Sunday Sermons at the Una Church of Christ: Wise Words: Dealing with the Wicked

June 8, 2014

Wise Words

Dealing with the Wicked

Proverbs 24:15-22

(Advance Slide #1)

Introduction

I heard a story of an English professor who was running late to class.

She was speeding to get to school, and noticed the lights in her rearview window.
While filling out the ticket the professor was asked, “Why are you going so fast?”
Being clever she quoted Robert Frost, “I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.”

(Advance Slide #2)

The officer replied, “Well Miss, Frost chose the road less traveled, unfortunately for you...this wasn’t it.”

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Jesus declared, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Wise and righteous people seek the road less traveled.

They find life and rest for their souls.

Foolish and evil people seek the popular road.

They end up finding discord and destruction.

(Advance Slide #4)

This is part of the message that is found in Proverbs 26:

wicked stumble in times of calamity - vs. 16
they will “fall” and “stumble” - vs. 17
the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. - vs. 20
disaster will arise suddenly from them - vs. 22

(Advance Slide #5)

Text

15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; 16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. 19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, 20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21 My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, 22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? Proverbs 24:15-22

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If this is true, why then would people choose to live the lifestyle of the wicked?

In Isaiah 5 we can find a few reasons to explain this:

18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin as with cart ropes, 19 who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!”

(Advance Slide #7)

They laugh and mock God!

They mock God, like a school yard bully that taunts other kids on the playground

20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

(Advance Slide #8)

They get use to calling evil good and good evil.

Show Spin City had an actor Michael Boatman that played a homosexual activist.
He told the TV Guide, “The best way to slip these controversial issues under America’s doorstep, into their living rooms, is to have them start laughing first. Suddenly they find themselves if not accepting new ideas, more willing to discuss them”
If we make evil seem funny and happy we’ll likely accept it.

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

(Advance Slide #9)

People embrace wickedness when they become convinced about how smart they are.

I read of one seminary professor that said, to understand the Bible you need scholars to explain it to you.
I’m all for scholarship but when someone says that you NEED a scholar to understand the Bible...red flags should go up!

22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,

(Advance Slide #10)

People embrace evil because they make heroes of evil.

Those that “hold their liquor” at Spring Break destinations are the heroes of the beach
While they also make the righteous as “out of touch” or “holier than thou”

The biggest problem for Christians is that wickedness can be really appealing.

Lesson

(Advance Slide #11)

...be not envious of the wicked - vs. 19

Why would someone envy the wicked?

The wicked life looks fun...they do a lot of fun stuff.
These people with all their parties, being with the “in crowd”
They aren’t held back by simple things like morality.

If you want to get drunk or smoke weed...why not, it’s your own body do whatever.
If you see someone you’d like to sleep with...why not, who’s it going to hurt?
If you want to steal something...why not, the person could probably buy another.

These popular activities might seem fun for a while but there is a price that WILL BE PAID.

NOTICE what’s said in Proverbs 14:16; 17; 20; 22

(Advance Slide #12)

Gal. 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

If you live a disobedient life you’ll get what you pay for!

Righteousness is too constricting!

Being pure can be fun...it’s just a different kind of fun.
It also has perks and benefits that only God can provide.

(Advance Slide #13)

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls… - vs. 17-18

We may want to chuckle or laugh at our enemies when they get what they deserve.

Clarence Darrow (famous lawyer) “I have not killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction out of obituary notices.”
God says, “Don’t do that...don’t rejoice in their downfall.”

Jesus encountered this sort of attitude in Luke 9:51-56