WISDOM for LIVING Week 4 Welcome to Dingwall Free Church

WISDOMfor LIVING

Week 4Welcome to

DingwallFree Church

Wisdom is… “a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her

will be blessed.”

Sermons from

ProverbsApril & May 2007

Psalm 23:1-6 * (p. 28)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; no want shall I know.

2 He makes me lie down where the green pastures grow;

He leads me to rest where the calm waters flow.

Psalm 23:1-6 * (2/5) 3 My wandering steps he brings back to his way,

In straight paths of righteousness

making me stay;

And this he has done his great name to display.

Psalm 23:1-6 * (3/5) 4 Though I walk in death’s valley, where darkness is near,

Because you are with me, no evil

I’ll fear;

Your rod and your staff bring me comfort and cheer.

Psalm 23:1-6 * (4/5) 5 In the sight of my en’mies a table

you spread.

The oil of rejoicing you pour on

my head;

My cup overflows and I’m

graciously fed.

Psalm 23:1-6 * (5/5) 6 So surely your covenant mercy

and grace

Will follow me closely in all of

my ways;

I will dwell in the house of the

LORD all my days.

Prayer

&

Children’s Talk

Wisdom is… “a tree of life to those who embrace her; those

who lay hold of her will be blessed.” Prov. 3:18

Hope International School

Cambodia

Hope School International Mural

Hope School Senior Girls Khmer Dance

Performance

Psalm 103:1-5 (p. 369)

1 O thou my soul, bless God the LORD;

and all that in me is

Be stirrèd up his holy name

to magnify and bless.

Psalm 103:1-5 (2/5)

2 Bless, O my soul, the LORD thy God,

and not forgetful be

Of all his gracious benefits

he hath bestowed on thee.

Psalm 103:1-5 (3/5)

3 All thine iniquities who doth

most graciously forgive:

Who thy diseases all and pains

doth heal, and thee relieve.

Psalm 103:1-5 (4/5)

4 Who doth redeem thy life, that thou

to death may’st not go down;

Who thee with loving-kindness doth

and tender mercies crown:

Psalm 103:1-5 (5/5)

5 Who with abundance of good things

doth satisfy thy mouth;

So that, ev’n as the eagle’s age,

renewèd is thy youth.

Bible Reading

–

Proverbs 4:1-13, 18-23

Page 638

Wisdom is… “a tree of life to those who embrace her; those

who lay hold of her will be blessed.” Prov. 3:18

Bible Reading (Pew Bible - page 638) Proverbs 4:1-13, 18-23

• 1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

• 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

• 3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,

• 4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.


• 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

• 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

• 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

• 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you.

• 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour."


• 10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

• 11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

• 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

• 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life….


• …… 18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

• 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

• 20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.


• 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

• 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.

• 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Psalm 80a:14-19* (p. 107)

14 Turn to us, O God Almighty,

look and see from heaven above!

15 Tend this vine your hand has planted

and the son you raised in love.

Psalm 80a:14-19* (2/5)

16 See your vine cut down and withered,

and its branches burned with fire;

Your rebuke has crushed your people,

and they perish in your ire.

Psalm 80a:14-19* (3/5)

17 Let your hand be placed in blessing

on the man at your right hand—

On the son of man you’ve chosen,

whom alone you caused to stand.

Psalm 80a:14-19* (4/5)

18 Then we will not wander from you,

turning from you to our shame.

Strengthen us, revive and heal us;

then we’ll call upon your name.

Psalm 80a:14-19* (5/5)

19 Look on us, LORD God Almighty;

let us see your glory bright.

Turn us once again towards you;

come and save us, give us light!

Proverbs - Wisdom for Living What Do We Want For Our Children?

• Proverbs 4:1-4. Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.”

Wisdom is a tree of life… Do not withhold good… when it is in your power to act.

1 – In God’s Wisdom for Children:PARENTS are the EXPERTS!

• Mothers and Fathers: Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. (1:8)

• Train in the way of wisdom: Train a child in the way he should go so that when he is old he will not depart from it. (22:6)

• How? Following the way of love: Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man. (3:3-4)

2 – In God’s Wisdom for Children:PARENTS TRAIN BY LOVING

• A crisis of MISERY for countless Scottish families.

• 1960’s: The Beatles song - She's Leaving Home.

• “We gave her most of our lives, we gave her everything money could buy.”

• All the toys, but still strangers to family love?

She’s Leaving Home

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity

and honour. Prov. 21:21

3 – In God’s Wisdom for Children: TRAIN BY UNCONDITIONAL LOVING

• I’ll love you… if you pass exams, come top, are the best…

• Grown ups use WORDS to express love, but children respond best to TIME.

• TIME to LISTEN, time to hug.• Time (not money) = QUALITY

Time – “…a child left to himself disgraces his mother.” (29:15)

Kid,

your fired!

• Train (discipline) a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Prov. 22:6)

• Is this controversial? How do you react to Proverbs 13:24:

• He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Discipline = Training

4 – In God’s Wisdom for Children: TRAIN BY LOVING DISCIPLINE

• Loving Discipline (not uncontrolled anger) is simply accepting a child’s real nature.

• Children go wrong! (so do parents). WE ALL need correction.

• It’s NOT loving to ignore this need. Discipline

= Training


• Set loving boundaries – and stick to them!

• Punishment should not just fit the crime – it should fit the child. Be compassionate. Know your child, as God knows you.

• Be thankful for children: they are a Gift. They are as precious to God as they are to you! Discipline

= Training


• Show your children a passion for Jesus: Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching… Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

In God’s Wisdom for Children: PARENTS are the EXPERTS!

… TRAIN BY LOVING …. BY UNCONDITIONAL LOVING

…BY LOVING DISCIPLINE

Psalm 128:1-6* (p. 172)

1 How blessed are all who fear the LORD,

Who walk the way that he has shown.

2 Success and blessing will be yours;

You’ll eat the fruit that you have grown.

Psalm 128:1-6* (2/3)3 Your wife will be a fruitful vine;

And round your table will be placed

Your children like young olive shoots.

4 Thus he who fears the LORD is blessed.

Psalm 128:1-6* (3/3)5 May you behold Jerus’lem’s good;

From Zion may God’s blessing flow.

6 Your children’s children may you see.

May God on Isr’el peace bestow!

Please join us inThe Church hall for a

Hot or Cold drink

God Calls Us to delight in Christ

and to ShareHis Hope.

Proverbs 27:19

WISDOM for LIVING Week 4 Welcome to Dingwall Free Church

Documents

Transcript of WISDOM for LIVING Week 4 Welcome to Dingwall Free Church