2-2-20 Sermon Notes
“Relationships” Proverbs
Last week, we examined the blessings of wisely choosing our words This is week four of our series “Heavenly Wisdom” and we will be looking at some verses in Proverbs that deal with relationships.
Introduction
Relationships with others are often times pretty complicated. Sometimes they seem to ebb and flow from being very comfortable and at other times prickly. Proverbs provide some guidelines and advice on how to deal with relationships ranging from family and friends to our enemies. So, let’s ‘dive in’ and see what Proverbs has in store for us.
Message
Let’s take a look at twelve verses about relationships with others from Proverbs.
Rather than expound on each one, let the words speak to us individually to remind each of us of how to relate to one another.
Proverbs 3:27-28 New International Version (NIV)
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.”
Proverbs 12:10 New International Version (NIV)
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
Proverbs 12:22 New International Version (NIV)
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Proverbs 12:26 New International Version (NIV)
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Proverbs 13:20 New International Version (NIV)
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 15:30 New International Version (NIV)
“Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”
Proverbs 17:1 New International Version (NIV)
“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.”
Proverbs 17:14 New International Version (NIV)
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 17:17 New International Version (NIV)
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
Proverbs 18:24 New International Version (NIV)
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 22:2 New International Version (NIV)
“Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.”
Proverbs 25:21-22 New International Version (NIV)
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Concluding Remarks and Application
Wow! What a range of advice from how to relate to our family and friends to how to relate to our enemies as mentioned in the introduction. A few things that seem to stand out are to choose our friends wisely; choosing them does not depend on their status in life; be a friend at ALL times and treat your enemies as a friend even when it is HARD! Guess what, not only do others benefit from our friendship but so do we.