Intro.

1.  God has favored man with His words of instruction: True and for our benefit.

2.  Stubbornness of sin prevents us from learning the lessons of truth and godliness; Reverent humility will yearn for them - cf. Rom. 2:4-5.

I.  LEARNING LESSONS THE HARD WAY - Prov. 13:15-16.

  A.  By Making Wrong Choices:

    1.  Choosing sin - (the experience of practicing sin).

      a.  Gen. 3:6 - Eve and Adam. (1 Jno. 2:15-17; 1 Cor. 7:23)

      b.  Num. 13:30-14:1 - The spies and Israel.

    2.  Choosing for the moment w/o assessing future effects (priorities).

      a.  Lot - Prosperous move, depravity of S. and G. - Gen. 13:10-13; 19:5- 9, 14, 16; 2 Pet. 2:7-8.

      b.  Work: Will it compromise my faith?

      c.  Mate: Will they help my chances of going to heaven?

      d.  Friends: Will they support me in making godly decisions?

  B.  By Repeating The Same Mistakes (Sins) Over and Over and Over.

      -(cf. Eveready bunny: keeps going and going and going!) - Not learning!

    1.  Period of judges (Jgs. 2:11-19).

    2.  Scribes and Pharisees - Matt. 23:29-32.

  C.  By Following Feelings Instead Of Faith - Prov. 14:12; Acts 26:9.

II.  LEARNING LESSONS THE RIGHT WAY.

    -(Not Necessarily "easy", but……Prov. 13:15.)

  A.  Learn From The Past - Rom. 15:4; cf. Matt. 11:20-24.

  B.  Learn From The Circumstances / Examples Of Others - Jno. 9:3; 1 Cor. 4:6

  C.  Learn By Asking Questions Of The Right People - cf. 1 Cor. 14:35.

  D.  Learn By Listening To The Word Of God - Jno. 6:45; Prov. 1:1-7 (v. 5); 4:20-5:2 (cf. Neh. 8:1-12; Jno. 8:43); Eph. 4:20-21.

    1.  By studying God's word - Psa. 1:1-2.

    2.  Repetition - 2 Pet. 1:12-15; Phil. 3:1.

  E.  Learn By Doing - Matt. 11:29.

    1.  By obeying God's word - Jno. 8:31-32; cf. Phil. 4:11.

    2.  By shunning evil - Prov. 1:10-15; 4:14-15.

  F.  Learn Through Discipline - Heb. 12:5-6, 11; 1 Tim. 1:20.

      -(Instruction and correction).

Conclusion

1.  A disciple is a learner and a follower. Be a disciple of Jesus.

2.  Commit yourself to learning the lessons taught to us in the word of His grace (Tit. 2:11; Acts 20:32). Hear and obey Jesus now!