TEXT:  Matt. 5:21-22

INTRODUCTION:

A.      “FOOL” – THE USE OF THIS WORD AND THIS PASSAGE.

B.      3 TERMS TRANSLATED “FOOL” IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

          1.       anoetos, “Inexcusable ignorance.”  ( Luke 24:25 ).

          2.       aphron, “Heedless, witless, reckless, inconsiderate.”  ( 1 Cor. 15:36 ).

          3.       Moros, “Stupid, foolish, a term of intense derision, carries with the idea of contempt.”  ( Matt. 5:22 ).

C.      CONSIDER THESE PASSAGES( Prov. 10:18, 23;  15:5;  17:10;  29:11;  Psa. 53:1 ).

D.      THIS LESSON WE CONSIDER 4 SIGNS OF BEING FOOLISH.

SIGN #1:  WHEN ONE’S LIFE AND THOUGHT CENTER ON MATERIAL THINGS.

A.      Luke 12:13-21.  MY GOODS – MY BARNS.  NO APPRECIATION( James 1:17 ).

B.      HAD EVERYTHING BUT TIME( vs. 20;  Matt. 16:26 ).

C.      Ecc. 2:13-21.

D.      YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU!( 1 Tim. 6:7, 9-10, 17-19 ).

SIGN #2:  NO SPIRITUAL PREPARATION.

A.      Matt. 25:1-13.

B.      CAREFUL TO MAKE PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS FOR SELF & LOVED ONES.

C.      WHAT ABOUT SPIRITUAL PREPARATION?( Matt. 10:28 ).

D.      TREASURES ON EARTH OR IN HEAVEN( Matt. 6:19-21 ).  PRIORITIES!!

E.      CONSIDER THESE PASSAGES( Eph. 6:1-4;  Prov. 22:6 ).

SIGN #3:  SEEKS THE FAVOR OF MEN RATHER THAN GOD’S.

A.      Luke 11:37-44.

B.      THE PEOPLE HAD AN ABNORMAL CONCERN FOR THEIR IMAGE.

          1.       True, what others think is important( Matt. 5:13-16;  1 Pet. 2:11-12 ).

          2.       The object of our efforts is to glorify God( 1 Pet. 2:9 ).

          3.       But who are we really serving, trying to please?( Eph. 6:5-7 ).

C.      WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT, APPEARANCE OR CHARACTER?

D.      WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO GOD?  TO MAN?

SIGN #4:  BELIEVE’S IN ETERNAL LIFE – NOW!

A.      Eph. 5:15-17;  1 Thess. 5:1-3.

B.      REALITY CANNOT BE ERASED BY IGNORING IT.

C.      SOON TIME RUNS OUT( James 4:14 ).

D.      NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT( 2 Cor. 6:1-2 ).

CONCLUSION:  DON’T BE FOOLSH, TIME IS SHORT( Rom. 6:3-4 ).