The Real Thing (Psalms 92:7-14)
Intro: Are you a Palm tree or are you a Thorn bush
A thorn bush is just an imitation of a tree
Are you the Real Thing or just an imitation?
Thorns Jesus' crown of thorns has led to two shrubs known as christthorn (Ziziphus spina-christ, Paliurus spina-christi). The former grows near the Dead Sea not far from Jerusalem (Matt. 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:5), while the latter does not grow nearer than Syria. However, it may have occurred on the Judean hills in biblical times. Some authors consider the common spiny burnet (Poterium or Sarcopoterium spinosum) to be the species concerned.
Text: Psa 92:7 that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.
Psa 92:8 But you, O LORD, are exalted forever.
Psa 92:9 For surely your enemies, O LORD, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
Psa 92:10 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured upon me.
Psa 92:11 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
Psa 92:12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
Psa 92:13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
Psa 92:14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
The roots of the Palm Tree go down deep into the earth, the Thorn
Bush has shallow roots.
A. A Palm tree has great roots that make it strong, a thorn bush
Doesn’t
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.
Psa 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
1) A Palm tree bends and strains in the winds of a storm, a Thorn bush is blown away .
A Christian rooted in Jesus can withstand the winds of
Temptation and the storms of trial
an unrooted person will give in to temptation and fall apart
During trial
Are you the real thing or just an imitation?
Gold Shields or brass shields
2 Chr 12:9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. 2 Chr 12:10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house.
2) Can we stand against our enemies?
a) The Palm tree has many enemies that threaten it’s
Existence
The dryness of the desert
The burning heat of the sun
The fierceness of the wind
Animals rubbing against the trunk
b) The Christian has many enemies
Tribulation
Distress
Persecution
Famine (food-Word)
Peril
Ridicule
Can you stand? Are you the Real Thing?
2. The Palm tree is upright; the thorn bush is not
The Palm tree
Rears its self-straight in the air; stately and strong
Not crooked or bent; but upright this is the
Way a Christian should be
3. The Palm tree is Graceful.
A. In heaven the saints are portrayed as those
Clothed in white with palm leaves in their
Hands. (What a graceful sight)
B. The Thorn bush is not graceful; it just
Grows in thickets.
4.Thorn bushes lose their leaves in the winter, and
Turn dark and gray. But a Palm tree keeps it’s
Beautiful color all year round (this is a sign of
Faithfulness Paul said 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
Are You the real thing? are you a palm tree?
(1) Can you say any time Lord I’m ready
(2) Night or Day
(3) Summer or winter
darkness or light
I’m ready to do your will (instant in season or out of
Season)
5. The Palm tree is Fruitful
The date palm tree produces 600 pounds of
Fruit yearly
The fruit can be used for medicine
Camels feed on the seed
Leaves are used for household goods
A drink is made from the sap
A Thorn bush produces only thorns; to prick who
Comes near
Are you the real thing Do you have the Fruit of the
Spirit
Love
Joy
Peace
Long-suffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance Self-control.
6. A palm tree leads people to an oasis
Traveler on the desert
lips parched from the sun
lungs scorched from the burning hear
Face blackened by the hot wind and blowing sand
Feet on fire from the burning sand
Sees a Palm tree in the distance Knows that if he can reach the tree that there is an oasis there where he can receive refreshment and relief and a drink of life-giving water
We as Christians need to be like a palm tree and lead sinners to God’s Mercy and Love
Are you the palm tree or a thorn bush?
