The Wicked And The Righteous Are Compared

THE WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS ARE COMPARED (Outline)

June 14, 2009 --

PENTECOST 2 --

Psalm 1:1-6

INTRO: Psalm 1 clearly compares the believer and unbeliever. There can arise a problem in respect to comparisons. It can be called: “Compare and despair”. This happens almost daily. We compare ourselves with others and despair that our lives seem to be lacking. Who can really keep up with their neighbors? God wants us to look to that which is divine. This is the point of our text today. Too often we limit ourselves to earthly, mortal comparisons. "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise" (2 CORINTHIANS 10:12).

THE WAYS OF THE WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS ARE COMPARED.

I. The wicked do not endure.

II. The righteous are blessed.

I. THE WICKED DO NOT ENDURE

A. Verse 3 describes the righteous (believer) as a tree that is flourishing. It is well rooted.

1. The righteous tree finds strength as it draws nourishment from the very water of life.

2. The comparison comes in verse 4. The wicked have no solid foundation. They fail

3. The wicked are blown away like chaff, empty hulls. The wicked do not endure.

B. Verse 5a. The wicked will not stand on the Last Day . The wicked will receive their inheritance.

1. This is everlasting punishment in hell. God will separate the goats (wicked) from his sheep.

2. The wicked do not gather in God’s house, 5b. They care nothing at all about being righteous.

C. Verse 6b. No matter how successful they may appear on earth, ultimately the wicked do not endure.

D. In the end, the wicked do not endure. The wicked will perish. Presently wickedness seems to flourish. This ought not to surprise us. Wickedness will increase until the Lord Jesus returns on judgment day. The love of most will grow cold. Yet, the Lord God Almighty does not allow evil to flourish without consequences. "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (ROMANS 1:18). Today man suppresses the truth by wickedness. This does not change God’s truths. Abstinence is not promoted (or taught) in most schools. This method is seen as not practical. But there has never been one unwanted pregnancy due to abstinence. Abortion is used as an answer for the health of the woman to end unwanted pregnancies. The life of the infant in the womb is denied. In America the womb is the most dangerous place for survival.

E. Great and grievous things are done in our society all for the sake of money. Principles are given up to earn more. Morals are rejected for the sake of a better quality of life. Our world around us places more emphasis on meetings for self-enrichment rather than meetings for the growth of one’s soul. Our own selfishness distracts us from what is truly important. Jesus himself asks: "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (MARK 8:36,37). We can give nothing in exchange for our souls. The ransom for a life is too costly.

F. God’s law shows us our sins. We are often not far from the wicked. Our thoughts, words, and actions reveal the sinfulness and wicked that infects our lives. Daily we turn to our desires. Daily we turn away from and against what our loving Lord wants. "Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things"(PHILIPPIANS 3:18b, 19). More than we might want to admit our minds are on earthly things. God’s law reveals that we “live as enemies of the cross of Christ”. The wicked do not endure.

THE WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS ARE COMPARED.

The wicked do not endure.

II. THE RIGHTEOUS ARE BLESSED

A. The difference between the wicked and righteous are described beginning at verse 1.

1. The Lord blesses those who do not listen or take the advice of those who are wicked.

2. The blessed do not associate or keep the company with sinners or mockers.

B. Instead the righteous find joy and delight in the word of the Lord. Verse 2.

1. The righteous study this word of the Lord constantly. Such is the blessing of God’s word.

2. Verse 3. God’s word, the water of life, blesses the righteous. Believers prosper eternally.

C. Why are the righteous blessed? Verse 6a. The Lord blesses. The Lord takes care of every believer.