FOLLOW GOD AND LIVE, FOLLOW MAN AND DIE!

Imagine a ship navigating through a stormy sea. The captain sees another ship heading towards dangerous rocks, ignoring all warnings. The ship crashes and sinks. The captain realizes that following the wrong path can lead to destruction, just like following man instead of God can lead to spiritual disaster. Following God will bring joy, peace, and give honor to Him.

Only the man who realizes his own weakness can become strong. Only the man who realizes his own blindness can learn to see. Only the man who realizes his own sin can be forgiven.

William Barclay (New Testament Scholar)

A. Happiness—“Blessed is the man.”

Mood Also: Attitude; Disposition; Emotion A dominant emotion or disposition. • Attitude can be described as an individual’s disposition or current state of mind.

joy (emotion) — noun. the emotion of great happiness and pleasure.

to rejoice (feeling) — verb. to feel happiness or joy.

to rejoice (expression) — verb. to express great joy.

to gladden — verb. to make happy or joyful.

Nehemiah 8:10

10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.”

B. Habits of a Man Following God.

1. Walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. How can two people walk together unless they agree?—Amos 3:3

3 Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?

Just like a compass points north and guides us in the right direction, the counsel of the ungodly can lead us astray from God's path.

2. Standeth in the way of sinners. The Christian’s life must be different from the sinner’s—2 Cor. 6:17

17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.

“And do not touch what is unclean,

And I will welcome you.

When you plant a garden, you don’t expect the same fruit from different seeds. In the same way, when you are a Christian, people should see a difference in your actions and attitudes compared to those who do not follow Christ. Your life should produce the fruits of the Spirit, setting you apart from the ways of the world.

Galatians 5:22–26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit.

26 Let us not become those with vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another.

3. Sitteth in the seat of the scornful. You cannot be a friend of the world and God both!—James 4:4

James 4:4

4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world sets himself as an enemy of God.

He Does Not Sit in the Seat of the Scornful. Those who begin to walk in the counsel of the ungodly are in danger of ending in the seat of the scornful. This seat is the chief seat in the kingdom of Satan. There is no promotion beyond this. The Apostle Peter ran through this experience, from walking in the counsel of the ungodly to the seat of the scornful. He sat by the fire and denied the Lord with oaths and curses, but when he was converted he strengthened his brethren. Those who scorn at the things of God and His Christ walk after their own lusts (2 Peter 3:3

3 knowing this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

Imagine a gardener who diligently tends to his garden every day, making sure it gets enough water, sunlight, and care. Similarly, a person following God regularly tends to their spiritual life, nurturing it with prayer, study, and loving actions.

C. Hope—v. 2. Man’s hope is in God’s Word. He delights in keeping His Word.

Psalm 119:9–12

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

10 With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me stray from Your commandments.

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

12 Blessed are You, O Yahweh;

Teach me Your statutes.

Imagine a ship caught in a violent storm, with no end in sight. Yet, when the storm seems unending, the captain sees a distant light and directs the ship toward it, bringing hope to the crew. In the same way, Jesus is the light in our storms, offering hope and guiding us to safety.

II. The successful man—v. 3

Think about a man who, despite achieving career success, struggled with inner turmoil and emptiness. It wasn't until he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ that he found genuine fulfillment and purpose. In Christ, he discovered a new definition of success - one rooted in love, compassion, and eternal impact.

A. Symbol—“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” Water speaks of life. Note Jesus’ words in John 10:10

10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

B. Success.

1. Practice—“That bringeth forth his fruit in his season.” A Christian should produce fruit—John 15:5-8

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

2. Perpetual—“His leaf also shall not wither.” This speaks of growth.

Just as a leaf connected to a thriving tree retains its vigor and beauty, those who find joy in living out God's principles will remain lively and unyielding despite the trials of life.

See 2 Peter 3:18

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

3. Prosperity—“And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” This speaks of success. See Josh. 1:5-9

5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

7 “Only be strong and very courageous to be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be prosperous wherever you go.

8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will be prosperous.

9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be in dread or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

III. The sinful man—vv. 4, 5

By their own rejection of Him. God does not make men sinful, but He leaves them in the sin they have chosen

John F. MacArthur

A. Unsaved—v. 4. The chaff remains with the wheat for a short time, but soon is separated. The sinner may be near the Christian, but will be separated from him—Rev. 20:15

15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The unsaved lead lives that are totally void of spiritual life and ability. A believer, then, who gives in to his sin nature is acting like the unsaved (cf. 1 Cor. 3:3).

John A. Witmer

B. Insecure—v. 5. The sinner will stand at the last judgment—Rev. 20:11–15 The Christian will be with God in heaven.

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sits upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.

12 Then I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

IV. The Saviour of man—v. 6

A. Protection—“For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous.” The steps of a Christian are led by God— Ps. 37: 23 If in trouble, He will deliver us—Ps. 91:15

Psalm 37:23 (LSB)

23 The footsteps of a man are established by Yahweh,

And He delights in his way.

Psalm 91:15 (LSB)

15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in his distress;

I will rescue him and honor him.

B. Punishment—“But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Those who believe are saved. Those who doubt will be lost—Mark 16:16.

16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Those who refuse to believe in Christ are already lost—John 3:18

18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.