Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / Lady Wisdom and Madam Folly
Transcript
- 0:00Psalm 100 in the Scottish Psalter on page 362, singing to the tune Old 100th.
- 0:11All people that on earth do dwell sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
- 0:16Him said with mirth his praise foretell, come ye before him and rejoice.
- 0:22And that call in the first line of the psalm is still very relevant to our day and always will be.
- 0:30While the heaven and earth remains.
- 0:33Because all people, all human beings are called to come to the Lord, to know the Lord, to worship the Lord, to sing his praises.
- 0:43That's why we evangelize.
- 0:46So that people will come to be drawn into fellowship of God himself.
- 0:52All people that on earth do dwell sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
- 0:56We stand as usual to sing.
- 1:00All people that on earth do dwell sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
- 1:20In serf with mirth his praise foretell, come ye before him and rejoice.
- 1:37Know that the Lord is God indeed.
- 1:47We are his law, he doth us be.
- 1:49We are his law, he doth us be.
- 2:07And for his sheep, he doth us be.
- 2:17O enter then his gates with praise.
- 2:27Praise God and bless his name always.
- 2:29Praise God and bless his name always.
- 2:45His mercy is forever.
- 2:52For it is seemingly so to do.
- 2:55For it is seemingly so to do.
- 2:56For it is seemingly so to do.
- 2:57For why the Lord our God is good.
- 3:05His mercy is forever sure, His truth that all times firmly stood,
- 3:23and shall promise to each endew.
- 3:36Let's once more join together in prayer and call upon the Lord in prayer.
- 3:42Lord our gracious God, we give thanks that in these words we have been singing,
- 3:50Lord, you have reminded us how seemly, how appropriate it is that we sing praise to you and worship you.
- 3:57You are our Creator, you are the Redeemer of your people, and we owe you that praise.
- 4:03And we pray tonight, Lord, with glad hearts that our praise will be acceptable in your sight.
- 4:10We thank you for the one, the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we address you
- 4:15and through whom we offer you our praise.
- 4:18We thank you for the assurance that we have in your word that our praise is made acceptable to you in him,
- 4:24and for his sake and because of him.
- 4:27Help us, we pray, Lord, to be filled with gratitude and wonder that we have such a position this evening.
- 4:35Grant to us that our use of this building for your worship tonight will prove to be an occasion of blessing to us.
- 4:44We thank you for every blessing we can look back upon as we look back upon our lives,
- 4:50and as we look back upon the history of this congregation and many other congregations we know of,
- 4:56and even the history of your church in the world as we find accounts of that throughout history.
- 5:03We thank you, O Lord, that from the moment that people began to call upon the name of the Lord,
- 5:09and so you owned the people for yourself,
- 5:12a people who in this world were placed to bring honor and glory and praise to your glorious name.
- 5:18And Lord, we thank you tonight that we have come to enter upon the number of such people.
- 5:24And we pray that while we are unworthy of such a great privilege,
- 5:28nevertheless, O Lord, we may know of your worthiness being a stimulating and heart-honoring matter for us to know.
- 5:39Grant, Lord, we pray that as we gather here in your presence, your Holy Spirit will be evident in our midst.
- 5:46And we thank you that through your Spirit you are present with your people.
- 5:51And we give thanks, O Lord, that your Holy Spirit takes your word and makes it effective in the lives of your people.
- 5:59And this, Lord, is our prayer tonight.
- 6:01However much we have known your blessing in the past, or known the work of your Spirit in our hearts previously,
- 6:08however much we have been in the ways of following you perhaps for many years,
- 6:13we confess, Lord, tonight our need of you.
- 6:16We confess that we have a need of a fresh outpouring of your Spirit,
- 6:21so that our hearts will be refreshed, so that we will know, Lord, the benefit of being in your presence,
- 6:27and the benefit of being taken by you as your people,
- 6:32so that we bring honor and glory to your name.
- 6:35Lord, remember us, we pray, as a congregation, and remember us in this week that we've entered upon today.
- 6:42We do pray that you'd bless us in all that we anticipate by way of services of worship and activities in this coming week.
- 6:50We pray for the impending induction at the end of this week.
- 6:56We ask, O Lord, that your blessing will be evident in our midst.
- 7:00And we pray for the Smith family as they come to settle with us.
- 7:05And we pray for Cal Murdo and his ministry here, and for Johan, and for their children.
- 7:11We ask that you would grant to them, O Lord, a sense of your own presence, a sense of the rightness of their being here,
- 7:18through your own leading and through your guidance of them.
- 7:21Remember the congregation in North Uist that valued his ministry so much, O Lord,
- 7:28and that will miss him as they have now relocated to Stornoway.
- 7:32Oh, bless them, we pray.
- 7:34And give them even their time of vacancy to know much refreshment from on high,
- 7:41to know many souls being born again, to know the gospel being blessed amongst them.
- 7:46We ask that you would guide them towards a further ministry in the future.
- 7:51We pray, Lord, tonight for all of our number who are unable to be with us this evening.
- 7:57We think of those who have contracted a COVID infection.
- 8:02Lord, we know that there has been an increase in these past days of COVID infections in our midst.
- 8:09We pray that those who have contracted, and we know ourselves,
- 8:14we pray that they will know your blessing and your healing hand upon them.
- 8:18We pray for each and every family affected thereby, and for all individuals too.
- 8:24Remember, as we pray in our neighborhoods in this community, Lord, continue to provide for us,
- 8:30to watch over us, to give us your protective care,
- 8:33to bless the means that you have given to us with regard to our health, both physical and mental.
- 8:40Remember, too, tonight those who are mourning the passing of loved ones.
- 8:45Every week that goes by, O Lord, we hear of others who have lost loved ones in this congregation and beyond.
- 8:52We do pray tonight, Lord, for your Spirit to console those who are hurting,
- 8:57those who are grieved in their minds and hearts, and those who look to you for strength.
- 9:04We pray that you would give them, Lord, of your Spirit to comfort and to encourage and to console them
- 9:11as they go on missing loved ones now gone.
- 9:14Gracious one, we pray too for those tonight of struggles with their faith,
- 9:20struggles with their place in the world, with meeting other people,
- 9:24different kinds of struggles, O Lord, that we meet with from time to time.
- 9:30Bless those who feel overstressed.
- 9:33We ask that you would give them, Lord, your own strengthening, your own encouragement.
- 9:40We pray for those who suffer from various kinds of addictions.
- 9:45We thank you for the help available, and we pray that that will be blessed to them.
- 9:50To that end, we pray for Road to Recovery, for David as he heads up that work.
- 9:55We pray for the work of the shed.
- 9:57We ask that all who work there will be blessed.
- 10:01We pray for safe families as they begin, Lord, here in our own locality.
- 10:07And we ask that you would graciously bless them as they seek to enter in upon the work further here
- 10:14that they have already engaged in in so many places in the mainland.
- 10:19Grant them your blessing, we pray, and encourage them, and all who are in leadership of them.
- 10:24We, too, ask for your blessing, Lord, for our own local provisions in our schools, in the health board, in our hospital, in our hospice, and in health services.
- 10:37Lord, grant them, we pray, your blessing, your ongoing provision for them.
- 10:42Lord, make us thankful for these means that you have provided us with in your goodness.
- 10:48And grant to us, O Lord, that we may truly value them, and that we may know the blessing of the Lord upon them.
- 10:55Bless our children, we pray at this time.
- 10:58Continue to bless them as they come to the end of their session in Sunday School and tweenies.
- 11:03And grant, Lord, that all that they have learned and all that we were given evidence of today at the prize giving.
- 11:12O Lord, God bless these young lives, we pray.
- 11:15And as we think later tonight, O Lord, of the message of your word, that shows so clearly that we as adults and children
- 11:22are pulled in two directions through the powers of the world and also the call of the gospel.
- 11:30Lord, may our young people know of your Holy Spirit uniting them to Christ and giving them to be rooted and grounded in him.
- 11:38And so to be able to resist all the temptations that seek to call them away from him.
- 11:44Graciously then, bless us, we pray, and bless the world in which we live, our own nation, and all the trials and difficulties that we find.
- 11:52O Lord, as we bring these things to you in prayer, so we pray for our governments, for those in authority,
- 11:59for those who have to exercise law and order, for those, Lord, who are facing different social problems as they deal with people on an ongoing basis.
- 12:09And we pray for those today, O Lord, who may have heard that they're losing their work.
- 12:15We ask for the unemployed, that you'd bless them, bless those facing crisis in their families through lack of income.
- 12:23Especially, Lord, in these days when so much is curtailed by way of income, and when the cost of living, O Lord, has increased so much.
- 12:32We pray for those facing these problems.
- 12:36And we ask that you would help us to demonstrate our love for them, and enable us, we pray, to be of whatever support we can for them.
- 12:44And so, Lord, we ask now that you'd continue to bless us here.
- 12:48Hear this our prayer and pardon us our sins and accept us freely for Jesus' sake. Amen.
- 12:56Now, our next psalm of praise is Psalm 62.
- 13:01I will sing Psalm 62 in the Sing Psalms version.
- 13:04That's on page 80, singing verses 5 to 12, and the tune this time is Herongate.
- 13:11Now, Psalm 62 from verse 5,
- 13:16And we'll sing on to the end of the psalm.
- 13:39Find rest, my soul, in God alone.
- 13:44Find rest, my soul, in God alone.
- 13:48Find rest, my soul, in God alone.
- 13:57In heaven, my hope is ever sure.
- 14:06My city fortress, sheltering road.
- 14:16In heaven alone I am Savior.
- 14:25My honor and salvation rest.
- 14:35On God my love and mighty heart.
- 14:45O people, trust in Him always.
- 14:55To Him alone, Lord, I am Savior.
- 15:04The low-born man is but a breath.
- 15:14The high-born man is but a light.
- 15:24Within a balance, side by side.
- 15:34They come to nothing but a sight.
- 15:43Do not speak after wealth by force.
- 15:53Or triumphant, their God in King.
- 16:02And even know your good in peace.
- 16:12Set not your heart on what is vain.
- 16:21My God has hope, and I have heard,
- 16:31That you are strong and loving, Lord,
- 16:40Each one according to his deeds.
- 16:50You will assure and be reward.
- 17:00Amen.
- 17:03Let's turn to read God's word now.
- 17:05We'll find that this evening in the Old Testament.
- 17:08And it's in the book of Proverbs and chapter 9.
- 17:12Chapter 9 of the book of Proverbs.
- 17:19We'll read through the whole of the chapter.
- 17:21Wisdom has built her house.
- 17:26She has shewn her seven pillars.
- 17:29She has slaughtered her beasts.
- 17:31She has mixed her wine.
- 17:32She has also set her table.
- 17:34She has sent out her young women to call
- 17:37From the highest places in the town.
- 17:39Whoever is simple, let him turn in here
- 17:42To him who lacks sense, she says,
- 17:44Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
- 17:48Leave your simple ways and live,
- 17:50And walk in the way of insight.
- 17:53Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse.
- 17:56And he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
- 18:00Do not reprove a scoffer or he will hate you.
- 18:03Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
- 18:05Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser.
- 18:09Teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.
- 18:13The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
- 18:16And the knowledge of the Holy One is inside.
- 18:19For by me your days will be multiplied,
- 18:23And years will be added to your life.
- 18:26If you are wise, you are wise for yourself.
- 18:29If you scoff, you alone will bear it.
- 18:32The woman folly is loud.
- 18:34She is seductive and knows nothing.
- 18:37She sits at the door of her house.
- 18:39She takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
- 18:42Calling to those who pass by,
- 18:45Who are going straight on their way.
- 18:48Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.
- 18:50And to him who lacks sense, she says,
- 18:53Stolen water is sweet,
- 18:55And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
- 18:58But he does not know that the dead are there,
- 19:01And that our guests are in the depths of Sheol.
- 19:06Amen.
- 19:07May the Lord bless to us,
- 19:09Reading that portion of his word,
- 19:11To his own praise.
- 19:13We are going to praise him once again,
- 19:15Before we turn to this passage.
- 19:16And it's Psalm 106,
- 19:23On page 378.
- 19:25Psalm 106,
- 19:30Page 378,
- 19:31Singing verses 1 to 5.
- 19:34Give praise and thanks unto the Lord,
- 19:36For bountiful is he,
- 19:38His tender mercy doth endure unto eternity.
- 19:42So on through to verse 5,
- 19:45That I thy chosen's good may see,
- 19:47And in their joy rejoice,
- 19:49And may with thine inheritance
- 19:51Triumph with cheerful voice.
- 19:54The Psalm is concerned,
- 19:56To be found and to be known,
- 19:57Among God's people,
- 19:59So that through the remembrance of the Lord,
- 20:03With the love that he shows to his people,
- 20:05He will visit him with his salvation.
- 20:08So that he will see,
- 20:09The good of God's chosen people,
- 20:11And rejoice in their joy.
- 20:13And may that be our prayer,
- 20:16As we sing these words of the Psalm.
- 20:18Give praise and thanks.
- 20:20The tune is Bedford,
- 20:21Give praise and thanks unto the Lord.
- 20:23Give praise and thanks unto the Lord,
- 20:26For bountiful is he,
- 20:28His tender mercy doth endure unto the Lord.
- 20:30Give praise and thanks unto the Lord,
- 20:31Give praise and thanks unto the Lord,
- 20:35For bountiful is he,
- 20:37For bountiful is he,
- 20:43His tender mercy doth endure unto eternity.
- 20:48God's mighty words,
- 20:50Who can express all the glory of God,
- 20:52For bountiful is he,
- 20:53His tender mercy doth endure unto eternity.
- 20:58God's mighty words,
- 21:08Who can express,
- 21:13Or show forth all his praise.
- 21:20Blessed are they,
- 21:23Blessed are they,
- 21:25That judgment keep,
- 21:29And justly do always.
- 21:37Remember me,
- 21:39Remember me,
- 21:42Lord,
- 21:43With that love,
- 21:46Which thou to thy
- 21:51Thou art thou hast bear,
- 21:54With thy salvation,
- 22:00O my God,
- 22:04To visit me,
- 22:09That I draw near,
- 22:11That I thy chosen's good may see,
- 22:21And in their joy rejoice,
- 22:29And may with thine inheritance,
- 22:38Try on with cheerful voice.
- 22:49Now if you turn with me please to Proverbs chapter 9.
- 22:53I'd like to try and cover the teaching of this chapter this evening,
- 22:58which we've entitled Lady Wisdom and Madam Folly.
- 23:05If you imagine tonight receiving an invitation to two wedding receptions,
- 23:12That were actually going to be held on the same day,
- 23:16On the same occasion.
- 23:18You might have a bit of difficulty juggling as to which of these you would actually choose to go to.
- 23:24And of course you'd be taking lots of things into consideration.
- 23:28You wouldn't want to offend either party,
- 23:31And you would want to actually try and make a choice on what you see are the best options.
- 23:37Well, if you look at this chapter tonight in some sort of way like that,
- 23:41Think of it as an invitation to two wedding receptions at the same time.
- 23:47You can see one has been from what we've called Lady Wisdom.
- 23:53Wisdom has built her house all the way through to verse 12.
- 23:57And the second one is from Madam Folly or Madam Foolishness,
- 24:02Who also sends out her invitation for you to reject Lady Wisdom's invitation,
- 24:08And to choose instead that you come to the reception that she, Madam Folly, has actually laid out for you.
- 24:17Now, of course, in the ordinary sense, it's not desperately important which of the wedding receptions you would choose ordinarily.
- 24:25But it is when you think of these two invitations in this chapter.
- 24:31Because one obviously leads to what is called here life, instruction, and all that's associated with that.
- 24:40The other really leads to death and ultimately to lostness.
- 24:48And wisdom in Proverbs is frequently mentioned, as you know, it's one of the chief topics with which the book of Proverbs deals.
- 24:57And wisdom in the book of Proverbs is not something just confined to someone that has natural insight.
- 25:07Wisdom is very much part of what it means to know God and to accept the ways of God as against any other way.
- 25:16You can see that really from verse 10 here, where wisdom begins, or you might even take it as the foundation of wisdom being the fear of the Lord.
- 25:26And we mentioned the fear of the Lord in a study some time ago, not very long ago,
- 25:31where we mentioned that, saw that the fear of the Lord has to do with the awe and the reverence and the love and the respect that we owe to God.
- 25:41And it used to be the case, though not so much nowadays, I'm sure, that those who followed the Lord,
- 25:48Christians who actually valued and respected and followed the ways of the Lord, would be known as God-fearing.
- 25:55God-fearing was a very honorable and still is a very honorable term.
- 26:00Although it's out of fashion and although it appears to the world to be very negative,
- 26:05something that you wouldn't want to be labeled with in the Bible,
- 26:09it's a huge, huge honor to be known as one of those who fears the Lord.
- 26:15Because God-fearing people are people who respect and follow the ways of the Lord through the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 26:26So Proverbs, as it deals with wisdom, it sets out wisdom and foolishness by way of personifying them as two women.
- 26:36Two women who are calling people as they pass by their respective homes, calling them to come and partake of their banquet.
- 26:45They have made a preparation, they've set up a banquet, and each wants people who are passing by to come and take of their banquet rather than the other one.
- 26:55And as we'll see tonight, the woman wisdom is a very elegant and beautiful woman, whereas the woman folly or foolishness is very ugly and has, is associated with, everything that's ugly in life.
- 27:13And it's a way in which the book of Proverbs, as one of the wisdom books in the Old Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, these are lumped together as the wisdom books.
- 27:26Although wisdom runs through all of the books of the Bible, of course.
- 27:30But the wisdom books are particularly to do with teaching wisdom, teaching this fear of the Lord, teaching why it's important, teaching why, what it leads to,
- 27:40teaching various aspects of that fear of the Lord.
- 27:45And so here as we come to these two alternatives, you like, we have, as we say, the elegant woman, wisdom, and the ugly, dark woman, foolishness, folly, the opposite of wisdom.
- 27:58The alternative life to a life of obedience to God.
- 28:03And as you see that you can actually trace all of this right into the New Testament.
- 28:08Of course, it's pretty much the same, almost exactly, as Paul is saying when he wrote to the Corinthians, where he talks about Christ, the wisdom, and the power of God.
- 28:18And where you have the same competition between that which is against God and that which is on God's side.
- 28:25You remember how Paul there said the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are saved, being saved, it is the power of God.
- 28:36And as he went on through there, you remember, he said that the Greeks seek after wisdom, the Jews demand signs, and the Greeks seek for wisdom.
- 28:46But we preach Christ crucified, stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Gentiles.
- 28:53But to those who are called both Jews and Greeks, that's an important emphasis.
- 28:59He says, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
- 29:06Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
- 29:10Where do you see the wisdom of God?
- 29:13Where do you see the things that this lady wisdom sets out in Proverbs 9?
- 29:17Where do you see them most clearly of all?
- 29:19You see them in God in Christ.
- 29:22You see them in the person of Jesus, in the work of Jesus, in the death and resurrection of Jesus,
- 29:27and everything that you find in the New Testament and in the Gospel emphasis that here is the Saviour, here is the wisdom of which the book of Proverbs so frequently spoke.
- 29:37Wisdom of salvation, the wisdom of knowing God.
- 29:42So let's look at these two invitations.
- 29:45First of all, Lady Wisdom's reception, verses 1 to 6.
- 29:50And then you'll find what's on the menu and the invitations themselves.
- 29:55Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars, she has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine,
- 30:02she has set out her tables, she has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town.
- 30:07Whoever is simple, let him turn in here to him who lacks sense.
- 30:11She says, come and eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
- 30:15Leave your simple ways and live and walk in the ways of insight.
- 30:20You can see the description of her house.
- 30:22It's a house that's really grand.
- 30:25It's a mansion.
- 30:26It has all of these pillars.
- 30:27Some people think that it actually represents the temple.
- 30:30But in any case, it's a very grand edifice.
- 30:33And that really is in keeping with the topic of wisdom itself, because wisdom is such a grand thing.
- 30:40Wisdom is such a beautiful thing.
- 30:42Wisdom is such a great thing.
- 30:44And it becomes the emphasis on wisdom that Lady Wisdom has actually prepared such a magnificent place in which her reception is actually being held.
- 30:56And of course, that illustrates for us the grandeur of God's salvation.
- 31:02The grandeur of the wisdom that is in Christ, as we saw Paul writing to the Corinthians about it.
- 31:08There is no wisdom but that wisdom in Christ that's worth speaking about.
- 31:13The grandeur of that wisdom, the beauty of that wisdom, the greatness of that wisdom in contrast with the wisdom of the world.
- 31:21The Bible is presenting it to us in a way that shows that all the representations of it in the Bible are fitting of the topic itself.
- 31:31And what's on the menu in Lady Wisdom's house?
- 31:37Well, she has a banquet.
- 31:39She has slaughtered her beast.
- 31:41She has mixed her wine.
- 31:42She has carefully set her table.
- 31:44And she sent out her young women with the invitation to call people to come to that reception.
- 31:50In other words, it is very much to do with the best possible food, with the finest of ingredients, with the finest of dishes.
- 31:58Everything that's set on the table just speaks of sustenance and substance and beauty.
- 32:08And the Bible very often describes the salvation that God has provided for us in Jesus as a grand banquet.
- 32:19And that everything we find set out in Jesus for us is, spiritually speaking, the finest possible spiritual food.
- 32:28Let me just remind you of one of these passages in Isaiah's prophecy.
- 32:33If you find it, Isaiah 25.
- 32:36Isaiah 25 speaks about this banquet that God has provided.
- 32:41Looking ahead in Isaiah's day to the days of the Gospel.
- 32:44And looking ahead to the way in which God's provision there would be so rich and so full and so meaningful in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 32:53It's Isaiah 25, verses 6-8.
- 32:58Here is how Isaiah described it for those of his own day in a prophetic way.
- 33:05On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food.
- 33:12A feast of well-aged wine.
- 33:14Of rich food full of marrow.
- 33:16Of aged wild wine well refined.
- 33:20And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples.
- 33:25The veil that is spread over all nations.
- 33:28He will swallow up death forever.
- 33:30And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.
- 33:35And you can see how the description spread into the emphasis there on spiritual life.
- 33:42The life that is so full of beautiful spiritual life.
- 33:46Represented by the best possible banquet.
- 33:49Here is what the Lord is going to prepare.
- 33:51And here is what is on the Gospel table for us tonight.
- 33:55Here is what God is saying, I have prepared for you.
- 33:58I've prepared it for all people.
- 33:59It is an open invitation that is given.
- 34:01Lady Wisdom has set forth her servant.
- 34:04She is calling you and she is calling me to this great banquet tonight.
- 34:09So that you and I will partake of this great feast.
- 34:12And if you just imagine for a moment.
- 34:17It is not really imagination.
- 34:18It is fact.
- 34:20But just think for a moment.
- 34:22At the preparation of this great banquet.
- 34:25Lady Wisdom, even from these few words in chapter 9 of Proverbs, you can see she has gone to great expense and great detail and great outlay in providing this banquet for those that she is inviting.
- 34:38Now how much more is it the case that that when it represents salvation in Christ, how much more is the reality in Jesus himself?
- 34:47Think of what it took to prepare this Gospel table, this Gospel banquet for the likes of you and me.
- 34:53How did the Lord set about preparing it?
- 34:55How was it actually provided for us?
- 35:01What did it take to provide this Gospel banquet for you and for me?
- 35:07Well, you know the answer to that, I'm sure, already.
- 35:10It actually took nothing less than the price of Christ's life.
- 35:17He laid down his life.
- 35:19He died the death of the cross.
- 35:21He rose again from the dead.
- 35:23All of that, step by step, is God preparing this wonderful banquet in the Gospel for us, in his salvation for us.
- 35:33And all of these wonderful steps are God setting out his table and saying,
- 35:38Here, that's it now finished.
- 35:40All the food is fully prepared.
- 35:42It's laid out on the table for you.
- 35:45And here is Lady Wisdom saying,
- 35:47Come and partake of this feast.
- 35:51Take up the invitation,
- 35:53because it's an invitation to the very best that God himself could provide.
- 36:00Now, God, tonight, expects that you and I will send in our RSVP.
- 36:07And there's no date on it, because he expects you to do it immediately.
- 36:13Whenever you hear the Gospel call inviting you to life in Jesus Christ,
- 36:21to know the Savior as your own Savior, God doesn't say,
- 36:25respond to me by next week or by next month or by such and such a date.
- 36:30He says,
- 36:31This now is the day of salvation.
- 36:34Today, if you hear his voice, don't harden your heart.
- 36:39Don't actually send in your RSVP now by way of saying,
- 36:44Well, I'll leave it for the moment.
- 36:46Because remember, leaving it for the moment is really the same thing as refusal.
- 36:52That's what it amounts to.
- 36:55And here is Lady Wisdom.
- 36:57Here is the Lord.
- 36:58The Lord, through what he has done,
- 37:00preparing this wonderful banquet in the Lord Jesus Christ for us,
- 37:04the salvation that's in him.
- 37:06He's actually saying, Turn in here.
- 37:09She says here, Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.
- 37:12Now, that doesn't mean somebody who is really of a low intellectual capacity.
- 37:18Simple in the use of it here in the book of Proverbs actually means,
- 37:23it's got the idea behind the word of someone who needs to be taught,
- 37:28who has a mind that requires instruction.
- 37:31And you can see how that in the book of Proverbs,
- 37:34in the first few chapters at least,
- 37:36you find, Hear my son, the instruction of a father.
- 37:40My son, my son, my son.
- 37:41It's a father instructing the child and teaching wisdom to the child.
- 37:45Well, here is the word simple really behind it, as we say,
- 37:49has the idea of a mind that needs instruction.
- 37:52But you see, a mind that needs instruction can be led and can be misled,
- 37:58can be led in one direction or in the other direction,
- 38:02can be led in the way of accepting Lady Wisdom's invitation,
- 38:08or else alternatively and sadly and devastatingly and destructively,
- 38:14accepting Madam Folly's invitation.
- 38:17You know these two voices for yourself.
- 38:21We're all familiar with them, I'm sure.
- 38:24Whenever we hear the gospel message,
- 38:27there's also something else there in our hearts and our minds that says,
- 38:31you don't need to do it just now.
- 38:33That's Madam Folly calling and inviting you to listen to her side of it
- 38:38and to accept her view of things
- 38:40and for the moment not to comply with the voice of Lady Wisdom.
- 38:46And that's why both wisdom and foolishness are represented here as two women,
- 38:53each of them calling to those who are passing by.
- 38:57You know this I think is very relevant indeed to us all,
- 39:02but relevant particularly in our day to our young people and to our children.
- 39:07Because this is exactly what they're facing.
- 39:09And that's why we're so thrilled this morning to see all of these youngsters
- 39:14from creche right through to Bible class coming to the prize giving.
- 39:19And what a wonderful thrilling occasion that was.
- 39:22But really what is behind, what's in our minds as we see that,
- 39:26is not just rejoicing at the number that do come to Sunday School
- 39:30and to these other activities and so on.
- 39:33We also are very much aware that what we're doing
- 39:36is seeking to set them in the way of accepting Lady Wisdom's invitation.
- 39:42Because out there they're facing the invitation on the voice of Madame Folly.
- 39:49And it's there in our society, it's there even in our school setup,
- 39:54where even from government recommendations,
- 39:59we find elements in the teaching throughout the curriculum in our land
- 40:05that is really at odds with the Bible.
- 40:07And you'll find not just in terms of spiritual, moral education,
- 40:12but also in terms of what sort of lifestyle people ought to live,
- 40:16people ought to choose.
- 40:18Questions that really are set in young people's minds
- 40:21that ought never to be there at that early stage.
- 40:26That's Madame Folly's attempt to draw young people away from the truth,
- 40:34from the Lord, from the House of Wisdom, from the banquet of salvation.
- 40:40And it's a privilege and it's our duty as a church,
- 40:44but also of course in our homes and our families,
- 40:47to actually set out these alternatives clearly for our young people,
- 40:51which is what we try to do.
- 40:53As we try and say to them, look, here's the voice of Jesus,
- 40:56here's the voice of God, here's the invitation of God to come
- 41:00and accept what He lovingly and meaningfully and patiently is setting out for us in the Gospel.
- 41:09But we teach them too that there's another voice in the world,
- 41:13there's another voice you'll hear, there's another power at work that will try and ridicule these things,
- 41:20that will try and say to you, no, don't go down that route.
- 41:25Don't listen to that voice.
- 41:27Instead, take the route of Madame Folly.
- 41:32Take the route of worldliness, of sin, of putting God aside and putting Him out of your life.
- 41:40And it's so relevant that in the voice of the Gospel and truth on one side,
- 41:46there's also the voice of sin and death on the other side.
- 41:49Friends, let's never forget our children need our prayers daily
- 41:55so as to face these issues with the teaching of their Bible in their hearts,
- 42:01with the voice of Lady Wisdom completely outdoing and drumming out the voice of Madame Folly.
- 42:11And we pray that you who have young families and who bring so faithfully your young families to church,
- 42:19to listen to the Gospel, to be part of the worship of God,
- 42:22we pray that your dedication and your commitment of the children to the teaching of the Gospel,
- 42:31the teaching of the church, the teaching of the Bible,
- 42:34that it will be blessed by God that your young children will grow up in the way that you want them to grow up,
- 42:40following the ways of the Lord, the ways of Lady Wisdom, not of Madame Folly.
- 42:46So here is Lady Wisdom's reception. All the way through there to verse 12, you have her invitation,
- 42:54you have some things that she specifies in terms of wise living.
- 43:00And when you turn to Madame Folly's reception from verse 13 to the end of the chapter,
- 43:06you find some similarities, some things indeed which are identical interestingly enough,
- 43:13but you'll also find things which are very, very different, indeed opposite to what you find in the invitations and the setup of Lady Wisdom.
- 43:23First of all, the hostess herself. The woman, Folly, is loud. She is seductive and knows nothing.
- 43:35You see, she's such an opposite person to Lady Wisdom because what you find is that her emphasis is on the ways of sin, the ways of darkness,
- 43:45the ways of ignoring the voice of Lady Wisdom.
- 43:49And you go through the book of Proverbs and you find chapters like chapter 7, for example,
- 43:54the words of the book of Proverbs and the Bible.
- 43:56And as we often say and see as we go into passages of the Old Testament,
- 44:00they're absolutely up to date for the day we live in, for the things we're facing, for the situation our children are facing as well.
- 44:08And as you go through chapter 7 there, you can see from verse 4 how the warnings that are set out there.
- 44:18And then from verse 10, the woman meets him, this ugly Madam Folly.
- 44:24She meets him dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
- 44:30She's loud and wayward.
- 44:32Her feet do not stay at home.
- 44:34Now in the street, now in the market.
- 44:36At every corner she lies in wait.
- 44:38She seizes him and kisses him.
- 44:40And with a bold face she says to him,
- 44:42I had to offer sacrifice. Today I've paid my vows.
- 44:45Now I've come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly.
- 44:48And I found you.
- 44:49And I've spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen.
- 44:53I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
- 44:57Come, let us take out fill of love till morning.
- 45:00Let us delight ourselves in love.
- 45:02For my husband is not at home.
- 45:04He has gone on a long journey.
- 45:06He took a bag of money with him.
- 45:08At full moon he will come.
- 45:09In other words, he's away for a long time.
- 45:12And with much seductive speech she persuades him.
- 45:16With her smooth talk she compels him.
- 45:20While you and I are in church here tonight,
- 45:23there are thousands of our fellow human beings of all age groups,
- 45:28embroiled and enmeshed in the seductive ways of Madam Folly.
- 45:35Enmeshed in her tentacles, in her net.
- 45:39They have listened to her voice.
- 45:42They have followed her advice.
- 45:44They have taken up her ways.
- 45:46And in the practices of so many sadly in our land,
- 45:54the sinful leanings of our hearts have capitulated to the voice of Madam Folly.
- 46:03You see, having a worldly good time, we all know what that is.
- 46:12Some of us perhaps, thankfully, have never been part of that ever in our lives,
- 46:18but most of us have been.
- 46:20And we thought that having a good time was the way to live.
- 46:24Having a good time in the ways of the world, in the sinful practices of the world.
- 46:30We thought that that was the best way we could possibly live.
- 46:33And we listened to the voice that said to us,
- 46:35Oh, don't go with these religious people.
- 46:37Don't actually go to be involved in church attendance and listening to the gospel,
- 46:43and the kind of preaching that sets out the ways of sin and the ways of death and the ways of salvation,
- 46:49and all of these things that really people nowadays don't want to hear.
- 46:52That's the voice that says to you, Don't go down that route.
- 46:55Don't listen to these people.
- 46:59But you know, friends, having a good time in worldly terms is really just a covering for spiritual emptiness.
- 47:09Covering for spiritual emptiness.
- 47:13Look at the people tonight that are involved in having a good time in a worldly sense,
- 47:21whether it's on a stage, whether it's at a concert, whether it's at any of these sort of activities,
- 47:28whether it could be Glastonbury or something smaller than that, ways of the world.
- 47:32There are many other ways that you could mention along with that.
- 47:35I'm not confining by any means to that, or just picking out these deliberately.
- 47:40They're just examples.
- 47:42But all of these people who are living for the world and following the ways of Madame Folly,
- 47:47what are they trying to do?
- 47:49They're trying to get something into their hearts that will satisfy.
- 47:52Something that will meet our deepest human needs.
- 47:56Something that will last for us.
- 47:59Something that will really build us up and give us a buzz
- 48:03against all the negative things that we come across in life.
- 48:06And the Bible is telling us they might give you a buzz in a certain sinful sense.
- 48:12There are such things, as the Bible says, as the pleasures of sin.
- 48:16They're the things which Moses refused, but they're described in Hebrews,
- 48:20and in chapter 11 of Hebrews, as Moses refused them and chose instead to suffer affliction with the people of God,
- 48:27rather than the short-lived pleasures of sin.
- 48:31You might have a whole lifetime of the pleasures of sin under the seductive ways of Madame Folly.
- 48:40But that's the end of them.
- 48:43They're short-lived.
- 48:45And eternity is long without end.
- 48:50And there is no way back beyond the grave.
- 48:55There's no opportunity to relive your life.
- 48:59You can't come back and say,
- 49:01well, I made a mistake the first time, but now I know better.
- 49:05What the Bible is saying to you is, you know better now.
- 49:08And what the Word of God is saying to us all is,
- 49:12here is wisdom.
- 49:14And here is Madame Folly trying to drown out the voice of Lady Wisdom.
- 49:19And as she cries out, this is the invitation that he's setting out.
- 49:25And you notice how she sits at the door of her house.
- 49:29She takes a seat on the highest places of the town.
- 49:33And you see that is the same exactly as what you find in verse 3.
- 49:37She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town.
- 49:42I don't think that just means the highest, you know, in terms of natural height.
- 49:49It also means surely in terms of influence.
- 49:52And the fact of the matter is, as you well know, in our society today,
- 49:56invitations from Madame Folly are sent out from the highest positions in the land.
- 50:03Because some of those in the highest places in the land, in our political system, in our government,
- 50:10are actually already capitulated long ago to the voice of Madame Folly.
- 50:15And are recommending the ways of Madame Folly to us and to our children.
- 50:20From the highest places.
- 50:23She takes a seat in the highest places of the town.
- 50:27Calling to those who pass by,
- 50:29Turn in here and take of my banquet.
- 50:33A sad, sad situation.
- 50:37A sad situation for Scotland, for our land.
- 50:42That really had such a magnificent impact from the Reformation all of these centuries ago.
- 50:52But you know, the gospel of the Reformation is still our gospel.
- 50:57The truth of the Reformation is still our truth.
- 51:00And that's what we seek to have as an offset to the ways of Madame Folly.
- 51:07But what a sad spectacle it is.
- 51:10That so many, even in the highest places, are following and recommending the banquet of Madame Folly.
- 51:19And sadly, many are listening and accepting the invitation.
- 51:23Pray for our government.
- 51:25Pray for those in places of authority and influence.
- 51:30Pray for Christians amongst those who represent us in Parliament and in the Scottish Parliament.
- 51:37Pray for those who are struggling to present the Christian view.
- 51:41We often find them criticized.
- 51:43We often find that they're singled out for criticism.
- 51:45When something happens and maybe they have a difficulty of really not complying or having a collective responsibility in government, as often is the case.
- 51:58Pray for those Christians in government.
- 52:00Pray for those who have made it known openly that they are the Lord's.
- 52:04They have an exceedingly difficult task nowadays.
- 52:07They are facing the seductive ways of Madame Folly.
- 52:11They are facing those who have long since capitulated to Madame Folly and have influence in our land.
- 52:16And they are giving such a wide place to pressure groups that actually set out immoral ways of life that they recommend to our people.
- 52:31And this is what Madame Folly is saying.
- 52:34What's on the menu with Madame Folly?
- 52:37Well, as we saw in chapter 7.
- 52:39She says here in chapter 9,
- 52:42Turn in here.
- 52:43Stolen water is sweet.
- 52:45Bread eaten and secret is pleasant.
- 52:47Chapter 7.
- 52:48I don't need to read it again.
- 52:50It's very graphic.
- 52:51The Bible doesn't actually hide the things which really need to be stressed.
- 52:55It doesn't pull any punches.
- 52:57It sets things out as they are.
- 53:00These are the ways of the world.
- 53:02These are the ways of sin.
- 53:04These are the ways of debauchery.
- 53:06These are the ways of a lifestyle that is at odds with the ways of God and with the ways of wisdom.
- 53:13Adultery.
- 53:14Sexual immorality.
- 53:16All of the things that are associated with that and related issues.
- 53:21Human life.
- 53:23The life of the unborn.
- 53:27Those who are vulnerable in society.
- 53:32The pressure brought upon those in medical practices to accept euthanasia.
- 53:40To go down that route that Madame Folly sets out for us as a society.
- 53:46Hence, this is our situation.
- 53:49We have the advantage of the gospel.
- 53:52We have the advantage of knowing the truth.
- 53:55We have the responsibility and the privilege of living that truth.
- 53:59Of saying to people, don't listen to Madame Folly.
- 54:03Come instead and listen to the voice of Lady Wisdom.
- 54:07Come and experience beauty and integrity and moral enhancement.
- 54:14And so that banquet is all about what is wrong.
- 54:20What is sinful.
- 54:22What is impure.
- 54:23And I say to the young people here, especially tonight.
- 54:27Don't fall in with the ways of the world.
- 54:31Look after your life.
- 54:34Look after your moral reputation.
- 54:38Look after what you're doing with your life from day to day.
- 54:43And especially, don't listen to Madame Folly.
- 54:48Don't listen to the voice of foolishness.
- 54:50The voice that tells you it's a wist of time to follow Jesus.
- 54:55And a voice that says, you'd be far better off forgetting all these things about the Bible.
- 55:01You know that voice is not from God.
- 55:04You know that voice is the voice that hates God.
- 55:07The voice of Madame Folly, Madame Foolishness.
- 55:12So here is the great contrast we have in the chapter.
- 55:17And then look how it finishes.
- 55:19Here is Madame Folly.
- 55:21She's described.
- 55:22You can see what's on her table.
- 55:24That sinful lifestyle that's set out there.
- 55:27Unabashedly.
- 55:29Grotesquely.
- 55:30Without shame.
- 55:32And look at how it finishes.
- 55:35Here is somebody who has complied.
- 55:38Who has actually listened to her invitation and goes to take her banquet.
- 55:44And he hears, stolen water is sweet.
- 55:47Bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
- 55:49Nobody knows you're doing these things.
- 55:52But he does not know that the dead are there.
- 55:58And that our guests are in the depths of Sheol or hell or the grave.
- 56:04Different ways of translating that.
- 56:06You see, she's left her guest list has not actually been advertised in the call that she set out in the invitation.
- 56:17She mentioned nothing about the other guests who are coming.
- 56:20But here is the reality of the situation.
- 56:24Here is God telling us to listen to the voice of Madame Folly.
- 56:28She's hidden the fact that her guests are the dead.
- 56:32That doesn't mean the literally dead.
- 56:34It means the spiritually dead.
- 56:37That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
- 56:41He does not know that the dead are there.
- 56:43She didn't tell him beforehand.
- 56:45And sadly many people find out too late.
- 56:48That the guests of Madame Folly are the dead.
- 56:51And you come to realize when you join them.
- 56:55I didn't know about this.
- 56:58But tonight God is telling you.
- 57:01There are two voices.
- 57:04Two invitations.
- 57:06Two receptions.
- 57:08Two banquets.
- 57:10Two women.
- 57:13A woman of beauty.
- 57:16And an ugly woman.
- 57:18A woman of integrity.
- 57:21And a woman of debauchery.
- 57:23And each of them is calling for your obedience.
- 57:28And God is saying to you.
- 57:33Don't be a fool.
- 57:36And turn away from wisdom.
- 57:38Because the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
- 57:46And the knowledge of the Holy One is inside.
- 57:51For by me your days will be multiplied.
- 57:54And years will be added to your life.
- 57:58So tonight we have the two voices.
- 58:01The two banquets.
- 58:03We have a choice to make.
- 58:07And surely there's no doubt which choice you're going to make.
- 58:14And I'm going to make tonight.
- 58:16The way of Jesus.
- 58:18The way of life.
- 58:19The way of sin.
- 58:21The way of death.
- 58:22The door.
- 58:24The door.
- 58:25To worldly happiness.
- 58:27Enters into.
- 58:29A corridor that leads to Sheol.
- 58:32To death.
- 58:33To hell.
- 58:34On the other hand.
- 58:37The door to eternal happiness.
- 58:41Is Jesus himself.
- 58:43I am the door.
- 58:44By me if anyone enters in.
- 58:49He shall find.
- 58:50Life.
- 58:51And may God bless these thoughts to us.
- 58:55Let's pray.
- 58:56Our gracious Father we thank you.
- 59:00That you have highlighted for us in your word.
- 59:04The distinction between life and death.
- 59:06And the two ways that we find described in your word.
- 59:10All the way through your word.
- 59:13Remember oh Lord the way that.
- 59:15You taught people during your days on earth.
- 59:18That there was indeed a broad way that leads to destruction.
- 59:22And the narrow way that leads to life.
- 59:25And few there be that find it.
- 59:27Help us Lord to be among those.
- 59:30Who follow that way to life.
- 59:32And to take pleasure and delight in it.
- 59:35We remember tonight Lord those who are walking in the way of death.
- 59:39Those who are openly in defiance of you and of your word.
- 59:44And also those who know your word.
- 59:47And those who have known the gospel.
- 59:49For many years and yet have not.
- 59:52Capitulated their minds to Jesus.
- 59:55Who have not accepted him fully as their own.
- 59:58Lord bless them tonight if they're here.
- 1:00:01Or any other place where the gospel is proclaimed.
- 1:00:04Lord may it be a time when many are born again.
- 1:00:09And brought into the ways that lead to life.
- 1:00:12Hear us now we pray for Jesus sake.
- 1:00:15Amen.
- 1:00:16Our final singing tonight is from Psalm 31.
- 1:00:21Psalm 31 verses 16 to 20.
- 1:00:25That's on page 37.
- 1:00:27And the tune is Rockingham.
- 1:00:30Page 37 at verse 16.
- 1:00:40Upon your servant shine your face.
- 1:00:42Save me in your unfailing love.
- 1:00:44Lord let me not be put to shame.
- 1:00:46For I have cried to God above.
- 1:00:48But like the wicked suffer shame.
- 1:00:50And silent in the grave abide.
- 1:00:52Suppress the lying lips which speak.
- 1:00:55Against the just with haughty pride.
- 1:00:57Your goodness Lord is very great.
- 1:01:00Prepared for those who fear your name.
- 1:01:02You show your goodness openly.
- 1:01:04To all who your protection claim.
- 1:01:07Your presence hides and shelters them.
- 1:01:10From those who plot to take their life.
- 1:01:12And in your tent you keep them safe.
- 1:01:15From evil tongues that stir up strife.
- 1:01:18These verses in Psalm 31 to God's praise.
- 1:01:21Upon your servant shine your face.
- 1:01:36Save me in your unfailing love.
- 1:01:46For I have cried to God above.
- 1:02:01God above.
- 1:02:02But let the wicked suffer shame.
- 1:02:03But let the wicked suffer shame.
- 1:02:14And silent in the grave abide.
- 1:02:20Thatdiocese coordinёл women page.
- 1:02:21Episode 32
- 1:02:22Philippines 9.
- 1:02:23Le��릴게요
- 1:02:302017
- 1:02:36The just with all divine.
- 1:02:44Your goodness, Lord, is very great.
- 1:02:54Prepared for those who fear your name.
- 1:03:03You show your goodness openly to all who your protection claim.
- 1:03:23Your presence guides and shelters them.
- 1:03:34From those who plowed to take their life.
- 1:03:43And in your tent you keep them safe.
- 1:03:54From evil tongues that stir up stride.
- 1:04:03I'll go to the main door this evening after the benediction just now.
- 1:04:09Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father,
- 1:04:13and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always.
- 1:04:17Amen.
- 1:04:17Amen.
- 1:04:18Amen.
- 1:04:19Amen.
- 1:04:19Amen.
- 1:04:19Amen.
- 1:04:19Amen.
- 1:04:19Amen.
- 1:04:19Amen.
- 1:04:19Amen.
- 1:04:20Amen.
- 1:04:21Amen.
- 1:04:21Amen.
- 1:04:22Amen.
- 1:04:22Amen.
- 1:04:23Amen.
- 1:04:24Amen.
- 1:04:25Amen.
- 1:04:26Amen.
- 1:04:27Amen.
- 1:04:28Amen.
- 1:04:29Amen.
- 1:04:30Amen.
- 1:04:31Amen.
- 1:04:32Amen.
- 1:04:33Amen.
- 1:04:34Amen.
- 1:04:35Amen.
- 1:04:36Amen.
- 1:04:36Amen.
- 1:04:38Amen.
- 1:04:40Amen.
- 1:04:47Amen.
- 1:04:48Amen.
- 1:04:50Amen.
- 1:04:52Amen.
- 1:04:53Amen.
- 1:04:54Amen.
- 1:04:54Amen.
- 1:04:54Amen.