"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them."

Introduction: We all want the same things from life. We want to be happy. We want to be fulfilled. We want a measure of prosperity. God is not a "killjoy." God wants you to have these things, too. Listen to these Bible verses: (Deuteronomy 28:2-13)

God gave us the book of Proverbs that we might have practical, easy to understand advice about how to prosper in life. In today's Scripture reading, the Lord tells us to do three things:

I. Be Reverent toward God (vs 7).

A. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." We learn about God from His Word, so reverence for God includes reverence for the Bible.

B. Every great building needs a strong foundation if it is to stand firm for a lifetime.

The Sears Tower in Chicago, one of the world's taller and larger buildings (only the Pentagon has more floor space), has a tremendous foundation. There are 114 rock caissons 10 feet in diameter to a depth of 100 feet to bedrock. Each caisson is socketed into limestone bedrock 25 feet deep. The foundation and the floor slabs have some 2 million cubic feet of concrete -- enough to build an four-lane highway ten miles long.

C. Jesus said that a wise man would build his life on the solid rock of God's Word (Matt. 7:24-27).

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

II. Listen and Learn from Your Elders (vss 8-9).

A. "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."

B. Why should you listen to your parents?

• 1. They were once just like you. They once had your feelings, your desires, your perceptions of the world.
• 2. It is not always good to learn by experience. The burned hand teaches, but a hand burned too badly is damaged.
• 3. Your parents speak out of love and real concern for you. No one else cares about you in this way.

III. Resist Enticements to Evil (vs. 10).

A. "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them."

B. Peer pressure is a powerful force, and it is hard to resist.

C. Falling in with the wrong crowd can be damaging, even if you do not actually do the things they do. For example....

• 1. Riding in a car with friends who have been drinking. You may be stone cold sober, but if they crash the car, you will be injured or killed right along with them.
• 2. Hanging out with kids who have drugs. You may not take any drugs yourself. But if you are caught holding anything for your friends, you may be charged with a crime, spend time in jail, and have a criminal record that will haunt you for years.
• 3. Giving in to sexual desires is hard to resist. Our culture says to do it. May lead to venereal diseases that will cause pain, sterility, disfigurement or even death. May lead to a child born out of wedlock, and too early in your life. May lead to marrying the wrong person, lack of education, lack of a good job, and an unhappy life.

Conclusion: Young people, life in all its glory stretches out in front of you. You will have great opportunities. The possibilities are endless. God wants you to be happy. He wants you to be fulfilled. He wants you to prosper. If you want to succeed, heed this advice from Proverbs: 1) Reverence God and His Word; 2) Listen to the wisdom of your elders; and 3) Flee from those who would entice you to do evil. May God bless and watch over you always. Amen.