Life: An Owners Manual by ChurchRez

A STUDY ON PROVERBS June 18 July 9

Heeding the Call of Wisdom Understanding Our Need for Wisdom

July 16

Living in Wisdom: Words

July 23

Living in Wisdom: Friends

July 30

Living in Wisdom: Fools

August 6

Living in Wisdom: Sluggards

August 13

Living in Wisdom: Shalom Pt. 1

August 20

Living in Wisdom: Shalom Pt. 2

C HURC HREZ.ORG

Life: An Owners Manual Prayer Guide Copyright Church of the Resurrection 2017 Writers: Matt Woodley Design and Production: Alan Miller, Bethany McLellan Copyeditors: Anna Robbins, Meghan Robins

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE LORD BY WISDOM FOUNDED THE EARTH; BY UNDERSTANDING HE ESTABLISHED THE HEAVENS. (PROVERBS 3:19)

INTRODUCTION

P. 4

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

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SUNDAY, JULY 9

P. 13

SUNDAY, JULY 16

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SUNDAY, JULY 23

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SUNDAY, JULY 30

P. 31

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

P. 37

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

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INTRODUCTION An owner’s manual. These handy little guides provide the instructions you need to get the most out of your purchase, like your car, refrigerator, or computer. For instance, the owner’s manual for my Chevy Malibu has helpful sections on the Antilock Brake System (or ABS), the Climate Control System, bulb replacements, and even a section titled “Parking over things that burn” (which I plan to read real soon).

and Christians have turned to the earthy, simple, direct, and kind of in-your-face wisdom in the book of Proverbs for guidance on the practical challenges of everyday life. Our Church of the Resurrection summer preaching series will explore seven aspects of this owner’s manual for life. Why is this book so important for us today? First, because we desperately need wisdom, or what the New Testament writer James called “the wisdom from above.” Over 80 years ago the poet T. S. Eliot lamented our lack of wisdom with these words: “Where is the life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” Reading those words today, living in our constant Niagara Falls– like deluge of information and misinformation, I’m struck by how much more we need God’s wisdom for daily life.

Of course we rarely consult the manual for our car. (How often do you need to replace your bulbs or park over things that burn?) But what if you had an owner’s manual for stuff that really matters–like a helpful guide for how to approach friendships, work, money, sex, words, poverty and riches, wisdom and folly? Actually, Jews and Christians have something that’s functioned as an owner’s manual for life (written by the Creator himself)–the book of Proverbs. For millennia, Jews 4

Second, we need to rediscover the pithy wisdom of Proverbs because it points us back to the grace of Jesus Christ. The book of Proverbs isn’t just about how to succeed at life; it’s primarily about how to walk with our redeeming, helping, loving Lord through the dozens of practical decisions we face every day. As Dr. Ray Ortlund writes in his book Proverbs: Wisdom That Works, “As we come to the book of Proverbs, God does not intend to crush us with layer upon layer of demand. He intends to help us. The book of Proverbs… is his counsel for the perplexed, strength for the defeated, his warning for the proud, his mercy for the broken. The book of Proverbs is the gospel–good

news for the inept through the wisdom of Another.” If God is for us in Christ Jesus, then this ancient book of wisdom is for us as well. Receive it with your whole heart. Take this Anglican prayer and make it yours: “Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” PASTOR MATT WOODLEY

God gave us more than the Law and prophets. He also gave us wise counsel. Wisdom is the grace of God beautifying our daily lives. Wisdom is skill, expertise, competence that understands how life really works… Wisdom understands how real life can work well. Now if wisdom is so desirable, and it is, then why isn’t everyone running towards wisdom? Why is it rare? Because we are not born wise. We get into wisdom the hard way, through the Lord’s instruction and discipline, through being chastened and corrected. We do not like that. But we make progress in wisdom to the extent that we are teachable.

SUNDAY, JUNE 18 HEEDING THE CALL OF WISDOM PASTOR MATT WOODLEY

1:1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;7 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2

To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,

to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youthâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

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NOTES

1 “IF ANY OF YOU LACKS WISDOM, LET HIM ASK GOD, WHO GIVES GENEROUSLY TO ALL WITHOUT REPROACH, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN HIM.” (JAMES 1:5) 8

2 “FOR THOSE WHO SEEK THEIR WAY TO GOD, [PROVERBS] SERVE AS GUIDES AND SIGNS TO REVIVE THEM WHEN WEARIED BY THE LENGTH OF THE ROAD.” (HIPPOLYTUS) 9

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

REFLECTION 1. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Where and how do you need to start asking God for wisdom?

2. Proverbs 1:7 cuts to the heart of wisdom: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Based on this verse, how do you need to grow in wisdom?

3. Can you think of an example in your life when you learned wisdom the hard way, through the Lord’s correction?

4. Ray Ortlund writes, “God gave us more than law and prophets. He gave us wise counsel.” What does this reveal to you about the character of God?

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON , OR WANT T O LIS TEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/PROVERBS 11

Proverbs 8 rises to a glorious crescendo over the profound happiness of wisdom…. Wisdom was here first, before us. Wisdom was God’s first creation. He wired wisdom into the cosmos as the inner logic of everything. So wisdom was how everything started and how everything still works. We are born into the world long after things were set up so amazingly. What do we know? We cannot control our environment; we adjust to it. So Biblical wisdom is more than handy tips. Wisdom is the secret code to reality. And in the Bible it is speaking to us, so that it isn’t a secret anymore…. The wisdom of Christ is the one and only true necessity in your life. And you must embrace him wholeheartedly. You must become decisive for him. “Wisdom is possible for man by following, by discipleship,” not by holding back in critical detachment with an endless wait-andsee skepticism. But if you do enter [into the path of wisdom], Christ is promising you a true life, a life worth living under the smile of God.

SUNDAY, JULY 9 UNDERSTANDING OUR NEED FOR WISDOM FR. STEPHEN GAUTHIER

8:12–26 12

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.

Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.

Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,

before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.”

I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.

By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;

by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

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NOTES

1 “FOR THE WISDOM THAT COMES FROM ABOVE, FROM GOD, IS AN INCOMPARABLE BLESSING. WHEN WE ATTAIN TO IT BY MEANS OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE…. WE THEN ADVANCE WITHOUT WANDERING, AND WE COME TOWARD WHATEVER IS USEFUL TO OUR SPIRITUAL PROFIT.” (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA) 14

2 “IT FOLLOWS PLAINLY FROM THIS, THAT AT NO TIME WHATEVER WAS HE NOT CREATOR, NOR BENEFACTOR, NOR PROVIDENCE.” (ORIGEN) 15

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

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REFLECTION 1. Proverbs 8 verses 12-13 mention hating four things. What are they? What would it look like in your life to grow in hatred for one or all of the things on this list?

2. Proverbs 8 verses 14-21 Wisdom turns and speaks to the human race. What does Wisdom say? What does Wisdom promise to us?

3. In Proverbs 8:30, Wisdom (which is an icon for Christ) says that from the foundations of the earth she “was daily filled with delight.” Ray Ortlund writes, “Wisdom is joyous 16

over us…. [So] Christ is enthusiastic over his creation, he is exuberant, he is wholehearted.” Try to imagine this image for Jesus—delighting over his creation and delighting over you. What do you sense and feel as you stand in his presence, basking in his delight?

4. Ray Ortlund concludes his commentary on this passage with this sentence: “You have every reason to turn your life over to [Jesus Christ] and say, ‘Recreate me.’” What part of your life do you want to turn over to Jesus and say, “Recreate me”?

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON , OR WANT T O LIS TEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/PROVERBS 17

Like God, we use words to create trust and form relationships and build community. But unlike God, we use words to destroy trust and break relationships and divide community. Like God, we use words for one heart to touch another heart at a deep level. But unlike God, we use words for one heart to break another heart at a deep level. The Book of Proverbs has more to say about our words than anything else it addresses in our lives…. One body of research reports that the average American speaks about 700 times a day. IF that number sounds too high, cut it [down to 175 times per day]…. There are very few things we do 175 times a day. Our many words matter. The Bible says, “Glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20). Proverbs is saying, “That starts with your tongue.” Our words are more than puffs of air coming up through our vocal cords. Our words have moral status in the sight of God. That “the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel” means that knowledgeable, informed, intelligent words are rare and valuable in God’s eyes…. God is saying that high quality speech is precious to him. Taken from Proverbs: Wisdom that Works by Ray Ortlund, © 2012, pp. Various. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.

SUNDAY, JULY 16 LIVING IN WISDOM: WORDS FR. BRETT CRULL

15:1-2 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. 15:4 - A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 18:20-21 - From the fruit of a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 17:28 - Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. 16:24 - Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 10:31-32 - The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. 17:27 - Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 19

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

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NOTES

1 “LET NO CORRUPTING TALK COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTHS, BUT ONLY SUCH AS IS GOOD FOR BUILDING UP, AS FITS THE OCCASION, THAT IT MAY GIVE GRACE TO THOSE WHO HEAR.” (EPHESIANS 4:29) 20

2 “THE ONE WHO CAN CHECK HIS TONGUE AND DOES NOT SIN WITH IT IS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.” (CHRYSOSTOM) 21

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

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REFLECTION 1. Can you think of a relationship where you need to restrain your words, give a soft answer, or even keep silent?

2. Think of someone in your life who has used words to give life to your soul. What did they say? How did they say it? How can you go and do likewise for others around you?

3. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb,” according to Proverbs 16:24. Who needs gracious words from you right now? How and when will you convey those gracious words to this person?

4. Checking your tongue is truly a work of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit (see Luke 11:13) to fill you with his presence so your words will be anointed with his power.

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON , OR WANT T O LIS TEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/PROVERBS 23

A real friend will provoke you and challenge you. You will not agree with everything your friend says, but you will want to listen. We all need that… Every one of us needs to go to another person and say, “Help me see myself. Help me get sharper for Christ.” And if no other person in your church is good enough to play that role for you, the problem is you. If you do not know anyone well enough yet to trust them at that level, are you seeking that person out? You must pursue this because, in one sense, you do not need a friend. Biologically you do not need a friend. Financially you can thrive without a friend. And as busy as we are these days, unless we are seeking Christ, friendship will end up at the bottom of the to-do list. But you cannot become wise without a Christian friend speaking into your life. It can be painful. But the wounds of an honest friend are faithful to help you grow.

SUNDAY, JULY 23 LIVING IN WISDOM: FRIENDS SCOTT CUNNINGHAM

18:24 - A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 20:6 - Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? 17:17 - A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another. 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of the enemy. 17:9 - Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. 25

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NOTES

1 “GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAT SOMEONE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND YOU.” (JOHN 15:12-14) 26

2 “REBUKES ARE GOOD, AND OFTEN BETTER THAN A SILENT FRIENDSHIP…. FOR FRIENDSHIP OUGHT TO BE STEADFAST AND TO REST FIRM ON TRUE AFFECTION.” (AMBROSE) 27

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

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REFLECTION 1. What are common themes you find in these proverbs about friendship?

2. Several of these proverbs connect friendship to faithfulness. In these verses, what are the traits that characterize “faithfulness” in a friend?

3. Read John 15:12-17. We often think of Jesus as king, savior, or master (which he is), but in light of these Proverbs, what would change if we consistently remembered that Jesus calls us friends?

4. If we practiced this wisdom, and received and imitated the friendship of Jesus, what do you think would be distinctive about our Christian friendships?

5. What action steps do you need to take in light of the Bibleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call to pursue friendship?

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON , OR WANT T O LIS TEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/PROVERBS 29

A spirit of self-Assurance will destroy you and everyone you love.It cannot work. The universe will not cooperate with our arrogant self-centeredness. But fearing the Lord and turning away from evil—calling sin sin and turning from it—is healing and refreshment. Here is the irony: the more you fear the Lord, the less you will fear man. The more you depend on the Lord, the more independent you will be. The more you resemble Christ, the more an individual you will be. The more you obey him, the freer you will be. Life will work for you with healing and refreshment.

SUNDAY, JULY 30 LIVING IN WISDOM: FOOLS WILL CHESTER

17:12 - Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly. 10:23 - Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. 18:2 - A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 15:5 - A fool despises his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. 19:1 - Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. 28:26 - Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. 31

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NOTES

1 “LOOK CAREFULLY THEN HOW YOU WALK, NOT AS UNWISE BUT AS WISE, MAKING THE MOST OF THE TIME… THEREFORE DO NOT BE FOOLISH, BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS.” (EPHESIANS 5:15-16) 32

2 “FOLLY, THEN, IS CONDEMNED BECAUSE IT CAUSES WRONGDOING. OUGHT WE NOT RATHER TO AVOID [FOOLISHNESS], THAN DEATH, OR LOSS, OR WANT OR EXILE OR SICKNESS?” (AMBROSE) 33

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

SUNDAY, JULY 30

REFLECTION 1. Folly is described in Proverbs as trust in our own minds rather than wisdom. When does that “spirit of self-assurance” crop up in your life?

2. What practices or disciplines help you to hear the voice of Wisdom?

3. In what ways do you see the vice of folly in the life of Pastor Matt Woodley? Feel free to use your journal. This could take a while.

4. Do you find yourself drawn to actions or lifestyles that could be described as folly? What are those examples? What longings in your heart would they seem to satisfy?

5. Who in your life do you allow to give you correction or reproof? What is it about their character that embodies wisdom? If you don’t have someone like that, why is that? Who could you invite into your life to offer a “father’s instruction”?

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON , OR WANT T O LIS TEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/PROVERBS 35

The sluggard procrastinates. He treats each precious moment of God-given life as no big deal. He is not astounded that the grace of God is giving him one more moment to live for Christ. What is a sluggard thinking? [Proverbs 6:10]: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest.” Just a little more, always just a little more. But “a little” is not a little. Verse 11 foresees the eventual cascade of consequences crashing into this life with inescapable force. There he is, a tragic buffoon, helpless and worthless. In his book Lord, Make My Life a Miracle, my dad concludes this way: Your danger and mine is not that we become criminals, but rather that we become respectable, decent, commonplace, mediocre Christians. The twentieth-century temptations that really sap our spiritual power are the television, banana cream pie, the easy chair, and the credit card. The Christian wins or loses in those seemingly innocent little moments of decision. Lord, make my life a miracle!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 LIVING IN WISDOM: SLUGGARDS KEVIN SHEEHAN

6:6-11 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. 26:13-15 13 The sluggard says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!â&#x20AC;? 14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. 15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. 37

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NOTES

1 BUT JESUS ANSWERED THEM, “MY FATHER IS WORKING UNTIL NOW, AND I AM WORKING.” (JOHN 5:17) 38

2 “WE HAVE REASON TO FEAR…. ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, LEST THIS FAULT [OF BEING A SLUGGARD] MAY ALSO BE ALLEGED AGAINST US, SINCE HE WHO HAS ENDOWED US WITH THE ABILITY TO WORK DEMANDS THAT OUR LABOR BE PROPORTIONED TO OUR CAPACITY.” (BASIL THE GREAT) 39

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

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REFLECTION 1. Have you ever had a time when you lacked motivation to do anything worthwhile? What did it feel like? What circumstances led up to you feeling that way?

2. Proverbs 6:6-8 tells the sluggard to look to the ant for advice. What sorts of things might a sluggard learn from an ant?

3. The Bible speaks very positively about rest (cf. Matt. 11:2830). What do you suppose is the difference between resting and being a sluggard?

4. How might our view of time impact our motivation to be productive?

5. Try to make a list of how youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve spent your time over the last two days. Which activities were significant? Which activities were trivial? Is there anything you wish you had done? Ask God for wisdom and strength to order your time well.

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON , OR WANT T O LIS TEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/PROVERBS 41

Proverbs 3 explains why wisdom matters and what wisdom creates. Wisdom matters, according to verses 13-26, because wisdom is the open secret of the universe. It is not a private option, take it or leave it. Wisdom is how life works. We can disregard it for a while and get away with it, because God built everything so well. But we want the last chapter of our lives to be the best, don’t we? So wisdom matters. Wisdom is creating something, according to verses 27-35. Wisdom creates a culture of life amid this culture of death called our world. Wisdom is a community experience. It is a shared experience of life in its fullness. Let’s go there together.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 LIVING IN WISDOM: SHALOMâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;PART 1

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

My son, do not lose sight of theseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; keep sound wisdom and discretion,

and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

3:13-26 13

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. 43

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NOTES

1 “… WHICH IS CHRIST, IN WHOM ARE HIDDEN ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE.” (COLOSSIANS 2:2-3) 44

2 “NOW, IF WISDOM IS THE TREE OF LIFE, WISDOM ITSELF, INDEED, IS CHRIST.” (JEROME) 3 “THESE

THINGS

MUST

UNDERSTOOD

SAID

FIGURATIVELY; FOR CHRIST HIMSELF IS CALLED ‘THE TREE OF LIFE.’” (ORIGEN) 45

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13

REFLECTION 1. Read through Proverbs 3:13-26. What are the personal benefits of finding wisdom?

2. Ray Ortlund calls wisdom “the open secret of the universe.” Based on this passage from Proverbs, why might we fail to see this “open secret”?

3. What does it mean for the Lord “to be your confidence”? What would that look like in your life?

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON , OR WANT T O LIS TEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/PROVERBS 47

Note the alternative translation of Proverbs 3:27— “Do not withhold good from its owners.” If you have good you can do for somebody, then legally you own it, but morally they own it. The state has no right to force you to be generous…. But what the Bible says to you is, “You should not withhold.” We sin against each other not only by the bad things we do but also by the beautiful things we withhold. Withheld love is a lifedepleting sin. It is a sin to tell ourselves, “I’m not doing anybody any harm.” The question is, what good are you withholding? All around us are opportunities to breathe life into more people. We cannot do everything. But we can do something.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 LIVING IN WISDOM: SHALOM—PART 2 PASTOR MATT WOODLEY

“Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”— when you have it with you. 29

Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.

3:13-15, 18, 27-35 13

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

Do not say to your neighbor, 49

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NOTES

1 “WHOEVER OPPRESSES A POOR MAN INSULTS HIS MAKER, BUT HE WHO IS GENEROUS TO THE NEEDY HONORS HIM.” (PROVERBS 14:31) 50

2 “THERE IS HARDLY A PAGE IN THE [BIBLE] IN WHICH IT IS NOT SHOWN THAT GOD RESISTS THE PROUD BUT TO THE HUMBLE OFFERS GRACE.” (AUGUSTINE) 51

LIFE: AN OWNERS MANUAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

REFLECTION 1. Read through Proverbs 3:13-26. What are the social benefits of finding wisdom?

2. Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those whom it is due.” Who is “due” your goodness? How can you show the goodness of Christ to him or her or them?

3. Proverbs 14:31 says, “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” In what ways can you, your family, your RezGroup, your church be generous to the needy?

4. Read Proverbs 3:31. How does our culture glorify the “man (or woman) of violence”? Are there any ways in which your mind has become either captivated or overly frightened by the violence of our culture?

DID YOU MISS THE SERMON , OR WANT T O LIS TEN AGAIN? VISIT CHURCHREZ.ORG/PROVERBS 53

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