“THE BLESSED LIFE” Psalm 1
FBCF – 5/17/20
Jon Daniels
INTRO – Rachel & I danced to “Happy” by Pharell at her wedding. People want to be happy.
The Hebrew word for “Blessed” means “happy.”
What do you think of when you think of a blessed life – a happy life? What are the characteristics?
- Some people may think more $
- Success in business or school
- Popularity/respect among peers
- Having nice things – home, possessions
- Being healthy
We ask God to bless others – our kids, families, friends, church, missionaries. What are we asking for? What do we mean by that request?
We, as Christ-followers, are the most blessed people on earth.
- God has sent His Son to save us from our sins.
- He has sent His Holy Spirit to us to empower & equip us to live the Christian life.
- We are blessed!
So, how do we live this blessed life?
EXPLANATION – Open Bibles to Psalm 1.
Ps. 1 serves as a prologue & gateway to the rest of the Psalms. It’s a prelude of sorts for the remainder of the 150 Psalms.
- Prelude in worship service – designed to help prepare your heart & mind for worship
- Designed to begin directing our attention away from all the cares & distractions that may be weighing you down, & start directed your mind’s attention & your heart’s affection to the ONLY One who can strengthen you & provide for you in those cares & needs that you brought into the worship service.
This Psalm does that. It draws a distinction between a good person – a “blessed” person who has been blessed by God, not just someone who is better off than his/her neighbor - & a “wicked” person – a person who doesn’t care about the things of God, who is living for the world & their own selfish desires & pursuits.
- “The good man becomes stable, gracious, & prosperous; the evil man becomes empty, futile, & forgotten. It is a SHARP word, which the modern world would do well to remember.” (Interpreter’s Bible, p. 19)
When it comes down to it, there are only 2 ways that a person can live their life – either as a blessed person who is living for the Lord. Or an unblessed person who is living for themselves – there is NO middle ground.
- Jesus made this clear in Rev. 3:15-16 when He talked about being either “hot” or “cold.” Lukewarmness makes Him sick & want to vomit!
Part of our high calling as Christ-followers is to lovingly, but strongly tell others this truth & warn them about the eternal consequences of staying on the path of the unblessed person.
- Prov. 14:12 – “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death” (NLT).
- If you knew someone was walking down a path in the woods that would lead them straight to a hungry, vicious, huge grizzly bear, wouldn’t you warn them?
- If you knew someone was driving down a road headed toward a bridge that was washed out over a dangerous, raging, rushing river, wouldn’t you warn them?
We have the greatest GOOD NEWS in the world, &, too often, we keep it to ourselves. How tragic!
- Aren’t you thankful for the blessed life that God has given to you by His GRACE?
- Then share it w/ others!
4 CHALLENGES FOR LIVING THE BLESSED LIFE:
BE CAREFUL – v. 1
Notice the progression in this verse:
- WALK w/ wicked
- STAND w/ sinners
- SIT w/ scoffers
“walk” – go along with; travel with
“stand” – stop moving; remain; persist
“sit” – dwell; abide; establish a dwelling place
Be careful about taking counsel [advice; planning schemes] with “wicked” people who don’t care about the things of God.
Be careful about taking part in the ways [conduct; way of behavior; activity] of sinners who are deliberately turning away from God & rebelling against Him.
Be careful about dwelling with & establishing a throne with those who are openly & vigorously opposing God & His people.
BE FAITHFUL – v. 2-3 – to God’s instructions through His Word.
To “delight” in His Word means to take joy & pleasure in it.
- Whatever brings you joy & pleasure is where you’re going to spend your time.
o Kids/grandkids/ friends bring you joy & pleasure – You’re going to spend time w/ them
o Activities (hunting, fishing, vacationing, etc.) bring you joy & pleasure – You’re going to spend time doing those things
Delight in the Word! Pursue it! Go after it like you would for a hidden treasure filled w/ costly jewels b/c that’s what it is! It’s a treasure!!!
“meditate” – Literally means to mumur or mutter – Be intentional about the Word! It’s so important!
- Don’t be casual & nonchalant
- “I will leave it up to the preacher to give me what I need.” – NO! YOU go after it for yourself!
- “We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit & attentiveness.” (Francis Chan)
Results of faithfulness & intentional pursuit of the Word?
- You’ll be like a tree planted – TRANSplanted from useless, unproductive soil to the vibrant streams of water where you will flourish & be victorious!
- Jesus’ parable of the sower – Matt. 13
o Seed sown on the path, the rocky ground, & the thorns – choked out & unfruitful
o Seed sown in the good soil – produced an abundant crop!
BE MINDFUL – v. 4-5 – of what happens to “the wicked” – those who reject God, reject the Gospel, reject the Truth
2 things characterize them:
1. They’re like “chaff” – the useless husk on the grain that the farmer gets rid of & the wind blows away.
a. They bring no lasting benefit to anyone
b. There is a futility of life that has no God-reference, no firm foundation.
2. They will “perish” – v. 6b – They are & will ultimately be lost.
a. John 3:18 – “Whoever believes in [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already b/c he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
BE GRATEFUL – v. 6a – of your BLESSED position in Christ!
God “knows” our way!
- He watches over us
- He see us
- He understands us
- He cares about us
THIS is the BLESSED life!
CONCLUSION – Remember, there are only 2 ways to live:
- As a BLESSED person who is living for the Lord
- An an UNBLESSED person who is living for the world & themselves
Which way will you choose?
- Choose to be saved today & be a blessed person by the GRACE of God!
