Advice & Instruction
Gtcotr/ss011407
Key Scripture: Proverbs 19:20 ¶ Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life. (NLT)
When we go to a Medical Doctor we hope that they are studied and understand how the body functions.
When we engage an attorney we trust they understand the legal system, our particular case and what counsel to give.
When we sit down to eat at a restaurant we think that the chef has knowledge of which herbs, spices and sauces go with our entrée so that when we put our first bite into our mouths, we won’t have to suppress our gag reflexes.
When we hire a contractor to build our home we expect them to know their job and to not go against codes or otherwise leave us with inferior construction.
We tend to trust professionals to be knowledgeable in their field. We listen to them as though they know what they are talking about and we often follow their suggestions believing it is the best decision.
This is as it should be. There is nothing wrong with trusting someone else who knows more about your automobile or your medication, your insurance or your retirement portfolio. This is common and necessary. Not everyone can be an expert in every field and so we tend to seek out those who have given their lives to focus on knowing and doing one thing very well.
If we seek help and counsel when it comes to the matters of making our car run better, protecting ourselves legally, eating right or taking the proper medication, then it is also reasonable that we look to someone for spiritual guidance in our times of need as well.
Have you ever had something you did not understand explained to you so that you did understand it? That can make an incredible difference.
A personal testimony about advice & instruction. (To hear this testimony, log onto Church Online @ cotr.com and follow the links to Church Online’s archived message for this date.)
It’s great to talk to someone who knows what they are talking about and can help us get direction and victory in life.
Proverbs 20:18 ¶ Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.
Just as plans succeed through good counsel, imagine what happens to the person who follows bad counsel.
There is a story in the bible concerning one of King Solomon’s sons, King Rehoboam. Lets read in:
1 Kings 11 (New Living Translation)
43 When Solomon died, he was buried in the city of his father, David. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king.
1 Kings 12
1 ¶ Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all
2 When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of Solomon’s death, he returned from
3 The leaders of
4 "Your father was a hard master," they said. "Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects."
5 Rehoboam replied, "Give me three days to think this over. Then come back for my answer." So the people went away.
6 Then King Rehoboam went to discuss the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. "What is your advice?" he asked. "How should I answer these people?"
7 The older counselors replied, "If you are willing to serve the people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects."
8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and who were now his advisers.
9 "What is your advice?" he asked them. "How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?"
10 The young men replied, "This is what you should tell those complainers: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist—if you think he was hard on you, just wait and see what I’ll be like!
11 Yes, my father was harsh on you, but I’ll be even harsher! My father used whips on you, but I’ll use scorpions!’"
12 Three days later, Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam’s decision, just as the king had requested.
13 But Rehoboam spoke harshly to them, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors
14 and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, "My father was harsh on you, but I’ll be even harsher! My father used whips on you, but I’ll use scorpions!"
15 So the king paid no attention to the people’s demands. This turn of events was the will of the LORD, for it fulfilled the LORD’s message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from
16 ¶ When all
History records this as the dividing of the Children of Israel into two separate kingdoms,
So, in conclusion of our message today … it’s not just advice we need, but rather the advice of someone who is Godly and knows what they are talking about.
Three things we want to know about our advisors.
1. Are They Godly?
Psalms 1:1 ¶ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly …
a. A demonstrated respect for God’s Word, Will & Way.
b. A common care and compassion for others.
2. Are They Wise?
Proverbs 20:18 … By wise counsel wage war.
a. Do they know what they are talking about?
b. Do they practice what they preach?
c. What is the fruit of their life producing?
d. Don’t follow people you don’t want to be like.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
3. Are They Proven?
a. Have they been tested, tried and proven?
b. Are they seasoned and mature?
c. Are they idealistic or realistic?
d. Do they walk with a limp?
1 Kings 12:13 & 14
He rejected the advice of the older counselors and followed the counsel of his younger advisers.
