He Lives

I serve a risen Savior he’s in the world today I know that he is living whatever men may say;

I see his hand of mercy I hear his voice of cheer and just the time I need him he’s always near.

He lives, he lives Christ Jesus lives today He lives, he lives Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me

Along life’s narrow way, He lives, he lives, salvation to impart Along life’s narrow way, He lives, he lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know he lives: he lives within my heart.

Rejoice, rejoice, oh Christian lift up your voice and sing eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

The hope of all who seek him, the help of all who find, none other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives, he lives Christ Jesus lives Today He lives, he lives Christ Jesus lives Today! He walks with me and talks with me

Along life’s narrow way, He lives, he lives, salvation to impart Along life’s narrow way, He lives, he lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know he lives: he lives within my heart.

Proverbs: Road Map for Living Lesson #1 The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 1:1-7 1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naïve, to the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, 6 to understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction

Four Prominent Schools of Thought INDIVIDUALISM – I live for myself. SECULARISM – God is not necessary. RELATIVISM – There is no absolute truth. 4. TOLERANCE – All ideas are equally right and true.

Proverbs 1:1-7 1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naïve, to the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, 6 to understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction

Why is Wisdom Needed? Wisdom puts us on the right path, pointing us in the right direction. Verse 2 - Written down so we'll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it's going; “for understanding words of insight”

What is Wisdom? Wisdom: Thinking according to God’s Truth; knowledge applied at the right time and place.

What is the fear of the Lord? Fear of the Lord: a true understanding of who I am and who God is. When we fear the Lord our daily lives are impacted and changed; we can’t continue to live the same old life AND fear the Lord.

What does the fear of the Lord do? The fear of the Lord produces obedience. Proverbs 8:13 Proverbs 16:6 Proverbs 23:17 Proverbs 8:13 - To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech Proverbs 16:6 - Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. Proverbs 23:17 - Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord Anyone who continues to live their life for the pleasures of sin has no fear of the Lord. If you hold on to your favorite “pet sin” and harden your heart to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, it is because you have lost your fear of the Lord.

What does the fear of the Lord do? 2. The fear of the Lord motivates parents to teach their children to obey and follow God. Psalms 34:11 Proverbs 14:26 Proverbs 20:7 Psalms 34:11 - Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 14:2 - Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways Proverbs 20:7 - The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them The Lord is not a proponent of surrogate parents. He has enabled every parent to meet the specific parenting needs of their children. This includes the church; the church is to reinforce and assist parents as they train their children to follow God. A sincere belief in accountability to God for your child is a strong motivator.

What does the fear of the Lord do? 3. The fear of the Lord causes us to worship the Lord in in spirit and in truth. Psalm 22:23 Revelation 14:7 Psalms 22:23 - You who fear the Lord, praise him!All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel Revelation 14:7 – He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

What does the fear of the Lord do? 4. The fear of the Lord brings the assurance and encouragement of the Holy Spirit Proverbs 14:27 Acts 9:31 Proverbs 14:27 - The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death Acts 9:31 - Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Actions or attitudes of those who fear God consist of: 1. serving God 1 Samuel 12:24 2. obeying His commandments 1 Samuel 12:14. 3. exhibiting wisdom Proverbs 9:10;. 4. living in a special, covenant relationship with God Psalm 103:17–18.   I Samuel 12:24 - But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you I Samuel 12:14 - If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Psalm 103:17,18 - But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord ’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Actions or attitudes of those who fear God consist of: 5. being in awe and reverence of Him Psalm 33:8. 6. trusting Him Psalm 40:3. 7. hating and avoiding evil Proverbs 8:13. 8. worshiping Him Revelation 14:7. Psalm 33:8 - Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. Psalm 40:3 - He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him Proverbs 8:13 - To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech *Revelation 14:7 – He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water *Previously used

Consequences to those who fear God: God will bring blessing upon them Ps 115:13 He will confide in them (Ps 25:14). (Knowledge and guidance) They will avoid evil (Prov 16:6), (Consequences of living in a sin-filled world) God will have mercy upon them (Lk 1:50). (Compassion) Psalm 115:13 - he will bless those who fear the Lord — small and great alike. Psalm 25:14 - The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them Proverbs 16:6 - Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. Luke 1:50 - His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

Consequences to those who fear God: Those who fear God will gain… life (Proverbs 19:23), knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The wisdom that begins with the fear of God is closely related to knowledge and obedience (Psalm 111:10). The wisest man (Solomon) had this to say about fearing God “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Psalm 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.