Draft a long sermon on proverbs 4, include the biblical texts outside the source material in the beginning of the sermon, then continue with commentary verse by verse in and out of the source material. Include also real and biblical examples in and out of the source materials provided

 Draft a long sermon on proverbs 4, include the biblical texts outside the source material in the beginning of the sermon, then continue with commentary verse by verse in and out of the source material. Include also real and biblical examples in and out of the source materials provided

Here is a draft sermon on Proverbs Chapter 4, drawing on the provided sources and including external biblical and real-life examples as requested.

A Sermon on The Paths of Wisdom and Folly (Proverbs Chapter 4)

Good morning/afternoon/evening, brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are continuing our exploration of the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. The sources we have been studying highlight that Proverbs is a book of wisdom literature. It is a collection of sayings intended to provide guidance on moral living, relationships, and the fear of God. It has universal application for all people everywhere, both Jews and Gentiles.

The book of Proverbs teaches us how to worship the Lord with all of our mind by seeking divine wisdom in every decision we make. The secondary theme of Proverbs is that we are predestined to reflect the image of Christ as we walk in the wisdom of God, focusing on our minds. The imperative, or third theme, is that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and this fear moves us to choose godly decisions. The book contrasts the path of the wise with the path of the fool, showing that every decision we make is either wise or foolish, affecting our eternal destiny.

The first nine chapters of Proverbs serve as an introduction or discourse on wisdom. This section is a preparation for understanding the rest of the book. It contrasts the call of wisdom with the call of the wicked and the adulteress. Chapter 4, in particular, presents wisdom as a path. We learn how wisdom transforms our lives by impacting our heart, mind, and body. This transformation through wisdom is one aspect of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

Let us turn now to the words of Proverbs Chapter 4.

(Please note: The following biblical text is presented here as part of the sermon and is drawn from outside the provided source material.)

Proverbs Chapter 4

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. And he taught me, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Now let us delve into this chapter, verse by verse, or rather, section by section, as laid out in the sources, and see what powerful truths God has for us today.

Section 1: The Path of Wisdom as It Transforms the Heart (Proverbs 4:1-9)

This first section (verses 1-9) is described as teaching us how wisdom will transform our heart. It begins with an appeal to listen to instruction. The father is teaching his children, passing on good doctrine. He urges them to let their hearts retain his words and keep his commandments. This highlights the importance of taking God's Word into our innermost being, not just hearing it with our ears, but allowing it to settle in our hearts.

The source notes that this is where a person's journey into fellowship with God begins – in a life of godliness, respecting parents, and fearing the Lord. It compares this to the introduction of a thesis, summarizing the key message of the entire book.

Verse 7 gives us a key principle: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." The source notes that the path of wisdom that transforms our heart is the path of always searching for the hidden treasures of wisdom in God's Word. This searching makes the treasure precious to us, and our heart becomes attached to it. We are to exalt wisdom, make it a priority, seek it first in all matters, and it will promote us and bring us honour. This practice changes our character.

When God's Word becomes our priority, we exalt it above all other things. This leads to an outward manifestation. Verse 9 says, "She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." A person with a transformed heart will manifest a "crown of glory". This person will have a peace and anointing about them that others can see.

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(External Example): Consider the life of someone you know who consistently demonstrates wisdom and grace. You can often see the fruit of their inner life in their outward demeanour – a calmness, a thoughtful approach to problems, a radiant peace. This isn't something they put on; it flows from a heart shaped by godly wisdom.

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(Biblical Example - External Source): Think of the difference between a leader whose heart is dedicated to God, like King Josiah (2 Kings 22-23), who sought after God's Word and led reforms, and a leader whose heart was far from God, like King Ahab (1 Kings 21), who allowed his wife Jezebel to lead him into wickedness. The state of their hearts was clearly manifested in their actions and their legacy.

The source notes that if a person is not walking with this outward peace and anointing, it reveals they have not allowed God's Word to enter their hearts and change their lives. This section reminds us that the journey of wisdom starts with receiving instruction into our hearts and making wisdom our highest priority.

Section 2: The Path of Wisdom as It Renews the Mind (Proverbs 4:10-19)

Moving to verses 10-19, this section teaches us how wisdom renews our minds. Receiving God's sayings and being taught in His ways impacts our decision-making. Daily decisions are likened to walking down a path. When our minds are renewed by God's Word, our decisions will keep us from falling or stumbling. We learn to cling to right decisions and abhor wrong ones.

This path of wisdom becomes clearer each day in our minds as we walk in the light of God's Word. This is beautifully captured in verse 18: "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." In contrast, verse 19 describes the way of the wicked as darkness, where they stumble because they don't know what causes them to fall. The source notes that the contrasting paths of the wise and the fool are a central theme throughout Proverbs.

The section includes a strong warning in verses 14-17: "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence." This isn't just about making occasional bad choices; it's about a fundamental difference in direction and desire. The wicked are actively seeking to cause harm.

Our minds, influenced by the world, can lead us down destructive paths. The source notes that sin first enters the heart, then corrupts the mind, and finally defiles the body. Proverbs 6:1-5 is cited as dealing with the mind corrupted by a "loose tongue," leading to bad decisions to please others. This highlights how our thoughts and words are intertwined and reflect the state of our minds and hearts.

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(External Example): We see this played out in real life. People whose minds are filled with negative thoughts, anger, or deceit often find themselves in constant conflict and difficulty. Their actions, driven by their corrupted thoughts, lead to broken relationships and personal turmoil.

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(Biblical Example): Paul's transformation is a powerful illustration. Before his conversion, his mind was set on persecuting Christians (Acts 9:1-2). He was on the path of the wicked, seeking to cause them to fall. After his encounter with Christ and the renewal of his mind (Romans 12:2), his path became one of shining light, dedicated to building up the church. The source explicitly mentions Paul's conversion as a climax in the narrative plot of Acts, showing the spread of the Gospel.

Renewing our minds requires intentional effort, taking hold of instruction and not letting it go. It means actively choosing the path of light and avoiding the darkness.

Section 3: The Path of Wisdom as It Directs the Body (Proverbs 4:20-27)

The final section of Chapter 4 (verses 20-27) shows how wisdom directs our bodies. Having addressed the heart and mind, the instruction moves to the physical aspects of our lives. It begins with a call to attend to God's words, incline our ears, and not let them depart from our eyes. This emphasizes using our senses – hearing and seeing – to receive God's Word.

Verse 21 tells us to "keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." This reiterates that the Word must reside in our heart, linking it to life and physical health. The source notes that Proverbs 3:7-8 also deals with physical health resulting from fearing the Lord and departing from evil.

Verse 23 gives a crucial command: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." While placed in this section about the body, this verse ties everything back to the heart as the wellspring of our actions. What is in our heart influences our mind and directs our body. Jesus Himself said that what comes out of the mouth defiles a man, because it comes from the heart (Matthew 15:11, Luke 6:45).

The remaining verses focus on directing our physical actions:

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"Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee." (v. 24) This directs our speech. Our words reveal the state of our heart and mind.

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"Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee." (v. 25) This directs our gaze. What we fix our eyes upon, our feet will follow.

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"Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." (v. 26) This directs our steps. We are to carefully consider the direction our lives are taking.

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"Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." (v. 27) This is a clear instruction to stay on the straight path and avoid evil.

The source notes that this section shows a progression: receiving information (ears, eyes), processing it (heart), and acting on it (mouth, feet). It reminds us that wisdom sanctifies our whole bodies to become like Jesus.

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(External Example): Consider the discipline required in sports or playing a musical instrument. Athletes train their bodies through repeated actions guided by their minds and motivated by a desire (in their heart). Musicians practice scales and techniques, directing their fingers and breath, guided by the musical score in their minds and a love for the music in their hearts. Similarly, directing our bodies in godly living requires intentional practice, guided by God's Word residing in our hearts and minds.

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(Biblical Example - External Source): The life of Jesus perfectly illustrates this. His heart was perfectly aligned with the Father's will (John 4:34, John 6:38), His mind was filled with God's truth (Luke 2:52, John 8:28), and His physical body was completely yielded to doing God's work (John 9:4, Acts 10:38). Every word He spoke was truth, every step He took was in obedience, and He walked in perfect wisdom, demonstrating the ideal towards which Proverbs calls us.

This final section challenges us to live out the wisdom we have received in our hearts and minds through disciplined actions, ensuring that our speech, our gaze, and our steps are aligned with God's will.

Conclusion

Proverbs Chapter 4 calls us to walk the path of wisdom. It is a journey that begins with receiving instruction into our hearts, where it transforms us from within. This inner transformation leads to a renewed mind, enabling us to make wise decisions and avoid the destructive path of the wicked. Finally, it directs our physical actions, guiding our words, our focus, and our steps, leading to a life of wholeness and favour.

The ultimate goal of all Bible study is application. We must apply the Word to our lives, allowing it to change us to conform more with the will of God. Knowledge requires action; what we know should be expressed in what we do. Applying God's Word is an act of the will, leading to maturity and stability. We should write out personal applications that are practical, possible, and measurable, referring back to the principles of the Devotional Method.

As we reflect on Proverbs 4, let us ask ourselves:

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Am I actively receiving God's instruction into my heart?

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Is wisdom the principal thing in my life, my highest priority?

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Is my mind being renewed by God's Word, enabling me to make wise decisions?

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Am I intentionally directing my words, my gaze, and my steps according to God's wisdom?

The sources remind us that applied Bible study, acting on what we learn, is vitally necessary for our spiritual health and growth in Christian maturity. Let us resolve today to walk more diligently on the path of wisdom, trusting that as we do, God will transform our hearts, renew our minds, and direct our bodies, leading us to a life that honours Him and reflects the image of Christ.

Amen.