Cultivating Relationships

Ps., Prov., Ecc.

1 Cor 9:19-23

Intro: Illustr. 478; These three books instruct us on how to cultivate our relationship with God, our neighbor, and ourself.

1. Rel. with God (Ps. 9; poems that are sung to the acc. of stringed instr.; David authored 73)

I Will--choose (Josh. 24:14-15; Dt. 30:15-20); sacrifice (David, 2Sam 24:24)

Praise--def; diff. from petition (Ph’p. 4); Hallowed be Thy Name

Lord--Rev. 22:8&9/Acts 14:11-15

Jer. 9:23&24, know the Lord

2. Rel. with Man (Prov.; Solomon)

The wise listen, Prov. 1:24-33; 14:12

7:6-22, the wanderer

9:7-9, rebuking a wise man (Heb. 12)

11:14, counsel (12:15; 15:22)

13:24, your family

15:1, quarreling

16:7, enemies at peace with you

16:9, devise your way

3. Rel. with Self (Ecc.; Solomon, passing judgment on the true value of wisdom and luxury--who else could?); exposes the emptiness of your life, and points you to God)

2 Chr. 1:7-12/9:22&23, Solomon exceeded all kings in wisdom and riches

Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit...”

1:9&10, been done before

1:16-18, with wisdom comes sorrow; those who equate wisdom with wide knowledge and suppose that one gains wisdom by assiduous book work; earthly wisdom does not satisfy

2:4-11, all is vanity; “things” don’t produce fulfillment and meaning

5:10, riches are vanity (Illustr. 225)

10:10, more wisdom

12:13, a better way, a way of duty, which man can only walk upon if he fears God and keeps His commandments; life is totally profitless without God (1 Cor. 3)

Concl: Illustr. 478. Are you strengthening your relationship with God? Do you have strained relationships with your neighbor? And are you really in touch with yourself?

Ps./Prov./Ecc.

A Balanced Relationship

Just to keep your balance while standing still, you need to work about 300 muscles.

1. Psalms-Verticle (1:3)

Tree planted by water (Jn. 15)

Fruit (Gal. 5:22)

Not wither, Ps. 32:3-4

Prosper, Jn. 10:10

2. Proverbs-Horizontal (1:4)

To Know Wisdom and Instruction

Subtlety (discretion) to the simple

Knowledge and discretion to the young (1 Jn. 2:14)

Until the child’s reason and moral faculties develop to the point of independent operation, the parent must be voice of his or her unborn conscience

11:14, no counsel; 19:11, anger; 18:19, brother offended; 6:27-28, adultery

3. Ecclesiastes-Self (2:11)

Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit...”

Solomon, passing judgment on the true value of wisdom and luxury--who else could?; exposes the emptiness of your life, and points you to God

2:4-11, all is vanity; “things” don’t produce fulfillment and meaning; 5:10, riches are vanity (Illustr. 225) (Chris Evert, “The thrill of victory lasts for about an hour”)

12:13, a better way, a way of duty, which man can only walk upon if he fears God and keeps His commandments; life is totally profitless without God