The Real Thing

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