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Correction Rev. Scott Strickman Download

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Proverbs

Proverbs 12:1, 18:2, 19:25, 21:11, 29:1 (ESV)
12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.

18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.

19:25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

21:11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

29:1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

Sermon Outline
Discipline and correction are a welcome part of life for the one who wants to become wise.

1. Desire to Learn

12:1 “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

2. Ways to Learn

19:25 “Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.”
21:11 “When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.”

3. The Lesson to Learn

29:1 “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. “
12:1 “whoever loves...” (18:2 “pleasure”)

Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, you bear patiently with us. We confess that we are stiff-necked people. We acknowledge we have been influenced by the scoffer, who taught us to justify ourselves and protect our sin. We have not welcomed your instruction. Instead, we have blamed you for our struggles, and we have failed to admit our part in the consequences of our actions. We are guilty of defensiveness and blame shifting. Ashamed, we recognize our own mocking voices among the scoffers. It was for our sins that Jesus went to the cross. As we turn from sin to you, we ask that you pardon us through him. May your gracious Spirit soften our hearts and sharpen our minds until we have the mind of Christ and the character that follows. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

When are you defensive? What situations or interactions provoke a defensive reaction in you?
What within you do you defend? What are you protecting? What are you aiming for?
Are you “teachable”? What motivates you more, the carrot or the stick (drawn towards learning, or prodded to learn to avoid further pain)?
How can a love for learning and growth, and a desire for wisdom, help frame difficult experiences? Do you believe difficulties can be learning opportunities? Are there situations where one cannot learn or grow?
What makes scoffers effective?
When people bear the consequences of their wrongdoing, how can those observing it gain wisdom? What wrong conclusions might we make as observers?
Why do you imagine a whole crowd was enticed to demand the crucifixion of Jesus? What were they seeing? As the Gospels present that story, what is God showing us?
How can the love of God for us help us come out of cynicism, skepticism, bitterness, fault finding and negativity?