Barney’s First Car

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Did you follow it?  Why or why not?

What is the biggest decision that you have ever had to make?

Did you seek anyone’s advice in the matter?

Well, in tonight’s episode of Andy Griffith, we see Barney making a significant purchase.  Tonight’s episode is titled, Barney’s First Car.  I’ll have a word of prayer, and then we will watch tonight’s episode.

Let’s Pray!

(PLAY BARNEY’S FIRST CAR DVD)

Well, after watching Barney make his first major purchase, what can we learn from this episode?

Well, here is a recap of tonight’s episode of Andy Griffith.  Barney decides to make a big purchase, he is going to buy his first car.  Barney finds a sweet, older lady from Mt. Pilot, as she brings in her deceased husband’s vehicle to meet with Barney’s approval.  It seems like a great deal to him, but Andy suggests that he think about it some more or at least have Wally look at it first.  Barney simply can’t wait, and doesn’t take Andy’s advice.  Barney withdraws his savings and he closes the deal.  And you guessed it, the car turns out to be a junker, and Mrs. Lesch proves she isn’t much better.  Although Andy offers advice and tries to help Barney through the process, Barney learns his lessons the hard way!

So, what is there that we can learn from this humorous event in Barney’s life?  Well let’s see.

First, We Learn About Deceptive People:

For tonight’s episode, what do we learn about deceptive people?

Well, first off, deceptive people are accomplished predators.  In I Peter 5:8 it says, “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  They will destroy you.

We also learn that deceptive people have the tendency to take advantage of our weaknesses.  In Proverbs 1:10 it says, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.”  Just like the devil, this lady knew what Barney’s weakness was.  And when the devil comes to attack us, he knows our weaknesses, and then he attacks us there.

Another thing that the deceptive person will do, is they will tell us what we want to hear.  In Job 34:3 it says, “For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.”

The only problem with that verse is that sometimes foods taste good, but in reality they are bad for you.  The devil will always make things sound good.  The person who is deceiving you will always tell you exactly what you want to hear.

So, we learn that there are deceptive people out there, and that are accomplished predators, that will take advantage of our weaknesses, and that will tell us exactly what we want to hear.

Secondly, We Learn About Deceived People:

As we look at Barney, what do we learn about deceived people?

Well, in Proverbs 2:9-15 it says, “Then you will understand what is right and just and fair, every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.  Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.”

First off, deceived people will rationalize their decisions.  In Proverbs 4:1-27 it talks about how we will say what we need to say, and do what we need to do in order to rationalize what we have done.

Another thing that deceived people often do, is refuse advice.  In Proverbs 12:15 it says, “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”  Barney thought that he knew what was best, and therefore he didn’t listen to any advice from Andy.  A lot of time, the people that are being deceived never see counsel from others.  They never listen to the advice that other people offer them.

Next, we see that deceived people refuse to see the truth.  In Proverbs 23:23 it says, “Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.”  Barney didn’t want to hear or see the truth about that nice old lady, and so he refused to see the truth.

But as we continue to look at old Barney, we find that a person can become wise, if they will do something about their foolishness.  They can become prudent if they will do as Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Finally, Here Are Some Aspects About Prudent People:

Wise people take precautions.  In Proverbs 27:12 it says, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”  You see, a truly wise person sees the danger, and they take precautions so that they do not get deceived.

Another thing that wise people do, is they think ahead.  Proverbs 14:8 says, “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.”  Someone who is wise, thinks ahead to the consequences, and possible dangers that lie in their way if they make a certain decision.

Wise people also handle correction well.  In Proverbs 15:5 it says, “A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.”  If a person wants to show wisdom in their life, they are going to handle the correction, and the counsel of others in a wise way.

And finally, they will seek out wise counsel.  Proverbs 1:5 says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”  Later in Proverbs 12:15 it goes on to say that, “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”  In Proverbs 19:20, we read these words, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”

Now, at this time, let’s go into a time of discussion to see what we can learn from this episode as we take a deeper look into what happened.

Barney was very enthusiastic about buying his first car, and he had $300 burning a hole in his pocket!  But what did he lack?

What did Andy suggest Barney do?

Why did he refuse Andy’s advice?

What is the problem with always going with your first instincts?

How was Andy able to see the possible dangers of buying a car better than Barney?

When they caught Mrs. Lesch red-handed, what was her reaction?

What was Barney’s?

Did Barney learn from his mistake?

Barney meets 2 “sweet, little old ladies” in this episode, but why does he treat them so differently?

In the epilogue, he vows to be skeptical of everyone.  Is this wise thinking?

What would Andy advise us to do?

Have you ever had a friend give Godly wisdom that you didn’t want to hear, but proved to be what you needed to hear?

Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, here is your final thought for tonight.  Barney says, “Well, now I got my money back, I’m gonna be a little more careful.  I’ve learned my lesson.  Trust nobody… You can fool Barney Fife once, maybe, just once!  But never again!”

I’ll have a word of prayer, and then we will sing our closing song.          Let’s Pray!