Sermon Notes – Jesus: The Wisdom of God ... and More

Jesus: The Wisdom of God ... and More, Proverbs 8

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 29, 2010

There are many “shadows” of Christ in the Old Testament. Metaphors, if you will, that point to Christ, they point to some reality about Jesus.

The bronze serpent in Edom (Numbers 21) tells us something about Jesus. In John 3:14 Jesus refers to this. Jesus did everything the serpent did and so much more.

The manna God provided in Exodus sustained the Israelites. In John 6:30-35 Jesus points back to this and proclaims that He is the bread of life. Jesus sustains and so much more.

The ark, the water from the rock, the Passover lamb all point to Jesus. We can’t read into them too much, however, we can only see what was meant to be seen.

Jesus is not the wisdom in Proverbs. Wisdom doesn’t fully explain Jesus but points to some reality about Christ. He is everything wisdom promises, and so much more. Lady wisdom spoken of in Proverbs is only a shadow of what was to come in Christ. Wisdom is no everything Christ is, but Christ is everything that wisdom is.

More than any other chapter in the book of Proverbs, chapter 8 most clearly and remarkably points us to Jesus Christ. It reminds us that to choose wisdom is to choose Christ, and the call to follow wisdom is the call to follow Christ.

1. Wisdom invites fools – Proverbs 8:1-5

Wisdom here, and in Proverbs 1:21, is shouting to us; loud and pleading, She is standing so that everyone can hear, at the crossroads, where the two paths of Proverbs meet. She is also standing at the gates, in sight of every single area of life. She is telling us that we need her for every single area of our lives, for every detail.

She is pleading with the naïve and the fool. This is reminiscent of Matthew 11:28 where Jesus calls all those who labor and of Matthew 9:13 where He says He came for sinners. Both wisdom and Christ are passionately pleading with those headed toward destruction to turn and escape by faith and repentance.

Wisdom invites fools, but Jesus invites sinners.

2. Wisdom offers invaluable truth – Proverbs 8:6-11

Wisdom gives straight words that will lead us in the straight path. Perverse, meaning outside of the way of God, are not in wisdom’s vocabulary. You can trust what wisdom says. It offers invaluable truth, above any value we understand.

This is reminiscent of John 14:6 where Jesus tells us He is truth. He doesn’t just have the truth but He IS the truth. There is nothing of greater value (Matthew 13:44).

Wisdom offers invaluable truth, but Jesus IS invaluable truth.

3. Wisdom promises reward – Proverbs 8:12-21

When you choose wisdom you get other benefits as well; prudence, understanding, riches, honor, wealth, etc. The greatest reward is understanding how to walk in the world He created. It is his world and can’t walk wisely without His understanding.

What of Proverbs 8:18, 19, 21? We know of many righteous people who do not have a full treasury. One of the basic hermeneutical principles of Proverbs is that these are principles that are set forth, not promises. These aren’t promises of wealth, but a principle that blessings always accompany obedience. The blessing may not be financial, it is so much more. Ephesians 1:3-14 show us that our blessing is being His children. When we receive Christ we receive more than anything Proverbs can offer. Do you want to receive all the promises of Proverbs? They are found in Christ (Colossians 2:3).

Wisdom offers reward, but Christ is the ultimate reward.

4. Wisdom is the attribute of creation – Proverbs 8:22-31

Wisdom existed before creation and was present at creation. God created the world through His wisdom, according to His wisdom. It is foolish then to walk in God’s world without His wisdom because His wisdom is the principle upon which the world was created, the very attribute that created the world through God.

This is reminiscent of John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16-17, where we find that everything exists because He created it. How foolish then to live apart from Christ if He created it.

Wisdom is the attribute of creation, but Jesus is the agent of creation.

5. Wisdom demands listening – Proverbs 8:32-36

True listening is external hearing and internal submission. Wisdom demands that you forsake folly and believe that wisdom alone can be trusted to lead you in the right path. Hatred of wisdom is a love of death.

This is reminiscent of Mark 8:34-35 where Christ tells us to turn from sin and in faith believe that He is the only way to life, if we daily follow and obey Him.

Wisdom demands listening, but Jesus demands that we follow. Christ demands allegiance.

Christ offers everything wisdom does – and so much more.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes – The Fate of Foolishness and Fools

The Fate of Foolishness and Fools , Proverbs 6:1-19

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 22, 2010

How careful we are to protect our children in some areas but not in other areas which are of greater danger. We are passionate about physical protection, rightly so, but not as passionate about spiritual protection. The father here knows the subtle danger. In the middle of three chapters of sexual immorality these verses seem out of place. He shows the consequences of foolishness and fools because he knows there are many other dangers like her.

The fate of foolishness – Proverbs 6:1-11

The father here is speaking to someone who fears the Lord. He knows the son made the right initial decision; it is still possible for his son to make foolish decisions however. The father wants him to walk constantly in wisdom so he won’t have to pay the consequences now – or later. In a moment of sin we could do something that will cost us the rest of our life as the consequences of sin are still there. The primary issue here then is not finances or laziness, they are just examples, but, rather, of falling into foolishness.

The son is one who fears the Lord, has chosen the way of wisdom, and is seeking to walk the way of wisdom. The fool is one who does not fear God, has chosen to walk the way of folly, and has no desire to walk the way of wisdom. In New Testament terms, the son is the one who has a genuine relationship with God through Christ, and the fool is the one who still lives in rebellion.

Surety – Proverbs 6:1-5

The son may have co-signed for someone he doesn’t even know. He didn’t use the wisdom of God for that decision; he may have even been doing it out of love. This decision could entrap him and keep him from walking the way of wisdom.

Foolishness often leads to further foolishness. Surety leads to not giving to God – further foolishness.

Laziness – Proverbs 6:6-11

A sluggard has no work and no ambition to work. We can learn from God’s creation. The ant is working for the present and for the future. Laziness is a sin to God.

He is saying that we should fear sin and run from it because we fear the consequences – and we fear God. Our destination will not change but we will pay the penalty.

It is still possible for a son to make foolish decisions. A believer, although he wants to walk with Christ and hates sin, is still tempted to sin and can fall into sin. Although that sin might not change he son’s ultimate destination, the consequences here on earth still remain. This is seen in the foolish use of money and the wasting of time.

The fate of the fool – Proverbs 6:12-19

He shows the way the fool feels about God and then the way God feels about the fool.

The way the fool feels about God - Proverbs 6:12-15

He is not grieved when he is outside the walk of wisdom. He thinks the greatest place of freedom is outside the authority of God. The broader way often does appear to have more freedom.

The fool is one who is rebellious toward God in his heart. He does not love God, nor desire God, nor is he grieved when he fails to follow God. He has external disregard for the way of God and an internal rebellion toward the things of God. God hates his actions, and the fool will pay for his actions.

Perverse means willing and determined to go against what is expected. It is a total disregard for the way and plan of God. He wants to lead others astray.

Proverbs 6:15 shows that one day all of his chances will be gone. This is the fate of the fool, also seen in Proverbs 29:1 and Romans 3:10-19.

It is an issue of the heart, not just activities.

The way God feels about the fool – Proverbs 6:16-19

Proverbs 6:16 is using a common literary technique to show the intensity of God’s hatred. It is not an exhaustive list.

“haughty eyes” – an arrogant and proud heart that never looks down in shame because of sin. Never will their eyes look up to God for their only hope. A proud prayerlessness.

“lying tongue” – a perverted speech.

“hands that shed innocent blood” – what better description of abortion than this.

“feet that make haste to run to evil” – a heart that isn’t aligned properly and thus behavior, their feet, follow.

God hates what he does. This calls us to love what God loves and hate what God hates. Do you hate the things that God hates? Are you passionately opposed to those things that God passionately opposes? There is no place for neutrality in these areas. These are the things that sent Jesus to the cross. Ask the Lord to give you the same loves and hates that He has.

We have a tendency to neuter God of His passion. We see His affections here. God hates sin. He hates a rebellious heart, an arrogant spirit, a mouth that speaks falsehood and spreads strife, and those who devise wicked and violent plans.

Are you running with spiritual scissors? Playing with spiritual fire?

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Quote - Gazing at our Lord

"I want to stay in the habit of 'glancing' at my problems and 'gazing' at my Lord."

Joni Eareckson Tada

Sermon Notes – Sex and the Wisdom of God, Part 2

Sex and the Wisdom of God, Part 2, Proverbs 5-7

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 15, 2010

Proverbs 6:27 makes it clear that you can’t play with fire and not be burned. The fire is sex, the fireplace is marriage. Fire outside of the fireplace will burn everything in sight leaving scars that will last forever.

How do you contain the fire of sexual passion?

1. You must embrace the way of wisdom

When we read wisdom in the Proverbs we just think of it as Christ. We must pursue and embrace Christ to keep from sexual immorality. The primary way to keep from sexual immorality is by embracing wisdom. In other words, the more you embrace the right thing the less likely you are to embrace the wrong thing. The primary key to resisting sexual temptation is to daily and passionately pursue intimacy with Christ through hearing, meditating on, and obeying his Word.

The Proverbs generally describe an action you must do, followed by a result with a reason for the action following.

For example, look at Proverbs 5:1-3:

1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.
3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,

Proverbs 5:1 gives us an ACTION, Proverbs 5:2 gives us the RESULT of the action, and Proverbs 5:3 shows us the REASON.

Proverbs 6:20-24 has the same form:

20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.

Proverbs 6:20-21 give the ACTION, Proverbs 6:22 shows the RESULT and Proverbs 6:23-24 give the REASON.

We don’t read the Word for “tips in living” only however, we read the Word to meet with God. We don’t need “steps” to get out of our problems, we need God. We need God because our heart is transformed by Him which changes our actions. Without a new heart we don’t have the ability to do right. We cannot conquer sin in the flesh.

If your ability to keep from falling into sin is directly related to your time in the Word of God, what are your chances of keeping from sin? Is your day characterized by a pursuit of intimacy with Christ?

2. You must run from the way of folly

We must hear this over and over. In Proverbs 7:22 he stood there long enough to allow her enticement. You cannot stay that close for that long without falling. Run!

Proverbs 5:7-8, Proverbs 6:25 and Proverbs 7:25 all point to this.

Remember that everywhere your heart goes your feet will go eventually. Do not flirt with sin, recognize the danger and run. Protect the condition of your heart by paying careful attention to what goes into your heart through the five gates: eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and touch. Do not for a moment think that you can let the guard down on your gates and your heart not be affected. If the heart is the source of everything you think, feel, do, and desire, it must be protected at all costs.

3. You must drink from your own cistern – Proverbs 5:12-23

There is a place for sexual passion to burn with great energy – it is marriage. Sex is nothing to be ashamed of; it is a gracious gift of God – in the right context. We are protected from sexual immorality by sexual intimacy in marriage.

Fire can be both wonderful and devastating. Water can be both refreshing and painful. So it is with sex.

Marriage is the God ordained place for all sexual expression.

Proverbs 5:15 – He is not saying that your spouse is just an object of desire but rather that you don’t have to burn, cultivate the fire at home.

1 Corinthians 6:20 – 7:39 – These verses tell us that our body is God’s. We should thus restrain from sexual immorality because we are trespassing on God’s property. Single men and women should especially remember this: her body is God’s, not yours.

The expression of sex in marriage is to be enjoyed.

Intoxicated and exhilarated are passionate words.

This expression is to be pursued.

If the expression in marriage isn’t working well then there is a danger. Work diligently and daily to develop emotional and spiritual intimacy with your spouse, knowing that without that true physical intimacy and passion it is impossible to protect yourself.

We must fear (we should be terrified of the consequences of sexual immorality), rejoice (we should be thankful for the gift of sex in marriage) and trust (God’s way is right even when it doesn’t seem so. We must trust that marriage is worth the hard work to save sex.)

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Quote - A Nice Person

“A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.”

Dave Barry

Sermon Notes – Sex and the Wisdom of God, Part 1

Sex and the Wisdom of God, Part 1, Proverbs 5-7

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 8, 2010

The location of a fire is important. In the fireplace it is beautiful and warm. Outside the fireplace, the uncontained fire, it is dangerous and life-threatening.

The fireplace is marriage and the fire is sex. In the fireplace it can burn with passion and be glorifying to God. The minute it is removed from its proper place it has the ability to scar for a lifetime. We need a proper fear of fire. It will leave scars.

“Where is the fire?”

The presence of the danger

The forbidden, foreign or strange woman described beginning in Proverbs 5:3 is “strange” in that she is off the path of life and “foreign” in that she is not a part of the marriage covenant. What the father is trying to communicate here is that sex was created by God to enjoy with passion within marriage – anything outside of that is wrong. So, for men, this is who to watch out for. For women, this is who not to be.

He is communicating even more than that however. This woman is not just an example of an immoral woman, but someone who typifies the way in which all temptation takes place. The nature of all temptation and teaches us how to recognize the temptation and run away from it.

In John Bunyan’s book, The Holy War, he talks of the city of Mansoul that has five gates in the city wall: the “feel” gate, the “ear” gate, the “eye” gate, the “mouth” gate, and the “nose” gate. The enemy to Mansoul is Diabolis and anytime he wants to come in he must attack through the gates because the only way into Mansoul was through one of these gates. So it is with our heart. When we are tempted with temptation we are tempted through these gates.

If you are watching things or hearing things which have a tendency to lead you to sin, remove those things at once lest they enter your heart and cause you to fall into sin. Fear the devastating power of sin – and then embrace the greater power of God.

The eye gate: Her looks – Proverbs 7:10 describes her dress, her appearance. The father makes a connection between the way she is dressed and the condition of her heart. Her appearance demonstrates what she desires on the inside. She is drawing attention to her physical attributes to get to the heart of a man. What you wear demonstrates what you want. Attention should be drawn to our spiritual character (1 Timothy 2:9-10). You will get a man attracted to your spiritual character if you dress in such a way to draw attention to that. That dress involves your good works. You will get what you are asking for either way.

The feel gate: Her actions – Her actions work on this gate also in Proverbs 7:11-13. This is reminiscent of Genesis 39 where Joseph would rather run away naked than stay there a minute longer.

The ear gate: Her words – This is where the father spends the bulk of his time. Proverbs 5:3, 6:24, and 7:14 all point to her “smooth and sweet” words. She knows exactly how to talk to get attention.

In Proverbs 7:14 she says she has been to church. She is promising that she is a good girl. We know she doesn’t know the Lord from the father’s previous description. Then in Proverbs 7:15 he notes where she was looking for anyone before but now she says she was looking for him specifically. She is flattering him. She is deceiving. She is saying those things that should be said at home – not in the street. Proverbs 7:19-20 then assures him that all will be fine because no one will ever know – they will never get caught. This is parallel to Genesis 3 again where the deceiver says, “You will not surely die.”

The nose and mouth gate: Her enticements – Proverbs 7:13, 16-18 makes this obvious point.

The man stands there long enough to get persuaded and enticed. He is playing with fire. We know then that he is an idiot. Joseph knew to run, he is wise enough to know he is weak in the face of this temptation. The longer you stay the greater the temptation. The longer you expose your gates the greater the chance of breakthrough.

She is portrayed like a lion. Proverbs 6:25, “capture”; Proverbs 6:26, “hunts”; Proverbs 7:11, “can’t be tamed”; Proverbs 7:12, “lurking”; Proverbs 7:22, “devours”. Reminds us of 1 Peter 5:8 and how Satan takes advantage of open gates. Once again, the father is painting a picture of all temptation.

The man never sees the lion before the kill. Sin is crouching at the door waiting for an unguarded gate (Genesis 4:7).

The consequences of the danger

The reality is opposite, in all cases, of everything she says. She says she has satisfaction to offer but she really has none. This is the lie of the enemy trying to get through one of your gates to attack your heart.

The emotional cost of sexual immorality – Proverbs 5:4

In the end she is bitter. She may sound sweet but she isn’t. She wounds and scars for life. The opposite of honey is wormwood, the opposite of oil is sword. The wormwood is internal sorrow and pain. The sword cuts and wounds. Sexual immorality always leaves a scar. Proverbs 5:12-14 we see a man regretting the fact that he didn’t listen to his father.

The spiritual cost of sexual immorality – Proverbs 5:6, 7:24-25

She is on a different path. Choosing to be immoral is choosing the way of folly. You cannot be on two paths at the same time. You cannot be sexually immoral and intimate with Christ, because they are two different ways. Immorality is not just an activity; it is a way, a path – it is a way opposite the way of Christ.

The physical cost of sexual immorality – Proverbs 5:8-11

The father tells of exhaustion, pain and possibly disease with your vitality drained. This is similar to David describing his vitality being drained by hiding his sin in Psalm 32.

The social cost of sexual immorality – Proverbs 6:33

The social ramifications are beyond what we can even imagine. Everyone is affected. It doesn’t matter what you may accomplish, this sin will blot it out. You will always have an asterisk by your name. Your reputation is ruined.

The scars of an uncontained fire are forever. Feel the weight of this. Don’t be like the ox, going willingly and obliviously (Proverbs 7:22). Animals don’t see the consequences, do you? There are horrific consequences if you aren’t paying attention. The forgiveness is real but the scars remain forever. You don’t want these scars – many can testify to this.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Something Light - You Think I'm Embarassing?

We surf...so you don't have to - Aug. 3

Three great posts from Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds, a site you should bookmark.

What Did the Temple Look Like in Jesus’ Time?

Great graphics with a great message.

What Did Jesus Look Like?

I don't know if I place much stock in the science but interesting nonetheless.

Pascal on Our Addiction to Distraction

Keeping focus and putting away the distractions keeps us walking in the Way.

Quote - Infected with a most dreadful, fearful, soul-killing disease!

"The whole race of mankind, in consequence of the fall, is infected with a most dreadful, fearful, soul-killing disease!

You are infected with it yourself!

It is in your nature, and its effects are manifested in your conduct! Its seat is in the heart--which has become deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked!

This malignant disease has spread over every faculty of the soul!
The understanding is darkened--so that you cannot see your dreadful state!
The conscience is defiled--and no longer warns of evil!
The will is powerfully biased to evil--and chooses what God abhors!
The affections are earth-bound--and set on forbidden things!
The imagination has become sensual--and only employed in evil!
The reason is debased--and calls darkness, light; and light, darkness!
The memory is depraved--and has become a storehouse of iniquity!
The whole soul is paralyzed, polluted, and diseased!
Satan has got possession--and endeavors to lead you to hell in a false peace!

You are naturally . . .
unfit for heaven,
at enmity with God,
exposed to His wrath,
cursed by His law,
condemned by His word,
traveling to perdition,
and ripening for damnation!

You cannot . . .
deliver yourself from sin's dominion,
cleanse yourself from inherent defilement,
or escape the righteous judgment of God,
by anything that you can do.

You are . . .
without strength,
blind to your everlasting welfare,
and a hater of God!

You . . .
were born a sinner,
have lived transgressing,
and dying in such a state,
will be banished into irremediable woe!

This is your state, reader--whoever you may be!
This is your situation--however you may have lived!
This is your condition--whatever you may think!
Have you ever seen yourself in this situation?
Have you ever felt this to be your case?
Have you ever trembled on account of it--and sought a remedy?
If not, this is the very worst symptom of your disease!
You are . . .
insensible of your wretched condition,
under a spiritual derangement,
and madness is in your heart!

But if you have discovered your malady,
if you have felt sin to be really a dreadful disease,
if you are seeking for a remedy;
then I rejoice in being able to direct you to one that is provided, which may be obtained freely, and will certainly heal you!

God, who is rich in mercy, for the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin--has devised a way in which He can manifest Himself as a just God and a Savior! He has provided a suitable and glorious remedy for lost, ruined, and undone sinners! This remedy will . . .
heal the wounded,
cleanse the filthy,
sanctify the unholy,
justify the condemned,
liberate the captive,
and save the lost!

It gives . . .
peace to the distressed,
direction to the perplexed,
riches to the poor,
sight to the blind,
hearing to the deaf,
strength to the weak,
wisdom to the foolish,
and life to the dead!"

James Smith, from God's Remedy for Man's Malady

Sermon Notes – The Continental Divide of All Human Thinking

The Continental Divide of All Human Thinking, Mark 10:17-27
Dr. Paige Patterson, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 1, 2010

Everyone has an opinion about this and all come down on one side or the other. Are we working our way to heaven or resting in His work?

He thought there was something he could do. To his credit, he did know something was amiss.

Jesus is not denying His goodness or His Godness, but He is denying the validity of the comparison. It is a wrong standard of comparison. He is comparing himself to others instead of a righteous and holy God.

He is actually a pretty remarkable guy if he has never lied, but he already had a god in his life – his possessions. What is yours? What is your major motivation? What is the preoccupation of your life? Position, popularity, power, family?

You can’t come to the true God until you get rid of the false god.

You cannot save yourself. You cannot make yourself acceptable to God on your own. We are condemned and in serious trouble without Jesus.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.