Proverbs 16 – The Way that Seems Right

Hello Project Ezra!  It’s been a crazy week, so the outline is shorter, and later, than usual.  My apologies.  Our suggested chapter is Proverbs 16, and this outline is just one suggestion.  There are many passages here that could lead into sharing the gospel, but because of the rampant idolatry here in the States (and everywhere, in truth), I started with Proverbs 16:25, and what a man sees as right leading to his death.  I hope it is a blessing.  Also, please remember to post your pictures and testimonies from Halloween outreaches to the event page on Facebook, if possible.  They are always a huge encouragement.  Thanks!

All for His glory,
Dan

INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND THE PROJECT

READ PROVERBS 16

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death

This passage of scripture is the heart of the problem in much of the church, and the world today

Many, if not most, of those who would claim belief in God, and all of those who deny Him, have to some extent created a god in their own image, to suit their sin, twisting God’s truth to their own ends.

Though they claim the best of intentions, God knows better

His word says that men are pure in their own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart

So please don’t make the mistake of proclaiming your own goodness, declaring your motives to be clean, but go to God, and ask Him to judge your heart.

His word says arrogance an abomination to the Lord, he will not go unpunished

It also says that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall

Don’t let your pride……

No man can judge you.  There is only one lawgiver and judge, only one who is able to save and destroy, and it’s certainly not me.

But God has shown me my own sin, and the idols I have created in my own heart

Now by God’s grace I have the privilege of sharing His word, and I encourage you to examine His word, and to examine yourself, to see if you are in the faith.

This chapter tells us that by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil

God talks about evil in His word many times, and about the justice he will deliver against those who have rebelled against Him.

How do we know if we are rebellion against God?

A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.  Are we deserving of our kings wrath?

Look at the law, which God gave us as a mirror, to show us ourselves in truth

GO THROUGH THE LAW

If we look at ourselves in truth, in the light of God’s law, we will see that we are guilty, and deserving of God’s, our king’s, wrath.

God tells us that His wrath will be carried out in a place called hell, a very real place of fire and darkness and pain, where there will be no mercy and no reprieve.

It is a place where people will beg for a single drop of water to cool their tongues.

But though this is what we all deserve for our rebellion against God, He is a God of love and grace, and has made a way for our sins to be forgiven.

2000 years ago God the son became a man, and walked among us

He lived the perfect life that none of us could live, and then was arrested, beaten, and hung to die on a Roman cross

And on that cross the wrath of God, the anger and hatred of God toward sin, was laid on Him so it didn’t have to be laid on us.

God is a God of justice, and could not let sin go unpunished.  So God the Son took that punishment upon Himself.

The creator of all humbled Himself and suffered so that His creation could be set free.

While we were yet sinners, and His enemies, Christ died for us.

There is not greater example of humility, no greater proof of God’s hatred toward sin, and no greater example of His love and mercy toward His children, than the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross.

Verse 9 tells us that by steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.  

And God’s steadfast love and faithfulness is the reason He died, that our iniquity could be atoned for.

But Jesus did not stay dead.  As He had prophesied, He rose again three days later.

He ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father.

Now, if we would receive His mercy and grace, if we would receive the payment for our sin debt, we must repent of our sin, and put our trust in Christ alone to save us.

Repentance means turning from sin, not perfection, but a change in our direction

And we must trust in Jesus Christ, abandoning any hope in anything other than His sacrifice to save us.

And Proverbs 16 says blessed is he who trusts in the Lord!

My friends, have you done that?  Are you trusting in Christ, and in Him alone, to save you?

If not, I plead with you to do so today.

Life is short, and none of us is promised tomorrow.

Turn to Christ and live, while God has graciously given you time.