Your Plans: God’s Plans – Gospel in Life
Sermon

Your Plans: God’s Plans

Tim Keller |  December 12, 2004

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Duration:
42:20
Scripture:
Proverbs 11:3; 12:5,15; 15:22; 16:1-4,9,25,33; 21:5; 27:1
SKU:
RS 178-14

Overview

Today’s message is part of a series on the subject of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. We’ve said that wisdom is basically the ability to make right choices. You make or break your life on the basis of your choices and we need wisdom to make the right ones. For example, is this the right career for you? Is this the right person to marry? Is this the right place to live? In every one of those situations, the options in front of you are many. Most of them are moral and most of them are legal. Most of them are allowable, but most of them aren’t wise.

We need guidance to make decisions. How do you get God’s guidance? We’re going to look at a few different proverbs to see 1) the guidance God does; 2), the guidance God gives; and 3) the guidance God purchases for us.

Understanding Proverbs

This talk is about the part wisdom plays in making decisions in life, based on the book of Proverbs. It’s like a sailor’s rope, a symbol used in Hebrew culture for guidance, and how we can use it to understand God’s guidance in the many choices we face. We’ll look at how God guides us in different ways.

1. How God guides us

The Bible shows a balance between our freedom to make choices and God’s control over everything. We have free will, but God has the final say. This might be hard to understand, but it teaches us two things: we’re responsible for our actions, and we can trust God, who’s in control of everything.

2. The guidance we receive from God

Trusting God completely, even when things are uncertain, helps us become wise and successful. We gain wisdom by learning from our experiences, admitting our mistakes, and understanding what it feels like to be far from God. Making our own choices, getting advice from others, and understanding God’s guidance are all important in making smart decisions. These can lead to surprising blessings and prepare us for what’s to come.

3. The guidance God provides for us

Proverbs 16:3 talks about fully trusting in God, which leads to wisdom and success. The people of Israel, though not perfect, were guided by God, who appeared as a cloud and fire. This symbolizes Jesus making the ultimate sacrifice for us. When Jesus calmed the storm, he showed his disciples he’s always with us during hard times. This encourages us to trust him completely and make wise decisions.

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March Book Offer

Is Jesus King of Your Life?

In his book Jesus the King, Tim Keller journeys through the Gospel of Mark to show us how the story of Jesus is at once cosmic, historical, and personal while demonstrating how the life of Jesus helps us make sense of our own.

March Book Offer

Is Jesus King of Your Life?

In his book Jesus the King, Tim Keller journeys through the Gospel of Mark to show us how the story of Jesus is at once cosmic, historical, and personal while demonstrating how the life of Jesus helps us make sense of our own.