pastor robert rohlin, 2009 1 proverbs 24 – the main thing! “the main thing is to make the main...

Pastor Robert Rohlin , 2009 www.firstbaptistlascolinas.org 11

Proverbs 24 – The MAIN THING!

“The main thing is to make the main thing the main thing.”

Pastor Robert Rohlin, 2009, www.firstbaptistlascolinas.org 22

A Tragic Wedding and the Search for a Rhema


God’s Principles Edify

Wisdom Skills for living – chokmahSeeing life from God’s Perspective

KEY: Successful families and successful home education must be built on the rock of God’s eternal principles.

Use the tools of the Basic and Advanced Seminars, Wisdom Books


Wise Life Pictures Fortify Insights from teachable moments

Biblical analogies are everywhere

Choose wise heroes for your childrenBiographies

Living heroes

Learn from negative examples, but beware of pride!

Discretion in making the right choicesThey’re watching you, Daddy!


Communicating God’s Perspective Satisfies

Your family NEEDS a spiritual leader.A family needs a father who seeks a

prophetic oracle from God. – Proverbs 29:18“Where there is no vision, the people perish, but

he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”Our family paraphrase: “Where there is no

prophetic oracle from God, the people become unbridled and undisciplined and opportunities for blessing slip through their fingers but he who guards and protects and keeps God’s Law enjoys His blessings.”


Communicating God’s Perspective Satisfies

A family needs an intercessor Dad who stand in the gap.Closet PrayerChamber PrayerCottage PrayerCongregational Prayer

A family needs a vow-keeping Dad who stakes his life on his convictions.


Credible Messengers

(Servant Leaders)

Conciliators(Faithful

men)

Carnal

MercyT

ruth

Low High

1 Peter 5:3

1 Cor 5:1-9 2 Tim 2:2

2 Tim 2:24

Matt 28:181 Cor 4:15

4 QUADRANTS

LowConquerors(Pharisees)


An Understanding Heart Preserves!

Proverbs 24 contains a warning of what happens to the family of a Dad who does not have an understanding heart. This verse is normally viewed as saying

something about diligence.

But Psalm 128:3 gives us a reason to look at this verse as instruction about the family.

Pastor Robert Rohlin , 2009 www.firstbaptistlascolinas.org

What Is An Understanding Heart?

99


1. A Perceptive Heart (995, 998)

The word here means to “speak the same language” as another.

Isaiah 33:19 uses this word in a promise made by God insuring that when His covenant people went into captivity, they would be able to adapt to the language.


1. A PERCEPTIVE Heart (continued)

Do you speak the same language as your children / wife?Do you seek to gain their perspective before

you render judgment? (Proverbs 3:5 – “lean not to thine own perspective”)

Do you listen so that two-way communication takes place? Do you (1) hear, (2) restate, and (3) GO DEEP!

A man who answers a matter before listening commits a shameful folly (Proverbs 18:13).


1. A Perceptive Heart (continued)

Do you seek to get wise counsel in your dealings with major issues about your children (Proverbs 1:5)?

Do you KNOW the personality types in your family?


2. An INSIGHTFUL Heart (8394)

We are told to apply our heart to this kind of understanding (Proverbs 2:2).

EXPECT insights when you read your Bible with pen and paper nearby.

The chief enemy of insight is ANGER (Proverbs 14:29) – He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.


2. An Insightful Heart (continued)

(Romans 7:18a). Anger:Destroys insight.Keeps you from hearing the deeper needs of

others.KEYS:

Daily seek a prophetic oracle from God – get rhemas!

Explain the WHY! – Don’t just demand the WHAT! (Principles, not rules!)

Remember daily: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing. . . .”


3. A Heart of Mercy and Truth (7922)sekhel – Planning, preparation, cunning,

prudence, policyProverbs 3:3-4 – Let not mercy and truth

forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Mercy is always mentioned BEFORE Truth. Create a safe place to discuss truth.


3. Heart of Mercy and Truth (cont’d)

This is the value of COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS.

Mercy – chesed – The loving kindness of GodDo you listen to criticism with an attitude of

humility and loving kindness?When speaking to your children about a

character issue, do you approach them with the loving kindness of Christ? (Heb 12:18ff. – On which mount are you?)


A Safe Place Requires Two Key Elements

Mercy – unconditional love; listening; hearing; speaking the same language

Humility“In my flesh dwelleth no good thing.”

Transparent honesty – sine cera

Trusting in the “shocking grace” of God

KEY: Avoid having a Ziklag experience (1 Samuel 30:1-6)


Key 4: The BIG DEAL!

Don’t miss this!


Proverbs 24:30-34

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;vineyard of the man void of understanding;

And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.stone wall thereof was broken down.

Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.it, and received instruction.

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:the hands to sleep:

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.and thy want as an armed man.


4. A Heart That Eliminates Competing Affections (3820)

This is the key to understanding the warning of Proverbs 24:30-34.

At first glance, this is just a passage about the need for diligence. Or is it?

Psalm 128:3 gives us a valid reason to look at this passage with regard to our families (vine and olive plants).


What Happens Without AnUnderstanding Father?

LOST PRODUCTIVITY = grown over with thorns

LOST PROCLAMATION = covered with nettles (so that you couldn’t even see a witness to the fact there was a fruit-bearing field there)

LOST PROTECTION = walls broken down

The phrase “void of understanding” is literally “VOID OF HEART.” We must understand this phrase.


What Happens to a Man Void of Heart?

Proverbs 10:13 – In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

He experiences GOD’S REPROOF!


Who is Void of Heart?One who commits ADULTERY – Proverbs

6:32One who EASILY YIELDS TO FLESHLY

TEMPTATION – Proverbs 9:16One who FOLLOWS VAIN PEOPLE and

EMPTY PURSUITS – Proverbs 12:11One who BECOMES SURETY (cosigns) –

Proverbs 17:18

QUESTION: What do all these things have in common?


What is the Root Cause?

•Adultery•Bows to human pressure and fleshly urge.•Chooses an unworthy relationship.•Failure to see consequences

•The gates of Sheol!•Poverty and ruin.

•Adultery•Bows to human pressure and fleshly urge.•Chooses an unworthy relationship.•Failure to see consequences

•The gates of Sheol!•Poverty and ruin.


What is the Root Cause?

•Cosigning

•Values man’s opinion of him more than God’s opinion of him.

•Chooses as a partner someone already deemed as unworthy of credit.

•Failure to see consequences.

•Damages present relationships.

•Brings poverty and ruin.

•Cosigning

•Values man’s opinion of him more than God’s opinion of him.

•Chooses as a partner someone already deemed as unworthy of credit.

•Failure to see consequences.

•Damages present relationships.

•Brings poverty and ruin.


The Root Cause

Competing AffectionsNot making God our “First Love”Look at these expressions:

“heart and soul”“his heart is in the right place”“from the bottom of my heart”“my heart goes out to him”

HEART = deepest, innermost feelings; deepest motivations (the blood-pumpers)


Know what Your Family Wants, Dad?

A Dad who loves the Lord His God with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength.

A Dad who loves the Lord so much that He has no love left for anyone else . . . so He asks God daily to love the family THROUGH him.

A Dad who understands his family is his priority, his ministry, his gift from God and treats them accordingly.


Speaking to and Hearing from the Hearts of God’s Reward

Letters FROM and TO Dad


From Dad to Daughter

“. . . I’m once again in a lonely hotel room. I pray that I might still be a positive influence on your life though I’m not there. I once heard that a child gets his ideas about God from his relationship with his father. Children with angry fathers tend to believe that God is always angry. Children with uninvolved and absent fathers tend to believe that God does not care about them.


From Dad to Daughter “I hope that in my absence you are learning an

important lesson about your heavenly Father. Like me, He is not always visible to you, yet He always cares. He is always providing. He always has you on his mind. He longs for times of sweet fellowship with you. He longs to see you share his love with others. He cares about the state of your heart. He is always concerned that he has your heart. In each of these, your heavenly Father and your earthly father have the same concerns.”


From Daughter to Dad

“Dad, here are the reasons that you are the best earthly father to ever walk the face of the earth:

• You love me• You enjoy being with me• You prevent me from being harmed by the

world’s influences• You provide for me• You love giving good gifts to your children


Hear a Daughter’s Heart (continued)

• “You want me to talk with you and you want to talk to me

• You teach me powerful lessons from your knowledge of God and His Word and from your own life experiences

• You not only teach me God’s infallible principles, but you explain why they are important

• You always have time for me• You are always gentle with me



• “You discipline me to make me more Christ-like

• You are trustworthy

• You always speak the truth

• You encourage me

• You are always just

• You allow me to make mistakes because you know that I can learn from them



• “You always forgive me and then forget the past

• You care about anything that concerns me

• You tell me that you love me not only by spoken words, but by written and by your actions

• You are my best friend as well as my dear, darling father.”


From Dad to Son“There are a great many challenges to being a godly man. Sexual temptation is perhaps the strongest of these. There are few women who dress in godly clothing any more. Billboards, magazines, television ads and programs, and movies all exploit sexual temptation. Long times of absence away from your wife can intensify these temptations. When I finish a hard day of work, it is easy to return to my hotel room and

turn on the television.


From Dad to Son

“There is nothing worth watching. Reruns of sitcoms drain your time and energy and fail to feed the soul or the intellect. Movies always contain compromise. I have known this for some time, but am only now beginning to have the self-control to turn off the television and spend time reading a book, listening to a sermon, or writing. I pray that my self-control in this area will continue to increase, and I can use my solitude more productively for the Lord.”


From Dad to Son“. . . I know that recently we've had to discuss

the problem of staying up late at night on the computer. I'm very sensitive to this issue because I know the dangers of the Internet and because I know the devil loves darkness and his greatest temptations usually come at night. I pray that you can preserve a pure heart and that your mind will not be defiled and that you will remain free from sexual addictions throughout your

life.”


From Dad to Son“If I'm tough on you from time to time, it is because I desire to preserve your heart and keep you pure to serve the Lord. When I was only 16 and 17, I compromised God's standards on dating because no one told me what they were. Those sins still plague me to this day. While God preserved my virginity until I married, I still carry memories of defrauding activity that haunt me nearly 30 years later.”


From Dad to Son

“Son, I love you very much and pray that God will bless you to protect your heart, to give you courage, to strengthen your convictions, to help you stand alone against evil, and to be an even better husband and father than He has enabled me to be. A wise son makes a glad father. You have made my heart glad, and I pray you always do so.”


Hear a Son’s Heart – Passion for God’s Word

“Thank you for teaching me God's principles and instilling in me the desire to do what's right, the desire to love and to serve Him with my life. I cannot imagine how I would have developed thus far were it not for your influence on my life. Thank you for teaching me responsibility in my thoughts, attitudes, and actions.


Hear a Son’s Heart – Example

“Thanks for the sermons you've lived for me–that poem “Sermons We See“ (which I'm working on memorizing) is so true. I'd rather see someone live something and show me how and why it works, than just tell me that it works. Please always keep in mind, Dad: we're watching you. Things you do affect us all. Thank you for living out before me a godly example of manhood. . . .


Hear a Son’s Heart – Teachable Moments and Time Talking“When I think back to the times that you and I have done things together, the things that stand out the most are the long talks that we've had when we didn't necessarily intend to–talks in the car or while doing some task or other. I remember numerous times when you'd point out a Biblical principle in something mundane–like filter ads in the auto parts store.


Hear a Son’s Heart – Accountability and Example

Thank you for setting the example of the man I ought to be. Someday, if the Lord tarries, I will have a wife and children, and then I will have to learn to be a responsible spiritual leader. I know I'm not ready for that now–and so please, don't spare any advice, correction, or counsel that will help me to become a better man. Thank you for the frequent checkups. I really need those.


Hear a Son’s Heart – Desiring God’s Approval; Godly Sorrow

I know this letter isn't very eloquent, and it doesn't express very well the love I have for you. Dad, I respect no one, value no one's opinion more, look up to no one more than you. The second greatest fear I have is of disappointing you. The greatest fear I have is of grieving my heavenly Father. Thank you so much for being a model of my heavenly Father so that I can understand Him better. Thank you for pointing me towards Him.


Hear a Son’s Heart – I Know Dad Loves Me I love you, Dad. As men sometimes it's hard to say that, though I think we do a pretty good job in our family. At least, you've never shirked from demonstrating your love towards any of us kids. I pity people whose fathers never told them they loved them, never wrote a letter, never left them anything to remind them just how much they were valued. Thank you so much for being good about that–it means more to me than you can possibly know.


Hear a Son’s Heart – Building on a Foundation

“And I could go on and on.. . The lessons I've learned.. . All the many things I'm thankful for.. . All the many times we've laughed.. . The many times we've cried out to God together. I am proud, and will always be proud, to be called your son. There is so much more I'd like to be able to say… but some things words just can't express. I love you Dad, and I thank God so much for everything you are, have been, and will be. I pray He will give me grace to build on the foundation you have so painstakingly laid.”


The Patriarch

More noble than the valiant deeds of shining knights of yore,More powerful than earthly plights that make the rich man poor,More kingly than a royal throne or a lion with his pride,Is he whose babes sleep well at night sure Daddy will provide.


The Patriarch (continued)

There is a spirit in this land and Jezebel’s her name.She’s calling you to leave your home for power, fun, and fame.She wants your wife, your children too — she’ll never compromise,Until your house is torn in two by listening to her lies.



But though a hundred thousand million men may fall prey to her lures,And wives en masse leave home in search of “more fulfilling” chores,Though preachers praise, and friends embrace, her pagan plan of death,Stand strong and quit you like a man with every blessed breath.

Stand strong and rise, O man of God, to meet this noble call,The battle is not new you see, it’s been here since the Fall.



Your wife is your helpmeet, my friend, and not another man’s,So care for her and keep her far from Mistress Jezi’s plans.Protect, provide, and give to her your undivided life,This is the dear one of your youth, your precious bride, your wife.



And rally to those tiny ones who trust you for their care —A lifetime spent discipling them’s a lifetime pure and rare.For when they put their hand in yours and know a Daddy’s love,You’re showing them a picture of the Father from above.



Look not toward worldly goal or gain, or for your liberty,Look only into their sweet eyes to find your ministry.Devote your heart and sacrifice and make your manly mark —There is none so great as he who finds his call as patriarch.

– Doug Phillips


Psalm 128

I am blessed as I fear the Lord; as I walk in His ways.

I shall eat the labor of my hands; I will rejoice and it will be well with me.


Psalm 128

My wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the side of my house. My children are like olive plants round about my table.


Psalm 128

Behold, this is the life and blessing to all men that fear Jehovah.

Jehovah shall bless me out of Zion: and I shall seek and see the good of my CITY all the days of my life.


Psalm 128

Yea, and I shall see my children’s children, and peace upon my nation.

pastor robert rohlin, 2009 1 proverbs 24 – the main thing! “the main thing is to make the main...

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