The Only Way to Live

May 8, 2016 Series: Proverbs: Wisdom and Human Flourishing

Topic: Wisdom Passage: Proverbs 9:1–18

This morning closes our series on the book of Proverbs. From Proverbs 1:1-9:18 we have an exposition, a description of two paths, the path of wisdom which leads to human flourishing and the path of folly which leads to self-destruction. This chapter closes this section with a call to commitment. A call to commitment is not a call to perfection, but it is a call to choosing who you will love and who you will serve. The sage, the counselor, the father-figure is challenging his sons, what is it going to be? Who are you going to serve? What are you going to live for? You must decide. You cannot stay on the fence. Everything he has been counseling has been leading up to this. You must make a commitment. Is it going to be wisdom or folly? Wisdom or foolishness? And in order to make this challenge to commitment we learn that there are four things you must consider. The first is to consider the completeness of wisdom. Verses 1-6 present wisdom in all its majesty and completion. Second, vv.7-12 challenge us to consider the contempt of the scoffer. To see the danger of the scoffer both to yourself and to the community. Third, vv.13-18 call us to consider the cunning of folly. And finally, what is the solution?

The fourth point is to consider the cost of the gospel. The only way to live is through the power and the pattern of the gospel. And we must consider the cost of the gospel. Verses 4-5 invite us, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! To him who lacks sense she says, ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed’.” This is ultimately fulfilled in the gospel where Jesus invites us to feed on him and live. We read in the gospel of John, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die…For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:51,55-56). The gospel is free to us but cost everything to Jesus in order for us to be in union with Him.

More in Proverbs: Wisdom and Human Flourishing

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April 10, 2016

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