Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Several months ago I had a unicorn of a day — no kids, no seminary work, no pressing ministry needs, even my precious wife was at work.

It was just a day to myself.

Now, I’m an introvert so basically for me it was like a quick glance of what life will feel like in the new heavens and the new earth.

And, I was enjoying my alone time so much that I decided it was a great opportunity to get as far away from civilization as I could.

I just wanted some peace and quiet, you know?

I did a hike that I’ve done more times than I can count over the years, but it had been a few years since I had done it.

So, I started hiking, and I walked 3 miles or so to this big overlook, and I ate lunch and just laid on a rock and stared out over the mountains without anybody needing a drink or spilling their Spaghetti-O’s.

It was awesome.

I was having such a good, quiet day that I decided that I would take the long way home.

Now, on the long way home, the trail gets a bit tricky — which I knew — because there’s an unmarked section where you have to choose your turn carefully.

I had done it before and really wasn’t very worried about it — until the trail got narrower and narrower and longer and longer.

And, when I pulled out Google Maps to try to get some bearing on where I was, I realized that I had hiked miles off course, and I had miles and miles if I was going to make back to my truck.

What was supposed to be a 6 or 7 mile hike turning into about an 18 mile hike.

Here’s the irony of it: In the pursuit of peace and rest, I got lost, and because I got lost, I became more worried and exhausted rather than more at peace and rested.

For a little while, it felt like I was on the right path, but, eventually, I realized that I had made a wrong turn.

I wonder if any of you can relate to that.

Every human being on earth is looking for the same basic thing: Provision, peace, and purpose.

We all set out to live so that we can be at peace with who we are, where we are, and what might come.

And, though we’re all looking for the same basic things, we come to these intersections in life where the trail doesn’t seem clearly marked, and we make the decision that seems most likely to lead us where we want to go.

And, for a little while, it seems right and feels fun, but eventually you look up and realize, “I’m lost.”

God’s Word

We’re in a series called “The Big Story” where we’ve been learning that Jesus is the main character of all of Scripture, and the gospel is the message of every book — even those in the OT.

We’re in Proverbs right now where we’re learning the essence of wisdom and much of the book is a father (Solomon) talking to his younger son.

And, it’s this issue that he addresses with his son in Proverbs 3 — How to Find Peace without Getting Lost (Headline):

Remember your “map.”

Proverbs 3:1-4 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”

Where You’re Headed and How to Get there

Proverbs 3:2 “for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”

You know, if I would’ve had a map it would have saved me a lot of trouble, worry, and embarrassment when I had to call Andrew to see if he’d come pick me up.

I would’ve known which trail to take to get me back to my truck.

Notice something interesting about Proverbs 3. Every other line is a reminder of the destination that his son wants to reach — that all of us want to attain.

And, he’s presenting what he’s saying here as if to say — follow my instructions, follow this map that I’m giving you, and you’ll end up where you want to be.

It would be good for us to understand that all of the destinations mentioned are really just an elaboration and expansion of the first — “peace” or “shalom”.

“Shalom” is more than just a feeling of rest; it’s wholeness.

It’s well-being.

It’s being right with God, within yourself, and in your relationships.

It’s living with the right priorities so that you can have the right kind of contentment and the right kind of satisfaction.

It’s what Jesus refers to as an abundant life.

Remember the Way

Proverbs 3:1 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments”

So, the father is here asking: “Do you want “shalom”?

Do you want peace?

Then, remember the way that I showed you because it’s the only way.

Hold on to your map, and look at it often because there’s a lot of confusing paths that will tempt you off course.”

You can see this in verse 1.

He says the same thing in two different ways.

“Do not forget my teaching” and “let your heart keep (or guard) my commandments.”

He’s calling his son to vigilance and concentration.

He doesn’t want him to end up off course.

He must focus himself to remember to look at his map.

There are two ways that we forget.

There’s passive forgetfulness, and there’s willful forgetfulness.

Passive forgetfulness is when I put the bread in the oven, get distracted by other things, and the bread burns.

It’s not intentional; it’s just a lack of focus and concentration.

Willful forgetfulness is when I know I should report all of my income on my taxes, but I put it out of my mind so that I can keep a little extra.

It’s purposefully putting it out of your mind what you know you ought to do so that you can do something else that you want to do.

Both of these are being addressed here.

He doesn’t want his son to become so wrapped up with living and working and doing that he forgets to make sure he’s still on his course, and he wants his son to “let (his) heart (guard)” the path, that is, he wants to warn his son to check to be sure that his heart isn’t steering him off course with corrupt thoughts, desires, and actions.

Have you forgotten the map?

Have you allowed all of the concerns and craziness of life to lead you off the path?

Not intentionally, but a slow drift.

Or, have you willfully been putting out of your mind the way that you know is right because you wanted to go your own way?

Don’t forget your map!

Follow the Trail

Proverbs 3:3-4 “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”

The father here is wanting his son to follow his trail.

That’s the thing about trails, isn’t it?

They show where others have walked.

In fact, this trail didn’t begin with Solomon; it began with the Lord himself.

Solomon personifies “steadfast love and faithfulness”, and he says that you can’t let them leave.

You have to chain them to yourself.

They have to become a part of you.

This phrase comes up often in Scripture, but typically it’s referring to God, not us.

“Hesed” is God’s covenant love.

It’s his loyalty and devotion to his people.

It’s his practical, real world provision and protection of him.

“Faithfulness” refers to God as being true to his people, upholding all of the promises that he’s made.

So, this is a trail that was blazed by the Lord far before Solomon had walked down it, and, now, Solomon calling his son to follow suit.

That is, the “steadfast love and faithfulness” of God had come to him, and now they must become a part of him — so that he demonstrates and reflects those very same realities in his life.

This is what his “teaching” has been.

What trail should we be on if we want God promises?

The trail that was established by Christ.

Jesus said more than any other phrase in the gospels, “Follow me.”

We try to attain all that God promises by all the ways that we invent, and where does it leave us?

Lost! Do you want the peace, contentment, and joy that Jesus promises?

Are you walking in Jesus’ ways?

Are you following the trail?

Are you remaining steadfast and loyal to Jesus, or are you living for yourself?

Are you remaining faithful in your devotion to him, or are you caught up by all of the alternative routes you see?

You will not experience what Jesus promises apart from the way Jesus established.

Watch your “step.”

Proverbs 3:5-10 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”