Proverbs 6
A lot could be said about todays chapter;
- the role of the parents as primary disciplers (v. 20)
- the seven abominations in vv. 16 - 19
- the warnings against adultery (vv. 20ff)
But since it is the weekend, let's just watch a short video in obedience to Solomon's instruction in v. 6.
Go to the Ant (Click Here, and ignore the comment about mother nature!)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Fridays with the Heidelberg
Lord’s Day 31
83. Q. WHAT ARE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM?
A. The preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both preaching and discipline open the kingdom of heaven to believers and close it to unbelievers.
84. Q. HOW DOES PREACHING THE GOSPEL OPEN AND CLOSE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
A. According to the command of Christ: The kingdom of heaven is opened by proclaiming and publicly declaring to all believers, each and every one, that, as often as they accept the gospel promise in true faith, God, because of what Christ has done, truly forgives all their sins. The kingdom of heaven is closed, however, by proclaiming and publicly declaring to unbelievers and hypocrites that, as long as they do not repent, the anger of God and eternal condemnation rest on them. God’s judgment, both in this life and in the life to come, is based on this gospel testimony.
85. Q. HOW IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CLOSED AND OPENED BY CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE?
A. According to the command of Christ: Those who, though called Christians, profess unchristian teachings or live unchristian lives, and after repeated and loving counsel refuse to abandon their errors and wickedness, and after being reported to the church, that is, to its officers, fail to respond to their admonition- such persons the officers exclude from the Christian fellowship by withholding the sacraments from them, and God Himself excludes them from the kingdom of Christ. Such persons, when promising and demonstrating genuine reform, are received again as members of Christ and of His church.
How is the church different from a bible study or Christian retreat?
Just this past week I discussed this question with another believer. It’s a good question. In our conversation, one of the distinctions we discussed was the issue of authority. Today’s Lord’s Day reading deals with the responsibility and authority that the church has to uphold the preaching of the word of God and church discipline. Among others, these are two “marks” of a biblical, healthy church. Sadly, we know that both of these marks are absent in many of the churches that fill our cities.
The Heidelberg points to how these two marks serve as keys. The preaching of the word of God and discipline both serve to open the door as well as close the door to the kingdom. We need more gospel-centered preaching that points the listener to their need for Christ. We also need to keep the church pure and holy, and discipline serves in that regard. Stuart Scott writes, “The Lord has a twofold purpose in church discipline: one is to put godly pressure on the erring brother to repent for his own good and God’s glory, and the other is to keep his church pure.” (The Faithful Parent, 120)
May our church continue, by God’s grace, to pursue faithfulness in these two areas of preaching and discipline for our good and for His glory.
83. Q. WHAT ARE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM?
A. The preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both preaching and discipline open the kingdom of heaven to believers and close it to unbelievers.
84. Q. HOW DOES PREACHING THE GOSPEL OPEN AND CLOSE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
A. According to the command of Christ: The kingdom of heaven is opened by proclaiming and publicly declaring to all believers, each and every one, that, as often as they accept the gospel promise in true faith, God, because of what Christ has done, truly forgives all their sins. The kingdom of heaven is closed, however, by proclaiming and publicly declaring to unbelievers and hypocrites that, as long as they do not repent, the anger of God and eternal condemnation rest on them. God’s judgment, both in this life and in the life to come, is based on this gospel testimony.
85. Q. HOW IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CLOSED AND OPENED BY CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE?
A. According to the command of Christ: Those who, though called Christians, profess unchristian teachings or live unchristian lives, and after repeated and loving counsel refuse to abandon their errors and wickedness, and after being reported to the church, that is, to its officers, fail to respond to their admonition- such persons the officers exclude from the Christian fellowship by withholding the sacraments from them, and God Himself excludes them from the kingdom of Christ. Such persons, when promising and demonstrating genuine reform, are received again as members of Christ and of His church.
How is the church different from a bible study or Christian retreat?
Just this past week I discussed this question with another believer. It’s a good question. In our conversation, one of the distinctions we discussed was the issue of authority. Today’s Lord’s Day reading deals with the responsibility and authority that the church has to uphold the preaching of the word of God and church discipline. Among others, these are two “marks” of a biblical, healthy church. Sadly, we know that both of these marks are absent in many of the churches that fill our cities.
The Heidelberg points to how these two marks serve as keys. The preaching of the word of God and discipline both serve to open the door as well as close the door to the kingdom. We need more gospel-centered preaching that points the listener to their need for Christ. We also need to keep the church pure and holy, and discipline serves in that regard. Stuart Scott writes, “The Lord has a twofold purpose in church discipline: one is to put godly pressure on the erring brother to repent for his own good and God’s glory, and the other is to keep his church pure.” (The Faithful Parent, 120)
May our church continue, by God’s grace, to pursue faithfulness in these two areas of preaching and discipline for our good and for His glory.
Proverbs: Day 5
Proverbs 5
"Sometimes you have to learn it the hard way." This previous statement represents a perspective on wisdom that refers to learning through experience. We often learn from our mistakes. This can prove to be a very costly education though. In fact, in Proverbs 5 we see a father that is more concerned that his son gain wisdom from his instruction rather than from foolish mistakes.
v. 7 - listen to me,
and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
v. 8 - Keep your way far from her,
and do not go near the door of her house,
v. 25 - The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
23 He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray.
Do we learn from our mistakes? Sure. Is it the the best way to learn? No. A real mark of wisdom is receiving instruction from others. Instruction and discipline that guard us from error. Error that leads to destruction.
"Sometimes you have to learn it the hard way." This previous statement represents a perspective on wisdom that refers to learning through experience. We often learn from our mistakes. This can prove to be a very costly education though. In fact, in Proverbs 5 we see a father that is more concerned that his son gain wisdom from his instruction rather than from foolish mistakes.
v. 7 - listen to me,
and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
v. 8 - Keep your way far from her,
and do not go near the door of her house,
v. 25 - The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
23 He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray.
Do we learn from our mistakes? Sure. Is it the the best way to learn? No. A real mark of wisdom is receiving instruction from others. Instruction and discipline that guard us from error. Error that leads to destruction.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Proverbs: Day 4
Proverbs 4
Prov. 4:7 - The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
"Come and get it." This is a familiar line we have often heard regarding suppertime. Apparently it is an appropriate phrase for wisdom as well. You want it? Come and get it."
God is the ultimate source of wisdom (Prov. 2). Here are a few ways that He imparts wisdom in our lives;
- The word of God (Ps. 19:7
- Parents (Prov. 23:22-26
- Wise friends (Prov. 13:20)
- Counsel (Prov. 12:15)
- Instruction (19:20)
Prov. 4:7 - The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
"Come and get it." This is a familiar line we have often heard regarding suppertime. Apparently it is an appropriate phrase for wisdom as well. You want it? Come and get it."
God is the ultimate source of wisdom (Prov. 2). Here are a few ways that He imparts wisdom in our lives;
- The word of God (Ps. 19:7
- Parents (Prov. 23:22-26
- Wise friends (Prov. 13:20)
- Counsel (Prov. 12:15)
- Instruction (19:20)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Proverbs: Day 3
Proverbs 3
Self-dependence. From the worlds perspective, this is an admirable trait. However, looking through biblical lenses, we recognize that we are dependent beings. We know that sin has corrupted every part of us. We cannot even trust our own hearts desires (Jer. 17:9). Wisdom is demonstrated in recognizing this by trusting in God alone. The fool neglects this reality by pursuing self-dependence.
Prov. 3:5-6 says;
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Self-dependence. From the worlds perspective, this is an admirable trait. However, looking through biblical lenses, we recognize that we are dependent beings. We know that sin has corrupted every part of us. We cannot even trust our own hearts desires (Jer. 17:9). Wisdom is demonstrated in recognizing this by trusting in God alone. The fool neglects this reality by pursuing self-dependence.
Prov. 3:5-6 says;
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Proverbs: Day 2
Ch. 2
"Receive"..."Treasure up"..."make your ear attentive"..."incline your heart"..."call out"..."raise your voice"..."seek"..."search"
These actions communicate our need to pursue wisdom. Chapter 1 tells us that Wisdom is available to us, it is crying out in the streets, and we are to pursue it. Verse 6 of chapter 2 tells us that God is the source. We need wisdom desperately and it comes from God alone.
As parents, God has given you the responsibility to lead your family in this pursuit of wisdom. Model and teach the value and blessings of wisdom. Use this chapter to point your family to the gospel. We need Christ, wisdom incarnate, in order to be reconciled to God.
"Receive"..."Treasure up"..."make your ear attentive"..."incline your heart"..."call out"..."raise your voice"..."seek"..."search"
These actions communicate our need to pursue wisdom. Chapter 1 tells us that Wisdom is available to us, it is crying out in the streets, and we are to pursue it. Verse 6 of chapter 2 tells us that God is the source. We need wisdom desperately and it comes from God alone.
As parents, God has given you the responsibility to lead your family in this pursuit of wisdom. Model and teach the value and blessings of wisdom. Use this chapter to point your family to the gospel. We need Christ, wisdom incarnate, in order to be reconciled to God.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Proverbs: Day 1
What a great way to start out the month of August, with the beginning of wisdom; The fear of the Lord.
In ch. 1 we find both an invitation to folly and an open invitation to Wisdom. Let's focus on vv. 24 - 31. This is a very somber section where we observe that while God is indeed long suffering, those who continue to reject God's wisdom will be rejected by God. Their hearts will be hardened towards the truth.
This is an important reality to point out to the younger generation. Many ignore the things of God in their youth assuming that they will take it more seriously later in life. This Proverb warns of the folly of such a mentality.
Prov. 1:24-31
Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have ignored all my counsel
and have none of my reproof,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
In ch. 1 we find both an invitation to folly and an open invitation to Wisdom. Let's focus on vv. 24 - 31. This is a very somber section where we observe that while God is indeed long suffering, those who continue to reject God's wisdom will be rejected by God. Their hearts will be hardened towards the truth.
This is an important reality to point out to the younger generation. Many ignore the things of God in their youth assuming that they will take it more seriously later in life. This Proverb warns of the folly of such a mentality.
Prov. 1:24-31
Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have ignored all my counsel
and have none of my reproof,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
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