GODLY & UNGODLY

INTRO TO PSALMS

Reasons we want to study the Psalms

1) Renewal in our worship

2) Renewal in self-awareness not self-absorbed nor self-deceived

3) Renewal of understanding God’s character

4) Renewal in prayer/communion

5) Renewal toward God-honoring life

The word psalm itself comes from a Greek term which in classical times meant “the music of a stringed instrument.” However, “under the influence of the Greek Bible and of the advance of Christianity, … it came to have the meaning ‘song of praise,’ and the idea that such songs of praise might have been accompanied on stringed instruments fell into the background or was completely forgotten.

Psalms are Poetic Genre (8 types of poetic literature in Psalms)

Hymn - exuberant praise with call to worship, reason for worship, and renewed call to praise

Lament

Thanksgiving

Psalm of Confidence

Psalms of Remembrance

Wisdom Psalms

Kingship Psalms

Imprecatory Psalms - contains curses against an enemy.

These Psalms are songs of the saints...

Psalm 1 — Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. 4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

The godly flourish, while the ungodly flounder.

to prosper = make steady favorable progress; ongoing

the worthless chaff don’t remain…they are burned away.

remain in jesus and we don’t lose out on the life and the world to come.

the ungodly are removed, the godly remain.

How do we become godly? What does that look like?

(1) Guard your heart, mouth, & influences.

don’t mock or gossip

protect the influences IN your life.

(2) Delight in God’s laws, don’t dismiss them.

what starts as a discipline (practice) and diligence (right details), eventually becomes a delight.

How do we delight?

We meditate on them.

Meditating on God’s word moves your mindset in the right direction.

mIndset

Our Mindset: We are rooted. Holding fast to a simple message of Jesus, scriptural orthodox doctrine, power of His Spirit.

We are rooted (planted) in the Scriptures

Scriptures are about Jesus.

Scriptures stood the test of time and historical orthodoxy

Scriptures are enlivened and realized by Spirit. (He breathed them)

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PRACTICING THE WAY

As disciples of Jesus, we know our allegiance to Him as King is expressed in our daily practice. We are not pursuing perfection but want to practice our faith each day. These practices will point you toward spiritual formation as an apprentice (disciple) to Jesus.

(1) Start the Bible Recap reading plan.

(2) Recite this prayer/liturgy daily:

We are the radiant people of God. We are consumed with the preeminence, purity, and beauty of the holy God who was before the beginning. He provided Redemption for us, making a way into a relationship that produces unimaginable renewal in our lives, and eventually, the world itself. So we gather to encounter His presence and be transformed into the radiant people of God. We are His apprentices and ambassadors. We are full of joy and peace and love. We are the people of God in full pursuit of the person of Jesus, the power of His presence, and actively walking in the pathway of His teachings. We long to see Him create renewal in the place we live. We are passionate about Jesus. We are radiant.

(3) Talk it Over (with friends, a spouse, or your Group)

Read Psalm 1.‌ Sunday’s message was about living a godly life. What was one key take-away for you from the message or this passage?

Prior to reading Psalm 1, what or how would you describe a godly life?

In Psalm 1, we read how the the godly are not influenced by the wicked and the way they talk is different. Why do these two thins matter to a godly life?

What is a personal discipline you have that you have come to find great delight in practicing?

What do you think Psalms 1:4-6 is talking about?

We want to be rooted the Scriptures, that’s why we are doing the Bible Recap plan. Take a few minutes to reflect and share how reading the Scriptures are helping you be rooted and flourish.