Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church

The third chapter brings about another sermon from the father, given to the son, emphasizing the connect between the promises of Yahweh and the results when they are taken seriously and followed. The Proverbs contain not just the words of parents, the words of wisdom, but these are the very words of God, expressed through means in order to provide for the young, the simple, the immature a path to a God-honoring and productive life. We can build our lives upon the real commands and promises of Almighty God, Yahweh, who endeavors to bless men through the keeping of His law. Let us then live for His glory and grace.

The second chapter of Proverbs contains an even more full sermon from the father. He calls his son to accept, to receive, to imbibe, and make his own the wisdom of God. He is to not only be a passive recipient of it, but he is to be proactive in crying out to the Lord, for that glorious gift comes from above. When he does this, it will guard both his heart and his mind it will not only make him orthodox in his understanding of the world, but will direct his moral compass, as one made holy unto God. Wisdom will be a bulwark for those who pursue it. A bulwark against wicked men and lustful thoughts, and it continues to remind us and serve as an eschatological reminder that Wisdom brings life and folly brings death.

We are reminded of what John has already written concerning the nearness of Christ's coming in judgment against the city of Jerusalem, the city wherein He was crucified, having been rejected and sentenced to death by those who rejected Him as the Messiah. What Christ has to say is faithful, it is true, and His words are to be the very foundation upon which we build our lives, shape our action, and establish our hope.

This morning John describes for us, the great River of Life, that proceeds from the throne of God and the Throne of the Lamb into all the Earth, whereby God's covenant promises, and grace bring forth life where there was once only death. This the water that brings healing and salvation to the valley of dry bones, issuing forth from the well of whom Christ is the spring and when we come to Him, drink from Him, believe upon Him, the Spirit of God wells up within us, filling up and running down. Such are the people named and sealed by the Lord, full of life, full of light, having been brought into God's presence in salvation.

The first chapter of Proverbs asks that the reader lean in and read the opening words, given from parents to their son, to see it as counsel to any who seeks to have understanding, to move beyond simple mindedness, folly, and even stupidity. Do you want to be simple, foolish, stupid and therefore of no use to your fellow man, and only a drain upon the kingdom and the world in which you live, or do you wish to be free, a bulwark against ungodliness, a stead anchor in times of storm, bearing fruit in every season-- Then get wisdom- Listen to your fathers, your mothers, your Maker as He speaks.

Having examined the people of God, who are made new in Christ Jesus, by His work of reconciliation will bring all men through the process not only of justification, of adoption, and sanctification, but also that fulfilling act of glorification, wherein all who are in Christ Jesus will be fully redeemed, body and soul, never to feel the effects of sin again, comforted, exalted, dressed in the imperishable garment. John's vision of the heavenly city, coming to earth, perfect in righteousness and exalted in glory, we now see the characteristics of this city where God will dwell with men in the age that is to come.

One more sermon that will serve as introduction before we jump into the text of Proverbs. This Sunday we cover a handful of the themes found in the book of Proverbs relating wisdom itself. It is because wisdom is such a glorious gift, springing forth from the Lord of light and life that we ought to -get wisdom.- In order to better read, understand, and apply the book of Proverbs with faithfulness let us then look at those themes that grant us greater insight into the true value of wisdom, that gift and treasure that should be sought before all other of God's good gifts.--Perhaps you ask me why even continue the series of introductory sermons to the book of Proverbs and why would I now be addressing themes of Proverbs. I can answer that question, simply by stating that when we understand the things that Solomon is, addressing, we better categorize and organize his thoughts for our daily lives. When we understand what Wisdom has to say about life, we better apply Wisdom to our lives.

Oh the glories that await those who have devoted themselves even to the point of pain, sorrow, tears, suffering, and horror for the sake of the coming kingdom and peace of Christ Jesus. For those who share in the child pangs of alienation from that which will soon pass away, will delight in the full flowering of all of the Father's promises made good in Christ Jesus. For the faithful shall receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and a dwelling place with Christ forever -3-. Christ Himself shall put an end to our mourning -4-, and all that is not done for His honor and glory, and according to His Word shall pass away -4-. Even as Christ has made men new, He will consummate that work as we read in verses six through eight. One day Christ will right all wrongs, and He will bring both full salvation and full condemnation, as the start to the New Heavens and Earth.

Last week, as we drive closer towards an exposition of the book of Proverbs itself, having at least looked at the opening verses of Proverbs, focusing upon the gist of the matter recorded in verse 7 - the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. There can be no wisdom without a righteous affection for, devotion to, and longing for the righteousness of God to be manifested in life, in your own heart and in the life of your neighbor. If we are to be wise, and faithful in acquiring and applying wisdom then we must be diligent, faithful, persistent in seeking to plumb the depths of the wisdom and knowledge of God. Let us then be students together, pleading and seeking that which God alone can give.

Christ is even now in the process of making all things new. A newness that comes forth from His work of reconciling heaven and earth, men and all that He has made unto Himself. Christ is the Firstborn, and He has in His resurrection inaugurated the process that will reach its full and complete culmination or consummation when Christ comes again in glory to judge both the living and the dead on the last day of this age. The New Heavens and New Earth has already broken through, and with it the glories of Christ's work manifested by the Spirit throughout the earth -Isaiah 65-66-. The New Heavens and New Earth also has yet to come in full, when Christ will cast away all that does not belong to the kingdom of redemption, all that is wicked, all that is not done by Word and for His glory.

The Scriptures would have know that wisdom is within reach, and yet it lies just outside the grasp of mere men mortals, for its origin, its source, and the fount from which it springs is not of this earth, but depends entirely upon the revelation of God, one's asking Him for it, and one's surrendering to God's will and just judgment in all things. This is something that we cannot forget, yet we must also remember that though it is within reach, we, sinful men lack the desire, the courage, or the conviction to ask God for it. Wisdom has a fountain, a source from which true knowledge, understanding, and righteous appropriate and application can be found and achieved. That source is none other than the Lord, Himself - His infinite and eternal knowledge and will. He is infinite and unchangeable as it relates to His beauty, His goodness, and HIs knowledge. He is the fount and so the beginning of wisdom is ask God for it.

Having looked at the origin of the family we look at the effect of sin, the promise of salvation, and the glorious goal of the family within God's own plan of redemption not just for individuals, but the whole of mankind.

We have reached the concluding chapter of the book of Joshua and with it a final exhortation given by Yahweh, through the one who has led them so faithfully, now at the end of his life. He communicates God's covenant faithfulness that they are the true ecclesia of the Lord, the called out ones, those brought across rivers and waters time and again as evidence of the Lord's calling and consecration. Life from nothing, salvation from imprisonment of sin and death, and then brought into life with Christ - how glorious is the life-giving call of God. May we now walk in covenant faithfulness with Him.

There stands at the end of all time, the time given to men to live between the first and second advent of Christ's coming, the time given to the saints of God to build a glorious cathedral of Christendom that will be built and will stand as a testimony of Christ's exaltation in resurrection and ascension, a Throne, a white Throne, a Throne of judgment where the deeds of all men will be counted against the righteous revelation of God. Even now what do you believe, what are you doing, in whom is your life hidden as you prepare for that day--

Having recorded the kings that Joshua slew by the sword, brought their cities to destruction, and made way for the people of God to dwell in the land. The job was not yet finished, there was work left to be done, but what a start we find in the first twelve chapters of Joshua- The Lord has promised not only victory, but He allots land for each of the tribes that those who have fought might live, thrive, and delight in the good gifts which God gave, and they fourth for, and continue to fight for in order to bring about the fullness of God's covenant promises. There is something glorious here that is a timeless principle for the Church then and now. Firstly, that chosen man begins and makes possible the great work of taking dominion, that the work does not end until the fullness of Christ's kingdom has been established, and finally that the saints of God will experience their inheritance as spoils of the their worship and warfare.

One final enemy will remain at the end of this age, one enemy that only Christ can and has promised to bring to utter destruction, ruin, and then banished for all eternity it that pit of brimstone and fire. That enemy is the one mentioned here, Satan. Again, when we come to a text in Revelation there are some questions we need to ask of it, and also lean upon the answers that I have already answered concerning past verses. When is Satan loosed, what will be the fall out of him being loosed, and what else takes place in that time-- Let us look at those questions. In addition to those questions there is also a very real and practical question for all believers- What is to come for God's people in the future-- What does the future hold for those who know and love Christ and are invested in His kingdom-- That is what we examine this morning.

When it comes to determining what are our lives are for, how we ought to live our lives, and by what standard that are to be shaped, we cannot improve upon the instruction of God's Word. In fact it is that only standard by which we are to ground our lives that leads us from immaturity to maturity, from glory to glory. Seeing the grace that God has worked for us, we are then called to walk in the way which He has laid down for us. This is the path to continued blessing and victory.

There two things we see this morning from John's apocalyptic letter to the churches in Asia Minor- that Christ rides forth into battle through the work of the Church on earth, and He will rule nations through the means which He has set up through the power and glory of His Word and Spirit. Second, through the establishment of the glory of His name, in this age we call the millennia, Satan and His forces will be defeated such that the final enemy to be destroyed, at the time of Christ's second coming is death itself. Until then the kings and powers of earth, even outposts and expressions of Satan's remaining power shall be defeated through the Church marching forth throughout all the earth. Like leaven, the truth and power of the Resurrection shall infiltrate every evil stronghold which Satan and men have erected, yet are powerless to prevent the destruction of by Christ and His army of saints.

Joshua is filled with stories of Israel's conquest over various tribes, cities, nations that were located in the land of Canaan, a land which was promised to Israel, which was theirs, given to them by the One who reserves the right and authority to dole out to the tribes of men the boundaries of their dwelling -Acts 17-. God has given to Israel, not by right of ethnic superiority, but according to the content of His covenant of grace. The gift was not merely theirs for the taking, it had to be conquered, it had to be taken by force. This inheritance required trumpet and sword, to conquer in the Name of the Messiah, that Israel might devote themselves to the Lord - heart, soul, mind, and strength and seek to remove from the land those who made it unholy.