The Proverbs of Israel are wide-ranging in their subject matter, but there are several frequent themes. If we want to live purposeful, meaningful, righteous lives, what kind of rules might we glean from this ancient wisdom?
(Preaching through the wisdom literature of Israel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 18, 2025.)
The stated intent of the book of Proverbs is to provide wisdom and insight to the reader. How does Proverbs specifically, and the Wisdom literature of Israel more generally, help the reader approach life more wisely? What are the key components of wisdom, and how can we avoid the pitfalls of being “simpleminded”?
(Preaching through Proverbs. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 11, 2025.)
Solomon presided over the absolute height of the kingdom of Israel, because God granted his request for wisdom in addition to giving him wealth and power. But Solomon’s great wisdom did not prevent him from falling into the same kinds of temptations that face every human. How did a man whose reign started off so well fall into such problems, and how does our own struggle mirror his?
(Preaching on the history of early Israel. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 11, 2025.)
“Discernment” can be one of those specialized religious words that we don’t use very much, but the concept of discernment is one used rather often in the Bible. What is discernment, why does it matter, and how can we develop it?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 30, 2024.)
God’s promise of wisdom is perhaps the simplest, most explicitly stated promise in the New Testament. What does this promise entail, and how can we take hold of it?
(Preaching on the promises of God. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 10, 2024.)
The second chapter of Esther finishes setting the stage for the story of Purim, establishing the rest of the main characters. What can we learn from the people at the forefront of this story?
(Preaching through Esther. You can find the timeline alluded to at the beginning here. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on November 5, 2023.)
There are several times in the New Testament that God upends the normal order and says things that are seemingly contradictory. The first: when is folly actually wise?
(Preaching on holy contradictions. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 11, 2019.)
If you are going to study money in the Bible, there is probably no greater character to look at than King Solomon. What did he say about money, and what can we learn from his wisdom and folly?
(Preaching on money in the Bible. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 2, 2019.)
The wisest man who ever lived had a lot to say about mothers. What can we learn about the role and work of mothers from the ancient wisdom of Proverbs?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 14, 2017.)
Watts in the Word 