Eyes on Jesus

Introduction:

New Year

Last Week Psalm 18 with Travis

Who God is

Our strength

Our rock

Our fortress

Our deliverer

Our shield

Our salvation

Our refuge

Calvin:

“Nearly all wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves”

So as we begin this new year I want us to not only be grounded in who God is

But for us to reflect on our own lives, seeing ourselves clearly

Life is often compared to a journey, a path that we walk

Progress is step-by-step, little by little

But it takes you somewhere

We’ll be talking about this today, but our character (who we are, how we act, how we think, what we say) is determined by the little decisions and choices we make everyday...

So keep that in mind as we read God’s Word this morning:

Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 4:11–27 (CSB)

I am teaching you the way of wisdom;

I am guiding you on straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;

When you run, you will not stumble.

Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.

Guard it, for it is your life.

Keep off the path of the wicked;

don’t proceed on the way of evil ones.

Avoid it; don’t travel on it.

Turn away from it, and pass it by.

For they can’t sleep

unless they have done what is evil;

they are robbed of sleep

unless they make someone stumble.

They eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

shining brighter and brighter until midday.

But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;

they don’t know what makes them stumble.

My son, pay attention to my words;

listen closely to my sayings.

Don’t lose sight of them;

keep them within your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,

and health to one’s whole body.

Guard your heart above all else,

for it is the source of life.

Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,

and don’t let your lips talk deviously.

Let your eyes look forward;

fix your gaze straight ahead.

Carefully consider the path for your feet,

and all your ways will be established.

Don’t turn to the right or to the left;

keep your feet away from evil.

The Two Paths

Proverbs 4:11–15 (CSB)

I am teaching you the way of wisdom;

I am guiding you on straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;

when you run, you will not stumble.

Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.

Guard it, for it is your life.

Keep off the path of the wicked;

don’t proceed on the way of evil ones.

Avoid it; don’t travel on it.

Turn away from it, and pass it by.

Proverbs 4:18–19 (CSB)

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

shining brighter and brighter until midday.

But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;

they don’t know what makes them stumble.

These are the two realities for each and every one of us

Even Jesus has this to say:

Matthew 7:13–14 (CSB)

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.

And I know it is not something you guys are probably thinking about regularly, but each and every one of you is growing up

You are maturing and growing

And one day soon (probably in high school) you’ll look back on your middle school self and laugh

The Heart

Proverbs 4:20–23 (CSB)

My son, pay attention to my words;

listen closely to my sayings.

Don’t lose sight of them;

keep them within your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,

and health to one’s whole body.

Guard your heart above all else,

for it is the source of life.

Following Jesus

Proverbs 4:23–27 (CSB)

Guard your heart above all else,

for it is the source of life.

Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,

and don’t let your lips talk deviously.

Let your eyes look forward;

fix your gaze straight ahead.

Carefully consider the path for your feet,

and all your ways will be established.

Don’t turn to the right or to the left;

keep your feet away from evil.