Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher - Jim Rickard Thursday, June 5, 2014

1 John 1:9-10, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

Doxology Bless the Lord O’ my soul, O’… my soul, Worship His Holy name! Sing like never before, O’ my soul, I worship Your Holy name! 2X

Prov 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Proverbs Chapter 14 Section III, Vs “Walking by Faith in the Sight of Others.”

Contrasts in Character and Consequences Regarding Life or Death, vs

Three Main Topics a) An honest witness, vs. 25, b) The fear of the Lord, vs. 26–27, c) National security, vs. 28–35.

Five Consequences: 1) For honest vs. false witness, vs ) The Escalation of the God- fearing: individual vs. 26a, family vs. 26b, others vs. 27.

Vs , We receive four benefits: 1) Strong confidence. 2) Refuge. 3) A fountain of life. 4) Avoid the snares of death.

Verse 27 3) The Fear of the Lord is: “a fountain of life.” Cf. Prov 10:11; 13:14, where the Word of God spoken or taught is a fountain of life.

It means to receive His Word: diligent study of the Scriptures along with practical application.

A “fountain of life” means God’s Word will give you “pep to your step” as you rely upon Him in all situations.

You will have mental stability and spiritual self-confidence; MDL, RMA, +H, to sustain you through the storms of life.

You will have quality and quantity of life, being satisfied and fulfilled in all that you do. It is the essence of being “filled up to all the fullness of God”, Eph 3:19.

4) The “Fear of the Lord” blesses you with the avoidance of the snares of death; sin, human good and evil inside of Satan’s cosmic system.

You will say no to the temptations of sin avoiding their negative affects including self-induced misery and the three stages of Divine discipline.

The way of sin leads to death, but the way of the Lord leads to life.

The “Fear of the Lord” is both security from the storms of life and refuge for our souls, vs. 26 acting as a kind of early warning system against the sinful traps that confront us, vs. 27.

It becomes a fountain of life as we live with joy and peace in faith, hope and love, confidently waiting for the promise of our eternal glory.

Five Consequences: 3) For Soul Winners versus Reversionistic Believers, vs. 28.

Verse 28a Exhortation to be a winner of souls!

When we apply the principles of God’s Word towards others, we will win souls that means a multitude of people in the kingdom of God.

Those souls will be the “king’s glory” MELEK, מֶלֶךְ HADARAH, הֲדָרָה The Glory or Adornment you will put on.

It alludes to one of the four crowns the Church Age believer can receive at the BEMA seat of Jesus Christ, 1 Cor 3:10-15; 9:23-26; 2 Cor 5:10.

1. The Crown of Rejoicing For the soul winner, 1 Thes 2:19.

1 Thes 2:19-20, “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.”

2. The Crown of Life For having invisible impact while persevering under trial, Rev 2:10; James 1:12.

3. The Crown of Righteousness For those who love the appearance of Christ and advance through the three stages of spiritual adulthood, 2 Tim 4:8.

4. The Crown of Glory For feeding the flock of God, 1 Peter 5:1-4.

4. The Crown of Glory For feeding the flock of God, 1 Peter 5:1-4. The Order of the Morning Star For the ultimate in impact in the Spiritual life, Rev 2:26-28.

The Contrast! The reversionistic, (loser of rewards), believer who goes out under the third stage of Divine discipline.

This exhortation is to be a winner of souls and build up the kingdom of God by applying the doctrines of God’s Word towards your fellow man in impersonal and unconditional love and receive glory in the eternal state.

Grace Fellowship Church Thursday June 5, 2014 Lesson # Proverbs Chapter 14 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2014 Grace Fellowship Church Thursday June 5, 2014 Lesson # Proverbs Chapter 14 Walking by Faith in the Sight of Others, Pt. 6 Contrasts of Consequences Regarding Life or Death, Pt. 2 Doctrine of Crowns Prov 14:25-32; 1 Cor 9:23-26; 1 Thes 2:19; James 1:12; 2 Tim 4:8; Rev 2:10, James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2014