1. PROVERBS 18

2. THE HOLY BIBLE Not another book of short stories
Not another book of ethics
Not another book of religion
Not another book for you to evaluate
GOD’S ONLY WRITTEN REVELATION
ALL WORDS ARE GOD’S WORDS
GOD’S REVELATION ABOUT HIMSELF, THE UNIVERSE, PEOPLE, & ETERNITY
INERRANT, INFALLIBLE, ABSOLUTE, INDEPENDENT, COMPLETE, AUTHORITY
IT EVALUATES YOU

3. 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

4. PROVERBS 18:1, 2, 3 INDEPENDENCE IS WRONG
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
Noetic effect of original sin
Totally depraved people cannot believe and cannot submit to God’s Word
You must be born again to believe & submit

5. PROVERBS 18:4 CISTERN OR BROOK?
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13
Independent reason or God’s Word?
Eve, “I wonder who is right?”.

6. PROVERBS 18:5 FAVORITISM
It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! …who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right! Isaiah 5:20,23
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:9

7. HOW IS GOD JUST TO JUSTIFY SINNERS?
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:22-26
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, Romans 4:5
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God Corinthians 5:21

8. PROVERBS 18:6,7,8,13 A FOOL’S WORDS
A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
Contentious, fatal, contagious, self-centered
The regenerate talk different from fool’s

9. PROVERBS 9:10; 18:10 KEY VERSES OF PROVERBS
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Three groups of people:
Unregenerate who deny they are guilty
Unregenerate who know they are guilty
Regenerate sinners who submit to and run to the LORD
Who are you? What do you do with your guilt?

10. PROVERBS 18:11,12 REALITY VS. IMAGINATION
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
The One Triune Creator Personal Sovereign Eternal Invisible GOD is real.
All other “gods” are the imagination of the unregenerate proud that leads to destruction.
God only honors the humble regenerate

11. PROVERBS 18:14 PHYSICAL VS. EMOTIONAL PAIN
A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
Sources of emotional pain:
Fallen World
Other People’s Sin
Your Sin

12. GOD’S SOLUTION FOR EMOTIONAL PAIN
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

13. PROVERBS 18:15 TRUE KNOWLEDGE
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4
Those born again work to take in God’s knowledge.
What knowledge are you seeking?

14. PROVERBS 18:16-19 CONFLICT
A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:14,16-17

15. PROVERBS 18:22 MARRIAGE: GOD’S PLAN
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18
This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:32-33

16. MARRIAGE
An unconditional lifetime commitment of Biblical marital intimacy to one imperfect person
Purposes:
Glorify and please God
Illustrate Christ and His bride
Transform you to be like Christ
Do away with aloneness
Establish the family
Pleasure
Protection from sin