Precepts for living
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Precepts to live by
Precepts to live by
What precepts do you have in your life that you live by? Scripture is full of them and in our passage tonight we are going to look at some precepts to live by.
Maybe first we better define precept.
Precept (n) 1. A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought. 2. A writ or warrant.
So precepts are a rule, a doctrine (teaching) a command (something to be obeyed)
Precepts we all have them, are they all good?
In reality, name a precept or two that you have and you live by?
We all have rules that we live by, or a moral code (precept). Some are good, some not so good that we ask God to remove from us.
Another way we may look at a precept in our passage tonight
“A timeless truth in the form of a simple illustration”
Wisdom to build on
Wisdom to build on
Our first precept is something we can build on or build with.
Question: If you were to build a house what do you need?
Stop; wait; allow answers
Add: You need a plan, a blue print, you need directions
Blue print (already saved on computer)
3 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. 6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Wisdom needed for physical house, spiritual house too (1Pt2:4-5)
Plan needs materials and if lacking ask God (Jam1:5)
Submit to God’s plan; it is gracefully designed (Rom5:17)
It is solidly erected (Ps40:2)
May the house that is planned, that is built on a strong foundation be filled with precious things like grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and all that wrapped up in love.
Wisdom needed for physical house, spiritual house too (1Pt2:4-5)
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
(expand on the passage; focus on the reason for the spiritual house) Holy Priesthood, offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable sacrifices
Plan needs materials and if lacking ask God (Jam1:5)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Submit to God’s plan; it is gracefully designed (Rom5:17)
17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
(expand) God’s grand plan, scheme of redemption
It is solidly erected (Ps40:2)
2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
This house, this spiritual house built on the Rock, that is rooted and strong able to withstand the storms of this life, but also ready for the spiritual battles, spiritual war tat has to be fought as noted in (vv.5-6)
Our spiritual house properly equipped for spiritual battles (2Cor10:3-5; Eph6:12-13)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
The precept of our spiritual house being build on wisdom and understanding that is firmly established so we can face the spiritual battles, wars, that want to destroy us, but God has equipped us to be able to face them and stand firm.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Wisdom prevails over strength; knowledge over brute force
It is not by our strength we prevail, it is by God’s and His precepts for living that we are given and we receive by faith.
So be sure the precepts you build on, are they temporal or eternal!
Wisdom that is soul saving
Wisdom that is soul saving
Soul saving, soul winning, soul sustaining wisdom! See the wisdom and the warning in this passage.
11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. 12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.
What do you see, notice, what sticks out to you?
As honey is sweet on your lips and nutritious for your body; so is wisdom for your soul!
Able to deliver (Pro24:11; Jude20-23)
Through wisdom that comes from above that is inspired and delivered it is able to deliver those being lead off to death, or those being led to slaughter without even knowing it.
We need to always be concerned about the souls of men, we need to do what we can to lead people to the truth, or as it says in Jude
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
Able to warn, protect (Pro24:12)
The Lord weighs our hearts, are we found lacking, are we fulfilling the great commission?
A recent article I read by Charles Woods posed a really good, well maybe challenging point.
“About 90%of all the people who are won to Christ are won by 5% of the professing Christians. If everyone sought to win souls the way we do, would you be saved today?”
That is hard to look at, hard to consider really.
Able to give hope and a future (Pro24:14)
Speaking of hope (Tit2:11-15; 1Tim1:1; Jer29:11)
While in exile, in bondage in Babylon Jeremiah was sent to give the Word of the Lord.
11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
God kept His word then and at the end of 70 years delivered them, set them free to return to Israel. He keeps His word of hope today.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
For Jesus Christ is our hope, the one sent by the Father for us! To be our hope and to give us a hope for our future (eternal destination)
Now look at
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Soul saving, soul winning starts at home, in your heart, 1Pt3:15
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Be Sanctified (in your hearts)
Be ready, be prepared
Be gentle and reverent (show respect)
May we have a heart for the lost and a hand for the fallen (Lk19:10; Gal6:1)
10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
The example Christ gave to us for the lost, to seek and save!
or as Paul said about the fallen.
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Now leading to next precept for living
Wisdom that is God fearing
Wisdom that is God fearing
God fearing is freeing not disabling. God fearing is a good precept for living. As we work through this passage you will see the precept and the warnings too.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; 20 For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?
23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
and I have to put this one in there so keep in context
24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;
25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. 26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer.
27 Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
Warning, don’t associate (Pro24:21; 1Cor15:33)
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change,
We need to be grounded in the Word and have reverential fear of the Lord so we are not tossed about, so we are not easily persuaded by the winds of change that fills this world.
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Not only do we need to be grounded, we need to be protective too. Protect who we hang around with. (expand on this)
Promise: Don’t worry about the wicked (Pro24:19-20; 1jn2:15-17)
19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; 20 For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
and add to that
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
What we have is we do not need to worry about the evil doer, the wicked for there is no future for them.
We should not love the world for there is no future for it either.
But we should be concerned for the will of God and do that. now that isa good precept for living.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; 20 For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
Don’t fret (worry) don’t be envious, evil/wicked has no future
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
Don’t love the world either, for there is no future for it, but here is what we are to do.
do the will of God! Now that is a precept to live by!
Wisdom is to know the truth (Jn8:31-32); for the alternative is hell (Rev20:14-15)
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Freedom is more than knowing, it is walking in it, it is believing and acting by faith and exercising the freedom by abiding in God’s Word.
For the alternative, well look
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
We don’t want this for us of course, and we don’t want that for anyone else either . So the precept of soul willing should come to mind, be on our heart and come out our lips as we are light of the world in Christ and we should shine bright like a lighthouse leading others to safety.
Wisdom is discerning knowing where, who to associate with (Pro24:21-22)
The principle, the precept is this: Rebellion leads to calamity and ruin. To the God fearing person we can take these precepts and apply them to our lives. Don’t give into the winds of change, the Bible has proven itself and it does not need to be altered, added or taken away from. It has everything in it we need to take us to glory. Whereas God may use the king (government) to help us, we need to know God’s truth and stand for God’s truth even when it is not popular. For the calamity, the ruin of governments (kings) comes to the hand of the Lord and it will happen, but to us may we know, remember and apply.
Wisdom is preparing, then building (Pro24:25-27; Mt7:5)
25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer. 27 Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.
First we get right so we can walk right.
5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
We are building a spiritual house, a house in which the Lord lives as His church. We are building a spiritual house for our families where the Lord is King. We are to stand up, stand out and serve the Lord always being redy to share the hope that is in us.
lead to invitation (invitation slide) invitation (invitation slide 2) song (exit slide)