As we embrace the theme of Intentional in 2025, I am committing to greater intentionality in my preaching. This includes ensuring every sermon is rooted in Scripture, centered on the gospel, clear in communication, focused on transformation, practical in application, relationally connected, Spirit-led, and guided by an eternal perspective. I invite you to join me in prayer and accountability as we strive together to glorify God and fulfill His Great Commission.
Moving at the speed of obedience isn't about striving or struggling. It's about surrendering to God's timing and purposes. It's about being so in tune with His heart that when He says "go," we go; when He says "speak," we speak; and when He says "wait," we wait.
Christ is making the difference in our hearts at First Baptist Starkville. The Spirit is stirring our affections, leaving us with a desire for more and more of him. Let's continue to plead for his presence. We have yet to see how far he wants to take us or how deep he wants us to go.
March 22, 2024, marks 15 years since my ordination at First Baptist Atlanta. This special occasion marks my first ordination without having my ordaining pastor, the late Charles Stanley, who died in April of 2023. As far as I know, I stand last in a long line of men ordained into the gospel ministry under Dr. Charles Stanley's time at First Baptist.
As strange as it sounds to speak,
Christians say there is an eighth day of the week.
Of course we know our calendar has seven,
But Christians say eight to suggest there is a heaven.
The first day of the week refers to the beginning of something new
But when Christians say eighth we are looking ahead to all that God will do.
A wise warning against alcohol and drunkenness. Those who ask is it right to drink should consider the Proverbs and ask a different question. The Proverbs, again and again, warn about the dangers of beverage alcohol. Ask not, is it right to drink? Ask instead, is it wise to drink? The Proverbs is clear, drinking is a road marker on the pathway of folly. Wisdom calls us to avoid it.
Those closest to us should have the greatest benefit of our pursuing wisdom, especially those God has entrusted to our care – our children. Proverbs is a practical model of Deuteronomy 6 which encourages fathers and mothers to teach their children the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The point of this proverb is to show our children Wisdom’s Pathway and walk with them hand in hand leading them as they encounter the pitfalls and joys along the pathway. Our study of the Proverbs gives us road markers of the way we are to train our children to go.
Our own judgment of ourselves is fraught with a narrowed focus, therefore we need something else to guide our steps other than our own ways. Thus the importance of revelation. Revelation is God’s voice piercing through the darkness saying, “This is the way walk in it.” Further, from verse 9 we also see the importance of redemption. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away all our sins.
The consequences of wisdom are no laughing matter. As these proverbs have expressed so far, keeping your foot firmly planted on Wisdom’s Way leads to life. Slipping off the straight and narrow means doom. I pray you have someone who will not scoff at you but instead will do what verse 25 encourages and correct when needed. The wise will accept correction that encourages walking wisely. The fool will despise such instruction.
Verse 24 ends Proverbs 18 the way we began with a word of comfort for one prone to isolation – there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. For those walking along Wisdom’s Way, you will find Jesus, who himself is Wisdom, to be such a friend. His friendship shows itself in every moment and lasts not for a lifetime, but for forever. What a friend we have in Jesus!
A king must rule from his heart, and his heart must be open to listening to the people (28), slow to anger (29), tranquil and free from evil (30), generous (31), just (32), wise (33), and righteous (34). A king who rules this way will be easily followed. A king like this is the favor we seek. Verse 35, a servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. Jesus is a king matching these descriptors perfectly. Jesus is a king worth following, forever. Those who have his favor will be with him forever. Those not in his favor has his wrath resting upon them, forever. The call of the Proverbs: Be wise and live.
© Timothy Andrew Brown, 2025.
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