Bring the Books

Sermon Notes – What the Wise Eat for Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:31:00 +0000

What the Wise Eat for Dinner, Proverbs 9

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended September 5, 2010

Wisdom has built her house. This is not a pre-fab, zero lot line, suburban home. This is a stately manor, with a large fence and gate to keep out those who don’t belong. Mahogany, granite and marble are used throughout with great attention paid to detail.

This house has seven pillars holding up the porch. This is really more than it needs but it communicates something – stability and protection.

She is getting ready for a dinner party. The crystal, china, and silverware are all laid out and sparkling. Her dinner makes anyone else’s look like a cheap diner. She has meat grown on her farm, vegetables from her garden – even the butter is homemade. Nothing here is out of the box.

She isn’t doing this just because she is a perfectionist. She is expecting someone special. This preparation points more to the person that is coming than her. That person is you. She even comes looking for you. You would think you would invite people that know how to use all the silverware and thus appreciate all her hard work, but she invites those that aren’t like her. She invites the simple and the naïve, those who lack discretion – the fools.

Just because she has prepared it for you doesn’t mean you have no other choices. There is another invitation.

This other invitation looks exactly like wisdom’s invitation. It looks exactly the same but it is counterfeit. The invitation comes from Folly and she really can’t compete with Wisdom.

Folly is boisterous, loud and exciting. She can draw people in. From all outward signs it seems the same as Wisdom’s party but she is stupid. She is even more simpleminded than the simpleminded that she invites.

She makes no effort at all. She doesn’t even offer take-out food to her guests. She serves leftovers from another person’s party taken from the trash. She has done nothing to her house to get it ready for you. She serves on paper plates with used silverware. She doesn’t even care enough to get out of her seat to invite you. She just sees you on the way to Wisdom’s party and stops you.

The really strange thing is that she has bones of dead people in her closet. They died from eating her rotten food. To eat her food is to die. To accept her invitation is to accept death.

Why would anyone eat there? She is very subtle. She is not going to let you know about her preparations. She is very seductive. Admittedly, those who eat there do have a good time. There is fun in carnality – for a season. She is strangely attractive even though death follows. Her greatest secret is that she tells everyone exactly what they want to here. “I would never tell you you’re wrong. You are fine!”, she says. She feeds on people’s pride and ego and most people listen to her. She makes them who have nothing think they have something. She leads many astray by just offering a good time – pleasure.

The choice of where you dine determines your final destination. The invitations are similar but the destinations are not.

To choose wisdom is to choose Christ. To choose folly is to reject Christ.

Sin never tells you you’re wrong. The person who accepts the invitation of folly does not fear God. He hates Christ and loves his sin. Coming to Christ takes humility – if it takes anything.

Wisdom invites us to dine with her in her stately manor, eating her well-prepared meal, drinking from her choice wine, enjoying her company, and she invites us into an intimate relationship with her. This invitation of wisdom is the invitation to choose the way of wisdom and choose the way of life.

Folly invites us to dine with her at her house, eating her food in secret, drinking her stolen water, enjoy her company, and she invites us into an intimate relationship with her. This invitation of folly is the invitation to choose the way of folly and to choose the way of eternal death.

Those who are proud of heart will always choose the way of folly. Their refusal to submit to wisdom’s call and acknowledge their need for wisdom will lead them down the path of destruction. Their desire to hold on to life will ultimately cause them to lose their life. Thus it is with all those who refuse to take instruction.

In all humility, tell the Lord through prayer that you desperately need Him. Acknowledge your own folly, acknowledge your lack of wisdom, acknowledge your need for Him, and embrace the wisdom that comes from God alone.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes – Jesus: The Wisdom of God ... and More

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:15:00 +0000

Jesus: The Wisdom of God ... and More, Proverbs 8

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 29, 2010

There are many “shadows” of Christ in the Old Testament. Metaphors, if you will, that point to Christ, they point to some reality about Jesus.

The bronze serpent in Edom (Numbers 21) tells us something about Jesus. In John 3:14 Jesus refers to this. Jesus did everything the serpent did and so much more.

The manna God provided in Exodus sustained the Israelites. In John 6:30-35 Jesus points back to this and proclaims that He is the bread of life. Jesus sustains and so much more.

The ark, the water from the rock, the Passover lamb all point to Jesus. We can’t read into them too much, however, we can only see what was meant to be seen.

Jesus is not the wisdom in Proverbs. Wisdom doesn’t fully explain Jesus but points to some reality about Christ. He is everything wisdom promises, and so much more. Lady wisdom spoken of in Proverbs is only a shadow of what was to come in Christ. Wisdom is no everything Christ is, but Christ is everything that wisdom is.

More than any other chapter in the book of Proverbs, chapter 8 most clearly and remarkably points us to Jesus Christ. It reminds us that to choose wisdom is to choose Christ, and the call to follow wisdom is the call to follow Christ.

1. Wisdom invites fools – Proverbs 8:1-5

Wisdom here, and in Proverbs 1:21, is shouting to us; loud and pleading, She is standing so that everyone can hear, at the crossroads, where the two paths of Proverbs meet. She is also standing at the gates, in sight of every single area of life. She is telling us that we need her for every single area of our lives, for every detail.

She is pleading with the naïve and the fool. This is reminiscent of Matthew 11:28 where Jesus calls all those who labor and of Matthew 9:13 where He says He came for sinners. Both wisdom and Christ are passionately pleading with those headed toward destruction to turn and escape by faith and repentance.

Wisdom invites fools, but Jesus invites sinners.

2. Wisdom offers invaluable truth – Proverbs 8:6-11

Wisdom gives straight words that will lead us in the straight path. Perverse, meaning outside of the way of God, are not in wisdom’s vocabulary. You can trust what wisdom says. It offers invaluable truth, above any value we understand.

This is reminiscent of John 14:6 where Jesus tells us He is truth. He doesn’t just have the truth but He IS the truth. There is nothing of greater value (Matthew 13:44).

Wisdom offers invaluable truth, but Jesus IS invaluable truth.

3. Wisdom promises reward – Proverbs 8:12-21

When you choose wisdom you get other benefits as well; prudence, understanding, riches, honor, wealth, etc. The greatest reward is understanding how to walk in the world He created. It is his world and can’t walk wisely without His understanding.

What of Proverbs 8:18, 19, 21? We know of many righteous people who do not have a full treasury. One of the basic hermeneutical principles of Proverbs is that these are principles that are set forth, not promises. These aren’t promises of wealth, but a principle that blessings always accompany obedience. The blessing may not be financial, it is so much more. Ephesians 1:3-14 show us that our blessing is being His children. When we receive Christ we receive more than anything Proverbs can offer. Do you want to receive all the promises of Proverbs? They are found in Christ (Colossians 2:3).

Wisdom offers reward, but Christ is the ultimate reward.

4. Wisdom is the attribute of creation – Proverbs 8:22-31

Wisdom existed before creation and was present at creation. God created the world through His wisdom, according to His wisdom. It is foolish then to walk in God’s world without His wisdom because His wisdom is the principle upon which the world was created, the very attribute that created the world through God.

This is reminiscent of John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16-17, where we find that everything exists because He created it. How foolish then to live apart from Christ if He created it.

Wisdom is the attribute of creation, but Jesus is the agent of creation.

5. Wisdom demands listening – Proverbs 8:32-36

True listening is external hearing and internal submission. Wisdom demands that you forsake folly and believe that wisdom alone can be trusted to lead you in the right path. Hatred of wisdom is a love of death.

This is reminiscent of Mark 8:34-35 where Christ tells us to turn from sin and in faith believe that He is the only way to life, if we daily follow and obey Him.

Wisdom demands listening, but Jesus demands that we follow. Christ demands allegiance.

Christ offers everything wisdom does – and so much more.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes – The Fate of Foolishness and Fools

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:53:00 +0000

The Fate of Foolishness and Fools , Proverbs 6:1-19

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 22, 2010

How careful we are to protect our children in some areas but not in other areas which are of greater danger. We are passionate about physical protection, rightly so, but not as passionate about spiritual protection. The father here knows the subtle danger. In the middle of three chapters of sexual immorality these verses seem out of place. He shows the consequences of foolishness and fools because he knows there are many other dangers like her.

The fate of foolishness – Proverbs 6:1-11

The father here is speaking to someone who fears the Lord. He knows the son made the right initial decision; it is still possible for his son to make foolish decisions however. The father wants him to walk constantly in wisdom so he won’t have to pay the consequences now – or later. In a moment of sin we could do something that will cost us the rest of our life as the consequences of sin are still there. The primary issue here then is not finances or laziness, they are just examples, but, rather, of falling into foolishness.

The son is one who fears the Lord, has chosen the way of wisdom, and is seeking to walk the way of wisdom. The fool is one who does not fear God, has chosen to walk the way of folly, and has no desire to walk the way of wisdom. In New Testament terms, the son is the one who has a genuine relationship with God through Christ, and the fool is the one who still lives in rebellion.

Surety – Proverbs 6:1-5

The son may have co-signed for someone he doesn’t even know. He didn’t use the wisdom of God for that decision; he may have even been doing it out of love. This decision could entrap him and keep him from walking the way of wisdom.

Foolishness often leads to further foolishness. Surety leads to not giving to God – further foolishness.

Laziness – Proverbs 6:6-11

A sluggard has no work and no ambition to work. We can learn from God’s creation. The ant is working for the present and for the future. Laziness is a sin to God.

He is saying that we should fear sin and run from it because we fear the consequences – and we fear God. Our destination will not change but we will pay the penalty.

It is still possible for a son to make foolish decisions. A believer, although he wants to walk with Christ and hates sin, is still tempted to sin and can fall into sin. Although that sin might not change he son’s ultimate destination, the consequences here on earth still remain. This is seen in the foolish use of money and the wasting of time.

The fate of the fool – Proverbs 6:12-19

He shows the way the fool feels about God and then the way God feels about the fool.

The way the fool feels about God - Proverbs 6:12-15

He is not grieved when he is outside the walk of wisdom. He thinks the greatest place of freedom is outside the authority of God. The broader way often does appear to have more freedom.

The fool is one who is rebellious toward God in his heart. He does not love God, nor desire God, nor is he grieved when he fails to follow God. He has external disregard for the way of God and an internal rebellion toward the things of God. God hates his actions, and the fool will pay for his actions.

Perverse means willing and determined to go against what is expected. It is a total disregard for the way and plan of God. He wants to lead others astray.

Proverbs 6:15 shows that one day all of his chances will be gone. This is the fate of the fool, also seen in Proverbs 29:1 and Romans 3:10-19.

It is an issue of the heart, not just activities.

The way God feels about the fool – Proverbs 6:16-19

Proverbs 6:16 is using a common literary technique to show the intensity of God’s hatred. It is not an exhaustive list.

“haughty eyes” – an arrogant and proud heart that never looks down in shame because of sin. Never will their eyes look up to God for their only hope. A proud prayerlessness.

“lying tongue” – a perverted speech.

“hands that shed innocent blood” – what better description of abortion than this.

“feet that make haste to run to evil” – a heart that isn’t aligned properly and thus behavior, their feet, follow.

God hates what he does. This calls us to love what God loves and hate what God hates. Do you hate the things that God hates? Are you passionately opposed to those things that God passionately opposes? There is no place for neutrality in these areas. These are the things that sent Jesus to the cross. Ask the Lord to give you the same loves and hates that He has.

We have a tendency to neuter God of His passion. We see His affections here. God hates sin. He hates a rebellious heart, an arrogant spirit, a mouth that speaks falsehood and spreads strife, and those who devise wicked and violent plans.

Are you running with spiritual scissors? Playing with spiritual fire?

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Quote - Gazing at our Lord

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:01:00 +0000

"I want to stay in the habit of 'glancing' at my problems and 'gazing' at my Lord."

Joni Eareckson Tada

Sermon Notes – Sex and the Wisdom of God, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:58:00 +0000

Sex and the Wisdom of God, Part 2, Proverbs 5-7

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 15, 2010

Proverbs 6:27 makes it clear that you can’t play with fire and not be burned. The fire is sex, the fireplace is marriage. Fire outside of the fireplace will burn everything in sight leaving scars that will last forever.

How do you contain the fire of sexual passion?

1. You must embrace the way of wisdom

When we read wisdom in the Proverbs we just think of it as Christ. We must pursue and embrace Christ to keep from sexual immorality. The primary way to keep from sexual immorality is by embracing wisdom. In other words, the more you embrace the right thing the less likely you are to embrace the wrong thing. The primary key to resisting sexual temptation is to daily and passionately pursue intimacy with Christ through hearing, meditating on, and obeying his Word.

The Proverbs generally describe an action you must do, followed by a result with a reason for the action following.

For example, look at Proverbs 5:1-3:

1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.
3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,

Proverbs 5:1 gives us an ACTION, Proverbs 5:2 gives us the RESULT of the action, and Proverbs 5:3 shows us the REASON.

Proverbs 6:20-24 has the same form:

20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.

Proverbs 6:20-21 give the ACTION, Proverbs 6:22 shows the RESULT and Proverbs 6:23-24 give the REASON.

We don’t read the Word for “tips in living” only however, we read the Word to meet with God. We don’t need “steps” to get out of our problems, we need God. We need God because our heart is transformed by Him which changes our actions. Without a new heart we don’t have the ability to do right. We cannot conquer sin in the flesh.

If your ability to keep from falling into sin is directly related to your time in the Word of God, what are your chances of keeping from sin? Is your day characterized by a pursuit of intimacy with Christ?

2. You must run from the way of folly

We must hear this over and over. In Proverbs 7:22 he stood there long enough to allow her enticement. You cannot stay that close for that long without falling. Run!

Proverbs 5:7-8, Proverbs 6:25 and Proverbs 7:25 all point to this.

Remember that everywhere your heart goes your feet will go eventually. Do not flirt with sin, recognize the danger and run. Protect the condition of your heart by paying careful attention to what goes into your heart through the five gates: eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and touch. Do not for a moment think that you can let the guard down on your gates and your heart not be affected. If the heart is the source of everything you think, feel, do, and desire, it must be protected at all costs.

3. You must drink from your own cistern – Proverbs 5:12-23

There is a place for sexual passion to burn with great energy – it is marriage. Sex is nothing to be ashamed of; it is a gracious gift of God – in the right context. We are protected from sexual immorality by sexual intimacy in marriage.

Fire can be both wonderful and devastating. Water can be both refreshing and painful. So it is with sex.

Marriage is the God ordained place for all sexual expression.

Proverbs 5:15 – He is not saying that your spouse is just an object of desire but rather that you don’t have to burn, cultivate the fire at home.

1 Corinthians 6:20 – 7:39 – These verses tell us that our body is God’s. We should thus restrain from sexual immorality because we are trespassing on God’s property. Single men and women should especially remember this: her body is God’s, not yours.

The expression of sex in marriage is to be enjoyed.

Intoxicated and exhilarated are passionate words.

This expression is to be pursued.

If the expression in marriage isn’t working well then there is a danger. Work diligently and daily to develop emotional and spiritual intimacy with your spouse, knowing that without that true physical intimacy and passion it is impossible to protect yourself.

We must fear (we should be terrified of the consequences of sexual immorality), rejoice (we should be thankful for the gift of sex in marriage) and trust (God’s way is right even when it doesn’t seem so. We must trust that marriage is worth the hard work to save sex.)

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Quote - A Nice Person

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0000

“A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.”

Dave Barry

Sermon Notes – Sex and the Wisdom of God, Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:31:00 +0000

Sex and the Wisdom of God, Part 1, Proverbs 5-7

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 8, 2010

The location of a fire is important. In the fireplace it is beautiful and warm. Outside the fireplace, the uncontained fire, it is dangerous and life-threatening.

The fireplace is marriage and the fire is sex. In the fireplace it can burn with passion and be glorifying to God. The minute it is removed from its proper place it has the ability to scar for a lifetime. We need a proper fear of fire. It will leave scars.

“Where is the fire?”

The presence of the danger

The forbidden, foreign or strange woman described beginning in Proverbs 5:3 is “strange” in that she is off the path of life and “foreign” in that she is not a part of the marriage covenant. What the father is trying to communicate here is that sex was created by God to enjoy with passion within marriage – anything outside of that is wrong. So, for men, this is who to watch out for. For women, this is who not to be.

He is communicating even more than that however. This woman is not just an example of an immoral woman, but someone who typifies the way in which all temptation takes place. The nature of all temptation and teaches us how to recognize the temptation and run away from it.

In John Bunyan’s book, The Holy War, he talks of the city of Mansoul that has five gates in the city wall: the “feel” gate, the “ear” gate, the “eye” gate, the “mouth” gate, and the “nose” gate. The enemy to Mansoul is Diabolis and anytime he wants to come in he must attack through the gates because the only way into Mansoul was through one of these gates. So it is with our heart. When we are tempted with temptation we are tempted through these gates.

If you are watching things or hearing things which have a tendency to lead you to sin, remove those things at once lest they enter your heart and cause you to fall into sin. Fear the devastating power of sin – and then embrace the greater power of God.

The eye gate: Her looks – Proverbs 7:10 describes her dress, her appearance. The father makes a connection between the way she is dressed and the condition of her heart. Her appearance demonstrates what she desires on the inside. She is drawing attention to her physical attributes to get to the heart of a man. What you wear demonstrates what you want. Attention should be drawn to our spiritual character (1 Timothy 2:9-10). You will get a man attracted to your spiritual character if you dress in such a way to draw attention to that. That dress involves your good works. You will get what you are asking for either way.

The feel gate: Her actions – Her actions work on this gate also in Proverbs 7:11-13. This is reminiscent of Genesis 39 where Joseph would rather run away naked than stay there a minute longer.

The ear gate: Her words – This is where the father spends the bulk of his time. Proverbs 5:3, 6:24, and 7:14 all point to her “smooth and sweet” words. She knows exactly how to talk to get attention.

In Proverbs 7:14 she says she has been to church. She is promising that she is a good girl. We know she doesn’t know the Lord from the father’s previous description. Then in Proverbs 7:15 he notes where she was looking for anyone before but now she says she was looking for him specifically. She is flattering him. She is deceiving. She is saying those things that should be said at home – not in the street. Proverbs 7:19-20 then assures him that all will be fine because no one will ever know – they will never get caught. This is parallel to Genesis 3 again where the deceiver says, “You will not surely die.”

The nose and mouth gate: Her enticements – Proverbs 7:13, 16-18 makes this obvious point.

The man stands there long enough to get persuaded and enticed. He is playing with fire. We know then that he is an idiot. Joseph knew to run, he is wise enough to know he is weak in the face of this temptation. The longer you stay the greater the temptation. The longer you expose your gates the greater the chance of breakthrough.

She is portrayed like a lion. Proverbs 6:25, “capture”; Proverbs 6:26, “hunts”; Proverbs 7:11, “can’t be tamed”; Proverbs 7:12, “lurking”; Proverbs 7:22, “devours”. Reminds us of 1 Peter 5:8 and how Satan takes advantage of open gates. Once again, the father is painting a picture of all temptation.

The man never sees the lion before the kill. Sin is crouching at the door waiting for an unguarded gate (Genesis 4:7).

The consequences of the danger

The reality is opposite, in all cases, of everything she says. She says she has satisfaction to offer but she really has none. This is the lie of the enemy trying to get through one of your gates to attack your heart.

The emotional cost of sexual immorality – Proverbs 5:4

In the end she is bitter. She may sound sweet but she isn’t. She wounds and scars for life. The opposite of honey is wormwood, the opposite of oil is sword. The wormwood is internal sorrow and pain. The sword cuts and wounds. Sexual immorality always leaves a scar. Proverbs 5:12-14 we see a man regretting the fact that he didn’t listen to his father.

The spiritual cost of sexual immorality – Proverbs 5:6, 7:24-25

She is on a different path. Choosing to be immoral is choosing the way of folly. You cannot be on two paths at the same time. You cannot be sexually immoral and intimate with Christ, because they are two different ways. Immorality is not just an activity; it is a way, a path – it is a way opposite the way of Christ.

The physical cost of sexual immorality – Proverbs 5:8-11

The father tells of exhaustion, pain and possibly disease with your vitality drained. This is similar to David describing his vitality being drained by hiding his sin in Psalm 32.

The social cost of sexual immorality – Proverbs 6:33

The social ramifications are beyond what we can even imagine. Everyone is affected. It doesn’t matter what you may accomplish, this sin will blot it out. You will always have an asterisk by your name. Your reputation is ruined.

The scars of an uncontained fire are forever. Feel the weight of this. Don’t be like the ox, going willingly and obliviously (Proverbs 7:22). Animals don’t see the consequences, do you? There are horrific consequences if you aren’t paying attention. The forgiveness is real but the scars remain forever. You don’t want these scars – many can testify to this.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Something Light - You Think I'm Embarassing?

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:21:00 +0000

We surf...so you don't have to - Aug. 3

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Three great posts from Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds, a site you should bookmark.

What Did the Temple Look Like in Jesus’ Time?

Great graphics with a great message.

What Did Jesus Look Like?

I don't know if I place much stock in the science but interesting nonetheless.

Pascal on Our Addiction to Distraction

Keeping focus and putting away the distractions keeps us walking in the Way.

Quote - Infected with a most dreadful, fearful, soul-killing disease!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0000

"The whole race of mankind, in consequence of the fall, is infected with a most dreadful, fearful, soul-killing disease!

You are infected with it yourself!

It is in your nature, and its effects are manifested in your conduct! Its seat is in the heart--which has become deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked!

This malignant disease has spread over every faculty of the soul!
The understanding is darkened--so that you cannot see your dreadful state!
The conscience is defiled--and no longer warns of evil!
The will is powerfully biased to evil--and chooses what God abhors!
The affections are earth-bound--and set on forbidden things!
The imagination has become sensual--and only employed in evil!
The reason is debased--and calls darkness, light; and light, darkness!
The memory is depraved--and has become a storehouse of iniquity!
The whole soul is paralyzed, polluted, and diseased!
Satan has got possession--and endeavors to lead you to hell in a false peace!

You are naturally . . .
unfit for heaven,
at enmity with God,
exposed to His wrath,
cursed by His law,
condemned by His word,
traveling to perdition,
and ripening for damnation!

You cannot . . .
deliver yourself from sin's dominion,
cleanse yourself from inherent defilement,
or escape the righteous judgment of God,
by anything that you can do.

You are . . .
without strength,
blind to your everlasting welfare,
and a hater of God!

You . . .
were born a sinner,
have lived transgressing,
and dying in such a state,
will be banished into irremediable woe!

This is your state, reader--whoever you may be!
This is your situation--however you may have lived!
This is your condition--whatever you may think!
Have you ever seen yourself in this situation?
Have you ever felt this to be your case?
Have you ever trembled on account of it--and sought a remedy?
If not, this is the very worst symptom of your disease!
You are . . .
insensible of your wretched condition,
under a spiritual derangement,
and madness is in your heart!

But if you have discovered your malady,
if you have felt sin to be really a dreadful disease,
if you are seeking for a remedy;
then I rejoice in being able to direct you to one that is provided, which may be obtained freely, and will certainly heal you!

God, who is rich in mercy, for the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin--has devised a way in which He can manifest Himself as a just God and a Savior! He has provided a suitable and glorious remedy for lost, ruined, and undone sinners! This remedy will . . .
heal the wounded,
cleanse the filthy,
sanctify the unholy,
justify the condemned,
liberate the captive,
and save the lost!

It gives . . .
peace to the distressed,
direction to the perplexed,
riches to the poor,
sight to the blind,
hearing to the deaf,
strength to the weak,
wisdom to the foolish,
and life to the dead!"

James Smith, from God's Remedy for Man's Malady

Sermon Notes – The Continental Divide of All Human Thinking

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:47:00 +0000

The Continental Divide of All Human Thinking, Mark 10:17-27
Dr. Paige Patterson, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended August 1, 2010

Everyone has an opinion about this and all come down on one side or the other. Are we working our way to heaven or resting in His work?

He thought there was something he could do. To his credit, he did know something was amiss.

Jesus is not denying His goodness or His Godness, but He is denying the validity of the comparison. It is a wrong standard of comparison. He is comparing himself to others instead of a righteous and holy God.

He is actually a pretty remarkable guy if he has never lied, but he already had a god in his life – his possessions. What is yours? What is your major motivation? What is the preoccupation of your life? Position, popularity, power, family?

You can’t come to the true God until you get rid of the false god.

You cannot save yourself. You cannot make yourself acceptable to God on your own. We are condemned and in serious trouble without Jesus.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes – Guard Your Heart - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:31:00 +0000

Guard Your Heart - Part 2, Proverbs 4:10-27

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended July 25, 2010

We spend a lot of time and money protecting things valuable to us. Advertisers take advantage of this. How much time do we spend guarding our most valuable possession – our heart?

The things of greatest value deserve the greatest protection.

Since the heart is the source of everything we think, feel, do, and desire, and since God sees our heart and judges us according to the condition of our heart, the heart is worthy of the greatest protection.

How do we protect our heart? It involves our attitude and our activity.

The attitude – Proverbs 4:23 encompasses two kinds of guarding. We want to keep the bad things out as well as keep the bad things in. We can think of it as a security guard, keeping things out, and a prison guard, keeping things in. We need to do both. Watch your heart and watch outside your heart.

This should be the priority of our life, “…above all things…” Above all else, value the condition of your heart and actively pursue a heart that is pleasing to the Lord. Choose by faith to believe that it is more important to guard your heart than anything else in life.

The activity – What we must do to guard our hearts.

1. Encounter God through His Word – This is our primary tool. Neglect of the Word is neglect of the heart, it is foundational. This is basic; we can’t look for the “advanced” tools. Be consumed with the Word of God.

Since God alone sees the heart, and since God alone can change the heart, we must seek to be changed by God through the power of His living Word. See the Word as a means to meet with the One who alone can see, discern, and change your heart.

Read it – this is embodied in the word “hear” from Proverbs 4:1, 10, 20. This must be daily, systematic and consistent.

Obey it – the word “hear” doesn’t just mean an external hearing but also an inward applying as seen in Proverbs 4:2 and Proverbs 4:4.

Internalize it – Proverbs 4:4, Proverbs 4:21 and Psalm 119:11 encourage meditation, memorization thus the Word is always available. We need a library in our head and heart.

We are always looking for steps and solutions. The Bible isn’t like that though. The solution to our problem isn’t steps and principles but God! Steps don’t change you, God does, even if we don’t know it or recognize it. When David wrote Psalm 119, at best, he had the Pentateuch. He didn’t find “steps” to solve his problems in Genesis. He found God in Genesis.

The popular technique of “bouncing your eyes” when you see something that may make you lust is an example. Although this is a fine technique, not looking won’t keep us from lust. You can lust without looking, it is your heart that must be changed, by God, through His Word.

When we look for principles or steps we are also assuming that we know our problem. We don’t always know our root problem. We may be looking for a solution to a problem we don’t even have. When we are in His Word God will heal us from within, the Word of God is active (Hebrews 4:12).

2. Encounter God through His ways – This is an active pursuing with everything we have, including our eyes, feet and mouth. If we are not engaging in the work of God we are only partially guarding. The activity is helping to guard your heart. An active pursuit of the way of God protects our heart. It must be a holistic pursuit of Him, His ways and ministry.

Mouth – Proverbs 4:24. The mouth reveals the heart but it also affects the heart. We make things worse by continually talking about our issues or problems. The mouth feeds the heart, and vice versa, they feed off each other. Whenever we are grumbling, complaining, criticizing, and gossiping we feed the condition of our heart, it makes it worse.

Eyes – Proverbs 4:25. What your eyes see affect the way your heart feels. The more we look at things we shouldn’t changes our heart, which will be manifested eventually. There is a figurative meaning also in that we need to focus on His way. If it were just literal we would need to wear a neck brace to keep our eyes looking straight ahead. Our focus determines our direction.

Feet – Proverbs 4:26-27. Don’t let our feet take you where you don’t want your heart to go. At least four times in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 5:32, 17:11, 17:20, 28:14) we find a verse almost exactly like Proverbs 4:26-27, in which Moses says, “Don’t turn to the right or left, turn your foot from evil”. The Promised Land is right there, if you just walk the way I told you to walk you are going to get it but they didn’t do it. Hebrews 12:2 references this as he talks about fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Primary ambition of our life should be to guard our heart and allow, by guarding, the life of Christ to be continually manifested through us. Keep your heart healthy.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes – Guard

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:04:00 +0000

Guard, Proverbs 4:10-27

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended July 18, 2010

The exterior mess we are dealing with now in the Gulf of Mexico is caused by an internal problem. The exterior can’t be fixed until the interior is. Why clean up the beach when the oil is still coming? The gushing well beneath the surface is your heart.

1. The identity of the heart

The father is usually very explicit in his definitions but here he is not in defining the heart. He assumes the son knows.

The heart is a hidden place – 1 Samuel 16:7. God alone sees and knows the heart thus; He alone is able to fix it. We don’t even know our own hearts.

The heart is the source of emotion – Proverbs 12:25, 15:3

The heart is the source of thoughts – Proverbs 23:7, Proverbs 6:14, 18

The heart is the source of actions – Matthew 12:34, Proverbs 23:7

The heart then is the center of everything we think, feel, do and desire. Therefore, our emotions, thoughts, actions, and desires reveal the condition of our heart. What do these things say about the condition of your heart?

God isn’t looking for our actions but for our heart. (Mark 12:30) We are controlled from the inside out so guarding your heart is paramount. Our problem is the heart but only God can fix the heart.

2. The problem of the heart

Everything you think, feel, and do is all messed up (Jeremiah 17:9).

In Mark 7:1-23 Jesus confronts the Pharisees. They don’t want anything dirty inside of them but Jesus makes what many consider to be the most revolutionary statement in the New Testament when He says that it is what comes out of a person that defiles, i.e. you aren’t dirty because you ate something dirty. Dirty hearts send you to hell, not dirty hands. External reformation cannot fix an internal issue. We might be able to change some of our actions; we are unable to change our hearts.

Before we learn how to guard our hearts we must have a heart worth guarding. Jeremiah 17:9 and Mark 7:1-23 tell us we don’t but the father here is assuming that the son does have a heart worth guarding so something must have happened to his heart. The only way Proverbs 4:23 makes any sense is if we have a new heart. We need regeneration and only the sovereign work of God can accomplish this. Guarding only makes sense if you have received by faith a heart worth guarding.

3. The exchanging of the heart – Ezekiel 36:24-26, John 3:1-21, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4, Titus 3:1-7

We must be careful to guard our heart after this exchange. It needs to be protected at all costs (Colossians 1:21-23, Romans 8:9-16, 2 Timothy 1:14). The very glory of Christ is in us so guard it!

Proverbs 4:7 is unusual but important here. The New Testament way to say this would be that before you can walk the way of Christ you must first get Christ. Once He is in us we have the desire to walk with Him. It doesn’t work following Him unless you have Him, because we are controlled from inside out and thus couldn’t do it otherwise.

Without new hearts, there is no hope of godly emotions, thoughts, actions, or desires. On the contrary, new hearts produce works of righteousness.

Psalm 24 talks of ascending to the hills. It isn’t saying get yourself clean before worship. The only way to ascend is to have a heart sprinkled with blood. We only ascend by Christ’s grace and by Christ taking us there. Those who have a new heart with Christ ascend.

Without His righteous heart we have no ability to have righteous emotions, thoughts, actions, and desires.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Quote - Seek Wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-4)

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0000

"You shall find this to be God's usual course: not to give His children the taste of His delights till they begin to sweat in seeking after them."

Richard Baxter

Sermon Notes – Trust

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:24:00 +0000

Trust, Proverbs 3

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended July 11, 2010

This is one of the most memorable conversations between father and son. The father is imploring the son to walk in a matter worthy of his calling, and so we are to walk with Jesus.

One of the most familiar verses in the Bible is here in Proverbs 3:5-6. These words are to the Christian disciple what the wedding ceremony is to a newlywed. At the wedding ceremony vows are made, the terms of the relationship are set forth and a statement about what each intend to do for the rest of their lives is made. This text reminds us of our commitment to Christ and the expectations Christ has for us as we walk with Him. As at the wedding, what matters most is what you do with your wedding declaration. A lot of people make the declaration but the demonstration is proof.

Trust is proven by its demonstration, not its declaration.

The father knows this. He also knows that his son has “declared” but now needs to “demonstrate”. The righteous are not those who declare they are but those who demonstrate they are. We must learn to walk moment by moment in faith (Hebrews 11:6). This is a walk, not a one-time declaration. This text tells us how to live our vows.

1. Characteristics of trust – Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust Him entirely – “…with all your heart…” We will see later that “heart” is a reference to all that you are.

We trust Him in the same way we are commanded to love Him, i.e. with all our mind, soul and strength. With our mind means we recognize the truth of what He says and what He has promised. With our soul means we believe what we know with our mind. With our strength means we act on what we believe. You never find an example of faith in scripture that does not have some activity with it. Faith leads to activity. Abel “brought”, Noah “built” and Abraham “went”, their faith lead to action.

Trust Him exclusively – “…in the Lord…” Release our confidence in anything else. He never wants part of our allegiance. We have no confidence in our flesh (Philippians 3:2).

Trust Him exhaustively – “…in all your ways…” In everything you encounter, in every circumstance and in every situation.

Why do we seem to trust Him to save us from Hell but don’t seem to trust Him in our daily life? We can trust Him for our souls but we can’t trust Him for our days? We don’t trust ourselves for our salvation but we do trust ourselves in finances, marriage, work and parenting. You will do salvation His way but you don’t want to do finances, marriage, work and parenting His way? If He is gracious enough to forgive us our sins, He is gracious enough to help you in your finances, marriage, work and parenting. Seek Him in all of your ways.

Perhaps you are struggling in assurance of salvation. You wonder about “the moment” you got saved. You hear those who say if you don’t remember “that moment” then you may not know the Lord. Remember, you can’t base your salvation on something that you did, even if it is a prayer, a walk down an aisle or a talk with a pastor. If your assurance is based on a date then it is based on something you did. We have to be confident in what He did and not what we did! Assurance comes by trusting in the work of Christ, not relying on a date in your Bible or when your Mom told you did.

One of the main messages of the Bible is that you can trust God.

2. Hindrances to trust – Proverbs 3:5-10

There are three hindrances to trust:

Self – Proverbs 3:5, “…do not lean on your own understanding…” and Proverbs 3:7, “…do not be wise in your own eyes…”

If you lean on yourself you are leaning on the very person that needs to lean! You are leaning on a broken leg. Our understanding is broken. We elevate ourselves and lower God when we do this.

Proverbs 3:7 is explained by Proverbs 26:12. A fool never acknowledges His need for God.

Sin – Proverbs 3:7, “…turn from evil…”

Relying upon ourselves is sin, it is pride. The fear of God will kill self-reliance because is causes us to think correctly about God and think correctly about ourselves and living as if that is true.

Stuff – Proverbs 3:9

Stuff can help or hinder your trust in the Lord. Hold stuff loosely. When we release it we increase our faith. When we give our “firsts” we are trusting for more. The things we have often draw away our affections and attention. They distract us from the things of the Lord.

When we have lots of chariots (Psalms 20:7) it is hard to trust the Lord in battle. If you have less chariots than the other then you have to depend on the Lord.

3. Promises of trust – Proverbs 3:5-10

Refreshment – Proverbs 3:8. This is mental, spiritual and physical refreshment.

Provision – Proverbs 3:10. The wisdom of man does not say give first. God is overseeing your finances.

Guidance – Proverbs 3:6. The greatest of all the promises.

We still try the path of folly periodically; it is always a detour, a waste of time. In the path of wisdom God will keep you from the detours and obstacles. There will be pain and difficulty but you will not have to deal with the consequences of sin.

What is that area where you don’t trust the Lord? Give it to Him and trust Him (Psalms 37:5).

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Quote - I Will Go With You

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:57:00 +0000

"There’s a story told, from Civil War days before America’s slaves were freed, about a northerner who went to a slave auction and purchased a young slave girl. As they walked away from the auction, the man turned to the girl and told her, “You’re free.”

With amazement she responded, “You mean, I’m free to do whatever I want?”

“Yes,” he said. “And to say whatever I want to say?” “Yes, anything.” “And to be whatever I want to be?”

“Yep.” “And even go wherever I want to go?” “Yes,” he answered with a smile.

“You’re free to go wherever you’d like.”

She looked at him intently and replied, “Then I will go with you.”

Jesus has come to the slave market. He came to us there because we could not go to him. He came and purchased us with his blood so we would no longer be a slave to sin but a slave to Christ, which is the essence of freedom.

And now there’s no freer place to be in life than going with him—with the One who is himself our true liberty."

Tullian Tchividjian, Surprised by Grace: God's Relentless Pursuit of Rebels

Sermon Notes – The Theology of Doxology

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 13:40:00 +0000

The Theology of Doxology, Galatians 1:4-5
Vern Charette, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended July 4, 2010

“The Theology of Doxology”, or “Why We Should Be a Worshipper”, or “Why Baptists Ought to Shout”.

I am a nobody telling everybody about Somebody who will save anybody.

A doxology is an expression of praise to God, especially a hymn or verse in Christian liturgy glorifying God. Literally, “doxo”, meaning "glory", and “logos”, meaning "word", so a doxology is “a glory word”.

God saved you for one reason – to glorify Him. We should erupt in worship as Paul does here in Galatians 1:5. Worship should characterize our lives. We should be constantly praising Him at church, school and play. Unfortunately, we have forgotten His blessings and developed spiritual Alzheimer’s.

1. We should be a worshipper because of the price Christ paid for us – Galatians 1:4

He willingly gave himself up for us. He wasn’t a martyr, He gave freely (John 10:18). He didn’t lose His life, He gave it.

Pilate thought Jesus was standing before Him, but in reality Pilate was standing before Him. Barabbas goes free while Jesus is executed. We go free while Jesus dies. Is it any wonder Paul breaks forth in spontaneous praise in Galatians 1:5?

2. We should be a worshipper because of the purpose of Jesus' death – Galatians 1:4

He died to rescue us, to deliver us. Don’t develop spiritual amnesia and forget where you were before Jesus rescued you. Have you forgotten what it was like to be lost? Your enemies have been destroyed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, just as the Egyptian enemies of Israel were destroyed.

Do you develop indignation at all the sin around you? Don’t forget who you were at one time. You were delivered from this present, evil world.

3. We should be a worshipper because of the plan of the Father– Galatians 1:4

Jesus’ death was according to the will of God. This was not plan B. There was no emergency meeting of the Trinity. He was our Savior before the foundations of the world.

We all worship something. We either worship the Holy Trinity or the unholy trinity – me, myself, and I. Our hearts are idol factories.

Worship is the fuel for missions. We want all the nations to be doxologized.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Quote - Trust God

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0000

"Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence."

Augustine

Sermon Notes – Pursue

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:51:00 +0000

Pursue, Proverbs 2
J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended June 27, 2010

This is the second of a series of conversations between a father and his son. The father is pleading with his son to pursue the way of wisdom, which is to pursue Christ. Think about God the Father having the same conversation with us.

This is a classic “if/then” conversation. Parents should be extremely familiar with what makes an effective “if/then” conversation.

1. The “if” must be clearly defined.
2. You must be willing to follow through with the “then”.
3. The “then” must be a good enough motivation to do the “if”.

Another way to state this is to say:

The only things worth pursuing are the things worth having.

“If” – Proverbs 2:1-4

1. If you pursue wisdom humbly then you will receive the rewards – Proverbs 2:1

You must see your need and be humbled. A hard, prideful heart will not see the need to pursue (Matthew 5:3).

2. If you pursue wisdom submissively then you will receive the rewards – Proverbs 2:2

The terms “hear and listen” mean to externally hear and inwardly obey. You must be making changes as a result of your hearing, i.e. submitting. “As long as I am hearing and reading the Word then I am OK” is not a true statement. You can read the Bible through twelve times a year and attend a Bible preaching church every Sunday but if you aren’t obeying then you aren’t pursuing wisdom (James 1:22, Mark 8:34).

3. If you pursue wisdom primarily then you will receive the rewards – Proverbs 2:3-4

This must become the primary pursuit of your life (Matthew 6:33). God will take care of the things that we, most often, spend the most time pursuing. Having wisdom and a relationship with Christ is the greatest treasure you will ever have (Matthew 13:44-45). Seek Christ above everything else.

“Then” – Proverbs 2:5-11

1. If you pursue wisdom in the right manner then you will know God – Proverbs 2:5

Knowledge of someone means intimacy. Knowledge of God is reserved for those who pursue rightly. The reason some don’t hunger God is because they have never tasted. Once you have tasted you are always hungry for more. Paul got a taste (Philippians 3:8-10).

2. If you pursue wisdom in the right manner then you will know the way of God – Proverbs 2:9

He gives you the discernment to know the right way and the wrong way, i.e. His way. You have the ability to make the right decision.

3. If you pursue wisdom in the right manner then you will be protected on the way – Proverbs 2:11-19

We need protection from evil men, evil women and the evil way. The “strange woman” is a woman outside the covenant of God. The “strange woman” is an analogy of idolatry or something that takes your affections away.

The failure to actively seek is always a decision to passively fail.

We find then some strange realities about pursuing Christ:

1. Sin keeps us from pursuing Christ but Christ keeps us from pursuing sin.

2. Passion is often a result of seeking (Proverbs 2:10). If you start pursuing Christ you will get a passion for it. You cannot wait for a desire to pursue, passion follows the pursuit. Passion is borne out of pursuit. It takes faith to believe it is worth your life and it is the only thing worth pursuing.

Do not think that you will receive the rewards of pursuit if you are not pursuing. Begin pursuing Christ now, trusting (even if you do not feel like it) that God will keep His promises and He will reward those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6). The pursuit of God produces passion for God.

The question isn’t the “then” it is the “if”. He keeps the “then”, will you keep the “if”? Proverbs 2:20-22 show us how important this is. He will uproot those who aren’t pursuing and send them to hell.

Are you pursuing anything worth having?

Do your life, thoughts, time, and energy reflect that Christ is your primary pursuit? If not, what do they reveal as your primary pursuit? God promises that those who seek Him humbly, primarily, and submissively will then receive intimacy, protection, and discernment.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes – Listen

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:18:00 +0000

Listen, Proverbs 1:8-33

J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended June 20, 2010

These are conversations between father and son that we get to listen into. They are not casual conversations. You can sense the love, passion, and desperate emotions of the father in encouraging his son to walk the way of wisdom. He is pleading with him. He focuses here through chapter 9, not on the specifics of what one should do, but the character qualities that one should possess.

Although they are conversations between a father and his son, they are also communications between our Father and His children. When we see a father in Proverbs we should think of our Heavenly Father. When we see children in Proverbs we should think of us, the children of God, those who have repented and trusted Him for our salvation. When we see wisdom in Proverbs we should think of Christ.

The father says that you have to learn to listen to walk the way of wisdom. Listening is mentioned in every single chapter of Proverbs. Learning to listen, i.e. to listen right, is imperative. Listening as Proverbs defines it is listening externally and responding internally.

The voice you listen to determines the direction you go.

We are bombarded with thousands of voices. You hear a voice in every book, song, movie and friend. All are telling you of a different way to live. You can’t escape these voices even when alone. Our mind and flesh has its own voice. We must practice “discerning listening”. The father doesn’t shelter the son from these other voices. There is the perverse voice, the wicked voice, the idolatrous voice, and many others. All are the voice of folly.

The voice of wisdom is standing at the crossroads, warning and inviting.

The father tells his son that he:

1. Must hear what you have heard – Proverbs 1:8-9

The son here is obviously in a home where they took seriously the command of God in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Listen right. The father knows there are two kinds of hearing. He wants the son to outwardly hear and inwardly obey. The way to do this is not to close down all the voices. The way to do this is to tell them what they are going to hear and teach them how to discern. God commands all families to “homeschool”. Not necessarily science and math, but God’s instructions.

2. Must see the stupidity of folly – Proverbs 1:10-32

He shows here the plan, promise and path of the fool. Their plan always makes light of the things God takes seriously. Their plan always breaks down.

Proverbs 1:14 shows the promise of brotherhood and acceptance. They also promise life (Proverbs 1:12) and wealth (Proverbs 1:13). All of their promises (life, wealth and brotherhood) can only be fulfilled by God.

Proverbs 1:17 compares their folly to a bird. No bird watches a net and just sits there waiting to be captured. Even the small brained bird knows when danger is coming and flees.

Proverbs 1:18 is a re-statement of Proverbs 1:11. It turns their own words against them. They are ambushing themselves. They are dumber than a bird in that they don’t even see that their plan leads to their own destruction.

Proverbs 1:18-32 shows us that they are going to want wisdom at some point in their lives but they won’t get it. Proverbs 29:1 tells us that they will reach the point of no return if they continually ignore wisdom. Your heart hardens every time it is ignored. Folly always writes checks that can’t be cashed. If you listen to folly you are accepting fraudulent checks that can never be deposited. The promises can’t be fulfilled.

3. Must listen to the voice of wisdom – Proverbs 1:33

Christ can keep every promise He makes. His path always leads to life.

The plan of wisdom is always the plan to sanctify you, to make you like Christ. Proverbs 8:35-36; Proverbs 3:17, 23; and Proverbs 9:6 highlight and contrast the way of life.

The call of wisdom in this first chapter of Proverbs reminds us of Jesus’ call in Matthew 11:28-30. The offer of wisdom is always the offer of Jesus Christ. If you refuse to listen you will receive the fullness of the consequences of your decision.

What are the prevailing voices in your life? Who has your ear? Choose to immerse yourself in the voice of God – His Word.

Train yourself, through the constant reading and memorizing of the Word of God, to recognize the messages that you are hearing. If you are being bombarded with opposing voices, you must fill your mind even more with the Word of God. We must think carefully and critically about the messages that we are hearing every day. Satan is purposefully using the messages from media, friends, and culture to lead us down the path that leads to destruction. Therefore, we must moment by moment examine them and reject them. Every moment of the day, recognize that each choice you make is leading you down a certain path. Choose wisely and quickly, lest you be forced to eat the fruit of your wrong choices.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes - Enter

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:15:00 +0000

Enter, Proverbs 1:1-7
J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended June 13, 2010

The way of wisdom is the way of Christ. To seek to be wise is to seek to be like Christ.

From last week remember there are two gates, two paths, two destinations - two ways to live. There is only one way into the way of wisdom. You miss the gate and you miss the way.

A proverb is a small sentence with big meaning. They are not unique to the Bible. All cultures have cultural proverbs. Proverbs of the Bible are not the same as cultural proverbs.

One might ask how it is that a man with seven hundred wives, Solomon, is considered wise. We must remember that our confidence in these proverbs is not based on the human author but in the Revealer. These are not the wisdom of Solomon but God.

Proverbs 1:1-6 give us the purposes and promises of Proverbs. They give us a thirst for goodness, righteousness and wisdom.

Six purposes of Proverbs:

1. To know wisdom – Proverbs gives us the skill to be a wise person.

2. To give instruction – This instruction keeps us in the right path. It educates us through correction. These are the guard rails to keep us on the path and out of the ditch.

3. To help us discern – To help us see things as God sees them. These are to help us to see through the fog to the truth.

4. To instruct us in wise behavior – These are to help us know why we should choose wisdom.

5. To give prudence to the naïve – The naïve are not well grounded as they follow fools.

6. To give us knowledge and discretion – This is the wisdom that only comes from years of experience. We can live and learn or learn and live. Proverbs 1:6 does remind us also that the wise can still learn. There is no end to the wisdom of God.

Proverbs 1:7 is the hinge. It causes us to stop before we grab all those great things listed in the first six verses. The key to gaining those things is found here in Proverbs 1:7. Unless you enter the right gate you will not receive those promises.

For an unbeliever, the fear of the Lord is missing. When confronted with the reality of God they ignore it, mock it, and rebel against it. Fools mock (Proverbs 28:26) that He is the Creator, King and Judge and that they are creation, rebel and criminal (or the one being judged). They never realize they are in a dangerous place before God, they will receive the wrath of God.

The one that fears is terrified of what God could and should do to him. The one that fears responds by humbly submitting and not remaining in this state of terror. God then opens his mind and he sees the other side of God – grace. He then turns his back on foolishness by repenting and trusting. The fear of the Lord in the Old Testament is like being born again in the New Testament.

The fear of the Lord is not left at the gate (Proverbs 23:17, Proverbs 28:14). The fear of the Lord is not removed after our conversion, just transformed. 1 Peter 2:17-19, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 are all written to believers. We no longer fear condemnation but rather judgment. We move to reverence and devotion. We live with a constant desire to please Him in every way with a constant awareness that how we live, in every area of life, matters to God.

The wise realize who they are and who God is.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Quote - The End of a Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0000

“Friend, you cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. And what one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government can’t give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody. And when half of the people get the idea they don’t have to work because the other half’s going to take care of them, and when the other half get the idea it does no good to work because somebody’s going to get what I work for. That, dear friend, is about the end of any nation.”

Adrian Rogers, from the sermon "God's Way to Health, Wealth and Wisdom"

Sermon Notes – A Traveler’s Guide to the Christian Journey - Overview

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:14:00 +0000

A Traveler’s Guide to the Christian Journey-Overview, Proverbs 1-31
J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church , attended June 6, 2010

Near the end of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells the listeners that they have a decision to make. He paints a word picture of two gates (Matthew 7:13-14). All of life comes down to two ways to live – and one decision to make. That choice has eternal implications.

This beautiful word picture is important. You must come through the gate of Jesus Christ. The gate and the path are inseparable. You don’t have a narrow gate opening into a broad path and vice versa. There is an inseparable connection between trusting and following Christ.

Paul uses this same type of word picture in Colossians 2:6, “…walk in Him…”. Ephesians 4:1, “…walk in a manner…”, also uses it. 1 John 1:6-7, “…walk in darkness, …walk in the light…”, uses this imagery as well. We are on a journey and you have to enter the right gate.

You can see this choice of two ways to live in the Old Testament also. Adam and Eve were given two choices. In Joshua 24:15 they are given a choice, “…choose this day whom you will serve,…”.

The primary question as a Christian then is, since we have come in through the narrow gate, how can I walk the narrow path as God desires? How can I faithfully stay on the path? We know the path is not as easy as you may have thought. It is a difficult path to walk The Bible tells us how to walk in the Way. There is no more practical book than Proverbs to show us how to walk with Him. It is a description of how to walk the narrow path, filled with detailed, practical instructions as we navigate life.

Tips on how to use this travelers guide:

1. Proverbs consistently points out there are two ways to live –

It consistently contrasts two worldviews, two choices. The narrow path is the way of wisdom requiring discipline, discernment and knowledge. The broad path is the way of folly characterized by naiveté, rebellion and scoffing. Only one way leads to life (Proverbs 15:24) and that is the way of wisdom (Proverbs 14:12).

It is written from a father to a son which is an analogy for the Heavenly Father speaking to us, His children.

2. The way of wisdom is entered only through the narrow gate (conversion) –

Matthew 7:13-14 helps us understand this.

A fool can’t, and won’t, learn the ways of wisdom. He has to enter through the correct gate first (Proverbs 1:7), otherwise he doesn’t have true wisdom. Unless you fear first, nothing else will be any good for you (fear of the Lord means converted).

Proverbs 1:28-31 shows this clearly. This book is only for those having a relationship with God. This is not a book just to learn how to have moral leadership or success. You read Proverbs because you long to be like Jesus not just be a success. You can't make a life until you have life.

3. The way of wisdom teaches God’s people how to know God and live for God in a way that glorifies God –

The ultimate desire of wisdom is that God might be known. Only people who want to honor God are God’s people. God’s people will want to honor Him as Proverbs 3:9 and Proverbs 14:31 teach.

4. Proverbs are personified in Christ –

Christ was wisdom in the flesh (Colossians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 1:24). The search for wisdom is a search for Christ.

Mark 8:34 tells us to follow Jesus. Proverbs tells us how.

5. Proverbs gives us both theological foundations and practical instruction –

Our life must be built on solid theology. Practical instruction must be built on a solid theological foundation. Chapter’s 1-9 are the theological foundation. Chapter’s 10-31 are the practical applications.

6. The way of wisdom must be sought diligently –

James 3:17 tells us that wisdom is pure, from God to God’s people only.

We must choose to fight for this purity and holiness. It takes discipline and work, i.e. it takes disciples. Proverbs 2:1-6 shows us this with words like attentive, incline and seek. Proverbs demands us to think, e.g. Proverbs 14:4 is not just about oxen. We must work to pull out the wisdom, we must seek wisdom.

Does your daily schedule show your desire to seek Christ? Are you diligently seeking to walk with Christ?

Proverbs and Matthew 7:13-14 call us to choose, turn and walk. Choose wisely.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes – Finishing Well

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 31 May 2010 02:09:00 +0000

Finishing Well, 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Darrin Mechling, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended May 30, 2010

We all start well, beginners are common. We assume we will finish well, finishers are rare. We are good at starting things but not real good at finishing what we start. Paul finished his life well. He tells us how we can endure.

1. Be ready – 2 Timothy 4:6

He thought of himself as an offering to God and laid his life down.

2. Fight the good fight – 2 Timothy 4:7

He left nothing undone, with no regrets. Is your life full of the advancement of the gospel?

He gives us a picture of a soldier, a runner who trains and stays focused and a steward who kept the faith to guard the deposit.

3. Look for the reward – 2 Timothy 4:8

This world’s pains, and pleasures, are temporary. He never talks of wining, but of finishing. Do not let this earthly life conflict with your relationship with Christ and being ready for eternity.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.

Sermon Notes – The Church: Faithfully Committed to Purity

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gibbons) — Mon, 24 May 2010 01:37:00 +0000

The Church: Faithfully Committed to Purity, Matthew 18:15-20
J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended May 23, 2010

Because God has called us to Himself to be a distinctively pure people that knows Him and proclaims Him, we must be faithfully committed to God’s process of maintaining and protecting the purity of the church.

The process of church discipline is not willingly embraced if we don’t understand how the gospel transforms and redefines us to be holy. We are to reflect God’s holiness. We are led to a passionate pursuit of purity – both His and ours. If we fail to be pure we can’t accomplish the mission of God. We are united by Jesus Christ and pursue relationships for spiritual encouragement and to keep us from sin. It is his primary way to grow us in holiness.

Recognize who we are in Christ and seek the purity of yourself and others. The greatest enemy to being the church He has called us to be is sin. Knowing our weakness and temptation to sin God has given us the process of church discipline. It is here to protect the purity of the body. It exists because of our mission. This is a command to the church.

1. A personal confrontation – Matthew 18:15

Before you submit the prayer request or before you go the pastor with your concern or before you ask someone else what they think you go to the person who has sinned!

Christ creates the unity in the church, we don’t create the unity. We are, however, required to protect it. Gossip and backbiting do not protect the unity.

Remember that things we may perceive as a sin are not always a sin. Always assume their may be an answer, that isn’t apparent, for what they are doing.

When you do go to the person:

Go humbly – No agenda except a desire to be restored. Go as one sinner to another. Keep Matthew 7:1-5 in mind. This doesn’t mean, however, not to judge. It still tells us to take the speck out of their eye, just make sure you don’t have the same speck.

Go gently – Matthew 7:1-5 and Galatians 6:1 demand gentleness. It is a word picture of removing a splinter from an eye. The eye is sensitive. You don’t use pliers to remove something from an eye!

Go thoughtfully – In order to tell him his fault you must be prepared to tell him why it is a fault. Think it through. This isn’t a picture of impulse or just pointing fingers.

Go purposefully – The goal is to restore. If you like pointing out sin then you are the one that has the problem.

2. A small group confrontation – Matthew 18:16

Not just people who are witness to the sin. This indicates to the person that it is getting serious.

3. A corporate confrontation – Matthew 18:17

This is the leadership of the church. We are begging the person to come back and walk with Christ.

4. Remove him from the local church and treat him as if he doesn’t know the Lord – Matthew 18:17

This is a refusal to repent and submit to the leadership of the church and to the word of Christ. You are saying that as a corporate body we have no reason to believe that you know the Lord. We don’t see evidence, or fruit, of salvation. This is done in the hope that they will wake up.

To ignore it would be to say that we think you are fine. Is that the most loving thing to do? The most loving thing is to say, “Don’t be self deceived!” Serious, outward and unrepentant sin must be dealt with. It would be arrogant to think that God is fine with this sin.

Paul rebukes the church for not dealing with sin in 1 Corinthians 5:1-2. He gives reasons why a person in sin must be removed from fellowship.

For the sinner’s sake - 1 Corinthians 5:5, “…so that his spirit may be saved…” Give him up to his flesh so that he will wake up, like the prodigal son story.

For the churches sake - 1 Corinthians 5:6, “…a little leaven…” Your sin is not just your problem. We are all part of the body of Christ. If one part is infected then the whole body stands to be infected.

For obedience sake - 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. The church had misunderstood his previous letter. He wasn’t saying to not spend time with the lost. He is saying it is better to fellowship with the lost than with one who says he knows the Lord but doesn’t walk with Him.

For the world’s sake - 1 Corinthians 6:1-6. Here we have two “Christians” in litigation before unbelievers! For the sake of the world we must confront sin. Why should we expect a government run by unbelievers to change through the political process. Start with a pure church and the world changes!

For love’s sake – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom. You don’t love him enough to tell him? Nothing could be more loving or compassionate than to tell them. The thing that may seem the most cruel is the most loving.

For God’s sake - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. We exist to display a glorious God to all. To really love each other and God is to really deal with sin both individually and corporately. We must be passionately pursuing the purity of the church for His sake.

NOTE: These are my notes, taken as I listened to the sermon live. Any errors, misunderstandings or misinterpretations are my responsibility entirely and not the fault of the preacher.