My library Shop his books

25 Wisdom Keys to Navigate Anything Life Throws at You

Dr RJ Sing, 22 March 2020, 40 min

This is the whole service. The video opens where he begins, at 39:49.

Originally preached as “Wisdom Keys and Kingdom Influence”

Sermon outline

God wants His people not only to be saved but to influence and govern in the earth, and His wisdom gives a key for every situation you will navigate, from adversity and crisis to promotion, prosperity and success.

Main text

Proverbs 4:7-12

Opening

He greets the church on Sunday 22 March, welcoming viewers on television, YouTube and social media and the members of Rhema Durban FCI who 'for obvious reasons' cannot gather but are united in one spirit. The month's theme is kingdom influence: God wants Christians not just to call themselves Christians but to influence and govern in the earth. Reading Proverbs 4:7-12, he says that when you walk your steps will not be hampered, and that he will give keys for things everyone has to navigate and overcome in life.

Adversity
You will have to learn to handle adversity, but God promises to be with you through the waters and the fire. Do not be afraid of a huge enemy, because, as David found with Goliath, a big enemy means a big reward.
Illustration: David taking on Goliath.
“The size of your enemy determines the size of your reward.”
- Isaiah 43:2
- 1 Samuel 17
Attitude
A cheerful heart is good medicine whatever your circumstances. Your attitude sets the atmosphere around you at home and at work, and changing it is entirely up to you.
“The attitude of the servant determines the atmosphere of the palace.”
- Proverbs 17:22
Contracts
In business and commerce you will meet contracts, and two cannot walk together unless they agree. When someone you are negotiating with keeps showing mistrust by their words or attitude, there is no grace to continue; that is your cue to walk away.
“Those unwilling to discern your integrity are unqualified for a relationship.”
- Amos 3:3
Crisis
Everyone faces crisis at some point, but the Lord is our light, refuge and strength, so we will not fear. Every crisis has a beginning and an end; it is not a season that lasts for ever.
“A crisis always occurs at the curve of change.”
- Psalm 27:1
- Psalm 46:1-3
Decision-making
You make many decisions every day at home, at work and in relationships, so trust the Lord rather than your own understanding. People who do not share your goals may never understand your decisions, so sometimes it is better not to keep explaining and to stay focused.
“Those without your goals may never understand your decisions.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6
Discretion
Good comes to those who are generous and conduct their affairs with justice. Many people want to be independent and walk away from the group to do their own thing, but self-sufficiency moves you away from God.
“Every step towards self-sufficiency is a step away from God.”
- Psalm 112:5
Economy
The media is full of bad news, but the righteous need not fear it, because their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
“They will have no fear of bad news.”
- Psalm 112:7
Family
A wife is like a fruitful vine and children like olive shoots around the table, and he who finds a wife finds favour. In a family you cannot always have your own way: give and take, yield to others and live peaceably.
“The proof of your love is the passion to pleasure.”
- Psalm 128:3
- Proverbs 18:22
Favour
The Lord surrounds the righteous with favour as with a shield. Meditate every day that you walk in God's favour and blessing.
“One day of favour is worth a lifetime of labour.”
- Psalm 5:12
The fear of God
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The way you treat people shows whether you truly reverence God.
“Your respect for people reveals your fear of God.”
- Psalm 111:10
- Proverbs 9:10
Goal setting
God told Habakkuk to write the vision and make it plain. Clear goals and objectives give your faith something to run towards.
“The clearer the goals, the greater your faith.”
- Habakkuk 2:2-3
The Holy Spirit
You receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. He guides you, leads you, never leaves you, and gives you the words when you do not know what to say.
- Acts 1:8
- Hebrews 13:5
Loss
You cannot win all the time, but God promises to restore the years the locusts have eaten; He is a great accountant who adjusts the books and repays with interest. When people keep taking advantage of you and draining you, cut off their access.
“The quickest cure for ingratitude is loss.”
- Joel 2:25-26
Mentorship
Fools think their way is right, but the wise listen to advice, and victory comes through many advisers. Get advice from people who are qualified and proficient in their field before you take steps.
Illustration: The school of hard knocks versus someone teaching you: he prefers mentors, because mistakes can be costly.
“There are two ways to get wisdom: mistakes and mentors.”
- Proverbs 12:15
- Proverbs 11:14
- Proverbs 24:6
Negotiation
A gentle answer turns away wrath. Whether at home or at work, watch your words and your tone, and if you negotiate carefully you will come out a winner.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath.”
- Proverbs 15:1
Obedience
The willing and obedient eat the good of the land. Following instructions shapes your future.
“The instruction you follow determines the future that you will create.”
- Isaiah 1:19
Overcoming
Put on the whole armour of God and, having done all, stand. Deal quickly with whatever you need to conquer before it grows into a monster.
“What you fail to conquer in your life will eventually conquer you.”
- Ephesians 6:13
Prayer
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions and set aside regular time for fellowship with God, because that time refreshes you and gives you strength, fortitude and wisdom for difficult people and situations. Humble people keep reaching and stay teachable, however old or experienced they are.
“The proof of humility is the willingness to reach.”
- Ephesians 6:18
Problem solving
Being a Christian does not make you problem free. The Lord rewards whatever you do, and the bigger and more complicated the problems you can solve, the more you can charge for your services.
“The problem you solve determines the reward that you receive.”
- Ephesians 6:8
Promotion
Promotion comes neither from the east nor the west but from God, who brings one down and lifts up another. Whatever happens at work, be patient; your season is coming.
“Promotion does come from God.”
- Psalm 75:6-7
Prosperity
The Lord delights in the prosperity of His servant, so why do Christians fight it? God gives the power to get wealth, and He gives you enough to complete the instructions He has given you: the bigger the assignment, the more He puts in your hands.
“The bigger the instruction, the more the prosperity.”
- Psalm 35:27
- 3 John 1:2
- Deuteronomy 8:18
Protection
No harm will overtake you, for God commands His angels to guard you in all your ways, wherever you travel.
“Your willingness to submit authorizes God to protect you.”
- Psalm 91:10-11
Self-confidence
Your confidence is rooted not in yourself but in God, who has not given you a spirit of timidity. Do not compare yourself with others, because giftings and callings differ; compare yourself with the Word and with Christ, and when you are afraid, repeat Philippians 4:13.
“Your similarity to another creates comfort. Your difference from another creates confidence.”
- Philippians 4:13
- 2 Timothy 1:7
Sowing
Give, and it will be given to you. Though the church cannot meet, he asks viewers to keep giving by electronic transfer or deposit, cheerfully and not under compulsion, and to get ready for a harvest.
“An uncommon seed always creates an uncommon harvest.”
- Luke 6:38
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Success
Keep God's Word on your lips and meditate on it day and night, and you will be prosperous and successful. Success is your birthright as the righteousness of God, so keep it at the top of your mind and agenda.
“Your success depends on the problems you are willing to solve for others.”
- Joshua 1:8
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Romans 8:31

Putting it into practice

Do not fear a big enemy or bad news; your heart is steadfast in the Lord.
Write down clear goals and seek advice from qualified mentors.
Watch your tone and words when you negotiate, at home or at work.
Set aside regular time for prayer and stay teachable.
Keep giving cheerfully and meditate on the Word day and night.

Closing

He asks viewers to stretch a hand towards the screen as he blesses them, prays protection over their homes and transport and pleads the blood of Jesus over them, saying no plague or destruction shall come near them though others experience it. He urges members to anoint their children with oil each day, plead the blood over them and begin taking communion at home. He then leads anyone who does not know Christ, or who has walked away, in a prayer of salvation and encourages them to join a Bible-teaching church.

Declarations he led

Dear God, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Your word says that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
I now ask you, Jesus, to come into my heart, to be the Lord of my life. I receive eternal life into my spirit.

In his words

“The size of your enemy determines the size of your reward.”
“Every step towards self-sufficiency is a step away from God.”
“God is a great accountant. He adjusts the books.”
“What you fail to conquer in your life will eventually conquer you.”
“Success is your portion. Success is your birthright.”

Every scripture in this message