Choosing the Righteous Path: A Call to Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: The Dichotomy of Paths

Psalm 1 sets before us two distinct paths: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. There is no middle ground. This psalm invites us to choose the path of righteousness, which is ultimately the path of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one who perfectly embodies the righteous path, and through Him, we find true happiness and blessedness. [03:07]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure you are walking on the path of righteousness, following Jesus' example?

Day 2: Delighting in God's Word

The righteous are characterized by their delight in the Lord's instruction and their meditation on it day and night. This delight is not just an emotional response but a deep, ongoing engagement with God's Word. It involves a commitment to let God's Word shape our thoughts, actions, and lives. [12:31]

Psalm 119:97-98 (ESV): "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more time for meditating on God's Word in your daily routine? What changes can you make to prioritize this?

Day 3: Fruitfulness of the Righteous

Those who follow the way of the righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in its season. This imagery signifies a life nourished by God's Word, leading to spiritual prosperity and resilience. In contrast, the wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind, signifying a life devoid of lasting value and substance. [26:15]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What areas of your life need more nourishment from God's Word to bear fruit? How can you ensure you are abiding in Christ daily?

Day 4: Eternal Destinies

The psalm speaks of the differing ends of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous will stand in the judgment and be part of the assembly of the righteous, gathered around Jesus. The wicked, however, will not stand in the judgment and will be excluded from this great assembly, leading to their eternal ruin. [31:18]

Matthew 25:31-32 (ESV): "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."

Reflection: Reflect on your life and actions. Are they leading you towards the assembly of the righteous? What changes can you make to ensure you are on the path to eternal life with Jesus?

Day 5: Invitation to Turn to Jesus

For those who find themselves on the wrong path, there is an invitation to turn to Jesus, who offers forgiveness and a new way of life. Jesus invites us to abandon the way of the wicked and to build our lives on the solid foundation of His Word. [37:43]

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to turn back to Jesus and seek His forgiveness? What steps can you take today to realign your life with His teachings?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Psalm 1 presents a clear dichotomy between two paths: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. This psalm serves as an invitation to walk in the way of the righteous, which is ultimately the way of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the embodiment of the righteous path, and through Him, we find true happiness and blessedness. The psalm outlines three key contrasts between the righteous and the wicked: their lifestyles, the fruit they bear, and their ultimate destinies.

The lifestyle of the righteous is marked by a rejection of ungodly counsel and a deep delight in the Lord's instruction. This delight is not superficial but involves meditating on God's Word day and night. In contrast, the wicked follow a path that leads them to mock and scorn God, ultimately resulting in their ruin.

The fruit of the righteous is likened to a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. This imagery signifies a life nourished by God's Word, leading to spiritual prosperity and resilience. On the other hand, the wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind, signifying a life devoid of lasting value and substance.

Finally, the psalm speaks of the differing ends of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous will stand in the judgment and be part of the assembly of the righteous, gathered around Jesus. The wicked, however, will not stand in the judgment and will be excluded from this great assembly, leading to their eternal ruin.

In light of this, we are called to thank Jesus for His perfect righteousness, seek His help to walk in His ways, and delight in His Word. For those who find themselves on the wrong path, there is an invitation to turn to Jesus, who offers forgiveness and a new way of life.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Dichotomy of Paths: Psalm 1 sets before us two distinct paths: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. There is no middle ground. This psalm invites us to choose the path of righteousness, which is ultimately the path of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one who perfectly embodies the righteous path, and through Him, we find true happiness and blessedness. [03:07]
2. Delighting in God's Word: The righteous are characterized by their delight in the Lord's instruction and their meditation on it day and night. This delight is not just an emotional response but a deep, ongoing engagement with God's Word. It involves a commitment to let God's Word shape our thoughts, actions, and lives. [12:31]
3. Fruitfulness of the Righteous: Those who follow the way of the righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in its season. This imagery signifies a life nourished by God's Word, leading to spiritual prosperity and resilience. In contrast, the wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind, signifying a life devoid of lasting value and substance. [26:15]
4. Eternal Destinies: The psalm speaks of the differing ends of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous will stand in the judgment and be part of the assembly of the righteous, gathered around Jesus. The wicked, however, will not stand in the judgment and will be excluded from this great assembly, leading to their eternal ruin. [31:18]
5. Invitation to Turn to Jesus: For those who find themselves on the wrong path, there is an invitation to turn to Jesus, who offers forgiveness and a new way of life. Jesus invites us to abandon the way of the wicked and to build our lives on the solid foundation of His Word. [37:43]
### [37:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Reading of Psalm 1
[03:07] - Introduction to the Two Paths
[04:32] - Jesus as the Righteous One
[05:53] - Contrasting Lifestyles
[07:30] - Walking, Standing, Sitting
[09:14] - Influence of Ungodly Counsel
[10:57] - Mocking Culture
[12:31] - Delighting in God's Word
[14:06] - Jesus' Perfect Delight
[15:46] - Treasuring God's Word
[17:12] - Story of Mary Jones
[18:49] - Meditating on God's Word
[20:25] - Importance of Time in God's Word
[21:56] - Sucking the Goodness Out of God's Word
[23:28] - Murmuring God's Word
[24:39] - Contrasting Fruitfulness
[26:15] - Tree Planted by Streams
[27:45] - Spiritual Prosperity
[29:00] - Internal Renewal
[30:38] - Chaff of the Wicked
[31:18] - Differing Endings
[32:04] - Judgment and Exclusion
[33:15] - Eternal Gathering
[34:45] - Thank You, Jesus
[35:28] - Help Me, Jesus
[36:11] - Invitation to Turn to Jesus
[37:43] - Seek the Lord
[38:51] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 1, what are the characteristics of the righteous person's lifestyle? ([01:30])
How does Psalm 1 describe the fruitfulness of the righteous compared to the wicked? ([26:15])
What are the ultimate destinies of the righteous and the wicked as described in Psalm 1? ([31:18])
What does it mean to "delight in the Lord's instruction" according to the sermon? ([12:31])

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon explain the significance of rejecting ungodly counsel in the life of a believer? ([07:30])
What does it mean to meditate on God's Word day and night, and how does this practice impact a believer's life? ([18:49])
In what ways does the sermon illustrate the difference between the temporary nature of the wicked's life and the enduring fruitfulness of the righteous? ([30:38])
How does the sermon connect the imagery of a tree planted by streams of water to the life of a believer? ([26:15])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current sources of advice and influence. Are there any ungodly counsels you need to reject to walk in the way of the righteous? ([07:30])
How can you practically incorporate meditating on God's Word into your daily routine? What specific steps will you take this week to start or improve this practice? ([18:49])
Think about a time when you felt spiritually dry. How might delighting in God's Word have changed that experience? What can you do to ensure you are spiritually nourished? ([12:31])
The sermon mentions the importance of spiritual fruitfulness. Identify one area in your life where you want to see more spiritual fruit. What actions will you take to cultivate this fruit? ([26:15])
The sermon invites those on the wrong path to turn to Jesus. If you feel you are on the wrong path, what steps will you take to seek Jesus' forgiveness and guidance? ([37:43])
How can you encourage others in your small group or community to delight in and meditate on God's Word? Share one practical way you plan to do this. ([12:31])
Reflect on the ultimate destiny of the righteous as described in the sermon. How does this eternal perspective influence your daily decisions and priorities? ([31:18])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers. Instead, his delight is in the Lord's instruction and he meditates on it day and night." [01:30] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If we love the Lord Jesus, the call is to not go down that pathway, the pathway of the wicked. It is to walk a very different pathway. What is that path to go? Verse two, that blessed is the one who doesn't walk down that direction but how happy is the one who says no, I'm not going to go that way. I follow Jesus and stares walks down a very different path." [10:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Christians are people of the book, whether it's on our phones, our tablets, or the analog style. We are people of the book. Look at verse two, it says instead such a person delights in the Lord's instruction and they meditate on it day and night." [12:31] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Think of your welcome, your place in that heavenly kingdom, where it will be like that, and more so, forever. Of course, all who trust in Christ will be there. Verse six, why is that? Well, the Lord watches, or the Lord knows, the way of the righteous. He's with you on that journey. The righteous will be there." [34:45] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The psalm ultimately is an invitation to join in the way of the righteous, to go along with God's people on this journey through the psalms. The psalm is firstly about Jesus. As I mentioned, it goes along with psalm 2. As we'll see, Jesus alone is the one who measures the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked." [03:07] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you are serious about following the Lord Jesus, the way of the righteous, well, the language in verse one begins with walking the wrong way, then you notice goes on to talk about standing in that wrong way, and then finally it's sitting in that wrong way. Walking, standing, sitting. And this picture, of course, when you've sat somewhere, you've settled there." [07:30] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The path we want to follow, of course, is the path of delighting in God's word. That's done by spending time in it and meditating on it. For there we delight in God. We want to, in this sense, we want to be more like Mary than Martha." [20:25] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "To meditate means to do that, to suck the goodness out of it. It also means to kind of murmur or chatter God's word. And it's a bit, it's not funny now, but a few years ago it was really weird when people started to kind of walk around with their mobile phones and you'll see someone this towards you and they'd just be talking to themselves." [23:28] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The Bible is a delight. That's the contrasting lifestyles. The second is the contrasting fruit that both those approaches give. Just look at verses three and four. Verse three, those who walk down that path of delighting God's words, how are they described? Well, they are like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season." [24:39] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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