Sermon Manuscript051006
Sermon Manuscript – 4/30/2006 Robert Hutcherson, Jr.
Sermon: “Paths of Righteousness”
TEXT
Psalm 23
In our world we have many paths. Bike paths, Hike paths, some of us even are said to have Primrose paths. Today, however, I want to talk about a different kind of path, one that is certainly “less traveled”…the paths of righteousness.
We have all heard, probably from childhood on, the beauty and pastoral setting of Psalm 23
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psa 23:1-3 KJV)
Again the Shepherd leads. We must take notice that it is He who plans the path the must be taken. It is He that leads the sheep, not the other way around. He leads us. Now let’s look at how he leads us.
He leads us in the Paths of righteousness.
We understand righteousness to mean "uprightness" in the sense of "adherence or conformity to an established norm." In biblical usage righteousness is rooted in covenants and relationships. For biblical authors, righteousness is the fulfillment of the terms of a covenant between God and humanity or between humans in the full range of human relationships.
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. It is Christ who leads us and he leads us in paths of righteousness. It is a "going". We know where he will lead. He will lead us in righteousness. Thank God it is a righteous path. Praise God it is not the way of the transgressor. We ought to know this path. It is a way of Christ and not the philosophies of this world. If you are following Christ, you will not be led to do evil. If you are led by Him, you will not find yourself in sin.” (Rom 4:3 KJV)
When you follow him, there are some paths you cannot go down. One such example is Joseph:
“And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.”
Another can be seen in three Hebrew boys, who refused to bow to the golden idol that their king had made, under threat of being thrown in a furnace for their refusal.
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
Still another in Peter and John, when the authorities censured them for preaching in the name of Jesus
“Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.”
Christ leads us:
With the Word of God.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim 3:16-17 KJV)
By his Spirit.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom 8:14 KJV)
God's leading is always in paths that are right in His eyes and that will honor His name. We can not walk in these paths unless God leads us into them, and leads us on in them. Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the consequence: So let us simply trust our Shepherd's care, and listen to his voice. God has a purpose for each of us. He leads us in that path to fulfill a purpose He has for us. That purpose is to bring glory to the name of Christ. Everyone who has walked in the paths of righteousness had a purpose. David's purpose was to live and have children that would be used to bring Christ to this world.
Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (Psa 25:4 KJV)
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. (Psa 139:3 KJV)
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov 3:6 KJV)
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Prov 4:18 KJV)
Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psa 16:11 KJV)
Our Lord Jesus calls us today into His presence, into the fullness of joy, with pleasures forevermore…all He asks is that we come…Will you listen and hear His voice today?