WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:05.500 Let's pray. I want to ask God's help for our time around the Word tonight. 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:16.600 Lord God, I pray for your help for myself, for my words. 00:00:17.780 --> 00:00:25.060 Lord, that the preparation that has been put into this passage would be helpful to me and your people. 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:29.019 May it point to your holiness and your greatness. 00:00:29.019 --> 00:00:32.019 May it help us see more of you tonight. 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:36.780 Help us to be encouraged and to be sharpened by your Word, Lord, I pray. 00:00:38.379 --> 00:00:41.140 Help us to be attentive and to listen. 00:00:42.119 --> 00:00:48.299 And Lord, may you be glorified in our time tonight, we ask in your precious name. Amen. 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:48.379 Amen. 00:00:54.119 --> 00:01:04.640 Our thought or the sentence title that I want to put over our passage tonight is this. 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:12.840 Righteous living before God results in the right life. 00:01:14.460 --> 00:01:19.400 That is, righteous living before God results in the right life. 00:01:19.939 --> 00:01:25.719 I'm going to say that a few times as we go through the passage to help connect back to that. 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:33.200 But before we start, I just want to point out a couple things so that we don't get the wrong idea about what's being said. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:38.620 When I say righteous living, I'm not talking about perfection living. 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:43.579 Righteous living isn't accomplished in our strength alone. 00:01:43.579 --> 00:01:50.459 True righteousness is from God, so we need His help as we are responsible for working that out. 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:56.679 So we set aside our sinful desires and we seek after what God wants, 00:01:57.219 --> 00:02:01.459 knowing that we won't be completely righteous until we get to heaven. 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:05.060 That doesn't take away our responsibility to work towards that. 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:11.800 Righteous living before God results in the right life. 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:16.759 And when I say right life, I mean our correct life. 00:02:17.140 --> 00:02:22.980 The life, while it may not be easy, it's the right life that God desires for us. 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:27.620 The best life we can have before God when we're living for Him. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:36.960 You might be saying, well, I can't have my right life now because I've messed it up. 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:40.060 I've made some bad decisions. 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:44.439 And so I just don't think it's possible. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:47.980 And to you, I would say that we are all sinners. 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:53.020 And we continue to sin, but that doesn't mean that we give up. 00:02:53.020 --> 00:03:01.280 It's not too late for anyone to get serious about their righteousness, their life of righteousness. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:08.880 Your best life, your right life that God has for you comes from living righteously for Him starting right now. 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:13.900 So whether you've been living righteously or you haven't been, 00:03:14.620 --> 00:03:17.400 there's an opportunity for us to live righteously for God now. 00:03:17.400 --> 00:03:22.400 I have a story to tell. 00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:23.580 It's kind of personal. 00:03:23.920 --> 00:03:25.740 It popped up just this week. 00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:31.420 I didn't have one for this message, but God put it in front of me and it was pretty cool. 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:33.540 So we have this fan at our house. 00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:37.740 We only have air conditioning in a couple of rooms, so we use fans often. 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:39.560 We have this round fan. 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:41.580 It's about this big and it sits on the ground. 00:03:41.860 --> 00:03:44.120 And, you know, we move it around to where we want it. 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:49.039 And so in the mornings when I have my personal time, if it gets hot, I set it beside me. 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:50.780 I turn it on and I feel it. 00:03:50.920 --> 00:03:55.500 But it's difficult to get air out of it, or it has been. 00:03:56.039 --> 00:04:00.920 You kind of have to put it at the right angle and turn it on high and get close to it, 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:02.680 and you might feel some air out of it. 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:05.980 And it has been a little aggravating for me. 00:04:07.240 --> 00:04:09.840 So I'm looking at the front of it. 00:04:09.980 --> 00:04:11.259 Everything seems fine. 00:04:11.259 --> 00:04:13.019 The motor spins. 00:04:14.099 --> 00:04:16.879 It's a fan in all aspects of the word. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:22.120 And the other day I turned it around and I looked at the back side of it and saw that over years, 00:04:22.659 --> 00:04:27.099 I say years, we probably had it maybe three years, over three years of use, 00:04:27.599 --> 00:04:31.779 there's this buildup of dust that has built up. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:42.019 And so it has no ability to pull in clean and pure and refreshing air because of all the impurities that are holding it back. 00:04:42.979 --> 00:04:49.759 And so I took it apart yesterday and I got out an old toothbrush and the vacuum cleaner and I went to town on it. 00:04:50.299 --> 00:04:54.579 And it is now the right fan. 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:56.879 The fan that I bought it to be. 00:04:56.979 --> 00:04:59.779 It works how I desire it to work. 00:04:59.779 --> 00:05:01.279 It's the right fan. 00:05:01.359 --> 00:05:04.879 It's the best fan because it does what it's supposed to do. 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:20.059 So tonight as we're going to look at a few verses that hopefully will help us see that our right life comes as a result of our righteously living before God. 00:05:20.060 --> 00:05:25.899 So let's open up our passage, Proverbs chapter 16. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:35.379 We're going to be looking at the last three verses, verses 31, 32, and 33. 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:40.180 And then the first six verses of chapter 17. 00:05:40.180 --> 00:05:44.240 Verse 31. 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:40.180 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:45.019 Verse 31 says, 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:58.579 There are many signs of old age, some of which we may not be looking forward to. 00:06:58.579 --> 00:07:08.379 Hair changes, body changes, strength, health, maybe even mental issues change as we get older. 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:12.819 We know that gray hair, white hair is not the only sign of old age. 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:18.799 However, this verse is using gray hair as a picture to represent old age. 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:22.639 Instead of listing everything, it lists gray hair. 00:07:22.919 --> 00:07:24.699 It's an outward sign of age. 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:28.139 Proverbs 20, 29 says this. 00:07:28.659 --> 00:07:34.000 The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:42.699 The strength that it is talking about of young men is referring to all the aspects of their younger body, right? 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:49.399 Their strength, their endurance, their flexibility, resilience, their muscle tone and shape. 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:58.120 All those things that a young person takes pride in, they are concrete signs of youthfulness. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:03.060 So on the other end of that, right, there are signs of old age. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:05.699 Gray hair is one of those signs. 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:13.879 But for the person getting old, those signs are not meant to be a sign of weakness. 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:24.419 Those younger should not look at the older and disregard them, look down on them, or look for someone newer or stronger. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:30.099 Because throughout the Bible, what we see is age is honored and respected. 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:33.659 Leviticus 19, 32 says this. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:42.939 You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God, I am the Lord. 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.079 That's pretty strong. 00:08:44.719 --> 00:08:50.939 Several other verses that talk in the same way because we are commanded to honor and respect older men and women. 00:08:50.940 --> 00:09:04.120 So gray hair, other physical changes brought about by age are meant to be outward signs of true maturity. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:09.880 Like this verse says, the gray head should be a crown of glory. 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:18.520 Age should bring with it not only experience, but wisdom and righteousness and Christ-likeness. 00:09:18.519 --> 00:09:22.460 Those are godly characteristics that this verse is talking about. 00:09:25.419 --> 00:09:31.220 The second half of this verse says that it is gained in a righteous life. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:40.539 Now we know that not all older men and women are righteous, but there's a lot of people with gray or white hair or signs of aging. 00:09:41.439 --> 00:09:44.460 Solomon is not speaking towards the unrighteous here. 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:53.660 He's saying that for those with wisdom who have sought to live righteously, then they are outward signs of age. 00:09:53.780 --> 00:09:57.820 Like gray hair becoming a crown, something to be proud of. 00:09:57.920 --> 00:09:59.700 It's a sign of honor or achievement. 00:10:01.160 --> 00:10:06.700 But those signs are meaningless if the life doesn't back it up. 00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:20.000 If there's a life that was lived outside of God and for oneself, then that reminder of old age should be in a way a sign of shame. 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:24.580 A sign of wanting to live for oneself and not a crown of glory. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:27.620 A quick story I want to share. 00:10:28.420 --> 00:10:37.259 When I was in eighth grade, I was still going to a Christian school and living in South New Jersey. 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:40.900 Once a year they would have these science competitions. 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:49.020 Or not science competitions, but just education competitions for all the schools in the area. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:52.539 So South Jersey and maybe some of Maryland, some of Delaware. 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:59.360 Any Christian schools in that area would come together and they would have competitions for most of the subjects in school. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:03.519 So, you know, the spelling bees and the history competitions. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:05.259 And I like science. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:08.319 I was asked to do a science project, so I did it. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:15.439 And come to find out, I won first place in science competition. 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:17.879 And it was pretty cool. 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:18.819 I was happy about it. 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:21.340 I got a little ribbon that said first place. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:25.460 And that would normally be a crown of achievement. 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:27.160 Something to be happy in. 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:36.180 But in the back of my mind, I knew that while I did the project, like any typical eighth grader, things got pushed to the end. 00:11:36.260 --> 00:11:37.140 And things got rushed. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.860 And I didn't do the best that I could. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:45.780 The explanations or the instructions for my project weren't exactly the best. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:49.360 But I still got first place. 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.560 So I still got that ribbon. 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:57.639 Come to find out, I actually was the only eighth grader that submitted something to the competition. 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:00.919 So in my age group, I was the only one that was participating. 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:05.259 So I got first place regardless of what I did. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:10.719 But that really didn't affect me too much. 00:12:10.839 --> 00:12:16.360 It was just the fact that I had this ribbon that should be something more to be proud of. 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:22.120 But I wasn't because I didn't give it my best work. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:26.480 And gray hair in this verse is a symbol like that. 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:30.220 It should be a badge of honor for those who live righteously. 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:49.700 So for you, for those out there who may have gray hair or thinning hair, or if you do in the future, if your body slows down because of old age, 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:53.600 God hasn't given that to you as a curse. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:57.540 But rather, he wants it to be a sign for righteousness. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:12:59.580 So live for righteousness. 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:05.100 And let those signs be a crown that you rejoice in in your old age. 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:13.560 You might be thinking, I'm getting older and I already have some signs, but I'm not living a righteous life. 00:13:14.540 --> 00:13:18.899 Maybe you're listening to this message this morning and you don't even know God tonight. 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:35.399 I want to encourage you by saying that it's never too late because we have a good and loving and gracious God that is accepting and forgiving. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:37.559 It's not too late to accept Christ. 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:43.220 It's not too late to realize that your best life can start right now and continue on until your last day. 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:54.139 So if you don't know what that is like, if you don't know who Christ is and you want to know more about it, then I would please ask that you reach out to me, to Sean. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:57.220 If you're online, then email me. 00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:58.000 It's real easy. 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:59.940 It's matt at trinitycambridge.com. 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:07.180 I would hate for you not to reach out and take an opportunity to know more about Christ. 00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:11.360 Maybe you're thinking, you know what, I'm a young person. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:13.919 As I look around, there are a lot of young people in here tonight. 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:15.560 I'm a young person. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:17.019 I'm in the prime of my life. 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:19.440 And you're talking about old age and gray hair. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.379 What does that have to do with me? 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:30.820 It might not seem so right now, but your current way of living is shaping your future life. 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:33.700 That's what this verse is talking about. 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:41.379 We don't live how we want now, and then all of a sudden we switch on to righteousness right before we get old. 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:49.740 If you talk to any elderly person, most of the people you will talk to, if you ask them, when did you get old? 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:52.080 It's not a defining point. 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.440 It's not a certain number. 00:14:53.560 --> 00:14:54.500 It's a progression. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:15:03.700 Let's dig into the rest of these verses. 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.960 Verse 32 says, 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:11.720 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:17.200 There's planning and military power that is needed to capture a city. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:31.280 However, Solomon is saying it is of greater importance to your life now and for eternity for you to have and practice self-control. 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:44.800 We can look back into history and name examples of people who were strong and powerful and able to conquer and control and run their kingdoms. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:49.539 But they were failures when it came to controlling their emotions. 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:53.479 James 1, 19 and 20 says this, 00:15:54.559 --> 00:16:13.079 Righteous living is not possible when we are ruled by our anger or our emotions. 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:17.120 Or as this verse says, when we are in control of our spirit. 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:21.700 Next we come to verse 33. 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:23.840 It says, 00:16:24.280 --> 00:16:28.440 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. 00:16:30.020 --> 00:16:35.820 The casting of lots, as some of you will know, is similar to rolling dice or flipping a coin. 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:42.500 When someone doesn't know what to decide or to try to keep it fair, they will cast lots. 00:16:42.760 --> 00:16:44.580 Kind of like at the beginning of the Super Bowl. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.980 One of the teams needs to kick. 00:16:47.660 --> 00:16:48.540 Who should do it? 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:49.440 Let's flip a coin. 00:16:49.540 --> 00:16:50.360 And that's what they do. 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:53.820 Casting lots is not uncommon. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:56.660 And actually we find it several times in the Bible. 00:16:56.659 --> 00:17:01.339 Even to determine God's direction, we see that lots are cast. 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:13.740 After losing the battle of Ai, the Lord used lots, the casting of lots, to point out Achan being the person responsible for the army's defeat. 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:21.980 Land allotments for the tribes of Israel were determined by casting lots before the Lord. 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:31.380 And if we look at the New Testament, we also see that the apostles used lots to decide who would be the 12th disciple replacing Judas. 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:41.259 Now before we dig more into that verse, I just want to point out that I'm not saying that we should go home and cast lots to make decisions. 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:44.900 I don't think that as Christians we're called to do that anymore. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:49.000 The reason for that is for several reasons. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:54.400 One is we don't see a command in Scripture from Jesus saying we should cast lots. 00:17:54.500 --> 00:18:02.160 We don't see the casting of lots used as a way to determine God's leading in any of the rest of the New Testament. 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:11.539 After it was done in Acts 1, in Acts 2, the believers are given the Holy Spirit. 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.279 Right? 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:17.480 And it's from that point on in the New Testament that we see that people are making decisions, 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:24.519 listening to the Spirit and the leading of the Spirit and not casting lots to find out the outcome. 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:29.279 Alright, so let's jump back to verse 33. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:34.339 The point of the verses is not to tell us whether or not we should cast lots. 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:41.899 The point of it is to remind us that things that are seemingly random, like casting lots, 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:45.519 they're not random at all. 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:47.379 They're chosen and directed by God. 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:50.359 Matthew 10, 29 and 30 says, 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:56.319 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, and not one of them will fall to the ground from your father? 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:59.259 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:06.920 So small things, things that seem random, are directed by God. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:11.480 We live before a sovereign God who is always in control of all things, 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:13.140 whether we plan them or whether we don't. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:18.660 How does that fit into where we're going tonight? 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:22.720 As we strive to live righteously before God, 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:25.400 we realize that He is in control. 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:34.960 If we look at that verse again, it says that the lot is cast into the lap. 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:40.500 Another way to look at this verse could also be something that is laid in front of you, 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:43.800 something that you didn't choose or necessarily want. 00:19:45.300 --> 00:19:50.160 The phrase, that was His lot in life. 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:57.620 Kind of pick up that idea that a situation was placed in front of someone and they had to deal with it. 00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:03.060 Seemingly random, oftentimes that's how people word it, all of God. 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:11.680 So, as we strive to live righteously before God, we realize He's in control. 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:13.980 He knows what is right for us, 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:19.799 and the right life that He has for us might mean something that we don't want 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:21.559 or something we didn't ask for, 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.860 something we didn't plan for, 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:28.180 but it's from God and God knows what is best for us. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:32.680 Let's move into chapter 17. 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.220 The first verse says, 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:39.940 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:47.039 So, here in this verse, we have quiet being contrasted with strife. 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.320 Right? 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:52.640 So, quiet here is not referring to a level of sound, 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:55.320 but rather a state of peace. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:21:00.299 Strife is fighting and stressfulness, 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:05.860 whereas quiet is peace and contentment. 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:11.319 Proverbs 15, 17 helps us get a little bit full of picture of this. 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:11.799 It says, 00:21:12.479 --> 00:21:15.419 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is 00:21:15.419 --> 00:21:18.619 than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 00:21:19.979 --> 00:21:21.879 I don't know if anybody here has ever been 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:26.399 at a meal where there's been strife 00:21:26.399 --> 00:21:28.859 or discontention or arguing. 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:32.299 Cheryl and I had been to one when we were younger, 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:35.740 and there was an argument that broke out, 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:37.579 and the rest of the evening, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:40.079 even though we were in a very nice restaurant 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:41.159 and the food was good, 00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:42.819 it was not enjoyable 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:46.200 because the strife and the fighting that was there. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:49.359 I would rather have peanut butter and jelly 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:51.779 and have it in an enjoyable setting 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:54.399 than the steak with the fighting, 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:57.200 and that's what Solomon was talking about here. 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.259 Thank you. 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:06.159 So we want to work toward peace 00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:08.839 and away from strife in our house 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:12.019 or in our surrounding where we are. 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:16.559 And we've covered a lot of verses in Proverbs 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:18.279 that speak to this point. 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:19.460 So I just want to take a minute 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.839 to get a little practical 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:22.379 with pointing out some things 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:25.859 that pull us away from peace 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:27.919 and add to strife 00:22:27.919 --> 00:22:31.079 so that if these things are coming from us, 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.619 there are things that we can work on, 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:35.559 things that we can fight against 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:37.379 through the power of the Spirit. 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:40.379 Anger comes up a lot in Proverbs. 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:43.179 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife. 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:46.500 Quarrelsome or criticizing. 00:22:47.659 --> 00:22:50.099 Proverbs 21.19 says this, 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:53.500 It is better to live in a desert land 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:56.639 than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:59.279 Now, I will say that verse 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:01.000 was talking about marriage, 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:04.359 so I'm not saying that that is only about a woman. 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.440 There are plenty of verses 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:07.599 that talk about the quarrelsome, 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.879 anger nature of a man, 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.759 but it's pretty strong 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:13.399 when it's better to live in a desert 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:15.539 than to be with someone who's quarrelsome. 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.960 Bitterness is another area. 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:21.399 Being discontent or not satisfied 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.619 with what we have. 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:24.579 A scoffer. 00:23:25.459 --> 00:23:27.519 That is someone who thinks 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:30.679 that someone else's actions or ideas are stupid. 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:34.859 So there's a level of pride and arrogance in that. 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.639 And Proverbs 22.10 says, 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.099 Drive out a scoffer, 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:40.219 and strife will go out, 00:23:40.419 --> 00:23:43.019 and quarreling and abuse will cease. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:48.439 Foolishness in a child or in an adult 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.940 will ruin peace and bring strife. 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:53.100 Those are big ones. 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:53.759 There are more. 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:57.720 But those are areas that if they characterize us 00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:00.779 in the area of influence that we are in, 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:04.620 then we need to fight against those things. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:08.240 We need to move more towards love and peace 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:12.460 because that is how the life of a Christian 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.220 should be characterized. 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:19.000 Colossians 3.12 says this, 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:22.180 Put on then as God's chosen ones, 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.799 holy and beloved, 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.440 compassionate hearts, 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:27.940 kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.420 bearing with one another. 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:31.480 And if one has a complaint against another, 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.799 forgiving each other. 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.839 As the Lord has forgiven you, 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.579 so you also must forgive. 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:38.880 And above all these, put on love, 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:41.279 which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:44.519 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:47.059 to which indeed you are called in one body. 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:50.339 What is best for our life? 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:52.539 The Bible says that it's peace and love 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:56.000 that comes about through our righteous living. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:25:00.779 What else do we see that goes into righteous living? 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.700 Let's look at verse 2. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.660 A servant who deals wisely 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:07.019 will rule over a son who acts shamefully 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:10.119 and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:16.519 As we look at this verse, 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:19.379 there are a couple things that we can pick out of. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:23.879 First is we can assume that the family has some money, right? 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.879 They have servants. 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:30.119 They have an inheritance that it talks about. 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:35.119 We also see there's a wise servant. 00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:39.179 His work as a servant is done wisely and righteously. 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:41.720 So in this case, I think of Joseph. 00:25:42.560 --> 00:25:45.620 Joseph started out as a slave in Potiphar's house, 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.620 but because of his work ethic, 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.759 his honesty, 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.519 and God's favor, 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.080 he's given command 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:54.840 underneath Potiphar 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:56.220 over all that he owned. 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:58.380 The other thing we see here in this verse 00:25:58.380 --> 00:26:01.480 is a son who acts shamefully. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:06.160 And the idea here isn't that the son messed up once or twice. 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:08.640 He did, he made some foolish mistakes, 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:13.740 but the idea is that the shameful acts are ongoing, 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.599 they're continuing, 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:16.900 and he's living a life of shame, 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:19.819 and it's bringing shame on the family. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:24.460 Think of the prodigal son in this case, 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.940 where he had wealth, 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.960 he had responsibility in the family, 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.400 but he didn't want that life. 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.900 He wanted his own life. 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:33.340 And so he acted shamefully. 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:38.059 So in this situation where we have a rich family, 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:38.900 they have servants, 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.860 they have an inheritance, 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.680 typically the son, 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.420 as he grew up, 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:45.360 would be able to rule over the servant. 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.799 He would take on that responsibility. 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:49.259 And as the parents died, 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:51.460 then he would share in the inheritance 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:53.420 of the family's wealth that was left. 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.940 However, this verse 00:26:55.940 --> 00:27:00.539 not only talks about how the son is unable to rule, 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:03.440 and also how the wisdom 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:06.600 and the close relationship of the servant 00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:13.140 actually puts him in the place of ruling over the son. 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:15.539 And we see the same thing with the inheritance, right? 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:17.500 The son continues in shame, 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.620 and he's cut off from the inheritance. 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:21.759 The servant, 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:25.079 who is wise and righteous in his doing, 00:27:25.479 --> 00:27:27.399 he actually is given the inheritance 00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:28.599 in the son's place. 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.319 He becomes part of the family. 00:27:31.899 --> 00:27:34.079 So there's a couple points in this verse. 00:27:34.179 --> 00:27:35.039 One of them is this, 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:39.419 that being wise and being diligent 00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:44.519 can actually overcome disadvantages of birth, right? 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:46.139 There's people that we know 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:47.739 who were born in a certain situation, 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:49.319 but they didn't let that situation 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.599 keep them where they were. 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:55.220 And God blesses hard work 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:58.059 and living for him with successes. 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:01.279 The other side of that is true also. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:04.240 We know people who had a lot of wealth, 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:07.559 but through unrighteousness and foolish living, 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.759 it brought failures. 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.319 It brought missed opportunities. 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:14.200 It brought wasted fortunes. 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:17.400 But in this verse, 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:19.819 there's a great picture of the family of God. 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:22.039 Remember the Israelites, 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.840 God's chosen people. 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.160 They were blessed, 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.759 and they were given an inheritance. 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:29.940 However, as we read through the Old Testament, 00:28:30.580 --> 00:28:32.539 we know that they turned away from God. 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:35.480 They chose to live foolishly 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:37.700 and shamefully before God. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.840 So God allowed their inheritance 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:40.840 to be taken away, 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:44.119 and he allowed them to become servants 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.279 for other nations. 00:28:48.699 --> 00:28:51.379 They were unable to live holy 00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:53.619 and righteously before God. 00:28:54.199 --> 00:28:55.019 They failed it. 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:58.059 But we're not going to be too hard on them 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:58.740 because you know what? 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.439 If we were there, 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:01.159 we would probably fail as well. 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:04.480 We fail at it now. 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:07.539 So what is our hope? 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:10.359 Our hope is Jesus. 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:14.920 Jesus is our true righteousness before God. 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:18.759 So when we confess and we believe in that hope 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:20.839 that Jesus gives us, 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:24.899 that he gives us strength to live righteously for God. 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:27.180 Not perfect, 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:31.779 but able through Christ to live towards righteousness. 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:34.240 We move closer towards it. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:37.980 We were once outside the family, 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.920 and now because of Jesus Christ, 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.680 we have been brought into the family. 00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:43.099 We've been adopted, 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:45.220 and we have been given an inheritance 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:46.680 in that family, 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:48.319 an inheritance of eternity. 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.700 That's the gospel. 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:53.640 1 John 3.1 says, 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:56.960 see what kind of love the Father has given to us, 00:29:57.079 --> 00:30:00.460 that we should be called children of God. 00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:01.299 And so we are. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:09.700 So verses 1 and 2, 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.659 we just talked about. 00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:13.500 They talked about godly characteristics 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:15.659 that we want to be part of our life. 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:17.359 Peace, contentment, 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.899 wise living. 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:21.960 We're going to look at verses 4 and 5. 00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:24.659 They talk about what we don't want. 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:26.500 Characteristics that will not help us 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:29.399 in our righteous living before God. 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:31.060 Right in the middle of those two, 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.920 we see verse 3, right? 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:35.200 It's this dividing line 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:37.080 between the good and the bad. 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.720 This verse is helpful 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:41.640 because it reminds us of God's position in our lives. 00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:46.700 So when we think about righteous living 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:49.960 before God results in our right life, 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:53.660 that before God means that He is in control, 00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:55.220 that He is always watching, 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:58.280 that He is going to be testing us, 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.680 wanting to perfect us, 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.820 and wanting to help us. 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:02.860 Verse 3. 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:05.339 The crucible is for silver, 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:07.599 and the furnace is for gold, 00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:09.579 and the Lord tests hearts. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:13.159 The crucible, as many of you know, 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:15.699 comes in different sizes. 00:31:15.939 --> 00:31:17.439 It's usually bowl-shaped 00:31:17.439 --> 00:31:21.059 and can be made of ceramic or graphite, 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:24.019 something that can withstand extreme heat 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:26.479 because its purpose is to be heated 00:31:26.479 --> 00:31:29.539 and melt what's inside of that bowl. 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:32.039 And in the same way, 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:34.079 a furnace is used to melt things 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:35.480 like steel or glass. 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.960 In this case, 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.359 in this verse that we're reading, 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.779 to melt gold. 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.779 Once it is melted, 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:44.559 any impurities would separate 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.980 from the gold or the silver. 00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:47.879 And at that point, 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:49.379 it becomes easy to tell 00:31:49.379 --> 00:31:54.480 if that gold or that silver is pure 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:58.180 or how polluted it is. 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:58.859 Right? 00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.939 Once it's melted, 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:01.359 those impurities separate, 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:03.459 and we're able to pull that off. 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:05.719 So not only are we able to test 00:32:05.719 --> 00:32:07.279 its authenticity, 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:09.019 but we can make it pure. 00:32:09.199 --> 00:32:11.419 The end of the process of that 00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:13.639 should leave us with gold and silver 00:32:13.639 --> 00:32:15.699 that is more pure and more valuable 00:32:15.699 --> 00:32:16.679 than when it started. 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:20.599 So the crucible and the furnace 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.719 test the authenticity 00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:23.539 and the purity. 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:26.399 The Lord tests the purity 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:27.780 and the authenticity 00:32:27.780 --> 00:32:29.220 of our hearts. 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:32.360 The Lord is desiring a people 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.440 who truly love him 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.560 and want to follow him. 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:37.680 And when life is easy 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:39.140 and there is no problems, 00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:41.600 that's not a problem. 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:41.840 Right? 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:43.300 We actually have a lot of people 00:32:43.300 --> 00:32:44.960 who look like really good Christians 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:46.660 when life is going really good. 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:49.620 But when the testing comes, 00:32:49.800 --> 00:32:52.640 that's when the truth comes out 00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:55.100 of what someone really is like. 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:56.900 The rich young ruler, 00:32:57.060 --> 00:32:57.640 if you remember, 00:32:57.860 --> 00:32:59.840 looked like a very good follower 00:32:59.840 --> 00:33:00.500 of Jesus 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.720 until he was asked 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.740 to give up his wealth. 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.360 And he said no. 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:04.759 Instead, 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.740 he followed his wealth 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:06.920 and forsaked Jesus. 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.560 Brothers and sisters, 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:11.460 this is a big issue 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.579 in the church. 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.460 What do I mean by that? 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:17.519 We all read the Bible. 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:19.980 We know to love one another. 00:33:20.139 --> 00:33:21.659 We know to encourage one another. 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:23.379 We know to strive for peace. 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.259 We know to forgive. 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:27.220 We know we ought to be humble 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:27.919 in our serving. 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:29.159 We know what to do. 00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:30.759 We know what it looks like. 00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:33.240 But when we're tested, 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.700 that's when it gets hard. 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:36.500 Right? 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.419 That's when we have to move 00:33:37.419 --> 00:33:38.319 from knowing it 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:39.259 to doing it. 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:42.139 And it's this step right here 00:33:42.139 --> 00:33:43.319 where so many people 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:44.559 in the church fail. 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:47.799 They weren't ready for the test. 00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:51.259 Or they weren't humble enough. 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:52.419 There was too much pride 00:33:52.419 --> 00:33:53.379 and selfishness 00:33:53.379 --> 00:33:54.159 to let go 00:33:54.159 --> 00:33:55.519 and make that right decision 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:57.679 and do what God calls us to do. 00:34:01.179 --> 00:34:02.379 They're still Christians. 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.200 Don't get me wrong. 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:04.579 They haven't lost their salvation. 00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.799 But what happens is 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:08.739 there's a 00:34:08.739 --> 00:34:12.000 a failing of that test 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:15.559 that instead of leading to repentance 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:18.479 and seeking God 00:34:18.479 --> 00:34:20.359 to pass that test the next time, 00:34:20.439 --> 00:34:21.759 they become complacent 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:23.359 in their failure. 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:23.679 Right? 00:34:23.819 --> 00:34:25.159 So instead of building up 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:26.159 a stronger, 00:34:26.319 --> 00:34:28.359 more precious church for God, 00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:30.639 these walls of bitterness 00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:32.239 and judgment, 00:34:32.439 --> 00:34:33.279 complacency, 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.379 stubbornness, 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:36.619 they all began to be built up 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:37.200 in its place. 00:34:37.200 --> 00:34:37.480 Why? 00:34:37.640 --> 00:34:39.099 Because we didn't want to be humble. 00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:40.559 We didn't want to forgive. 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:42.420 We didn't want to serve 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.420 with humbleness. 00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:45.300 We didn't want to strive for peace. 00:34:45.700 --> 00:34:47.840 We didn't want to let something go. 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:50.680 And so we failed that test 00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:51.780 and we become, 00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:52.700 I don't want to say 00:34:52.700 --> 00:34:53.880 less of a Christian, 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:56.160 but less of an effective Christian. 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:56.700 Less, 00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:58.400 less pure of a Christian 00:34:58.400 --> 00:35:00.019 in the church. 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:02.600 So over time, 00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:03.180 what happens 00:35:03.180 --> 00:35:04.300 is you have a church 00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:06.539 that looks like a church 00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.160 on the outside. 00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:07.820 On the inside, 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.780 it's really more like 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:10.000 a religious club, 00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:10.519 right? 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:11.820 That runs the way 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.480 they want it to 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:14.000 and not runs for God. 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:16.940 And we have the same problem 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.500 that happens 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.480 in our own families, 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:18.840 right? 00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:20.860 The same things 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.679 that happen in the church 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:22.780 happens in our family. 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:26.579 We want to have a life 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.360 before God 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.699 that is the right life. 00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:31.019 The life that is worth 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:32.219 something to Him. 00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:34.320 Not just fool's gold 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:35.400 that looks right 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.199 on the outside, 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.739 but inside is worth nothing. 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:38.820 We want to be authentic 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:39.440 and pure. 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:41.159 That's the right life 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:42.119 that we want to live 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:42.980 before God. 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:45.480 So when you're tested, 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:47.639 if you haven't been already, 00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:48.460 if you haven't been, 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.139 you will be. 00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:51.039 You will be tested. 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.340 Then first, 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:53.400 praise God 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.940 because He loves you enough 00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:56.019 to want to make you 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:57.340 stronger and more purer 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:58.019 for Himself 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:59.860 because you are His child. 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:02.679 And then next, 00:36:02.760 --> 00:36:03.860 if you fail that test 00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.500 you've been given, 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.500 don't waste it. 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:06.480 And by that, 00:36:06.559 --> 00:36:07.980 I mean that 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:09.920 use it for what God 00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:11.159 meant it to be for. 00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:13.400 To show you your weakness 00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:14.980 or to break down 00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.720 some idol 00:36:15.720 --> 00:36:16.920 in your life 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:18.960 or to make you stronger 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:20.660 for some future purpose. 00:36:21.260 --> 00:36:22.400 So if you fail the test, 00:36:22.720 --> 00:36:23.119 repent. 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.860 Pray for strength 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.860 from the Holy Spirit 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:27.180 and then get ready 00:36:27.180 --> 00:36:28.000 for the retake 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:29.280 because it's going to happen. 00:36:31.180 --> 00:36:31.740 Okay, 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.800 verses 4 and 5 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:33.500 come next 00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:34.780 and from that 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:36.019 we see some characteristics 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:37.180 that we don't want. 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.119 There are things 00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:39.380 that aren't going to help us 00:36:39.380 --> 00:36:40.700 as we strive 00:36:40.700 --> 00:36:42.119 to live righteously 00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:43.160 before God. 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:44.380 Verse 4 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.840 says this, 00:36:46.700 --> 00:36:47.500 An evildoer 00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:49.000 listens to wicked lips 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:50.099 and a liar 00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:50.940 gives ear 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:52.559 to a mischievous tongue. 00:36:53.700 --> 00:36:55.360 There are two groups 00:36:55.360 --> 00:36:56.140 of people here. 00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:57.780 One who's evil 00:36:57.780 --> 00:36:59.440 and one who tells lies. 00:36:59.820 --> 00:37:00.180 And the point 00:37:00.180 --> 00:37:00.700 of this verse 00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:01.240 is simple. 00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.760 Don't listen 00:37:02.760 --> 00:37:03.820 to the evil person 00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:05.280 and don't give an ear 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:06.019 to a liar. 00:37:06.700 --> 00:37:07.539 Don't join in 00:37:07.539 --> 00:37:08.880 on deceptive plans. 00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:09.880 Don't listen 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:11.639 to slanderous talk. 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:13.400 As you know, 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:14.599 gossip and slander 00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.519 can't spread 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:17.320 if there's no platform 00:37:17.320 --> 00:37:19.159 that will listen to it. 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.460 That's why 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.920 the gossip magazines 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:23.199 and the grocery stores 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:23.559 sell 00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:24.880 because it has a platform 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:25.639 that people want 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:26.300 to listen to. 00:37:28.219 --> 00:37:29.360 But our lives 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:30.639 are lived before God. 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:32.179 We are always 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:33.239 in His view. 00:37:33.860 --> 00:37:34.900 He sees how 00:37:34.900 --> 00:37:36.539 and what we listen to 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:37.759 even if it's done 00:37:37.759 --> 00:37:38.279 in secret. 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:40.719 He loves honesty. 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.460 He loves 00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:43.320 a pure heart. 00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:45.179 He hates dishonesty 00:37:45.179 --> 00:37:46.659 and He hates wickedness. 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:49.000 Proverbs 15, 9 00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:49.460 says this, 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.659 The way of the wicked 00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.500 is an abomination 00:37:51.500 --> 00:37:52.460 to the Lord 00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:53.840 but He loves Him 00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:56.259 who pursues righteousness. 00:37:56.639 --> 00:37:57.400 That's what we want 00:37:57.400 --> 00:37:57.639 to do, 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.639 pursue righteousness. 00:38:01.199 --> 00:38:02.360 So righteous living 00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:02.940 before God 00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:03.960 includes what we let 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:05.039 into our ears. 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:06.679 don't lend your ears 00:38:06.679 --> 00:38:07.340 to the spreading 00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:08.000 of lies 00:38:08.000 --> 00:38:09.619 and hurtful speech. 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:10.840 How about 00:38:10.840 --> 00:38:12.300 illicit flirtations? 00:38:13.659 --> 00:38:14.139 Gossip, 00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:15.199 backbiting. 00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:16.739 We should not be 00:38:16.739 --> 00:38:17.559 part of that at all. 00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.139 The other part 00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:18.779 of this verse 00:38:18.779 --> 00:38:19.480 is 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:20.900 He who is glad 00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:21.659 at calamity 00:38:21.659 --> 00:38:23.380 will not go unpunished. 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.259 That is 00:38:26.259 --> 00:38:28.920 that is 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:31.500 sorry I missed 00:38:31.500 --> 00:38:32.000 the first part 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.460 of that verse. 00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:34.300 verse 5. 00:38:35.260 --> 00:38:35.800 The first part 00:38:35.800 --> 00:38:36.599 of verse 5 says 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:37.960 whoever mocks 00:38:37.960 --> 00:38:38.480 the poor 00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:39.760 insults his maker. 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.699 He who is glad 00:38:41.699 --> 00:38:42.300 at calamity 00:38:42.300 --> 00:38:43.539 will not go unpunished. 00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:46.800 Don't mock 00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:47.280 the poor. 00:38:48.179 --> 00:38:48.659 That's pretty 00:38:48.659 --> 00:38:49.220 straightforward. 00:38:49.720 --> 00:38:50.179 Those who are 00:38:50.179 --> 00:38:50.840 less fortunate 00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:51.780 maybe with money 00:38:51.780 --> 00:38:52.639 but maybe it's 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:53.079 something else. 00:38:53.159 --> 00:38:53.940 Maybe it's influence 00:38:53.940 --> 00:38:54.659 or intelligence. 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.280 Maybe somebody 00:38:56.280 --> 00:38:57.860 has less than you 00:38:57.860 --> 00:38:58.639 in some way. 00:39:00.079 --> 00:39:00.920 Let me remind us 00:39:00.920 --> 00:39:01.579 all that we have 00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:02.019 what we have 00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.559 because God 00:39:02.559 --> 00:39:03.559 has given it to us. 00:39:03.619 --> 00:39:04.139 So to mock 00:39:04.139 --> 00:39:04.920 someone else 00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:05.699 is to say that 00:39:05.699 --> 00:39:06.739 God's plan 00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:07.500 for that person 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.139 is wrong 00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:08.940 and we're also 00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:10.119 mocking the person 00:39:10.119 --> 00:39:11.179 who was made 00:39:11.179 --> 00:39:12.360 in the image of God. 00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:13.719 So here Solomon 00:39:13.719 --> 00:39:14.119 says 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:15.460 don't go there. 00:39:15.659 --> 00:39:16.259 Don't mock 00:39:16.259 --> 00:39:17.259 that person. 00:39:18.360 --> 00:39:19.819 Also not to make fun 00:39:19.819 --> 00:39:22.960 or be glad 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:23.819 at calamity. 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:27.840 as Christians 00:39:27.840 --> 00:39:29.340 we should not 00:39:29.340 --> 00:39:30.940 gain any enjoyment 00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:32.160 from someone 00:39:32.160 --> 00:39:33.780 else's misfortune. 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:35.320 That is 00:39:35.320 --> 00:39:36.180 even when it happens 00:39:36.180 --> 00:39:36.640 to someone 00:39:36.640 --> 00:39:37.380 we don't like 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:38.260 even when it happens 00:39:38.260 --> 00:39:40.019 to an evil person 00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:43.800 judgment belongs 00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:44.260 to God 00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:45.180 and not to us. 00:39:45.660 --> 00:39:46.059 And so 00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:47.100 we should not 00:39:47.100 --> 00:39:48.460 take any enjoyment 00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:49.760 from someone else's 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:51.140 pain or misfortune 00:39:51.139 --> 00:39:53.159 and we should 00:39:53.159 --> 00:39:53.859 constantly 00:39:53.859 --> 00:39:55.079 be grieved 00:39:55.079 --> 00:39:56.400 by knowing 00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:57.460 that wicked people 00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:58.099 are on their way 00:39:58.099 --> 00:39:58.539 to hell. 00:40:01.339 --> 00:40:01.859 Lastly 00:40:01.859 --> 00:40:02.420 we come to 00:40:02.420 --> 00:40:02.980 verse 6. 00:40:04.639 --> 00:40:05.039 It says 00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:05.440 grandchildren 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:06.259 are the crown 00:40:06.259 --> 00:40:06.879 of the age 00:40:06.879 --> 00:40:07.539 and the glory 00:40:07.539 --> 00:40:08.159 of children 00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:09.039 as their fathers. 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:12.340 right away 00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:13.079 we see an age 00:40:13.079 --> 00:40:13.519 connection 00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:15.019 between this verse 00:40:15.019 --> 00:40:16.139 and the first verse 00:40:16.139 --> 00:40:17.099 of our passage. 00:40:18.860 --> 00:40:19.860 Gray hair 00:40:19.860 --> 00:40:21.199 in the first verse 00:40:21.199 --> 00:40:22.219 and grandchildren 00:40:22.219 --> 00:40:22.920 here. 00:40:24.239 --> 00:40:25.159 But it goes 00:40:25.159 --> 00:40:25.880 deeper than that 00:40:25.880 --> 00:40:26.139 right? 00:40:26.900 --> 00:40:28.139 As Christians 00:40:28.139 --> 00:40:29.619 our deepest 00:40:29.619 --> 00:40:30.139 identity 00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:31.079 is that we are 00:40:31.079 --> 00:40:32.000 children of God. 00:40:32.119 --> 00:40:32.639 We are followers 00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:33.159 of Christ. 00:40:33.279 --> 00:40:33.900 That's our most 00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:35.259 important identity. 00:40:35.940 --> 00:40:36.840 Following that 00:40:36.840 --> 00:40:38.759 role 00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:39.840 who we are 00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:40.780 in our families 00:40:40.780 --> 00:40:42.220 plays a big part. 00:40:42.780 --> 00:40:42.900 Right? 00:40:43.180 --> 00:40:43.600 Husband 00:40:43.600 --> 00:40:44.160 wife 00:40:44.160 --> 00:40:44.700 child 00:40:44.700 --> 00:40:45.180 brother 00:40:45.180 --> 00:40:46.200 sister 00:40:46.200 --> 00:40:47.040 parent 00:40:47.040 --> 00:40:47.660 grandparent 00:40:47.660 --> 00:40:48.500 we're all 00:40:48.500 --> 00:40:49.280 here at least 00:40:49.280 --> 00:40:50.140 one of those. 00:40:51.220 --> 00:40:51.620 We affect 00:40:51.620 --> 00:40:52.340 our family 00:40:52.340 --> 00:40:53.040 and we are 00:40:53.040 --> 00:40:53.780 affected by 00:40:53.780 --> 00:40:54.420 our family. 00:40:55.400 --> 00:40:56.020 Our joy 00:40:56.020 --> 00:40:58.000 can be shared 00:40:58.000 --> 00:40:58.500 with them 00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:59.400 and theirs 00:40:59.400 --> 00:41:00.120 with ours. 00:41:00.640 --> 00:41:01.240 That's how 00:41:01.240 --> 00:41:02.220 it works. 00:41:02.620 --> 00:41:03.600 Here in Proverbs 00:41:03.600 --> 00:41:05.000 when Solomon 00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:05.840 talks about 00:41:05.840 --> 00:41:06.800 grandparents 00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:07.900 and parents 00:41:07.900 --> 00:41:08.440 and children 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.500 unless it 00:41:09.500 --> 00:41:10.340 says so 00:41:10.340 --> 00:41:10.900 it is 00:41:10.900 --> 00:41:11.480 referring to 00:41:11.480 --> 00:41:11.940 those who 00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:12.400 are trying 00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:12.780 to live 00:41:12.780 --> 00:41:13.240 righteously 00:41:13.240 --> 00:41:14.099 before God. 00:41:14.659 --> 00:41:14.960 So for 00:41:14.960 --> 00:41:15.720 grandchildren 00:41:15.720 --> 00:41:17.159 who love 00:41:17.159 --> 00:41:17.639 God 00:41:17.639 --> 00:41:18.059 and are 00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.440 following 00:41:18.440 --> 00:41:19.280 after him 00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:20.679 they are 00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:21.500 a source 00:41:21.500 --> 00:41:22.059 of honor 00:41:22.059 --> 00:41:22.860 a crown 00:41:22.860 --> 00:41:23.659 of delight 00:41:23.659 --> 00:41:24.420 for their 00:41:24.420 --> 00:41:25.000 grandparents 00:41:25.000 --> 00:41:26.679 and those 00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:27.099 grandparents 00:41:27.099 --> 00:41:27.820 who love 00:41:27.820 --> 00:41:28.200 God 00:41:28.200 --> 00:41:28.980 who have 00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:29.440 sought 00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:30.659 his righteousness 00:41:30.659 --> 00:41:31.539 and wisdom 00:41:31.539 --> 00:41:31.980 who have 00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.579 lived for 00:41:32.579 --> 00:41:32.980 God 00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:33.740 and are now 00:41:33.740 --> 00:41:34.159 in their 00:41:34.159 --> 00:41:34.940 old age 00:41:34.940 --> 00:41:36.800 and parents 00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:37.260 who aren't 00:41:37.260 --> 00:41:37.800 foolishly 00:41:37.800 --> 00:41:38.380 living for 00:41:38.380 --> 00:41:38.920 themselves 00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:39.480 but living 00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:40.039 for God 00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:40.960 desiring 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:41.400 to be 00:41:41.400 --> 00:41:41.760 righteous 00:41:41.760 --> 00:41:42.179 in their 00:41:42.179 --> 00:41:42.740 life 00:41:42.740 --> 00:41:45.220 those parents 00:41:45.220 --> 00:41:47.000 are a glory 00:41:47.000 --> 00:41:47.800 to their 00:41:47.800 --> 00:41:48.260 children. 00:41:48.980 --> 00:41:49.639 Those children 00:41:49.639 --> 00:41:50.500 are blessed 00:41:50.500 --> 00:41:51.280 by God 00:41:51.280 --> 00:41:51.760 to have 00:41:51.760 --> 00:41:52.380 parents 00:41:52.380 --> 00:41:53.380 that way. 00:41:55.380 --> 00:41:56.200 That is 00:41:56.200 --> 00:41:57.260 the family. 00:41:57.720 --> 00:41:58.059 That is 00:41:58.059 --> 00:41:58.940 the generation 00:41:58.940 --> 00:42:00.000 that God 00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:02.639 is seeking. 00:42:15.280 --> 00:42:16.179 So to 00:42:16.179 --> 00:42:16.599 close 00:42:16.599 --> 00:42:18.280 we aren't 00:42:18.280 --> 00:42:18.820 perfect 00:42:18.820 --> 00:42:20.960 and we 00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:21.840 can't fix 00:42:21.840 --> 00:42:23.260 other people. 00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:23.860 We can't 00:42:23.860 --> 00:42:24.480 fix people 00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:24.780 in our 00:42:24.780 --> 00:42:25.239 families 00:42:25.239 --> 00:42:26.119 that are 00:42:26.119 --> 00:42:26.579 hard to 00:42:26.579 --> 00:42:26.920 love. 00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:27.860 Maybe we 00:42:27.860 --> 00:42:28.420 can't fix 00:42:28.420 --> 00:42:28.800 people in 00:42:28.800 --> 00:42:29.420 our families 00:42:29.420 --> 00:42:30.039 that aren't 00:42:30.039 --> 00:42:30.460 following 00:42:30.460 --> 00:42:30.980 God. 00:42:32.079 --> 00:42:32.760 But 00:42:32.760 --> 00:42:33.639 we aren't 00:42:33.639 --> 00:42:34.099 called 00:42:34.099 --> 00:42:35.300 to their 00:42:35.300 --> 00:42:35.820 righteousness. 00:42:36.119 --> 00:42:36.240 We're 00:42:36.240 --> 00:42:36.659 called to 00:42:36.659 --> 00:42:36.860 live 00:42:36.860 --> 00:42:37.380 righteous 00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:37.940 for 00:42:37.940 --> 00:42:38.440 ourselves 00:42:38.440 --> 00:42:38.980 before 00:42:38.980 --> 00:42:39.559 God 00:42:39.559 --> 00:42:40.300 for the 00:42:40.300 --> 00:42:40.820 life 00:42:40.820 --> 00:42:41.400 that 00:42:41.400 --> 00:42:41.599 he 00:42:41.599 --> 00:42:41.940 has 00:42:41.940 --> 00:42:42.280 for 00:42:42.280 --> 00:42:42.639 us. 00:42:45.900 --> 00:42:46.619 The 00:42:46.619 --> 00:42:47.019 right 00:42:47.019 --> 00:42:47.680 life 00:42:47.680 --> 00:42:49.519 because 00:42:49.519 --> 00:42:49.800 its 00:42:49.800 --> 00:42:50.039 center 00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:50.280 is 00:42:50.280 --> 00:42:50.720 Christ 00:42:50.720 --> 00:42:51.539 and 00:42:51.539 --> 00:42:51.760 because 00:42:51.760 --> 00:42:52.019 its 00:42:52.019 --> 00:42:52.420 purpose 00:42:52.420 --> 00:42:53.019 is 00:42:53.019 --> 00:42:53.240 for 00:42:53.240 --> 00:42:53.639 God. 00:42:54.860 --> 00:42:55.240 So 00:42:55.240 --> 00:42:55.360 we're 00:42:55.360 --> 00:42:55.519 going to 00:42:55.519 --> 00:42:55.720 end 00:42:55.720 --> 00:42:56.039 there. 00:42:56.619 --> 00:42:57.340 Take 00:42:57.340 --> 00:42:57.680 a minute 00:42:57.680 --> 00:42:58.139 just to 00:42:58.139 --> 00:42:58.380 think 00:42:58.380 --> 00:42:58.740 about 00:42:58.739 --> 00:42:59.099 that 00:42:59.099 --> 00:42:59.699 phrase 00:42:59.699 --> 00:42:59.959 that 00:42:59.959 --> 00:43:00.739 righteous 00:43:00.739 --> 00:43:01.339 living 00:43:01.339 --> 00:43:01.759 before 00:43:01.759 --> 00:43:02.379 God 00:43:02.379 --> 00:43:03.079 results 00:43:03.079 --> 00:43:03.259 in 00:43:03.259 --> 00:43:03.979 the 00:43:03.979 --> 00:43:04.379 life 00:43:04.379 --> 00:43:04.619 that 00:43:04.619 --> 00:43:05.079 God 00:43:05.079 --> 00:43:05.519 has 00:43:05.519 --> 00:43:05.699 for 00:43:05.699 --> 00:43:05.879 you. 00:43:05.879 --> 00:43:06.219 The 00:43:06.219 --> 00:43:06.559 right 00:43:06.559 --> 00:43:06.959 life. 00:43:08.399 --> 00:43:08.879 Let's 00:43:08.879 --> 00:43:09.199 take a 00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:09.359 minute 00:43:09.359 --> 00:43:09.779 to think 00:43:09.779 --> 00:43:10.039 about 00:43:10.039 --> 00:43:10.339 that 00:43:10.339 --> 00:43:11.000 and 00:43:11.000 --> 00:43:11.159 then 00:43:11.159 --> 00:43:11.459 we'll 00:43:11.459 --> 00:43:12.079 have 00:43:12.079 --> 00:43:12.279 some 00:43:12.279 --> 00:43:12.539 prayer.