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May 27, 2018

The Gospel: A Wise Heritage

The Gospel: A Wise Heritage

Passage: Proverbs 4:1-27

Speaker: Ben Seneker

Series: Proverbs, Searching for Wisdom

Much of what we celebrate and recognize as part of our human experience has been passed down to us by previous generations. We have national holidays, cultural landmarks, popular sayings, and a shared history. Our families, too, often have celebrated traditions that both unites the family while also making it distinct. In our Christian faith, we also possess a rich heritage in the gospel of Jesus that has been passed down to us through the generations. What role, however, does wisdom play in this rich heritage?

Order of Worship

Call To Worship: 2 Timothy 1:8-9
Sermon Title: The Gospel: A Wise Heritage
Central Text: Proverbs 4:1-5, 20-27
Benediction: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

05.27.18 Lyrics

Sermon Slide


(there was only one sermon-related slide this week)

Sermon Illustration

Ancestry - Courtney's DNA

Readings/Scripture

Call To Worship: 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (HL)
LEADER: 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

ALL: 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began

Central Text: Proverbs 4:1-5, 20-27
1 Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
2 for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.”

20 My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

Benediction: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (HL)
LEADER: 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

ALL: Amen

Related Scriptures:

Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

2 Peter 1:16-19
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts

Discussion Questions & Applications:

  1. Who in your life do you think of as wise? What makes them so in your mind? How do you think they became so?
  2. In our passage this morning, the father references the son’s ear, eyes, heart, mouth, and feet with regards to pursuing wisdom. What is the significance of this? What is particularly powerful (and unique) about verse 23?
  3. Why is the gospel the greatest heritage we could ever receive and ever pass on to the next generation? In what ways does the church, and Scripture, play an important role in this lineage? List some possible dangers that threaten the purity and continuation of the heritage?

Quotes

“Life does not flow from the outside in; it flows from the inside out. We need our hearts continuously filled with the ever-fresh life of Christ, by faith in the gospel.” ~Ray Ortlund

Sermons/resources:

Media & Songs:

  • Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
  • Sovereign Grace O’er Sin Abounding
  • O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
  • Steadfast
  • Lift Your Head Weary Sinner
  • InView Media Album 5.27.18