The Song of Life
Psalm 1
July 27, 1997
Evening Service
Introduction
I. People with No Character: Known liars, people who can not be trusted, character is needed to be a fine servant of God, without character there is no evidence of christian faith
II. The Path of Character: quote from Horace Greeley
III. Christians find the source for Life in God: true life comes from God, we must exhibit true character, God will guide us in the way of righteousness
Body
I. The Path of the Faithful
A. Blessed is the One:
1. The source of Blessing: Blessing comes from fellowship with God, the word litterally means happy, thus the source of true blessing is with God,
2. Result of Right Relationship: right relationship brings blessing, this is a spiritual blessing, Hard times will come but God is still with us,
B. Separation from what is Wicked:
1. Cause for Separation: One can not be involved in things contrary to God, causes strain and problems in the relationship, all aspects of life: walk, stand or sit
2. What is Wicked?: strong opposite from the concept of righteous, wicked are doomed without God, wicked are living a life that is filled with sin, there must be no participation in those types of activities,
C. Association with God:
1. Faithful are Associated with God: The source for relationship, without association there is no relationship, this is a must,
2. Blessing comes through Association: God blesses those who are His people, God’s people find strength in the Word, meditate is a form of application and memorization, know the truth
II. Two Possible Paths
A. The Faithful will Prosper
1. Another fact of God’s Blessing: God will make His people great, God will allow His people great reward, our reward is not in riches but in grace
2. Not always in physical Form: God has and does bless in physical ways, but not always, there are good servants who suffer and have nothing
3. The significance of the Tree: Tree - Symbol of Life and death, the person who is faithful prospers, tree by water, grows strong and well fed, source of life for the faithful
B. The sinner will not Prosper:
1. The symbolism of Chaff: no type of support, scattered and separated, useless and worthless, lifeless and dead,
2. The life of the Sinner: aimless and cursed, no true life, no true fruit, end result will be a life with no blessing from God
C. Final Result
1. Sinners will be blown away: Totally destroyed, no life left, fullest point of being cursed
2. Faithful will have fullness of life: fullness of God’s blessings, life that is abundant here and eternal in heaven
III. Path of God
A. God is with the Faithful
1. A promise: Those who life for God will have His presence, Joshua - I will never leave you or forsake you, God is faithful to his people
2. Final and highest part of Blessing: God watches over His people, God takes care of His own, faithful will have life beyond measure, here and in heaven
B. God will allow the wicked to perish
1. God must be just: God has set in motion Law for the people, those who do not follow the way of God will perish,
2. God will let them perish: God does not want to see anyone lost, as being just there must be consequences for actions, now God sacrificed His son to give grace
Application
I. The Path of the Faithful
A. Blessed is the One:
1. The source of Blessing: God is the source of our blessing, spiritual growth and spiritual nurishment, as a church we need to see blessing, we must be a blessing in our community
2. Result of Right Relationship: right relationship brings blessing, Hard times will come but God is still with us, the rain falls on the just and the unjust
B. Separation from what is Wicked:
1. Cause for Separation: One can not be involved in things contrary to God, we can not be participating in sinful activities, we must be a witness to the community, be in the world but not of the world
2. What is Wicked?: behavior that is contrary to Christ, behavior that destroys the church, acting out of hate rather than love, judging rather than loving, being negative rather than positive,
C. Association with God:
1. Faithful are Associated with God: The source for relationship, without this there is no hope and there is no blessing, we must have relationship with God
2. Blessing comes through Association: God blesses His people, we must be actively involved in the service, in prayer and in study, we must develop our relationship with God
II. Two Possible Paths
A. The Faithful will Prosper
1. Another fact of God’s Blessing: God will make His people great, God will make this church great, we must be faithful and free from actions that destroy and devistate others
2. God will give New Life: Just as a tree, God will bring growth and completeness, healing and wholeness, life that is worth living
B. The sinner will not Prosper:
1. Sin keeps us from prospering: The effects of sin on our relationship, God hates sin and will not bless those who sin,
2. Sin is keeping this church from being prosperous: Actions that are not Christlike destroy our effectiveness, when we fail to be faithful it hurts the church, people have two lives; church and social
C. Final Result
1. Sinners will be blown away: Totally destroyed, no life left, fullest point of being cursed
2. Faithful will have fullness of life: fullness of God’s blessings, life that is abundant here and eternal in heaven
III. Path of God
A. God is with the Faithful
1. A promise: God is faithful to his people
2. Final and highest part of Blessing: God watches over His people, God takes care of His own, faithful will have life beyond measure, here and in heaven
B. God will allow the wicked to perish
1. God must be just:
2. God will let them perish: God does not want to see anyone lost, now God sacrificed His son to give grace, we must act as God’s agents of grace and go to the lost
