PROVERBS 23

WORLDLY ETHICS: MORAL BEHAVIOR W/O FAITH What is sin? Sin is transgression of the revealed will of God which teaches that we are to act in perfect holiness from a heart of faith to the glory of God. Sin is any attitude or desire or action that explicitly breaks a commandment of Scripture or comes from a heart of unbelief or is not done for the glory of God.

WORLDLY ETHICS: MORAL BEHAVIOR W/O FAITH You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31 For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:23

ETHICS W/O THE GOSPEL IS DEADLY “My behavior is as good or better than yours.” “At least I haven’t …..” For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

BIBLICAL ETHICS: MORAL BEHAVIOR FROM FAITH What is the Word of God? The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, being given by divine inspiration, are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith (right belief) and practice (right behavior). What do the Scriptures mainly teach? The Scriptures mainly teach what man is to believe about God and what duty God requires of man.

FAITH FIRST THEN BEHAVIOR Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, Titus 3:5,6 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

PROVERBS 23:1-3 EVERYONE IS WATCHING When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-7

PROVERBS 23:4-5 DO YOU HAVE AN IDOL? Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24

PROVERBS 23:6-8 FALSE HOSPITALITY Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words. Why were you invited? Why would you go? Possibly a nauseating event. Consider declining.

PROVERBS 23:9 THEY CAN’T UNDERSTAND Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:21-22

PROVERBS 23:10-11 GOD’S ENEMY: THE RUTHLESS Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption…. Galatians 6:7-8

PROVERBS 23:13-14 BIBLICAL PARENTING Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol. Do not discipline for being a child Do discipline for being a wicked child Do not discipline in anger Do discipline in love with words and spanking Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

PROVERBS 23:15-16 A PARENTS DELIGHT My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:2-4

PROVERBS 23:12;17-19 WHAT IS YOUR HEART’S DESIRE ? Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge. Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 1 Corinthians 2:9 Reality: Pagan vs. Elect

PROVERBS 23:20-21 BAD COMPANY Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Ethics w/o the gospel: well mannered dead

PROVERBS 23:22-25 FATHER SHOULD KNOW BEST Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8 What are you teaching ?

PROVERBS 23:26-28 SEE DANGER & RUN My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well. She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 Are you a role model to be followed?

PROVERBS 23:29-35 ALCOHOLISM Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” Everyone is watching. What are they learning?

Creator – creation Distinction For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col 1:16-17 One Triune Creator Personal Sovereign God Independent Infinite Authority REVELATION Creation Dependent Finite Submissive