A Life Centered In Christ | Psalm 1:1-3 | Matt. 22:36-39 | The lifestyle of the Happy and Satisfied with God

Introductory Illustration

From 1984 to 1995, there was a television series that featured the extravagant lifestyles of wealthy entertainers and athletes called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." Al Masini created it. The reality TV show features people like Michael Jordan and Tony Bennett.

Storyline: "This program spotlighted different members of the "rich and famous" each week. Special attention was always given to the prices paid for the various luxuries with which the upper crust enhanced their daily lives, ranging from spacious seaside villas to classic cars to gold-plated bathroom fixtures."-Jean-Marc Rocher <[e-mail]>

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY REALITY TV / Streaming on Netflix

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

"Kim Kardashian West and her dysfunctional family have allowed the viewer to follow them around and get an insight into their extraordinary lives. Whether you're a fan or critical observer, there's no denying the huge impact they've had on pop culture, fashion, and the beauty industry." - https://www.vogue.in/culture-and-living/content/7-reality-shows-on-netflix-that-take-you-inside-the-lives-of-the-rich-and-famous

The Life Style

These reality television showers revealed the character’s daily routines, associations, and thought processes.‌ Come with me as we walk through the lifestyle of a Happy and Satisfied person in Christ by looking at two Scriptures that were read in your hearing. First is the historic hymn book that records every human emotion and their relationship to God.

Psalm 1:1–3

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

Matthew 22:36-39

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.  And ha second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

THE “BLESSED”

The first thing we must notice is the source of their lifestyle or wealth is because they are “Blessed” A man/woman/girl or boy. According to Hebrew scholars, the Hebrew word esher is translated as blessed- happiness, blessedness, or contentment. The lifestyle of a man or woman who is right or “straight” with God will be a blessed man/woman, a happy person. Anyone who believes and confesses to the Lord Jesus as their savior you are a candidate for such a lifestyle. But there are things you should not do; there are particular companies you should not keep.

Habits of the Happy and Satisfied In Christ

THEY DONE DO:

They don’t Walk in step with the wicked

Stand(hold firm or to dwell) in the way of sinners (Any person indulging in sin.)

Sit in the company of mockers ( An arrogant fool who refuses correction and discipline)

This simply means that this person avoid thinking, like behaving like, and dealing with the wicked.

Progression of Sin

Walking - Standing - Siting

Sin in our lives doesn’t happen overnight; addictions to whatever is holding you captive do not start overnight; sexual immorality or drug addiction starts one step at a time and in a subtle way—simple advice from a friend, a mocking comment.

Question: Are your friends helping you get closer to God or hindering you?

WHO IS THE “WICKED”

Any bad person guilty, ungodly. This can be anybody- the nice neighbor who do not consider God in their lives.

WHAT THEY DO

How do they spend their time, and who do they listen to? How is the lifestyle of the happy and Satisfied influence?

‌They spent time reading and thinking or pondering about God and His Word. The Psalmist describes them as “they delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, they meditates day and night.”

Those whose lives are centered in Christ take pleasure in God’s instruction day and night, meaning a way of life.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Finally, to “Centered In Christ” is to give ourselves totally to God with love and devotion. And to take every opportunity to serve our fellow human beings.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

The Heart, Soul, and Mind are the whole person. God can not take partial service, obedience, or love. God desires and deserves our full attention and love.

‌Seek God with Your whole Heart to find Him.

‌What’s holding you captive that’s keeping you from being fully committed to God?