Proverbs 31:1–9
[1] The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: [2] What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? [3] Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. [4] It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, [5] lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. [6] Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; [7] let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. [8] Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. [9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. (ESV)
BIG IDEA: Point Power Properly
Personal Power Is not for Personal
[1] The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
[2] What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?
What are you doing, son of my vows?
[3] Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
[4] It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to take strong drink,
[5] lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Public Power Is for Public
[6] Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
[7] let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
[8] Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
[9] Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Spotlight on Christ: Luke 10:29–37:
[29] But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” [30] Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. [31] Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. [32] So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. [34] He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ [36] Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” [37] He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (ESV)
Applications/Uses:
Discussion Questions:
1. What was the big idea of the sermon? Is it faithful to what the text says?
2. What struck you most about the passage as you listened?
3. How does this passage help or motivate us to live for God through Christ?
4. Why isn’t personal power the same as a license for personal pleasure?
5. How do you tend to use your freedoms for excessive personal pleasure?
6. What are some ways you could use your abilities and authority to do good to others that you currently spend on yourself alone?
7. Who are some people in your life who are subject to mistreatment and for whom you could speak up?