Walk Wisely - Sin Never Brings Success

Introduction:

Proverbs 28:14 - Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Hard Hearted? You're Only Hurting Yourself!

Proverbs 28:7 - The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

John 14:15 - If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Dad Talk (heart to heart), from our Heavenly Father:

John 15:10 - If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love.

Work Ethic / Poverty

Prov 10:4 - A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Neighbors / Co-workers

Prov 11:12 - Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Money

Prov 11:24 - One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Friends

Prov 13:20 - Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Contentment

Prov 14:30 - A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

Confession / Repentance

Prov 28:13 - Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 28:7, 13-14
(If you like, review any other passages on relationships we covered on Sunday!)

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message? What was your biggest take-away from this SERIES?

2. Tell of a time you saw someone ruin their life because they refused to heed God’s Word. (NO NAMES!)

3. How should we approach someone who is “falling into calamity” due to their sin? What do you say to such a person…?:

   • If the person is a believer?

   • If the person is an unbeliever?

BREAKOUT
Pray for one another to WALK WISELY as children with understanding (Prov 28:7).

Tearing Down the Wall of Offense (Guest Speaker)

Introduction:

Proverbs 18:19 - A brother offended is harder to win than a strong (walled) city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Helping YOU to overcome the debilitating effect of accumulated offense.

The nature of offense

Luke 17:1 - And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

To not be offended is impossible!

The author of offense

John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Satan - ministry of death, theft and destruction

The path of offense

Hebrews 12:14,15 - Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled

ROOT OF BITTERNESS - GOTCHA!

The remedy for offense

Matthew 5:23-25 - So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

Matthew 18:15-17 - If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Corinthians 10:4,5 - and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Are you ready to be set free?

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 18:19
(If you like, review any other passages on relationships we covered on Sunday!)

1. How has offense affected your life?

2. Who suffers most when our lives are governed by offense?

3. When offense is allowed to accumulate, what are the results:

   • Spiritually?

   • Emotionally?

   • Relationally?

   • Physically?

4. Read Genesis 50:20. How do Joseph’s words apply to the accumulated offense in your life?

5. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. How will taking every thought captive aid in your path to victory in overcoming the accumulated offense in your life?

BREAKOUT
Are you struggling with a particular relationship in your life? Pray for one another to forgive and restore those hurt relationships.

Money: Lessons from Folly (Guest Speaker)

Introduction:

1 Kings 3:5,9 - At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you."...9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

Lessons from Folly (Prov 6:1):

1. Always be a Giver .

Proverbs 11:24-25 - One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Malachi 3:8-10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

2. Live the life that God is calling you to live.

   Proverbs 12:9 - Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food

   Proverbs 11:28 - Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

3. Debt is Dumb .

   Proverbs 17:18 - One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.

   Proverbs 22:7 - The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

   Ephesians 6:6 - Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

   Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money

   Proverbs 21:30 - In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 6:1
(If you like, review any other Proverbs on money we covered on Sunday!)

1. Have you ever known of a relationship strained or destroyed due to unpaid financial or emotional debt? If so what happened and how could it have been prevented?

2. Have you ever found yourself trying to keep up with the Jones'? What were you doing and how did you stop?

3. 1 in 3 Americans cannot cover a $2,000 emergency in cash. When you read that, how does that make you feel?

4. Read Proverbs 21:30 then respond with how that Scripture speaks to you.

5. The world says that there is 'good' debt and bad debt. the Bible says all debt is to be avoided. Who is right? Why do we continually try to justify the world's view?

BREAKOUT
Pray for one another. Are you struggling with money? Get an accountability partner - now - from your group on your spending. Pray about and dedicate to joining the upcoming Financial Peace University class.

Gluttony: The Forgotten Sin

Introduction:

Proverbs 23:20-21 - Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

Gluttony is Not Wise (Prov 23:20-21):

1. Gluttony shows lack of Self-Control .

   Proverbs 23:20 - Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat...

2. Gluttony leads to Bondage .

   1 Cor 6:12 - "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

3. Gluttony is a Destructive lifestyle.

   Proverbs 23:21 - for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags

How Do I Conquer Gluttony?

1. Repent .
2. Refuse .
3. Replace .
4. Rely .

   1 Cor 10:31 - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 23:20-21
(If you like, review any other Proverbs on gluttony we covered on Sunday!)

1. What was your biggest take-away from this passage / message?

2. How would you define gluttony? Why is it often ignored in the church? Do you think it should be addressed? Why or why not?

3. When are YOU most tempted / prone to overeat?

4. Why is gluttony / overeating addictive? How can fasting help someone overcome gluttony?

BREAKOUT
Pray for one another. Are you struggling with this sin? Get an accountability partner - now - from your group and keep after each other.

Laziness: Destroying Yourself By Doing Nothing

Introduction:

Proverbs 26:13 - The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There is a lion on the streets!"

The Tragedy of Laziness (Prov 6:6-11):

1. Laziness is Self-Deceptive .

   Proverbs 26:16 - The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

   Proverbs 20:4 - The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

2. Laziness is Self-Destructive .

   Proverbs 21:25-26 - The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

   Proverbs 19:24 - The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

3. Laziness must be Rebuked .

   Proverbs 6:6 - Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and mbe wise.

Lessons from an Ant:

1. Hard work doesn't require constant Supervision . (Prov 6:7)
2. Hard work doesn't Pocrastinate . (Prov 6:8a)
3. Hard work is the means to Provide . (Prov 6:8b)

   1 Timothy 5:8 - But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

How do I stop being lazy?

1. Confess it to God.
2. Take it one Shift at a time.

   Colossians 3:23-24 - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 6:6-11
(If you like, review any other Proverbs on laziness we covered on Sunday!)

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

2. On a scale of 1-10 (1 = “comatose lazy”, 10 = “workhorse of the year”): How would your boss rate your work habits? How would you rate yourself?

3. What advice would you give someone who confesses to you that they struggle with laziness?

4. Why do you think laziness results in MORE and WORSE laziness?

5. How specifically can a sluggard come to poverty (Prov 6:11)?

BREAKOUT
Confession time: in what area of your life are you most lazy? Pray for one another that the Lord would change your heart.