PREACH THE WORD

PREACH THE WORD OF GOD

Passage - Proverbs 29:18

Compare Translations for Proverbs 29:18

Proverbs 29:18 NIV

Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Proverbs 29:18 KJV

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18 ESV

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Proverbs 29:18 NLT

When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy.

INTRODUCTION

This is a book of wise sayings, for teaching people how to live godly lives through the repetition of wise thoughts.

Solomon wrote most of these proverbs early in his reign, with Agur and Lemuel contributing some of the later sections.

He was the Son of King David. When David died, he succeeded him as King of Israel. And during his 40 year reign, Solomon led the Nation to superpower status. (See 1 Kings 4:29-30).

The main theme of Proverbs, as we might expect, is the nature of true wisdom. Solomon writes: “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; only fools despise wisdom and discipline.”  (1:7).

He then proceeds to give hundreds of practical examples of how to live according to godly wisdom.

The book of proverbs is divided into the following three parts:

A.                        Wisdom for young people ( 1:1 – 9:18)

B.                        Wisdom for all people ( 10:1- 24:34)

C.       Wisdom for the leaders (25:1-31:31)

But for me today, I am going to focus on third part of the book, specially chapter 29, the Proverbs which contrast wicked and Righteous Relationship.

Proverbs 29:18 KJV , Says:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

I have titled my message as the following:

WITHOUT A VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH…

Underline the Word “VISION”

VISION; According to John Maxwell is:

-        Awareness -  The ability to see

-        Attitude – the Faith to believe

-        Action – The courage to do

George Barna says: “Vision is a reflection of what God wants to accomplish through us to build His Kingdom”

-        Vision here is the Hebrew word

-        Which means divine revelation or direction, insight from God?

It is not a dream to build a big church, which is not bad but in this context VISION is the Word of God. God’s guidance or direction for His people.

It is a way by which God makes known His thoughts to His people.

I.                NO VISION

This means the instruction in God’s truth, which was by the prophets, through visions.

The message here was not addressed to the pagan people, but to God’s people. Therefore, where there is no vision, there is no light which is the Word of God and Jesus Christ Himself, but only darkness prevails.

John 1:1 and verse 14

The Word Became Flesh

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

People of God, there is a big danger to live without the Word of God, without Jesus Christ we are going to perish, this is a great opportunity for you and me to make a clear choice between Light and darkness, Life and Death.

David says in Psalm 119:105:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

1 Samuel 3:1 Says:

The LORD Calls Samuel

“1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.”

-        This was a dark time and great disaster for Israel, the Glory of God was departed, Eli the Priest and his two sons were dead, therefore, God called Samuel to bring back His Word among the people.

-        Today, people of God we do not have Samuel the prophet but the one who is Greater than Samuel, Jesus Christ.

      Matthew 9:36 Says:

“36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

-        Jesus saw His own people without faithful preaching, as sheep without shepherd and taught them.

-        It is very easy today to manipulate a Christian without Vision or Word of God.

-        Where the Gospel is not preached, people are living in darkness.

-        There is need for to preach and teach the Gospel of Christ.

We have to stand firm for the truth.

II.            PEOPLE PERISH

This means they are deprived of moral restraints.

The word Perish in the original means first of all “to make naked”

In other words, garments are taken away and the person is exposed to sham, or armor is removed and he is open to danger.

Perish means people will be scattered abroad. Jesus saw His people as sheep having no shepherd. When there is no focal point, there is no rallying point.

The word Perish also carries the meaning of Hosea 4:6.

“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”

Proverbs 29:18 is a message the church, a message for you and me.

People of God to perish is also to live in prison, therefore, we need the Vision or the truth which the Word of God and Christ Himself in our lives so that we may be Free indeed.

John 8:32 and verse 36 Says;

“32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

It is not the truth which can set someone free, but the Knowledge of the Truth.

This is JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.

“36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

III.        KEEP THE LAW

The Word “LAW” In both the Old and New Testaments, the word law focuses on the commands and regulations of the Mosaic covenant. In most instances the word law does not refer to instruction in a general sense but concentrates on what God demands that his people do. In both the Old and New Testaments this is apparent, for verbs like “keep” and “do” are linked with the law.

The precepts of the Lord

Psalm 119:11 says:

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

People of God, there is only one way for us to be blessed, we must keep and obey the Law, and the right place to put it is in our heart as David did.

There is great reward in having and obeying the word of God. Psalm 19:11

Even Jesus Christ Himself, told a person that hearing and keeping the Word of God, was greater blessing than being His own mother. Luke 8:21 says: “He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.”

However, True Blessing in our lives is only found in keeping and obeying the Law, the precepts of God which is in Jesus Christ.

The Holy Scriptures and Faithful preaching of them provide more value to a people than any other blessing.

CONCLUSION

The lesson is simple but powerful. God’s Word is a great blessing and obeying it is the basis for true happiness; but where the Word of God is not preached, the people will die in ignorance and folly from starvation for Knowledge

-        People of God, there is a need for Vision, because without we will all perish;

-        And the Vision here is the Word of God which is Jesus Christ Himself;

-        Would you like to get the Vision?

John 3:16 says : "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus came to us so that we might have Eternal Life.

God Almighty bless you

Peniel Evangelical Church

Evangelist FABIEN BONDO