Author Archive: Pastor Mark

Hear my wisdom son – Avoid the adulterous woman!

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Proverbs 7 continues the tradition of the first 9 chapters by being advice given Solomon by his father (and mother) which he in turn penned down for all future generations.

David knew his son Solomon, and understood his weakness was beautiful women, so the wise counsel he offered him along this line was extensive.

In this chapter wisdom is again personified as it will be in the following 2 chapters, but in this case wisdom is the witness to the story AND the one telling the story both!

The development of the chapter goes like this:
A son receives wise counsel from his father
Wisdom then is personified to witness and narrate a story in which the son does not heed his fathers instruction
The “villian” if she can be called that, is an adulterous woman
The story ends in the near ruin of the son
The chapter ends with the closing statements of the father.

So I encouraged everyone to use their imagination to take on the role of wisdom as she viewed the entire story as it unfolded from her balcony window.

After looking at the mistakes, missteps and foolishness of this naive son, we cast our glances back at the woman – the adulteress. What was her story? What likely led her to this ungodly decision? What motherly advice did she scorn or fail to receive?

Hopefully this will be a blessing as you walk through this chapter afresh and with perhaps a perspective that you will find unique.

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Sound Doctrine Good Works

Sound Doctrine leading to Good Works

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Today we’re beginning the “book of” Titus!

This letter has a distinctly familial feel to it and with good reason. Titus was another one of Paul’s beloved sons in the faith!

Like Timothy who was left in Ephesus with a similar mission, Titus was left in Crete to set in order the things which still needed doing which included establishing sound doctrine and pastors in all the churches on the Isle.

Crete is an island which was part of the Roman empire and though it is not small (approximately 3,800 square miles) its population 2000 years ago was only about 200,000 people. This equates to about 78 people per square mile. For scale Tampa, FL is only about 114 square miles and currently boasts about 3,376 people per square mile.

The point being that in each township there was a relatively small population and yet in each town where there was a church, each had at least two pastors of equal authority which played into the purpose of God for the church and for Titus being sent into the hostile area.

Paul quoted one of the prophets of Crete as saying, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons”. Paul agreed with this assessment.

So sound doctrine was paramount as was correcting error and silencing opposition in the church. Titus had his work cut out for him, but the result was to establish Christians throughout Crete who were eager for good works!

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Proverbs 6 Lazy Content

The Proverbial sluggard… are you Lazy or Content?

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If the Apostle Paul had “followed his heart” and “pursued his dreams” he would have ministered exclusively to the Jews and missed his calling to the Gentiles.

This is just one of countless examples where conventional worldly wisdom has entered into the church and distorted our understanding and values. The modern church teaches things Jesus actually taught against. Things the apostles and early church would have found both foreign & carnal.

Modern Christians pursue self-focused ambitions by either twisting the scriptures away from their intended meanings or through plain ignorance of what their bible teaches.

We are told “God will give you the desires of your heart” and “without a dream, people will fail” or “I know the plans I have for you says the Lord…” all in an attempt to place God’s seal of approval on our flesh driven pursuits, but what do the scriptures REALLY say?

Christians who are content with what they have are accused of lacking ambition, while those who openly pursue materialism are praised and celebrated.

In tonight’s installment of ‘Thru the Bible’ we examined Proverbs 6 which contains many truths and instructions, but the one that stood out among the rest was the teaching on the sluggard. So we dove into that topic – taking a 30,000’ view of scripture in order to seek out the whole counsel of God’s word on the topic and the results expanded our teaching to include the topics of laziness, ambition, contentment, needs, desires, pursuits, dreams, materialism, God’s will & the kingdom of God.

The findings may surprise you! At very least we arrived at a more informed grasp of God’s thoughts on these issues which for a true follower of Christ is a win regardless!

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Response Good Works

The Response of Good Works

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We covered several things in this message but predominantly we addressed our response to oppressions & trials.

James encourages us towards patience and good works, but words like these are not typically embraced by modern Christians. Even our T-shirts represent sentiments which the Apostles and the early church would have never believed came from a child of God. Things such as “don’t test the Jesus in me” and “I’m forgiven… not perfect!” or “the Jesus in me is about to beat up the devil in you”.

While in most cases I don’t honestly believe they mean these things seriously, they reveal a heart that is NOT in submission to Christ. Plain and simple!

I am not at all convinced that most modern Christians take their need to suffer insults and injury from the world and count it a privilege, rather than a means for justified retribution. But James nevertheless encourages patience and good works as does Peter. Additionally Paul takes it further in his letter to the Philippians by telling us that to count all opposition an honor to suffer for Christ.

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Rejoice Wife Youth

Rejoice with the wife of your Youth

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This Proverb is actually quite explicit in terms of solid advice regarding sex and the blessings of the same if enjoyed in the sanctity of marriage.

The advice of course extends to virtually all other arenas of life as well, but is targeted by David towards the weakness of his son Solomon – which was women.

This not only offers sound wisdom, but also demonstrates it by revealing that David knew his son and spoke into his world words of instruction and wisdom which were highly tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of his son!

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