The Application of Wisdom: Teachings About Women (Part 1)

Notes on Proverbs

Since much of the book of Proverbs is directed toward the wise man’s son, Solomon spends a lot of time discussing women. He warns his son about certain women that are to be avoided. He also gives instruction about the blessings of a good wife and discusses her character so that she might be identified.
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After the First Openly-Homosexual NBA Player, What Do We Need to Remember?

Jason CollinsNews broke yesterday that Jason Collins, a professional basketball player and twelve-year veteran of the National Basketball Association, has announced that he is a homosexual. With public opinion shifting more and more toward the acceptance of homosexuality as a moral and common practice, an announcement like this was inevitable. Now that Collins has come out about this, we can probably expect more professional athletes to do the same.

Whether we like it or not, professional athletes, like other celebrities, can have a big influence on the thinking of people in society. This announcement will only further the efforts to normalize the practice of homosexuality in people’s minds. In light of this news, it is important that Christians remember a few things.
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The Application of Wisdom: Plans for the Future

Notes on Proverbs

Some Christians spend little time thinking about and planning for the future because, in their minds, God is in control so the future is of no concern to them. Certainly, God is in control. Yet this does not mean that we have no responsibility to plan for the future. The book of Proverbs contains instructions that admonish us to prepare for the future, yet still acknowledge God in all things.
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“Raccoon” John Smith: Hard Preaching

During the time when “Raccoon” John Smith (1784-1868) was preaching, the erroneous tenets of Calvinism were widely believed by those around him in the religious world. Smith himself had believed Calvinism early in his life before learning the truth. After learning the truth, he ardently opposed it in his preaching.

His wife Nancy, however, thought that he was “too hard” against Calvinism. In the following excerpt, Smith explained to her why he preached the way he did.
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The Four C’s of Effective Preaching

Speaker

Any preacher who is diligently striving to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5) will want to carry out that work as effectively as possible. But how can one effectively preach the gospel of Christ? In this article, I would like to consider four points explaining how this is done. These points are not based upon personal experience, human wisdom, or any sort of formal religious training. Rather, these points are taken directly from the word of God. If one wishes to preach the word of God effectively, he must learn how the Scriptures indicate that this is done.
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The Application of Wisdom: Alcohol

Notes on Proverbs

Despite the warnings in the book of Proverbs and the rest of the Scriptures against both the destructive and casual uses of alcohol, many claim that a Christian is free to drink alcohol, just so long as he does not become drunk. In light of this, it is especially important to note what the book of Proverbs has to say about alcohol.
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The Application of Wisdom: Suffering

Notes on Proverbs

Suffering is a reality of life. Job said, “Man, who is born of woman, is short-lived and full of turmoil” (Job 14:1). Job certainly experienced more trouble in life than most do, but suffering exists for us all. The book of Proverbs contains instructions that will help us deal with the troubles of this life.
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