April 20, 2008 by PastorMark.

#309, Avoiding a Collision, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 04-20-2008

Text: Proverbs 5:1-23
Theme: We need to receive encouragement and instruction about staying sexually faithful.

INTRODUCTION:

1. The “accident”.
   1. It doesn’t have to happen.
   2. Since it did, what do I learn from it?
2. The Book of Proverbs is all about “learning to live”.
   1. Solomon had a desire to transfer wisdom to the next generation.
   2. Much of this wisdom included moral instruction about sex. (In Proverbs 1-7, 31% of the verses talk about sexual morality)
3. Our moral decisions affect our relationship with God and others.
   1. We’re not simply told, “don’t do this.”
   2. We are given instruction on how to stay faithful, how to learn from God, others.

You don’t have to become a wreck.
What can we do to stay faithful, to avoid the problems of immorality?

1. Be willing to pay attention. (vv 1-2)
   1. Wisdom listens with the desire to practice truth.
   2. God wants us to listen to Him for our own good.
   3. Be aware of the dangers. (vv 3-6)
2. The adulteress is mentioned although any sexual immorality could be addressed here.
   1. There is the danger of deceptive talk.
   2. “You’re so special, beautiful, attractive …”
   3. Think it through to “the end” (v 2)
3. The imagination and the reality are two separate worlds.
   1. She is bitter as gall.
   2. “sharp as a double-edged sword.” (it will tear you up)
   3. Instead of a more satisfying life, your life goes down.
4. Be aware of your environment. (vv 7-8)
   1. Do not go near the door of her house.
   2. Avoid putting yourself into temptation.
   3. Example: At work, don’t meet with another alone behind closed doors.
   4. Avoid people who pull you down.
   5. Be aware of your own thoughts, weaknesses (inner environment).
   6. Watch for “cycles of temptation” and plan ahead.
5. Be aware of the consequences. (vv 9-14)
   1. Immorality and wrong relationships sap your energy. (v 9a)
   2. It takes time and energy from God and your family.
   3. Immorality costs you money. (v 10)
   4. The sex industry is after your morals and your money.
6. It’s not just who you sleep with – it’s who you leave behind
   1. (there’s alimony and child support)
   2. Immorality fills you with regrets. (vv 11-14)
   3. “How I hated discipline.”
   4. “I would not obey or listen.”
   5. “I have come to the brink of ruin.”
7. Be willing to love your spouse. (vv 15-20)
   1. Sexual expression is pictured as water (well, spring, stream).
   2. Protect what you have.
   3. Look at your husband, wife as God gift to you.
   4. Pornography, explicit movies cause you to compare your spouse downward.
   5. Allow yourself to be “captivated” by your spouse’s love
8. Be willing to make things right. (vv 21-23)
   1. God knows – we can’t hide anything from Him.
   2. “A man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths.” Proverbs 5:21
   3. If you’re in an addiction there is help.
   4. If you’re in a wrong relationship you can get out.

CONCLUSION:

August 31, 1997 it was tragic because it could have been avoided.

1. A chauffer drove when he was completely drunk …
   1. What was he thinking?
2. The paparazzi chased them down the road …
   1. What were they thinking?
3. Princess Diana and her boyfriend were traveling 180 kilometers in an 80 km zone, but wore no seatbelts …
   1. What were they thinking?

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April 20, 2008 by admin.

JOIN US TODAY

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  We will receive new members this morning.
  Pastor Mark Boucher, “Avoiding a Collision,” Prov. 5:1-23
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
• PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY, 1:00 PM, Pastor Mark’s office
• ALPHA COURSE at 3:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall
• GOSPEL EXPLOSION SERVICE at 6:30 PM
  Special Movie: Run Baby Run. Bring someone with you!

JOIN US THIS WEEK

• MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer
• TUESDAY 7:00 PM—Oh Lord, What is Your Vision for My Life?
  7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
• WEDNESDAY 5:45 PM—A.L.I.V.E. Homeschoolers Prayer
  6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
  Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
  Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
  Royal Rangers (boys’ clubs, K-12)
  Impact Student Ministries
  Effective Personal Soul Winning
  Adult Bible Study (L.A.B.I.)—Eight Qualities of a Healthy Church
• THURSDAY 6:30 PM—Ladies’ Night Out
• SATURDAY 8:45 AM—Men’s Ministries Workshop
  7:00 PM—All-Church Prayer

ANNOUNCING

• THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY meets today, 1:00-3:00 PM, in Pastor Mark’s office. Join any time! You may contact Alice Stacy for more information at: astacy@juniper.net.
• THE ANNUAL CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING is next Sunday, April 27, at 6:30 PM. All members are encouraged to attend.
• THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER is Thursday, May 1. Look for more details in next Sunday’s bulletin.
• IMPACT WEEK—CHURCH ON FIRE Seminars and Community Outreach will be held May 19-21, at Cornerstone Church in Winchendon. Seminars will be conducted by Music Pastor Russell Fragar (formerly of Hillsong Church Australia) and Evangelist Lyall Mercer. See details on the bulletin board.
• THE NEXT WATER BAPTISM SERVICE will be on Sunday, May 25, during the 6:30 PM service. Please fill out a blue application card from the Welcome Center if you desire to be baptized.
• SIGN UP CONTINUES FOR VBS! Complete and turn in a volunteer form at the Welcome Center. There will be a meeting for all volunteers on Monday, May 19. More details will be coming.
• ARE LIFE-CONTROLLING ADDICTIONS affecting your life or the life of someone you know? Meetings are being held every Thursday, 7:00 PM, at the Common Ground Christian Coffeehouse (480 Main Street, Fitchburg). For more information, please see the bulletin board in the foyer or call 978-342-8637.
• IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE our bi-monthly newsletter, The Harvest Call, and would like to, please turn in your name and address to the church office.

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

• Seekers of Light men’s study (Sullivans)—Sunday, 3:00 PM
• Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• YACC for Young Adults (Gardners)—Thursday, 6:30 PM
• Young Adult Discipleship (Bells)—Thursday, 6:45 PM
• Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
• Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

• The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
• Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

• Beginning Mortgage:$600,000
• 30-month Offerings Goal:$405,000
• 30-month Total $ Pledged:$217,679
• Offerings/Payments:$103,524
• Current Mortgage Balance: $496,476

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• A sister in Christ, Judy Trainque, needs help with light spring cleaning in her apartment. Please call the church office if you can help.
• A young couple is in need of a place to live (studio, 1- or 2-bed-room apt.) in the immediate area—$400-$600/month rent. If you know of anything, please call the church office.
• Young man needs job—entry-level position, office related, data entry, customer service, or warehouse/light construction. Please call the church office.
• A family of six in the church is in great need of a car in good running condition at a low cost. Please call the church office.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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April 20, 2008 by PastorMark.

The longer I live, the more I value team work. No matter what the task, it always seems to be more enjoyable with others. In the Book of Nehemiah, we read of Nehemiah going to Jerusalem with the God-given vision of building the wall. Step by step, Nehemiah obeyed God and shared the vision with the people. In the midst of this good work Nehemiah wrote, “So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart” (Nehemiah 4:6). God’s people, led by God’s Spirit and united in God’s work, can accomplish great things!

Pastor Mark Boucher

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