Sermon Tone Analysis

Choices

We all have choices everyday.

All choices have consequences, be them good or bad.

Solomon wanted to provide wisdom so that his son would make wise choices.

Wisdom, we have seen over and over in chapters 1-3, and the importance of obtaining in here in chapter 4.

This will continue in our passage today (Pro4:10-19)

We will flip around some in Proverbs today, so be ready for that.

A couple of reminders from chapter four before we get started.

Solomon says get wisdom and understanding.

Pro4:5 “5 Acquire wisdom!

Acquire understanding!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.”

Solomon also says wisdom in principle thing.

Pro4:7 “7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.”

In our passage today we will see the illustration that Solomon uses to his son, two paths, and he wants his son to know the paths so can choose the right path.

We too, like Solomon’s son must know and must choose the path, choose the right path.

So, here is the plan and let’s see how far we get.

The two paths

Path of Wisdom

Path of wicked or folly

The metaphor of progressive brightness as noted in the passage.

Living life with Christ in progressive brightne

Well, just like at Westside, I want us to study the scripture, the word, in fact I think there is a bible verse about that

2Tim2:15 “15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

Turn in your bibes to Pro4:12-19 Pro4:12-13 “12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.

13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your life.”

Pro4:14-15 “14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.”

Pro4:16-17 “16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence.”

Pro4:18-19 “18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.”

Q- What sticks out to you in this passage?

Q - What do you see as the theme of this passage?

Q - Is this passage historical or instructive?

Q - There are some simple instructions on what he wants his son to do, can you find them?

Hear (v.10)

Accept (v.10)

Walk (v.12)

Run (v.12)

Take hold (v.13)

Guard her (v.13)

Do not enter (v.14)

Do not proceed (v.14)

Avoid (v.15)

Turn away (v.15)

Great these are some key words and in this instruction he gives much more information as we go and now look at the two paths.

Path of Wisdom

The path of wisdom is the way of wisdom

Q- Who taught you, who led you in the way of wisdom?

The way of wisdom add’s years to your life

Pro4:10 “10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.”

This has been said before if you were to look back at Pro3:1-2.

Also that when on the right path, the way of wisdom it is more than likely to bless you, your body with good health (Pro3;7-8)

The way of wisdom will help you walk and your walk not be hindered.

You can consider what was said before, a few weeks ago

Look again at Pro3:5-6, who directs your path when you walk in the way of wisdom?

When you run, you will not stumble (see v.12) again

I think we can agree, life can be overwhelming at times, and sometimes decisions (running) have to be made quickly.

Those who choose the right path are more likely not to make the type of mistakes that those on the path of the wicked might make.

For the ones on the right path have chosen the way of wisdom.

I think we can see the way of wisdom is a smart way to chose.

Then Solomon gives an admonition (instructions)

Take firm hold!

Q- what does it mean to take a firm hold of something?

what is Solomon’s son to take a firm hold of?

Keep her for she is your life

Q-Think about this for a minute, who is “her?”

God wants us to choose the way of wisdom, so to add days to our life, so we can walk, run, and not be hindered.

That we would take firm hold of her for she is our life.

Path of the wicked

Path of the wicked is the way of evil

Solomon’s son, Israel, and now us can learn from the strong admonitions regarding path of the wicked, the way of evil.

(I need to keep in context)

Do not enter

Do not walk

Avoid it

Turn away

Now, reasons to do this, well to sin is easy, to live righteously takes a choice and determination.

Sin is addictive and enslaves man

Sin dulls the senses, numbs man to the effect of sin, requiring more and more to try to get the same satisfaction (i.e.

drugs, alcohol)

Sin can easily become a life of wickedness and violence

Sin can be violent in every form, physically, spiritually, emotionally.

For it damages relationships, first with God, the with others, and yes, even yourself.

Would you agree with these verses, these strong admonitions, this is not the path God wants you to take, the way of the wicked?

So avoid it!

Two paths contrasted

In short want to show the two paths, the way of wisdom, way of wicked.

The way of wisdom (the just) is like the shining sun

think about this when the sun comes up over the horizon then as the day progresses it goes higher into the sky and most the time brings more light, heat to man until it reaches the zenith of the day, then it starts to fade into the sunset, back into the horizon now on the other side.

This is like the wise, the just, who when walking down the path of wisdom grow brighter and brighter and are progressively enlightened by God and God’s word and God’s people.

The way of the wicked is likened to darkness

Q- Have you ever stumbled around in the dark?

- Well think of that as the way of the wicked, you don’t see what you are doing and it is easy to get caught up, stumble around in the dark.

Well, here is another passage to consider, this time from the N.T.

One path leads to increasing lightness the other to blinding darkness.

The Metaphor of progressive brightness

The metaphor of the shining sun, well it describes a progressive brightness, not just simply brightness.