Introduction

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces a new sermon series on the Book of Proverbs, acknowledging the emotional transition from a previous series and expressing his prayer for the Holy Spirit to make…

Martin's children's emotional attachment to their old car illustrates his own feeling of emotional trauma when leaving a familiar sermon series to start a new one, highlighting the comfort of the familiar and the challenge of the new.

new or a different car, it's been interesting to watch the reaction of the children.

0:06 - 0:10 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that the Word of God comes to us in the form in which men speak, including poetry and figures of speech.

Martin recounts an ordination service where a charge was given using an acrostic on the word 'pastor,' demonstrating that acrostics are a common literary form used by men, just as they are found in Scripture.

I went to an ordination service Friday night, and I had to bring the ordination sermon, and the man who brought the charge to the court, the congregation did so under the form of an acrostic. He took the word pastor, and he said to the church, Your duties can be understood if you will think of the word pastor, and a significant duty sub-headed under each of the letters of the word pastor. He used an acrostic. Pray for him.

6:28 - 6:57 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Secondly, it not only attacks the mind with more force than an ordinary statement, it attaches itself to the mind with more tenacity than the normal way of communication.

Martin uses Proverbs 15:1 ('A soft answer turneth away wrath') to illustrate how a proverbial expression attacks the mind with more force than a simple didactic statement.

You see, our minds are constantly bombarded with all kinds of thoughts, and it's those which attack the mind with the greatest force that gain an entrance. Now, the value of a proverb is that it attacks the mind with tremendous force. Let me illustrate from the Book of Proverbs for just a moment. Turn to chapter 15 and verse 1.

9:34 - 9:58 Read in full sermon

The point: Meditate in the law of God day and night, utilizing proverbial expressions to help walk in the light of God's counsel.

Martin uses Proverbs 9:8 ('Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee. Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.') to illustrate how proverbial statements attach themselves to the mind with greater tenacity than ordinary communication.

And there's something about the proverbial form of statement which, having attacked the mind and gained an entrance, then holds or attaches itself to the mind with more tenacity. Look at Proverbs 9 and verse 8 as an example. Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee. Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

11:35 - 12:01 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin identifies Solomon as the principal human author, explaining God's unique gifting of wisdom to him (1 Kings 3-4). He also notes Agur, Lemuel, and other wise men as…

God's offer to Solomon to ask for anything is likened to a blank check, illustrating the unique and specific nature of God's interaction with Solomon, not a general promise for all believers.

And as he thinks of this responsibility, the Lord appears to him. I read now from verse 5 of 1 Kings 3. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. God held out a blank check already signed as it were.

16:07 - 16:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin expounds Proverbs 1:2-7, stating the book's purpose is to impart practical wisdom for righteous living, synonymous with godliness and holiness, rooted in the fear of the…

Martin quotes extensively from Charles Bridges' commentary on Proverbs, using it to comprehensively articulate the book's aim as a system of practical instruction for Christian living, detailing how it applies to all aspects of life and humbles believers.

These things have to do with the area of practical godliness. So negatively stated, the purpose is not to make great theoretical scholars, but practical and experimental scholars. Not to cause us to be well schooled. in the science of abstractions but to be well schooled in the concrete issues of life this is the explicit purpose the aim of this book it's beautifully stated in bridges introduction to his own commentary on the book of proverbs which by the way i heartily recommend as a very helpful

26:18 - 26:59 Read in full sermon

Driving home: All professed rightness of inner life that is not expressed in correctness of the outer life is mere sham and self-deception.

Martin contrasts the Psalms, which bring 'glow upon the heart' (inner life), with Proverbs, which 'makes the face to shine' (outward life), illustrating how true godliness inseparably joins both.

the Proverbs makes the face to shine. He shows the beautiful contrast. The Psalms deal with the inner life of the believer in the presence of his God. The book of Proverbs deals with the outward life of the believer in presence of his fellow man. And true godliness has both inseparably

31:39 - 31:59 Read in full sermon

The point: Allow the light of God's Word in Proverbs to focus on your finances and their relationship to the needs of others.

Martin quotes Mr. Scott on who profits from Proverbs, using it to structure his final application points about the necessity of true religion, self-acquaintance, and observation of human nature.

Who sitting amongst us tonight can receive profit from the book? Well, a Mr. Scott, remarks on this very subject. We shall perceive the meaning and the usefulness of the Proverbs in proportion to our experience of true religion, our acquaintance with our own hearts and with human nature, and the extent and accuracy of our observation on the character and affairs of men.

45:37 - 46:06 Read in full sermon

The point: If you are a stranger to true godliness, recognize that the study of Proverbs will be irritating because it meddles with every area of life.

Martin contrasts preaching on 'Daniel's beast's toes' (vague, distant issues) with Proverbs (practical godliness), illustrating how unbelievers prefer abstract topics that don't 'meddle' with their lives, unlike the direct applications of Proverbs.

Now, if you're a stranger to true godliness, the study of this book will be intensely irritating because God's going to meddle with every area of your life and you just don't want God meddling. That's right, because the carnal mind is enmity against God. It is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. You'd delight if I were to preach to you and preach then on some book that dealt in vague generalities and in distant and far-off issues that don't touch you.

47:31 - 47:57 Read in full sermon