SOME BIBLE FOOLS(Base: LL Brigance) Luke 16:20 I. Introduction. A. Jesus forbid disciples calling someone a "fool." B. Yet, God calls men fools!(Acting foolish) C. Unfortunately, there are people who act as fools (or foolish). D. Jesus spoke of one such: Luke 16:20. E. There are identifiable characteristics of those whom God so classifies: 1. Note: Proverbs 18:6. 2. Again: Proverbs 29:11. II. Body. A. One of the biggest of fools: Psalm 14:1; 53:1. 1. Evidences of God's existence abound. a. Note: Psalm 19:1. b. Either earth was created or self-produced. c. Where did all nations learn of God? d. Revelation is proof in itself. 2. When one does away with God, only chaos and emptiness exist. 3. Belief in God influence conduct, attitude, and behavior! B. The fool trusts in his own heart: Proverbs 28:26. 1. He is self-justified!(Proverbs 12:15) 2. Man lacks power to correctly direct steps: Jeremiah 10:23. a. Man will trust in feelings, wisdom, etc. b. Note: Proverbs 3:5. C. Fools despise parental instruction: Proverbs 15:5. 1. Children ARE NOT smarter than parents. a. Difficult to take advice: parents some- times will not give it. b. Consider Rehoboam: I Kings 12. c. Wisdom is acquired by experience & time. 2. Can be fool when older: When ignore sound teaching and advice. D. One is acting foolish who hears but does not act. 1. Building on wrong foundation: Matthew 7:26-27. 2. James advice to Christians: James 1:22-25. 3. As in going to physician, lawyer, etc.: Even more do we need to act upon what God says! E. An appropriate example of a fool: Luke 12:16-20. 1. Nothing foolish about occupation. 2. Nothing foolish about being successful. 3. Nothing foolish about making a good crop and storing it for the future.(Joseph) 4. Nothing foolish about enlarging storage facility: Matthew 6:19-21. 5. Fool: "Take thine ease"--but left out God. a. Had he included God, as Abraham, account would have been different. b. He demonstrated covetousness: how foolish. c. Trust was in material substance. d. Foolish to not realize material substance confined to this life. e. Wealth could not stay death. f. World's verdict: He was wise//God's verdict: A FOOL! 6. "This night"--ends your earth's journey. a. Had not anticipated this! b. So like people of all ages! 7. Foolish when we do not make choices with God included. III. Conclusion. A. Christians are advised: Ephesians 5:15. B. The foolish men should have noted: Psalm 111:10. C. Sometimes we feel foolish--but can avoid being a fool in God's sight-jy