Proverbs 3:1-17 Simple advice from a wise father

Today is fathers day. Let all our Fathers stand.

We have a special gift for you

Special things you did with your dad.

Special advice you received from your dad.

Don’t blow your own horn. If you really excel others will see it and say it for you.

What wise advice has your father ever given you?

Interact.

Dads what we say have a radical impact to our children. One of the important things we can do as fathers is help our children gain wisdom for living life.

How we live has a radical impact on our children. Even if it is not obvious at the time. What we say matters.

Unfortunately our fathers are limited in giving us advice.

What if you had the wisest Father in the world? And he had a father that was famous.

What advice would he give you?

Let’s listen in on Solomon’s advice to his son.

15 times in first seven chapters of Proverbs “my son”

He sought to teach his son skill for living by writing his thoughts down. The person: Solomon, The writings: the book of Proverbs. The result: principles for skilled living. He gives us his intention:

(ESV) Proverbs 1 1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance

On this Father’s day lets take a snapshot of what he had to say. You can read the rest of the book later. Today we will look at Proverbs 3 and find simple advice from a wise father.

I. A father’s simple advice: Listen to a wise father

A. Heed instruction

(ESV) Proverbs 3 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

1. To the Naïve - Careless / simple / influencable / not yet set in character

2. Character is formed when one acts on his beliefs

3. Allow teachings to form your life

B. Be shaped from within

(ESV) Proverbs 3 … let your heart keep my commandments,,,, 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

1. Integrity

2. Live on from internal principles

C. Live honored by men / God

(ESV) Proverbs 3 2 for length of days and years of life and peacethey will add to you. … 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

1. Favor with God

2. Favor with men

a. Respect

3. Success

a. Principles that as you observe life we find generally true

II. A father’s simple advice: Live a God-focused life

A. Trust in Him

(ESV) Proverbs 3 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

1. ‘Trust’

a. Rely on, have confidence in, depend upon

b. Putting your heart in the hands of / unreserved trust in someone

2. ‘LORD’ Yahweh

a. Personal God / Eternal God / Covenant God

3. ‘lean’ as on a staff for support

a. Entire being – mind / will

b. A response to God

4. ‘understanding’ comprehension, understanding, or intelligence

a. Own insight not enough

b. Not what you want / Not what you figure out

B. Acknowledge Him in all your life

(ESV) Proverbs 3 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1. all your ways’

a. Every part of your life

b. Everything you do

2. ‘acknowledge’

a. Be intimately aware of Him

b. Desire to make Him known in everything you do

c. Yieldedness

3. ‘direct’

a. Make paths straight/smooth

b. Show direction

c. Make it easy to follow

C. Make Him your center

(ESV) Proverbs 3 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

1. do not be wise”

a. Don’t be proud and self sufficient

2. ‘Fear the Lord’

a. God is not be trifled with – He is an active God

3. ‘depart from evil’

a. Turn away from it / Turn your back on bad behavior

4. “it will be health’

a. Healing to your navel drink to your bones

b. Physical / emotional impact

c. Deep refreshment to you

III. A father’s simple advice: Respond tangibly

A. With our things

(ESV) Proverbs 3 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

1. Recognize one’s greatness and worth (in a tangible way)

2. Show the high esteem you place on Him

3. Show how much you think of the Lord by giving

B. Honor Him as the priority

(ESV) Proverbs 3 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

1. Tangible by faith – first fruits (not wait till the end)

2. God will honor it

C. When corrected

(ESV) Proverbs 3 11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

1. Not a perfectly smooth life

2. Grow and mature

3. Instruction and correction

4. Don’t reject of refuse what the Lord is trying to do in your life

5. Don’t resent it when God corrects you for wrong doing

6. Sign of love – cares enough to shape (wood carved into statue)

a. Hold in your heart and mind

7. Sign of special relationship

a. Favorite son

IV. A father’s simple advice: Enjoy the rewards

A. God’s blessing

(ESV) Proverbs 3 13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

1. ‘happy’ blessed by God

2. ‘finds’ seeks out and discovers

B. Fulfilled desires

(ESV) Proverbs 3 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

1. The real thing you want is found in Him

2. Better than anything you think you desire

C. A worthwhile life

(ESV) Proverbs 3 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

1. An honored life

2. Will lead down paths graciously

3. Pleasant / agreeable /

4. Secure / safe paths