WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.900 Life is offering you infinite paths. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:27.820 This is a saying that I've heard recently, and it's certainly in the water or in the air around us today, that the ways of life, the paths of life are infinite, that they're unlimited, that each of us has a unique pathway in our journey in life. 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:34.399 Now, that's of course true. Everyone in this room will have their own unique journey. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:46.620 The people you meet, the places you go, the decisions that you face, the opportunities you have, those with whom you live your life, these are all your own. 00:00:48.100 --> 00:00:52.039 And they're different from everyone else's, at least in the details. 00:00:52.039 --> 00:01:06.459 But the first psalm is going to show us that actually, despite all those unique and kind of infinite elements in the journey of life, there are really only two ways in life. 00:01:07.140 --> 00:01:12.000 There are two paths. One with God, and one without God. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:17.980 We can really take all of our individual unique paths and put them into two piles. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:23.560 One that lives life with God or in relationship with Him, and one that lives life without God. 00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:29.000 And I want you to leave this morning in that first pile. 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:33.879 I want you to see that the life with God is the good path. 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:36.780 That it's the true path. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:40.000 That it's the right path, and the path that you want to be on. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:45.799 But it's not just me that wants you living a life with God. 00:01:47.099 --> 00:01:51.019 Of course, the first psalm, most of all, wants you there. 00:01:51.019 --> 00:01:53.780 We are in Psalm 1. 00:01:53.859 --> 00:01:57.659 You can turn there, though I know some of us have been memorizing, so you might do that to your own embarrassment. 00:01:57.819 --> 00:01:58.500 Turn to the psalm. 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:01.439 It presents two people. 00:02:02.399 --> 00:02:03.060 Two people. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:06.340 And these two people are on the different paths that I'm talking about. 00:02:08.079 --> 00:02:10.240 Again, one with God and one without God. 00:02:10.859 --> 00:02:14.259 The psalm calls them the blessed way and the wicked way. 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:21.719 So we have blessed is the one who, and then wicked are as such and such and so on. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:23.479 That's what we're going to explore this morning. 00:02:23.579 --> 00:02:31.560 And the psalm is going to show us, it's going to show us just as much as it's going to tell us about these two ways of life. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:37.180 So we'll see the blessed way, and we will see the wicked way. 00:02:40.659 --> 00:02:42.379 Have you seen a packet of cigarettes lately? 00:02:42.379 --> 00:02:44.560 It's not a probing question. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:49.719 It's a black package with white letters now. 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:52.900 So they've gotten rid of all the kind of advertisement and branding. 00:02:55.519 --> 00:02:59.060 And it says, smoking damages your lungs. 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:04.979 The pack I saw also has a picture of a man holding his arm up with the caption of, 00:03:04.979 --> 00:03:07.159 Open wound after lung surgery. 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:09.960 It's not a pleasant picture. 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:16.360 But it shows us, and it tells us, how bad smoking can be. 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:21.020 Similar thing happens with motivational posters. 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:23.159 Do you remember these? 00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:25.840 A ball of eagle flying over the Rocky Mountains. 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:28.420 At the bottom of the cap says, excellence. 00:03:30.420 --> 00:03:35.400 Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never quit. 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:37.080 Excellence. 00:03:37.080 --> 00:03:43.740 Someone is an inspirational poster. 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:45.680 In that way it is. 00:03:46.160 --> 00:03:47.320 It's more profound than excellence. 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:49.860 It's showing you something worth living for. 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:51.760 And a person to live with. 00:03:53.340 --> 00:03:56.460 And like a package of cigarettes, it's also a warning sign. 00:03:56.460 --> 00:04:00.360 Even more serious, of course, than lung disease. 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:01.439 It's a warning sign. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:04.340 Aspiration and warning. 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:07.000 This is what the song holds up for us. 00:04:08.200 --> 00:04:12.040 And what we need to do this morning is have a good look at these two ways of life. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:16.360 And I trust that you'll be drawn in the right direction. 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:20.319 So let's begin with verse 1. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:23.379 The blessed way. 00:04:23.520 --> 00:04:25.319 Blessed is the man. 00:04:27.100 --> 00:04:29.639 The opening one does not say blessed are those. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:32.000 It doesn't say blessed are the people who. 00:04:33.220 --> 00:04:35.920 It says blessed is the one man. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:39.540 And we'll immediately see two things. 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:41.420 That this path is the blessed one. 00:04:41.520 --> 00:04:42.580 It is the blessed path. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:44.980 And yet it's not a popular path. 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:49.860 Blessed is the man who walks not in counsel of the wicked. 00:04:51.080 --> 00:04:52.920 Nor stands in the way of sinners. 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:55.080 Nor sits in the seat of scoffers. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:05:00.319 This is the way of the one and the way of the many. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:03.159 Wicked sinners, scoffers. 00:05:03.219 --> 00:05:04.439 These are groups of bad people. 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:07.759 And they're juxtaposed to the singular blessed person. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:10.620 The wicked give counsel. 00:05:11.599 --> 00:05:13.719 The sinners have a particular way of life. 00:05:13.799 --> 00:05:15.399 And the scoffers sit in judgment. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:17.279 And they concoct evil schemes. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:22.439 The blessed man rejects all of these possibilities. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:25.519 He shuts his ears to their advice. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:27.219 He gets off the wayward path. 00:05:27.480 --> 00:05:30.719 And he rejects the evil folly of the scoffers. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:33.339 He does not want to walk in their counsel. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:36.060 Does not want to stand in their path. 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:37.300 Does not want to sit in their seat. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:41.659 This is truly the blessed way. 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:45.259 But it doesn't mean it's easy. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:49.159 Going against the crowd. 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:52.760 Well, it's probably most difficult as a teenager. 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:54.740 Turn 13 years old. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:58.060 And all of a sudden, people matter in a whole new way. 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:00.620 Eventually that kind of ends. 00:06:00.700 --> 00:06:03.020 I think there's something unique about teenage years. 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:03.940 And the social world. 00:06:04.460 --> 00:06:06.400 And the significance of that. 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:09.300 So you go to a birthday party. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.060 And everyone brought their swimsuit. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:12.740 It's a pool there. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:15.139 You didn't bring your swimsuit though. 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:16.420 Because you don't like to swim. 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:20.040 For whatever reason, you're just not comfortable with it. 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:23.519 So what happens when everyone gets in the pool? 00:06:24.220 --> 00:06:25.139 It's time to get in the pool. 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:26.060 Come on. 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:26.780 Get in. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:28.860 That's what they say. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:31.060 And you say, I don't have my swimsuit. 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:32.000 I didn't bring my swimsuit. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:35.160 Now, of course someone says, I've got an extra one. 00:06:35.259 --> 00:06:36.500 Which is what you don't want to hear. 00:06:36.780 --> 00:06:40.139 But going against the crowd isn't easy. 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:41.939 It's not easy. 00:06:43.919 --> 00:06:46.899 The psalm speaks of the wicked, sinners, and scoffers. 00:06:48.099 --> 00:06:51.519 And I don't want to give the impression that most people at a pool party fit into that category. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:55.279 So what temptation might the blessed person actually encounter? 00:06:55.839 --> 00:07:01.279 What might life in these sorts of people bring this person's way? 00:07:02.899 --> 00:07:04.819 Well, the first chapter of Proverbs. 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:05.979 The first chapter of Proverbs. 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:08.680 Constructs a little short scenario of temptation. 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:10.800 It's a father giving advice to his son. 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:17.300 And he kind of says, son, imagine that these sinners are coming to tempt you. 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:22.840 And they want you to join in in their plan to steal that. 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:26.079 So this is the father talking. 00:07:26.659 --> 00:07:28.239 Basically saying what the sinners would say. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:28.959 Come with us. 00:07:29.599 --> 00:07:31.279 Let us lie in wait for blood. 00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:34.399 Let us ambush the innocent without reason. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:40.839 Like Sheol, let us swallow them alive and whole like those who go down to the pit. 00:07:41.799 --> 00:07:43.939 We shall find all precious goods. 00:07:44.699 --> 00:07:46.439 We shall fill our houses with wonder. 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:49.339 Throw in your lot among us. 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:51.579 We will have one purse. 00:07:53.859 --> 00:07:55.639 You can hear them rooting the boy on. 00:07:55.799 --> 00:07:56.439 Come on. 00:07:56.979 --> 00:07:57.899 Don't you want to be tough? 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:00.299 Don't you want to share in the spoils? 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:01.139 This is your chance. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:03.159 This is your chance to get it big. 00:08:05.339 --> 00:08:09.339 The Proverbs gives a clear sense of what these wicked characters are like. 00:08:10.219 --> 00:08:11.559 Again, I'm talking about the wicked. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:14.299 Sinners and scoffers from verse 1. 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:18.280 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:21.439 They do not know over what they stumble. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:26.280 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:30.420 These problems show that the wicked are ignorant. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:32.019 They are oblivious to error. 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:33.740 That their way is painful. 00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:36.740 They are dishonest, greedy, untrustworthy. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:41.399 Another prophet says, 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:43.560 A wise son hears his father's instruction, 00:08:43.680 --> 00:08:46.519 But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:50.840 Scoffer is the name of the arrogant, haughty man 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:53.840 Who acts with arrogant pride. 00:08:55.840 --> 00:08:59.600 Self-centered, unteachable pride. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:01.139 That's the scoffer. 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:04.919 These people don't accept correction. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:06.340 They're violent. 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:06.939 They're greedy. 00:09:07.439 --> 00:09:08.279 They're insulting. 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:13.559 It seems like they do whatever they and their companions want to do. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:17.539 The general principle is summed up in Proverbs 13.20. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:22.319 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:25.500 But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:35.419 On the BBC you can see a program currently about a burglary in Kensington from 2019. 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:40.480 Three thieves broke into Tamara Eccleston's house. 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:42.379 I didn't know who she was. 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:45.700 She's the daughter of Bernie Eccleston, the former head of Formula One. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:50.279 It's the largest home burglary in English history. 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:53.320 26 million pounds of jewelry. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:54.500 That's what they took. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:10:00.240 So the police tracked these guys down and a few of their accomplices. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:05.620 One of whom, one of the accomplices was named Alexander Stan. 00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:13.220 Apparently the burglars came to his house at the end of one of their burglaries. 00:10:13.460 --> 00:10:15.200 But not even the one under consideration. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:18.220 So he had had involvement with these thieves in the past. 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:26.620 Now, it goes to show that in the end, these burglars were charged and sentenced to prison. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.840 Stan, though, was found innocent. 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:34.259 The jury was convinced he didn't know anything about this crime. 00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:34.960 And he was let off. 00:10:37.420 --> 00:10:41.720 And as soon as he tells that to the reporter, this is what he says next. 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:47.580 After the case, though I was clear of any wrongdoing, I lost everything. 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:49.340 My family. 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:50.840 My place of living. 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:54.180 I was homeless for a month and a half. 00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:59.320 In a matter of seconds, my life was thrown upside down. 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:07.700 I think we sometimes want to rewrite the proverb, whoever walks with the wise will become wise. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:08.300 That's fine. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:12.920 And the companion of fools will get rich. 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:14.680 Become popular. 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:16.060 Look cool. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:17.379 Earn respect. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:24.220 But no, in reality, the companion of fools will suffer harm. 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:26.639 The companion of fools will suffer harm. 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:31.360 The way of blessedness says no to wicked counsel. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:33.659 It avoids the path of evil. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:37.720 For the wide world, you know people who steer around potholes to an excessive degree. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:40.259 Two, three car lengths, that sort of thing. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:40.960 Right? 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:41.620 That's what it does. 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:42.460 You get away from evil. 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:46.080 It does not even pause to look at the scholars. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:46.580 It does not even succeed. 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:53.759 These are sources along one's path that can lead and will lead to death. 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:56.320 They do not need spiritual life. 00:11:56.400 --> 00:11:57.800 They do not bless their recipients. 00:11:59.660 --> 00:12:02.180 The blessed person gets his advice elsewhere. 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:03.820 And this is what we see in verse 2. 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:08.680 His delight is on the law of the Lord. 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:12.400 And on his law, he meditates day and night. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:17.559 The source of all blessedness is God's instruction. 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:22.120 One commentator says, the way to happiness means following not the advice, 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.679 the question of the phrases. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.299 There's some important phrases here. 00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:28.379 So, the first one, his delight is on. 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.319 Right? 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:33.079 This isn't just to delight or take delight. 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:34.879 This is a particular phrase. 00:12:34.959 --> 00:12:38.600 His delight is on, particularly on or in the law of the Lord. 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:44.320 This same phrase can refer to many things. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.879 The Lord can delight in his people. 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:49.399 A psalmist can delight in God's people. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.080 Someone can delight in a lover. 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:55.519 Jonathan delights in his friend David. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.899 People delight in gold. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:02.560 The Lord delights in holy virtues and does not delight in the death of anyone. 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:09.319 Lastly, some people do not delight in the Lord's word. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:11.219 This is from Jeremiah 6. 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:15.379 To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:17.559 Behold, their ears are uncircumcised. 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.059 They cannot listen. 00:13:20.239 --> 00:13:22.759 Behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn. 00:13:23.119 --> 00:13:25.599 They do not delight in it. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:36.159 All of these passages show that to delight really means to receive delight from someone or something. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:38.720 To receive delight from someone or something. 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:43.379 The object of delight is a cause for joy and pleasure. 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:45.180 I get delight out of gold. 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:48.700 I delight from my friend David. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:51.220 I get delight from God's people. 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:52.680 That is the idea. 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:55.240 These things are sources of delight. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:14:02.100 So the image is not so much looking into the Bible, but of being filled up with it. 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:05.040 Being filled up with God's instruction. 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:07.519 And the delight that comes from that. 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:09.860 His delight is on the law of the Lord. 00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:14.500 The second thing, to meditate. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:18.040 To meditate on his law day and night. 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:20.399 This means to turn over in one's thoughts. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:20.920 To ponder. 00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:22.620 Using the memory. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:25.560 To meditate on the breath of material. 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:29.700 It requires focus and it expects an outcome. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.140 God. 00:14:30.140 --> 00:14:33.740 Just listen to Psalm 143. 00:14:35.140 --> 00:14:37.180 I remember the days of old. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:40.560 I meditate on all that you have done. 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:43.500 I ponder the work of your hands. 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:46.259 I stretch out my hands to you. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.199 Himself. 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:50.039 And it's never wrong to have that attitude. 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:50.839 Lord, I need you. 00:14:51.239 --> 00:14:52.399 I'm desperate for God. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:55.459 God is always pleased to earn you back. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:15:00.119 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.120 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.120 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.120 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:06.080 So the source of blessing is the law of God. 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:14.460 And as we'll see in the next verse, delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on his law is more like drinking water, being nourished, 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:19.419 than it is kind of digging in the ground and looking for something in the scriptures. 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:28.099 The idea of receiving God's word is a little more than searching through God's word. 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:29.599 But of course we do both of those things. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:33.579 The Lord's law is the source of blessedness. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:38.719 It's not found in the mouths of the wicked, those who reject God, but found in God himself. 00:15:40.319 --> 00:15:44.259 The psalm has told us this, but now it wants to show us. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:47.579 What does this blessedness actually look like? 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:50.259 If God's law is the source, then what is the substance? 00:15:50.800 --> 00:15:52.440 What is the substance of being blessed? 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.840 Let's have a look at verse 3. 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.800 He is like a tree. 00:15:57.900 --> 00:16:03.720 The blessed person is like a tree, planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season. 00:16:05.020 --> 00:16:06.480 And its leaf does not wither. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:09.200 And all that he does, he prospers. 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:15.340 The Bible can sometimes make comparisons that are humorous or a bit odd to the modern mind. 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:18.100 The Bible, Proverbs, likens the epitome of diligence to an ant. 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:20.139 Look at the ant and be wise. 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.000 And here we have a tree. 00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:25.560 But don't underestimate the tree. 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:28.160 Let's again look at a few phrases. 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:29.800 He is like a tree. 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:36.579 That tree is first of all planted by streams of water, which now we know to be the instruction of God. 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.759 That's what the water is. 00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:40.539 What is water to a tree? 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:41.759 Well, it's life itself. 00:16:42.979 --> 00:16:45.120 Without water, a tree will die. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:49.259 And with water, it not only lives, but bears fruit and grows. 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:52.419 Particularly reminded of this moment. 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.599 It's the same with the law of God. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.759 Without it, we perish. 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:58.840 We wither away as human beings. 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:01.700 But with it, we live. 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.980 We bear fruit. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.140 And we grow. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:13.180 It's like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season. 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.299 This is a curious phrase. 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:21.220 Now, this may mean that the blessed life does not always bear all of its fruit all the time. 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:23.860 I think that's probably the case. 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:25.839 There are times and seasons in the Christian life, basically. 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:26.459 Right? 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:28.279 And we see little hints of this elsewhere in the scriptures. 00:17:28.439 --> 00:17:30.599 Paul tells Timothy to preach the word. 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:32.659 Be ready in season and out of season. 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:36.379 That is, when the situation is convenient and when it's inconvenient. 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:40.519 That's partly applicable to what's going on. 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:44.319 Maybe Psalm 119 is closer. 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:47.000 My soul longs for your salvation. 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.000 I hope in your word. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:52.319 My eyes long for your promise. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:54.220 I ask, when will you come for me? 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:56.500 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. 00:17:56.920 --> 00:18:00.559 And yet, I have not forgotten your statutes. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.960 The psalmist's mind is stayed. 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:05.400 And his heart is stayed on the Lord's law. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.940 And yet, he cries for comfort. 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:15.539 And yet, he feels like he does not have the promises of God. 00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:19.980 There may indeed be fluctuations in the Christian life. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.720 I think this is certainly true from experience. 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:23.620 And I think it's a testament in the Bible. 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:28.939 What is clear is that this tree produces fruit when it should. 00:18:29.699 --> 00:18:32.719 It produces fruit when it does it should. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.519 The water works. 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:37.759 Lastly, in all that he does, he prospers. 00:18:38.699 --> 00:18:39.739 Sleep does not wither in. 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:41.279 In all that he does, he prospers. 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:45.719 This whole psalm has sounded pretty individualistic so far. 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:48.679 The one man against the many wicked men. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:52.120 He's a tree, meditating on God's law. 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:54.200 A mighty example of private devotion. 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:57.200 Who then succeeds in everything he does. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.799 But we shouldn't read the image that way. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.779 This is one of the most wonderful things about psalm, I think. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:09.060 It describes an individual, yes, but it's not individualistic. 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:13.100 We know this because of the weather. 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:18.120 What was and is the weather of life in Israel? 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:20.620 It's airy. 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.640 It's sunny. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.900 It's hot. 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:26.039 And what would a tree offer? 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:28.060 Well, it would offer shade. 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.680 It would offer fruit. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.380 It would offer protection. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.039 It would offer relief. 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:38.320 You'll recall at the end of Jonah, Jonah 4. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:41.200 Jonah is having his attitude. 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:44.400 And he goes off away from the city. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.180 And he sits down. 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.620 And the Lord provides a tree there. 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:49.239 And the tree grows up quickly. 00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:50.259 And it provides shade. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.819 And its comfort provides rest for him. 00:19:53.899 --> 00:19:55.899 And the same way the Lord takes that tree away. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.719 And Jonah returns to his misery. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:20:03.900 Let me read a slightly longer passage here from Hosea 14. 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:06.460 The end of Hosea. 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:10.860 I will heal the apostasy of my people. 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.480 I will love them freely. 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:15.340 For my anger is turned from them. 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:16.779 This is the Lord through the prophet. 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:19.839 I will be like the dew to Israel. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:22.059 He shall blossom like a lily. 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:25.480 He shall take root like the trees of Lebanon. 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.799 His shoots shall spread out. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.359 His beauty shall be like the olive. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.619 And his fragrance like Lebanon. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:37.279 They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow. 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:40.079 They shall flourish like the grain. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:42.980 They shall blossom like the vine. 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:46.519 Their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:48.819 O Ephraim. 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.439 What have I to do with idols? 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:53.299 It is I who answer and look after you. 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.740 And here's the end. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:57.000 I am like an evergreen cypress. 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:59.399 For me comes your fruit. 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:08.019 The blessed way is not only blessed for the person meditating on God's law and avoiding bad advice. 00:21:08.540 --> 00:21:10.480 It's blessed for the entire community. 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:15.660 When you receive the Lord's kindness, you benefit and I benefit. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:18.480 Your obedience is good for me. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:21.640 And my obedience is good for you. 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:25.580 The implication is that the opposite is also true. 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.800 My sin is bad for you. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.220 And yours for me. 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:33.740 As the church of Christ, we are all in this together. 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:42.220 Let's take a moment to see what the New Testament has to say about this with respect to the church of Christ. 00:21:44.100 --> 00:21:46.019 The source of Christian growth. 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:49.920 Well, that's teachings about Christ. 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.860 In Colossians, Paul says, Christ we proclaim. 00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:53.720 Him we proclaim. 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:56.380 Warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom. 00:21:56.380 --> 00:22:00.060 That we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:03.940 Jesus commissions his own followers with all authority. 00:22:04.060 --> 00:22:07.200 Go, baptize in my name and teach others to do what I have commanded. 00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:13.940 The teaching of Christ is for our delight and for our growth in Christ's light. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:17.720 That's the source. 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.140 And what's the substance? 00:22:19.580 --> 00:22:22.120 What does it mean to be a tree in the New Testament? 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:27.539 Well, a very well-known passage shows us the way. 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:29.159 All scripture is breathed out by God. 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:33.959 And profitable in the teaching for proof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:39.019 That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.799 To be complete, whole. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:44.379 And equipped for every good work. 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:48.799 The word of God nourishes godly character in us. 00:22:49.899 --> 00:22:50.940 And it has benefits. 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:53.099 These good works fill the church with all sorts of good. 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.079 Compassion. 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.039 Kindness. 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.500 Humility. 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:55.980 Meekness. 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.399 Patience. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.559 Bearing with one another. 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.819 Forgiving each other. 00:22:58.919 --> 00:23:00.720 And binding it all up with love and peace. 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:04.039 These are the fruits of Christian discipleship. 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:07.559 And they're gotten from receiving the teaching of God. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:09.960 Meditating on the law of God. 00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:15.079 This is the way of blessedness. 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.619 This is the way of life with God. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:23.299 The blessed life is life lived with Christ. 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:29.680 The way of blessedness is not necessarily an easy way. 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.859 It's probably unpopular. 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:35.659 And you'll probably have pressures and temptations to change. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.500 Of course. 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:42.059 But the Lord has provided this as the much better way of life. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.139 It is the better way of life. 00:23:43.439 --> 00:23:45.359 He's instructed us along that path. 00:23:45.459 --> 00:23:47.939 He's made it delightful, secure, long-lasting. 00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:49.939 Productive. 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.919 And beneficial to others. 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:55.559 It is an attractive way of life. 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:57.979 And it is the true way of life. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.459 And the one for which we are designed. 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:04.879 All my good is found in you, O Lord. 00:24:07.719 --> 00:24:08.759 This blessed way, though. 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.339 As good as it is, it's not the only way. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.839 It's not the only way to live. 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:13.099 There is an alternative. 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:17.899 Have a look briefly at the psalm. 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.539 Have a look at verse 3. 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.879 And then have a look at verse 4. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.939 You'll notice the difference here. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:28.559 In English, verse 3 is 30 words. 00:24:30.320 --> 00:24:32.720 It's followed by 14 words in verse 4. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:35.180 In Hebrew, it's 17 words, followed by 9. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:43.980 The psalmist spends twice as much space on the image of blessedness as it does on the image of wickedness. 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:47.120 The wicked get half the airtime. 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:52.680 The blessed men is like a tree planted, absorbing water, yielding fruit, not withering, but prospering. 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:57.440 The wicked are like chaff that the wind drives away. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:25:03.160 The psalmist makes the point through the poetry itself. 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:09.340 Patience, any prolonged growth versus chaff that leaves with the breeze. 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:13.339 What's chaff? 00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:15.019 You'll probably be familiar with this. 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:18.720 It's the husk or the outer bits of grain when you harvest grain. 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.899 So you cut the grain down. 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:25.480 There were many ways that you could get that nice sort of kernel of grain left. 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:33.159 So you could take a pile of grain and you could sort of smear it with a stint. 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.899 That would be done with threshing floors. 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.159 So you've heard of the threshing floor. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:40.840 You could take this big sort of stone thing and drag it over. 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:42.940 That's the threshing sledge. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:45.440 So you kind of roll the grain over in that way. 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.980 And now, of course, we have nils. 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:52.920 Well, I don't know how much we use those now, but more recently, you have nils. 00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:58.580 The two new stones, and one rolls on the top of the other, the grain falls down by a side. 00:25:59.300 --> 00:26:00.759 All these methods will give you the grain. 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:08.619 The stuff that's left over, the powdery little kind of flaky bits, that's the chaff. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:15.379 Now, once you use those methods, and almost all of the chaff is gone, there still might be a little bit left over. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.400 So you'd walk outside. 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.759 You'd find a little gentle breeze. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:21.259 You'd put the grain in a large basket, and you would throw it up. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.720 Give it a few good throws. 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:26.160 And that breeze would not blow the grain away. 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:29.980 But it would blow the chaff away, just like that. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:33.379 The grain would come right back down into the basket. 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:38.400 So it is with the wicked. 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:39.700 He's gone. 00:26:41.320 --> 00:26:48.760 The key here is not that these are worthless human beings, that the kind of, the value of someone's life amounts to chaff. 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:52.780 The point is that they're not rooted in God's word. 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:55.780 They don't have spiritual roots. 00:26:56.780 --> 00:26:58.000 A tree sways in the breeze. 00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:59.640 It enjoys the breeze, really. 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.520 It doesn't even lose a leaf. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:05.700 Chaff in a meager breeze is absolutely helpless. 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:07.559 It is not rooted. 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:14.180 It is not bearing the fruits of it, enjoying the security that comes with life with God. 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:19.480 The substance of wickedness is ultimately not much. 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.779 And the fate of the wicked is similar. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.819 Verse 5. 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:29.519 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:35.460 In the same way that we have a contrast of images, trees and chaff. 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:38.639 We have a contrast of communities. 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.819 Remember verse 1. 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:43.400 The blessed man does not stand among the sinners. 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:47.039 Here the wicked will not stand. 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:49.799 That is, be left standing amidst God's judgment. 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:52.079 Nor will they stand among the righteous. 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:58.680 Psalm 24 talks about the kind of conditions for getting into the temple. 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.799 For being a part of the worshipping community. 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:03.500 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:05.519 That is, go up to Jerusalem to get to the temple. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:07.619 And who shall stand in his holy place? 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:10.619 He who has clean hands and a pure heart. 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:13.559 Who does not lift up his soul toward his faults. 00:28:14.419 --> 00:28:15.819 And does not swear deceitfully. 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:18.939 He will receive blessing from the Lord. 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:22.779 And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:29.180 The wicked person misses the defining feature of the worshipping community. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:32.819 That they draw their life from the Holy Scriptures. 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.980 This is what they do not do. 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:36.599 They do not draw their life from the Holy Scriptures. 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:39.440 And live life under God's leadership. 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:43.200 The wicked do not take direction from God. 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:46.440 And therefore do not gain entrance into the sanctuary. 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:52.880 Does this mean that only Christians can come to church today? 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.660 Well of course not. 00:28:54.320 --> 00:28:55.039 No, not at all. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:58.640 The New Testament indicates full welcome in this regard. 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:00.660 Church doors are open to all. 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.500 But it does make clear. 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:05.100 That in the final judgment. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:07.860 When Christ returns and we stand before him. 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.660 That only those who know him. 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:13.820 Will be admitted into the eternal sanctuary. 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:19.839 Christ's words never cease to make me a little bit nervous. 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.839 Depart from me. 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.019 For I never be. 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:31.039 This access to stand with Christ is not about studying the Bible enough. 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:32.919 Or cleaning up your behavior. 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.899 Not first and foremost at least. 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.859 God wants good holy people, yes. 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:39.939 But he wants ourselves first. 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:43.139 He wants us first and foremost. 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:46.480 And so does all end on a relational note. 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.980 The last verse. 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.500 Verse 6. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:52.859 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous. 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:54.819 But the way of the wicked will perish. 00:29:57.819 --> 00:30:01.659 It's been rightly said that to know here means to take care of a person. 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:04.819 To attend a person with affection and concern. 00:30:04.939 --> 00:30:06.039 To be closer to a person. 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:08.619 To provide for someone. 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:13.299 That's how God knows the righteous. 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:15.139 And how he will know them. 00:30:17.179 --> 00:30:19.179 The way of the wicked will perish. 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:21.279 It's headed towards the bad end. 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.599 As we saw before. 00:30:24.719 --> 00:30:26.939 Life with God is now life with Christ. 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:30.359 The Father made the Son our wisdom. 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.059 Our righteousness. 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.079 Sanctification. 00:30:32.479 --> 00:30:32.919 Redemption. 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:36.000 He is the way of righteousness. 00:30:37.300 --> 00:30:39.259 The way of blessedness is still the same. 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.460 The source is God. 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:41.300 God's word. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:43.820 Among his holy community. 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:45.700 In relationship with him. 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:50.840 But that relationship now comes through knowing Jesus. 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:54.939 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing. 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:56.819 But to us who are being saved. 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:58.859 It is the power of God. 00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:06.480 To have a full relationship with God. 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:08.279 To be blessed. 00:31:08.699 --> 00:31:09.720 And to bless others. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:15.419 This is the substance of our connection and relationship with Christ. 00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:18.799 The biblical message is consistent. 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:20.059 There are two ways of life. 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:22.059 These ways lead to different destinations. 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:26.079 Living with God in this life means living with God in the next life. 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:29.759 Living without God in this life means living without him in the next. 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:34.240 The Bible doesn't actually say that much about heaven and hell. 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:37.259 It doesn't give us a crystal clear sense of what it's going to be like. 00:31:37.659 --> 00:31:38.539 About in detail at least. 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.000 However biblical it is. 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:43.819 I like C.S. Lewis' description. 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:46.759 Hell. 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:52.319 He portrays as a massive city where people move further and further away from each other. 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:54.279 Consumed with themselves. 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.640 Never disliking their neighbors. 00:31:57.500 --> 00:32:00.279 It's locked from the inside, he says. 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:04.819 Defined as a place where people have chosen to live without God. 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:08.439 That is one path. 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:11.259 The other path leads to life. 00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.679 To satisfaction. 00:32:13.460 --> 00:32:15.559 To whole and healthy relationships. 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:17.000 To peace. 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.399 And to pardon. 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:22.480 Psalm 1 is the gateway to the Psalms. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:28.259 And it's the gateway to life with God. 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:36.019 So the Psalms stand before us as the law upon which we can meditate. 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:39.519 As a gift from God for our good. 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:43.160 As water for a fruitful and prosperous life. 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:46.079 It's a guide to worship. 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:49.779 And really it is a part of worship itself. 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:52.460 So come to the Psalms. 00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:55.019 Ready to meet the Lord. 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.819 Let's pray. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:56.819