FEAR = WISDOM

Notes:

2 Rival feasts - one of wisdom (1-6) and one of folly (13-18) with character sketches in (7-12)

verses 1-3 describe the setting of the party

v. 1 - the very LOCATION in which wisdom can be found is AWESEOMe

7 pillars = stability

Illustration : Look on Zillow at the BEST HOUSES

v. 2 THE MENU - this party has fine dining

fresh meat

ALCHOHOL (yeah baby) - not to be connected with drunkness and immorality like today but to show its a feast

v. 3 INVITATION - its an OPEN invitation

V. 4 - “naive” Prov 7:7 “7 And I saw among the naive, And discerned among the youths A young man lacking sense,” (this invitation is to all who are lacking knowledge - everyone in this room)

V.5-6 - not just what you’re willing to go to but what you’re willing to walk away from

Illus: To come to this party you have to leave behind sin - so many HS boys want to have a good marriage, a good walk w/ the Lord - yet are unwilling to give up pornography.

Why do people reject this invitation? because they accept the 2nd invitation… v.13

V.13 - not as attractive but better attended

boisterous - loud/ annoying

she knows nothing

V.14 - they both invite the same people, from the same place

V.17 - she says that SIN SATISFIES

V.18 - Solomon’s commentary - the highway to hell - sin will be fun until its done - you will have fun until you won’t

The test to which party you have attended and will attend V.7-12 THE PARTY’s RESPONSE

correction

2 different ways to receive it

Scoffer - Illus: Ed Bassmaster “Psh”

App: I know mom you’ve lived longer PSH

App: Yeah my small group leader said this but… Im different

App: How do you respond when you are corrected?

Wise Man - How he responds v.8

he will love you

he will be wiser

he will increase in learning

Wisdom is about HOW you respond to correction - not how often you hear correction, or how well you can recite it

fear

v.10 is book ends w/ chap 1:7

Fear = know, worship and obey Him

You cannot fear what you do not know (gospel)

consequence

you have 2 options and have to make a choice v.12 puts personal responsibility UPON YOU

You will pay the consequence or reap the reward

ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THIS DECISION

will you find yourself w/ the dead v.18 or the God fearers

Prop:

Context while you turn -

Written by Solomon - the wisest man apart from Jesus Christ

The book breaks down into 2 sections (10-31 are “proverbs” short pithy statements that contain great nuggets of wisdom)

Addressing: parenting, finances, friendship, work and so much more

But the first 9 chapters are longer discourses on the topic of wisdom

We find ourselves in the last of those chapters

INTRO: My first party

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Prop: IN THIS PASSAGE WE ARE GIVEN 2 INVITATIONS AND DEMANDED AN RSVP!

SPOILER ALERT* - the conclusion, climax and emphasis of this passage is not what makes a good party BUT how to be wise and the way to be wise is this FEAR GOD and that is what you will see as we break this down.

Thesis: We will look first at

1. Wisdom’s invitation v.1-6

2. Folly’s Invitation v.13-18

3. The mandatory RSVP v.7-12

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Context while you turn -

‌

Written by Solomon - the wisest man apart from Jesus Christ

‌

The book breaks down into 2 sections (10-31 are “proverbs” short pithy statements that contain great nuggets of wisdom)

‌

Addressing: parenting, finances, friendship, work and so much more

‌

But the first 9 chapters are longer discourses on the topic of wisdom

‌

We find ourselves in the last of those chapters

1. Wisdoms Invitation V.1-6

‌Prov 9:1-6 “1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; 3 She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: 4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says, 5 “Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 “Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.””

Wisdom’s got the BEST OFFER

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LOCATION v.1

- 7 pillars = stability

- Illustration : Look on Zillow at the BEST HOUSES

MENU v.2

“Prepared her food”/ “slaughtered her beasts” - this is fresh meat, pasture raised, grass fed, organic, ruths chris quality steak at this party. No one is leaving hungry from this party - they will be filled and happy

“mixed her wine” - this party is 21 plus, they’ve got alchohol at this party - JK - actually the fact that the wine is MIXED means that this what not about drunkness at all or else it would say “strong drink” but the point is this party has a top notch menu

INVITATION v.3

To the naïve – Prov 7:7 And I saw among the naive, And discerned among the youths A young man lacking sense,” (this invitation is to all who are lacking knowledge - everyone in this room)

We are all young, and the older I get and the more I learn the more I realize I don’t know!

Who was the 18th president

How many planets are in our solar system

BUT especially when we talk about spiritual things & life decisions;

How do you know God’s will for your life?

How can I be sure I’m going to heaven?

How do I say no to my emotions?

We all are naive BUT that means WE are all invited to this party - where we will find joy, pleasure, happiness, contentment and peace - lasting peace.

But though you are invited - there is something you can’t bring - V.6 “folly”

To come to wisdoms party necessitates that you leave foolishness behind

The bouncer of this party won’t let fools in - you must get rid of those ways

This is not to say those with low intelligence can’t come - but rather those WHO KNOW WHATS RIGHT yet REFUSE TO DO IT!

For many of you - this is a difficult statement - it means that if you are going to live God’s way you must give up those sinful desires - you cannot have the blessings of being a Christian without actually being one.

And maybe that is why this PARTY - though highly publicized and practically with an open invitation is so lightly attended...

TRANS: Because many do not accept POINT 1 WISDOM’S INVITATION and they do accept POINT 2 FOLLY’S invitation

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2. Folly’s Invitation v.13-18

‌Prov 9:13-18 “13 The woman of folly is boisterous, She is naive and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city, 15 Calling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight: 16 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” And to him who lacks understanding she says, 17 “Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” 18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.”

V.13 - not as attractive but better attended

‌boisterous - loud/ annoying “we call them Karens”

‌she knows nothing

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V.14 - 16 - they both invite the same people, from the same place

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V.17 - she says that SIN SATISFIES

That is the lie that is tearing young people to shreds - that sin satisfies

They think changing their physiological organs will cure their spiritual problem

Or that killing their unborn babies will give them a better life

or that following their sexual lusts will make them happy

“We are too apt to forget that temptation to sin will rarely present itself to us in its true colors, saying, “I am your deadly enemy, and I want to ruin you forever in hell.” Oh, no! sin comes to us, like Judas, with a kiss; and like Joab, with an outstretched hand and flattering words. The forbidden fruit seemed good and desirable to Eve; yet it cast her out of Eden.‌” J.C. Ryle

Do you ever believe that sin satisfies?

If I cheat and get an A it will feel good

If lie to my parents, I wont get in trouble and life will be good

If I go to this website or this account - and I watch these videos - I’ll feel good

If I say these words people will think I’m cool and I’ll feel better

V.18 - Solomon’s commentary - the highway to hell - sin will be fun until its done - you will have fun until you won’t

TRUTH IS SIN DOES SATISFY for half a second.... PREACH

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3. A mandatory RSVP v.7-12

‌Prov 9:7-12 “7 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”

CORRECTION v.7-9

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2 different ways to receive it

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Scoffer - Illus: Ed Bassmaster “Psh”

‌

App: I know mom you’ve lived longer PSH

App: Yeah my small group leader said this but… Im different

App: How do you respond when you are corrected? PREACH

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Wise Man - How he responds v.8

‌

he will love you

‌he will be wiser

‌he will increase in learning

‌

Wisdom is about HOW you respond to correction - not how often you hear correction, or how well you can recite it

‌

FEAR v.10-11

‌

v.10 is book ends w/ chap 1:7

Fear = know, worship and obey Him

You cannot fear what you do not know (gospel)

‌

CONSEQUENCE

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you have 2 options and have to make a choice v.12 puts personal responsibility UPON YOU

‌

You will pay the consequence or reap the reward

‌

ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THIS DECISION

‌

will you find yourself w/ the dead v.18 or the God fearers

‌

CONCLUSION:

So will you come? Through an honest fear of the Lord – will you come to wisdom