Sermon/Service Notes

But don't dear friend, resent God's discipline,
     don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects,
     a father's delight is behind all this. Proverbs 3:11-12 [The Message]

Death is the reward of an undisciplined life;
     your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end. Proverbs 5:23 [The Message]

For sound advice is a beacon,
     good teaching is a light,
moral discipline is a life path. Proverbs 6:23 [The Message]

An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny;
     an obedient, God-willed life is spacious. Proverbs 15:32 [The Message]

For people who hate discipline
     and only get more stubborn,
There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break,
     but by then it'll be too late to help them. Proverbs 29:1-2 [The Message]
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Additional References: Deuteronomy 11:2, 4:36; Psalm 94:12; Hebrews 12:4-14

Notes:
What does the discipline theme in Proverbs teach us about the nature of God?


How does this concept of discipline relate to the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?


How is that teaching good news for us today?

For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord,
     and he examines all his paths.
The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him;
     the cords of his sin hold him fast.
He will die for lack of discipline,
     led astray by his own great folly. Proverbs 5:21-23 [NIV]

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
     for attaining wisdom and discipline;
     for understanding words of insight;
     for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
     doing what is right and just and fair;
     for giving prudence to the simple,
     knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen
     and add to their learning,
     and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables,
     the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
     but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:1-7 [NIV]

So, my dear friends, listen carefully; those who embrace these my ways are most blessed. Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don't squander your precious life. Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day's work. When you find me, you find life, real life, to say nothing of God's good pleasure. But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul; when you reject me, you're flirting with death. Proverbs 8:32-36 [The Message]

You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God — no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers. 1 Timothy 4:6-10 [The Message]