Proverbs 14
Proverbs • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
I have preached this text some years ago, but it is a text that is worthy of our consideration again. It stands alone in the midst of this chapter of the Proverbs seemingly unconnected from v.1-3 before it or 5-7 after it. It is a singular point of truth, but one that carries timely and powerful applications. I believe it applies to the individual, the pastor, the church, and the Christian community at large.
Illustration: Have you ever cleaned stables, cared for animals in the stalls?
Illustration: Have you ever cleaned stables, cared for animals in the stalls?
I have cleaned them.Whenever I cared for horses as a part time job I would be very happy whenever they would be gone off somewhere to a rodeo or a show. It would mean less work. The troughs and feed buckets could be left empty and the stalls would not need to be shoveled.
If you have no oxen, the trough can stay empty
-this means you dont have to buy food
-no investment is necessary
-this looks good on the budget sheet
-we got rid of the pastors, so we dont really have to pay anyone except someone to come preach every week
-we got rid of outreach, youth, evangelism, etc
-those things cost money and if we dont have them we wont have to pay for them
-we can shut down parts of our facility because we dont use it now and that will save money too
***This is not exaggeration. You would be amazed how many tiny little churches have a ton of money in the bank but lament their lack of impact or growth. Yet, they won’t call a pastor. They wont invest in their ability to minister to their community.***
-you dont have to spend time
-feeding & caring for an animal takes time
-if there is anything that we appear to be short on, at least if you ask people it is time
-yet, I get the report on how much I use my phone every week
-I know how much TV I watch
**When there are no oxen, you do not have to invest time.***
-you are free to pursue your own desires
-this do what is right/good for you philosophy in the culture is poisoning not only thee culture but the church
-we are not to invest our time in the things that fulfill our desires but the things that honor God
We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
How do we make best use of the time?
-we do the things Christ has commanded.
-do not get distracted by fits of fancy, people who care nothing about your time and would only steal it because it means nothing to them
-you dont have to put up with all of the problems produced by a big smelly ox
-oxen are not always cooperative
-they are not always fun to deal with
**When walking with God there is nothing that we undertake that is worth doing that is easy.**
-if we are not willing to deal with the problems and issues that come along with serving God then we have not “counted the cost” as Jesus commanded
What happens when we refuse to invest and prioritize the things of God?
What happens when we refuse to invest and prioritize the things of God?
-it becomes all about us
-we, poisoned by our sin and the world around us labor under the delusion that it is about us
-like a spoiled bride, we as the bride of Christ think it is about us when it is about him and His glory
For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Christ is the Head of All things
-king of this world
-head over our lives
-head over the church
-which means we should do things in the way He commands in His word
-not according to traditions of men or denominational distinctiveness
-but in the way that Thee Bible says
His structure should be our structure and His priorities our priorities
What should our priorities be?
What should our priorities be?
-Harvest
-we live in the day of little harvest Why?
-Jesus tells us
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
-the Gospel is little proclaimed because it is messy
-look at Paul, Peter, etc.
-Revival or a riot everywhere they went
-we have prioritized our comfort, our preference, and our tradition over investing our time, treasure, and lives into the work of the harvest
-messes have to be cleaned but they cannot be avoided
-stalls will fill up with manure but when dealt with properly what we see as a mess of manure in one place will lead to growth elsewhere.
What is keeping you from investing everything in the work of the harvest?
-your comfort?
-dont like the smell or discomfort?
-your preferences?
-willing to enjoy the steryl cleanliness of no production instead of embrace the mess of harvest?
-poor priorities?
Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ your heartbeat? If not why?
Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ your heartbeat? If not why?
-whatever stands in your way is your idol, your sin, and will be your downfall
-Is Jesus worth giving up everything? To stand for truth?
-no ox, no harvest
-no investment, no fruit
-no labor, no production
-God will do His work but will you be a part of it?