Proverbs 22 - God’s Will

October 14, 2020

What God Wants #

Proverbs 22:17-21, 12

Introduction

You can spend a lifetime studying the Word of God. There has never been a book written like the Word of God. It is a timeless book, that speaks to the heart of the listener like NO OTHER literary work on earth! That is because it is a heavenly book, that originated in heaven, was given on earth, preserved through the ages. You are holding it in your hands today. Tonight, I want to give a very clear message recorded in the Word of God on what God wants for each person! Nothing is worse, than not knowing what is expected of you in a given situation.

I. God’s Plea (17-18) #

A. Listen (17) #

1. “Bow down thine ear” #

  • The words ‘bow down’ imply submission.
  • Recognizing the supremacy of God, is the first thing…

Is. 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Rom. 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Phil. 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  • If you don’t submit to Jesus in Salvation… you have not bowed your ear… you cannot bow your ear without bending your knee! - You are ignoring wisdom.
  • Bowing implies humility… humble yourself before the Omniscient God who can give you knowledge

2. “Hear the words of the wise” - #

  • How many times have we saw the plea for hearing the wisdom being given!
  • Prov. 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
  • Prov. 4:1 ¶ Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
  • Prov. 5:7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
  • Prov. 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
  • Prov. 19:20 ¶ Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
  • How much foolishness could be prevented by simply Listening to wisdom!

B. Learn (17) “apply thine heart” #

1. It is one thing to hear… it another thing to actually do. #

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

2. Listening is easy, application, actually doing what you have heard, is a little more difficult. #

C. Live it (18) “keep them within thee” #

1. It is good to listen, it is good to learn, it is just as important to live it out! #

Psa. 119:11 ¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

II. God’s Purpose (19-21) #

A. Trust of His Word(19) #

1. God wants us to trust HIM! #

2. The whole Book, is written, filled with examples, teachings, on TRUSTING GOD! #

3. “I have made known to thee” #

    • 4. His purpose, for the Bible, that we can know Him and trust Him #

    • 5. His purpose for the Church, teach people to trust Him #

      • 6. His purpose for instructing you and I to witness, to show people they need to trust Him! #

B. Excellency of His Word(20) #

1. The truth is that the Bible is full of counsels, knowledge, that would save man a whole lot of heartache…. IF he would listen, learn, and live it! #

Psa. 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

C. Certainty of His Word (21) #

Prov. 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

1. Scholars may scoff at it… let them be the fool. Scorners may turn their back on it, let them bear the weight of sin, but the simple will hear, and be made wise! #

  • Psa. 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

III. God’s Preservation (12) #

A. Preservation #

1. “eyes of the LORD”? How do eyes preserve knowledge? #

  • “eyes of the LORD” is used 22 times in the Bible

  • Gen. 6:8 ¶ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

    • Noah finding grace in the ’eyes of the LORD" sure preserved knowledge in that instance!
    • Knowledge, can be contained in books, or people. In this case, God preserved Noah.

  • 1Kings 15:11 And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.

    • “The third king of Judah was a pure stream from a putrid source. Asa proves that an evil heredity need be no handicap to holiness. He was the godly son of a godless father, Abijah, just as Manasseh was a godless son of a godly father. Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.” Lockyer
    • Asa’s reign started by cleaning up the kingdom, and getting rid of idolatry!
    • Asa went on and reigned for 40 years!

B. Overthrowing! #

  • 1Kings 16:25 But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him.

    • Omri, contemporary of Asa, ruled in Samaria.
    • Ruled 12 years, lived a wicked life.
    • Pro 22:12 - “...he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.”
Tags: Preaching Outlines Proverbs Will Purpose Preservation