April 10, 2019
Proverbs 3:7-8
Intro.
Character is: 3. the particular quality or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is. 4. Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality 5. Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; 6. Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty 7. The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation. - (Webster’s 1913)
I. Review #
Interestingly this ties in well with “Lean not unto thine own understanding”
Don’t trust/follow your heart!
A. Man in the Mirror #
1. Throughout our lifetime, it is best to frequent take a look in the mirror. #
(James 1:23–24) “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
2. Everyday, I get ready for work. I get cleaned up. I stand in front of a mirror, and shave my face. I comb my hair, I make sure that I look presentable to go out into the world. #
3. Throughout the day, I review! #
4. We need to pause, and take an HONEST review of our life! #
5. Not self deceived with a perception of ourself #
(James 1:25–26) “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
B. Mirage of Magnification "in thine own eyes" #
1. In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul talks about being ‘puffed up’. You could label that, self inflated, or self magnified. #
2. If someone has to blow them-self up (talk about them-self, and how good they are), they are full of hot air. Once deflated, they are a shriveled up skin. #
(1 Cor 4:6–7) “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
3. Contention is a result of pride #
(Prov 13:10) “¶ Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
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Example of Magnification: (Dan 5:18-21)
a) This king thought he was something… he was a man, a simple, sinful man, who God gave a position, power.
C. Model of Humility (Jesus) - prayer #
1. Phil 2:3-8 #
II. Reverence - "Fear the Lord" #
A. Correct view #
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“How Great Thou Art”
1. O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed… Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, HOW GREAT THOU ART.
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin: … Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee: HOW GREAT THOU ART.
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When we start to recognize, Who God really is, and what He has done for us… we will Stand Amazed in His presence!
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Isaiah 6:1-4 He observed the awesome wonder, magnitude, and power of Almighty God.
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I hope you can get a glimpse of the Magnitude, and Greatness of God
B. Comparative view (Is 6:5) #
- He realized his own wickedness!
III. Remove yourself from evil “depart” #
A. Depart from wrong way #
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In Peru, I was driving. You have to understand that in Peru, if the road was built for two lanes of traffic, they usually use it for three lanes, sometimes they cram 4 lanes into it. It can be quite crazy. I was driving to the bus station in our little town, I turned up a road, that was not marked, and found myself heading straight at traffic driving towards me. You know what I did…. I got out of there! I promptly turned on the first street I could find. It didn’t matter where it was headed.
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It may require constant work, but we have to be renewed…
a) (Eph 4:22–24) “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
a) Put off the prideful mindset
b) Be renewed - washing of the water by the Word (Eph 5:26)
b) (Psa 119:9) “¶ BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
c) Put on the NEW!
IV. Reward - health, marrow #
A. Navel - center #
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The navel is the center of the body, and overall it represents the health of your body. Where all the nutrients is processed and feeds the whole body.
a) Pride affects your whole being. “Fear of the Lord” affects your whole being, in a good way.
b) Spiritual and physical
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God’s wisdom grants health.
a) This doesn’t mean you will never be sick, never have a problem.
b) It means you health will be overall better by the omission of sin!