Dad’s Instruction, 2

Last year, I have had the opportunity to go on two guided tours of the MN State Capitol in which members of the MN Historical Society speak about different features within the capitol building. Since both my colleagues and I had been on both tours, we started to compare the tours and guides. The sheer volume of information communicated in a place like the state capitol makes it impossible to get all the information in one tour, so we compared the apparent knowledge of the guides along with their personalities, noting particularly how they got along with the visitors. Although I doubt these tour guides were competing with each other, we naturally turned the tours into a competition of best tour and best tour guide. As we walk the path of life, we find another competition of guides, so to speak. For example, parents are always vying for the opportunity to guide their children, but often they do so in competition against their children’s friends who also want influence. We might also think of our secular world vs the Scriptures as competing as a guide for both our lives and the lives of our children. We see another guide competition in Proverbs 2. The dad of Proverbs 2 is extolling the virtues of wisdom, and by extension God, as a guide for life. In doing so, he also warns against some less stellar guides who will be competing for the child’s heart. In v12 he acknowledges the man who speaks perverse things and in v16 he speaks to the adulteress who flatters with her words. These guides both use their words to tempt the child to follow them, they both go astray from their upbringing, and both of their paths are contrary to life and righteousness. The hypothetical question posed to us as we “listen in” on the conversation between the father and his child is, which guide will we choose? Would we rather be guided by wisdom which comes from God and protects our lives? Or would we choose guidance from the perverse man or adulteress who are devious, unfaithful, and unstable? The choice is obvious for God is the only wisdom that is true, faithful, and stable wisdom. Since it begins and ends with Jesus, the competition is over before it begins. Wisdom, God’s wisdom, must be our guide in life. –Pastor Rory

Sunday at Liberty

9AM: Pastor Rory–Prayer–Calling on the Name of the Lord, 6

10AM: Pastor Rory–Dad’s Instruction, 2–Proverbs 2:1-22 (sermon notes)

6:00pm: Missions Emphasis–Dan Eads Ministry Presentation