Wisdom from the Bible Wisdom and Sexuality Proverbs 7:6-27

March 30, 2014 Prayer Requests Dan Dvorak & Family – Bereavement Dan Dvorak & Family – Bereavement Lucy McKinney -- Health Lucy McKinney -- Health Peggy & Danny -- Health Peggy & Danny -- Health Ruth Gawith -- Health Ruth Gawith -- Health Ginnie Jellison – Health Ginnie Jellison – Health Donnie Meeks -- Health Donnie Meeks -- Health Keith McNew – Salvation Keith McNew – Salvation James Alexander -- Salvation James Alexander -- Salvation

SundayTeacher.com Lesson Password: Truth Illustrated Bible Life Password: Understanding

SandraGreat Britain DavidMexico Saurabh Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia RuthIndia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand Keith & Ruth Switzerland SarahSwaziland WayneAfrica Easter across Africa Yesterday several of the Africa East Field missionaries celebrated the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Central Church of the Nazarene located in Nairobi, Kenya. Our service began with the children singing about Jesus and what He did for us by dying on the cross, and how He is no longer in the grave. This was followed by a wonderful message by Reverend Fredrick Opondo. The title for his message was, “The Risen Christ, Our Victory.” He based his message on 1 Corinthians 15 and Luke 24. – Lisa Johnson, missionary, Africa East Field

Praying for the US & Canada Alexanders: CA, OK, GA, QC Vanderpool: NM (SE ABQ) Jellisons: UT, TX, AK Shultzs: CA, DC, MA, BC Moores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QC Abby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QC Aliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEI L. Kilgore: VA, MI T. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DC Nielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RI Griffins: VT, OH, (Northeast) C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo Nation Adams: NM, CA, MA B. Brown: GA, OR, ON B. Vito: NY,ID Former gang members share experiences in reconciliation event Hundreds welcomed the message of former gang members who were able to seek reconciliation from old rivals after finding Jesus Christ. The men spoke during a reconciliation event Saturday at Oroville Church of the Nazarene in south Oroville. Michael Tomlinson, a former member of the Aryan Brotherhood and current pastor for Jordan Crossing Ministries, said he hoped those gathered learned from people like him and spread the message through the community."Our hope and prayer is that it will start here," Tomlinson said.

Background -- 1 Exodus 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery. Leviticus 20:10“‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death. Leviticus 20:10“‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death. Leviticus 20:10 Leviticus 20:10

Background -- 2 Matt 19:3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Background - 3 Ephesians 5: 31 Ephesians 5: 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” [c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.c

Proverbs 7 (NIV) 6 At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. 8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house 9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. 11 (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; 12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)

Observation Illicit sexuality is pervasive in our society Sex is the basis for most product advertisements Sex is the basis for most entertainment products Illicit sex is the driving factor behind abortion Pre-marital sex and out of wedlock pregnancies are the cause of most poverty in our society, especially in women and children Marital infidelity is the primary cause of abandonment and divorce in our society

Proverbs 7 (NIV) 13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14 “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. 15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! 19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”

Ineffectiveness? How does God view sexual sin. How can Christians escape the temptations of sexual sin? Rate the effectiveness of Christians resisting the temptations of sexual sin. Rate the effectiveness of Christians and the Church in affecting the sexual mores of our society. What alternatives do Christian’s have in an increasingly hedonistic and sexually immoral society?

Proverbs 7 (NIV) 21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose 23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. 21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose 23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. 24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. 24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Consequences How far reaching are the destructive consequences of sexual sin? For the individuals involved For marriages For children Is there hope for a person who has committed sexual sin? How would you counsel someone who has been the perpetrator or victim of sexual sin? How can the Church aid in bringing healing to victims of sexual sin? Let us intercede in prayer for our society mired in illicit sex.

Wisdom from the Bible Next lesson Wisdom and Holy Living Psalms 119:1-16

Wisdom Wisdom is the ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, knowledgeexperience understandingunderstanding, common sense, and insight 1common senseinsight 1 Corinthians 1:301 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 28 Feb Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 28 Feb

Proverbs The biblical proverbs are neither laws nor promises. They provide examples of how biblical faith ought to affect the lives of God’s people.