Four Oaks Midtown Podcast

Teaching | Understanding Proverbs: The Hope of Wisdom (Proverbs 13-15)

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost all hope in life? That’s a dark place to be. Human beings need hope to live as much as we need food or water. When Solomon writes in Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” he’s tapping into the deep sorrow we feel when we experience the tragedies of life in a fallen world. A Christian counselor once said, “Depression happens when a deeply desired goal or a dream becomes unattainable.” Yet, Proverbs provides a glimmer of hope for those of us who feel ourselves burdened with heart sickness: “but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs reminds us that in the end the promises of God will overcome all the sadnesses we experience this life. That the righteous will find satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment. Adam lost the tree of life by his sin, but the Second Adam, Christ, redeems what was lost and paves the way for us to find that ultimate peace and satisfaction. That’s the promise to a heart-sick Christian — that a tree of life awaits in the future. And wisdom comes as our guide in the present to lead us every step of the way home. This is Understanding Proverbs. 

Check out the rest of our Understanding Series: https://www.fouroaksmidtown.com/teachings

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Sermon | Jesus the Scapegoat (Matthew 27:1-31)

As Jesus sits on trial, we see how Scripture proclaims the truth that He is the righteous King who will suffer for his people.

Teaching | Understanding Proverbs: The Wise Son (Proverbs 10-12)

Every father and mother wants to give their children the absolute best: the best education, financial situation, home, you name it. That’s a good and natural instinct, but the greatest blessing that father and mother can give to their children is wisdom. There’s no more precious inheritance than imparting the skill of living well in God’s world. Solomon’s collection of Proverbs come to us Spirit-inspired words from our Father who desires that we above all receive this precious blessing. This is Understanding Proverbs. 

Check out the rest of our Understanding Series: https://www.fouroaksmidtown.com/teachings

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@fouroakschurchmidtown1962

Sermon | Peter's Denial (Matthew 26:69-75)

As Peter is in the courtyard of the high priest, he is questioned regarding his identity as a disciple. Just as Jesus foretold, Peter denies him three times.  

Teaching | Understanding Proverbs: The House of Wisdom (Proverbs 8-9)

Proverbs 8-9 portrays wisdom as a woman to underscore the beauty and attractiveness of walking righteously. The feminine personification of wisdom draws out  the subtle way wisdom persuades through words rather than direct masculine force. Wisdom serves as a queen alongside a king providing counsel, insight, and knowledge so that he might rule wisely. God created mankind to rule over creation as kings and queens, but sin subverts this desire primarily by cutting us off from the wisdom necessary to perform this task well. When we posses wisdom we’re able to act in the world as the men and women God always intended us to be — creatures of honor, glory, and beauty. This is Understanding Proverbs.

Check out the rest of our Understanding Series: https://www.fouroaksmidtown.com/teachings

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@fouroakschurchmidtown1962

Sermon | Is Jesus Who He Says He Is? (Matthew 26:47-68)

As Jesus is betrayed by Judas, arrested in the garden, and questioned before the Sanhedrin, he reminds us these events have purpose and must be fulfilled as Scripture says. 

Sermon | The Submission of The King (Matthew 26:36-36)

Jesus withdraws to pray before his betrayal and invites the disciples to watch and pray with him.

Teaching | Understanding Proverbs: How to Avoid Ruining Your Life (Proverbs 5-7)

God rarely sends thunderbolts to discipline us for our sin. Often he lets us experience the consequences of rejecting his wisdom. God’s sovereignty doesn’t mean he prevents us from ruining our own lives. There’s nothing worse than seeing an old man at the end of life regretting his foolish decisions. The choices we make in our youth often set our lives on a course that becomes increasingly more difficult to correct as time goes on. God gives us Proverbs to get us back on the straight path before we end up old and embittered with life. Wisdom will guide you, but only if you have the humility to listen. This is Understanding Proverbs. 

Check out the rest of our Understanding Series: https://www.fouroaksmidtown.com/teachings

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@fouroakschurchmidtown1962

Sermon | Preparing the King (Matthew 26:17-35)

Jesus reveals his coming betrayal to the disciples and while partaking in the Passover with them, he institutes the Lord’s supper. He warns Peter of his denial and the scattering of the disciples.

Teaching | Understanding Proverbs: What It Means to Trust God (Proverbs 3-4)

There’s a reason why most sons grow up wanting to be like their dads either for good or ill. God intends for fathers and mothers to serve as examples of wisdom to the malleable minds of children. When the core unit of the family loses wisdom rooted in the fear of the Lord all of society begins to disintegrate. Proverbs frames wisdom not as an esoteric knowledge passed on by a spiritual guru to his devoted followers or a set of abstract principles taught within the confines of a university, but as practical knowledge imparted from a father to a son. Our parents aren’t perfect, but they do serve as an analogy of God’s fatherhood over us. He disciplines us because he loves us, and unlike our earthly parents, his discipline is always right and perfectly attuned to our need. When we entrust ourselves to the fatherhood of God we become like his son, Jesus Christ who embodies the wisdom of God in the flesh. That’s why getting a grasp on the fatherhood of God is so essential to growing our faith and trust in his words. This is Understanding Proverbs. 

Check out the rest of our Understanding Series: https://www.fouroaksmidtown.com/teachings

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@fouroakschurchmidtown1962