Hello Project Ezra! This week the
suggested reading is Proverbs 24. Like much of Proverbs, there are contrasts
made in this chapter between the wise and the foolish. Our focus will be reminding people that there
is nothing wiser than trusting God, and nothing more foolish than desiring
evil. I pray this outline is a blessing.
All for His glory,
Dan
INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND THE GROUP
READ PROVERBS 24
Today we are praying you will come to know wisdom and foolishness, and know Him who discerns between the two
There is nothing more important. A wise understanding of who God is matters eternally.
The book of Proverbs frequently compares the wise man to the foolish
Today we are praying you will come to know wisdom and foolishness, and know Him who discerns between the two
There is nothing more important. A wise understanding of who God is matters eternally.
The book of Proverbs frequently compares the wise man to the foolish
This chapter tells us
not to foolishly desire evil, but hunger after wisdom
We have a natural desire
for sin. The things God calls sin can
often bring us pleasure.
But this chapter tells
us not to be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts
devise violence and their lips talk of trouble.
Rebellion against God’s
law does not come without its price.
God’s word tells us we are all by nature children of wrath, and under
God’s judgment.
Gaining wisdom can be
and often is difficult, but is of inestimable value.
By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.
Honey is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul. If you find it, there will be a future.
The Bible tells us in multiple places that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
But if God is a loving
God, why should we fear Him?
Because He is also a
just and holy God.
We should fear Him because
He is good, and we are not. He is a just judge, and we are guilty criminals
24:12 tells us God
weighs the heart, and will repay man according to His work.
I know enough about my own heart to know I do NOT want to be repaid according to my work!
Proverbs 24:19-20 says “Fret
not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the
evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”
And Hebrews 10 tells us “For
we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord
will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God.” (Hebrews 10:30-31 ESV)
If we look at ourselves
in light of God’s standard, in light of His holiness, we all deserve judgment
and hell for our moral crimes against Him..
Do you doubt your
guilt? Look at yourself in light of His law
God’s law is a
reflection of His character and nature, and His word tells us He has written it
on our hearts. Even if you deny His
existence, you know this is true.
They show that the work
of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears
witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
(Romans 2:15 ESV)
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? (Proverbs 24:12 ESV)
GO THROUGH GOD’S LAW TO BRING CONVICTION OF SIN. THERE ARE SEVERAL PASSAGES THAT DEAL WITH THE
SPECIFICS OF GOD’S LAW, THE MOST OBVIOUS BEING EXODUS 20. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-10 AND REVELATION 21:8 ARE
ALSO USEFUL.
God is just, and will
make sure the penalty for all sin is paid to the fullest
But God is also patient,
and merciful, and loving. He takes no
pleasure in the death of the wicked.
So, by His grace and for
His glory, He made a way for us to be made right with Him, for our sins to be
paid.
Jesus Christ, perfect
man and God in the flesh, came to earth 2000 years ago.
He lived the perfect
life none of us could live. Then He died
on a cross.
And all our guilt, all
our evil, all the pain and suffering we rightly deserved, was laid on Him
instead.
He committed no sin,
neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile
in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting
himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the
tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you
have been healed.
(1 Peter 2:22-24 ESV)
Christ redeemed us from
the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is
everyone who is hanged on a tree”
(Galatians 3:13 ESV)
He took the curse due to us, bore it, and paid it in
full.
On the cross, He said the debt was paid in full.
Then three days later He rose again from the dead, and
ascended into heaven to sit at
God’s right hand.
Now, through His death and resurrection, we too can have
eternal life, through repentance and faith in Him
Repent. Turn from
your sins. Though perfect obedience on
this side of heaven is impossible, when God come to live in you, you are
changed more every day, as the Holy Spirit transforms you into the likeness of
Christ.
Faith. Trust in
Jesus Christ, and Him alone, for your salvation. Only He is true deity. Only he died for sins and rose again. Only He is the way, the truth, and the life.
So come to Him today. Repent and trust in Him, and one day, you will be with Him in paradise!
So come to Him today. Repent and trust in Him, and one day, you will be with Him in paradise!
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