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let reproof bring grace Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Ecclesiastes 7:5-6 March 6th, 2011
INTRODUCTION Mahaney’s story of the business man with cream cheese on the face. We often have cream cheese on our face and we cannot see it.
We need someone to tell us we have a
problem that we cannot see. But he gives three ways that are important to the wise in learning wisdom. He uses “better than” comparisons. 1. The wise let the reality of death instruct them (vv 1-4) 2. The wise let the reproof of others improve them (vv 5-6) 3. The wise let patient hope in God sustain them (vv 7-10)
SUMMARY Ecclesiastes 7:5-6 ESV It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. (6) For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. The Bible and Reproof: (Pro 12:15) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. (Pro 13:10) By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. (Pro 17:10) A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. (Pro 13:13) Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. (Pro 9:8) Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. (Pro 9:9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. (Pro 15:32) Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. (Psa 141:5) Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds. (Pro 27:5) Better is open rebuke than hidden love. (Pro 27:6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. The Gospel and Listening to Reproof: Two reasons we do not like reproof or advice are this: 1) We don’t think we need it, and 2) we are afraid to take the pain of the “criticism” that may be implied. The Cross of Christ helps us with both. Christ went to the Cross because we are horribly infested with sin. This should humble us greatly. And the very cross that speaks criticism to our self as sinners exposed it all and still was the very means of grace, mercy and forgiveness. In fact, in the cross we died. We are dead to our old way and alive to Christ. This is the only way we can handle reproof rightly. We can handle reproof and criticism because we should be humbled enough to know we still need it. We can handle reproof and criticism because we are insulated in the grace of God’s forgiveness and acceptance.
MAIN POINTS 1. Why Should We Listen to Reproof/Advice? (Pro 9:9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. (Pro 15:32) Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. (Psa 141:5) Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
(Pro 13:13) Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. 2. How Should We Listen to Reproof/Advice?
(Pro 12:15) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
(Pro 9:8) Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 3. How Should We Give Reproof/Advice? When you see someone sinning or in a very dangerous direction Don’t gossip – go to them in love
CONCLUSION Confess your pride and folly in this matter. Talk to your spouse or friend – ask them how you are doing. Open yourself up to reproof. Ask God to help you when you hear reproof – to listen and not punish.
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