God's Yellow Pages

“GOD’S YELLOW PAGES”

by Rick Labate

· BLACK SLIDE

Introduction

You won’t believe the troubles I’ve been having this week! And I don’t know where to turn for help! First of all, our water heater sprung a leak and I don’t know any plumbers! I waited around for a while hoping one would knock on my door, but after several hours when no one came by I gave up on that and tried plugging the leak with a towel…which didn’t work very well. It’s awful! Does anyone here know any good plumbers? If you do, just yell out their names and tell me how to reach them!

· WAIT FOR REPSONSE

I had another problem. I needed to call Chuck and Sheila to follow up on a matter regarding their granddaughter’s baby dedication last week. But I had forgotten their telephone number. Does anybody know their telephone number?

· WAIT FOR REPSONSE

Then last Monday I needed to call the fellow who inspected the house Ruth Anne and I are thinking of buying and couldn’t remember his telephone number. Does anyone know the telephone number to Eagle Home Inspections?

· WAIT FOR RESPONSE

Then someone asked me where the recycling sites are in Danville. And I didn’t know what to tell them. Does anyone where these sites are located?

· WAIT FOR RESPONSE

You know, I could have saved myself a lot of trouble if I had only looked in here. (Hold up telephone book) I’ve had this book around my house all week but never bothered to open it. Of course, some of you might say the same thing about this book. (Hold up Bible)

Let me tell you why I love this book:

1. It tells me I am loved.

2. It tells me how to live.

1. It tells me that God has planned for my eternal life.

2. It also tells me that God has a plan for this life.

· BLACK SLIDE

Just as it would have been very helpful if I had remembered to refer to the telephone directory and especially the Yellow Pages for the information I could have used this past week so God has a section in the middle of His Word that I like to think of as God’s Yellow Pages. Extremely, practical counsel from God’s word on how to best relate to most any situation that can come your way. This book talks about everything from eating to marriage. There is counsel on everything from work to salvation.

I’m referring to God’s Yellow Pages: The book of Proverbs. The most succinct place where God has given us direction on how to succeed in life.

I have 4 questions for you. If what I ask you is an important matter in your life would you please say “Yes.”

1. Is work a big part of your life?

2. Is money important in your life?

3. Is knowing how to make wise and intelligent decisions important to you?

4. Is being able to be strong in the face of adversity important to you?

You just answered “yes” to every Yellow Page entry we will be looking at this morning.

While the entire book of Proverbs is worthy of study we will focus in on a concentrated section of counsel that occurs in chapters 22-24. This counsel is introduced in 22:20-21.

“I have written thrity more sayings for you. They are full of counsel and wisdom. These are true sayings and reliable words; they will help you give sound advice to those who want answers.”

That’s for me! So let’s look at 6 of these 30 sayings as God’s Word helps us know how to approach some very important areas of our lives.

SAYING #5 (22:29)

“Show me a man who does his work faithfully and well, and I will show you a man worthy to be in the presence of kings; he is not just another man.”

Employees in a Detroit business office found the following notice on their bulletin board: “The management regrets that it has come to their attention that workers dying on the job are failing to fall down. This practice must stop, as it becomes impossible to distinguish between death and the natural movement of the staff.”

· BLACK SLIDE

Being a faithful and effective worker is one of the greatest statements we can make that Christ makes a difference in our lives. In a world who’s motto has become “Give me more for less”, there are those who are faithful Christian workers like yourself that make others consider Christ simply by how you work.

According to the one Christian author, useful labor:

1. Essential to happiness (CG 349)

2. Increases our happiness (LS 87)

3. Imparts energy and efficiency to the restless and dissatisfied mind. (3T 336)