PROVERBS 9CHOICES ALONG THE WAY

ONLY TWO CHOICES ON THE PATH• GOD’S OFFER

– Life– Wisdom– Truth– Teaching, reproof, correction, training– Intimate eternal relationship

• SATAN’S OFFER– Death– Folly– Lies– Live as you are “naturally”– Temporary detached self-gratification

ONLY TWO WORLDVIEWS• WHAT IS REAL – Metaphysics

– One Triune God & God’s creation– Anything else

• WHAT IS TRUE - Epistemology– God’s Word – The Bible– Anything else

• WHAT IS RIGHT – Moral Duties– God and what God says is right– Anything else

• WHAT IS VALUABLE – Moral Values– God and what God values– Anything else

PROVERBS 9:1-2GOD’S BANQUET TABLE

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

MATTHEW 22:1-4

And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’

PROVERBS 9:3GOD’S UNIVERSAL CALL

She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:20

PROVERBS 9:4-5GOD’S FOOD

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” John 6:35, 54-56

PROVERBS 9:6LIFE & DEATH CHOICES

“Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days,” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Cor. 5:17

PROVERBS 9:7-9RESPONSES TO CORRECTION

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

GOD’S METHOD OF TEACHING HIS ADOPTED CHILDREN

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Heb. 12:5-6

WHY GOD’S METHOD?

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. Romans 3:10-11

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— Romans 5:12

You started at “total depravity”

BELIEVER’S LIFE

• Conception– Total Depravity

• Conversion – Redemption Applied

• Sanctification – Becoming like Christ

• Glorification – Sinless with Christ

PROVERBS 9:7-9RESPONSES TO CORRECTION

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

The unconverted hates correction.The redeemed want continued correction.What is your response to correction?

PROVERBS 9:10THE BEGINNING OF TEACHABILITY

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

The essential teachable ingredients:The fear of the LORDKnowledge of the Holy One

Joyful submission or prideful independence?

Creator – creature Distinction

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col 1:16-17

One Triune Creator Personal Sovereign God– Independent Infinite Authority

REVELATION

Creation– Dependent Finite Submissive

PROVERBS 9:11-12PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7

WORLDVIEWS & ETERNITY

• What you believe about reality, truth, moral duties and moral values does not effect the Triune God, but it does effect you

• Someone will die because of your sin

• For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

• You can’t borrow, lend or escape your character. You are held responsible.

PROVERBS 9:13-15SATAN’S UNIVERSAL CALL

The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,

Satan is not embarrassed, ashamed, or shy and is always there offering independence from God.

PROVERBS 9:16-17OFFER OF THE FORBIDDEN

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Eve: “I wonder who is right?”

DISCIPLINE VS. TEMPTATIONS• Discipline

– Conviction & mortification of sin• Temptations

– Displaying & strengthening new character

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Cor. 10:13

PROVERBS 9:18SATAN’S PROMISE IS A LIE

But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

CHOICES ALONG THE WAY

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:12-15

WHO’S CALL DO YOU ANSWER?• Where you “eat” depends on your character.• Your character depends on the grace of God.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

Choices! What are you choosing?