Sunday, June 21

Sunday School – Opening Thoughts – Matt Patches

Subject – Receive Wisdom’s Gifts – Proverbs 8:8-14, 17-21

Conclusion: Nothing compares to wisdom.

Teacher – Gordon Gregory

World view of things – everyone has one.

How do you come to a belief?

Environment and what you hear.

What is real? What is true? What is valuable? What is right?

Everyone must choose.

Proverbs 8:1-5

Wisdom is available to everyone.

We must want wisdom.

We must ask God for it.

Evil is still evil – even when the government passes laws saying it is good.

God’s wisdom is absolute truth.

When we apply ourselves to God’s wisdom – we will recognize His truth.

God’s wisdom is better that riches – It does not compare to silver our gold.

Worldly Wisdom versus God’s Wisdom

Worldly wisdom says self-indulgence, silver, success, and sex are what we need.

God’s Wisdom is submission to God and His will and is better than anything the world offers.

We gain knowledge of God by reading His Word.

Without God’s wisdom we are at risk of being tossed about.

God’s wisdom is strength.

God’s wisdom is promised to those who seek it.

God is always reaching out to those who seek him.

God’s wisdom is the real treasure: It is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, full of good fruits, unwavering and without hypocrisy.

Opening Devotions before the sermon – Dustin Martin

We are called to faithful obedience and are not in a competition with our gifts and talents.

Sermon – Glendon Zook

Prodigal Father – Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32

Six ways The Father in This Story Showed His Love

Love Through Letting Go

There is extreme pain in letting go, but this act gave the son free choice.

Love Provided

Our Heavenly Father also lavishes His love on us – like the father of the prodigal.

Love Shown Through Waiting

Faithful waiting put him in a place where he was prepared for his son’s return.

Love Shown Through Forgiveness

This father had a heart of love and forgiveness.

Love Shown Through Order and Discipline

Each servant knew what was required of them and obeyed the father’s orders.

Lessons for us from this story

Let your children go. Let God mold them.

Provide for your children – physically and spiritually.

Watch and wait for your children. Be available.

Forgive when they mess up.

Maintain order and discipline in your home – not as a tyrant – but lead as a gentle shepherd.

Pursue a healthy relationship with your children and take time to understand them.