A Look At The Book - Introduction To Proverbs

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). Name (chapter 1 verse 1).

(2). Authors (chapter 1 verse 1).

(3). Content:

(3a). Subjects & Statements.

(3b). People & Problems.

(3c). Counselling and Correction.

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Here are some popular English proverbs.

• Can you complete them?

• ‘Actions speak louder… than words.’

• ‘Beggars can’t be…choosers.’

• ‘Don’t judge a book…by its cover.’

• ‘All good things must…come to an end.’

• ‘A watched pot…never boils.’

• ‘Beauty is in the eye…of the beholder.’

• ‘Absence makes the…heart grow fonder.’

• ‘Good things come…to those who wait.’

• ‘Birds of a feather…flock together.’

TRANSITION: Proverbs are also known as sayings.

• Proverbs give some form of life advice.

• Every language and culture have them,

• And many proverbs exist in more than one language.

• The Bible book called, ‘Proverbs,’

• Is a collection of pithy, brief sayings, or statements of truth.

Note:

• They are very different from the Psalms,

• The book of the Bible that precedes them.

• Note the contrast.

• Contrast #1:

• In the Psalms:

• We see fellowship with God on the upward (vertical) direction.

• In the Proverbs:

• We see fellowship with other people on an across ward (horizontal) direction.

• Contrast #2:

• In the Psalms we learn how to get along with God.

• In the Proverbs we learn how to get along with the other people.

• Contrast #3:

• In the Psalms we enrich our devotional life.

• In the Proverbs we enrich our practical life.

• Contrast #4:

• In the Psalms we find excellent preparation for worship on Sundays.

• In the Proverbs we find excellent preparation for work during the week.

• Contrast #5:

• In the Psalms the theme is worship.

• In the Proverbs the theme is wisdom.

Note:

• Proverbs is not about life in church,

• This is not a religious book,

• There are no priests in this book and no prophets.

• There are some kings but that’s all.

• We would say this book is about earthly life or day to day living!

• It is about life in the street, in the office, in the shop, or life at home.

• There are nine hundred proverbs in this book,

• They cover the whole of life!

• This book is about earthly life or day to day living!

• It is about life in the street, in the office, in the shop, or life at home.

• And it’s really saying godliness is worked out in real life,

• It’s not just something you do on Sundays in church.

• It’s how you live through the week in every other situation.

One Bible commentator called this book, ‘The Good Life.’

• If you talk about the ‘the good life’ what comes to mind.

• Most people will probably answer in material terms,

• The good life is having more than enough of things,

• And having the best quality or most expensive things.

• In contrast the Bible talks about it in moral terms not material terms,

• In the Bible foolishness is not a mental thing, it’s a moral thing,

• And wisdom is not mental, it’s moral.

• So, a person is not wise because of their education,

• They are wise because of the life choices they make!

Ill:

• Jesus and the wise and foolish builders.

• (Mathew chapter 7 verses 24–27)

• DVD CLIP: From The Miracle Maker: Youtube: https://youtu.be/ii8D45VJl_w

• TRANSITION:

• In the Bible foolishness is not a mental thing, it’s a moral thing,

• And wisdom is not mental, it’s moral.

• The book of Proverbs talks about,

• How to make the most of life and also about how to waste it!

• A wise man uses it well and a foolish man does not.

Ill:

• I love this book, ‘The One Yearbook of Psalms’ - 365 inspirational readings.

• By William J. Peterson & Randy Petersen.

• And try to use it most days.

• I guess to be balanced I ought to read a chapter of Proverbs each day,

• The book is 31 chapters long, and so you can have a chapter a day to gain wisdom!

(1). Name (chapter 1 verse 1).

“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel.”

Ill:

• Sometimes we change or shorten names of books.

• e.g., Classis book, ‘Pilgrims Progress’ by John Bunyan.

• It’s full title: ‘The Pilgrim's Progress from This World, to That Which Is to Come.’

• e.g., Agatha Christie novels,

• English publication, ‘After the Funeral’ USA edition, ‘Funerals are Fatal.’

• English publication, ‘The Thirteen Problems’ USA edition, ‘The Tuesday Club Murders’

• TRANSITION: This book has three titles, given by three different audiences.