Maranatha Messenger, 99-12-12: "The Study of Proverbs during Prayer Meeting; Call to Christian Consecration; Church and MYF Camps"

Lord’s Day 12 December 99

THE STUDY OF PROVERBS DURING PRAYER MEETING “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Prov 9:10). Come January 2000, we shall begin a new series of Bible study during the Wednesday night Prayer Meeting at 8 p.m. We shall study the entire book of Proverbs over the next 6–9 months. The wise King Solomon has left for us an inspired legacy of proverbial teachings (written probably before 931 BC) that represents one of the most ancient form of instruction. Proverbs is an ancient book on timeless advice on Christian living, family ties, moral and ethical issues, work, leisure, inter-personal relationships, wisdom and folly, church life, and a host of other practical themes. Proverbs is wisdom put to wit, and Proverbs is of unusual value to those who have entered into the covenant with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Solomon is recorded to have spoken 3,000 proverbs (1 Kgs 4:32), and you have the wisdom of king Agur and Lemuel as well in Proverbs 30 and 31. Today we need the prudent counsel of biblical wisdom literature, and apply them to our contemporary situation. Proverbs imparts moral discernment and discretion (1:3–5) and helps to develop mental clarity and perception (1:2, 6). It is related to practical righteousness and moral acumen. Come and join us for the weekly Wednesday night Prayer Meeting and seek the Lord in prayer and in the study of His Word. —Jack Sin
Book Outline from Nelson's Bible Dictionary
I.	The Purpose of Proverbs			1:1–7
II.	Proverbs to the Youth			1:8–9:18
	A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O.	Obey Parents Avoid Bad Company Seek Wisdom Benefits of Wisdom Be Kind to Others Security in Wisdom Avoid the Wicked Keep Your Heart Do Not Commit Adultery Be Faithful to Your Spouse Avoid Surety Do Not Be Lazy Do Not Commit Adultery Praise of Wisdom Avoid Folly		1:8–9 1:10–19 1:20–2:22 3:1–26 3:27–35 4:1–13 4:14–22 4:23–27 5:1–14 5:15–23 6:1–5 6:6–19 6:20–7:27 8:1–9:12 9:13–18
III.	Proverbs of Solomon			10:1–24:34
	A. B. C.	Proverbs Contrasting the Godly and the Wicked Proverbs Encouraging Godly Lives Proverbs Concerning Various Situations		10:1–15:33 16:1–22:16 22:17–24:34
IV.	Proverbs of Solomon Copied by Hezekiah’s Men			25:1–29:27
	A.	Proverbs Regulating Relationships with Others		25:1–26:28
		1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.	Relationships with Kings Relationships with Neighbours Relationships with Enemies Relationships with Yourself Relationships with Fools Relationships with Sluggards Relationships with Gossips	25:1–7 25:8–20 25:21–24 25:25–28 26:1–12 26:13–16 26:17–28
	B.	Proverbs Regulating Various Activities		27:1–29:27
V.	The Words of Agur			30:1–33
VI.	The Words of King Lemuel			31:1–31
	A. B.	Wisdom for Leaders Wise Woman		31:1–9 31:10–31
*** * * * * * * * * * * * THE CALL TO CHRISTIAN CONSECRATION** Message at 2nd MYF Camp on 30 November, 99 The book of Romans is both doctrinal and practical. Paul taught the doctrine of election and justification and Jacob and Abraham were given as examples of these. After teaching believers about the doctrine of salvation, Paul went on to elaborate on the more pragmatic aspect of daily Christian living. Starting from chapter 12, it will cover aspects of spiritual consecration, service, judging one another, the body of Christ concept, spiritual gifts and the church and other relevant topics. Our camp meditation will centre on Pauline instruction in this book for us to develop and grow to deeper commitment, holiness and service of the Lord. We are beneficiaries of the manifold grace of God including salvation, and that comes through our Lord Jesus Christ alone. It is our grateful response to the Lord to give of ourselves fully in surrender to Him to serve, worship and honour Him. Consecration has four aspects: a. Physical: present your bodies. b. Social: not conformed to the world. c. Mental: transformed by the renewal of your mind. d. Spiritual: good and acceptable and perfect will of God. a. Physical Aspect of Consecration We are to give of our bodies, including our faculties to serve and glorify the Lord. That means our speech, conduct, thoughts, or gifts, talents, resources, to honour the Lord. Barnabas, in Acts 4:36–37, sold land and give everything to God. Do not use our tongue to lie, or hands to steal, or mind to think evil thoughts, because they belong to God. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19–20), and consecration requires a conscious effort to yield or surrender ourselves to God. In practical consecration, Paul said in 6:12–13, 22, Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. . . . But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. b. Social Aspect of Consecration We are not to conform to the world. The word “conform” has the sense of being squeezed into the hold of something. The pressure from the secular world is great, but we are to resist it. The generation Y (today’s youths from 12 to 19 years) loves to have expensive clothes, tattoos; hang out at MacDonald, go to pubs and discos, and engage in immoral and unethical activities (e.g., fights), and use vulgar language, and even drugs, liquor and sex. Do not give in to these peer pressures, but stand up and dare to be different. Have a holy contempt for the things of the world (1 John 2:15–17). We are to be a separated people, holy and consecrated unto God alone (Deut 7:1–6; 1 Pet 2:9; 1 Pet 1:6). Clean vessels must not be contaminated or perverted with unclean things (2 Tim 2:20). Holiness requires cleanliness and purity and sanctity. Psalm 24:4–5 says, He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. c. Mental Aspect of Consecration We are to love our God with our mind, body and soul (Matt 22:37–38). Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Fill your mind with Scriptures, edifying thoughts, godly hymns and songs, and knowledge of the truth. Do not spend time indulging in unedifying literature, movies that engage sin, music that fill our minds with lust, romance and trivia, and internet sites that do not build up faith or good knowledge. Remember sin is often first conceived in our mind. Reject the first thought or initiation or temptation to sin, and do what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Philippians 4:8, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; . . . Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. d. Spiritual Aspect of Consecration We need to constantly seek the will of God. Paul says in Ephesians 5:15–17, See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. That requires dependence on God, constant waiting in prayer and sensitivity to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Consider the circumstances, godly advice, the peace of heart and the direction of Scripture and have a sincere and deliberate desire to honour and put God first in all things. Think of how you can share the gospel with others and the lesson you learnt during SS, YF or Sabbath services. Write a card, send an email to encourage or pray for someone and do something good for Jesus everyday. Love one another and help carry one another’s burden through life’s demanding journey (Gal 6:1–5). Remember Romans 12:9–13, Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. —Jack Sin * * * * * * * * * * * * CHURCH and MYF CAMPS Picture News Thank God for a fruitful time of hearing God’s Word and fellowship at the camps. Rev David Yan, the Lord’s messenger, on “The Principle and Practice of Godliness.” The YFers had their messages on “Christian Consecration” by Pastor. Workshop and Discussion on the Church ministries, led by Charles. The children’s ministry on the “Armour of God.” A time for sumptuous seafood at Kukup on the last day. *** * * * * * * * * * * *** At the Pulpit Theme for the Quarter: “The Principles and Practices in Biblical Worship” Our Pastor, Rev Jack Sin, speaks on “The Sacraments and Worship” (1 Corinthians 11:23–28; Colossians 2:11; Romans 6:3–5) and administers the Lord’s Supper.