Way back in 2003 we spent a season looking at themes in Proverbs. In preparation for that series I looked at every verse in Proverbs and assigned it to one or more categories. Then I sorted them by topic and picked a number of topics to preach. It was fun, and it was one of the earliest sermon series I did that really made an impression on me and a measurable change in my life. So I’ve decided to preach those topics again. The messages will be new, or at least refreshed, but I’m praying that the timeless wisdom of Proverbs will come through even stronger.
A more recent innovation in my preaching is what I’ve called the “hundred days” series. When studying a Biblical book too big to preach every verse, like Psalms, Ezekiel, or Isaiah, I’ve encouraged all of us to read the whole text during the roughly 100 days of the sermon series.
I want to up the ante this fall. I’m asking you you to read Proverbs three times. Some of you may have done this often, since it has been common to read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date. For example, Proverbs chapter 1 on September 1st, Proverbs chapter 2 on the 2nd, etc. Then start over in October and November.
Here’s the preaching plan. It’s a little more detailed than usual, because I’ve been able to include all the references to the verees from Proverbs that will (probably) be preached for each sermon.
Date: September 2, 2018
Title: The Lord’s Purpose Prevails
Text: Proverbs 19:21 and others
Worship Theme: Almighty, Most Holy God
Key Sentence: The God of Proverbs is the sovereign creator who watches the hearts of men.
Other R eferences:
Sovereign: Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 16:4, Proverbs 16:33, Proverbs 20:24, Proverbs 21:30-31, Proverbs 30:1-4.
Creator: Proverbs 22:2, Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 17:5, Proverbs 20:12, Proverbs 29:13.
Heart Watcher: Proverbs 17:3, Proverbs 15:11, Proverbs 20:27, Proverbs 15:3, Proverbs 24:11-12.
Judge: Proverbs 16:4-5, Proverbs 11:20, Proverbs 21:12, Proverbs 29:26, Proverbs 22:22-23,
Date: September 9, 2018
Title: The Blessings of Righteousness
Text: Proverbs 11:5 and others
Worship Theme: His Righteousness and Ours
Key Sentence: The wise pursue happiness by pursuing righteousness.
Other References:
The Law of Consequences: Proverbs 11:5; Proverbs 11:19;
Proverbs 26:27; Proverbs 27:12; Proverbs 29:6.
The Outcome of Righteousness:
Proverbs 12:28, Proverbs 13:25, Proverbs 10:24, Proverbs 10:29, Proverbs 12:3.
The Way of Righteousness: Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 22:5, Proverbs 15:29,
Proverbs 14:22, Proverbs 21:21.
Date: September 16, 2018
Title: The Heart of Proverbs
Text: Proverbs 27:19 and others
Worship Theme: Create in Me a Clean Heart
Key Sentence: My heart inclines toward pride and deception;
Teach me, Lord, the wisdom of humility and fear.
Other References:
The Diagnosis of the Heart: Proverbs 27:19, Proverbs 20:9, Proverbs 16:5, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 21:4, Proverbs 12:20, Proverbs 26:23-25,
Proverbs 19:3.
The Prescription for the Heart: Proverbs 23:12, Proverbs 23:15-21,
Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 28:14,
Date: September 23, 2018
Title: The Care of the Heart
Text: Proverbs 17:22 and others
Worship Theme: The One Who Cares for Our Hearts
Key Sentence: The family of Christ is sensitive and responsive to the needs of the heart.
Other References:
The church is full of heavy hearts: Proverbs 14:13, Proverbs 14:10, Proverbs 18:14, Proverbs 17:22.
We need to learn to discern heavy hearts: Proverbs 15:13, Proverbs 10:28, Proverbs 13:12, Proverbs 14:30, Proverbs 15:15.
We need to learn to help heavy hearts: Proverbs 17:22, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 27:9, Proverbs 25:20, Proverbs 12:25, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 13:12, Proverbs 15:30, Proverbs 25:25
Date: September 30, 2018
Title: The Good Fear
Text: Proverbs 14:2 and others
Worship Theme: The Fear of the Lord
Key Sentence: Like sunlight for a seed, so is the fear of the Lord for a soul.
Other References:
Fear of the Lord leads away from evil: Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 14:2, Proverbs 28:14, Proverbs 14:27, Proverbs 16:6.
Fear of the Lord leads toward knowledge and blessing: Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 2:1-5, Proverbs 14:26, Proverbs 19:23.
Fear of the Lord leads to trust in the Lord: Proverbs 29:25, Proverbs 22:19, Proverbs 16:20, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 28:25-26,
Date: October 7, 2018
Title: Relationship Blessers and Stressers
Text: Proverbs 15:17
Worship Theme: A Loving Father
Key Sentence: The character you cultivate determines the quality of your relationships.
Other References: (key text) Proverbs 15:17
Cultivate Character in the Family: Proverbs 11:29, Proverbs 27:8, Proverbs 30:21-23, Proverbs 19:13-14, Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 14:26, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 23:15-16
Carry Character into the Community: Proverbs 28:20, Proverbs 27:10, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 27:14, Proverbs 11:16-17
Date: October 14, 2018 (GUEST PREACHER – vacation day)
Title: “Honor the Lord with your Wealth”
Text: Proverbs 3:9 and others
I’d really like someone to preach this but it can be preacher’s choice
Other References:
Righteousness First: Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 11:28, Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 28:6
Generosity Next: Proverbs 3:9-10, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 22:9, Proverbs 22:16
Balance the Rest: Proverbs 23:4-5, Proverbs 13:11, Proverbs 11:15, Proverbs 22:7,
Proverbs 21:17, Proverbs 27:23-27, Proverbs 30:7-9
Date: October 21, 2018 (GUEST PREACHER – vacation day)
Title: Listen to Discipline,
Text: Proverbs 16:20 and others
Other References:
Receiving Discipline: Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 15:31-32, Proverbs 29:1, Proverbs 16:20
Giving Discipline: Proverbs 25:12, Proverbs 27:5-6, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 29:17
OR Title: Anger and its Alternatives
Text: Proverbs 19:11 and others
Other References:
Angry People and their Behavior: Proverbs 26:21, Proverbs 29:22, Proverbs 19:19, Proverbs 26:17, Proverbs 30:33, Proverbs 27:15-16, Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 17:1
Alternatives to Anger: Proverbs 12:16, Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 17:14, Proverbs 14:29-30, Proverbs 15:18, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 19:11
OR substitute preachers’s choice
Date: October 28, 2018
Title: Diligence is a Virtue
Text: Proverbs 12:24 and others
Worship Theme: The Diligence of the Lord
Key Sentence: Diligence is a virtue to be cultivated and sloth a vice to be avoided.
Other References:
Outcome: Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 10:4-5, Proverbs 12:11, Proverbs 28:19, Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 15:19.
Attitudes: Proverbs 6:6-8, Proverbs 6:9-11, Proverbs 20:13, Proverbs 14:23, Proverbs 16:26, Proverbs 19:24, Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 22:13, Proverbs 24:27,
OR, if nobody has preached it yet
Title: Listen to Discipline,
Text: Proverbs 16:20 and others
Worship Theme: A Compassionate and Gracious God
Key Sentence: The one best qualified to give discipline is the one who will receive it.
Other References:
Receiving Discipline: Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 15:31-32, Proverbs 29:1, Proverbs 16:20.
Giving Discipline: Proverbs 25:12, Proverbs 27:5-6, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 29:17.
Date: November 4, 2018
Title: The Tongue’s Prayer
Text: Proverbs 18:21 and others
Worship Theme: The Word of God
Key Sentence: Calling on God for just a few communication skills can give you a healing tongue.
Other References:
The Power of the Tongue: Proverbs 18:20-21. Say Little: Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 29:20, Proverbs 17:27, Proverbs 17:9, Proverbs 11:12, Proverbs 25:9-10.
Speak Truthfully: Proverbs 12:19, Proverbs 14:25, Proverbs 24:26, Proverbs 26:28, Proverbs 20:15.
Speak Helpfully: Proverbs 12:18-19, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 25:15, Proverbs 15:23, Proverbs 25:11-12.
Date: November 11, 2018
Title: Compassion Counts
Text: Proverbs 21:13 and others
Worship Theme: A Compassionate and Gracious God
Key Sentence: We can’t allow skepticism, indifference or selfishness to rob us of the blessings of compassion
Other References:
The Oppressor: Proverbs 22:22, Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 21:13, Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 17:5.
The Alternative: Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 14:21, Proverbs 11:26, Proverbs 28:27, Proverbs 29:7.
The Blessing: Proverbs 31:8-9, Proverbs 29:14, Proverbs 11:25, Proverbs 31:10, 20, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 22:9.
Date: November 18, 2018
A thanksgiving message
Date: November 25 to December 30, seven messages, Christmas series
(starting Luke, spanning 1:1 – 2:38 over these seven messages, then continuing in Luke as the spring series (last preached in 1997!)
