Love: It's More Than A Feeling Series

• Proverbs 3:1-8 [1] My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, [2] for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. [3] Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (NIV)

The opening 9 chapters of the book of Proverbs are made up of thirteen “father to son talks.” Solomon has written down words of wisdom for his son to never forget. We are now the beneficiaries of a loving father’s wisdom passed on to the next generation. Chapter 3 is the beginning of the fifth discourse of fatherly instruction. The opening verse is a reminder to not forget the father’s teaching.

• Proverbs 3:1-2 My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart, [2] for they will give you a long and satisfying life. (NLT)

This gives us a good opportunity right at the beginning to stop and recall what we have learned the last two weeks in our study of the book of Proverbs.

The godly counsel and wisdom found in Proverbs is not something many Americans will accept today. You won’t find Oprah or Dr. Phil encouraging you to find wisdom by learning from the book of Proverbs. Americans don’t think biblically.

Does anyone recall the four philosophies or ways of thinking that dominate our culture?

1. INDIVIDUALISM – I live for myself; what’s in it for me?

2. SECULARISM – God is not necessary.

3. RELATIVISM – There is no absolute truth.

4. TOLERANCE – All ideas are equally right and valid; politically correct.

• Proverbs 14:12 There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. (MsgB)

The church of Jesus Christ holds the answer to the misguided thinking in America today. You and I are called by God to live our lives in such a way before the people around us that they will give glory to God. (Matthew 5:16) Thus the reason we have come to the book of Proverbs. We need wisdom for right living. Wisdom is more than just head knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge applied in our daily lives to do and say the right things at the right time. It’s the mind of God revealed for daily living.

Why seek wisdom? Why study Proverbs? The opening verses of Proverbs showed us four reasons why we should take the time to learn from its wisdom.

1. Wisdom puts us on the right path pointing us in the right direction.

• Proverbs 1:2 Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going; (MsgB)

2. Wisdom gives us God’s perspective on life; we gain needed insight.

• Proverbs 1:3 A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair; (MsgB)

3. Wisdom instructs the young; we can learn from the experience of others.

• Proverbs 1:4 To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. (MsgB)

4. Wisdom increases in our lives; the wise can become wiser.

• Proverbs 1:5-6 There’s something here also for seasoned men and women, [6] still a thing or two for the experienced to learn. (MsgB)

So far then we have discovered four keys to wisdom for right living. The first key is the foundation for living. If you miss this you will only be wise in your own eyes because according to Solomon you’re really a fool.

Key #1: Start with God; Fear the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7)

The fear of the Lord is active; our lives will be changed from the inside out.

Key #2: Learn wisdom from those who fear the Lord. (Proverbs 1:8-19)

Don’t go it alone. Surround yourself with those who fear the Lord.

Key #3: Answer wisdom’s call; wisdom is found in our daily choices. (Proverbs 1:20-21)

Jesus gives us wisdom in our daily routine; He reveals the mind of God for our lives. Wisdom is not earned it is practiced daily.

Key #4: Remember the Law of the Harvest; consequences follow your actions. (Proverbs 1:22-33)

Blessings for those who fear the Lord:

1. You will receive God’s Spirit.

2. You will be kept safe and receive God’s peace.

This morning we are going to continue to learn wisdom for right living. Let’s dig a little deeper into the third chapter of Proverbs and discover two more keys for having wisdom in our lives.

Key #5: Let authentic love lead you everyday; make love your guide and your motive.

• Proverbs 3:3-4 [3] Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (NIV)