WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.360 We can turn back to our reading in the book of Proverbs, chapter 9. 00:00:05.620 --> 00:00:11.060 ! We're looking at this whole chapter together this morning, but we read again at verse 10. 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:20.920 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:25.260 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:36.100 Well, as I was saying with the young ones, we're looking at this passage today in the light of the choices that are put before us in the Word of God. 00:00:36.660 --> 00:00:40.040 And we look at life and what it means to us. 00:00:40.179 --> 00:00:42.079 We ask the question, what is life? 00:00:42.680 --> 00:00:48.600 That's a big question for us to think about, but I'm sure it's something we consider from time to time, 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:54.240 although most of the time we maybe just live our lives, just keep going, trying to get used to things, 00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:58.800 trying to understand different things in life and maybe not finding answers. 00:00:59.500 --> 00:01:04.260 Or maybe we look at life about just getting through and pushing on, keeping going. 00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:09.120 There's so many different experiences that we have to go through in life. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:13.920 But is there a purpose in it all, and what is the purpose in it all? 00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:22.040 Well, as we're looking for answers to these big questions, God's Word reminds us where these answers are found. 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:25.320 That there's more to life than just pushing on. 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:29.740 There's more to life than just trying to find our way through it. 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:38.219 But the answers are found in the fact if we are listening to what the Word of God says or not. 00:01:38.219 --> 00:01:44.140 And that's what's quite clear to us in this chapter that we are looking at together, chapter 9. 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:49.239 But the book of Proverbs as a whole, it covers many aspects of life. 00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:53.840 It's Proverbs, it's wise sayings about how we are to live, 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:58.359 and it speaks to us about many different aspects of life. 00:01:58.460 --> 00:02:06.159 But so often it comes down, boils down to two matters, being wise or being foolish. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:12.039 And again, that's what we see in this chapter, the way of wisdom or the way of folly. 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:18.759 And as we read in chapter 4, the summary of the book of Proverbs is get wisdom. 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:22.060 Get wisdom because this is what you need. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:28.340 This is what's the most important thing that you can find in your life, to get wisdom. 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:33.860 Because life as we so often see it, we see it often as a journey that we're on. 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:40.920 Where we live our life day by day, week by week, month by month, even year by year. 00:02:40.980 --> 00:02:45.180 And we look back over our years and we see the journey that we've been on. 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:49.360 And we look ahead, maybe thinking we know the journey that we are to go on as well. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:53.340 Where we are going, what's ahead of us, what we're going to do. 00:02:53.340 --> 00:03:00.159 And so as we reflect on our lives, we see the different twists and turns there's been along the way. 00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:03.580 The different joys and sorrows that we've experienced. 00:03:03.980 --> 00:03:08.360 The different turning points maybe in our life where things have come our way. 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:11.080 That we've changed things in our life. 00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:16.300 But there's often times in our lives when we come to a point and it's just like a T-junction. 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:24.280 Just as you have when you're maybe out driving, you come to the end of one road and you come to a T-junction and there's a choice. 00:03:25.160 --> 00:03:29.260 Do you go to the left or do you go to the right? 00:03:29.420 --> 00:03:34.840 How do you decide which way you go when you've got these two choices before you? 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:42.280 Well, you have to have some kind of understanding of the way that you are going, the direction you want to go in. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:47.259 And that's what we have this morning as we look at this passage. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:51.000 We've all come to this point in our life today. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:57.500 We can all look back in our lives to this point and see the different way our lives have gone. 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:01.340 We can look back and reflect on it in many different ways. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:06.500 Whether it's just personally, as families, as a congregation, communities. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:12.199 Whatever way we're looking at, we can look upon our lives in the different ways, different turnings that we've come along. 00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:18.839 But we come to a point every time we're under the Word of God where the Word of God asks us, 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:21.759 which direction will you go? 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:24.279 Who will you listen to? 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:29.079 These are the key questions that we have put before us. 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:31.759 And we have it put before us here today. 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:34.199 It's like we're coming to a T-junction. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:37.659 And this chapter is putting the choice before us. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:40.259 Two different directions are there for us. 00:04:40.339 --> 00:04:43.980 The way of wisdom or the way of folly. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:46.839 Which way will you go? 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:51.579 There are those who say the Bible is not relevant today. 00:04:52.839 --> 00:04:54.180 But have they read it? 00:04:55.159 --> 00:04:57.879 Or if you're saying the Bible is not important to me today, 00:04:58.259 --> 00:04:59.279 have you read it? 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:04.959 Have you taken up your Bible recently and started to read it in a meaningful way? 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:07.739 In a way that you're seeking understanding? 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:10.979 Many people have taken up the Bible in their lives, 00:05:11.419 --> 00:05:15.859 seeking a way to find fault with it, to criticize it, to dismiss it. 00:05:16.219 --> 00:05:21.419 But as they've read it, they've found there's understanding, there's wisdom, there's truth. 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:26.959 And so when was the last time you lifted your Bible up and looked into it in that way of 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:31.339 maybe prayerfully just saying, Lord, show me the way to go. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:33.759 Teach me your wisdom. 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:39.000 Help me to understand the way my life should go. 00:05:39.060 --> 00:05:42.079 Because God speaks through his word. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:47.120 And that's through whether you're seeking today or whether you're a believer over many years today. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:50.060 We're constantly looking at the word of God. 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:54.379 And we need to come to it with that idea of get wisdom. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:59.759 Give me wisdom to live my life for you in this world. 00:06:00.280 --> 00:06:04.060 And Proverbs 9 breaks this down for us. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:07.660 And somebody described it as life in a nutshell. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:13.459 Looking at these two ways, the way of wisdom and the way of folly. 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:16.060 Life in a nutshell. 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:20.060 Because here we are presented with many contrasts. 00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:22.480 The way that we are living. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.860 We are living one way or we are living another. 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:32.340 And it's asking ourselves, am I listening to God or am I listening to the world? 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:34.899 Am I coming to God? 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:36.420 Am I on the right path? 00:06:36.759 --> 00:06:38.399 Have I made the right choice? 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:43.220 Or do I need to reflect and turn back in a different direction? 00:06:43.220 --> 00:06:49.200 And so the way of wisdom and the way of folly is put before us here. 00:06:49.280 --> 00:06:53.680 But we're going to look at it under four different contrasts that we see. 00:06:54.540 --> 00:06:59.520 We see here, first of all, two calls that go out. 00:07:00.320 --> 00:07:02.020 Then we see two choices. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.220 Then we see two contrasts. 00:07:05.980 --> 00:07:08.660 And then we see two consequences. 00:07:08.660 --> 00:07:14.939 And they're all related to the way of wisdom and the way of folly. 00:07:15.620 --> 00:07:20.220 So the first thing we see here is that there are two calls in life. 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:25.220 Life is full of things that call for our attention. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:28.700 Things that are clamoring for our attention. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:30.840 They're there all the time before us. 00:07:31.400 --> 00:07:35.120 How often does your phone ping in a day and you find yourself, 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:36.720 you've got to lift it up and look at it. 00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:38.920 It's claiming your attention. 00:07:39.400 --> 00:07:40.480 It's calling to you. 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:43.440 How often do you check your emails? 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:46.960 Because again, there's someone who wants your attention, 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.460 who wants you to hear something. 00:07:50.340 --> 00:07:54.120 How often do you hear or read some piece of advice? 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:59.000 Again, there's just so many things clamoring for our attention, 00:07:59.260 --> 00:08:01.120 calling for our attention. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:06.500 But the most important calls that we are hearing in life 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:11.500 are the calls that we find in the Word of God and God speaking to us. 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:15.939 And here we find these two calls before us, 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:20.840 the call of wisdom and the call of folly. 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:23.780 And they're presented to us here. 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:27.800 In verse 1, we find the call of wisdom. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:29.879 Wisdom has built her house. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.960 She has hewn seven pillars. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:33.860 She has slaughtered her beast. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:35.120 She has mixed her wine. 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:36.580 She has set her table. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:39.820 And she has sent out her young woman to call 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:42.279 from the highest places in the town. 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:44.620 So wisdom is calling. 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:48.560 But you find also that the way of folly is calling. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:51.639 The woman, folly in verse 13, is loud. 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:52.820 She is seductive. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:54.180 She knows nothing. 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:55.879 She sits at the door of her house. 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:59.120 She takes her seat in the highest places of the town, 00:08:59.579 --> 00:09:02.139 calling to those who pass by. 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:06.519 So there's these two calls going on in life, 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:10.559 the call of wisdom and the call of folly. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:13.279 But you notice the difference with them. 00:09:14.319 --> 00:09:16.639 Wisdom has built her house. 00:09:17.239 --> 00:09:18.319 Seven pillars. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.500 She has made a feast. 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:20.759 She has mixed wine. 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:22.419 She has set her table. 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:25.299 She has sent her young woman out to call 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:27.319 from the highest places of the town. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:29.979 It's like wisdom is calling from above. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:32.879 But if you look at folly, 00:09:33.579 --> 00:09:36.919 she is calling, as it were, on the streets. 00:09:37.839 --> 00:09:41.219 In verse 15, calling those who pass by 00:09:41.219 --> 00:09:43.959 who are going straight on their way. 00:09:44.339 --> 00:09:46.620 Those who are just living day by day 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:53.419 where life is just this motion of just ongoing sameness in each day. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:57.139 We're just living, trying to find our way, pressing on. 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:01.500 But wisdom is, as it were, calling for a different direction. 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:06.799 Calling us to lift us out of that just normal day-by-day routine, 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:08.799 to lift our eyes higher, 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:10.960 to lift our eyes up, 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:14.360 the highest places in the town. 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:19.700 Wisdom is calling and folly is calling. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:23.780 And it's like wisdom takes effort. 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:27.500 Because we can easily just stay in the way of folly. 00:10:28.040 --> 00:10:31.139 Just keep listening to the words of this world. 00:10:31.800 --> 00:10:32.980 Just keep going as you are. 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:34.019 Just do your own thing. 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:35.220 Just be yourself. 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:37.940 Just keep going on as you are. 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:42.720 But wisdom calls us away from that. 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:45.019 Apart from that. 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:48.420 Wisdom, as we see in verse 10, 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:52.180 the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:54.360 So it speaks of a change. 00:10:55.540 --> 00:10:58.240 And when we realize the fear of the Lord, 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:00.620 that's a right reverence towards God, 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:03.120 a right worship towards God. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:06.220 When instead of just worshiping the things of this world, 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:07.379 we see they're empty. 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:10.379 But the call of wisdom is different. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:14.340 It calls us in a different direction. 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:19.480 And you notice these calls go out to all. 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:23.659 The call of foolishness goes out where we are. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.600 Those who are on the straight way. 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.639 Those who are just keeping going. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:30.740 But the call of wisdom is also going out. 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:36.399 She has sent her young woman to call from the highest places in the town. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:40.440 So there's this call that goes out to all as well. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:45.519 But it boils down to who are we listening to? 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:49.240 Who is catching our attention? 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:52.860 And Jesus taught us about wisdom. 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:58.200 In the parable of the wise man who built his house upon the rock 00:11:58.200 --> 00:12:00.680 and the fool who built his house upon the sand. 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:06.800 These ways, the way of folly and the way of wisdom are very similar to us. 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.580 They're asking us, 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:12.800 are you building on the rock or are you building on the sand? 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:17.560 There's two calls that go out to you today. 00:12:17.559 --> 00:12:22.479 As you're living your life, there's the call to just carry on as you are. 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:23.779 No thought of God. 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:30.059 Or the call to lift your eyes up and listen to God who is speaking. 00:12:30.179 --> 00:12:32.059 So there's these two calls. 00:12:33.239 --> 00:12:36.359 But because of these two calls, we see secondly then, 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:38.159 there are two choices. 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:40.459 Two choices. 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:45.060 Eating is a big part of our day-to-day lives. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.580 We do it every day. 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:51.560 Whether it's eating in or dining out, we need to eat. 00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:56.720 But we've become used to having a selection of meals. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:01.300 Whether it's a selection of starters, mains or puddings. 00:13:02.040 --> 00:13:04.280 Whether if you're going out, you're looking at a menu, 00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:06.160 trying to decide what you'll have. 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:10.340 But that's not the kind of choices that we have here. 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:12.639 It's not a menu where you look and say, 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:14.080 well, I'll have this and I'll have that, 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:15.660 but I'll leave that and I'll leave this. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.759 It's not a huge choice. 00:13:18.660 --> 00:13:22.139 Because the choices we have here are more like the old-fashioned choice 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:23.240 when it came to dinner. 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:27.540 Eat what's on your plate or you don't eat at all. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.240 It's simple. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:33.540 Eat what you have in front of you or don't eat at all. 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:36.759 And that's the kind of choice that we have here. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:40.100 It's not a choice from a large menu. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:43.340 It's a choice between the two ways. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:48.600 And again, Jesus taught this in his Sermon on the Mount. 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:53.639 In Matthew 7, verse 13, he spoke about two ways. 00:13:53.639 --> 00:14:13.080 And so we have that very choice put before us here, 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:15.720 the way of wisdom and the way of folly. 00:14:16.660 --> 00:14:19.759 The broad way or the narrow way. 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:23.500 One is grounded on human understanding. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:27.960 We're just told to carry on on our way. 00:14:28.520 --> 00:14:30.480 In verse 16, the way of folly, 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:33.200 whoever is simple, let him turn in here. 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:35.860 And to him who lacks sense, she says, 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:41.120 stolen water is sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:45.500 The broad way is just to keep going as you are. 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:49.379 But the narrow way is so different. 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:52.539 It's grounded in a heavenly understanding. 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:56.419 As she has sent out her young woman to call in verse 3, 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:59.320 from the highest places, it says in verse 4, 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:01.940 whoever is simple, let him turn in here. 00:15:01.940 --> 00:15:04.380 To him who lacks sense, she says, 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:09.000 come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 00:15:10.260 --> 00:15:14.280 So it's the same call to all but very different outcomes. 00:15:14.420 --> 00:15:19.100 The choice is bread, stolen water is sweet, 00:15:19.880 --> 00:15:22.200 or to turn to wisdom and come, 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:24.980 eat of my bread and drink of my wine. 00:15:26.640 --> 00:15:29.200 It's like we go back to the Garden of Eden. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:33.759 And there Satan gave that temptation to Eve. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:35.520 What did God say? 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:38.420 Not to touch, not to eat that fruit. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:42.100 Well, it's that same kind of idea. 00:15:42.280 --> 00:15:43.840 Stolen water is sweet. 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:45.860 The devil said that fruit is sweet. 00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:46.720 It's good for you. 00:15:46.780 --> 00:15:49.920 You will have the knowledge that you are seeking after. 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:53.700 But it was just a temptation that was put in, 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:57.420 that was brought death into this world. 00:15:57.419 --> 00:16:01.620 But there's the way of life, the choice of life, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:05.459 to turn to the way of wisdom 00:16:05.459 --> 00:16:10.179 and to come to that understanding of the life that God gives 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:12.459 through the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:16.639 The wise person comes to understand 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:20.199 that at the end of our days, God will judge. 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:24.440 It's not about nothing at the end of it, 00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:28.259 but a day of judgment at the end of it. 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:33.660 And our eternal destiny rests upon the choice we make in this life, 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:36.360 whether it's the broad road that we keep going on 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:39.360 or the narrow way that leads to life, 00:16:40.140 --> 00:16:42.780 the life that is found in Jesus Christ. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:45.360 So which way are you on today? 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:47.559 Are you on the broad road? 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:50.720 Are you at that T-junction where there's that choice, 00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:51.860 which way to go? 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:55.659 Or are you on the narrow way that leads to life? 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:59.159 The choice is put before us. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.500 You stand at this junction. 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:04.619 Will you carry on and turn in the way of foolishness 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:07.399 or turn to the way of wisdom 00:17:07.399 --> 00:17:09.799 and there find life? 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:13.259 Where will you spend eternity? 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:15.819 That's always the challenging question. 00:17:16.679 --> 00:17:18.939 And it comes down to the choice that we make. 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:21.299 Will we go away from Christ 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:24.139 or will we turn to him? 00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:28.619 Then the third thing that we see here 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:31.199 is that in light of these two choices, 00:17:31.459 --> 00:17:33.139 there are two contrasts 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:36.200 there are those who are teachable 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:39.380 and those who are unteachable. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:43.600 We see this in verse 7. 00:17:44.860 --> 00:17:48.420 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:51.200 and he who reproves a wicked man 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:53.200 incurs injury. 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:56.240 Do not reprove a scoffer or he will hate you. 00:17:56.840 --> 00:18:00.140 Reprove a wise man and he will love you. 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:02.140 Give instruction to a wise man 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:03.680 and he will be still wiser. 00:18:04.520 --> 00:18:05.600 Teach a righteous man 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:07.800 and he will increase in learning. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:10.000 You see there there's the contrasts. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:13.540 As we hear the word of God, 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:15.360 what effect does it have on you? 00:18:16.620 --> 00:18:18.500 Are you scoffing at it? 00:18:18.560 --> 00:18:21.060 Are you abused towards the person 00:18:21.060 --> 00:18:21.860 who is giving to you? 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:23.860 I want nothing to do with that. 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:27.700 Or are you seeing that it speaks of wisdom? 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:31.380 Are you seeing that it speaks to us 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:33.840 of a way to life? 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.559 There are contrasts. 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:41.420 Are you stubborn when it comes to these things? 00:18:42.340 --> 00:18:44.440 How often have you heard it? 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:47.700 How often has someone spoken to you about it 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:49.019 and you've just turned them away, 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:50.660 pushed them away? 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:53.279 Or perhaps maybe today you're finding 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:55.940 your heart just starting to melt that little bit. 00:18:56.580 --> 00:19:00.320 The word of God is starting to speak to you. 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.620 Maybe it's making you afraid. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.300 Maybe you're afraid of that today. 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:06.779 You don't know just what it will entail, 00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:09.900 what it will mean for you. 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:13.860 But when you see the two contrasts here, 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:16.560 those who are unteachable, 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:19.060 they just push it away. 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:21.280 They just give abuse. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:23.100 They do not want to hear. 00:19:24.580 --> 00:19:27.140 But those who God starts speaking to you, 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.780 you become teachable. 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:32.140 The word of God starts to melt your heart. 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:34.560 And you start to get wisdom. 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.759 You find righteousness. 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:39.600 You will increase in learning all of these things. 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:41.380 That are outlined here. 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:44.160 And they come from the fear of the Lord. 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:50.440 But is your heart today teachable or unteachable? 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:53.500 Again, you stand at that junction and you say, 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:55.700 well, which voice am I going to listen to? 00:19:55.780 --> 00:19:57.160 Which way am I going to turn? 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:59.240 Am I going to listen to my own wisdom? 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:01.200 My own understanding? 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:05.060 Or am I going to listen to what God is saying? 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:11.019 We are surrounded by people like this. 00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:13.259 We are all people like this. 00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:17.480 We are either teachable or unteachable. 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:23.400 We all go through life with that sense of learning. 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:26.440 But perhaps from a very young age, 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:29.740 within us is a sense of making excuses. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:34.620 Making excuses so that as we are hearing all of these things, 00:20:35.040 --> 00:20:37.740 we will make our excuses as we are going on. 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:43.380 We have our common excuses when we forget to do things, 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:45.340 when we did not do what we were meant to. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.599 We can just say, well, I forgot. 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:51.199 We can say, well, no one told me to do it. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:54.579 We could say, I didn't think it was that important. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:58.000 I didn't know there was a hurry for it. 00:20:58.919 --> 00:21:00.740 Or even just fob it off to somebody else. 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.779 It's not my job. 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:05.559 And that's the kind of excuses that we can make 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:08.519 when it comes to the things of God as well. 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.439 I forgot. 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.759 In other words, I wasn't paying attention. 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.539 I didn't listen. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:15.579 No one told me. 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:18.539 Well, if you're sitting under the word of God, 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.940 you cannot use that excuse 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:23.500 because you are being told every time you are under it. 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:26.099 I didn't think it was important. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.940 Well, of course it's important. 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:31.759 It's the way of life or the way of death 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.299 that we're speaking about here. 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.019 It's important. 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:36.559 I didn't know there was a hurry for it. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:39.539 Well, of course there's an urgency about it 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:42.240 because we do not know what a day or an hour will bring. 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.519 Or maybe you could say, 00:21:44.619 --> 00:21:46.000 well, that's for somebody else. 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.420 It's not my job. 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:52.059 Well, we all have a personal responsibility in this 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:55.240 to listen to the word of God. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:59.579 Because have you listened to these two contrasts, 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.460 teachable or unteachable? 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:06.380 Have you listened to the two choices or the two calls, 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:09.600 the way of folly or the way of wisdom? 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:13.360 Because one day you have to give an account. 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:17.120 And you have to give an account before the Lord. 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:21.360 And what excuse will work for you then? 00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:24.819 Do you have your excuse prepared? 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.539 I forgot. 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:30.000 I didn't think it was important. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:33.379 All of these excuses will be meaningless. 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:38.659 It's about hearing the choices put before you today 00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:41.619 and choosing the way of wisdom. 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.799 Get wisdom. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:48.000 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of that wisdom. 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:49.220 A right reverence. 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.879 A right worship of him. 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:55.220 Because the final thing you see here is 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:58.800 there are two consequences in life. 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:01.380 The way that you listen, 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:03.180 the choice that you make, 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:06.580 all of these things have consequences. 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:10.380 And the consequences are outlined for us here 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:13.080 in the way of folly and the way of wisdom. 00:23:13.800 --> 00:23:18.280 Because with one, you attend a funeral. 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:22.980 But with the other, you attend a feast. 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:26.259 And when you look at the way of folly 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.740 and the way it ends, 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:30.720 it ends in a funeral. 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:35.579 He does not know that the dead are there, 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:39.299 that her guests are in the depths of Shoal. 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:43.379 The way of folly is the way of death, 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.759 eternal death. 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:47.879 That's what's made clear for us there. 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:52.359 There is consequences to going on the broad road. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:54.599 It leads to destruction. 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:57.879 And that's what's highlighted for us here. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:02.259 Stolen water is sweet and bread eaten and secret is pleasant. 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:06.440 But he does not know that the dead are there 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:10.140 and that her guests are in the depths of Shoal. 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:14.700 Similar to the parable of the rich fool 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:16.839 in Luke's Gospel, chapter 12. 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.259 I will say to my soul, 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:22.359 Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years. 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:24.519 Relax, eat, drink, and be merry. 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.779 But God said to him, 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:30.839 Fool, this night your soul is required of you 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:33.000 and the things you have prepared, 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.740 whose will they be? 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:38.899 The way of folly has consequences, 00:24:39.659 --> 00:24:41.579 clear consequences. 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.919 And so come back to the choice. 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.519 Do you choose that way? 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:50.579 Or will you choose the way of wisdom? 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:53.559 And when you choose the way of wisdom, 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:56.839 you find that there's a very different end. 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.639 It's a feast. 00:24:58.640 --> 00:25:07.460 When you look at it there in verse 2, 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:09.780 it's a feast prepared. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.300 She has slaughtered her beasts. 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.720 She has mixed her wine. 00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:15.980 And she has also set her table. 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.900 And then in verse 5, 00:25:19.020 --> 00:25:21.120 Come, eat of my bread 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:24.120 and drink of the wine I have mixed. 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:26.799 Leave your simple ways 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:31.559 and live and walk in the way of insight. 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:34.500 That is the way of life. 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:38.799 And it's a feast that is prepared for those 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:40.639 who will go in that way. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:42.519 The way of wisdom. 00:25:42.939 --> 00:25:45.839 Find this way and live. 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:49.299 And we cannot even imagine 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:51.819 what the Lord has prepared for us. 00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:54.879 In 1 Corinthians 2 verse 9 says, 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:56.559 What no eye has seen, 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.480 nor ear heard, 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:59.099 nor the heart of man imagined, 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.799 what God has prepared for those 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:03.139 who love him. 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:04.819 And so, 00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:06.659 there is a way prepared 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:08.339 for his people. 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:11.199 A way where we find ourselves 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:13.319 partaking in a feast. 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.840 A way that Jesus said, 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.759 even as he was going to the cross 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:19.160 in John 14 verse 1 to 3, 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:21.259 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.279 Believe in God. 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.779 Believe also in me. 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:25.580 In my Father's house 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:26.660 are many rooms. 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.279 If it were not so, 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.140 would I have told you 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:31.160 I go to prepare a place for you. 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:34.319 And he will come again. 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.259 He will come again 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:38.580 to take us to that place. 00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:40.500 To all who believe in him, 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:42.380 that is the way of life, 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.359 the way to a feast. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.839 And so that is the choice 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:49.440 that we have put before us today. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.440 The way of wisdom 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:53.359 or the way of folly. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:56.539 The two calls go out. 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:59.079 The two choices 00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:01.099 are put before us. 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:02.819 The two contrasts 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.819 are there for us 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:05.279 and the two consequences. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:08.460 What we do with the call 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:11.039 leads to what we find 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:13.620 are the consequences for us. 00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:15.819 And so may we hear 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:17.940 the call of wisdom. 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:20.860 May we find wisdom. 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:23.480 May we fear the Lord, 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.700 which is the beginning of wisdom. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:28.180 And that is to give reverence 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:30.480 and honour and glory to him. 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:33.200 And find life in him 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.120 through his son, 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:36.220 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:39.339 The consequences are serious. 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:42.039 And so heed the call, 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.500 the call to wisdom. 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.940 Let us pray. 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:51.299 Lord, our gracious God, 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:52.240 we thank you that 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.860 your word is truth, 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:56.360 that your word reminds us 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:58.580 of the two ways before us, 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:00.259 the way of folly 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.340 and the way of wisdom. 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:03.019 The broad road 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:04.340 that leads to destruction 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:06.100 or the narrow path 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:07.840 that leads to eternal life. 00:28:08.580 --> 00:28:10.100 And as these choices, 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.360 as these calls 00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:12.940 and the consequences 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:14.559 are before us this day, 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:17.059 Lord, may your spirit help us 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.559 to call to you 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.679 to find wisdom, 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:21.599 to find that way, 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:22.980 to find the way 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.220 that leads to life 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:25.799 and life eternal 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:27.319 for how we need it, 00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:27.819 O Lord. 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.859 And help us to turn away 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:31.359 from the foolishness 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.259 of this world 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:34.700 and to look to our saviour, 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.299 our redeemer, 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.659 who is the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.799 As we ask it for his sake. 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:40.659 Amen. 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.700 We're going to conclude 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:48.539 by singing to God's praise 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.619 in Psalm 19, 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:52.200 the Scottish Psalter version. 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:59.599 Psalm 19, page 223. 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:05.459 We're going to sing 00:29:05.459 --> 00:29:07.179 from verse 7 to 9, 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.079 the tune is Moravia. 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:11.019 God's law is perfect 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.899 and converts 00:29:11.899 --> 00:29:13.000 the soul in sin 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.679 that lies. 00:29:14.219 --> 00:29:14.980 God's testimony 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.899 is most sure 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:17.599 and makes the simple wise. 00:29:17.699 --> 00:29:18.139 We'll sing 00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:19.939 from verse 7 to 9 00:29:19.939 --> 00:29:21.099 to God's praise. 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:28.839 God's law is perfect 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:31.779 and comfort 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:36.059 the soul in sin 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:38.619 that lies. 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:42.619 God's testimony 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:46.619 is most sure 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:53.079 and makes the simple wise. 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:55.259 God's law is perfect 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:57.079 and the statutes 00:29:57.079 --> 00:30:01.679 of the Lord our right 00:30:01.679 --> 00:30:08.399 and who rejoiced the heart. 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:11.759 The Lord's home 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:14.680 and risk you 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:16.579 and that 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:19.660 right to me 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:21.619 I'd sing 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:23.140 and heart 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:26.039 and for 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:28.220 it is 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.180 well 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.980 ye 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.940 of God 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:33.279 and 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:35.220 not end 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:36.140 you 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:37.819 forever 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:40.139 the 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:41.200 church 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.200 next 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.139 of 00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:44.200 the 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.200 Lord 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:46.259 are 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:46.919 true 00:30:46.919 --> 00:30:48.259 and 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.480 righteous 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:51.359 all 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:53.079 together 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:56.439 after the benediction 00:30:56.439 --> 00:30:57.619 I'll go to the main door 00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.879 we'll close with the benediction. 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.700 Now may grace, 00:31:00.919 --> 00:31:01.879 mercy and peace 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.659 from God, 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.279 Father, 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.700 Son and Holy Spirit 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.879 rest upon 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:07.259 and abide with you all 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.400 now and forevermore. 00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:09.339 Amen. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.259 of 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:37.700 God. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:37.700 00:31:37.700 --> 00:32:07.680 Thank you.