We’re examples and we can’t help it.

Steve Brown:
We’re examples and we can’t help it. Let’s talk about it, on Key Life.

Matthew Porter:
That was Steve Brown. He doesn’t want to be your guru, and he’s not trying to be your mother. He just opens the Bible and gives you the simple truth that will make you free. Steve’s a lifelong broadcaster, author, seminary professor, and our teacher on Key Life.

Steve Brown:
Thank you Matthew. We’re looking at Proverbs and looking at the various subjects. Yesterday we were talking about how important it is to look in the rear view mirror, that we’ve been given a legacy. And those who aren’t aware of what’s happened in the past are doomed to repeat it. Those who are aware are blessed to maybe even make it better. I love church history. And I don’t love it because I have people in church history who are perfect and obedient and good and faithful and we today don’t have people like that. That’s not true. That’s just not true. Every person that I look up to in history, had their flaws. John Knox said, give me Scotland or I die. Queen Mary said, I fear the prayers of John Knox more than an army of a thousand men when I hear Martin Luther standing before the Diet of Worms and saying here I stand, I can do no, that’s my family. Those are the people who are part of my family, and I’m proud of my family, not because they’re perfect, but because God used them in such a wonderful way. And we have been given a legacy, and we need to rejoice in that legacy. Maybe even name buildings after the people that are a part of that legacy, or putting up statues about them, and then standing guard so nobody removes it. Because you can’t get rid of the past. And the past has some good, and it has some bad. And our present, which will someday become the past, has some good, and it has some bad in it. Okay, let’s move on. Look at Proverbs 21:11a

When a scoffer is punished, the simple people are made wise.

In other words, there’s a funny story about a mother who went to the teacher and talked about her son, Billy. And she said, Billy is not always a good kid, and when he’s not, If you’ll strike the kid sitting next to him, it’ll make my son think and he’ll get better. Well, I’m not sure that’s the way you go about it, but there are times when we are examples to the world. We’re examples of kindness and love and faithfulness. In fact, we are, and I didn’t say this, Jesus said.

We are the salt of the earth. We are a light set on a hill.

And God calls us to be that, and that’s important. We need to be a people, as Christians, who bless the community where we live. In the church I attend, every year, well, twice a year, we don’t have worship services. Well, we do, but it’s a short worship service. And then all of the people in the congregation, believe this or not, go out into the community to serve. They mow lawns. They fix buildings. They bring groceries. They do whatever is needed in our community. And it’s incredible. Because what is happening is we are recognizing that we are examples and sometimes we’re the only Bible that the world ever reads. But there’s a flip side of that too, and we’ve got to be very careful because self righteousness is a dangerous place to go and it is addictive. And so, we are examples, not only of people who do it right, but of people who have done it wrong and have been forgiven. There’s a bumper sticker that says, I’m not perfect, but I am forgiven. I like that, because that’s a part of our witness too. At the church where I attend, when we have the Serve Sundays, we do it with a message that is taught from that pulpit about grace and mercy, and how we have received that because we needed it desperately. And so, these aren’t good people doing good things, but bad people that Jesus has loved doing their best to do good things. We are examples, and we can’t help it. And we need to remember that, and every person who’s listening to the sound of my voice, as people who are watching, people who are looking, people who are checking you out. Not only the good parts, but the bad parts. Because as Martin Luther says.

We are great sinners, and we have a Great Savior.

And so, when the scoffer is punished, and when the wise person is blessed, the simple are made wise. And that’s a call for every Christian that you know, and for you, and for me. This kind of plays on it, but it’s sort of a different subject about the reputation being the smell of God. Proverbs 22:1

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches. Loving favor rather than silver or gold.

Proverbs 10:7

The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.

My prayer is always.

God, let my name bring honor to your name. Let me live my life in a way that will be authentic and real and will bring honor to your name.

I had a man tell me when I was a young pastor, he said, Steve, you know, people really love you, or at least some of them do. I do too, but the difference between me and them is that I know you and I know the dark side and I know the light side. And so, let me give you some wise advice. Be as good as people think you are. Now, I would add to that.

I’ll try to be as good as people think I am, but I’ll try to be honest about the places where I’m not as good as they think I am. And I will point to Jesus, who loves me anyway.

There’s an old sermon illustration about a bowery mission, where there was a man by the name of Bill, who had gone there as a drunk, had gotten redeemed. His life had changed, and he stayed there on the staff. And he was a major force for good at that particular mission. And then he died. And they had his funeral. And they were having sentence prayers. And one of the drunks in the mission said this, Jesus, are you as good as Bill? That’s what we’re called to do, to be good, and when we’re not to be honest, to be authentic, and to always point to Jesus. I’m for having a good reputation and a good name, but sometimes you can’t always do that. Sometimes you’re called to do things that will hurt your reputation, and I’ve done that on various occasions. Sometimes you’re called to be faithful in a place that will offend people, and I’ve done that on occasion. Sometimes I haven’t, and I’ve had trouble sleeping at night, but the truth is, there is the smell of Jesus about all of us. Do you know what Galatians 2:20 says? It says.

I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me.

Now, don’t go on a guilt trip about that. That is not a command, that’s a fact. And there’s a difference. You can’t help it. You smell like Jesus. And wherever you go, people will know. Make sure your reputation is a good one, and when it’s not a good one, make sure that it’s an honest one. And then let the devil take the hindmost.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches. Loving favor rather than silver or gold.

That’s a good point and a good thought. Now, I’m going to read one Proverb and we’ll talk about it tomorrow.

A gift and secret pacifies anger, and a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

And so, tomorrow I’m going to give you some worldly advice.

Be as innocent as a dove and as wise as a serpent.

I didn’t say that. Jesus said it. And it’s important to keep it in mind, wisdom, innocence dance together. You think about that. Amen.

Matthew Porter:
And that was Steve Brown continuing our journey through Proverbs. Today, taking a look at the idea of reputation and being an example. Once again, the verses we looked at were Proverbs 21:11a, Proverbs 22:1, Proverbs 10:7, and as a bonus, we stopped by Galatians 2:20. No extra charge. You’re welcome. More to discover in Proverbs tomorrow. Do join us. Well, if you were to Google radical grace content from Steve shows up on the very first page, true story. It’s central to his work, but that’s only because radical grace is central to the gospel. If you could use a reminder of that, we have a booklet we’d love to send you. It’s called Radical Freedom: Surprising Faithfulness. It’s a newly reprinted excerpt from Steve’s classic book on radical grace, A Scandalous Freedom. Get your copy right now by calling us at 1-800-KEY-LIFE that’s 1-800-539-5433. You can also e-mail [email protected] to ask for that booklet. To mail your request, go to keylife.org/contact to find our mailing addresses for the U.S. and Canada. Again, just ask for your free copy of the booklet called Radical Freedom: Surprising Faithfulness. And finally, if you value the work of Key Life, would you join us in that work through your financial support? You can charge a gift on your credit card or include a gift in your envelope. Or simply pick up your phone and text Key Life to 28950 that’s Key Life, one word, two words. It doesn’t matter. Text that to 28950. Key Life is a member of ECFA in the States and CCCC in Canada. And we are a listener supported production of Key Life Network.