Sermon Notes

THE STRESSLESS LIFE

Week 6: Choices, Choices

Definition of “Stress”: Fearful concern experienced when life’s demands seen greater than my ability to meet them

Wisdom: the ability to see life from God’s perspective

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

“In Proverbs, the words wise and wisdom are used at least 125 times, because the aim of the book is to help us acquire and apply God’s wisdom to the decisions and activities of daily life.”—Warren Wiersbe

WHY THIS MATTERS:

We all have decisions to make in our lives

We are not equipped in and of ourselves to make wise decisions

1) My perspective is always limited

2) My input is never enough

3) My flesh is continually deceitful

1. We Get Wisdom from God’s Word

Proverbs 6:20-23

"My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. 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. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,"

Two ways God’s word gives us wisdom:

1. God’s Word shows us the way

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105

2. God’s word corrects us when we are going the wrong way

“Bind them on your heart always; (v.21a)

As we make decisions…we get wisdom from God’s word

“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word. If you wish to perceive his power, you must see how he works by his Word. If you wish to know his purpose before it comes to pass, you discover it by his Word” - Charles Spurgeon

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22

2.  We Get Wisdom from God’s people

Three “Realities” of Seeking Counsel:

1. You are being INFLUENCEd by others

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool…” Proverbs 28:26a

Question: WHO IS INFLUENCING AND SPEAKING INTO YOUR LIFE?

Three “Realities” of Seeking Counsel:

1.    You are being INFLUENCEd by others

2. YOU MIGHT BE SEEKING INPUT FROM OTHERS

Why we don’t seek counsel:

1. We don’t think we need it—Arrogance

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

2. We don’t want it—Rebellion

“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” Proverbs 18:1

3. We don’t make time—Impatience

“It is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps errs.” Proverbs 19:2

Question: ARE YOU GETTING INPUT FROM OTHERS?

Three “Realities” of Seeking Counsel:

1. You are being INFLUENCEd by others

2. YOU MIGHT BE SEEKING INPUT FROM OTHERS

3. YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING AND LEARNING FROM OTHERS

“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” Proverbs 10:17

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1