The Book of Proverbs
Part 4
Making the wisdom of Jesus known
through our Words and Actions
“Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Look for wisdom in the “right” places.
“As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another..”
-Proverbs 27:17
This talks about the MULTIPLICATION FACTOR
of MATCHING THINGS,
For the good of both.
“As sand paper dulls sand paper,
so one person can dull another..”
This talks about the MULTIPLICATION FACTOR
of MATCHING THINGS,
but not for the good of either.
“As dirt dulls a chain saw,
so one person dulls another..”
This talks about the MULTIPLICATION FACTOR
of UNMATCHING THINGS,
To the detriment of one of the things.
The chain saw gets hurt, but the dirt does not.
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
-1 Corinthians 15:33
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
-Luke 2:51
[Good character]
(At age 30) “…when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
-Mark 1:21+
[Good character]
News spread quickly about his wisdom, power and authority.
But it wasn’t always good.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [This all seems good so far until they show the shallow depth of their hearts.]
3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.” [“How can this be?” can be a question or a comment. They meant it as a negative comment about Jesus, rather than an inquisitive statement seeking deeper understanding of Jesus’ wisdom and ability]
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
-Mark 6:2+
It is not up to us how people respond to the wisdom of Jesus.
It is up to us to make his wisdom known.
Be Jesus to others through Words and Actions.
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
-Luke 2:52
And so should we.
Verses About Paying Attention to “Influences”
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
-1 Corinthians 15:33
Q: Are you being misled?
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
-Proverbs 12:26
Q: Who or what?
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.” [God’s way]
-Proverbs 4:14-15
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
-Proverbs 13:20
Q: Who are the wise?
Q: Who are the fools?
“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.”
-Proverbs 14:7
“A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.”
-Proverbs 16:29
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
-Proverbs 22:24-25
Q: Who are you becoming like?
“Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.”
[Don’t get Muddied/Polluted]
-Proverbs 25:26
Q: Who/What are you allowing to muddy your waters?
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
-Proverbs 4:23
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