Intro: (1) series recap (2) Proverbs 4:20-24 (3) 8 truths across 3 categories of wordsThe Power of Words1. Words stick (18:21): (1) tongue capable of very good and very bad → will produce these fruits (2) Gottman ratio, negative consumer experiences (3) id someone to encourage before leaving2. Words spread (10:10-11): (1) winking = whispering (cf. 16:27-28) → negative words like wildfire (2) don’t...  Read More

Intro: (1) series intro (2) intro to Proverbs (read v.1) → title, structure, etc. (3) “small sayings with big truths (cf. parables) → my favorites (4) “wisdom” = truth lived out practically → framework for words (4) wisdom connected to gospel (cf. Mt. 12:42, 1 Cor. 1:23-24)What Wisdom Is (2-6)1. Instruction and Understanding (v.2): (1) “instruction” → recognition that I don’t know everything and c...  Read More

Intro: (1) series recap (2) ministering = serving (3) approaching church as a waiter (cf. dad retiring)Wisdom1. Wise listening (James 1:19): (1) “quick to hear” → obstacles of busyness, screens, disinterest, disagreement (2) “slow to speak” → tendencies to interrupt, jump to conclusions, offer advice, control, get attention (cf. Proverbs 10:19) (3) “slow to anger” → what makes you angry and why, a...  Read More

Intro: (1) series recap (2) specific words of togetherness for a common goal (cf. operating room)Comfort1. Sinful people (Isaiah 40:1-11): (1) Israel’s sin/exile → our failures, consequences (2) a key tocommunity is remembering we’re all battling sin (3) comforting words → God’s tenderness (1-2), God’s nearness (3-5), God’s trustworthiness (v.6-8) (4) sin, not struggles, our greatest burden (cf. l...  Read More

Intro: (1) series recap (2) book (3) outline overviewBeauty1. Spotting Beauty: (1) difficult to remember beauty (cf. grind, news) (2) “God’s goodness manifest to the senses” (Willard) → sunrise, flower, newborn, cookie, stream (3) beauty connected to remembering God as beautiful (Ps. 27:4) and creator/sustainer (cf. Luke 12:25-31, picture) (5) prayer → “help me experience your beauty”2. Speaking B...  Read More

Thanksgiving → expressing gratitude to God for his blessings and faithfulness● Psalm 118: (1) v.5-7 → hears/protects (2) v.13-14,18 → upholds when we’re stretched (3) v.20- 21 →has brought us near through sChrist (4) v.27-28 → tangible offering to the Lord● Rejoice: (1) v.1 → God’s love and gentleness, expressed through relationships (2) v.2 → God our shepherd (3) v.3 → remembering his past works ...  Read More