True Happiness: Rooted in Relationship with God

 

Summary

In the first Psalm, we find a profound exploration of the nature of true happiness and blessedness. The Psalmist presents a vivid contrast between the godly and the ungodly, likening the godly to a tree planted by rivers of water, while the ungodly are compared to chaff blown away by the wind. This imagery serves to illustrate the deep and essential difference between those who are in right relationship with God and those who are not. The godly, like a well-planted tree, are stable, fruitful, and enduring, drawing life and sustenance from a constant source. In contrast, the ungodly, like chaff, are rootless, lifeless, and ultimately without value.

The pursuit of happiness is a universal human endeavor, yet the Bible teaches that true happiness is not dependent on external circumstances but on our relationship with God. This relationship transforms us, making us like the tree that is planted by the rivers of water. It is not something we achieve by our own efforts or merits; rather, it is the result of God's action in our lives. We become Christians not by nature or by our own doing, but by being planted by God into Christ, the source of life.

This transformation involves a profound change, a new birth, where we are given a new nature and new life through the Holy Spirit. It is a process that begins with conviction of sin, leading to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. As we are planted into Christ, we draw our life from Him, and this results in a life that bears fruit in its season, a life that is stable and enduring, even in the face of trials and challenges.

The Christian life is marked by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—and by a steadfastness that is not shaken by the changing circumstances of life. This is the abundant life that Jesus promised, a life that is rooted and grounded in Him, drawing from the endless supply of His grace and strength.

Key Takeaways:

- True happiness and blessedness are not dependent on external circumstances but on our relationship with God. This relationship transforms us, making us stable and fruitful like a tree planted by rivers of water. [02:23]

- Becoming a Christian is not a natural process or the result of our own efforts. It is the result of God's action in our lives, planting us into Christ, the source of life. [10:50]

- The transformation into a Christian involves a new birth, where we are given a new nature and new life through the Holy Spirit. This process begins with conviction of sin, leading to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. [22:19]

- The Christian life is marked by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—and by a steadfastness that is not shaken by the changing circumstances of life. [46:03]

- The abundant life that Jesus promised is a life that is rooted and grounded in Him, drawing from the endless supply of His grace and strength. This life prepares us for all of life's challenges and ensures that our leaf will not wither. [51:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Psalm 1
- [01:22] - The Question of Happiness
- [02:23] - Happiness Independent of Circumstances
- [03:46] - Two Initial Errors of Man
- [05:01] - The Bible's Use of Pictures
- [06:12] - The Profound Contrast: Tree vs. Chaff
- [07:43] - Characteristics of the Godly
- [09:30] - Becoming a Christian: God's Action
- [12:12] - The Planting Process
- [20:29] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [24:59] - Conviction and Realization
- [30:14] - Planted by the Rivers of Water
- [33:58] - Drawing Life from Christ
- [41:09] - Bearing Fruit in Season
- [51:04] - Leaf Shall Not Wither
- [56:00] - Conclusion: The Abundant Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 1:1-4

Observation Questions:
1. What are the characteristics of the godly person as described in Psalm 1? How does the imagery of a tree planted by rivers of water illustrate these characteristics? [00:14]
2. How does the Psalmist describe the ungodly, and what imagery is used to convey their nature? [00:33]
3. According to the sermon, what are the two initial errors people make regarding happiness and their understanding of Christianity? [03:30]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the process of becoming a Christian as something that is done to us rather than something we achieve on our own? [09:30]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian life is marked by stability and fruitfulness, even amidst life's challenges? [51:04]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the transformation of a believer? [22:19]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are seeking happiness through external circumstances rather than your relationship with God? How can you shift your focus? [02:23]
2. The sermon emphasizes that becoming a Christian is not a result of our own efforts. How does this understanding affect your view of your spiritual journey and your relationship with God? [10:50]
3. Consider the process of conviction, repentance, and faith described in the sermon. Have you experienced this transformation in your life? If so, how did it change you? [22:19]
4. The sermon mentions the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of a Christian life. Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most evident in your life, and which one do you want to cultivate more? [46:03]
5. How can you ensure that your life is "planted by the rivers of water," drawing sustenance from Christ? What practices or habits can help you stay rooted in Him? [30:14]
6. The sermon speaks of a life that is stable and enduring. How do you currently handle trials and challenges? What can you do to strengthen your faith and resilience? [51:04]
7. Reflect on the abundant life that Jesus promised. What steps can you take to experience this more fully in your daily life? [51:04]

Devotional

Day 1: True Happiness is Rooted in God
True happiness and blessedness are not dependent on external circumstances but on our relationship with God. This relationship transforms us, making us stable and fruitful like a tree planted by rivers of water. The Psalmist uses the imagery of a tree planted by streams of water to illustrate the stability and fruitfulness that comes from a life rooted in God. Unlike the fleeting happiness that the world offers, which is often tied to changing circumstances, the happiness that comes from God is enduring and steadfast. It is a happiness that is not easily shaken by life's challenges because it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God. [02:23]

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: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God today to experience true happiness that is not dependent on your circumstances?


Day 2: God's Action in Our Lives
Becoming a Christian is not a natural process or the result of our own efforts. It is the result of God's action in our lives, planting us into Christ, the source of life. This transformation is initiated by God, who plants us into a relationship with Christ, allowing us to draw life and sustenance from Him. It is not something we can achieve through our own merits or efforts; rather, it is a divine act of grace. This understanding shifts the focus from human effort to divine intervention, emphasizing that our spiritual growth and transformation are rooted in God's work in us. [10:50]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you tried to earn God's favor through your own efforts. How can you rest in the assurance that your relationship with God is a result of His action, not your own?


Day 3: The New Birth in Christ
The transformation into a Christian involves a new birth, where we are given a new nature and new life through the Holy Spirit. This process begins with conviction of sin, leading to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The new birth is a profound change that redefines our identity and purpose. It is a spiritual rebirth that involves a complete transformation of our inner being, enabling us to live a life that reflects the character of Christ. This new life is marked by a growing awareness of sin, a desire for repentance, and a deepening faith in Jesus as our Savior. [22:19]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What areas of your life still reflect your old nature? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring about transformation in those areas today?


Day 4: The Fruit of the Spirit
The Christian life is marked by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—and by a steadfastness that is not shaken by the changing circumstances of life. As we remain rooted in Christ, the Holy Spirit produces in us the fruit that reflects His character. This fruit is not the result of human effort but the natural outcome of a life surrendered to God. It is a life that remains steadfast and unshaken, even in the face of trials and challenges, because it draws strength from the unchanging nature of God. [46:03]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit in your life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this fruit with the help of the Holy Spirit?


Day 5: The Abundant Life in Christ
The abundant life that Jesus promised is a life that is rooted and grounded in Him, drawing from the endless supply of His grace and strength. This life prepares us for all of life's challenges and ensures that our leaf will not wither. It is a life characterized by spiritual vitality and resilience, sustained by the grace and strength that come from a deep relationship with Christ. This abundant life is not about material wealth or success but about a richness of spirit that enables us to thrive in any circumstance. [51:04]

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: How do you define an abundant life? In what ways can you draw more deeply from Christ's grace and strength to experience this abundance in your daily life?

Quotes


The Bible says no if that is so you'll never have true happiness it has a happiness to give us which is independent of circumstances independent of what happens to us as I hope to show you in particular this evening it says that our happiness and our blessedness depends entirely and solely upon our relationship to God and what we become when that relationship is right and when it is the true one. [00:02:50]

One becomes a Christian one becomes a Godly person as the result of something that is done to us it is the result of something that happens to us where do you find that says someone will I find it here he shall be like a tree planted the tree is planted by the rivers of waters it's put there and it's put there by somebody it isn't a natural growth. [00:09:38]

No one is a Christian by Nature no one is born a Christian into this world doesn't matter where you're born I trust that nobody still believes gives the nonsense about Christian countries and that we are Christians because we are born in a particular country or that we are born into a particular family that happens to be Christian there's no such thing. [00:10:46]

What makes anybody a Christian is what God has done in and through his only begotten beloved Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and by the application of all that by the Holy Spirit to individual persons planted now let me get this clear it's another's action it isn't our action it's something that's done to us it's something that happens to us. [00:14:38]

What makes us Christians is that God creates us a new he puts new life into us he puts a new principle into us we become New Creations we become new men oh my dear friend at your realized death the Christian you see is as I showed last Sunday night absolutely and essentially different this heap of Refuge this chaff this gathering this lump of chaff it's got a life in it but the Christian's like a tree. [00:21:42]

The Christian is a man who draws the whole of his life and nutriment and sustenance and everything from the Lord Jesus Christ himself my dear friends let him say it for himself so that you don't imagine that I'm inventing these things that I'm putting before you listen to him these are his words in the sixth chapter of The Gospel According to S John he says I am that bread of life. [00:34:22]

The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace longsuffering gentleness goodness meekness faith and Temperance that's the fruit of the spirit and these are the things that begin to appear in a man who becomes a Christian now there are many people who say they're Christian but I've been told often in my consultations there with people after Services I know so and so was always selfish and self-centered. [00:45:56]

His Leaf also shall not wither the first Sunday night I said don't think that your happiness is dependent upon circumstances and events because if it does you may soon lose it who knows what's going to happen in 1963 are you afraid of it are you afraid of the future are you afraid of evil Tidings you say don't tell me because you're afraid of it you know if you are my friend I doubt whether you're a Godly person. [00:49:33]

This is one of the most glorious aspects of the Christian Life It prepares a man for everything that can ever happen to him It prepares us for middle age It prepares us for old age It prepares us for the days when we decrepit and scarcely moved and scarcely think It prepares us for illness It prepares us for Misfortune or loss It prepares us for difficulties with other people It prepares us for the death of loved ones. [00:51:04]

I have learned in whatsoever State I am therein to be content I know both how to be aasted and how to abound I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me in Heavenly love abiding no change my heart shall fear and safe is such confiding for nothing changes here the stor May Roar about me my heart May low be laid but God is round about me and can I be dismayed. [00:52:36]

I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him until that day oh my life being rooted and grounded in Christ I am able to say plenteous grace with thee is found Grace to cover all my sin Let The Healing streams abound make me keep me pure within thou of Life The Fountain art freely let me take of thee spring thou up within my heart rise to all eternity. [00:53:41]

Make certain that you are planted in him then you'll begin to Bear your fruit in your season and most wonderful your Leaf will never wither whatever may happen to you. [00:57:41]

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Transcript
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