PM Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4.20-27

Brent T. Willey

“THE ISSUES OF LIFE”

(There’s Always Somebody That Has It Worse Off In Life)

Introduction:

1. “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4.23).
2. Tōwts-a-ōwth (“issues”): the boundary ends; the limits. In this context it refers to the territory of “life” itself [chayiym].
3. Life is filled with issues – lots of issues!

ISSUES WITH CIRCUMSTANCES

1. “Man who is born of woman…” (Job 14.1).
   1. Issues with our health. (Job 2.7-10)
   2. Issues with our jobs. (Phil. 2.14; Col. 3.23)
   3. Issues with our finances. (1 Tim. 6.10; Phil. 4.11-13)
   4. Issues with death. (Heb. 9.27; James 4.13-17)
2. The Lord knows that for us all of these are “heart issues.”

ISSUES WITH FAITH

1. “Oh you of little faith” (cf., Matt. 6.30; 8.26; 14.31; 16.8).
2. Put full confidence in Christ! (John 11.20-27)
3. Hearts must be conditioned! (Heb. 11.1, 6; cf., Heb. 3.12)

ISSUES WITH PEOPLE

1. We possess various differences! (Prov. 14.12a)
   1. People in the community. (Matt. 5.16; 7.12)
   2. Family members. (Eph. 5.21 – 6.4)
   3. Brethren. (John 13.34-35; Rom. 12.9-10; Gal. 6.10)
2. Relational issues that can weigh heavy on the heart!

ISSUES WITH SIN

1. Talk about “issues…” (Rom. 3.23; Ezek. 18.20; Rom. 6.23)
2. Jesus: God’s remedy of this issue! (John 3.16; Luke 19.10)
3. The honest heart is receptive of God’s plan. (Luke 8.15)

Conclusion: Yes, we’ve all got issues…