Jesus: the Empowerer of Proverbs
Proverbs 5-7
Contrary to a strong misunderstanding in current Christianity, especially among Protestants and particularly in Reformed traditions, discipline should be one of the hallmarks of a life of a Christian. It is true. Salvation is freely given by the Father, everything has been earned and secured by Christ, and all of our Christian life is empowered by the Spirit. For various reasons, Christians distort these blessings to rationalize a life that lacks discipline. They use the threat of legalism as an excuse to be negligent in their relationship with God. This, of course, is a paradox. We abuse the free gift of salvation as a license not to live a life of discipline when in reality it is because salvation has been given to us by God that we are called and enabled to live a life of discipline!
Proverbs 5-7 describes vividly what the path of folly is. One of the key characteristics of the foolish life is the lack of discipline (Proverbs 5.12-14, 23). Therefore, Proverbs exhorts people to treat the virtue of discipline with urgency (Proverbs 6.1-5) and to make every effort to foster a lifestyle of discipline (6.6-11). As we were reminded last week, because we are in Christ, we are now called and enabled to live a life of discipline!
This sermon will focus on four aspects of spiritual disciplines: (1) urgency, (2) baby steps, (3) our hypocrisy, and (4) lazy excuses.
Questions:
1. Review your sermon notes. Share with one another what the Spirit might have been placing on your heart through the sermon.
2. The past two sermons emphasize that Jesus is both the fulfiller and empowerer of the Proverbs. Why is this so important and what does this mean for you personally?
3. This sermon exposed the way many of us live paradoxically. We abuse the free gift of salvation as a license not to live a life of discipline when in reality it is because salvation has been given to us by God that we are called and enabled to live a life of discipline. How have you experienced this paradox in your own life?
4. Which of the four aspects of spiritual disciplines covered in the sermon resonates with you the most and why?
5. What are some areas that the Spirit is calling you to take baby steps? How can this Life Group encourage you and keep you accountable?
