WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.179 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:14.259 And it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:16.519 Special welcome if you're new with us. 00:00:16.699 --> 00:00:22.400 We're glad that you're here, and we'd love to have you go to our website at www.cmpca.net. 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:26.379 And as soon as you go there, there will be a pop-up for our visitor connect form. 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:30.980 And that's a chance for us to get to know you better and help you connect with us in our community. 00:00:31.619 --> 00:00:36.960 Whether you're new or you've been with us for a long time, I'll remind you again that while you can see me, I can't see you. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:40.239 And that while we can often see numbers, we can't see names. 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:45.840 And so I encourage you at this time to use the comment box in the Facebook video to let everyone else know that you're here. 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:48.939 You can say something as simple as good morning. Great to be here. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:51.700 Share who you're watching with and where you're watching from. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:56.560 And even as we are separated, that gives us a small sense of being together. 00:00:57.580 --> 00:01:04.359 Finally, I'm very excited to announce to you all that we are going to resume in-person worship next Sunday, June the 14th. 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:08.379 And so this is our last Sunday of only having a live stream. 00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:13.600 We will continue the live stream because we understand that some of you will choose to still remain at home during this time. 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:18.619 And there are many details surrounding that, which are on our website that came out in our Friday email. 00:01:19.199 --> 00:01:23.239 And also on Friday, a letter went out to the mailing list of the church with details about reopening. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:24.780 I'll highlight just a few things. 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:31.719 First, we're going to, at least for the 14th of June, have two services, one at 9 a.m. and one at 11 a.m. 00:01:32.139 --> 00:01:38.799 And it's very important for us that you let us know in advance which service you're coming to and how many folks are coming with you. 00:01:39.219 --> 00:01:42.159 And that's just very helpful for us as we plan for those. 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:49.259 As that form was linked to in the Friday email, it's also going to be on our website on that same pop-up that comes up immediately when you go to that page. 00:01:49.739 --> 00:01:57.579 And so I just urge you as soon as possible to let us know if you're coming and which service you'll be attending because that's incredibly helpful to us. 00:01:58.259 --> 00:02:04.179 And, of course, the details surrounding that, including things like we really encourage you to bring and wear your own mask. 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:06.620 We're going to continue social distancing. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:09.460 We're going to have a slightly shorter service than we would normally. 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:13.180 And we will not have adult community or Sunday school. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:16.080 And our nursery also will not be open. 00:02:16.260 --> 00:02:21.219 However, our nursery workers will be there for emergency needs and help with diaper changes. 00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:27.879 Again, I encourage you to go to our website, read that letter if you're on our list, and to go through all those details. 00:02:28.040 --> 00:02:33.180 And we're just excited that we're going to be returning to worship together very soon. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:36.860 With that, we're in the book of Proverbs. 00:02:37.020 --> 00:02:42.420 And you'll remember that the book of Proverbs is a book in the Old Testament, and it's a book about wisdom. 00:02:43.260 --> 00:02:45.840 Wisdom is skill in the art of living. 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:51.159 It's knowing how to navigate the space between what's right and wrong, operating within those. 00:02:51.200 --> 00:02:56.480 It's operating well in God's world, knowing how to thrive in the gray areas. 00:02:56.819 --> 00:03:00.200 It's knowing how to navigate the path that God's given us. 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:02.359 And it's also knowing how to stay on the path. 00:03:02.859 --> 00:03:06.799 The last couple weeks, we've been talking about how we get wisdom. 00:03:06.979 --> 00:03:08.819 Remember, it begins with the fear of the Lord. 00:03:09.459 --> 00:03:15.359 And the fear of the Lord is this attitude of submission, respect, dependence, and worship, as one man describes it. 00:03:15.899 --> 00:03:20.879 And then last week, we talked about that the prerequisite for wisdom is this humility, this teachability. 00:03:21.479 --> 00:03:26.060 If we think that we know everything, it's proof that we're not wise. 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:27.959 In fact, the book of Proverbs says that. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:30.140 It says in Proverbs 12, verse 15, 00:03:30.820 --> 00:03:36.540 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 00:03:37.300 --> 00:03:41.260 With that introduction, we're going to begin to get into the meat of the book of Proverbs. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:44.159 And our first topic is going to be violence. 00:03:44.480 --> 00:03:46.140 Now, that might surprise you. 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:46.719 Might not. 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:51.939 If you live in this world, if you've lived for long enough, you actually know in some ways that shouldn't surprise us. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:56.060 It's a common element in a world affected by sin. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:01.219 And, of course, we're reminded of it even these last few weeks as people living in the United States of America. 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:07.860 And I'll just simply say we don't need to get pulled in to the tribalism that's so common in our nation right now. 00:04:08.180 --> 00:04:13.159 We can condemn brutality when it comes from police, and we can condemn it when it comes from protesters. 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:14.039 We don't have to pick. 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:18.899 We can say the image of God matters in various circumstances. 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:21.819 We can stand with people who are victims of violence. 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:29.360 And we don't have to get pulled into sort of a political way of looking at it, but we can have a Christian way of looking at it. 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:34.120 As we're coming to this topic, of course, it just so happens that that's going on in our world, 00:04:34.219 --> 00:04:36.939 and also that this is the passage of Proverbs that we're up against. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:43.060 As I say when we talk about things that tend to be more controversial, I'll say something, but not everything. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:48.139 And I'll remind you that Proverbs is a master class in the human heart. 00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:51.180 And so it's going to answer some questions for us. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:53.500 Why is violence so attractive? 00:04:54.840 --> 00:04:59.199 What are the strategies and the tactics that people use to pull us into violence? 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:03.439 And how do we stand strong against it? 00:05:04.780 --> 00:05:12.379 That's the instruction we're going to see here in the book of Proverbs, and we're going to be starting at verse 10 of chapter 1. 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.420 And so I invite you to turn there with me now. 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:15.639 You can turn in a web browser. 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:19.360 You can turn on your phone, or, of course, you can turn as I am in your Bible. 00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:22.480 But remember, wherever you're turning, that this is God's word. 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:28.199 And Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5, tells us that every word of God proves true. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:32.360 He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 00:05:33.080 --> 00:05:36.600 And so it's for that reason that we read now, starting at verse 10. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:06:06.580 Verse 14. 00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:08.600 Verse 15. 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:36.580 Verse 15. 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:37.959 For unjust gain. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:42.680 It takes away the life of its possessors. 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:48.220 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:48.220 --> 00:07:00.700 Our Father in heaven, we praise you as we do every week that you don't shy away from talking about hard things with us. 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:04.100 You don't shy away from speaking clearly. 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:06.100 But instead, you come with your word. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:07.980 And you give us the instruction that we need. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:13.240 And so we simply ask now that you would send your Holy Spirit to do that. 00:07:14.200 --> 00:07:15.879 That you would soften our hearts. 00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:19.660 Father, you'd open our ears and our eyes. 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:24.380 That you would ask that we would be able to see and know and understand everything that you've written in your word. 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:31.000 And that you'd help us to see Jesus as more glorious and beautiful than ever before. 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:34.400 That we would follow him in his paths of peace. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:36.399 We ask these things. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:39.819 I'm grateful that we don't have to earn them because we ask them in Jesus' name. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:40.919 Amen. 00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:41.040 Amen. 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:47.520 This passage at verse 10 starts here with a question. 00:07:49.460 --> 00:07:51.180 Do you want to belong? 00:07:53.340 --> 00:07:54.460 Do you want to belong? 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:56.520 Do you want to be part of a group? 00:07:56.680 --> 00:08:02.980 Do you want to feel the sense of community that comes from working forward with others in a common mission? 00:08:03.780 --> 00:08:07.819 That's the tempting voice that we're presented with at the beginning of this. 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:11.279 We're told in verse 10 that there are sinners who are enticing. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:12.519 They're alluring. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:15.279 They're trying to invite someone into something that's wrong. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:18.719 And their tactic here, their first tactic, is one of community. 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:24.379 They're saying, we are going to be the community and the mission that you want to join. 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:29.439 If you're longing to be a part of something bigger than yourself, you need look no further. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.779 We have it for you. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:36.340 That's what we see here in verses 11 through 14, but especially in 11 and 14. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:38.820 They say, come with us, verse 11. 00:08:38.920 --> 00:08:40.200 You're going to be a part of us. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:43.139 Let us lie and wait for blood. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:45.620 Let us ambush the innocent without reason. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:48.980 Verse 14, throw in your lot among us. 00:08:49.040 --> 00:08:50.700 We will all have one purse. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:54.480 We're going to have this beautiful community where we share everything. 00:08:56.320 --> 00:08:59.259 And so that's the first voice of violence here. 00:08:59.660 --> 00:09:02.160 You are going to have a group and a crew. 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:04.759 You're going to have friendship and community. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:10.019 You will finally have a place and a people that you belong to. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:14.120 This shouldn't surprise us. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:18.379 This is true of many elements of violence in our world. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:25.100 For example, there's a recruitment process that often happens before someone joins the community of white supremacy. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:29.620 And in this recruitment process, this is part of the offer that they make to people. 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:35.300 There are sociologists who look into, psychologists who look into the reasons why people join these groups. 00:09:35.920 --> 00:09:38.800 And one psychologist gave three reasons. 00:09:38.920 --> 00:09:40.800 And two of these top three reasons were this. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:45.060 The desire to feel significant and a sense of belonging. 00:09:45.059 --> 00:09:49.359 A desire to feel significant and a sense of belonging. 00:09:49.479 --> 00:09:58.379 And so we see that the call of violence that were presented here in this ancient book of wisdom is the same as the call of violence that happens today. 00:09:58.379 --> 00:10:05.480 People without community, without relationships, are especially vulnerable to this invitation. 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:10.399 In fact, in those communities, recruitment has been on the rise in recent years. 00:10:10.439 --> 00:10:12.080 And this is part of their process. 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:18.539 They want to come to people who are lonely, looking for purpose, and looking for people, 00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:23.659 and offer them what they think will be the solution to the longing of their hearts. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:27.019 There's also another invitation, though. 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:30.579 It's not just community, but there's an offer of wealth. 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:33.639 We see that especially in verse 13. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:35.659 We shall find all precious goods. 00:10:36.319 --> 00:10:38.980 We shall fill our houses with plunder. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:41.000 You're not just going to have friends. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:44.740 You're going to get to live the good life. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:51.860 You'll have access to experiences and amenities that other people won't. 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:56.779 You won't have to worry in the way that other people will have to worry about financial things. 00:10:57.299 --> 00:10:59.460 You're going to have success in every way. 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:01.220 You're going to have success in your relationships. 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:05.700 You're going to have people, a tribe that you get to be a part of. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:08.360 And you're going to have success financially. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.100 You're going to be secure. 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:13.960 Of course, we know this in our world as well. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:17.160 It's not just the allure of community, but it's the allure of wealth. 00:11:17.160 --> 00:11:21.700 And there's all sorts of ways to be dishonest and to make money. 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:26.200 And so the temptation to violence is presented here for us. 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:30.440 And we learn a few things from the fact that it's the very beginning of the book of Proverbs. 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:37.240 First, we are foolish if we assume this temptation is something that we're immune to. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:43.899 We're foolish if we assume this temptation is something that we are immune to. 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:49.620 There is more than one way to lie in wait for someone's blood. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:51.860 We're incredibly creative about our sin. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:57.259 We might read this passage right and think, man, of course I'm not going to get involved in a gang that would murder. 00:11:57.259 --> 00:12:01.620 And yet it's talking about a bigger concept here. 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:06.679 Verse 19, such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:14.179 This greediness for wealth and gain will inevitably involve people being trampled on, whether it literally murders someone or not. 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:20.879 So think, for example, in the early 2000s, there were plenty of stories about piracy when it came to music and movies. 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:26.480 And, of course, that's a way of devouring the product of musicians and artists. 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:29.220 It's a way of taking away their wealth. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:36.500 And as this passage warns us, there were many stories about people who did that, and it haunted them. 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:45.879 There were teenagers who participated in music piracy and had to go through years of court battles, had to face fines for what they'd done. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:49.940 And so it's similar to the temptation here that's given to this young man. 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:53.840 Beware of these get-rich-quick schemes. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:58.820 Beware of opportunities where it seems too easy to make money. 00:13:00.160 --> 00:13:03.380 Of course, there's also plenty of jobs that prey on the innocent. 00:13:03.520 --> 00:13:09.240 Part of the reason that we've had some of the financial crises that we've had have been because of unscrupulous people 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:14.700 who are looking to take advantage of the innocent and the poor and the foolish. 00:13:16.020 --> 00:13:18.860 And so there's plenty of schemes that involve fraud and deception. 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:24.080 There's businesses that might not be technically illegal but are wildly unethical. 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:31.159 It might not be technically illegal but wildly unethical, taking advantage of the poor and people with few options. 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:36.500 There are lucrative industries that thrive on exploiting women, often legally. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:42.659 If you're a kid, you might, and even as an adult, you might find a group of bullies who tell you, 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:44.600 hey, you can belong with us. 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:46.519 You can be a part of our group. 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:49.240 We'll devour other people with our words. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:52.419 It's going to be a small price for us to let you in. 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:57.720 All you have to do is agree with us and then go after others. 00:13:57.720 --> 00:14:08.279 It's easy to put this on to another group, but this passage is saying look out for your tendency to violence. 00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:15.720 Maybe it's not physical violence, but look out for your tendency to put profits and gain over people. 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:21.440 And so we're foolish to assume that we're immune from these things. 00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:26.720 We're also foolish to assume that our children are immune from these things. 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:33.800 Remember, this is a father speaking to his son about the temptations he's going to face in this world. 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:36.500 And one of the great lies of the Christian community is this. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:43.200 If we're Christian parents and we have Christian kids, yeah, they're going to struggle with sin in some ways, 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:45.500 but they're not going to get pulled into anything really bad. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:50.179 Yet this book of Proverbs tells us something different. 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:53.259 This is actually something we're warning our children about. 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:58.000 There will be people who are going to come and tempt you to these sorts of behaviors. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:04.120 There's going to be constant recruitment to live the good life devoid of love for others. 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:08.679 It could be a recruitment to join radical, violent groups. 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:13.779 It was just last April that there was a shooting in California at a synagogue, 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:22.220 and it came out that the shooter was a young man who was a member in good standing of a Reformed Presbyterian church. 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:27.159 By the way, we are Reformed Presbyterian church. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:35.759 So there was a lot of head shaking and seeking and questioning from folks in our community generally about what happened. 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:42.679 Well, part of what happened is that no one is immune to the temptation to violence. 00:15:42.819 --> 00:15:50.360 We don't assume that just because we're Christians in a church that we're not going to be tempted by these calls, 00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:54.000 these calls for community, these calls for belonging. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:16:00.659 There's also a recruitment, not just for violence, but to separate our vocation from our faith. 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:02.580 There will be voices that tell our children, 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:07.919 hey, you can go to church on Sunday, and what you do in your work Monday through Friday doesn't matter. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:11.659 It doesn't matter what industry you're a part of. 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:19.220 You don't need to think carefully about whether you're involved in a career that actually tramples on the poor 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:21.419 and those with fewer options. 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:27.919 I knew a man at one point in my life who was successful in the financial industry, 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:31.259 and he was contacted at one point by a headhunter, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:35.399 and that headhunter told him, hey, we've got a great job for you at another firm. 00:16:35.979 --> 00:16:41.339 And he said to them, I don't want to work for that firm because what they do is actually not ethical. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:45.360 And this headhunter was speechless, right? 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.259 He didn't know what to say. 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:53.580 Wasn't used to someone who was careful and cautious about the invitation to violence. 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:57.280 And so the temptation is there. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.240 It's there for our children. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:00.200 We're foolish to think that we're immune. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:03.500 We're foolish to think that our kids and our community are immune. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:07.980 And so the wise parent here, this is a master class, not just on the human heart, 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:11.619 but there's some dynamics of discipleship and parenting that we see here, 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:14.460 talks about these things with their children in advance. 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:18.819 The father here is telling his son, look, this is the way the world works. 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:24.140 There are going to be times when you have people who come to tempt you for these sorts of things. 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.579 Be prepared for that. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.819 Know that it's coming. 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:32.159 Know what you're going to say when it happens. 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:35.200 Know how you're going to respond and be prepared. 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.679 Know the consequences. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:43.480 And so that's the same thing we can see modeled in the Proverbs that we do in our church and our family as well. 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:48.599 We can tell our kids, look, we here believe in God and follow after Jesus, 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:52.159 but that doesn't mean there aren't going to be very real temptations in this life. 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:57.700 There's going to be temptations to do things with our bodies that don't honor God. 00:17:57.779 --> 00:18:03.039 There's going to be temptations to do things in our work that stomp and trample on other people. 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:06.500 And so let's talk about it now. 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:12.400 Remember last week we talked about the fact that it's better to sweat in training than to bleed on the battlefield. 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:15.200 Sweating in training involves this kind of instruction. 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:20.420 The instruction that we saw in verse 8, the father's instruction and the mother's teaching. 00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:23.940 Part of it is talking about the situations that are going to come up in the future 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:25.559 and making sure we're ready for them. 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:28.919 And so this father here speaks plainly. 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:32.000 He helps his son understand what's really going on. 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:35.619 In verse 11 and 12, of course, no one would actually use these words, right? 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.879 You're tempting someone to violence. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:39.919 You would not say to them, let us lie in wait for blood. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.819 Let us ambush the innocent without reason. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:47.720 This is the father's way of telling his son the reality behind what's going on. 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:51.720 Then he also tells him about the consequences. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:57.799 In verses 15 through 18, he lets them know what's really going on. 00:18:57.860 --> 00:19:01.460 Their feet run to evil, verse 16, and they make haste to shed blood. 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:05.559 For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird. 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:08.420 But these men lie in wait for their own blood. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:11.440 They set an ambush for their own lives. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:15.120 In other words, even birds are smarter than this. 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:19.299 Birds know a trap when they see it. 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:22.100 And yet these violent people can't. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.860 They are stupider than birds. 00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:30.940 And they're stupider than birds because the end of what they're doing is their own destruction. 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:39.320 And so know now, my son, that this is a matter of life and death. 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.940 That's the voice of the father. 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:53.320 In fact, that's part of the voice of Proverbs is that the difference between wisdom and foolishness can be the difference between life and death. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:56.460 And so the father's warning the son. 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:59.840 He knows that there's real temptations that need to be discussed. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:03.379 He knows that his son's heart may be caught up by these things. 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:09.980 And he's not afraid to talk openly and honestly about the challenges and the evil in this world. 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:18.619 There's also a concept that's introduced in this passage that's going to become a theme in this book of Proverbs. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.220 And it's that of the path. 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:23.299 It's not enough just to put away violence. 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:28.539 Proverbs actually tells us there has to be an embrace of another path. 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.019 And so we see in verse 15, 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:33.500 My son, do not walk in the way with them. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:36.940 Hold back your foot from their paths. 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:40.299 This is going to be continued to... 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:44.559 The author of Proverbs is going to continue to develop this idea of the way. 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:46.059 That there's two ways. 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:47.920 The way of wisdom and the way of folly. 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:53.159 And so it's not enough to avoid one path or walk away from one path. 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:56.460 We also have to go on to the other path and embrace another path. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:21:00.700 Fearing the Lord is not just hating what's evil. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:03.860 It's also loving what's good. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:07.200 Fear of the Lord is not just hating what's evil. 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:09.580 It's also loving what's good. 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:13.939 Of course, our Lord Jesus also tells us about two paths. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:17.500 In Matthew chapter 7, he says this, 00:21:17.919 --> 00:21:23.919 Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction. 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:26.639 And those who enter by it are many. 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:32.000 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life. 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:34.299 And those who find it are few. 00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:38.139 Violence is one path. 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:41.600 Jesus teaches us about the other. 00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:46.300 Remember, we've been talking about the fact that Matthew chapter 12, verse 42, 00:21:46.540 --> 00:21:49.500 tells us that Jesus is greater than Solomon. 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:55.900 He is the great wisdom teacher who teaches us even more than Solomon did or could. 00:21:56.580 --> 00:22:00.200 And so he helps us understand it's not enough to not be violent. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.960 It's actually something even more that he calls us to, 00:22:03.040 --> 00:22:07.140 which is to preserve and promote life, to promote and love justice. 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:13.200 These evil men present a path and they make promises of a reward. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:21.080 Jesus also presents a path and he promises a reward. 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:25.900 It's just a very different path and a very different reward. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:30.600 They promise a reward to people who pursue violence. 00:22:32.060 --> 00:22:36.500 And Jesus promises a reward to those who pursue peace. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:40.019 We also see this in the Gospel of Matthew. 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.960 He tells us in Matthew chapter 5, 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:45.100 Blessed are the people who have blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:51.039 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:54.819 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:58.779 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:04.500 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:07.700 So those who pursue peace are going to be sons of God. 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:12.980 They are going to have the rich community, the real community that's worth being a part of. 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:16.039 Those who are meek are going to inherit the earth. 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:19.900 They are going to have the true riches and treasure. 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:22.400 Jesus makes better promises. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:28.880 These men who are inviting the Son promise riches to those who take. 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:34.500 Jesus promises rewards to those who give. 00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:37.320 Tells us in Luke chapter 6, 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:43.640 Love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great. 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:49.420 And you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:53.760 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:57.720 So they promise a reward to violence. 00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:00.799 And they promise a reward to those who take. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:04.539 Jesus promises a reward for peace. 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:08.539 And he promises a reward for those who give. 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:11.519 They promise a community. 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:16.960 And we see in John chapter 17, Jesus prays for his community. 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:21.000 For us, the church, that we would have true and rich community. 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:22.019 That we would be one. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:25.220 And so simply, Jesus just offers better promises. 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:29.360 One presents a way to death. 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:32.920 Jesus presents the way and the path to life. 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:35.880 Jesus offers a better deal. 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:39.839 He offers better motivations. 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.900 We're told in verse 10, 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:44.519 My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent. 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:49.440 Jesus is also enticing and calling out and alluring and inviting. 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:51.339 He's also offering rewards. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:55.619 He's just offering rewards for a very different way. 00:24:56.139 --> 00:24:57.900 Very different destination. 00:24:57.900 --> 00:25:04.740 So Jesus promises us a great blessing that motivates us, 00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:08.000 not just away from violence, but towards peace. 00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:11.720 And so it's not just that we don't walk in this way. 00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:14.420 It's not just that we're not greedy for unjust gain. 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:17.300 It's the fact that we're going after the opposite. 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:26.039 We can listen carefully when people tell us about their experiences of injustice. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:29.940 We don't need to be defensive, but we can be peacemakers. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:37.680 We can be willing to have less money for the sake of others and for the sake of the community, 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:44.320 rather than trying to gain more money at the expense of others and at the expense of the community. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:50.680 We can stand up for the lives of others when they're threatened, rather than devouring them. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:57.059 We can seek reconciliation even when it's inconvenient and it's costly. 00:25:57.059 --> 00:26:10.480 And we can walk in that way because Jesus offers us something much greater and much richer than anyone in this passage can. 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:20.259 I mentioned before that violence offers us something and Jesus offers us something. 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:26.599 But one of those has a much better track record than the other. 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:37.019 We can have confidence and trust and faith in what Jesus offers us because his track record is strong and secure. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:41.700 He has made it clear to us that we can trust and rely on him. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:46.039 And he's made it most clear to us when he died for us on the cross. 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:54.619 It's the cross that shows us Jesus' seriousness and his commitment to the way of peace and his seriousness and commitment to us. 00:26:54.619 --> 00:27:04.239 Jesus received violence when he didn't deserve it so that we would receive peace when we don't deserve it. 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:12.019 And so we can follow after Jesus having faith in him because of looking at him on the cross. 00:27:12.219 --> 00:27:15.479 We know that he makes good on his promises. 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:23.539 His investments, investments we make with him, have a sure and clear return and reward. 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:33.559 In late 2008, there's a man whose name, many of you probably know, Bernie Madoff, who was arrested. 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:38.920 And he was arrested for running a Ponzi scheme, which is a deceitful scheme. 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:41.400 It's a way of taking away the lives of the innocent. 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:48.220 It offers great rewards if you give your money to it, but it turns out there's no real investment there. 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:49.420 It's all built on a lie. 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:58.759 And just as this passage presents, Bernie Madoff suffered the consequences of his way. 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:00.840 It's verse 18. 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:03.620 He set an ambush for his own life. 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:04.819 Verse 19. 00:28:04.979 --> 00:28:07.839 Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:10.539 It takes away the life of its possessors. 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:15.519 He ended up not with great riches, but instead he ended up in jail. 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:22.579 He ended up not with community, but he ended up isolated and alone. 00:28:22.699 --> 00:28:25.319 And so he illustrates a couple things for us. 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:30.839 First, he shows us that the way of violence ends in death. 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:36.000 But he also reminds us that the way of violence is a Ponzi scheme. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:41.919 It offers a return and a reward that it can't make good on. 00:28:42.439 --> 00:28:44.259 It leads not to wealth. 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:47.419 This passage reminds us it leads to bankruptcy. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:54.319 Makes great promises, but in the end, we're left with nothing. 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:59.119 On the other hand, Jesus offers to us the greatest returns. 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:01.399 He offers real returns. 00:29:02.159 --> 00:29:07.239 And he's guaranteed them for us by his death and his resurrection. 00:29:07.439 --> 00:29:12.219 And so we can pursue peace, not violence, but because we know, 00:29:13.239 --> 00:29:16.979 blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:29:17.939 --> 00:29:23.239 And blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.619 Please pray with me. 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:25.679 Amen. 00:29:25.679 --> 00:29:25.759 Amen. 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:25.779 Amen. 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:25.819 Amen. 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:25.859 Amen. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:34.539 Our Father in heaven, we thank you that you're a good and a faithful father. 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:39.659 And that you come and you warn us of the things that would cause us death. 00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:44.699 We ask that you'd send your spirit now to drive those warnings deep into our heart, 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:49.459 but even more, that you'd show us the glory of Jesus and his way of peace. 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:57.840 And you'd remind us that Jesus, unlike the other offers, provides a real return on investment. 00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:03.579 And we ask that you'd use that to give us faith and trust and hope in him. 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:09.220 We ask that you would do that now, not because of what we've done, but because of what Jesus has done for us. 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.720 And so we ask it in his name. 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:11.640 Amen. 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:11.799 Amen. 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.799 Amen. 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.799 Amen. 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.799 Amen. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:20.200 I look forward to soon being able to give you all a benediction in person. 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:27.680 But while we wait for that, we'll have to make do with a benediction over video. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:33.259 I'll remind you that a benediction is a good word from God. 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:38.940 It's a word that is true in the midst of a world filled with words that are not true. 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:43.900 It's tradition for the minister to hold up his hand to send out God's blessing on God's people 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:47.519 and for God's people to hold out their hands to receive God's blessing. 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:52.779 And so hear now God's good word over you from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:59.440 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:03.379 and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.539 He who calls you is faithful. 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.139 He will surely do it. 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:07.920 Amen. 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:11.019 Thanks for being with us today. 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:16.259 And I look forward to seeing many of you in person a week from now. 00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.339 Thanks so much.