Are You Growin’ or Blowin’?
Psalm 1
Introduction:
The old phrase goes like this, “A picture is worth a thousand words!” Some may pass this statement off as fluff, but I believe there is something valid about this statement. A picture can tell many different stories to as many different people who may look at it.
If I was to bring our Wedding Album down here for example, perhaps the story you may see would be something different from what Liss and I might have. There’s one picture in there for sure that I remember what I was thinking when the photographer was taking the picture. The expression was written all over my face. It is one of those “Oh my land, I can’t believe he taking ANOTHER picture of us!” It’s funny, but in many wedding albums, which is supposed to be a record of the happiest day in a couples life, you find more fake smile and half hearted emotions. Ironic, isn’t it?
A picture is a lasting image of a special time, place or person. How many times have you found yourself somewhere, and there was some person staring at you? And what’s one of the expressions that may, or may not, come to your mind? “Take a picture, it’ll last longer!”
The one thing I love about pictures are the people’s different views on what the photographer, or artist, must have been trying to express. I get a kick out of art reviewers who can look at a picture, and tell you exactly what the artist must have been going through at this particular junction in his or her own life. The use of light and dark colors may represent pain and torment. The brush strokes may show the tale of lost love. When I look at that same picture, the only thing I can see is a bunch of squiggles and slash marks. The only image I get is the artist locked in a room with no ventilation, and the oil in the paint has begun to affect his brain skills!
But one thing that we cannot deny is that a picture will leave an impression on us. The Word of God is filled with pictures. The way in which God inspired the writers leaves within our minds lasting images of days gone by. Descriptive poetry will leave feeling like we were actually there. The Psalms are notorious for this type of “verbal imagery!” And that’s where we find ourselves today.
Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man
1 Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
It is within this words of this Psalm, a picture of contrast has been painted for us. We see a metaphor for the man or woman who is living a Spirit-filled life, and in contrast, the life of one who does not know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It is from this Psalm the following questioned can be asked; are you growing or blowing? Are you like the tree, or the chaff.
As we look as this picture, we see two lives. Which life are you living today? Are you a tree, or are you chaff?
The Life of a Righteous Man - Growing (vs. 1-4)
A righteous person is like a tree planted by the water. It was said that back in the time of the Loyalist (Canada’s first English settlers) that the trees were so huge and strong, that often the ones closest to the water were cut down, limbed, and used as the masts of the tall ships of the day.
We can see three interesting things about trees in this passage, more over we can see three principles of a person who lives in accordance to the Word of the Lord. The first thing that we can see that a tree that has been planted is being fed on a continual basis. It’s source of food is right there beside it.
People, a person who is like a tree planted by the water is a person who has received the Word of God as the truth, and has the Living water of life flowing within them. Christ Himself said in John 4:14 “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
If any of you have ever planted a garden, you know that plants need two things in order to survive. They need water, and they need sunlight. Let me say today that a righteous man finds his “water supply” from the Lord Jesus Christ, and it His guiding light (that being the leading of the Holy Spirit) that will help us growing strong and firm in him.
The second thing we notice about a tree planted by water is that the tree has a very deep root system. That tree is anchored. Not only does it’s roots help that tree find the nourishment it needs, but it also gives it a line of defense for when the storms may come, and the strong winds may blow against it. Ladies and gentlemen, the roots of the righteous man are so deep in the Lord that not only will he find his nourishment, but will also find his security in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Psalmist knew that he was secure when he was a child of the King. Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. There is safety within the arms of our loving Lord and Savior.
Not only is a righteous person being fed and protected, but he also produces good fruit. Look at verse 3 with me once more: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. A righteous man or woman show the works of their labors, and they good.
The purpose of fruit on a tree is that there will be more trees like it in the years to come. Fruit have within them seeds, and these seeds will bring forth more seeds that will bring forth more fruit, and then more trees, and so on and so forth.
The righteous man, or woman, is a person who invest their time into bringing men and women to Christ, therefore producing fruit. As a church, we need to be in the reproduction business. The Kingdom is not full. There is still room for our friends and loved ones,. but the time is growing short.
Just like in the plant world, there is a season in which things need to get done. Our season is almost over, and the crops need to be brought in. A righteous man or woman is a harvester of souls!
In contrast to the righteous man, the unrighteous are compared to chaff. Chaff is nothing but the useless husks off of a wheat kernel. It serves no purpose after it is off, so it is tossed about in the wind. Not a very flattering image to be compared with. But this is the description of the unrighteous.
As with the tree, three things can be drawn from the chaff.
The Unrighteous Man - Blowin - (vs. 5,6)
Since there is a visible contrast between the two types of people, let’s look at the differences between chaff and the tree, or the righteous and unrighteous man. Where the tree was a living, vibrant thing, the chaff is dead. It has no purpose, and it has no future.
Chaff in a person’s life is sin. Sin equals death. So a person apart from God is dead. They have no hope of eternal life, just eternal death. Sin will, and does, keep a person away from God.
Good works will not bring you closer to Him. Nice people will not make it to heaven. If you have never experienced the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, then friends you have no hope in the world of ever making it on your on.
Chaff is not only dead, but it is easily tossed about by the winds. Even the slightest of breezes can blow this light husk away. So to will the storms of life. Once the wind stops blowing, the chaff will stay still. For moment in time, they will seem rooted like the tree, and not move. But as soon as a breeze pops up, they’re off again.
I believe there people that attend church, even this church, that have been like chaff for far to long. They may feel like they have it all under control when the storm dies down, but as soon as the winds of life blow, they are off again into they’re old patterns and ways off life. You cannot turn yourself into something you are not. All the positive thinking seminars and self help books are not going to help. Coming to church isn’t even enough. Only Christ can change you, and make you into a new creation.
Thirdly, where the tree was a source of fruit and new life, the chaff is worthless, and good for nothing. Folks, apart from God we are NOTHING! God may not make junk, but we sure can make a waste of something he had created.
We were driving through Boston on our way back to Kentucky. We passed a little strip mall, when a spotted a store that sold pornographic materials. Back home, these stores has thick curtains in the windows, but here they had manaquins displayed in the window. People, if you are following the example of the world, then you will be blown away with the world.
Contrary to what the Presidential candidates may be saying, this world isn’t getting any better. They may try to make you think that the increased economy is a good step in the right direction. They might say that unified health care is a plus to have. Don’t get sucked. The Antichrist will do just as much good as the next person, so don’t get sucked in.
Conclusion:
At beginning of the sermon, I asked you if you were a tree or chaff. Are you saved, and sure of Heaven, or are you being blown about, with nothing to hold on to this morning.
For those trees in the congregation, I want to say this. You were not always trees. You once were the unrighteous, but Christ opened your eyes, are you are now full of His life. You have been set free by the Blood of the Lamb. Praise God for that!
To those who may have felt the Lord say that you were not a tree, but were being blown about by the winds of life, I have good news for you today. Christ can make you a tree. He wants to fill you with His life, and free you from your shackles of sin. Christ himself said these words in John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. There’s life in Christ, and He’s offering it to you today.
Maybe you’re a tree, and you’re not being fruitful. He can help you too!
