Proverbs: Life in the Real World

As we wrap up proverbs, we see wisdom incarnated in the life of a woman who fears the LORD.

Resources:

Proverbs 31:10-31

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Many Americans are lonely, and even within the body of Christ, we can feel this. These proverbs give us wisdom on cultivating real friendships.

Resources:

Proverbs  13:20, 17:17, 18:24, 20:19, 22:24-25, 24:1, 24:21, 27:6, 27:9, 27:10, 27:17, 29:11

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Conflict occurs anytime you put different people with different ideas and preferences together. But how can we handle conflict wisely so that it doesn’t lead to strife and quarreling? These proverbs show us a path.

Resources:

Proverbs 10:12, 12:16, 13:10, 15:1, 15:17, 16:28, 17:1, 17:9, 17:14, 18:18, 19:11, 20:22, 21:9, 21:19, 22:10, 25:7-10, 26:17, 27:5, 27:6

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Resources:

Proverbs 10:19. 10:20, 11:9, 11:12, 12:13, 15:4, 15:23, 15:28, 16:21, 16:28, 18:7, 18:8,18:21, 19:1, 25:20, 29:5

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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We all want to be happy, but it’s not as simple as flipping a switch. So what can we do? We can cultivate it, and these proverbs show us why to do so, and how to do so.

Resources:

Proverbs 10:22, 10:28, 12:20, 12:25, 14:10, 14:13, 14:30, 15:15, 15:30, 16:20, 17:22, 18:14, 25:25, 29:6, 29:25

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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We all tend to admire generosity, but can struggle to be generous ourselves. These proverbs chart out the path of generosity that has its foundation in the generosity of the God who made the world in wisdom.

Resources:

Proverbs 11:24, 11:26, 12:10, 14:21, 14:31, 19:6, 19:17, 21:26, 22:9, 24:11, 28:27

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Many of us feel the pressure to control our eating and drinking, but find it hard to do! These proverbs reveal to us God’s wisdom on how we handle food and drink.

Resources:

Proverbs 20:1, 21:17, 21:20, 23:1-3, 23:6-8, 23:20-21, 23:29-30, 23:31, 25:16, 27:20, 31:4-5

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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We’ve all gotten plenty of advice from our parents about money, but in this sermon on what proverbs says about money, we’ll see what our heavenly father wants us to know about money. He shows us why wealth is useful, but why righteousness is better.

Resources:

Proverbs 11:4, 11:15, 11:18, 12:9, 13:11, 14:20, 15:6, 16:8, 18:11, 19:17, 20:14, 20:21, 21:17, 22:26-27, 23:4-5, 30:7-9

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Americans typically value hard work while admitting that part of us resists it. In this set of proverbs on work, we see that a slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Resources:

Proverbs 10:5, 12:11, 12:24, 14:4, 14:23, 15:19, 19:24, 20:13, 21:25, 22:13, 22:29, 24:27, 27:23-24, 28:20

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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In these proverbs we see that the wise life is a just life.

Resources:

Proverbs 11:1, 12:5, 12:17, 13:23, 14:25, 17:15, 17:23, 18:5, 18:17, 21:13, 21:15, 22:16, 23:10-11, 29:24, 29:26, 29:27

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Proverbs is all about wisdom, but how does God intend to pass that wisdom down to future generations? In these proverbs we look at how God uses diligent parents to pass down his wisdom to respectful children.

Resources:

Proverbs 10:5, 13:24, 15:5, 15:20, 19:18, 20:20, 22:6, 22:15, 23:22-23, 23:26, 29:15, 29:17

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Many Proverbs address the subject of how a king should rule and how subjects should respond to a king. How do we apply such Proverbs today? In this sermon we consider the use of authority God has given humans over other humans, and how we can wisely respond to it.

Resources:

Proverbs 14:35, 16:12-14, 19:10, 19:12, 20:8, 20:26, 20:28, 21:1, 25:15, 28:15, 29:4, 29:26, 30:21-23, 31:8-9

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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In 2025 Philadelphia, many of us place a plethora of decisions on a regular basis. In this sermon, we look at how Proverbs teaches us to make them wisely.

Resources:

Proverbs 12:26, 14:12, 15:22, 16:3, 16:9, 18:1, 19:2, 19:21, 21:29

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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In this sermon, we begin out study of Proverbs 10-31 by looking at what they teach us about pride and humility.

Resources:

Proverbs 11:2, 13:10, 15:33, 16:5, 16:19, 21:4, 21:29, 25:27, 27:2, 27:21, 29:1, 29:23, 30:11-14

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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While God had made his wisdom known in the things he’s made and in scripture, in this passage we see there was some of his wisdom he kept secret until the coming of Christ, and it has now been revealed.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NIGTC), Anthony Thiselton

1 & 2 Corinthians (Geneva Commentaries), Charles Hodge

ESV Expository Commentary (Romans-Galatians), Andy Naselli

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Not only did God choose to save those who were not wise in the eyes of the world (1 Cor 1:26-31), but here we see that Paul did not come to them with the wisdom of the world.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NIGTC), Anthony Thiselton

1 & 2 Corinthians (Geneva Commentaries), Charles Hodge

ESV Expository Commentary (Romans-Galatians), Andy Naselli

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In this and the following two sermons we take a brief break from the book of Proverbs to learn what we can about wisdom from 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16, where we see there is a good kind of folly, and a bad kind of wisdom.

Resources:

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NIGTC), Anthony Thiselton

1 & 2 Corinthians (Geneva Commentaries), Charles Hodge

ESV Expository Commentary (Romans-Galatians), Andy Naselli

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As the first major section of Proverbs draws to a close, we all face a decision: Will we accept the invitation of wisdom, or the invitation of folly?

Resources:

Proverbs 9

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Proverbs is all about wisdom, and God is wise, but we cannot see God. So how can we walk by his wisdom? We must follow the voice of wisdom.

Resources:

Proverbs 8

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Throughout Proverbs 1-9, Solomon has called us to receive his wisdom because it will protect us from danger. Here we see once again how it protects us from the danger of the forbidden woman.

Resources:

Proverbs 7

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Resources:

Proverbs 6:20-35

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Part of wisdom’s value is that it protects us from danger. In this passage, Solomon acquaints us with three dangerous situations and tells us how to deal with them.

Resources:

Proverbs 6:1-19

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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God created humans with a desire for sex that in this passage is compared to our thirst for water. Therefore, God doesn’t tell us to kill that desire; he tells us to aim it.

Resources:

Proverbs 5

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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What you listen to shapes your heart, and your heart sets the course of your life. So listen attentively to the words of wisdom.

Resources:

Proverbs 4

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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The word blessing gets thrown around a lot, but in this passage we see that wisdom is the way to a truly blessed life.

Resources:

Proverbs 3:13-35

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Do you believe your life can really get better? Proverbs 3:1-12 holds out to us the hope of better life as we live by God’s wisdom.

Resources:

Proverbs 3:1-12

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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We seek what we value, and in this passage, we see the promise held out to those who value wisdom enough to fervently seek it.

Resources:

Proverbs 2

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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When you get access to valuable wisdom, you work hard to hear it and hold on to it. God’s wisdom is available to us, and so this passage exhorts us to hear it and hold on to it.

Resources:

Proverbs 1:8-33

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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Wisdom is the art of perceiving reality and living in accordance with it, and in Proverbs 1:1-7 we see where it begins.

Resources:

Proverbs 1:1-7

The Book of Proverbs (Chapters 1-15, NICOT), Bruce Waltke

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works, Ray Ortlund

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Sages: Commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, translated by Robert C. Hill

Proverbs, Charles Bridges

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