Proverbs 3:34 (Mini Sermon)
Submitted by Pastor Chad Wagner on Thursday, January 9, 2020.
34. Pro 3:34 - "Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly." A. Surely he scorneth the scorners: i. Scorn v. - 1. intr. To speak or behave contemptuously; to use derisive language, jeer. ii. Scorner n. - 1. One who scorns, derides, mocks or contemns; esp. one who scoffs at religion. iii. God is contemptuous of those that are contemptuous of Him. a. With the froward God shows Himself froward and unsavory (2Sa 22:27; Psa 18:26). b. Those that despise Him will God lightly esteem (1Sa 2:30). c. When men scorn at God's reproof and disregard His commandments, He mocks them (Pro 1:22-26). iv. James and Peter quoted this verse and rendered it "God resisteth the proud" (Jam 4:6; 1Pe 5:5). a. Scorners are proud people (Pro 21:24; Psa 123:4). b. God resists and scorns such sinners who think highly of themselves. B. but he giveth grace unto the lowly. i. Whereas God resists and scorns the proud scorners, He gives grace to the lowly and humble (Pro 3:34 c/w Jam 4:6). a. Lowly adj. - 1. Humble in feeling or demeanour; not proud or ambitious. b. Humble adj. - 1. Having a low estimate of one's importance, worthiness, or merits; marked by the absence of self-assertion or self-exaltation; lowly: the opposite of proud. c. Grace n. - II. Favour. 6. a. Favour, favourable or benignant regard or its manifestation (now only on the part of a superior); favour or goodwill, in contradistinction to right or obligation, as the ground of a concession. ii. God shows favour to the those who have a low estimation of their own worthiness and importance. iii. God lifts up those that humble themselves (Jam 4:10; 1Pe 5:6). iv. The path to exaltation is not found in self-promotion and self-centeredness, but in humility and faith in God.
