Sermon – Proverbs 31:10-31 – A Strong Church

Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard

First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City

Sermon – Proverbs 31:10-31 – A Strong Church

September 20, 2015

            Today we conclude our look at God's wisdom in the Book of Proverbs.  We now know to always follow Miss Wisdom and not Miss Folly.  We know that we are to be generous towards others less fortunate than ourselves.  We know that to ignore Miss Wisdom is a sin for which we must repent and accept the wisdom of God in the Bible to live a blessed life.  Today Miss Wisdom will tell us what kind of church Christ is looking for.  We will get to this, but first let's pray.

            May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

            Our Bible talks about the relationship between a husband and a wife in many places.  And it consistently tells us that the relationship between a husband and a wife is similar to the relationship God's people have with God.  Just as a husband loves a wife so too does God love his people.  Just as a wife may be unfaithful to her husband so too may the people of God be unfaithful to their creator.  And as Christians we believe that just as a man and woman become one in marriage so too does Christ and his church become one in faith.  Today Miss Wisdom will tell us the characteristics of a strong wife.  These are also the characteristics of a strong church of Jesus Christ.  Let's see what she says.

Proverbs 31:¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.

            We learn from this that it is difficult for Christ to find a strong church.  There seem to be churches on every street corner.  But very few churches are up to the standards that Christ has set.  A strong church is rarer and therefore more precious than fine jewels.  So let’s begin to look at some of the characteristics of a strong church.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

            A strong church has the full confidence of Jesus Christ to faithfully proclaim his gospel.  Therefore it is endowed with all of God’s blessings.  We use the blessings we receive from God to bless others.  We love each other and love our neighbors in the community.  A strong church serves it community by doing good works and proclaim the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s look at some of the things a strong church does.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.

            A strong church works hard to see that everyone has clothes to wear and food to eat.    A strong church would collect previously worn clothing for a rummage sale, and would sell this clothing at a nominal price.  Also a strong church would provide breakfast for international students working in the community in the summer, and would provide its neighbors with a much needed social gathering and breakfast during the winter months.  A strong church would have strong programs providing food and clothing to people who need it.  Let’s go back to Proverbs.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.

            A strong church will take care of its own members.  No matter the hour, day or night, if someone in the church has a need a strong church will take care of it.   It may be in the hospital, or at the side of the road after a traffic accident, or just on the phone, a strong church will care for its members.  Shut-ins will be visited. New moms will be helped.  The sick will be prayed for.  All these things happen in a strong church.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.

            A strong church will build a sanctuary, a fellowship hall, parking lot and classrooms for Christian education.  It will provide housing and salary for its pastor.  It will hire musicians, buy instruments and hymnals.  It will provide for community by providing space for home owners associations and county adult education.  Its members will give from the blessings they have received from God to support its ministry and mission.  A strong church is supported by its members abundantly.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

            A strong church will supplement its giving with fundraisers.  It will get up at the crack of dawn to cook breakfasts, arrange items for a rummage sale, and sell parking spaces for a fishing tournament.  Volunteers will work tirelessly to make sure everything get done.   They will pick up mail, prepare for communion, setup the audio systems and the projector, turn on the furnace or air conditioning, hang banners outside of the church, and do countless things that never get noticed, but are necessary for a well-functioning church.  Let’s go back to Miss Wisdom.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

            A strong church will care for the poor in the community.  It will provide funds to help people with rent and utilities.  It supports food banks and homeless shelters with volunteers and money.  It provides space and volunteers for a cold weather shelter in the winter.  It volunteers to help immigrants with English.  It is respected in the community for all it does.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

            A strong church is beautiful church.  Its communion table is covered in fine fabric and a beautiful cross.  Walls are covered with colorful banners.  Flowers in the garden are weeded and watered.   Blankets are knitted for hospice patients.  Pill bottles are collected and sent to Africa.  All of this is done out of respect of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the glory of the Father.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

            A strong church will have Christian education classes for all ages.  There will be weekly Bible studies.  Songs will be sung in praise of the Lord.  Biblical preaching will be for the equipping of God’s people with God’s wisdom.  A strong church will make new disciples and help all its member to grow into the full stature of Christ.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

            A strong church will have good financial controls.  Its budget will be balanced.  Its bills will be paid on time.  Its financial statements will be accurate and clear.  Its employees will be well trained and motivated.  Its volunteers will be highly active.  People will notice how well the church operates, as will Christ.

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

            But the most important thing that characterizes a strong church is that it holds God in high reverence.  Everything it does is not for its own gain, but for God’s glory.  All its members are growing as disciples.  And there is a passion for bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ.

³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

           

            First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City is a strong church.  It has the full confidence of Jesus Christ to do his work in this community.  Jesus is honored by our breakfasts and rummage sales and parking rentals.  Jesus praises us for our giving and the stewardship of the blessings we have received.  God is revered in our Bible Studies and worship.  God is worshiped and praised with our music.  Jesus Christ has confidence in us and will send us members and visitors who need us.   And the Holy Spirit will be with us as we bring new people to Christ and invite people to our church.  Let us pray.

            Lord Jesus, we thank you for giving us a strong church.  Continue to bless our work with your presence and love.  Help us to make our church even stronger by inviting new people into our fellowship.  This we pray in your glorious name as the head of our church.  Amen.