The Godly Man

TOPIC: The Godly Man SPEAKER:Dixon Olu. David

TEXT: Psalm 1 DATE: 18th April 2004 (First delivered 17th Nov. 1991)

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way 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 doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever 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.

OUTLINE

Introduction

I. The Godly man defined

i. Negatively, His Don’ts, i.e. what he does not do.

ii. Positively. His deeds – What he does?

II The Godly man described

i. Positively.

a. Like a tree – Cp. Jer. 17:5-8.

b. Planted

c. Planted … by the rivers of water. …

ii. Negatively

a. Unlike an ungodly man

Introduction

The two had worked faithfully together for long. The appointed day has come for them to be separated. As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two. And Elijah went up to heaven, and Elisha saw him.

He took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him … went back and stood by the bank of Jordan, …. Smote the waters and said, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah? … And the God of Elijah showed Himself. 2Kg. 2:11-14.

Ever since, the God of Elijah has been seeking for other Elijahs.

There seems to be a dearth of such men, and God seems saying: “Where is the Elijah of the Lord God? In the same vein, godly men are wanted in our land today. They form the hope of the church this end time. Through them, God is ready to demonstrate His mighty power to hasten the return of the king.

Today we shall dwell on the scriptural text, Psalm 1: 1-6, to learn of the Godly Man.

Topic: The Godly Man.

Text: Psalm 1:1-6.

The story is told about a man who dreamed that an angel escorted him to church on Sunday. There he saw the organist vigorously playing the organ, but no sound was heard. The choir and congregation began to sing, but he heard no voices.

When the minister stood up to pray, his lips moved but he said nothing. The man was amazed as he turned to his guide. “You hear nothing,” said the angel, “because there is nothing to hear. These people are not engaged in worship – only in the form of worship. Their hearts are not touched and this silence is the silence that is yet unbroken by God.”

Prayer

God, break the silence as we listen with reverence to Your Word.

The Godly man – Who is he?

I. The Godly man defined

(1) Negatively, His Don’ts, i.e. what he does not do.

Illustration

Some ten years ago, a minister was addressing a group of Christians on how to know God’s will in choosing a life partner. He said: “if I tell you HOW NOT to know God’s will in choosing a life partner, then you’ll know HOW TO know God’s will.

The Psalmist has approached the definition of the godly man in this respect – what he – the godly man – does not do

The trio perfect

(a) Walk – Counsel – ungodly

(b) Stand – way – sinners

(c) Sit – seat – scornful

(a) Walk – Counsel – ungodly

He resists popular opinion

He seeks for the approval of God

He rejects trends and fashion of the time

(b) Stand – way – sinners

Abstains from all appearances of evil. I Thess. 5:22

Illustration: Augustine, Augustine, It is I!

It is not I! It is not I! replied Augustine

(c) Sit – seat - scornful

No pleasure in the company and way of life of those who hold God in open contempt.

· Samson and Delilah

· The French philosopher who pledged that Christianity shall be swept from existence within 100 years. Yet just 50 years after he died in 1779, the German Bible society had occupied Voltaire’s house with stacks of bibles.

· During World War II, Adolf Hitler erected a massive stone structure in Monte Carlo. It was to be a radio station from which to broadcast Nazi propaganda into North Africa. Today from that very building, Trans World Radio beams the gospel of Christ’s redeeming love all across Europe and into Russia and Africa.