Proverbs – West Bridgewater Community Church

Love Your Enemy

Jesus teaches his followers to love their enemies. This is not an entirely new teaching in the Bible, for it appears in the book of Proverbs. Pastor Brian Watson preached this message on loving our enemies on November 8, 2020.

November 22, 2020

Here is the worship guide for Sunday, November 22, 2020.

PDF version of the worship guide to download or print.

The livestream will begin at 10:30 a.m. on our Facebook page or YouTube page.

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “In Christ Alone”

Words and music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in All; here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh; fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness scorned by the ones He came to save;
’til on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied;
for every sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay; Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then, bursting forth in glorious Day, up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
for I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me.
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand;
’til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!

Hymn: “Abide with Me”

Words by Henry Lyte, music by Wiliam Henry Monk

Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day.
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!

I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through clouds and sunshine, oh, abide with me!

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me!

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee!
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

Time of Prayer

1 Chronicles 16:8–36 (ESV)

⁸ Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
⁹ Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
¹⁰ Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
¹¹ Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
¹² Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
¹³ O offspring of Israel his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

¹⁴ He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
¹⁵ Remember his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
¹⁶ the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
¹⁷ which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
¹⁸ saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
as your portion for an inheritance.”

¹⁹ When you were few in number,
of little account, and sojourners in it,
²⁰ wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
²¹ he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
²² saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!”
²³ Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.

²⁴ Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
²⁵ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be feared above all gods.
²⁶ For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
²⁷ Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.

²⁸ Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
²⁹ Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
³⁰ tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
³¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
³² Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
³³ Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
³⁴ Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

³⁵Say also:

“Save us, O God of our salvation,
and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
³⁶ Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

Hymn: “My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness”

Words and music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

My heart is filled with thankfulness to Him who bore my pain,
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace and gave me life again,
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness and clothed me in His light,
And wrote His law of righteousness with pow’r upon my heart.

My heart is filled with thankfulness to Him who walks beside,
Who floods my weaknesses and strengths and causes fears to fly,
Whose ev’ry promise is enough for ev’ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love and crowning me with grace.

My heart is filled with thankfulness to him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace, whose ev’ry thought is love.
For ev’ry day I have on earth is given by the King;
So I will give my life, my all, to love and follow him.

Sermon: “Life and Death”

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 16:25 (ESV)

There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 15:24 (ESV)

The path of life leads upward for the prudent,

that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

Proverbs 16:17 (ESV)

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.

Proverbs 21:16 (ESV)

One who wanders from the way of good sense
will rest in the assembly of the dead.

Proverbs 22:5 (ESV)

Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;

whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

Proverbs 28:18 (ESV)

Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

Proverbs 10:2 (ESV)

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 11:4 (ESV)

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 21:6 (ESV)

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

Proverbs 11:30 (ESV)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and whoever captures souls is wise.

Proverbs 15:4 (ESV)

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 14:27 (ESV)

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:10 (ESV)

There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
whoever hates reproof will die.

Proverbs 19:16 (ESV)

Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
he who despises his ways will die.

Proverbs 20:9 (ESV)

Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;

I am clean from my sin”?

Proverbs 15:11 (ESV)

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more the hearts of the children of man!

Proverbs 21:21 (ESV)

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Hymn: “There Is a Fountain”

Words by William Cowper, music: early American melody

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains:
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in His day;
and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away:
wash all my sins away, wash all my sins away;
and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

E’er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die:
and shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

When this poor, lisping, stamm’ring tongue lies silent in the grave,
then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Your pow’r to save:
I’ll sing Your pow’r to save, I’ll sing Your pow’r to save;
then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Your pow’r to save.

Benediction

1 Kings 8:56–61 (ESV)

⁵⁶“Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. ⁵⁷The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, ⁵⁸that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. ⁵⁹Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, ⁶⁰that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. ⁶¹Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”

Our Plans, God’s Purposes

Why do our plans fail? Why do what we hope comes to pass doesn’t, even when our hopes seem to be things that God would approve of? How is God in control of a world that seems chaotic? We look to the book of Proverbs (and other biblical texts) to answer those questions.

Counsel

We all make many decisions every day. How do we make wise decisions? The Bible’s book of wisdom, Proverbs, tells us how. Brian Watson preached this sermon on October 4, 2020.

The Fear of the Lord

Those who know God fear him. That’s a strange idea, but when we understand who God is, we should have a healthy respect for him. The book of Proverbs often speaks of “the fear of the Lord.” Listen to find out why this matters so much. Brian Watson preached this sermon on October 25, 2020.

The Heart

How do we handle our emotions wisely? The book of Proverbs speaks about the heart and various emotions. God cares about how we feel. Our feelings often betray us, but the hope of the gospel strengthens our weary hearts. Brian Watson preached this message on October 11, 2020.

Justice

What is justice? The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about justice. And if we think about justice in the context of the whole Bible, we must realize that not only have others been unjust, but we have been unjust, too. Yet there is hope: God justifies the unrighteous through the righteousness of Christ. Brian Watson preached this sermon on October 18, 2020.

The King

What characteristics does an ideal leader possess? The book of Proverbs speaks of wise and foolish kings, princes, and rulers. As we think of politics, we should consider what God in his wisdom says about leaders. Brian Watson preached this message on September 27, 2020.

October 11, 2020

Here is the worship guide for Sunday, October 11, 2020.

PDF version of the worship guide to download or print.

The livestream will begin at 10:30 a.m. on our Facebook page or YouTube page.

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Words by Robert Robinson; music: traditional American melody

Come, Thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of Thy redeeming love.

Hither to Thy love has blest me; Thou has brought me to this place;
And I know Thy hand will bring me safely home by Thy good grace.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God,
He, to rescue me from danger, bought me with His precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning, I shall see Thy lovely face,
Clothed then in the blood-washed linen how I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace.
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry, take my ransomed soul away;
Send Thine angels now to carry me to realms of endless day.

Song: “Yet Not I but through Christ in Me”

Words and music by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, and Michael Farren

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer.
There is no more for heaven now to give.
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom,
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace.
To this I hold: my hope is only Jesus.
For my life is wholly bound to His.
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.

The night is dark, but I am not forsaken.
For by my side, the Savior, He will stay.
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing,
For in my need, His power is displayed.

To this I hold: my Shepherd will defend me.
Through the deepest valley He will lead.
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven,
The future sure, the price it has been paid.
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon,
And He was raised to overthrow the grave.

To this I hold: my sin has been defeated.
Jesus now and ever is my plea.
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.

With every breath I long to follow Jesus.
For He has said that He will bring me home.
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne.

To this I hold: my hope is only Jesus.
All the glory evermore to Him.
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!

Scripture Reading and Prayer:
2 Corinthians 1:3–11 (ESV)

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. ⁶If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. ⁷Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

⁸For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. ⁹Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. ¹⁰He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. ¹¹You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Sermon: “The Heart”

Here are some of the Proverbs on emotions.

Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 13:12 (ESV)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 14:10 (ESV)

The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.

Proverbs 14:13 (ESV)

Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.

Proverbs 15:13 (ESV)

A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Proverbs 15:30 (ESV)

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 18:14 (ESV)

A man’s spirit will endure sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?

Proverbs 25:20 (ESV)

Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.

Proverbs 25:25 (ESV)

Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.

Proverbs 27:19 (ESV)

As in water face reflects face,
so the heart of man reflects the man.

Song: “O Sing, My Soul”

Words and music by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

O sing, my soul, the ancient song, and lend Your highest praise
to Him who is the King of old and dwells in endless days.
How resplendent His glory! How majestic His name!
Now to the Uncreated One, oh, Let the anthem raise.

O worship Him our Father God, the Spirit and the Word,
Who fashioned all things from His joy, and saw that it was good.
What perfection of friendship, what communion we shared!
But choosing death, we fell from life aside the guilty pair.

Now hear, my soul, the gospel song, attend the joyful news,
for Christ has come, the perfect Son, His Father’s will to choose.
In our place He did suffer, in our place became sin,
the death of death, the death of Christ who stands alive again

Now, people of the risen Lord, O hear the call to go.
Into the world we have been sent as messengers of hope.
Christ alone be our treasure, Christ alone our reward.
Come, bid the nations sing with us the praises of the Lord.

Benediction
2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

October 4, 2020

Here is the worship guide for Sunday, October 4, 2020.

PDF version of the worship guide to download or print.

The worship service can be found on the church’s YouTube page.

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer

Song: “This Is Amazing Grace”

Words and music by Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle, and Josh Farro

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness,
whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings.
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
and leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings.

This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love,
that You would take my place, that You would bear my cross.
You laid down Your life that I would be set free.
Oh, Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me.

Who brings our chaos back into order,
who makes the orphan a son and daughter?
The King of glory, the King of glory.
Who rules the nations with truth and justice,
shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?
The King of glory, the King above all kings.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy, worthy, worthy!

Hymn: “Ye Servants of God”
Words by Charles Wesley, music by William Gardiner

Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim, and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name all-victorious of Jesus extol; his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.

God ruleth on high, almighty to save; and still He is nigh, His presence we have;
the great congregation his triumph shall sing, ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

“Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!” let all cry aloud, and honor the Son:
the praises of Jesus the angels proclaim, fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore and give him his right: all glory and power, all wisdom and might;
all honor and blessing with angels above, and thanks never-ceasing and infinite love.

Scripture Reading and Prayer:

Philippians 1:3–11 (ESV)

³I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Sermon: “Counsel”

Here are some of the Proverbs on counsel and advice.

Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)

Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 13:10 (ESV)

By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)

Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 18:1 (ESV)

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Proverbs 20:5 (ESV)

The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Proverbs 20:18 (ESV)

Plans are established by counsel;
by wise guidance wage war.

Proverbs 24:6 (ESV)

for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 21:28 (ESV)

A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.

Proverbs 25:19 (ESV)

Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

You may also want to look up 1 Kings 12; Isaiah 11:15; John 14:15–17; Matthew 18:15–20; Acts 15

Song: “All I Have Is Christ”
Words and music by Jordan Kauflin

I once was lost in darkest night, yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first, I would refuse You still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race, indifferent to the cost,
You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed, You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me, now all I know is grace.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone, and live so all might see
the strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.
Oh, Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose,
and let my song forever be my only boast is You.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.

Benediction
Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

²⁴The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
²⁶the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

A Word Fitly Spoken

The book of Proverbs tells us about those who mock and scoff and how to deal with them. It also tells us how words fitly spoken, words suited to their context, can persuade. Brian Watson preached this sermon on September 20, 2020.

Words

https://wbcommunity.org/podcast-player/3043/words.1

Words matter. They can be used for good or ill. How then can we use our words wisely? The book of Proverbs says a great deal about words used wisely and foolishly. Brian Watson preached this message on those passages on September 13, 2020.

September 13, 2020

Here is the worship guide for Sunday, September 13, 2020.

PDF version of the worship guide to download or print.

The livestream will begin at 10:30 a.m. on our Facebook page.

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer

Song: “This Is Our God”

Words and music by N. DeGraide, D. Fournier, Z. Jones, D. Pland, and G. Romanacce

God, our Father, full of power, Maker of the heavens, Maker of the world;
forming all things seen and unseen,
truly the Almighty beyond all measured worth. Holy is His Name.

We believe the Lord our God is One, Father, Spirit, Son; this is our God!
We believe forever He will reign. Let the church proclaim: this is our God!

Our Lord Jesus sent to save us, born unto a virgin, lived a perfect life;
greatly suffered, dying for us. From the grave He’s risen, seated now on high.
Holy is His Name.

We believe the Lord our God is One, Father, Spirit, Son; this is our God!
We believe forever He will reign. Let the church proclaim: this is our God!

Jesus will come back again to judge the living and the dead,
usher in the age to come; let everyone sing “amen.”
Jesus will come back again to judge the living and the dead,
usher in the age to come; let everyone sing “amen,”
let everyone sing “amen.”

Spirit, holy, One in glory, speaking through the prophets, empowering the Church;
life is given by and through Him, with the Son and Father, worshipped and adored.
Holy is His Name.

We believe the Lord our God is One, Father, Spirit, Son; this is our God!
We believe forever He will reign. Let the church proclaim: this is our God!

Hymn: “Speak, O Lord”

Words and music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
to receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
that the light of Christ might be seen today
in our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
all Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
in the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail,
let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
that will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises,
and by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
and the earth is filled with Your glory.

Scripture Reading and Prayer:

Psalm 150 (ESV)

¹ Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
² Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!

³ Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
⁴ Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
⁵ Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Sermon: “Words”

There are many verses in the book of Proverbs that deal with words. Here are most of them arranged by topic. We will not read all of these this morning.

God’s word

Proverbs 30:5–6 (ESV)

⁵ Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
⁶ Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Wisdom vs. folly in speech

Proverbs 10:31–32 (ESV)

³¹ The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
³² The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Proverbs 14:7 (ESV)

Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

Proverbs 26:9 (ESV)

Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Words are a life and death matter

Proverbs 14:3 (ESV)

By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Proverbs 14:25 (ESV)

A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

Proverbs 15:4 (ESV)

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 18:6–8 (ESV)

⁶ A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
⁷ A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 18:20–21 (ESV)

²⁰ From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Wise ways of speaking

Listening

Proverbs 18:13 (ESV)

If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.

Remaining silent

Proverbs 10:18–20 (ESV)

¹⁸ The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
¹⁹ When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Proverbs 11:12–13 (ESV)

¹² Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
¹³ Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Proverbs 13:2–3 (ESV)

² From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,
but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.|
³ Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 17:27–28 (ESV)

²⁷ Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
²⁸ Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 21:23 (ESV)

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.

Telling truth

Proverbs 12:17–19 (ESV)

¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 13:5 (ESV)

The righteous hates falsehood,
but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 16:13 (ESV)

Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.

Sharing knowledge and wisdom

Proverbs 15:2 (ESV)

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Proverbs 15:7 (ESV)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 18:4 (ESV)

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Proverbs 20:15 (ESV)

There is gold and abundance of costly stones,
but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Bringing peace

Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)

A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Building others up

Proverbs 22:11 (ESV)

He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

Knowing how to answer and persuade others

Proverbs 15:28 (ESV)

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Proverbs 16:21 (ESV)

The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Proverbs 16:23–24 (ESV)

²³ The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 25:11–13 (ESV)

¹¹ A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
¹² Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
¹³ Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Proverbs 25:15 (ESV)

With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Proverbs 26:4–7 (ESV)

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
⁶ Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
⁷ Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Defending the oppressed

Proverbs 31:8–9 (ESV)

⁸ Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Foolish ways of speaking

Proverbs 26:17–26 (ESV)

¹⁷ Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
¹⁸ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
²¹ As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
²² The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
²³ Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
²⁴ Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
²⁵ when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are seven abominations in his heart;
²⁶ though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Speaking hateful words (tearing others down)

Proverbs 10:18 (ESV)

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Proverbs 11:12–13 (ESV)

Proverbs 25:23 (ESV)

The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

Speaking rash words

See Proverbs 12:18 above

Proverbs 20:25 (ESV)

It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and to reflect only after making vows.

Proverbs 29:20 (ESV)

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Speaking words that divide

Proverbs 16:27–28 (ESV)

²⁷ A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.
²⁸ A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.

Telling lies (and repeating that which isn’t true)

See Proverbs 12:17, 19 above

Proverbs 12:22–23 (ESV)

²² Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
²³ A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Proverbs 14:5 (ESV)

A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.

Proverbs 17:4 (ESV)

An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Proverbs 17:20 (ESV)

A man of crooked heart does not discover good,
and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

Proverbs 19:1 (ESV)

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Proverbs 21:28 (ESV)

A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.

Proverbs 25:18 (ESV)

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 26:28 (ESV)

A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 28:23 (ESV)

Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than he who flatters with his tongue.

Gossiping and slandering

Proverbs 18:8 (ESV)

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Proverbs 17:9 (ESV)

Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 20:19 (ESV)

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 25:9–10 (ESV)

⁹ Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
¹⁰ lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.

Boasting

Proverbs 27:2 (ESV)

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.

Venting

Proverbs 29:11 (ESV)

A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Empty words

Proverbs 10:8 (ESV)

The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

Song: “Never Cease to Praise”

Words and music by Jeff Bourque

May we run this race, may we keep the faith,
may our eyes be fixed on Jesus,
that we’ll not lose heart in our struggle with sin,
and through suffering know endurance.

May we arm ourselves with the mind of Christ
to rejoice in trials and be not surprised.
May our hearts be so consumed by You
that we never cease to praise.

May our company be the saints You’ve called,
may we all stand firm in one spirit,
that the gospel’s truth may resound on earth,
that all living things may hear it.

May the fruits of faith mark the path we trod
through the life of Christ to the glory of God.
May our hearts be so consumed by You
that we never cease to praise.

May the words we share be Your grace and peace.
May our tongues speak Your proclamations
that the many parts of the body of Christ
be affirmed in their right relation.

As we long and wait for the groom to come,
may we learn to love, and spur each other on.
May our hearts be so consumed by You
that we never cease to praise.

When that day arrives, and our race is won,
when our griefs give way to deliverance,
we will fully know, as we’re fully known,
all our groans will end as new songs begin.

And a multitude from every tribe and tongue,
wearing robes of white, will stand before Your throne,
And our hearts will be so consumed by You
that we’ll never cease to praise!

May our hearts be so consumed by You
that we never cease to praise.

Benediction
Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

²⁴ The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Family

God created family before there were cities, nations, or any man-made governments. It takes wisdom to live well as husbands and wives and parents and children. Find out what the book of Proverbs says about these important relationships. Brian Watson preached this sermon on September 6, 2020.

September 6, 2020

Here is the worship guide for Sunday, September 6, 2020.

PDF version of the worship guide to download or print.

The livestream will begin at 10:30 a.m. on our Facebook page.

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Words by Robert Robinson; music: traditional American melody\