From Chaff to Wheat: Embracing Spiritual Life in Christ

 

Summary

In our journey through Psalm 1, we have come to understand the profound distinction between the blessed and the wicked. The blessed, as we have learned, are those who delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night, and are likened to a tree planted by streams of water, fruitful and prosperous. However, today we turn our attention to the stark contrast presented in verse four: the wicked are not so. They are like chaff that the wind drives away.

The wicked, or the ungodly, are those who do not seek godly counsel, who do not delight in the instruction of the Lord, and who are not nourished by the Holy Spirit. They may appear to be like the wheat, with an outer shell that gives the semblance of life, but inside they are empty, devoid of the kernel of spiritual life that is found in Christ. The chaff, which protects the kernel, is not meant to last forever. It serves a temporary purpose, and when the time of harvest comes, it is separated from the wheat and discarded.

The world often tells us to focus on the chaff, the external, but the truth is that what is inside is what truly matters. Our physical bodies and the life we build around them are temporary, like the chaff. It is the kernel, the spiritual life within us, that holds eternal value. Without the life-giving presence of Jesus Christ, we are spiritually dead, mere chaff to be blown away.

The process of threshing, separating the wheat from the chaff, is a powerful metaphor for the day of judgment. The wind, representing the Spirit of truth, will reveal what is of substance and what is not. Those who are found to be without the Spirit of Christ, without that kernel of new life, will not stand in the judgment. They will be like chaff, driven away by the wind.

But there is hope, and that hope is found in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. By acknowledging our sin, agreeing with God about our sinful state, and believing in the rich mercy of God, we can be made alive together with Christ. It is not through our own actions or inactions that we find salvation, but through the grace and love of Jesus.

As we reflect on the message of Psalm 1, let us examine our own lives. Are we like the tree planted by streams of water, or are we chaff, focusing on the external while neglecting the internal? Let us turn to Jesus, repent, and allow Him to bring to life what is dead inside, so that when the wind of the Spirit blows, we will be found to be wheat, gathered up by the Father for His purpose.

Key Takeaways:

- The true measure of our spiritual state is not found in external appearances or religious activities, but in the presence of the life-giving Spirit of Christ within us. Just as chaff is separated from the wheat, so will the Spirit of truth reveal the substance of our faith. [01:07:44]

- Prosperity and blessing in the biblical sense are not about material wealth or temporary success, but about eternal value and significance. True prosperity is found in a life that is rooted in Christ, bearing fruit that lasts forever. [50:06]

- Repentance is the gateway to spiritual life. It involves a heartfelt acknowledgment of our sinfulness, an agreement with God about the gravity of our sin, and a turning to Jesus in faith, trusting in His mercy and grace to save us. [01:16:20]

- The act of baptism is a public declaration of an inward transformation. It symbolizes the death of our old self and the birth of a new life in Christ. As a church, we celebrate and support those who take this step of obedience. [01:49:02]

- The urgency of the Gospel message cannot be overstated. The day of salvation is now, and we must not delay in turning to Jesus. He alone can save us from being mere chaff and make us alive with eternal purpose. [01:21:06]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 1:1-6
- Romans 8:9-11
- Ephesians 2:4-5

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 1, what are the characteristics of the blessed person and the wicked person? ([46:34])
2. What metaphor does the psalmist use to describe the blessed person in Psalm 1:3? ([50:06])
3. How does the sermon describe the process of threshing and its spiritual significance? ([01:03:04])
4. What does Romans 8:9-11 say about the presence of the Spirit in a believer's life? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about being spiritually alive? ([01:07:03])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be like a tree planted by streams of water, and how does this image contrast with being like chaff? ([50:06])
2. How does the sermon explain the concept of spiritual life versus spiritual death using the metaphor of wheat and chaff? ([01:00:09])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that external appearances can be deceiving when it comes to spiritual life? ([01:00:56])
4. How does the sermon interpret the role of repentance in bringing spiritual life, and what steps are involved in true repentance? ([01:16:20])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are you more like the tree planted by streams of water or like chaff? What steps can you take to ensure you are spiritually nourished? ([50:06])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of internal spiritual life over external appearances. What are some ways you can focus more on your internal spiritual growth this week? ([01:00:56])
3. Repentance is described as a gateway to spiritual life. Is there an area in your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? How will you take that step this week? ([01:16:20])
4. The sermon mentions the urgency of the Gospel message. How can you share this urgency with someone in your life who may not know Jesus? ([01:21:06])
5. Baptism is a public declaration of an inward transformation. If you have not been baptized, what is holding you back from taking this step? If you have, how can you support others in your community who are considering baptism? ([01:49:02])
6. The sermon talks about the Spirit of truth revealing what is of substance. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to examine and reveal areas in your life that need transformation? ([01:07:03])
7. Think about a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction? ([01:00:56])

Devotional

Day 1: Discerning Spiritual Substance
The true measure of one's spiritual state is often obscured by the external facades we construct. It is not the outward appearance or the religious activities that define our faith, but rather the presence of the life-giving Spirit of Christ within us. This internal reality is what endures beyond the temporal, much like the wheat that remains after the chaff is blown away. The chaff, while it may look similar to the wheat, lacks substance and is easily scattered by the wind. This metaphor speaks to the deeper truth that, without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our spiritual lives are as insubstantial as chaff.

The day of judgment is likened to the process of threshing, where what is genuine and of eternal value is separated from what is not. It is a sobering reminder that the Spirit of truth will reveal the true nature of our faith. This calls for a self-examination to ensure that we are not merely focusing on the external, but nurturing the spiritual life within us, which is sustained by Christ's presence. [07:44]

"For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18

Reflection: How does your daily life reflect the presence of the Spirit of Christ within you, beyond just external religious practices?

Day 2: Rooted in Eternal Prosperity
Prosperity and blessing, as defined by the Bible, transcend material wealth and temporary success. True prosperity is found in a life that is deeply rooted in Christ, bearing fruit that endures forever. This biblical perspective shifts the focus from the transient to the eternal, encouraging believers to cultivate a relationship with Jesus that yields lasting spiritual dividends. The image of a tree planted by streams of water, fruitful and flourishing, serves as a powerful illustration of a life sustained by divine nourishment.

This eternal significance is what gives life true value and purpose. It is a call to invest in the spiritual over the temporal, to seek the kind of prosperity that is measured not by earthly standards but by the richness of one's relationship with Christ. [50:06]

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." - Matthew 6:20

Reflection: What are some ways you can invest in your spiritual growth to ensure your life bears fruit that lasts forever?

Day 3: The Gateway of Repentance
Repentance is the critical turning point that leads to spiritual life. It is a heartfelt acknowledgment of one's sinfulness, an agreement with God about the gravity of sin, and a turning to Jesus in faith. This act of repentance is not merely a one-time event but a continuous posture of humility and reliance on God's mercy and grace. Through repentance, believers are made alive together with Christ, moving from spiritual death to life.

This transformative experience is rooted in the recognition of our need for a Savior and the acceptance of God's rich mercy. It is a journey from being spiritually barren to becoming a vessel of new life in Christ. [01:16:20]

"Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out," - Acts 3:19

Reflection: What is one specific sin or area of disobedience you need to repent of today, and how can you actively seek God's forgiveness and transformation?

Day 4: Baptism as a Declaration of Transformation
Baptism is a profound declaration of an inward transformation. It symbolizes the death of the old self and the birth of a new life in Christ. This sacrament is a public testimony of one's faith and obedience, marking the beginning of a transformed life. As a community of believers, the church celebrates and supports those who take this step, recognizing the significance of this outward expression of an inward change.

The act of being submerged in water and rising again mirrors the death and resurrection of Jesus, serving as a powerful visual of the believer's union with Him. It is a step of obedience that reflects the commitment to live a new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit. [01:49:02]

"Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4

Reflection: If you have been baptized, how does your life reflect the newness of life in Christ that your baptism represents?

Day 5: The Urgency of the Gospel Message
The urgency of the Gospel message is paramount. The day of salvation is now, and there is no time to delay in turning to Jesus. He alone has the power to save us from being mere chaff, to transform us into beings with eternal purpose and significance. This urgency is not meant to induce fear but to awaken a sense of immediacy in embracing the life-giving message of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel calls for an immediate response, a wholehearted turning to Jesus for salvation. It is a reminder that the opportunity to be made alive in Christ is available now, and it is the most critical decision one can make. [01:21:06]

"Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 6:2

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to live out the urgency of the Gospel in your own life and in sharing it with others?

Quotes

- "Being religious is not the equivalent of being born again. There are none that have been born again by referral or reference." [01:10:46](Download | )

- "If there is a spiritual anointing on one person or a church, you're just catching the drippings, but you've not experienced the anointing." [01:13:04](Download | )

- "Your salvation doesn't come from what you do or what you won't do. Your salvation from being the chaff that is blown away by the spirit of truth that reveals all." [01:15:11](Download | )

- "Repentance encompasses the acknowledgement of our sin that we are dead on the inside. That we are just chaff, bearing appearances of life on the outside, but nothing that will last forever on the inside." [01:16:20](Download | )

- "Hope is not found in our actions or inactions. Hope is found in Jesus. Hope is found in his actions, expressed through his love." [01:17:26](Download | )

- "The wind of the Spirit of truth reveals that we are alive and leaves us on the threshing floor to be gathered up and kept by the former of the Father." [01:07:44](Download | )

- "The wicked might be a tree, but it's going to be a malnourished one. It's going to be a tree with withered leaves. It's going to be a tree that's poor, without purpose, without hope." [57:05](Download | )

- "The chaff exists to protect what was inside. Life of purpose and weight inside. Our bodies and the essence of our being associated with it are chaff." [59:56](Download | )

- "It would be such a waste if all we do is focus our entire life on protecting something that doesn't even exist on the inside." [01:01:05](Download | )

- "The wind that comes and blows and separates the chaff from the wheat is an outside source. It's going to reveal what's strong enough to stay, what's alive enough to remain behind." [01:02:07](Download | )

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Transcript
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