April Fools, Are We Falling for it?
Notes
Transcript
Ephesians 5:14–16 “14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
Ephesians 5:14–16 “14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
Anyone done anything last week that caused you tho think, “what a fool?” Or maybe it went a little further, and you thought, “What an idiot?” It’s almost a daily thing isn’t it?
Anyone done anything last week that caused you tho think, “what a fool?” Or maybe it went a little further, and you thought, “What an idiot?” It’s almost a daily thing isn’t it?
I. The fool in Proverbs.
I. The fool in Proverbs.
A. He is “right in his own eyes isn’t he?” Ever know anyone who is NEVER WRONG? Of course we have, it could be yourself.
A. He is “right in his own eyes isn’t he?” Ever know anyone who is NEVER WRONG? Of course we have, it could be yourself.
Proverbs 12:14–16 “14 Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. 15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. 16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. Nobody considers himself a fool.
Proverbs 12:14–16 “14 Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. 15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. 16 A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. Nobody considers himself a fool.
Just this past Friday, “what a beautiful snow?” What, April 1st. It could have been a golf day. LOL
Just this past Friday, “what a beautiful snow?” What, April 1st. It could have been a golf day. LOL
B. He (You and I) “despises our father’s instructions”
B. He (You and I) “despises our father’s instructions”
Proverbs 15:4–7 “4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. 6 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble. 7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.” One who considers his own judgment better than his father’s is a fool.
Proverbs 15:4–7 “4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 5 Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. 6 There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble. 7 The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.” One who considers his own judgment better than his father’s is a fool.
Are we ever foolish? Do we admit our foolish behavior? If you do or have then I am sure you are on the road to Scriptural Wisdom through our Father. AMEN
Are we ever foolish? Do we admit our foolish behavior? If you do or have then I am sure you are on the road to Scriptural Wisdom through our Father. AMEN
C. A fool “despises his mother” because a fool wants no leadership or discipline. They want no direction.
C. A fool “despises his mother” because a fool wants no leadership or discipline. They want no direction.
Proverbs 15:19–21 “19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway. 20 Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. 21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.” Children who belittle their mothers are fools.
Proverbs 15:19–21 “19 A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway. 20 Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. 21 Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.” Children who belittle their mothers are fools.
D. He “utters slander” Proverbs 10:17–19 “17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. 18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. 19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” The gossiper is a fool.
D. He “utters slander” Proverbs 10:17–19 “17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. 18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. 19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” The gossiper is a fool.
Have you ever blurted out something, maybe it was true or maybe not but you knew right away from the faces, your heart, others reactions that what you just said was not the smart thing to say? BEEN THERE---DONE THAT...
Have you ever blurted out something, maybe it was true or maybe not but you knew right away from the faces, your heart, others reactions that what you just said was not the smart thing to say? BEEN THERE---DONE THAT...
E. He, A FOOL “refuses to turn away from evil”, over and over. They want to continue down this path or doing foolish things.
E. He, A FOOL “refuses to turn away from evil”, over and over. They want to continue down this path or doing foolish things.
The fool abhors repentance.
The fool abhors repentance.
Proverbs 13:18–20 tells us: “18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. 19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
Proverbs 13:18–20 tells us: “18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. 19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
F. He “trusts in his or her own mind” I’m gonna do it my way! -or- “I got this,” or even “mind your own business.”
F. He “trusts in his or her own mind” I’m gonna do it my way! -or- “I got this,” or even “mind your own business.”
Proverbs 28:25–27 “25 Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity. 26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. 27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.”
Proverbs 28:25–27 “25 Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity. 26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. 27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.”
G. He-or she makes a mockery at their sin and the sins of others. Have you ever laughed or encouraged others to sin, supported their sins, encouraged their sins and sinful behavior? What do you think God thinks about that?
G. He-or she makes a mockery at their sin and the sins of others. Have you ever laughed or encouraged others to sin, supported their sins, encouraged their sins and sinful behavior? What do you think God thinks about that?
Proverbs 14:8–10 “8 The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. 9 Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. 10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. “
Proverbs 14:8–10 “8 The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. 9 Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. 10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. “
II. Let’s take a look at what it says about “The fool” in the New Testament.7
II. Let’s take a look at what it says about “The fool” in the New Testament.7
A. He exchanged “the glory of the immortal God for images”
A. He exchanged “the glory of the immortal God for images”
Paul tells us in Romans 1:21–23 “21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.”
Paul tells us in Romans 1:21–23 “21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.”
B. He lays up “treasure for himself, here comes that “selfish” attitude again. and is not rich in our actions, our attitude, our love toward God” Are you seeing church that if you are SELFISH you cannot be loving! PERIOD.....
B. He lays up “treasure for himself, here comes that “selfish” attitude again. and is not rich in our actions, our attitude, our love toward God” Are you seeing church that if you are SELFISH you cannot be loving! PERIOD.....
Luke 12:19–22 “19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” 22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.”
Luke 12:19–22 “19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” 22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.”
C. He rejects Jesus’ words and is building on sand. How are we going about building our lives? Are we seeking the guidance everyday from the Holy Spirit and ask for wisdom or are we playing the Fool’s game? Are we praying for guidance to make sure that our choices and actions are going to Glorify our Father? or are we going to continue going it alone? It’s really your choice, remember the “free Will” we have.
C. He rejects Jesus’ words and is building on sand. How are we going about building our lives? Are we seeking the guidance everyday from the Holy Spirit and ask for wisdom or are we playing the Fool’s game? Are we praying for guidance to make sure that our choices and actions are going to Glorify our Father? or are we going to continue going it alone? It’s really your choice, remember the “free Will” we have.
Matthew 7:25–28 “25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,”
Matthew 7:25–28 “25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,”
CONCLUSION: “The word of the cross, the word of Jesus is to them that perish foolishness,”
CONCLUSION: “The word of the cross, the word of Jesus is to them that perish foolishness,”
1 Corinthians 1:17–19 “17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. 18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” because “fools make a mockery at sin.”
1 Corinthians 1:17–19 “17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. 18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” because “fools make a mockery at sin.”
Now listen church to our closing scripture and take heed:
Now listen church to our closing scripture and take heed:
Ephesians 5:16–18 “16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit”
Ephesians 5:16–18 “16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit”
AMEN
AMEN
