Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Sunday, January 6, 2013

The Book of Proverbs Chapter 3 Prov 3:21-26 Wisdom Combats Fear!

Prov 3: ) A reminder to retain Bible Doctrine to combat the fears of life, vs

Prov 3: ) The application of Impersonal and Unconditional Love toward your neighbors, vs

Prov 3: ) God’s dealings with the wicked and the righteous, vs

Vs. 21, Constant and diligent attention must be given to the teaching of Bible Doctrine and to not neglect or overlook a single detail, cf. Prov 4:21.

“Vanish/Depart/Deviate” We are not to deviate from perception and application of God’s Word.

“Keep” – NATSAR Guard the Bible doctrine resident in your soul which doctrine in turn guards your soul.

“Sound Wisdom” We are to have prudence, the capacity to make discerning appraisals of situations on the basis of Bible Doctrine resident in your soul.

“Discretion” Order your thinking so that the evils and temptations of this world do not over run you resulting in fear. Prov 2:11; 2 Cor 10:5

Vs. 22, “Necklace” signifies the guidance and protection we receive by means of Faith Resting in God’s Word.

Vs. 23, Prov 1:33, “But he who listens to me (wisdom) shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

“Stumble” A metaphor for disaster and catastrophe that throws you off balance and tempts you to sin due to fear, worry and anxiety. Cf. Psa 91:12.

The life that is the product of obedience to God’s Word is a life filled with peace and security, so that the wise believer will not fear disaster. Cf. Psa 91:12, 121:3

Psa 91:12, “They (Angels) will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone.”

Psa 121:3, “He (YHWH - God) will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.”

Vs. 24, “Do not be afraid” Ongoing action of not being afraid of life’s situations because trust in the Lord ends all types of fears. Psa 27:1; 78:53; Isa 12:2

Psa 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?”

Isa 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”

Vs , “Walking and lying down”, signify security at all times and in all situations.

Vs. 25, “Sudden Fear” - disaster or catastrophe. The only way to avoid fear in disaster is to apply the Bible doctrine resident in your soul.

“Onslaught” – the unbelievers’ judgment to the E.L.F.

“Onslaught” – the unbelievers’ judgment to the E.L.F. The immature believer has doubts and fear about what comes after death. The spiritually mature believer does not.

Vs. 26, When we choose to pursue wisdom we know that the Lord is there for us and is our confidence.

2 Cor 3:12, “Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech.”

Phil 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

We either take every temptation captive, (and throw it out before it becomes sin), or we will be taken captive by the sin itself, especially the sin of fear. Col 2:8; 2 Tim 2:24-26; 1 Peter 5:8-9

Col 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

Communion

Grace Offering 1 Tim 5:18, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing, and the laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Grace Fellowship Church Sunday, January 6, 2012 Tape # Wisdom Combats Fear Prov 3:21-26; 1:33; Psa 91:12; 121:13; 2 Cor 10:5 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2012