PREACH THE WORD OF GOD
Passage - Proverbs 29:18
Compare Translations for
Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no
revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Where there is no
vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Where there is no
prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the
law.
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
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:
“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.
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Where the Gospel is not preached, people are living in darkness.
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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
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People of God, there is a need for Vision, because without we will all
perish;
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And the Vision here is the Word of God which is Jesus Christ Himself;
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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
