Choosing the Path: Righteousness vs. Wickedness

 

Summary

In our journey through Psalm 1, we have been deeply moved by the profound truths it contains. This Psalm has been a beacon, guiding us to understand the two distinct paths laid before us: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. It is with a heart full of gratitude that we recognize the many who have come to know Jesus and have been baptized, affirming their commitment to walk in righteousness.

The essence of our message today is a call to examine our lives and ask ourselves if we have truly found ultimate happiness in Jesus. Have we experienced a transformation so profound that we are no longer the same as we were before? This transformation is not a mere change of habits or a superficial shift in identity; it is a complete and total rebirth into a life that is blessed and happy—a life that is rooted in the righteousness of God and flourishing in His favor.

We have seen the stark contrast between the blessed man, who is like a tree planted by streams of water, and the wicked, who are like chaff blown away by the wind. The blessed man stands firm in judgment, his life built on the unshakable foundation of God's righteousness. In contrast, the way of the wicked is marked by fragility and is destined for destruction.

As we stand on the threshold of eternity, we are faced with two fates: the fate of eternal life with God or the fate of eternal separation from Him, which is hell. The sobering reality is that life is fragile, and our time to choose our path is limited. The blessed life is not found in the transient pleasures of this world but in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who offers us salvation and the promise of eternal life.

Today, I urge you to consider where you stand. If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus, do not leave without making the most important decision of your life. For those who are believers, let this be a reminder of God's goodness and faithfulness. Let go of anything that aligns you with wickedness and fully surrender to God.

As we close, let us lean on God and forsake ourselves, trusting in Him with all our hearts and not leaning on our own understanding. Let us be assured that God intimately knows our way and will guide us according to His perfect will.

Key Takeaways:

- The blessed life is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a life marked by transformation and rooted in the righteousness of God. This righteousness is not our own but is imparted to us through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. As we stand firm in this righteousness, we find true happiness and fulfillment. [59:43]

- Life is fragile, and the pursuit of happiness cannot be based on the shifting sands of worldly desires or achievements. True happiness is found in the eternal and unchanging nature of God's love and salvation. The way of the wicked may appear attractive, but it is ultimately as fragile as a piece of fine china—easily shattered and devoid of lasting substance. [58:13]

- The two fates presented in Psalm 1 are not mere possibilities but certainties that each of us must confront. Our eternal destiny hinges on our response to Jesus Christ. It is not enough to simply know about Him; we must know Him personally and intimately, as one knows a close friend or a beloved spouse. This knowledge leads to a life that is secure in the face of judgment. [55:43]

- The call to forsake ourselves and lean on God is a daily act of surrender. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly and acknowledge Him in all our ways. As we do so, He will direct our paths and lead us into the blessed life He has designed for us. This surrender is not a one-time event but a continual posture of humility and dependence on God. [01:09:31]

- God's intimate knowledge of us, described by the Hebrew word "yada," is a profound comfort and assurance. He knows us more deeply than we know ourselves, and His guidance is perfectly tailored to our needs and circumstances. As we meditate on His Word and allow it to permeate our hearts, we grow in our understanding of His love and our confidence in His sovereign care. [01:12:05]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 1:1-6
- "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."

2. Proverbs 3:5-6
- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

3. Matthew 7:21-23
- "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the characteristics of the "blessed man" as described in Psalm 1? How is he compared to a tree? ([49:01])
2. According to the sermon, what does the "way of the wicked" look like, and how is it ultimately described? ([49:33])
3. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 instruct us to do in our relationship with God? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about leaning on God? ([01:09:01])
4. In Matthew 7:21-23, what warning does Jesus give about those who claim to follow Him? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on truly knowing Jesus? ([01:02:01])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of a tree planted by streams of water in Psalm 1 help us understand the stability and nourishment found in a righteous life? ([49:01])
2. What does it mean to "stand firm in righteousness" according to the sermon, and why is this important for believers? ([53:01])
3. How does the sermon explain the fragility of life built on wickedness? What examples were given to illustrate this point? ([56:01])
4. What does it mean to "lean on God and forsake ourselves" as discussed in the sermon? How does this align with Proverbs 3:5-6? ([01:09:01])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are walking in the counsel of the wicked or standing in the way of sinners? How can you change these behaviors to align more with the "blessed man" described in Psalm 1? ([49:01])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of finding ultimate happiness in Jesus. Have you experienced this transformation? If not, what steps can you take to seek this profound change? ([45:01])
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. What are some practical ways you can acknowledge God in all your ways this week? ([01:09:01])
4. The sermon mentioned the fragility of life and the importance of standing firm in righteousness. How can you build a more stable and righteous foundation in your daily life? ([56:01])
5. Jesus warns in Matthew 7:21-23 about the danger of merely claiming to follow Him without truly knowing Him. How can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus to ensure it is genuine? ([01:02:01])
6. The sermon urged believers to let go of anything that aligns them with wickedness. Is there a specific sin or habit you need to surrender to God? How will you take steps to do this? ([01:19:01])
7. How can you incorporate the practice of meditating on God's Word day and night, as described in Psalm 1, into your daily routine? What changes will you make to prioritize this? ([49:01])

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Righteousness
The blessed life is a transformative journey that begins with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not merely about adopting new habits or changing one's outward identity; it is about a deep, internal metamorphosis that aligns one's entire being with the righteousness of God. This righteousness is a gift, imparted through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, and it is the foundation upon which true happiness and fulfillment are built. As individuals embrace this transformative power, they become like trees planted by streams of water, deeply rooted and abundantly fruitful in every season of life.

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36 ESV)

Reflection: How has your life changed since beginning your relationship with Jesus, and in what ways can you see His righteousness taking root in your daily actions? [59:43]

Day 2: The Fragility of Worldly Pursuits
The pursuit of happiness is often sought in the transient and unstable pleasures of the world. However, true happiness cannot be sustained by such fragile foundations. The way of the wicked, which may seem alluring, is likened to chaff that the wind drives away—lacking substance and easily destroyed. In contrast, the eternal and unchanging nature of God's love and salvation offers a happiness that is enduring and genuine. The blessed life is not found in the achievements or desires of this world but in the steadfast love of God, which provides a secure and lasting joy.

"But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble." (Psalm 37:39 ESV)

Reflection: What worldly pursuits have you mistaken for sources of true happiness, and how can you shift your focus to the enduring joy found in God's love? [58:13]

Day 3: Certainty of Eternal Destiny
Psalm 1 presents us with two definitive outcomes: a life eternally with God or a life eternally separated from Him. This is not a mere possibility but a certainty that hinges on one's personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not sufficient to simply know about Jesus; one must know Him intimately, as one knows a close friend or spouse. This deep, personal knowledge of Jesus Christ is what secures a person's life against judgment and leads to a destiny of eternal life.

"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3 ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on the depth of your relationship with Jesus. How can you cultivate a closer, more personal knowledge of Him starting today? [55:43]

Day 4: Daily Surrender to God's Will
The call to forsake oneself and lean on God is a daily act of surrender, requiring a heart that trusts in the Lord wholeheartedly. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages believers to acknowledge God in all their ways, with the promise that He will direct their paths. This surrender is not a one-time event but a continuous posture of humility and dependence on God. As believers practice this daily surrender, they align themselves with God's perfect will and experience the blessed life He has designed for them.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits? [01:09:31]

Day 5: God's Intimate Knowledge and Guidance
The Hebrew word "yada" speaks of God's profound and intimate knowledge of us. He knows us more deeply than we know ourselves, and His guidance is perfectly tailored to our individual needs and circumstances. As believers meditate on God's Word and allow it to shape their hearts, they grow in understanding His love and become confident in His sovereign care. This intimate knowledge is a source of comfort and assurance, guiding believers toward the blessed life that God has in store for them.

"O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar." (Psalm 139:1-2 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's intimate knowledge and guidance in your life, and how can you be more receptive to His direction moving forward? [01:12:05]

Quotes

- "The enemy is putting things out there for me and you to look at and to ascribe to and to take on in our lives. Those things are clean and shiny and they seem good. We have to be wise in judgment with wisdom and being prudent in our lives to make sure that we are following the way of the righteous." [59:13] (Download | )

- "If you think that salvation seems impossible, then you're starting to understand it. You're beginning to get it. You're beginning to become grounded in the fact that there is an unshakable foundation in God's word through his son Jesus that died on the cross for me and for you." [59:43] (Download | )

- "The psalmist closes this psalm with a final, clarifying warning and encouragement, I believe, of the two possible fates for mankind in order to persuade the reader to ascribe to the blessed life." [51:43] (Download | )

- "Have we found ultimate happiness, the blessed life in Jesus? Have you experienced salvation that transforms your life to where you are not the same as you were before?" [52:43] (Download | )

- "In times of uncertainty we can trust that God intimately knows our way and that he will guide us according to his perfect will." [01:10:31] (Download | )

- "Life is fragile and in the world's eyes so many times the wicked way. And I feel like sometimes we disconnect ourselves from this idea of wickedness. We're like, I'm not wicked. I'm a good guy. I'm a good gal. I'm not wicked at all. But can I just be clear for a second? The idea of wickedness here is anything other than what God has ordained for me and for you." [58:13] (Download | )

- "This passage paints, I believe, a vivid picture of the divergent paths taken by the righteous and the wicked. Two different paths, one here, one here, and we see throughout scripture other terminology of the wide road and the narrow path." [41:21] (Download | )

- "The Bible calls it wicked so I would be remiss this morning to not also call it wicked. I don't this morning want to hand you a lollipop and say I hope you have a great Sunday. See you next week." [58:13] (Download | )

- "The Hebrew word for meditate here in verse 2 where it says on his law he meditates day and night is the word mumble to yourself. Literally the idea here is to mumble to yourself the gospel, the things of God over and over and over again in your time quietly with the Lord." [01:13:05] (Download | )

- "And lastly he ends with the perishing way of the wicked. This song concludes in a solemn declaration but the way of the wicked will perish. And the path of the wicked is marked with rebellion towards God and is destined for destruction." [01:14:05] (Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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