Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: PhilippiansPhilippians 1:1-26 (ESV) 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.Sermon Outline We perceive opportunities when we trust that God is at work even when we are greatly limited. 1. Foundationv6 “I am sure of this… he who began a good work…”v14 “And most of the brothers, having become confident… are much more bold”v20 “It is my eager expectation and hope that… Christ will be honored in my body”2. Observationv12 “what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel”v5 “because of your partnership in the gospel”; v7 “you are all partakers with me of grace”v19 “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…”3. Aspirationv9 “it is my prayer that your love may abound… with knowledge and all discernmentQuestions for ReflectionDo you believe God is actively at work in the world?  If so, how does that work?  What does it mean?  If not, why not?Do you have confidence God’s plans and purposes will ultimately come about?  What is your basis for believing that?  Are you confident God’s plans are

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: An Invitation to Wisdom: Proverbs 1-9Proverbs 9:1-18 (ESV) 1 Wisdom has built her house;     she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;     she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her young women to call     from the highest places in the town, 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”     To him who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat of my bread     and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways, and live,     and walk in the way of insight.”7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,     and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;     reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;     teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,     and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied,     and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;     if you scoff, you alone will bear it.13 The woman Folly is loud;     she is seductive and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the door of her house;     she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, 15 calling to those who pass by,     who are going straight on their way, 16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”     And to him who lacks sense she says, 17 “Stolen water is sweet,     and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” 18 But he does not know that the dead are there,     that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.Sermon Outline Accepting Wisdom’s invitation to enter her home and dine with her (vv1-6) will have at least three results: 1.  Learning the Fear of Godv10 “the fear of God is the beginning… knowledge of the Holy One is insight”v11 “For by me…”v9 “give instruction to a wise man and he will be wiser still”2.  Resisting the Impulse to Scoffvv7-8 “whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse”vv13-18 the woman folly: “stolen water is sweet” (v17)3.  Choosing the Life of Wisdomv12 “if you are wise, you are wise for yourself”Questions for ReflectionReflect on the imagery of Wisdom inviting people into her home to eat with her.  How does this picture a way of true learning?  What are some implications for how we are to live?What is “the fear of God”?  What is “knowledge of the Holy One”?  Why are these important for wisdom?How can you remain open to learning, but also protected against deception?  Why do people scoff?  What are some reasons why we ridicule, look down on, gossip, etc.?How are you affected by what others desire?  What influences what you want?Why are people drawn in by flattery and or drawn to things that are forbidden?Have you ever fallen for a scam?  If so, what lessons did you take from it?How is Jesus the fulfillment of the one who invites us to enter his home and eat and drink with him?  What imagery from Proverbs 9 do you see in the ministry and teaching of Jesus?  In what ways is Jesus the gate to enter the life of wisdom, and the one who leads us on its path?Prayer of Confession Wise and loving Father, thank you for inviting us to life with you.   We admit we have given in to flattery and deception, and have been disinterested in what is true and good.  We have wanted what others have wanted, but we have not wanted you or what you want.  We

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: An Invitation to Wisdom: Proverbs 1-9Proverbs 8:1-36 (ESV) 1 Does not wisdom call?     Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 On the heights beside the way,     at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates in front of the town,     at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: 4 “To you, O men, I call,     and my cry is to the children of man. 5 O simple ones, learn prudence;     O fools, learn sense. 6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,     and from my lips will come what is right, 7 for my mouth will utter truth;     wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;     there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 9 They are all straight to him who understands,     and right to those who find knowledge. 10 Take my instruction instead of silver,     and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is better than jewels,     and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,     and I find knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil     and perverted speech I hate. 14 I have counsel and sound wisdom;     I have insight; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign,     and rulers decree what is just; 16 by me princes rule,     and nobles, all who govern justly. 17 I love those who love me,     and those who seek me diligently find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me,     enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,     and my yield than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness,     in the paths of justice, 21 granting an inheritance to those who love me,     and filling their treasuries.22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work,     the first of his acts of old. 23 Ages ago I was set up,     at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,     when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains had been shaped,     before the hills, I was brought forth, 26 before he had made the earth with its fields,     or the first of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there;     when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above,     when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,     so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30     then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight,     rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world     and delighting in the children of man.32 “And now, O sons, listen to me:     blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise,     and do not neglect it. 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,     watching daily at my gates,     waiting beside my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life     and obtains favor from the Lord, 36&nbs

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: An Invitation to Wisdom: Proverbs 1-9Proverbs 7:1-27 (ESV) 1 My son, keep my words     and treasure up my commandments with you; 2 keep my commandments and live;     keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; 3 bind them on your fingers;     write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”     and call insight your intimate friend, 5 to keep you from the forbidden woman,     from the adulteress with her smooth words.6 For at the window of my house     I have looked out through my lattice, 7 and I have seen among the simple,     I have perceived among the youths,     a young man lacking sense, 8 passing along the street near her corner,     taking the road to her house 9 in the twilight, in the evening,     at the time of night and darkness.10 And behold, the woman meets him,     dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. 11 She is loud and wayward;     her feet do not stay at home; 12 now in the street, now in the market,     and at every corner she lies in wait. 13 She seizes him and kisses him,     and with bold face she says to him, 14 “I had to offer sacrifices,     and today I have paid my vows; 15 so now I have come out to meet you,     to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. 16 I have spread my couch with coverings,     colored linens from Egyptian linen; 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,     aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;     let us delight ourselves with love. 19 For my husband is not at home;     he has gone on a long journey; 20 he took a bag of money with him;     at full moon he will come home.”21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;     with her smooth talk she compels him. 22 All at once he follows her,     as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast 23     till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare;     he does not know that it will cost him his life. 24 And now, O sons, listen to me,     and be attentive to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;     do not stray into her paths, 26 for many a victim has she laid low,     and all her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is the way to Sheol,     going down to the chambers of death.Sermon Outline We will consider 5 desires that, because of corruption, make the simple prone to foolishness.1. Connection v13 “she seizes him and kisses him”v14 “I had to offer sacrifices” 2. Attention v15 “I have come out… to seek you eagerly” 3. Pleasure vv16-17 “I have perfumed my bed”  4. Love v18 “let us delight ourselves with love” 5. Impunity  vv19-20 “my husband… has gone on a long journey”v23 “he does not know it will cost him his life”Questions for ReflectionHow would you rank the 5 desires from the sermon – which are your deepest longings, which aren’t as strong?  (Connection, Attention, Pleasure, Love, Impunity)When do you feel isolation?  Where do you feel a lack of connection in life (what do you not feel sufficiently connected to)?What do you do to get attention?  What do you do to keep attention away?  What motivates either (or both) of these tendencies?What sources of pleasure do

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: An Invitation to Wisdom: Proverbs 1-9Proverbs 6 (ESV) 1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,     have given your pledge for a stranger, 2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth,     caught in the words of your mouth, 3 then do this, my son, and save yourself,     for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:     go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. 4 Give your eyes no sleep     and your eyelids no slumber; 5 save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,     like a bird from the hand of the fowler.6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;     consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief,     officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer     and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?     When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber,     a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,     and want like an armed man.12 A worthless person, a wicked man,     goes about with crooked speech, 13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,     points with his finger, 14 with perverted heart devises evil,     continually sowing discord; 15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;     in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.16 There are six things that the Lord hates,     seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,     and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans,     feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies,     and one who sows discord among brothers.20 My son, keep your father's commandment,     and forsake not your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them on your heart always;     tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will lead you;     when you lie down, they will watch over you;     and when you awake, they will talk with you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,     and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, 24 to preserve you from the evil woman,     from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. 25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,     and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; 26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,     but a married woman hunts down a precious life. 27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest     and his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can one walk on hot coals     and his feet not be scorched? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;     none who touches her will go unpunished. 30 People do not despise a thief if he steals     to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, 31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;     he will give all the goods of his house. 32 He who commits adultery lacks sense;     he who does it destroys himself. 33 He will get wounds and dishonor,     and his disgrace will not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy makes a man furious,     and he will not spare when he takes revenge. 35 He will accept no compensation;

Sermon Recording Sermon NotesTeacher: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: An Invitation to Wisdom: Proverbs 1-9Acts 2:22-41 (ESV) 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,“‘I saw the Lord always before me,     for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;     my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,     or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life;     you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35     until I make your enemies your footstool.”’36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.Sermon Outline The world changing resurrection of Jesus brings life changing transformation to individuals who embrace something more powerful than death.1. The need for transformation vv22-24 “Jesus… a man attested to you… with signs God did in your midst…. you crucified…”vv30-31 David “being therefore a prophet… foresaw and spoke about the resurrection”vv32 “this Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses”v33 “he has poured out this that you are seeing and hearing”v36 “let the house of Israel then know for certain…”2. The promise of transformation v24 “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it”Song of Solomon 8:6 “love is strong as death” 3. The gift of transformation v37 “cut to the heart… ‘what shall we do?’”v38 “repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”v26 “therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh will also dwell in hope”Questions for ReflectionIs there anything more powerful than death?  If so, what?How are you shaped by your own mortality?  Do you avoid thinking about it? 

Sermon Recording Sermon NotesTeacher: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: An Invitation to Wisdom: Proverbs 1-9Proverbs 5:1-23 (ESV)1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom;     incline your ear to my understanding, 2 that you may keep discretion,     and your lips may guard knowledge. 3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,     and her speech is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,     sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death;     her steps follow the path to Sheol; 6 she does not ponder the path of life;     her ways wander, and she does not know it.7 And now, O sons, listen to me,     and do not depart from the words of my mouth. 8 Keep your way far from her,     and do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you give your honor to others     and your years to the merciless, 10 lest strangers take their fill of your strength,     and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, 11 and at the end of your life you groan,     when your flesh and body are consumed, 12 and you say, “How I hated discipline,     and my heart despised reproof! 13 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers     or incline my ear to my instructors. 14 I am at the brink of utter ruin     in the assembled congregation.”15 Drink water from your own cistern,     flowing water from your own well. 16 Should your springs be scattered abroad,     streams of water in the streets? 17 Let them be for yourself alone,     and not for strangers with you. 18 Let your fountain be blessed,     and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 19     a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;     be intoxicated always in her love. 20 Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman     and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? 21 For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord,     and he ponders all his paths. 22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,     and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. 23 He dies for lack of discipline,     and because of his great folly he is led astray.Sermon OutlineWe need discipline (v23):1. Someone else’s viewpoint vv3-4  “the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey… but in the end she is bitter…”vv5-6  “her feet go down to death… she does not ponder the path of her life”2. Someone to make the ‘desire and regret’ connectionvv13-14 “I did not listen…  I am at the brink of utter ruin”v12 “how I hated discipline”3. Someone to satisfy us vv15-18 “drink water from your own cistern… rejoice in the wife of your youth”v21 “for a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord”Questions for ReflectionHow do you think about personal discipline (restraint, good habits, priorities, etc.)?  Why is discipline good?  What problems are there with trying to be disciplined?  What are the most important factors (for you personally) in pursuing goals or resisting temptations?   What works best?  Where (or why) do you typically fail?Are you resistant to criticism or feedback?  Do you welcome it?  What kinds of feedback do you appreciate, and what kind do you resent?  In what ways can feedback be presented so you receive it, and what ways foster greater pushback?Why do you get defensive?  How can you manage your desires?  What are the most effective ways to restrain desires you have that you don’t think are good?How

Sermon Recording Sermon NotesTeacher: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: An Invitation to Wisdom: Proverbs 1-9Proverbs 30:8-10; 22:1-2; 28:6; 19:17; 28:27; 21:13; 17:5 (ESV)Proverbs 30:8-10 8  Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9  lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.Proverbs 22:1-2 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. 2  The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.Proverbs 28:6 6  Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.Proverbs 19:17 17  Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.Proverbs 28:27 27  Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.Proverbs 21:13 13  Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.Proverbs 17:5 5  Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.Sermon Outline Reverence for God will change your values and form you to be one who is a friend to the poor.1. Reverence and integrity30:8-10 “give me neither poverty nor riches”22:1-2 “the Lord is the maker of them all”28:6 “better is a poor man who walks with integrity”2. Reverence and generosity19:17 “”whoever is generous… lends to the Lord”28:27 “whoever gives to the poor…”21:13 “whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor…”17:5 “insults his maker”At Emmanuel: a. caring for one another b. living justly c. intentional relationships d. organizational support e. engaging for changeQuestions for ReflectionThe fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. How will reverence for God change how you think? Consider specific examples.What are ways the rich are tempted to deny God? What are ways the poor are tempted to profane the name of the Lord? Are there temptations that are particular to people in distinct economic categories? If not, how do you think about this?What are some things that are more important to have than money?God is the creator of all human beings. How should this direct how you think about and treat others?In what ways do we judge the poor, and why? What are some of the excuses we make for the opinions we hold? What are some of the deeper problems we have (reasons for our judgment)?Why is integrity more valuable than gold? How do you get integrity?What are reasons we avoid seeing the poor or hearing their cries? What character traits do you need to be able to look and hear? Does seeing and hearing mean you have to respond? If so, what are honorable ways to respond (think of particular situations where you are tempted to ignore people in need)?Should a Christian give to pan-handlers (people on the street or in the subway who ask for money)? Why or why not? What are some principles to help you understand your options so your actions honor God?Do you believe you are spiritually poor? What is the significance of the claim that Jesus paid a debt for us when he suffered on the cross, for how we think about people in the world who have great needs?What are ways that you can view your own generosity as acts of worship? How can giving to others be a means of giving to God?Prayer of Confession Father God, you have made us and given us all things. We have loved the things you have made, but not all of the people you have made. We confess our pride and arrogance towards the poor. We confess we have closed our eyes and ears. We understand that we have insulted you, who have made all people, in how we have judged and disregarded the suffering. We acknowledge our own poverty, and pray for your generosity and mercy to us. Thank you for giving us what we don’t

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Charles Drew Sermon Series: What Heaven Has to Do with Real LifeEcclesiastes 1, 12; 1 Corinthians 3 (ESV)Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. 7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. 8 All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.1 Corinthians 3:1-6, 10-15 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth… 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.Sermon Outline Introduction: A haunting question: “Why am I putting in all this effort when there is so much frustration and inefficiency in what I do, and when in the end it will all be forgotten?” The Bible teaches that our work may be remembered forever.I) Heaven promises the possibility of meaning to our present workA) Heaven and the work of the church Paul, Apollos, and Jesus: 1 Cor. 3:12ffB) A broader meaning. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing whether good or evil. (Eccl. 12) 1 Cor. 3.13, 14: “disclosed”… “survive”… “reward”Not talking about whether we get to heaven or not based upon their work, but whether we get to take anything with us.Our work might (and might not) survive the purging at the endThe eternal durability of our work will not depend upon the type of gifts we have been given (“gold, silver, and precious stones” versus “wood, hay, and stubble”–! Cor. 3:12), but upon the “foundation” upon which we build.Why is Christ so foundational?C) Meaning for us. “I reject at once an idea that lingers in the mind of some modern people that cultural activities

Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman Sermon Series: An Invitation to Wisdom: Proverbs 1-9Proverbs 4:1-27 (ESV) 1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, 2 for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. 3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 4 he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. 8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 9 She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”10 Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. 11 I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. 12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. 15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.Sermon Outline The wise depend on sound advice to help them navigate the path before them.1. Keep your heart.v4 “let your heart hold fast my words”; v13 “keep hold of instruction, guard her”v23 “keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life”vv14-19 “do not enter the path of the wicked”2. Listen to those who have gone before.vv3-9 “when I was a son with my father… he taught me…”vv10-13 “I have taught you the way of wisdom”3. Receive the good word.v1 “hear” (translates to seeing, v21, 25; pondering, v26; etc.)v2 “for I give you good precepts”vv8-9 “prize her highly”, v21 “let them not escape from your sight”Questions for ReflectionDo you take advice well? Do you get defensive? Do you dismiss advice? Do you feel you are in a position to give advice, but have no need of advice? Do you want affirmation more than advice? Why? How does this affect you?Are you overly dependent on advice? Do you have trouble knowing what to do in relatively simple matters? Why? How does this affect you?How can you “keep your heart”? What does personal vigilance look like?What are ways you can watch your heart when: a) you get angry with someone? b) you are jealous? c) you are dissatisfied? d) you are anxious? e) you are excited?Who has shaped or impacted your life? Is there anyone who is currently a strong influence? What role are they playing (or have they played) in your life and how?Are you helping anyone? Is there anyone you can or should be teaching, investing in, mentoring, etc.? Are there opportunities in t