“ So deeply appreciate this sermon as always ” And so deeply appreciate God's providence, as this is a reality I am facing both in my own workplace as well as from my own liberal Roman Catholic mother, and it is not a reality I have ever heard preached in the superficial spiritual wasteland of the Chicago suburbs, and certainly not in the OPC, which is too timid even to preach the truth about the Roman Catholic Church for fear of "offending" anyone's tender feelings.
“ Great Sermon! ” i have so appreciated this series, and this is a subject I have certainly never heard preached in the United States, and certainly not in the inoffensive but ostensibly "orthodox" OPC.
“ This is a PRECIOUS and RARE sermon ” And certainly not one you're likely to hear in an American pulpit, and certainly not in the timid, polite, and inoffensive OPC--this sermon is RIVETING and CHARGED with CONVICTION and PASSION like the prophet Nathan himself--DEFINITELY not anything you'd EVER hear in the academically detached OPC.
“ Listen, Receive, Love & Treasure...Find! ” Wisdom spoke at the end of chapter 1, now the father speaks again to the son!
We see a pattern here for the son: Listen, Receive, Love & Treasure, Find!
Listen: The son is called to listen to his teachers. And he is to listen with FAITH. The objection might be raised, "What if my parents are wrong or sinful?" Voddie reminds us: they are! In fact, all parents fail. We are called to have faith in the God who put our parents in our lives! We teachers/parents must stay grounded in the Word of God to help us guide our students.
Receive: the student needs to accept the teaching given by the Word of God. Four things to avoid here! Legalism and moralism (both are covered extensively by Voddie in the series). We also need to avoid procrastination--the idea of trusting God later...when one is done sowing wild oats. Also, those who understand the doctrine of election must avoid a proclivity of doubting one's motives so much that they give up in despair.
Love/Treasure: understand the Word of God is worth more than any treasure you might desire on earth!
Find: The end result will be a healthy relationship w/your Creator! Finding God is the goal, and that will happen as you pursue Him.
Blessings may come but beware they do not become idols!
Seek ye first the ki
“ Lady Wisdom Speaks! ” Proverbs 1:20-33
There are many sermons in Scripture; the one found in Proverbs 1:20-33 is preached by Lady Wisdom. We are reminded to not read Proverbs in a “moralistic” manner…to do so makes a mockery of the sacrifice Jesus made!
Lady Wisdom opens and closes (22, 32-33) her sermon by looking at types of sinners: the simple, the fool and the scoffer (the latter is a type of fool). Voddie gives us numerous Proverbs throughout the book describing each of these sinners.
Lady Wisdom’s goal is to persuade the simple man, one who doesn’t know any better, to heed and obey her instruction.
“Repent!” she cries out! The one who repents will get to know Lady Wisdom (23)…and we see the call to repent is a message from the prophets, from Jesus as well as the apostles! God’s kindness—His love—allows us to see our sin and to repent.
Why repent? Judgement is coming! (24-28) All men will get what they want—the fruit of their ways (29-31). Romans 1 echoes this truth.
The end of the matter (32-33)? Either one will listen to the Wisdom of Christ or will turn away to Dame Folly. Those who listen will be able to live without fear…though harm WILL come their way, Christ’s presence will carry them through! Those who turn away from Christ will suffer harm—wrath will be their
“ What Distinguishes Lady Wisdom? ” Voddie's fourth sermon in the series focuses on "Lady Wisdom" who calls out to the young man to learn from her! Sadly, we often have trouble hearing her!
Why do we have trouble? Voddie points out four (interrelated) reasons for our problem: Our sin nature alienates us from Wisdom. Add to that the "world, flesh and devil". Sinners also entice us away from Lady Wisdom. We also seek Wisdom apart from Christ--such a search is ultimately futile.
So how can we know Lady Wisdom apart from Dame Folly? First, she cries out publicly. Notice that often the wicked will "entice" you (see 1:10)...implying a secretive way of drawing someone in! *Big Warning* though! The devil will often pervert the truth by crying out loudly too! See the recent celebration of unbiblical behaviour in society!
Second, Lady Wisdom is distinguished by her motives! She wants to bring life! (see John 10:24-29) *Warning*: this is not the prosperity gospel/"your best life now" kind of stuff. We're talking not temporary but eternal life!
Third, LW is distinguished by her path. She leads to the celestial city--the narrow gate, not the worldly one!
Finally, she leads us to a different "end"--pointing us to Christ! Application of true knowledge! *Christ* is our wisdom! (See 1 Corinthians 1:20-3
“ Parents and Teachers: Here is how to instruct kids ” Voddie’s third sermon in his Proverbs series begins by reminding us of the difference between legalism and moralism.
How do we keep kids from danger? Voddie says the text makes two clear points.
1. We give clear, unambiguous warnings. Verses 10 and 15 especially are prominent in displaying this idea. There is no room for consent with wickedness. We are not to walk with or even imitate those who are enticing us to sin. Our hearts are already inclined to following the wrong path. Do we go around touching walls randomly? Nope. But if you see a sign that says “Wet Paint, Do Not Touch” you’re more prone to do so!
2.We must appreciate the danger being faced! This is a matter of life and death. Of course, the tempter never says “My words are going to lead to your death!” So Solomon gives the real meaning of the words the wicked men are saying.
Five points of application from Puritan writer Cotton Mather conclude with the desperate need of prayer for our children.
Voddie concludes with a passionate story of his own early life and how he and a cousin walked the same streets and how their lives took different paths. Two sinners but two different results…
“ Godly Truth about Godly Children or Disciples ” Second in hs series on Proverbs, Voddie gives parents/teachers powerful reminders.
After a short review on the four rules of 'how to read Proverbs', Voddie reminds us of God's sovereignty in the process. Like the farmer who plants the seed, plows, fertilizes, and waters his land--we are to engage in teaching and instruction but the results belong to the Lord!
Four important points:
1. Our goal should be to produce godly sons/daughters (or disciples, students in the case of teachers)! Godly means having the wisdom that loves and worships Christ. Any other measure of success--rich kids, powerful kids, talented, etc. are not the goal.
2. Never forget this whole process is "Dependent"! Our children can (and do) reject the instruction they receive. We must realize we are dependent upon God for the results, so stay in prayer for your kids.
3. This process is "comprehensive": it never ends! Yes, there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, but learning and teaching godliness doesn't stop there. All of our lives we are learning and teaching!
4. The work is "crucial"! The very first illustration in the book, 1:10-19, show us knowing wisdom is not trivial. This is a matter of life and death! Generations not yet born are at stake!
Proverbs has much for the parent and
“ Approaching Proverbs w/Jesus in Mind! ” Very well crafted sermon by Voddie.
Four key points:
1. Wisdom is not Law!
2. Discern between "indicatives" and "imperatives".
3. Christ is the "wise son" of Proverbs! (Key point to remember if you forget everything else)
4. Read the Old Testament in light of the New Testament.
Voddie goes through each of these four, providing an example from the book for each.
Will change the way I look at Proverbs!
“ Where The Focus Belongs ” I've never heard the gospel preached like this. Almost like having the door to Heaven opened for a brief but most wonderful glimpse of God's glorious plan of salvation. Truly Good News! (sorry, I'm not very articulate - groping for the words)
“ Excellent sermon! ” I am a grandparent now and feel my shortcomings in raising my children. Thankful that God works in spite of us. To God be the glory!
6/10/2024 2:09 PM
