The Righteous Shall Flourish

I. EXORDIUM:

Who do you trust?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we have to trust, rely on and depend only on GOD not on man, anything or riches.

IV. TEXT:

Proverbs 11:28 (Amplified Bible)

11:28 He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident in his riches shall fall, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like a green bough.

Parallel:

Psalms 52:7-8 (Amplified Bible)

52:7 See, this is the man who made not God his strength (his stronghold and high tower) but trusted in and confidently relied on the abundance of his riches, seeking refuge and security for himself through his wickedness.

52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for I only trust in, hope in, glory in, depend on, rely on You and I am like a green olive tree flourishing in the House of GOD.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (New Century Version)

10:13 The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. BUT YOU CAN TRUST GOD, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.

VI. TITLE:

The righteous shall flourish

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Authors: Credited generally to King Solomon before his character downfall/decline.

B. Date written: from 931 to 686 B.C.

C. Purpose: To give moral instruction

D. Main Theme: Fear of the LORD

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. He that trusts in his riches shall fall

"He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident in his riches shall fall,"

1 Timothy 6:17 (Amplified Bible)

6:17 As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment.

Luke 12:19-20 (Amplified Bible)

12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many good things laid up, [enough] for many years. Take your ease; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself merrily.

12:20 But God said to him, You fool! This very night they [the messengers of God] will demand your soul of you; and all the things that you have prepared, whose will they be?

Mark 10:24 (Amplified Bible)

10:24 And the disciples were amazed and bewildered and perplexed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is for those who trust (place their confidence, their sense of safety) in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

Trust or "batach" in Hebrew meaning:

1. to trust, be confident and sure

2. careless

3. put confidence

4. to hie (To hasten; to move or run with haste) as a refuge

Riches or "osher" in Hebrew meaning: wealth

Fall or "naphal" in Hebrew meaning:

1. perish

2. slay

3. throw down

4. lie down

5. be judged along

6. inferior

7. fugitive

The rich man or anyone who has made riches his/her god will surely fall down.

Luke 16:13 (Amplified Bible)

16:13 No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely).

Illustration:

A very rich man was boasting of his riches to a poor believer.

Very rich man: Look from the west, east, south and north, everything that your eye can reach is all mine.

Poor believer: I'm poor here on earth, but look up and everything your eye can reach is my Father's.

B. But the righteous shall flourish

"but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like a green bough"

Isaiah 60:21 (Amplified Bible)

60:21 Your people also shall all be [uncompromisingly and consistently] righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified.

Psalms 92:12-14 (Amplified Bible)

92:12 The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].

92:13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.

92:14 [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].

Psalms 52:8 (Amplified Bible)

52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.