The Good Life

Welcome/Greeting

Turn to Psalm 1 (pg. 448)

Express Appreciation for Food/Resources/Etc.

Psalm 1 ESV

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. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Let’s pray.

Describe the “Blessed One” (the “Good Life”)

Spiritual Blessings (Tree, Fruit, Leaf, Prosper)

Like that found in James 1:2–4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

You Must Meditate on the Word of God

Psalm 1:1–3 ESV

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.

Three things he does not do: Psalm 1:1 “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;”

Progression

Wicked-Sinners-Scoffers

Walk-Stand-Sit

Fronting - Repentance - “Put-off; Put-on”

One thing he does do: Psalm 1:2 “but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Meditates

Reciting Scripture to Self

Animals Eating

Example: 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Example: Romans 8:28–31 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Those who meditate read of Jesus and become more like Jesus: 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Meditate vs. Delight (In Christ)

Sports Fans

Meditate vs. Plot vs. Counsel (Against Christ)

Psalm 2:1–3 “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.””

How he is like: Psalm 1:3 “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.”

A tree planted by a stream will endure the storms of life

Produce Fruit “in its season” (“all that he does, he will prosper”...in producing fruit)

Patience in Sanctification

Boiling Pot Example

Remember the promises: leaf will not wither—because of drawing on the soul-nourishing water of the word

Application: Do you meditate on the word?

You Must Heed the Warning of the Wicked

Psalm 1:4–6 ESV

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Instead of like a tree, the wicked are like chaff: Psalm 1:4 “The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

Describe chaff (use dandelion to help)

They have nothing to draw on in times of drought

As a result, they will not stand in judgment: Psalm 1:5 “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;”

“Therefore...”

Judgment = Congregation of the righteous

The wicked will have no reprieve after their trials in life

The Lord knows the way of the righteous: Psalm 1:6 “for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

Because he directs their way: Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

The way of the wicked will perish: John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Application: Do you mediate on the word, or are you like the wicked? Heed the warning!