All the Sermons

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. ~Proverbs 13:12 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. ~Proverbs 13:19 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. ~Proverbs 25:20 May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the holy spirit. ~Romans 15:13 We’re starting to read the book series, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” to Maddie as part of the bedtime routine. I hope that you don’t mind another illustration from Narnia, since I think that it describes these proverbs so well. And if you have not yet read these wonderful children’s books by CS Lewis, there is plenty in them to enjoy as an adult, with rich spiritual blessings too. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” The first thing that comes to mind for me is a p

There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; Those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed from their filth; Those whose glances are so disdainful; Those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind. ~Proverbs 30:11-14 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. ~Proverbs 13:10 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend with the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to live in us envies intensely? But He gives us more grace. That is why scripture says: “God opposed the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. ~James 4:1-8 Flee the e

John 20:19-23 Listen link is a video: https://www.facebook.com/gregory.dubois.547/videos/10157895789206195 You see the picture? About ten guys huddled in an upstairs room. The door is locked. Their beloved leader, Jesus, has been unjustly condemned and executed by the powers that be. If they can do that, they’ll come after his followers next, especially since they posted a guard at the tomb and the body is gone in spite of their efforts to secure it. Of course, these followers are the prime suspects in that “crime,” so they are scared for their lives! Since they all ran away when Jesus was arrested, we already know they aren’t very brave. Even Peter, the supposedly bravest one among them, who cut off the servant’s ear at the arrest, later denied that he even knew Jesus, three times! This little group was talking nervously, very likely quite tense, expecting some soldiers to come pounding at the door at any moment. If there was a knocking at the door, they might have jumped ou

The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. ~Proverbs 13:9 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: “when one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.” ~2 Samuel 23:3-4 When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” ~John 8:12 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven. ~Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus, as light of the world, is leading a parade! He is leading a parade of lights! He says that w

One person pretends to be rich yet has nothing. Another pretends to be poor yet has great wealth. A person’s riches may ransom the possessor’s life. But a poor person hears no threat. ~Proverbs 13:7-8 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him. Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hands. ~Ecclesiastes 5:12-16 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:32-34 I remember hearing James

The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. Righteousness guards the one with integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. ~Proverbs 13:5-6 If only You would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of You with evil intent; Your adversaries misuse Your name! Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against You? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. ~Psalm 139:19-24 We don’t usually say very much about these verses in Psalm 139. In today’s modern culture of tolerance these verses make us uncomfortable. We really appreciate the verses that come before about how our creator has lovingly made us. We like how the Psalm begins with the assurance that we can never be out of His sight. We can even appreciate how the Psalm end

The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; He is put under oath and dare not testify. Fear of man will prove to be a snare. But whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. ~Proverbs 29:24-25 The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ~John 10:10 The Lord spoke to me with His strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said, “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord almighty is the one you are to regard as Holy, He is the One you are to fear, He is the One you are to dread, and He will be a sanctuary. He will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. ~Isaiah 8:11-14A Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—in God I trust, I will not be afraid. What can man do to

A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. ~Proverbs 12:26 Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character. ~1 Cor. 15:33 You have to wonder what Solomon would think of Facebook. Friends are made so easily via that platform. Make a request, a few clicks, and it’s done. You’re in, part of the society of friends. It’s so easy! But wisdom says, “A righteous person is cautious in friendship.” So, I have a caution to follow a simple security protocol on Facebook. I never accept a friend request without thinking about whether I want to be friends. Then, if I do want to be in contact with that person, I still delete their friend request and then I send one back to them. I also send a message explaining why I do that. That way, I’m pretty sure I avoid scammers and hackers pretending to be my friend. Even before Facebook, Solomon knew, “A righteous person is cautious in friendship.” Why should that be? Why is it a good thing to be ca

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. ~Proverbs 12:25 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ~2 Peter 5:6-7 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. ~Psalm 139:23-24 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7 Praise be to the Lord, to God our savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves. From the sovereign Lord comes escape from death. ~Psalm 68:19-20 I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar. ~Proverbs 30:5-6 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.  ~Revelation 22:18-19 For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and Spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~Hebrews 4:12 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~2 Timothy 3:16-17 You may remember Richard Nixon being famously emphatic when he sai

A prudent person keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly. ~Proverbs 12:23 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Will evildoers never learn—those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the Lord? There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. ~Psalm 14 & 53   It is interesting that in this proverb it is the prudent person who remains silent. Perhaps a little review here would be helpful. We first met prudence back on February 1. She was introduced as wisdom’s partner. We said that wisdom is the reasoning part of the rela

Like clouds and wind without rain is a person who boasts of gifts that he or she does not have. ~Proverbs 25:14 If anyone thinks that he or she has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the Church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His deat

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. ~Proverbs 12:18-20 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God. ~Matthew 5:9 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. ~Matthew 12:36-37 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ~Ephesians 4:29 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. ~Colossians 4:5-6  Have you ever really thought about Je

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, a prudent man overlooks an insult. ~Proverbs 12:15-16 My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. ~James 1:19-21 “A fool shows his annoyance at once.” Why? It’s ”because a fool’s way seems right to him,” and he lacks the patience to stop and listen. Probably what frustrates us the most is not having our own way. The impulsive person suffers with the desire to do it now, do it his way. and be done with it, whatever “it” is. The impulsive person is comfortable with the instant lifestyle that defines our society today. We are slowly losing the art of deliberation, to our detriment. “The way of a fool see

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. ~Proverbs 12:10 Then, God said, “Let us make man in our image, in Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the earth.” So, God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them…. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” ~Genesis 1:26-28 You made man a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the sea. O LORD, o

Better to be a nobody and have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. ~Proverbs 12:9 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of only vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. ~Proverbs 15:16:17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. ~Proverbs 17:1 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. ~Proverbs 16:8 Better a poor person whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. ~Proverbs 19:1 & 28:6 What a person desires is unfailing love. Better to be poor than a liar. ~Proverbs 19:22 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil chasing after the wind. ~Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning. ~Ecclesiastes 4:13 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked, for the power of the wicked