Neil Bester

Wisdom for life

• Proverbs focuses on practical wisdom• How to live a good life in God’s world

• Wise God

• Wise words

• Wise ties

WISE TIES Ties to authorities

Wisdom for life• Proverbs speaks to ‘kings’ – those in authority

o Exercise authority by making just decisions (Proverbs 16:10; 25:2; 20:8; 29:14)

o Leaders should be of good upright character(Proverbs 16:12; 25:4-5; 29:4; 31:8-9)

Wisdom for life• Proverbs speaks to followers – those under authority

o Honour and gain favour where appropriate(Proverbs 24:21-22; 16:15; 19:12; 20:2)

o Followers must be wise, excellent at their job, humble, self-controlled and patient(Proverbs 14:35; 16:13; 22:29; 23:1-3; 25:6-7; 25:15)

Authority in God’s Kingdom

1. Authority in God’s Kingdom

Colossians 1:16 NIV

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Authority is God’s idea

1. Authority in God’s Kingdom

How should authority be exercised?•Authority should reflect the Father’s character and heart (Exodus 34:6-7)

•As one who serves (Mark 10:42-45)

Mark 10:42-45 NIVJesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1. Authority in God’s Kingdom

How should authority be exercised?•Authority should reflect the Father’s character and heart (Exodus 34:6-7)

•As one who serves (Mark 10:42-45)

•As one who must give an account (Hebrews 13:17)

Hebrews 13:17 NIV

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Authority and my heart

Hebrews 13:17 NIV

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

2. Authority and my heartHow do I live under authority?

• Prayerfully – there is a higher authority

• Obediently – matters of preference/matters of ethics

• With a respectful and yielded heart (submissively)

• Recognising authorities as God’s provision for you

Authority and my home

3. Authority and my home

• Honour your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12)

Authority and my beyond

4. Authority and my beyond

• How you exercise and respond to authority is part of your testimony

1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Peter 2:13-15 NIV

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

Romans 13:1-2 NIV

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.