Series: Loving Life at Home

Title: Pictures on the Wall

Text: Proverbs 24:1-4

Text: Proverbs 24:1-4

Title: Pictures on the Wall

Introduction: In our home a few years ago, Terrie decided to decorate the hallway with pictures on the wall. Every time I walk through I am reminded of a special memory. One portrait is our wedding picture. Another is our first family portrait with all four kids. Others are different family trips. I love looking at pictures of years ago.

In reality, every one of us today are building a home, creating a family life that is also creating a portrait of memories. Sometimes the memories aren’t so good. As the pictures come together, it is nothing more than a testimony of God’s grace. Satan wants to take the picture and crack the frame. He has done everything to try to destroy your family. There are many families here who are trying to put their family back together.

Portraits are ruined for many reasons. Some are because of sin, neglect of the Word of God, or rebellion against authority. Marriage infidelity is also a great problem today. In 1948 a Kinsey report said 50% of all husbands will be unfaithful to their wives during marriage. In 1994 the amount only increased.

Ill – Many women have a personality disorder for a desire of male attention. A work out at the gym is more than an exercise. It is a desire for attention in anything other than Jesus Christ.

Many husbands and wives are rearranging their family portraits. Satan has taken many family portraits and ripped it up.

How can we in 1995 develop a home that is a living portrait of faith for God?

I. A Home That Is Built by the Wisdom of God – verse 3a

Proverbs 24:3

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.

Note – Wisdom begins with Jesus Christ. It begins with knowing Him as your Saviour.

Psalm 111:10

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.

Note – Most marriages either have the husband demanding fear or reverence, or the wife manipulating fear or reverence for her.

Ill – Man went to the doctor’s office to have a small mole removed. He walked in and the nurse glared at him and said, “Are you going to have the mole removed? Alright, take your clothes off and go to room 4. Put the robe on and get in the room.”

“Ma’am, please you are mistaking me for another patient.”

“Take your clothes off and get down to room 4.” The poor guy goes to room 4, puts his robe on, there is another guy sitting there with his robe on. He said, “Man, she is tough.”

The other guy said, “Yeah, and I’m just the UPS man.”

Note – A family can only truly know joy when all the family members fear the Lord.

Note – Wisdom means understanding of what is true, right, or lasting.

Note – God will give you wisdom as you ask for it.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 3: 17

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Note – That is the kind of wisdom we need in our families today.

Turn – Luke 6:46-49

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon the house, and could not shake it; for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Note – The ruin is great in America today.

Ill – Bro. and Mrs. Welch celebrating 50 years together this week. My wife and I have been married long enough to know that storms come.

Note – When the storms come, only one thing matters…what is the foundation of your relationship?

II. A Home That Is Bolstered by Understanding – verse 3b

Note – Once the house is built, there is still a need of bolstering.

Proverbs 24:3

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established.

Note – Understanding means responding with insight or discernment

A. Through the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:14

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

B. Yielding to the Holy Spirit

John 16:13

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

III. A Home That Is Blessed by the Knowledge of God – verse 4

Note – Knowledge means understanding gained through experience or study.

Note – Knowledge comes into the life of the believer who is studying and experiencing things for God.

Ill – First home is always bare. It is your first home, never mind decorating it. You’re glad to have the home….they begin to prepare and save to decorate each room…Our spiritual home is similar. Once we receive Jesus Christ, He then wants to give us knowledge. He wants our lives to be filled with great and precious promises.

2 Peter 3:18

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

1 Peter 3:7

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Ill – Man said my wife is like the weather—just when I think I am figuring her out she changes.

A. From Bible Reading

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

B. From Bible Preaching

Hosea 4:6

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Note – American homes are not only being destroyed by Hollywood but also by the pulpits that are no longer preaching the truth of the Word of God.

Conclusion: Is your family a portrait of faith?