WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.460 I heard New Haven is one of the most exciting things for any of us who have been in the 00:00:11.460 --> 00:00:12.660 New Haven area for a while. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:19.019 To see the body of Christ come together across churches to serve our city in love is truly 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:19.900 an amazing thing. 00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:25.179 And so, if you're around or if you can make plans to be here, I want to encourage you 00:00:25.179 --> 00:00:26.760 to sign up and be a part of that. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.280 Every time I drive home with my kids after school, I have to drive through my neighborhood. 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:42.640 Every time I drive through my neighborhood, I look at my neighbor's lawns, and I notice 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:44.000 the one that isn't mowed. 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:45.859 Well, they're renters. 00:00:46.899 --> 00:00:54.219 And I live in a neighborhood that has mostly single-family homes, and lots of people have 00:00:54.219 --> 00:00:55.460 lived there for a long time. 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:59.799 And many of them take great pride in having beautiful lawns. 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:10.379 And as I approach 161 Colony Road, I am struck by the paucity of actual greenery in my front 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:10.700 yard. 00:01:11.460 --> 00:01:12.960 And I'm ashamed. 00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:21.959 And it's actually pushed me to think, do I need to hire one of those services and spend 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:24.919 money to make my lawn really good? 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:31.879 It's made me wonder if I need to go and have some conversation with a lawn guru to figure 00:01:31.879 --> 00:01:36.119 out how to have a beautiful lawn so that my neighbors won't be embarrassed by me. 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:42.040 In my worst moments, I'm afraid I'm going to get a notice that I'm diminishing the property 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:46.680 values in our neighborhood and that I need to get my act together and finally reseed the 00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:49.800 hole that was an oil tank once in my front yard. 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:55.980 Peer pressure is a terrible thing. 00:01:55.980 --> 00:02:03.460 And I've never had a neighbor come up and say anything about my lawn, but I still feel 00:02:03.460 --> 00:02:03.740 it. 00:02:05.439 --> 00:02:15.680 To keep up, to perform, to not disappoint, to be part of the neighborhood feels like I need 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:16.939 to have a beautiful lawn. 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:22.620 We feel this pressure in all sorts of ways in our life. 00:02:22.620 --> 00:02:25.180 That's obviously a fairly trivial one. 00:02:26.420 --> 00:02:32.700 But as I was thinking about our series in Proverbs and looking online, I found a remarkable 00:02:32.700 --> 00:02:36.120 story that I want to spend a few minutes telling you this morning. 00:02:36.219 --> 00:02:37.400 I found it on NPR. 00:02:38.140 --> 00:02:40.060 It's about a man named Toby Groves. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:44.300 Toby's story begins when he was 20 years old. 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:46.020 He was home visiting his family. 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:50.879 He looked out his back window and saw his father collapsed on the lawn in his backyard. 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:52.520 And he thought, what is this? 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:53.800 He thought he was having a heart attack. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:59.700 He rushed out and found his dad clutching a newspaper report. 00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:06.879 And on the front page was a report of Toby's older brother being indicted for fraud. 00:03:09.600 --> 00:03:14.620 Toby that day promised his father that he would never do anything like that. 00:03:14.620 --> 00:03:21.980 So then he finished college and went off into business and after a few years began his own 00:03:21.980 --> 00:03:23.340 mortgage loan company. 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:25.700 He was successful for a decade. 00:03:26.480 --> 00:03:28.200 His business grew. 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:29.159 It diversified. 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:30.280 He got very busy. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:40.639 He found out to his dismay after going over some paperwork that in fact his company was $240,000 in the hole. 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:51.639 To try and fix it, he filled out a loan application that falsely reported his income as $300,000 a year. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:53.020 This is what he said. 00:03:53.020 --> 00:03:55.640 There wasn't much of a thought process, he said. 00:03:55.920 --> 00:03:58.820 I felt like at that point that was a small price to pay. 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:00.939 Almost like the cost of doing business. 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:02.719 You know, things are going to happen. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:06.120 I just need to do whatever I needed to do to fix that. 00:04:06.180 --> 00:04:11.320 It wasn't like, well, I didn't think I was going to be losing money forever or anything like that. 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:20.819 As the weeks went on, he discovered, in fact, his company was more in the hole than he ever realized. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:22.819 He'd already mortgaged his house. 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:25.480 He didn't have any more money, but he needed to save his business. 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:29.920 The easiest way to do this to cover the mounting losses was to get more loans. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:34.719 And so he took out a series of entirely false loans. 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:37.199 Loans on houses that didn't exist. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:38.079 Borrowers. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:43.120 Creating a false loan, however, on a house that doesn't exist requires a lot of work. 00:04:43.219 --> 00:04:43.899 You need paperwork. 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:50.539 You need to manufacture from thin air borrowers and homes and paperwork to go with it. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:52.699 And he needed help, so he called his staff in. 00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:57.060 And one by one, he'd explained the situation to them and said, 00:04:57.419 --> 00:04:58.979 Will you help me? 00:04:59.599 --> 00:05:01.759 I understand if you won't, but will you help me? 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:07.740 And it wasn't just his employees. 00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:12.079 I mean, we, he said, I mean, we had assistants from other companies to pull this off. 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:21.660 To make it look like a real person closed on a real house, Toby needed a title company to sign off on the fake documents that his staff had generated. 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:26.280 And he would go to these external companies and say, it was like, here's what happened. 00:05:26.400 --> 00:05:28.100 Here's the only way I know how to fix it. 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:29.040 If you can help me, great. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:30.079 If you won't, I understand. 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:33.759 And nobody said, maybe we'll think about this. 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:37.079 Within a few minutes, it was, yes, I'll help you. 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:52.779 And so, from one little lie on a loan application grew this huge pattern of falsehood and of deceit. 00:05:52.779 --> 00:05:59.859 And he realized that it had developed into a massive bank fraud involving millions of dollars. 00:06:00.039 --> 00:06:05.500 It drove several companies out of business, resulted in the loss of many jobs. 00:06:05.619 --> 00:06:11.000 And in the middle of it, he started, it started to occur to him, this is not going to stop. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:13.139 I'm not fixing anything. 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:18.920 And it became ultra clear that everything I had been taught, I was going against. 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:22.339 He started to drink every day. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:25.160 And he would wonder, how do I end this? 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:26.500 How do I get out of this? 00:06:26.899 --> 00:06:32.740 So, when in 2006, two FBI agents showed up at his door, he quickly confessed to everything. 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:34.579 And he said he was relieved. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:41.339 Two years later, he was sentenced by the same judge who had sentenced his brother. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:49.159 Says his only comfort was that his father was not alive to see him break the promise that he had made. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:52.620 Peer pressure. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:57.659 Peer pressure allowed this to happen. 00:06:57.660 --> 00:07:03.560 Tobey made one misstep. 00:07:03.880 --> 00:07:05.800 But then he had to pull in all these other people. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:07.520 Come join me with this. 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:10.600 It's the only way we're going to make it through. 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:17.060 We all face it. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:20.600 Sometimes it's in little ways, like my lawn. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:23.540 Sometimes it's in gargantuan ways. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:26.040 Like housing fraud. 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:31.560 Sometimes it's for those of you who are in high school. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:34.760 You can only tell me what the truth is. 00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:39.500 When your friends are smoking weed in the back of the bus. 00:07:39.700 --> 00:07:42.460 Or sending around images on your cell phone. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:44.660 Why aren't you joining in? 00:07:44.940 --> 00:07:45.379 Come on. 00:07:45.900 --> 00:07:46.660 Be part of it. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:52.140 When you log on to your Pinterest account. 00:07:53.260 --> 00:07:56.780 And post yet another thing to shame those who don't meet up. 00:07:57.660 --> 00:08:02.100 When you're at work or the social equivalent. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:03.880 Or at the water cooler. 00:08:04.020 --> 00:08:05.340 Which doesn't exist anymore, right? 00:08:05.380 --> 00:08:07.480 But the social equivalent is social media, right? 00:08:07.640 --> 00:08:09.180 We don't have water coolers anymore. 00:08:09.280 --> 00:08:11.380 But we just throw things out on social media. 00:08:12.140 --> 00:08:12.800 And the jokes. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:16.060 About the more awkward. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:18.180 About the outsiders. 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:18.400 About the outsiders. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:22.919 How often do we fail? 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.739 How often do we follow the crowd? 00:08:26.579 --> 00:08:28.519 Into places where we lose our way. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:32.179 That's what our passage is about this morning. 00:08:32.819 --> 00:08:35.899 If you want to turn with me in your Bible to page 527. 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:38.639 We're in Proverbs chapter 1. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:46.240 We're continuing our series that Pastor Nick kicked off this last week. 00:08:46.419 --> 00:08:47.879 And we're going to be doing this all summer. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:49.299 To look through the book of Proverbs. 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:53.080 To see what it is that God has to say to us. 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:54.319 About that. 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:57.080 Proverbs 1 starting in verse 8 is where we're going to be. 00:08:57.080 --> 00:09:02.040 Let's read that together. 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:05.360 Proverbs chapter 1 verse 8. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:08.759 Hear my son your father's instructions. 00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:10.720 And forsake not your mother's teaching. 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:14.060 For they are graceful garland for your head. 00:09:15.180 --> 00:09:17.820 And pendants for your neck. 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:21.280 My son if sinners entice you do not consent. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:23.780 If they say come with us. 00:09:23.780 --> 00:09:25.620 Let us come with us. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:27.340 Let us lie in wait for blood. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:29.940 Let us ambush the innocent without reason. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:33.679 Like Sheol let us swallow them alive. 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:36.759 And whole like those who go down to the pit. 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:39.860 We shall find all precious goods. 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:41.919 We shall fill our houses with plunder. 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:43.779 Throw in your lot among us. 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:45.700 We will all have one purse. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:50.759 My son do not walk in the way with them. 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:53.580 Hold back your foot from their path. 00:09:54.060 --> 00:09:55.320 For their feet run to evil. 00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:56.980 And they make haste to shed blood. 00:09:57.100 --> 00:10:00.740 For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird. 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:05.140 But these men lie in wait for their own blood. 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:07.920 They set an ambush for their own lives. 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:11.940 Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:15.120 It takes away the life of its possessors. 00:10:16.760 --> 00:10:18.940 Wisdom cries aloud in the street. 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:21.420 In the market she raises her voice. 00:10:21.420 --> 00:10:24.740 At the head of the noisy streets she cries out. 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:27.000 At the entrance of the city gates she speaks. 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:31.960 How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? 00:10:32.400 --> 00:10:36.020 How long will scoffers delight in their scoffering? 00:10:36.800 --> 00:10:38.680 And fools hate knowledge. 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:47.759 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you. 00:10:48.099 --> 00:10:50.979 I will make my words known to you. 00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:54.899 Because I have called and you refuse to listen. 00:10:55.459 --> 00:10:57.059 I have stretched out my hand. 00:10:57.939 --> 00:10:58.919 And no one is heeded. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:03.299 Because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof. 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:05.919 I also will laugh at your calamity. 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:08.740 I will mock when the terror strikes you. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:11.259 When terror strikes you like a storm. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:13.500 And your calamity comes like a whirlwind. 00:11:13.819 --> 00:11:16.299 When distress and anguish come upon you. 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:18.620 Then they will call upon me. 00:11:18.719 --> 00:11:19.939 But I will not answer. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.539 They will seek me diligently. 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:23.240 But they will not find me. 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:25.299 Because they hated knowledge. 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:27.599 And did not choose the fear of the Lord. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:29.879 And would have none of my counsel. 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:31.840 And despised all my reproof. 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:35.840 Therefore, they shall eat of the fruit of their way. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:38.879 And have their fill of their own devices. 00:11:39.920 --> 00:11:42.560 For the simple are killed by their turning away. 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:46.139 And the complacency of fools destroys them. 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:50.420 But whoever listens to me will dwell secure. 00:11:50.420 --> 00:11:54.620 And will be at ease without dread of disaster. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.820 Will you pray with me? 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:06.980 Lord, we come to you humbly this morning. 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:09.820 Lord, for even as we read this passage. 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:11.659 We recognize the danger. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:14.680 That our hearts may turn away from you. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:15.600 And from your word. 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:18.159 That we will not listen to your voice. 00:12:18.180 --> 00:12:21.180 But that we will allow other voices to speak to us. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.960 Lord, and that we will follow ways. 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:25.019 That lead to death. 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:29.139 Lord, we ask for your mercy this morning. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:31.879 Lord, to open our ears. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:35.620 Lord, to give us, Lord, the courage. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.600 Lord, and the strength. 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:41.500 And the ability to turn back to you. 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:43.659 To hear your reproof. 00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:45.439 And to turn back to you. 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:48.120 And to receive from you wisdom. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:53.440 Lord, may we, as we sit under this word. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:57.100 Lord, may we hear the voice of your Holy Spirit. 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.320 Convicting us. 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:00.399 Or turning us. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.340 Reminding us. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:07.679 Reminding us that ultimately, Lord, what we have in Christ. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.519 Is all that we need. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:13.480 Lord, I ask for your help this morning. 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:15.340 Lord, use me. 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:16.440 My words. 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.660 In Jesus' name. 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:19.660 Amen. 00:13:26.040 --> 00:13:30.540 How do we face the temptation to go down another path? 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:34.000 And the call of those around us to follow it. 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:35.899 Our passage has two sections. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:42.680 And in these sections, we hear the voices of characters that will actually continue throughout the whole book of Proverbs. 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:45.299 We hear the voice of the Father. 00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:49.039 In fact, the Father and the Mother are joined together. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:54.239 In the first section, the voice of the Father saying, instructing His Son. 00:13:54.979 --> 00:13:58.099 And the second voice is the voice of the woman wisdom. 00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:00.839 God's wisdom. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:01.879 Personified. 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.039 Speaking to us. 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:09.099 And as we hear these two voices, they're laying forth to us that there are actually two ways to live. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:12.120 There is the way of the wise and there is the way of the fool. 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:15.100 Two paths to walk. 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:23.320 And in particular, He's pointing out the way that peer pressure can push us down one path. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:27.960 And in fact, this passage is primarily a warning. 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:34.420 It is a warning to not follow the voice of the crowd on the path of foolishness. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:40.220 But instead, to hear another voice speaking to us. 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:43.060 So, let's look at them. 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:48.100 We're going to look at them just walking through the passage a little bit so we can hear what they're saying. 00:14:48.180 --> 00:14:50.879 And then we're going to try to connect it with our own lives. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:56.799 So, first, verses 8 through 19, we have the Father's voice. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:00.379 He starts with a positive introduction. 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:02.759 Hear, my son, your father's instruction. 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:09.039 Forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:12.500 He says there's another way for you to go that is beautiful. 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:16.980 It adorns you with an attractiveness that is lovely. 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:23.000 Then verse 10 is in some ways the heart of the Father's counsel. 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:27.399 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.800 Then He goes on to explain why. 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:36.180 First, He unpacks what that enticement might look like. 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:38.779 Verses 11 through 14. 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:43.759 What does the peer pressure look like to follow the way of foolishness? 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:46.120 When you read through this, right? 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.759 Come with us. 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:49.360 Let us lie in wait for blood. 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:51.480 Let us ambush the innocent without reason. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:56.580 I wonder if you sit there and think what I thought and what Ray Orland reminded me of, 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.720 which is rarely does it feel like that. 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:03.179 Rarely does someone say, hey, let's go shoot people for fun. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:06.899 Let's go lay waste to our neighbor's yard. 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:08.740 Doesn't that sound like a good idea? 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.919 Let's do that. 00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:13.259 Rarely does it sound like that. 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.120 Why? 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.240 Why? 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:21.659 Well, because in the warp and woof of our life, in the day-to-day, moment-by-moment decisions, 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:24.580 we lose sight of the big picture. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:27.560 And then suddenly something pops up in front of us. 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:29.519 And it's something that we want. 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.720 It's something we desire. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.519 It's something that we long for. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:36.200 And it may even be a right desire for those things. 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:39.180 But as that pops up, then there is a voice. 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:43.920 There is a way for us to achieve those things that is all wrong. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:48.860 And in that moment, we have lost sight that that's true. 00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:51.539 What is the appeal? 00:16:51.539 --> 00:17:00.779 As you look at these verses in 11 through 14, I think there are a couple of things that are underlying this appeal of the sinners that entice us. 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:03.220 First is the appeal to belong. 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:06.539 Verse 11 says, come with us. 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:08.200 Let us do this together. 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:11.639 Verse 14, throw your lot in with us. 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:17.400 Friends, you know how intoxicating it is to be invited in? 00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:20.000 To be a part of the in crowd? 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:25.759 To be a part of whoever the power brokers are, whoever you want to be in with? 00:17:26.280 --> 00:17:27.240 Say, come on in. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.040 Come be a part of us. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:39.920 It's pretty easy in high school when the cool people say, hey, come with us. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.740 We're going to go hang out after school. 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.420 Isn't it? 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:56.120 It's pretty powerful when if you're the guy who sits at the end of the bench on the sports team and the captain comes and says, hey, come with us. 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.620 We're going to go after school. 00:17:58.759 --> 00:18:01.420 There's something powerful there and there's something right. 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:04.400 There's something right about wanting to belong. 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:12.420 But it can be so easily an enticement, can't it? 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:18.280 My research this week, it's fascinating to do research on gangs. 00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:21.280 Do you know what the biggest pull of gangs is? 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.820 You belong to a family. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:25.740 According to the things that I read. 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:30.660 I don't have a lot of experience with it, but the enticement is come. 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.859 Be a part of us. 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:39.460 And that becomes a family that you'll live for and die for. 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:46.500 We can become so blind in that invitation to belong. 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.599 Think about Toby's employees. 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:52.480 We like you. 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.639 We want you to succeed. 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.899 Sure, we'll help you out. 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:58.839 Even the external vendors that had to help him. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.619 Yeah, we can do that for you. 00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:00.859 Sure. 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:04.480 Some of that was probably self-interest. 00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:07.719 But some of that might have just been relationship. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:16.299 Second appeal is the appeal to power. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:19.700 You see this in verse 11, the second half. 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:21.779 Let us ambush the innocent without reason. 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:25.319 In verse 12, do you see what these images are saying? 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:29.099 We are going to completely overwhelm them. 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:32.579 We are going to swallow them up like hell itself. 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:37.399 There's a blatant power move here. 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:46.000 A blatant move to say, doesn't it feel good when you can be in control and do to others? 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:54.859 Some of you have been on the wrong end of bullying. 00:19:55.859 --> 00:20:00.759 And you've felt the pain of people who love that kind of power. 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:04.759 You've seen people who wield it. 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:08.440 And you've felt the consequences of it. 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:15.680 Some of you have probably been a part of it. 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:18.420 Even when you didn't set out to be. 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:21.500 How many of you guys have seen Mean Girls? 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.700 Lindsay Lohan? 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:24.460 It's not a very pleasant movie. 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:27.720 It's a powerful story though, isn't it? 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.980 Katie shows up. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:32.299 New kid at school. 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.360 Homeschooled. 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.360 Lived in Africa. 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:37.039 Showed up in a California school. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:40.660 And finds that there's this group who rules the roost. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:47.940 And they do it by wielding their power of scorn and of disdain. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:52.259 Of setting standards and making everyone else fall short of it. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:59.099 And they wield this power to great destruction in the lives of other people. 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:01.379 And Katie gets sucked up with it. 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:04.259 Even though she's been warned by her friends, don't do it. 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:06.519 She gets sucked into it. 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:11.200 She finds herself doing the very things that she hated. 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:16.200 Using gossip and slander to destroy people's lives. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:22.220 How easily do we, once we find ourselves a part of the in-group, 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:29.460 not see that the ways that we're walking are actually joining in 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:34.120 with this kind of exercise of power and abuse. 00:21:38.580 --> 00:21:41.700 For those of you who live on the street in New Haven a little more, 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.920 this may be even more real. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.000 Come on. 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:45.819 Be a part of it. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.220 You're going to survive with us. 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.500 But it's going to take something. 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:53.039 You're going to get to rule the roost. 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:58.259 But it may lead you to some terrible things in the process. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:05.340 Toby used his power in this way. 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:06.700 Didn't he? 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:08.100 He's the CEO of his company. 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:10.759 Hey, this is the only way we can do it. 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.380 This is the only way we can get out of it. 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:14.000 But you can help us do that. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:18.140 I can give you the power so that we can succeed and get out of this together. 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.519 Third thing. 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:25.819 Belonging, power, and then gain. 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:28.700 You see this in verse 13. 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:30.779 We will find all precious goods. 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:33.319 We shall fill our houses with plunder. 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:41.279 One of the reasons why we follow the crowd is because we're going to get what we want. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:41.759 Right? 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:46.139 Those of you who are in academia, do you ever feel this pressure? 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:49.880 This is what the department does. 00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:52.540 This is how we work. 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:54.520 These are the things that we value. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:59.020 You're going to be a part of the team or not. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:02.780 If you do, you'll get good recommendations. 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:06.420 If you do, yeah, we'll support you. 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:08.500 We'll give you connections. 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:19.700 We'll even invite you into those conversations in the back of the academic conferences where you actually talk to the people who can really make deals and make life happen for you. 00:23:22.820 --> 00:23:24.600 Am I too far off the mark? 00:23:25.560 --> 00:23:26.519 Don't think so. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:37.740 To get gain from these things, whether it be social capital, whether it be physical reward. 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:51.700 The voice of the sinners entices, entices to follow a path of destruction for others, for your own sake. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:56.400 And it's striking, right? 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:59.039 Toby said, if you do this, we won't go under. 00:23:59.139 --> 00:23:59.819 We'll survive. 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:03.079 If you help me with this, I think we can get out of this. 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.420 It was a foolish promise. 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.339 It wasn't true. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:11.279 But it motivated others to help him with it. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.639 And just one final note. 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:18.619 Verse 14, we will all have one purse. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.900 I think this is ironic. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:23.740 Because how many people actually share powers? 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:25.720 This is part of the lesson of Mean Girls, right? 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:29.920 If you get in, then you fight with one another for the power in the middle of it. 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:32.720 If you get gain, what do you end up doing? 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.920 You've seen the Italian job, right? 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:37.220 You end up shooting each other over who gets the loot. 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:41.200 And over and over and over again. 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:52.120 When you follow the ways of the sinners in this, it is not, the outcome is not good. 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:57.620 And I think you see that in verses 15 through 19, because the Father's voice comes back in. 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:58.940 The warning. 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.440 He says, 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:02.180 My son, do not walk in the way with them. 00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:05.400 Hold your foot back from these paths. 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.440 He's saying, 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.180 They're saying, 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.059 Go this way. 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:10.799 And I want to encourage you and warn you, 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.799 Don't go that way. 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.220 Why? 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.980 Verses 16 to 19. 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:18.500 Because they run to evil and they make haste to shed blood. 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:22.279 Verse 17 is an image of bird catchers. 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:24.200 What they do is they lay a net out. 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:28.920 And then they wait for a bird to come into where the net is. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:31.339 And then they snatch the net quickly. 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.899 And that's what captures it. 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.619 And he's saying, 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.960 If you do that right in front of the bird, 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.779 The bird's going to know the net is there. 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.879 He's never going to walk into it. 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:45.879 But these sinners are so foolish that they're laying their net right before their own eyes 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:47.539 for their own destruction. 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:52.000 Why would you want to go with them? 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:55.559 Don't walk that way. 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.519 It will end badly. 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.920 Verse 19. 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:07.339 Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:11.079 Takes away the life of the possessors. 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:20.920 Part of what the Father's voice is saying is, 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.840 Do you understand? 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:29.779 Following in the footsteps of your peers as they entice you is of great danger. 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:33.740 It is a path that leads to your destruction. 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:37.180 You think it promises all of these good things. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:40.100 But in fact, it will not give you what you want. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:46.140 Or it will give you what you want at the cost of your own soul and your own life. 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:55.860 You may, in the short run, if you choose this short-sighted calculus, gain what you want. 00:26:56.700 --> 00:27:00.380 But in the end, you will rue that day. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:13.900 Just like Toby, who found himself at the end, caught in the net, unable to get out of it, stuck, and relieved that he would finally go to jail. 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:16.920 What kind of a life is that? 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:22.279 This is what the Father is warning his son. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:24.100 And he has said, there is another way. 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.600 There is a beautiful garland. 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:27.820 But it is a counter-cultural way. 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:30.039 It is not walking in these paths. 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:33.560 There is another path to walk of our instruction. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.860 Of the way of wisdom. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.539 And he doesn't explicate it. 00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:38.300 He doesn't talk about it. 00:27:38.320 --> 00:27:40.380 He just says, there is another way to go. 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:43.920 But you have to be ready to walk away from the crowd. 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:46.420 To walk away from what others are saying. 00:27:47.060 --> 00:27:48.440 And friends, isn't this right? 00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:50.700 That this is what God's people are meant to be. 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:54.120 We are called to do it. 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.800 To live life differently. 00:27:55.800 --> 00:27:57.160 Because we know God. 00:27:58.520 --> 00:28:00.580 Because he has shown us a different way. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.800 That does not lead to destruction. 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:08.580 And it is not a way that we can easily do on our own. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:12.319 Oh, there are times when we will have to make that stand. 00:28:12.419 --> 00:28:13.480 Our single stand. 00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:15.899 And say, I will not go that way. 00:28:15.939 --> 00:28:17.879 Even though everyone else will. 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:23.240 But friends, from my experience, over time. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:28.720 We all are eroded in our conviction and our steadfastness. 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:32.119 We are all. 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:34.379 We grow weary on our own. 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:36.339 And this is why. 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:40.519 The countercultural movement that God has called his people into. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:42.359 Is not an individualistic one. 00:28:42.419 --> 00:28:43.119 But a community. 00:28:43.679 --> 00:28:44.959 A community of people. 00:28:45.199 --> 00:28:47.339 Where we have fathers like this. 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:49.459 Reminding us and warning us. 00:28:49.659 --> 00:28:50.799 Of these things. 00:28:51.879 --> 00:28:54.559 And where we have peers who are helping us in the moment. 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:56.119 To see. 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.019 The lie. 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.459 In the enticement. 00:29:00.459 --> 00:29:02.199 To hear the warning. 00:29:02.199 --> 00:29:03.139 Of the end. 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:08.880 To reinforce this then. 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:10.259 The second voice comes in. 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:11.740 Starting in verse 20. 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.940 The voice of the woman wisdom. 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:15.960 And she's a public voice. 00:29:16.280 --> 00:29:18.420 If the first half is a private warning. 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:22.120 Within the familial patterns of home. 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:24.060 This is now the public voice. 00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:24.720 In the street. 00:29:25.080 --> 00:29:26.080 In the places where. 00:29:26.080 --> 00:29:28.040 In the marketplace of ideas. 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:30.259 And in the crossroads of the populace. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:35.180 And she is crying out as well. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.619 She is crying out similarly. 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.400 A warning. 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.819 A warning that those. 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.900 Who reject the way of wisdom. 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:43.619 Will end up destroyed. 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.759 Let's look at it. 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.119 Verses 20 through 22. 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:50.420 She cries out in verse 22. 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.299 She says. 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:51.899 How long. 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.779 O simple ones. 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:54.139 Will you love being simple. 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.599 How long. 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.859 Will the scoffers delight in their scoffing. 00:29:58.139 --> 00:30:00.319 And the fools hate knowledge. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:03.460 She calls out three different kinds. 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.180 A simple one. 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.579 It's not someone who just is. 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.159 Simple. 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:09.659 In the sense of they don't know very much. 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.700 A simple here. 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.680 Is a simpleton. 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.599 Someone who is willingly. 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.639 Ignorant. 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.799 Of good. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.379 And right. 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.039 And true. 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:19.740 Things. 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:22.279 Someone who chooses not to know. 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:25.180 Someone who chooses not to think about it too much. 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:27.200 Because it might be too inconvenient. 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.460 The scoffer. 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:33.779 Is one who consciously rejects wisdom. 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.519 I think I know better. 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.900 I'm going to go my own way. 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:39.200 I don't need you. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:43.559 And the scoffer not only rejects wisdom for themselves. 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:45.740 But they heap scorn. 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.519 And derision. 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.039 On wisdom. 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.259 Friends. 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:53.599 Is this not what memes are? 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:57.960 Maybe there's a good use of a meme in social media. 00:30:59.120 --> 00:31:00.180 But honestly. 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:02.579 Is this not what most of it is used for? 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:06.220 To make fun of people. 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:07.920 To shame them. 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:12.920 Maybe there are times when there are things that are worth being exposed to. 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.420 And foolish. 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:13.539 And foolish. 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:17.880 And that would be a good use of it. 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:20.100 But friends. 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.460 Let us be very careful. 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:24.539 That we do not allow the use of this. 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:27.259 To make our hearts proud. 00:31:27.800 --> 00:31:29.240 And to reject wisdom. 00:31:30.300 --> 00:31:31.160 And to sit. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:35.500 In a place of scorning others. 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:38.980 This is a place of danger. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:45.220 Scoffers do not invite honest interaction. 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:47.559 Humble discussion. 00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:48.500 And disagreement. 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:50.539 Instead. 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:52.000 They close down arguments. 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.440 With dismissive. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.500 Comments. 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.960 And they see. 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:59.200 The wise. 00:31:59.319 --> 00:31:59.759 As naive. 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.559 As idealistic. 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.819 Overly principled. 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:05.799 And they tend to shame them. 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:11.319 So wisdom calls these people out. 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:11.839 And says. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.379 Do you see them? 00:32:14.439 --> 00:32:15.960 Verse 24 and 25. 00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:16.879 She calls on. 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:17.980 She continues on. 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.419 She says. 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:21.399 I called to you. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.460 I offered to you. 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.379 Here is wisdom. 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.819 Walk in this way. 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:26.139 And you rejected it. 00:32:26.439 --> 00:32:27.519 You refused it. 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:29.339 Look at the words in 24 and 25. 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:30.740 You refused it. 00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:32.799 No one has heeded it. 00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:34.179 You ignored it. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.439 You would have none. 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:37.339 Of my reproof. 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:45.259 The pride here is to say. 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.740 I don't need your voice. 00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:49.659 I can do it myself. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.819 I want to go my own way. 00:32:53.939 --> 00:32:55.579 Don't tell me something contrary. 00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.679 That's frustrating. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:58.399 This is what we do with our one year olds. 00:32:58.439 --> 00:32:59.119 And our two year olds. 00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.480 Isn't it? 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:01.019 We begin to teach them. 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:01.919 That there is wisdom. 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:02.920 Outside of them. 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.580 That's important. 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:05.060 Don't touch that. 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:06.420 It's going to burn you. 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.900 Don't run into the street. 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.980 You're going to die. 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.660 We begin as parents. 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.800 To instill in this. 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:14.220 Hopefully from the very beginning. 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.560 This is true. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.759 And what we see. 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.980 Is that in our hearts. 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:19.660 There is this pattern. 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:22.019 Consistently of wanting to resist that. 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.860 And rebel it. 00:33:23.100 --> 00:33:23.680 Against it. 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:25.720 To refuse to listen. 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:27.339 And to do our own things. 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:35.319 And it is a remarkable thing. 00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:37.259 As you keep on going down. 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.880 Verse 29 and 30. 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:42.059 They hated knowledge. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:46.500 And they did not choose the fear of the Lord. 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:50.420 Nick talked about this last week. 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:52.220 That the fear of the Lord. 00:33:52.340 --> 00:33:54.180 Is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.700 An understanding. 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:57.200 That there is a God in heaven. 00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:58.660 Who has created the world. 00:33:59.100 --> 00:34:00.080 For us. 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:02.060 For our good. 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:04.039 And that as we live in it. 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:06.080 We will display his glory. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:08.240 As we live according to the way. 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.380 It was supposed to work. 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.940 And so our fear. 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:12.220 Is a reverent awe. 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:13.539 Of our creator. 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.800 Who tells us. 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.139 This is the way. 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.940 That you are supposed to live. 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:19.179 In this world. 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:22.579 And yet again. 00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.920 How often we choose. 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:25.000 To go our own way. 00:34:25.220 --> 00:34:27.059 And do our own thing. 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.500 And she warns us. 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.559 Wisdom does. 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.159 In verse 28. 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:36.079 They will call upon me. 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:37.079 And I will not answer. 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:39.280 They will seek me diligently. 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:41.059 But they will not find me. 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:44.079 Friends. 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:44.880 There are times. 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:47.000 When we have walked. 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:48.280 So far along. 00:34:48.780 --> 00:34:49.320 The path. 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.800 Of foolishness. 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:51.760 That. 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:53.539 It feels like. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.619 Wisdom has nothing to say to us. 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:56.420 There are times when. 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:57.380 Our hearts. 00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:58.860 Get so hardened. 00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.639 And our ears. 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:01.099 Get so stopped up. 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:02.900 That we can't hear it anymore. 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:06.820 When we are there. 00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:08.340 We are in grave danger. 00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:10.980 This is what wisdom. 00:35:11.219 --> 00:35:12.019 Is telling us. 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:14.579 When we reach that point. 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.840 We are those who hate. 00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:17.179 Wisdom. 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.920 And hate truth. 00:35:19.259 --> 00:35:20.059 And in fact. 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:21.860 We hate God. 00:35:22.219 --> 00:35:23.699 When we act this way. 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:27.899 We are those who hate. 00:35:31.799 --> 00:35:32.639 I wonder. 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.960 What are the voices. 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:38.359 That are loudest in your life. 00:35:41.919 --> 00:35:43.379 When you are making a decision. 00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:45.159 Whose counsel do you listen to? 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:49.699 Who speaks with a kind of authority. 00:35:50.219 --> 00:35:50.940 To you. 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:52.420 About how you ought to live. 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:55.359 Is it your own reason? 00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:59.239 Is it your peers? 00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:01.899 Is it your parents? 00:36:04.899 --> 00:36:07.239 Is it the powers that be. 00:36:07.379 --> 00:36:08.039 Whether it be. 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:09.179 The academy. 00:36:09.839 --> 00:36:11.039 Or your boss. 00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.940 Or your administrator. 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:18.059 What are the voices. 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.960 That help you know. 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:21.139 What's right and wrong. 00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:23.039 Do you know who they are? 00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:24.940 Do you know what to listen to? 00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:28.679 How open are you. 00:36:29.240 --> 00:36:30.019 To wisdom. 00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:32.200 How open are you. 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:33.559 To the voice of the Lord. 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:35.059 Speaking to you. 00:36:35.220 --> 00:36:36.800 Saying this is the way. 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.200 Walk in it. 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:42.739 Even when it would cost you. 00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:43.319 Much. 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:44.960 In the eyes of your peers. 00:36:48.299 --> 00:36:49.419 Do you recognize. 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.480 How much you need it. 00:36:51.279 --> 00:36:52.099 Do you understand. 00:36:52.319 --> 00:36:52.939 How quickly. 00:36:53.179 --> 00:36:54.199 You become a fool. 00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:55.460 Without it. 00:36:59.059 --> 00:36:59.939 Are you willing. 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.819 To receive. 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:01.819 Warnings. 00:37:02.819 --> 00:37:04.139 Words that challenge. 00:37:04.299 --> 00:37:04.899 How you're thinking. 00:37:04.899 --> 00:37:05.779 About something. 00:37:05.780 --> 00:37:09.620 To be called. 00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:11.320 To take unpopular stances. 00:37:12.240 --> 00:37:13.580 And walk in. 00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:15.000 Countercultural ways. 00:37:18.120 --> 00:37:19.240 The woman wisdom. 00:37:19.240 --> 00:37:20.080 Will go on. 00:37:20.140 --> 00:37:21.060 In the passages. 00:37:21.060 --> 00:37:21.860 That go on. 00:37:21.940 --> 00:37:22.420 We'll see that. 00:37:22.540 --> 00:37:23.060 Right in the. 00:37:23.240 --> 00:37:24.100 Chapter two. 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:25.220 She will tell you. 00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:26.480 All the good reasons. 00:37:26.480 --> 00:37:27.960 Why you should walk in wisdom. 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.760 And there are many. 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.540 There is a good. 00:37:32.540 --> 00:37:33.420 Other way. 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:35.280 But that's not my passage. 00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:35.940 This morning. 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:37.180 Which is why I'm not spending. 00:37:37.300 --> 00:37:38.559 That much time talking about it. 00:37:38.680 --> 00:37:39.880 Because my passage. 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.380 This morning. 00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:41.820 Is all about the warning. 00:37:44.180 --> 00:37:45.260 And my desires. 00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:46.260 For each of you. 00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.860 From high school. 00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:50.260 To retiree. 00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:53.220 Whatever your stage of life. 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:53.659 And whatever. 00:37:53.960 --> 00:37:54.880 To recognize. 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:56.519 That there are these forces. 00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:57.659 That are around you. 00:37:57.740 --> 00:37:58.900 That are pushing you. 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.840 And pulling you. 00:38:00.840 --> 00:38:03.820 These voices. 00:38:03.820 --> 00:38:04.740 That are saying. 00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:06.039 Come with us. 00:38:06.220 --> 00:38:07.380 Let's do this. 00:38:10.140 --> 00:38:11.300 And to recognize. 00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:12.160 The danger. 00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.100 Of listening. 00:38:14.220 --> 00:38:15.140 To the wrong voices. 00:38:15.700 --> 00:38:16.539 And choosing. 00:38:16.700 --> 00:38:17.740 The wrong ways. 00:38:22.019 --> 00:38:22.980 Wisdom says. 00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:23.980 Verses. 00:38:24.180 --> 00:38:24.680 Twenty six. 00:38:24.760 --> 00:38:25.539 And twenty seven. 00:38:27.120 --> 00:38:28.280 The consequences. 00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:29.460 Of the foolish ways. 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:30.500 Is I will let you reap. 00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:31.240 What you sow. 00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:33.880 And it is a whirlwind. 00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:35.320 You will experience. 00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:36.079 Distress. 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:37.159 And anguish. 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:40.440 There are times. 00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:41.099 When God. 00:38:41.280 --> 00:38:41.760 Graciously. 00:38:41.760 --> 00:38:42.639 Seems to say. 00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.519 If that's really. 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:44.260 What you want. 00:38:44.740 --> 00:38:46.360 I will let you have it. 00:38:46.539 --> 00:38:47.880 So you can see. 00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:49.199 How foolish. 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:50.340 And empty. 00:38:50.340 --> 00:38:51.240 It is. 00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:53.340 But it is a bitter. 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.380 Lesson to learn. 00:38:55.579 --> 00:38:56.539 And wisdom says. 00:38:56.800 --> 00:38:57.920 You don't have to walk. 00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:58.480 That way. 00:38:59.460 --> 00:39:08.880 There is a word of hope. 00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:09.880 That wisdom gives us. 00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:10.840 In verse twenty three. 00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.679 Look with me in it. 00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:14.420 But if you turn. 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.420 At my reproof. 00:39:16.699 --> 00:39:17.139 Behold. 00:39:17.220 --> 00:39:17.840 I will pour out. 00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:18.800 My spirit to you. 00:39:18.840 --> 00:39:20.019 And I will make my words. 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:21.500 Known to you. 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:23.300 There is another path. 00:39:23.780 --> 00:39:24.720 God will come. 00:39:24.760 --> 00:39:26.059 And he will speak to you. 00:39:26.059 --> 00:39:27.599 And he will guide you. 00:39:27.599 --> 00:39:28.739 He will give you. 00:39:28.900 --> 00:39:29.819 His very spirit. 00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:31.179 And his very words. 00:39:35.139 --> 00:39:36.900 This is the word of promise. 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:37.500 And of hope. 00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:38.420 That parallels. 00:39:38.619 --> 00:39:39.440 What the father said. 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:41.299 If you heed our instructions. 00:39:41.739 --> 00:39:43.299 They will lead you to places. 00:39:43.299 --> 00:39:43.960 Of beauty. 00:39:44.119 --> 00:39:45.719 And of attractiveness. 00:39:45.719 --> 00:39:52.399 But overall. 00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:53.359 At the end of the day. 00:39:53.439 --> 00:39:54.439 As we read this passage. 00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:55.599 We find ourselves left. 00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:56.359 With the question. 00:39:56.719 --> 00:39:57.519 Two paths. 00:39:57.679 --> 00:39:58.899 Two ways to live. 00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:01.480 And the two greatest voices. 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:02.980 In the book of Proverbs. 00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:04.719 Giving us encouragement. 00:40:04.719 --> 00:40:05.599 And instruction. 00:40:05.839 --> 00:40:07.079 Here give us warning. 00:40:07.779 --> 00:40:09.419 There is a path of foolishness. 00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:12.300 That follows your peers. 00:40:12.420 --> 00:40:13.320 Into destruction. 00:40:15.059 --> 00:40:16.740 That allows their voice. 00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:17.720 To entice you. 00:40:18.119 --> 00:40:19.440 That these things. 00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:20.639 Hold forth to you. 00:40:20.700 --> 00:40:21.820 Things that you want. 00:40:22.460 --> 00:40:23.180 And promises. 00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:24.659 That they can deliver it for you. 00:40:24.720 --> 00:40:25.519 But they can't. 00:40:27.539 --> 00:40:28.280 The warning is. 00:40:28.280 --> 00:40:29.340 Don't go that way. 00:40:33.760 --> 00:40:35.039 There is a different way. 00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:35.780 A way of wisdom. 00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:36.920 And we will explore that. 00:40:36.980 --> 00:40:37.700 As we continue. 00:40:38.220 --> 00:40:39.079 In these series. 00:40:40.159 --> 00:40:40.740 But friends. 00:40:40.780 --> 00:40:41.340 As we close. 00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:41.900 I want to. 00:40:42.639 --> 00:40:43.900 Locate this challenge. 00:40:44.059 --> 00:40:44.880 This decision. 00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:45.940 This two ways. 00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:46.240 This. 00:40:46.639 --> 00:40:48.320 Whose voices are you listening to? 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.900 I want to make sure. 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:50.780 That we couch it. 00:40:51.220 --> 00:40:52.260 In the bigger picture. 00:40:52.260 --> 00:40:53.480 Of the biblical storyline. 00:40:54.159 --> 00:40:55.159 And what God. 00:40:55.159 --> 00:40:56.300 Is saying to us. 00:40:56.300 --> 00:40:57.320 About a better way. 00:40:58.480 --> 00:40:59.360 There are two things. 00:40:59.420 --> 00:41:00.240 I want to say about it. 00:41:00.280 --> 00:41:00.920 First of all. 00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:01.320 Is that. 00:41:01.559 --> 00:41:02.639 In all of those. 00:41:02.800 --> 00:41:03.519 False promises. 00:41:03.519 --> 00:41:04.340 Of the sinners. 00:41:04.680 --> 00:41:05.519 They're actually. 00:41:05.700 --> 00:41:06.720 Offering things. 00:41:07.200 --> 00:41:07.400 That. 00:41:08.159 --> 00:41:08.280 In. 00:41:08.500 --> 00:41:08.519 In. 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.059 In. 00:41:09.059 --> 00:41:10.019 Proper places. 00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:11.159 Are good. 00:41:11.759 --> 00:41:12.820 You want to belong. 00:41:13.119 --> 00:41:14.400 You want to have power. 00:41:14.759 --> 00:41:16.019 You want to gain. 00:41:16.179 --> 00:41:17.159 Good things. 00:41:18.239 --> 00:41:18.840 Friends. 00:41:18.960 --> 00:41:19.960 The path of wisdom. 00:41:19.960 --> 00:41:22.139 Is the path of Jesus Christ. 00:41:23.019 --> 00:41:24.340 You want to belong. 00:41:24.340 --> 00:41:25.799 Because God has made you. 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:27.019 To belong to him. 00:41:27.219 --> 00:41:28.440 To be his. 00:41:28.599 --> 00:41:29.799 Sons and daughters. 00:41:29.799 --> 00:41:30.840 And to be a part of. 00:41:31.199 --> 00:41:31.460 His. 00:41:32.000 --> 00:41:32.400 Family. 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:32.500 Family. 00:41:33.700 --> 00:41:34.700 And Jesus Christ. 00:41:34.700 --> 00:41:35.200 Came. 00:41:35.280 --> 00:41:36.280 And he died on the cross. 00:41:36.320 --> 00:41:37.000 And he rose again. 00:41:37.180 --> 00:41:38.260 To claim us. 00:41:38.260 --> 00:41:39.160 As his own. 00:41:39.240 --> 00:41:39.920 To win us. 00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.740 Back from. 00:41:42.019 --> 00:41:43.079 The other path. 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:44.559 So that God. 00:41:44.559 --> 00:41:45.380 Can look at all. 00:41:45.500 --> 00:41:46.280 Who have placed their faith. 00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:46.660 In Christ. 00:41:46.740 --> 00:41:47.099 And say. 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:48.300 You are mine. 00:41:48.440 --> 00:41:49.240 You are my son. 00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:50.019 You are my daughter. 00:41:50.099 --> 00:41:51.139 You belong to me. 00:41:51.180 --> 00:41:51.880 And I will never. 00:41:52.099 --> 00:41:53.180 Let you go. 00:41:53.179 --> 00:41:55.480 And so there is a better belonging. 00:41:56.339 --> 00:41:57.759 That we find in Christ. 00:41:57.859 --> 00:41:59.259 There is a greater power. 00:42:01.219 --> 00:42:02.299 That he promises. 00:42:02.299 --> 00:42:04.299 That when the Holy Spirit. 00:42:04.519 --> 00:42:06.319 Comes and dwells within us. 00:42:06.480 --> 00:42:08.799 We now have an internal power. 00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:10.440 Where God himself. 00:42:10.679 --> 00:42:11.799 Dwelling within us. 00:42:12.759 --> 00:42:14.339 Ignites and empowers. 00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:15.639 The very life. 00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:17.899 That God has given us in Christ. 00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:19.419 This new life. 00:42:19.619 --> 00:42:21.440 So that we can actually walk. 00:42:21.539 --> 00:42:22.480 In a way of wisdom. 00:42:23.779 --> 00:42:25.059 Without these powers. 00:42:25.279 --> 00:42:26.059 We are in fact. 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:26.940 According to scriptures. 00:42:27.399 --> 00:42:28.460 Slaves to sin. 00:42:28.599 --> 00:42:29.599 We will always. 00:42:30.039 --> 00:42:30.519 Unerringly. 00:42:30.519 --> 00:42:31.480 End up choosing. 00:42:31.940 --> 00:42:33.259 Paths of foolishness. 00:42:36.339 --> 00:42:37.219 But God. 00:42:37.419 --> 00:42:38.219 In Christ. 00:42:38.359 --> 00:42:39.579 Has given us a different way. 00:42:40.419 --> 00:42:41.199 And the Holy Spirit. 00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:42.219 Will give us power. 00:42:42.599 --> 00:42:43.779 To live that different way. 00:42:44.139 --> 00:42:44.659 And finally. 00:42:44.819 --> 00:42:45.919 We long for gain. 00:42:46.719 --> 00:42:48.659 Because we were made for heaven. 00:42:48.960 --> 00:42:50.339 We were made for God. 00:42:50.419 --> 00:42:51.059 And his kingdom. 00:42:51.419 --> 00:42:53.119 We were made to be a part of him. 00:42:53.119 --> 00:42:53.920 And his righteousness. 00:42:53.920 --> 00:42:55.339 And Christ comes. 00:42:55.339 --> 00:42:57.819 And book of Ephesians says. 00:42:58.039 --> 00:42:59.079 That God has blessed us. 00:42:59.219 --> 00:43:01.159 With every spiritual blessing. 00:43:01.539 --> 00:43:02.859 In the heavenly realms. 00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:04.739 And first Peter reminds us. 00:43:04.920 --> 00:43:05.739 That in Christ. 00:43:05.880 --> 00:43:06.819 We have an inheritance. 00:43:06.819 --> 00:43:07.400 In heaven. 00:43:07.559 --> 00:43:08.739 That is unfading. 00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:09.519 Undefiled. 00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:11.219 And kept in heaven. 00:43:11.219 --> 00:43:11.920 For you. 00:43:14.299 --> 00:43:15.559 We have the riches. 00:43:15.559 --> 00:43:16.440 Of being. 00:43:16.900 --> 00:43:18.279 Co-heirs with Christ. 00:43:18.339 --> 00:43:19.579 Of the kingdom of God. 00:43:19.579 --> 00:43:21.259 And we will sit. 00:43:21.259 --> 00:43:22.340 With Christ. 00:43:23.000 --> 00:43:23.900 And enjoy. 00:43:24.059 --> 00:43:25.059 All the riches. 00:43:25.539 --> 00:43:26.860 Of the greatest kingdom. 00:43:27.059 --> 00:43:28.079 That ever has been. 00:43:28.159 --> 00:43:28.759 Or will be. 00:43:31.679 --> 00:43:32.699 And in Christ. 00:43:32.799 --> 00:43:33.900 God invites his people. 00:43:34.019 --> 00:43:34.380 To come. 00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:35.480 Into the storehouse. 00:43:35.840 --> 00:43:36.279 And say. 00:43:36.380 --> 00:43:36.719 Yes. 00:43:36.980 --> 00:43:38.739 This is where I can find it. 00:43:39.819 --> 00:43:40.599 And friends. 00:43:40.679 --> 00:43:41.599 This is the power. 00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:44.819 That when. 00:43:46.019 --> 00:43:47.440 The social media joke. 00:43:47.440 --> 00:43:49.219 Runs across your Twitter feed. 00:43:51.019 --> 00:43:51.739 For you. 00:43:51.839 --> 00:43:52.920 Rather than jumping in. 00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:53.679 And joining in. 00:43:53.819 --> 00:43:54.719 For you to refrain. 00:43:54.900 --> 00:43:56.119 Or for you to engage. 00:43:56.239 --> 00:43:56.719 Helpfully. 00:43:57.579 --> 00:43:58.880 When your high school friends. 00:43:58.960 --> 00:43:59.139 Say. 00:43:59.219 --> 00:44:00.319 Come and do this. 00:44:00.559 --> 00:44:01.639 When you can see. 00:44:01.779 --> 00:44:02.819 Christ and his kingdom. 00:44:03.659 --> 00:44:04.019 You say. 00:44:04.099 --> 00:44:04.360 No. 00:44:04.460 --> 00:44:05.139 I think I'll go. 00:44:05.279 --> 00:44:06.339 A different way today. 00:44:06.539 --> 00:44:06.960 Thanks. 00:44:06.960 --> 00:44:07.039 Thanks. 00:44:07.039 --> 00:44:07.079 Thanks. 00:44:07.079 --> 00:44:07.099 Thanks. 00:44:11.599 --> 00:44:12.519 When Toby. 00:44:13.239 --> 00:44:14.380 Saw that his company. 00:44:14.579 --> 00:44:15.139 Was in trouble. 00:44:15.779 --> 00:44:17.159 How different it would have been. 00:44:17.279 --> 00:44:18.960 If he had cried out to the Lord. 00:44:19.039 --> 00:44:19.339 And said. 00:44:19.420 --> 00:44:19.559 Lord. 00:44:19.619 --> 00:44:20.639 I don't know what to do. 00:44:21.380 --> 00:44:21.960 Help me. 00:44:22.940 --> 00:44:23.920 Help me do this. 00:44:24.079 --> 00:44:25.219 In a way that is right. 00:44:29.579 --> 00:44:30.299 But friends. 00:44:30.440 --> 00:44:31.199 It's not just. 00:44:31.380 --> 00:44:31.960 That in Jesus. 00:44:32.299 --> 00:44:33.659 We find something better. 00:44:34.019 --> 00:44:36.019 And so we can make a better decision. 00:44:36.279 --> 00:44:37.639 Although that is true. 00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:40.659 The gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:44:40.659 --> 00:44:42.059 Does not choose well. 00:44:42.059 --> 00:44:42.739 And live. 00:44:45.179 --> 00:44:46.920 The gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:44:46.920 --> 00:44:48.460 Is that we have a heavenly father. 00:44:48.460 --> 00:44:49.940 Who knows that we are fools. 00:44:50.920 --> 00:44:53.399 Who knows that we will make these choices. 00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:56.399 And that he has sent his son. 00:44:56.480 --> 00:44:57.239 Jesus Christ. 00:44:57.359 --> 00:44:59.539 To reap the whirlwind of our foolishness. 00:45:00.279 --> 00:45:01.899 He went to the cross. 00:45:04.059 --> 00:45:04.899 So that. 00:45:05.699 --> 00:45:06.599 The life. 00:45:07.079 --> 00:45:09.019 That foolishness would take from us. 00:45:09.019 --> 00:45:13.000 Would instead be given back to us. 00:45:15.179 --> 00:45:16.179 Jesus Christ. 00:45:16.440 --> 00:45:18.280 Offers himself up in our place. 00:45:18.920 --> 00:45:20.820 Taking on the consequences. 00:45:20.820 --> 00:45:23.280 Of our choosing the path of foolishness. 00:45:24.920 --> 00:45:27.179 So that we might be freed from it. 00:45:27.420 --> 00:45:29.820 So that we might instead receive from him. 00:45:29.960 --> 00:45:30.960 A new life. 00:45:31.280 --> 00:45:32.639 And the forgiveness of sins. 00:45:32.900 --> 00:45:33.780 And finally. 00:45:34.119 --> 00:45:35.179 Something different. 00:45:35.179 --> 00:45:38.219 So that in this new life. 00:45:39.599 --> 00:45:42.159 We might be able finally to choose. 00:45:42.879 --> 00:45:43.259 Well. 00:45:44.559 --> 00:45:46.059 Independence on the Holy Spirit. 00:45:46.239 --> 00:45:48.359 Knowing that he who has saved us. 00:45:48.579 --> 00:45:50.440 Has grasped hold of us. 00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:51.779 And will not let us go. 00:45:52.239 --> 00:45:53.659 And that he will lead us. 00:45:55.079 --> 00:45:56.919 And as we see that. 00:45:57.159 --> 00:45:59.259 We are able to live a different life. 00:45:59.259 --> 00:46:01.099 And walk the path of wisdom. 00:46:01.099 --> 00:46:05.319 We who know the ways of the kingdom. 00:46:05.819 --> 00:46:07.380 That have lasted over time. 00:46:07.519 --> 00:46:08.259 We who know. 00:46:08.719 --> 00:46:10.719 The spirit at work within us. 00:46:10.880 --> 00:46:12.779 We who know the body of Christ. 00:46:13.159 --> 00:46:14.339 Coming alongside of us. 00:46:14.400 --> 00:46:15.299 And pointing to us. 00:46:15.380 --> 00:46:16.559 Saying this is the way. 00:46:17.799 --> 00:46:19.279 And we who have the word of God. 00:46:19.699 --> 00:46:21.239 That is a lamp to our feet. 00:46:21.539 --> 00:46:22.860 And a guide to our path. 00:46:22.860 --> 00:46:26.260 This is what we have in Christ. 00:46:27.300 --> 00:46:29.420 This is what Christ has done for us. 00:46:30.160 --> 00:46:31.500 And as we do this. 00:46:31.620 --> 00:46:33.099 Then we can heed this warning. 00:46:33.260 --> 00:46:33.900 And respond. 00:46:34.820 --> 00:46:36.400 Lord have mercy on us. 00:46:36.620 --> 00:46:39.360 And save us from our foolishness. 00:46:39.960 --> 00:46:41.660 That we might walk in wisdom. 00:46:42.960 --> 00:46:44.920 And so show your glory. 00:46:45.760 --> 00:46:46.500 Let's pray. 00:46:46.500 --> 00:46:46.599 Amen. 00:46:46.599 --> 00:46:46.660 Amen. 00:46:46.660 --> 00:46:46.720 Amen. 00:46:52.860 --> 00:46:54.920 Lord we thank you this morning. 00:46:55.220 --> 00:46:55.940 For this warning. 00:46:56.519 --> 00:46:57.579 And Lord we are sobered. 00:46:58.059 --> 00:47:00.440 Holy Spirit I pray that you would help us. 00:47:01.240 --> 00:47:03.940 Lord see the foolish ways that we have chosen. 00:47:04.579 --> 00:47:05.680 And the ways that we walk. 00:47:08.059 --> 00:47:09.599 In them even now. 00:47:10.840 --> 00:47:12.599 Lord we pray for your Holy Spirit. 00:47:12.720 --> 00:47:13.579 To open our eyes. 00:47:13.700 --> 00:47:14.700 To see the end. 00:47:15.760 --> 00:47:17.340 Lord to see the false promises. 00:47:17.340 --> 00:47:18.240 And to see. 00:47:18.960 --> 00:47:20.440 Lord the foolishness. 00:47:20.539 --> 00:47:21.940 And the destruction that comes. 00:47:21.940 --> 00:47:23.360 From walking in these ways. 00:47:24.139 --> 00:47:26.019 Lord we pray that you will bring us. 00:47:26.960 --> 00:47:27.960 Conviction of sin. 00:47:28.119 --> 00:47:30.119 And Lord repentance. 00:47:31.420 --> 00:47:33.460 Lord we pray that you would remind us. 00:47:33.539 --> 00:47:34.340 That Christ died. 00:47:35.380 --> 00:47:36.599 Lord for our sins. 00:47:36.820 --> 00:47:38.019 For our foolishness. 00:47:38.940 --> 00:47:39.920 And Lord in that. 00:47:40.019 --> 00:47:41.240 That we might have courage. 00:47:41.280 --> 00:47:41.920 And strength. 00:47:42.579 --> 00:47:44.059 Lord to turn from them. 00:47:44.119 --> 00:47:45.460 And to turn to you. 00:47:46.159 --> 00:47:47.280 To turn to you. 00:47:47.380 --> 00:47:48.420 The found of all wisdom. 00:47:48.579 --> 00:47:49.619 To turn to you. 00:47:49.700 --> 00:47:50.860 The source of our life. 00:47:52.539 --> 00:47:54.500 And Lord to walk in the way of wisdom. 00:47:56.320 --> 00:47:58.019 To walk in the way of your kingdom. 00:47:58.200 --> 00:47:59.559 To walk in the way of Christ. 00:48:05.720 --> 00:48:06.840 Lord thank you that. 00:48:07.519 --> 00:48:09.039 Though this is a great warning. 00:48:09.260 --> 00:48:10.960 Lord there is a great promise as well. 00:48:11.179 --> 00:48:12.300 That there is another way. 00:48:12.860 --> 00:48:13.579 And that in it. 00:48:13.679 --> 00:48:15.220 It will lead to life everlasting. 00:48:15.219 --> 00:48:16.500 It will lead to life everlasting. 00:48:17.519 --> 00:48:19.339 We pray these things in Jesus name. 00:48:20.039 --> 00:48:20.319 Amen. 00:48:20.319 --> 00:48:20.439 Amen. 00:48:20.440 --> 00:48:50.420 Thank you.