Lesson 16 December 26

The result of God's Judgment, vs:34-37 there is good news.

> He writes a psalm of praise that revolves around 3 things.

#1 That God is eternal vs:34b.

#2 That God is sovereign vs:35a

#3 The powerlessness of man before God! vs:35b

Lessons of Chapter Four

1. Pride precedes a fall. Nebuchadnezzar and Satan are examples. Prov 16:18; 29:23

2. Wealth and position do not provide insulation from pressure and fear. (4:5)

3. There is no real security in power, wealth or human success.

4. Peace and contentment in life only comes only through a relationship with God. 4:1-3

5. True security is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ.

6. The wisdom of the world is unable to deal with spiritual truth, revelation from God. (4:7)

7. Grace always precedes judgment.

Pride was his problem; leaving God out of the picture.

Even before the warning of the vision of the tree, God was warning Neb.

8. Man must recognize that apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ, he has no standing before God. 4:35

Intro: Ch-4 is dealing with the Problem of Pride

Pride: Some observations!

1. Pride is the first and fundamental sin of the universe! - Ezk. 28:14-17; Isa 14:12-14;

2. Pride is a complete contradiction of everything that is Christian.

#1 Contradicts the gospel.

#2 Contradicts grace.

3. Pride is always present in the legalistic mentality. Rom 3:27

4. Pride finds fertile ground where prosperity clouds one's focus and obscures God. Deut. 8:11-14

Sequence is important here

1. The first thing in vs:11 is that God is forgotten.

2. Secondly something else is realized. vs:12,13,14

3. Third the result is pride. Vs:17

What is the B.L. here that this passage is teaching?

- That only the obedient believer has capacity in life to appreciate the prosperity. Ps 119:144

5. What are some of the manifestations of Pride.

#1 A judgmental attitude towards fellow believers. 1 Cor 4:5-6

#2 An improper estimate of oneself. Pride is thinking we are something we are not!

#3 Self degradation; self-effacement is a means of what?? Calling attention to God? NO! to one's self!