduce women. And it looks so good, it may feel so right, but in the end it is a poison that will destroy you and like a sword it will cut you to pieces and fragment your life. If you don't believe it, look at what divorce has done in this country - destroyed and fragmented lives. And if you travel down these paths, committing sexual sin, there is a good chance that your life will be cut short.
VERSES 7-9
1. Satan has come to kill, steal, and destroy peoples lives, and one of the ways that he does this is through sexual sin. Solomon is saying to stay clear of this, don't even play with it, for once it has a hold of you, it will consume your life.
VERSES 10-11
1. Remember that back then there was no cure for sexually transmitted diseases. And if you live this loose lifestyle and catch one of these, it was a slow, agonizing death. And in the end, all that you worked so hard for, so hard to obtain, will be given to another. Today we once again are seeing a tremendous increase in sexually transmitted diseases, some for which there is no cure!
VERSES 12-13
1. Many have rejected what God has said regarding sex, and have opened themselves up to all kinds of sexually transmitted diseases, and then it is to late! Don't be a fool, heed God's Word. Let's not have our epitaph read like king Saul's, who said towards the end of his life "...Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly." I Samuel 26:21.
VERSE 14
1. How many today sit in church and their lives are consumed with sexual sin, on the verge of ruin? We need to confess our sins, not only sexual sins, and get right with God, and pray for one another. As James says "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16.
VERSE 15
1. Solomon is speaking poetically here and he is saying that we should be satisfied with what God has given to us, our spouse, and not go drinking elsewhere.
VERSES 16-17
1. The streets of America are filled with children that have been fathered outside of marriage and many of these children are not wanted. Solomon is telling us to be responsible in our conduct and children should be born out of a marriage relationship and not outside one!
VERSES 18-19
1. For some strange reason the church has adopted the philosophy that sex is only for procreation, and anything besides that is wrong, it is not of God. Are you kidding, God has given us sex to enjoy within the bounds of marriage. And here Solomon is saying to be enraptured with your wife.
2. To often today people get married and once the vows are said, the dating is over. Wrong! Men are especially guilty of this because we are so goal oriented. Once that goal is achieved, we move on to something else. Let me ask you this, when was the last time you dated your wife? If you can't remember, you better plan a date. Send her flowers. Do those things you did when you were dating her, and more. Show her you love her even more today than you did when you were dating her.
VERSE 20
1. Many today have bought into Hollywood's idea of love, but that is not love, it is lust. And you can see it in their relationships, for love is a commitment, lust is a satisfying of a need and once that has been met, they move on.
VERSE 21
1. Think about that for a minute. Before you commit some immoral activity, understand that God is right there with you. You can't hide anything from Him! It is like Hannah said in her prayer found in I Samuel 2:3 "Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed."
VERSES 22-23
1. People living this kind of life are not free. They are in bondage and many times, because they refuse to heed God's warning, His instructions, their life comes to an end.
PROVERBS 6
VERSES 1-2
1. This is speaking of co-signing or guaranteeing a loan for someone, and Solomon is warning against this. Why? Because if they default, you are left holding the bag, and you are responsible to pay the debt that was owed, and that could even mean going into slavery to pay off the debt.
VERSES 3-5
1. If they have done this already, Solomon is instructing them to get out of it, and do it quickly, for if you don't, it will mess you up.
VERSES 6-8
1. Now Solomon compares the tiny little ant, with his tiny little brain, to that of a man. And in this comparison, the ant is far wiser than the lazy person. Why? Because he goes out and gathers food during the times that are good, preparing for the times he can't go out and gather food. He uses his time wisely, while the lazy person doesn't. No one has to order him around, and yet the ant does the work that is needed. How many places of business go into a free-for-all when the boss is gone? At many places the work is put on hold. It is like the commercial where the boss calls from his vacation spot telling his employees that he will be back in town in a few minutes. And they are partying it up until they hear this news. Terror fills their faces and they believe they are going to get caught messing up. And the next scene is the boss, laying at the beach, and he says "I just love to do that!" We as Christians should do the work because our boss, the Lord, is the one who will be glorified by it, or His name will be put down when we don't do it.
VERSES 9-11
1. This may seem harsh, but I don't know how else to put it. If you don't work, if you are just lazy and refuse to support yourself, then you should go hungry. No one should help you. We should not feed into your laziness. And Paul even tells us this in II Thessalonians 3:10 "...If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat."
VERSES 12-15
1. These kinds of people think they can get away with anything. They take advantage of anyone and everyone, and if they could make a profit, they would even deceive their own mother. But they will not get away with it forever, and there will come a time when this all catches up with them and their lives will be broken.
VERSE 16
1. Do you think you need to pay attention to these things? You better believe you do. If God hates these things, if they are detestable to Him, then we need to pay attention and stay clear of them.
VERSES 17-19
1. A PROUD LOOK - pride is what caused Lucifer to fall and it is one of those areas that cause many to stumble today. Remember what David said in Psalm 131:1, "LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me." Have a humble spirit.
2. LYING TONGUE - This is not of our Father, but from the father of lies, Satan. Whose child do you want to be? In Psalm 120:2 we read "Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue."
3. SHEDDING OF INNOCENT BLOOD - Human life is sacred, we have been created by the hands of God. Thus, when you murder someone you are destroying that gift of God. Life today, in the minds of many, is very cheap, but to God it is very precious!
4. HEART THAT DEVISES WICKED PLANS - It is as Jesus said in Matthew 15:19, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies."
5. FEET SWIFT IN RUNNING TO EVIL - The heart blazes the trail and the feet will quickly follow. It is as Isaiah 59:7-8 says, "Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace."
6. FALSE WITNESS - Look at the courts systems today and see what a joke they are. People place their hand on the Bible and swear to tell the whole truth, and then they have no problem with lying through their teeth, being a false witness.
7. SOWS DISCORD AMONG BRETHREN - Jesus said in Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God." Now why is that important? Because if their is division and strife within the body, the enemy can easily come in and conquer. There have been church splits based upon what color to paint the church, to have a collection box at the back of the church verses taking a collection, and-so-on. People are dying every day not knowing the Lord and we are allowing these minor issues to become a major division within the body. And you know what, it all goes back to the first issue, pride! God hates these things and so should we!
VERSES 20-23
1. The words of godly parents are a blessing to their children if they are a reflection of what God has said in His Word. You see, if you take the things of God and apply them to your life, they will guide you wherever you go. God's Word does not restrict us, but it gives us life!
VERSES 24-26
1. Sexual sin has a way of reducing a persons life to nothing. Their lives will be eaten away before they know it.
VERSES 27-29
1. You can not commit a sexual sin and not have it effect your life in some way. When you go camping and sit around the camp fire, you end up smelling like smoke. And if you start playing with fire, getting involved with this kind of lifestyle, you will get burned.
VERSES 30-31
1. You can easily understand someone who steals a loaf of bread to feed himself. And yet, if he is caught he will have to pay the penalty of his crime. But at least you can understand why he did it, he was starving to death.
VERSE 32
1. But sexual sin can not be justified and it doesn't just happen, you work towards it. Paul said in I Corinthians 6:18 "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." Sex outside of marriage affects your life, it eats away at your body, and you can not get that back. It will and it has destroyed many lives, if we would only be wise and understand that.
VERSES 33-35
1. If you start fooling around with another man's wife, LOOK OUT! You are not going to be able to buy them off, you will not be able to give him gifts to appease his anger, but he will seek vengeance for what you have done to him. Yes, this kind of behavior can destroy, it can kill you. It is as Proverbs 6:27-28 says "Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?" Of course not! Be wise and heed what God is saying!