WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:08.019 This past summer in India, there was an unprecedented heat wave from about May to June and temperatures 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:14.780 over 100 degrees and hitting regularly 113 degrees Fahrenheit, 118 degrees Fahrenheit. 00:00:16.420 --> 00:00:17.900 It's a withering heat. 00:00:21.219 --> 00:00:29.780 In God's mysterious ways, He oftentimes turns up the heat through various kinds of trials. 00:00:29.780 --> 00:00:36.260 And it's possible to be in those trials and start to spiritually wither. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:42.640 An extended trial is like an extended heat wave. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:46.079 It can take a toll. 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:54.439 So when God turns up the heat, where must His people turn? 00:00:56.540 --> 00:00:58.680 Psalm 1 answers that question. 00:00:58.679 --> 00:01:01.240 Psalm 1 presents two ways to live. 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:04.659 The wicked and the righteous. 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:15.799 The righteous thrive because they're planted by streams of life-giving water. 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:18.340 The life-giving water of God's Word. 00:01:20.039 --> 00:01:21.120 They are blessed. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:26.660 They are joyful because they are depending upon God. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:30.020 The wicked turn away from God. 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:32.719 Not so the righteous. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:38.180 So when God turns up the heat, we turn to God's Word. 00:01:38.320 --> 00:01:42.500 So would you look at Psalm 1 with me right now and I'll read Psalm 1 for us all. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:44.459 I'm reading out of the ESV. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:46.959 And so if you're reading out of the NIV, it'll be a little different. 00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:48.400 But you'll be able to follow along just fine. 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:58.820 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. 00:01:58.960 --> 00:02:04.740 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:12.319 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season. 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:14.919 Its leaf does not wither. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:18.139 In all that he does, he prospers. 00:02:18.299 --> 00:02:22.519 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 00:02:22.699 --> 00:02:27.519 Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:34.719 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:39.480 Psalm 1 presents us with two ways to live. 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:44.600 The wicked who turn away from God, and the righteous who depend on God. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:54.520 And this psalm makes the case through three contrasts. 00:02:54.520 --> 00:02:58.900 Contrast of companions, we see that in verses 1 and 2. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:03.620 Contrast in character, we'll see that in 3 and 4. 00:03:05.140 --> 00:03:09.719 Contrast in destinies, we'll see that in 5 and 6. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:13.700 Psalm 1 presents us with two ways to live. 00:03:14.860 --> 00:03:19.060 Either turning from God in his word, or turning to God in his word. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:28.400 And especially when we experience heat, we must plant ourselves by the life-giving waters of God's word. 00:03:30.099 --> 00:03:31.420 Christian, you want to thrive? 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:35.120 Plant yourself by God's word. 00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:39.500 So let's look at this 1 and 2. 00:03:40.180 --> 00:03:43.900 This first contrast, the contrast of companions. 00:03:43.900 --> 00:03:50.099 This is 1 and 2, but I just want you to notice that word blessed first. 00:03:50.379 --> 00:03:53.300 You see that first word in Psalm 1, verse 1? 00:03:53.480 --> 00:03:53.939 Blessed. 00:03:56.020 --> 00:03:59.360 It's literally the first word of the psalm in Hebrew, 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:03.740 and it's the first word of the entire book of the psalms. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:04.900 It's no coincidence. 00:04:07.640 --> 00:04:09.140 It's very purposeful. 00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:11.920 What does blessed mean? 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:18.740 Last week, I sought to make a distinction for you between the words joy and happiness. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:27.060 And just very simply, joy is a settled contentment in God's unchanging character. 00:04:27.579 --> 00:04:28.639 That's where joy is. 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:32.219 Settledness in God's unchanging character. 00:04:33.039 --> 00:04:36.159 Happiness is seeking contentment in circumstances. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:45.380 Happiness is kind of rises and falls as you ride the roller coaster of life, going up and down. 00:04:47.220 --> 00:04:51.060 So when the psalmist writes the word, blessed is the man, 00:04:52.140 --> 00:04:53.900 is he talking about joy or happiness? 00:04:56.620 --> 00:04:58.040 He's talking about joy. 00:04:58.040 --> 00:05:00.939 Joy in God. 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:03.620 Delighting in God. 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:06.560 Being planted in God's word. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:09.700 Those who depend on God. 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:17.660 I'm not sure if you've experienced this before, but someone comes up, you go up to someone and you say, 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:18.320 hey, how you doing? 00:05:18.400 --> 00:05:19.460 And they say, I'm blessed, man. 00:05:19.520 --> 00:05:20.040 I'm blessed. 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:21.220 I'm blessed. 00:05:21.220 --> 00:05:25.520 We see where blessing is in Psalm 1. 00:05:26.440 --> 00:05:29.620 And blessing is in our God. 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:37.900 So he says, blessed is the man, and then he begins to make the contrast. 00:05:39.280 --> 00:05:41.500 Contrast of companions. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:47.620 We see in verse 1, blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:51.020 nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, 00:05:51.220 --> 00:05:55.480 and the psalmist tells us that the blessed man, the righteous man, 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:59.040 he tells us the companions we're not to keep. 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:03.500 We're not to walk in the counsel of the wicked. 00:06:04.340 --> 00:06:07.400 We're not to stand in the way of sinners. 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:10.800 And those words, wicked and sinners, they're virtually synonymous. 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:15.880 They talk about people who are regularly turning away from God, not living for God. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:23.579 We're not to walk in their counsel and what they say. 00:06:24.139 --> 00:06:30.199 We're not to stand in the way, in their lifestyles. 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:36.500 We're not to stop in their lifestyles, be in their lifestyles. 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:42.980 That last word is a very interesting word. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:45.319 It says, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:52.819 A scoffer is a click down from the wicked and sinners. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:59.779 A scoffer is not just someone who turns away from God and is living for everything but God. 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:08.680 But what a scoffer does is he mocks or she mocks those people who are seeking to live for God. 00:07:09.379 --> 00:07:13.379 So not only are they denying God and living for things other than God, 00:07:13.480 --> 00:07:15.500 but they mock the people who do. 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:22.379 And the blessed man does not sit in the seat of scoffers. 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:27.139 Some commentators think that this, what we see in Psalm 1, 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:32.439 this not walking in the counsel, not standing in the way, not sitting in the seat, 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:36.980 it's this picture of settling into ungodliness. 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:43.399 Walking alongside to stopping to sitting, you're settling into ungodliness. 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:51.839 The righteous, those who delight in God, 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:57.420 are to be discerning of who their closest companions are. 00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:00.500 Do you know why? 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:05.060 Because it has everything to do with influence. 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:07.240 Everything to do with influence. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:07.439 Influence. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:13.500 Your companions influence. 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:17.540 You listen to them. 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:21.259 Tell you what to live for. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:24.420 What to tell you to what matters most. 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:30.540 You know you have companions, close companions, when you start talking like them. 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:32.700 You pick up their mannerisms. 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:35.759 You start sharing their goals and their lifestyles. 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:37.100 That's the effect of companions. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:42.460 And we're being told here that the blessed man, those who trust in God, 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:45.259 they don't live that way. 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:50.860 They're not influenced by the wicked, by sinners, by scoffers. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:57.700 So the first part of this contrast is that we see the joyful man or woman 00:08:57.700 --> 00:09:05.080 is not buying into what these people who don't care about God, what they're saying. 00:09:05.780 --> 00:09:10.520 They don't buy into the latest pitch of where happiness is. 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:15.640 Whether that's money or pleasure or prestige or power or possessions. 00:09:15.900 --> 00:09:16.920 Anything but God. 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:23.939 And just to be clear, this is not a call to remove ourselves from relationships with non-Christians, 00:09:24.079 --> 00:09:25.779 people who don't live for God. 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:31.979 But it will become a call to delight in God as our closest companion. 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:38.219 And might I add, Jesus lived this. 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:46.420 He was able to influence sinners and yet he didn't walk in the counsel of the wicked. 00:09:48.300 --> 00:09:52.500 He didn't stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:57.019 But he was able to be present in proclaiming the gospel. 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:05.080 Joy is not found in the counsel of the wicked. 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:13.420 Joy is found in the counsel of our closest companion. 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:15.940 God himself. 00:10:17.820 --> 00:10:19.220 And so let's see the contrast. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:20.480 Verse 2. 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:25.500 But his delight is in the law of the Lord. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:30.620 Blessed is the man or woman who takes pleasure in the counsel, 00:10:30.780 --> 00:10:33.720 in the words of his God, of her God. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:41.759 That's the greatest formative influence in the blessed, righteous man or woman's life. 00:10:43.040 --> 00:10:46.040 What God says matters most. 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:51.340 And so joy is found in taking to heart what God says. 00:10:54.040 --> 00:10:57.759 But his delight is in the law of the Lord. 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:00.160 The law of Yahweh. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:04.079 That word law is literally the word Torah. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:06.860 And it's referring to the first five books of the Bible. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:07.500 The Pentateuch. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.659 The law of Moses. 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:09.919 Genesis. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:10.439 Exodus. 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:11.159 Leviticus. 00:11:11.319 --> 00:11:11.639 Numbers. 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:12.399 And Deuteronomy. 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:15.339 And so the psalmist is delighting in the Torah. 00:11:16.079 --> 00:11:17.139 Those five books. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.480 The psalmist is saying, 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:24.439 I rejoice in knowing that my God is the creator of all 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:26.520 and therefore all are accountable to him. 00:11:28.400 --> 00:11:33.200 Delighting in the fact that his God is the promise-making God 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:35.840 who promised to Abraham to bless all the nations. 00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:38.940 And mind you, that blessing is joy in God. 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:45.100 That this is the God who revealed himself in those first five books 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:47.940 as a God who loved a people, 00:11:48.160 --> 00:11:50.220 not based on anything the people did, 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:52.260 but on God's great love for them. 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:54.240 And he chose them out of the nations. 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:55.319 Israel. 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:58.779 And then he delivered them from captivity. 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:02.600 And then he made a covenant with them. 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:04.659 He bound himself to them. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:07.100 And said, I'm your God. 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:08.279 You are my people. 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:10.080 All by grace. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:13.819 And then he gave them his law. 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:16.419 Walk this way. 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.799 Because I'm holy. 00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:20.080 And you, my people, are to be holy too. 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:25.639 So what we see the psalmist doing here 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:30.120 is delighting in the words of his God. 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:32.000 The God who made a covenant. 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:34.300 The God who bound himself to him. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:41.600 The God who gives himself to us through his word. 00:12:42.660 --> 00:12:44.240 He reveals himself to us. 00:12:44.780 --> 00:12:46.259 He makes known his ways. 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:53.220 Joyful is the man or woman who delights 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:56.679 in the very words of their God. 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:59.019 And you know what? 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:02.799 We're just talking about five books of the Bible here. 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:08.539 I mean, as Christians, we've got 66 books of the Bible. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:11.000 66 books. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:15.039 I mean, the Pentateuch is a feast in itself. 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:15.899 It's a great buffet. 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:19.179 These 66 books that God has given us 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:20.940 in which he reveals himself to us, 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:23.480 it's like a rich banquet. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:27.879 It delights our souls. 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:33.000 God's word is like this expansive mansion. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:37.299 And we go and explore all the different rooms 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:38.059 and delight in them 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:39.779 because God has good for us 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:42.940 in each room we go into. 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:47.100 God continued to reveal himself. 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:52.100 And so, not just in those five books, 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.580 those first five books, 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:55.919 but God has been making himself known 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:59.659 for centuries, many times, in many ways, 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:01.339 by different prophets, 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:04.159 revealing himself progressively. 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:07.799 And so, the Scriptures is God revealing himself 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:08.679 over time. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:13.439 But the ultimate revelation of God 00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:17.419 is when God became a man. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:21.240 Is when God became flesh. 00:14:23.199 --> 00:14:24.959 The written word, the Bible, 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:27.980 is all about the living word, Jesus. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.180 Jesus. 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:30.560 The Bible points to Jesus 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:31.700 again and again and again. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:33.500 The Bible, the Old Testament, 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.139 aims at Jesus. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.820 It's all about Christ. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.120 Because in Christ, 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:44.860 God's plan for the fullness of time 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:46.460 is focused. 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.340 Riches upon riches. 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:56.360 This book is riches upon riches 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.120 to our soul. 00:14:57.980 --> 00:15:04.800 The Bible is God speaking to us. 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:09.399 God revealing himself to us. 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:11.700 Our closest companion 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:15.560 seeking to influence us 00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:17.820 in the way we should go. 00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:24.360 But his delight is in the law of the Lord. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:27.420 True joy is found 00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:31.800 in believing the words of our God. 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:34.640 God making himself known 00:15:34.640 --> 00:15:36.720 in the words of this book, 00:15:37.140 --> 00:15:37.620 the Bible. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:40.940 And just a quick thing to mention here. 00:15:40.940 --> 00:15:42.440 God saying, 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:45.280 but his delight is in the law of the Lord 00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:47.280 and on his law he meditates 00:15:47.280 --> 00:15:49.820 day and night. 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.460 Meditate. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.740 To meditate is to mull something over. 00:15:55.300 --> 00:15:57.540 It's like to mutter. 00:15:58.540 --> 00:16:00.020 You ever find yourself talking to yourself? 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:07.819 There's a couple ways in which we talk to ourselves. 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:12.659 And a bygone pastor named Martin Lloyd-Jones 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.620 points two out. 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:17.220 Oftentimes we just listen to ourselves. 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:20.840 And so we are aware of our circumstances 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:24.540 and our hearts respond to our circumstances. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:28.519 We get anxious. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:30.279 We get fearful. 00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:33.540 And we just stay focused on our circumstances. 00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:40.100 An old friend of mine said, 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.700 well that's kind of stinking thinking. 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:48.520 What biblical meditation is, 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:51.340 is not so much of a listening to yourself, 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:54.280 but a speaking to yourself. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:59.400 A speaking to yourself the truths about God. 00:16:59.540 --> 00:17:01.680 Speaking God's word to yourself. 00:17:02.940 --> 00:17:04.539 That's what meditation is. 00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:08.200 Constantly calling to mind 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.940 what God says about himself. 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:12.539 Constantly calling to mind 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.779 what God says about you. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.660 Constantly calling to mind 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:17.420 what God has done for you in Christ. 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.620 Constantly calling to mind 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:21.820 what he calls us to 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:23.920 as his holy ones. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.880 Constantly calling to mind 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.960 that God is over it, 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:27.740 that he's in it, 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.880 that he's working through it. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.700 Constantly calling to mind 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:33.620 that our God is a God of steadfast love 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:34.460 and it never ceases. 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.580 This I call to mind 00:17:36.580 --> 00:17:37.519 and therefore I have hope. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:40.500 These are examples of 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:42.619 meditating on the Bible 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:44.639 day and night. 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:47.359 It goes with you wherever you go. 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:50.220 So who are you listening to? 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:53.059 Are you listening to yourself 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:55.059 or are you speaking God's word to yourself? 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.339 Mind you, 00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:00.940 there is this dynamic of delight 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.180 that happens for those 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:03.339 who meditate on God's word. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:05.779 You remember who God is 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:08.259 and then comes joy. 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.379 Then comes hope. 00:18:10.959 --> 00:18:12.220 Then comes faith. 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.959 And that feeds into 00:18:14.959 --> 00:18:18.220 more remembering who your God is. 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.819 Calling to mind who he is. 00:18:21.459 --> 00:18:23.839 And that has the effect of more joy. 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:28.399 So we see this wonderful dynamic of delight 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:29.319 for those who meditate 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.539 on the words of Scripture. 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:36.440 What God says matters most. 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:39.379 And it has an impact 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:41.119 on your heart 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:43.440 at any moment throughout the day. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.720 So what do you find yourself 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.299 mulling over? 00:18:49.139 --> 00:18:50.299 What do you find yourself 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.159 meditating on? 00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:54.220 What do you find yourself 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.379 thinking about frequently? 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:58.519 Are you anxious? 00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.599 Are you fearful? 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:01.799 Well, what are you thinking about? 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:04.439 What are you calling to mind? 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.939 Who are you listening to? 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:12.419 Whose words are you believing? 00:19:15.939 --> 00:19:17.599 This first contrast 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:20.159 is a contrast of companions. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:24.799 Verse 1, wicked, sinners, scoffers. 00:19:25.219 --> 00:19:27.679 Verse 2, God speaking. 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:32.600 And the difference is 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:34.680 whose words are you believing? 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.620 It's a contrast. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.620 Two ways to live. 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:43.259 Whose words are you delighting in? 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:47.060 So, we've seen a contrast 00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:48.060 in companions. 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:50.799 Let's look at the contrast 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.700 in character. 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:55.580 verses 3 and 4 we read, 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.500 He is like a tree 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.799 planted by streams of water 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:59.080 that yields its fruit in season 00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:00.240 and sleep does not wither. 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.319 And all that He does, 00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:02.080 He prospers. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:04.240 The wicked are not so. 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:06.039 In verses 3 and 4, 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:06.840 the psalmist 00:20:06.840 --> 00:20:09.080 uses some very vivid imagery, 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.640 doesn't he? 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.400 He's, again, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.460 driving this 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:14.600 two ways of living, 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.960 two ways to live. 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.000 He's pushing it. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.779 One way is the righteous, 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.079 the one planted 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:22.099 by streams of water. 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.460 The other is the wicked. 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:24.460 They're like chaff 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.480 blown by the wind. 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.140 I want you to notice 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:27.900 something about 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.980 this tree 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:30.180 in verse 3. 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.799 This is an image, 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.759 a picture 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.480 of someone 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.460 who is planted 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.359 him or herself 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.000 by the Word, 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.759 who's meditating 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.660 on God's Word. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.579 He's like a tree. 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.980 Four things to notice. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.319 Where they're planted, 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:46.460 what they produce, 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.319 that they're protected, 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.599 and that he or she 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.439 prospers. 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.720 First notice, 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.359 they're planted 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:56.759 by streams of water. 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:57.939 Now, 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.059 when I have thought 00:20:59.059 --> 00:20:59.639 about this verse, 00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:00.079 I'm not sure 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.099 if you are like me, 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.119 but I imagine 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:04.399 kind of an Israel 00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:06.519 kind of mountain brook 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:08.139 with a nice tree by it. 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.480 Well, 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.039 that's not what's 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.659 going on here. 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:14.920 The streams of water 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.860 are actually 00:21:15.860 --> 00:21:17.140 irrigation canals. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:19.220 That's what that means. 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.600 Those are the streams. 00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:23.820 Water is lacking 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:24.519 in Israel. 00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:26.240 It's an arid 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.980 and dry, 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:27.960 hot place. 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:29.779 And so water 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.920 is in huge demand. 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.100 And so what we see 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:34.220 going on here is 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.340 God is like 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.300 this gardener. 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:38.119 And He 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:40.059 plants us 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.919 by these 00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:42.399 irrigation canals, 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.700 these streams of water. 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.740 And what's true 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.919 about an irrigation canal 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:47.240 is it ensures 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:48.220 a constant 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.259 and abundant 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.299 flow of 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.299 life-giving water. 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.279 God plants 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.079 us there. 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.240 We have a tendency 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.279 of pulling up our roots 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.960 and moving up 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.339 elsewhere. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.059 I know that. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.440 But God 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:02.639 intends for us 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:03.519 to be 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.099 by the stream 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.659 of water. 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.839 That stream 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:08.199 is our life. 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:10.059 God's Word 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.119 gives us life. 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:14.939 The water 00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.879 of God's Word. 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:16.740 And God 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.399 has designed 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.000 us 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.519 to be dependent 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.359 on His Word. 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.619 To live 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.339 by His Word. 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:25.399 He's like a tree 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:25.980 planted. 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:27.720 He produces 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.459 fruit 00:22:28.459 --> 00:22:30.119 in season. 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.959 The idea 00:22:31.959 --> 00:22:32.500 there is one 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.379 of consistency, 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.819 regularity, 00:22:35.939 --> 00:22:36.519 consistently 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.419 bearing fruit. 00:22:38.419 --> 00:22:38.919 Love, 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.159 joy, 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:39.539 peace, 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:39.879 patience, 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.220 kindness, 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:40.519 goodness, 00:22:40.679 --> 00:22:41.019 gentleness, 00:22:41.939 --> 00:22:42.399 faithfulness, 00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:43.240 and self-control. 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.419 The fruit 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.019 of the Spirit. 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:47.299 It ends up 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.099 blessing those 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.899 people around 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:49.319 you 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.759 as we 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.460 are planted 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.879 by God's 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.379 Word. 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:54.700 God 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.759 yields 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.419 fruit 00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:57.139 in our 00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:57.700 life 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.379 that 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:59.179 blesses 00:22:59.179 --> 00:22:59.939 others. 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.339 We're fruitful. 00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:03.339 We produce. 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:04.659 And notice 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.619 also 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.139 there is 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:06.740 protection. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.039 His leaf 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.559 does not 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:09.980 wither. 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.279 Again, 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.119 Psalm 1 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:14.500 is written 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.119 by someone 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.759 living in a 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.759 hot and arid 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.259 climate. 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.099 They know 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:18.559 drought. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.299 They know 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.839 heat. 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.440 And we've 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:21.740 been going 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.180 through some 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.619 heat as 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.220 a church. 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:24.940 A heat 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.539 that's been 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:27.119 effective 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:27.859 in me. 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.940 Exposing 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.519 things in 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:30.960 me. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.720 For which 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.299 I am so 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.819 grateful, 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.400 yet grieve. 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.859 What we 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.339 see here 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:40.839 though is 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.259 a picture 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:43.119 of the 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.500 blessed 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:43.980 man. 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.220 Planted 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.859 by God's 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.180 Word. 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.700 and 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.379 enduring 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:49.859 heat. 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.079 Its 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.379 leaf 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:52.879 does not 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:53.279 wither. 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:54.900 Why? 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.400 Because the 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.740 tree is 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.279 planted by 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:57.799 streams of 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.099 water. 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:58.779 Their 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.460 source of 00:23:59.460 --> 00:23:59.839 life, 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:00.779 despite the 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.000 heat, 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.579 has not 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.039 been cut 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.339 off. 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:05.960 Planted 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.759 by streams, 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.799 produce fruit, 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.579 protected, 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.740 endurance from 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.319 the heat. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:10.859 Its 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.279 leaf does 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.539 not 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:11.960 wither. 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.119 He 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.859 prospers. 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.119 In all 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.400 that he 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:15.640 does, 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.400 he prospers. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.180 Now when 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.400 you hear 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:17.700 the word 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.180 prosper, 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:18.660 you might 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.280 go immediately 00:24:19.280 --> 00:24:20.220 to material 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.960 prosperity. 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.040 Don't go 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:22.400 there. 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:23.580 Think 00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:24.420 spiritual 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.100 prosperity. 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:25.759 Spiritual 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.560 thriving. 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:28.740 Growing. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.060 Growing. 00:24:29.840 --> 00:24:31.300 In all 00:24:31.300 --> 00:24:32.120 different areas 00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:32.580 of your 00:24:32.580 --> 00:24:33.000 life. 00:24:34.780 --> 00:24:35.640 Joyful, 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:37.300 living for 00:24:37.300 --> 00:24:37.960 God, 00:24:38.540 --> 00:24:39.180 despite 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.240 circumstances. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.680 Thriving. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.820 Why? 00:24:42.820 --> 00:24:44.740 Because you're 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:46.700 planted by 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.320 the streams 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.360 of water. 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.700 Verse 3 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.279 points to 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.980 the character 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.680 of the 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:56.080 one who 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:57.000 is trusting 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.779 in God's 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.019 word. 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.259 And when you 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.840 look at it 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.060 and you 00:25:01.060 --> 00:25:01.920 notice that 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.820 this person 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:03.740 is stable, 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.940 this person 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.640 is fruitful, 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.940 this person 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.380 is enduring, 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:09.400 that they're 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.000 thriving, 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:11.140 it starts 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:11.660 down a 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.079 little bit 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.779 like Jesus 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.460 to be honest 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:13.940 with you. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.259 What a 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.859 Savior we 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.240 have. 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.660 This is 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:23.619 contrasted in 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.259 verse 4. 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.440 We've got the 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.240 character of the 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.960 righteous in 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.680 verse 3 and 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:27.940 then the 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:28.500 character of 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:28.880 the wicked. 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:32.859 The NIV 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.220 says, 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.000 not so the 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.279 wicked. 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.220 The wicked 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.200 are not so, 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.819 but are like 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:40.039 chaff that 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.480 the wind 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.339 blows away. 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.039 We've got to 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.720 understand what 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.720 threshing means. 00:25:45.179 --> 00:25:46.059 The threshing 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.559 process. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.639 In an 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.099 agricultural 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.799 culture like 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.299 this psalm 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.659 when it was 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:49.939 written, 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.359 there would be 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.159 harvesting of 00:25:52.159 --> 00:25:52.519 grain. 00:25:52.939 --> 00:25:53.500 And that grain 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.059 would be brought 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:54.799 to a threshing 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.139 floor. 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:55.659 And usually 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.339 that threshing 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:56.919 floor was 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:58.319 elevated to 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.000 take advantage 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.000 of afternoon 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.700 winds. 00:26:01.639 --> 00:26:02.039 And so the 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.859 threshing process 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:03.500 would go something 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.000 like this. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.139 Grain would be 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:05.700 spread out on 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.139 the threshing 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.419 floor. 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.379 You take a 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:08.259 pitchfork-like 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.720 tool, 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:09.779 you throw it 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.200 into the 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:11.539 grain, 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.240 and you throw 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:12.759 it up in the 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.019 air. 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.019 Go up in the 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.859 air and fall 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.180 down. 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:15.759 And when it 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.799 hit, it would 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.359 start to 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.900 dislodge the 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:20.019 husk from 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.559 the seed. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.019 And so you're 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.519 threshing. 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.619 And you keep 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.379 on doing that. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.180 And as you're 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:26.220 doing it, the 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.180 wind is blowing, 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.680 and you know 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.240 what happens? 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:30.319 As the husk 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.559 becomes dislodged, 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.379 as straw gets 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.980 kind of put, 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.019 freed up, 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.579 debris, 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.199 the wind blows 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:38.699 it away. 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.500 And so all 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:42.139 the husk and 00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:42.899 the straw and 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:43.299 the debris, 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:43.960 that's called 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.759 chaff. 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:47.199 It's useless. 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.279 And it's blown 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.939 away by the 00:26:51.939 --> 00:26:52.220 wind. 00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:54.480 And that's the 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:54.939 point of the 00:26:54.939 --> 00:26:55.339 contrast. 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.919 We see the 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:59.399 righteous planted 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.559 by streams of 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:00.939 water. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.039 Solid, 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.119 growing, 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:04.179 thriving, 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.439 enduring heat, 00:27:05.739 --> 00:27:06.339 and the 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:06.699 wicked are 00:27:06.699 --> 00:27:07.639 compared to 00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:08.419 chaff, 00:27:09.199 --> 00:27:09.619 empty, 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.479 blown about 00:27:13.479 --> 00:27:13.979 by the 00:27:13.979 --> 00:27:14.259 wind. 00:27:15.739 --> 00:27:16.639 Two ways to 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:16.879 live. 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:18.019 Contrasting 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.479 characters. 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.319 We've got the 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.219 tree planted by 00:27:21.219 --> 00:27:21.779 the stream, 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:22.619 the righteous, 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.019 and we've got 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:25.319 the chaff blown 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.199 away by the 00:27:26.199 --> 00:27:27.239 wind, the 00:27:27.239 --> 00:27:27.479 wicked. 00:27:27.959 --> 00:27:28.239 And you know 00:27:28.239 --> 00:27:28.759 what it depends 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.039 on. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.319 Whose words 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.359 are you living 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:34.720 by? 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.099 Whose words 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.240 are you trusting 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.700 in? 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.019 Brother and 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.400 sister in 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:40.980 Christ, if you 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.839 want to thrive, 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.779 you must plant 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:45.519 yourself by the 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.799 streams of 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.660 God's word. 00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:50.400 So let me ask 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:50.940 you a question. 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.259 As you think 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.079 about your own 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:57.599 self, is your 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.399 character more 00:27:58.399 --> 00:27:59.099 like the tree 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.919 planted by the 00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:01.879 water, or is 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.439 it more like 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:03.539 chaff blown 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.219 by the wind? 00:28:08.199 --> 00:28:09.000 Is your 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.879 leaf withering? 00:28:13.199 --> 00:28:13.980 Where are you 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.319 planted? 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.480 Whose words 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.079 are you believing? 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:17.599 What are you 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.419 meditating on? 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.659 So we've seen 00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:22.079 two contrasts. 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:22.919 Contrasting 00:28:22.919 --> 00:28:23.459 companions, 00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:24.179 whose words 00:28:24.179 --> 00:28:24.699 are you listening 00:28:24.699 --> 00:28:25.000 to? 00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.179 Contrasting 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:26.819 characters. 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:28.500 What are you 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.059 made of? 00:28:30.179 --> 00:28:31.839 And now, the 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.859 final contrast. 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.319 Two ways to 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.899 live, a 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:36.059 contrast of 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:37.139 destinies. 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:38.019 This is 5 and 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.359 6. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.759 And what we see 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.619 in 5 and 6, we 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.299 see some words 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.139 repeated. 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:44.019 The wicked, the 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.339 righteous. 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.539 Again, it's 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.519 bringing apart 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.439 this contrast. 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.259 Two ways to 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.579 live. 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:50.779 If you look at 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.480 verse 5, it 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:51.919 reads this, 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:52.559 therefore the 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.839 wicked will not 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:55.220 stand in the 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.579 judgment. 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:56.659 We're talking 00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.099 about final 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.799 destiny here. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.639 The great 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.839 final judgment 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.759 when every 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.639 human being 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.379 will come 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:04.179 before God 00:29:04.179 --> 00:29:05.000 and give an 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:06.159 account for 00:29:06.159 --> 00:29:07.000 their life. 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.139 God is just, 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:08.960 He's holy, 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:09.619 and He's going 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.179 to hold each 00:29:10.179 --> 00:29:10.740 of us to 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.159 account. 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.480 Just to make 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:15.879 this a little 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.220 bit more 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.639 concrete, 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.159 imagine God 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:19.539 the Father 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:19.960 has a 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.379 calendar. 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:20.460 calendar. 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.800 And on that 00:29:22.800 --> 00:29:24.100 calendar, He 00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:25.160 has a date 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.000 set. 00:29:26.560 --> 00:29:27.240 Permanent 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.880 marker. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.880 The day of 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.260 judgment. 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.560 We don't know 00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:33.200 when that is, 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:35.180 but He does. 00:29:35.780 --> 00:29:36.600 It is set. 00:29:37.800 --> 00:29:38.520 Judgment is 00:29:38.520 --> 00:29:38.880 coming. 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.760 We're not one 00:29:40.760 --> 00:29:41.440 day farther, 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.500 we're one day 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:44.120 closer to that 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.380 day. 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:47.000 And what we 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.780 see here in 00:29:47.780 --> 00:29:48.460 verse 5 is 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.040 that the wicked 00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:50.220 will not stand 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.460 in the 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:51.840 judgment 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:54.040 because they 00:29:54.040 --> 00:29:54.500 have nothing 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.200 to stand 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.760 on. 00:29:57.760 --> 00:29:58.440 They will 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.120 have nothing 00:29:59.120 --> 00:29:59.740 to say in 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.240 their defense 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.600 when they 00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:01.100 stand before 00:30:01.100 --> 00:30:01.640 the judge. 00:30:03.020 --> 00:30:03.560 Rather, 00:30:04.020 --> 00:30:04.840 their sins 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.960 will stand 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:07.460 against them. 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.720 Their sins 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.600 will condemn 00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.040 them. 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:11.940 They will 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.740 weep and 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.059 they will 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.960 wail because 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.759 God's judgment 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.819 is just and 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.480 true and His 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.420 recompense is 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:17.879 deserved. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.899 He is going 00:30:18.899 --> 00:30:19.579 to judge. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.180 The day is 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.519 set. 00:30:22.139 --> 00:30:22.639 We go on 00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:23.079 to read that 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.720 nor sinners 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.279 in the 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:25.159 assembly of 00:30:25.159 --> 00:30:25.720 the righteous. 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.519 It's a 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:30.839 picture, 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.839 further picture 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.859 of judgment. 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.659 On that 00:30:36.659 --> 00:30:37.099 day, 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.960 Jesus will 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.799 separate out 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.359 the wicked 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.279 from the 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.839 righteous, 00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:43.000 like sheep 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.619 from the 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:43.859 goats. 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.460 If you will 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.899 turn in your 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:45.419 Bible to 00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:45.819 Matthew 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:47.000 chapter 25. 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.180 Jesus is 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:00.799 teaching about 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.919 the end 00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:02.659 times and 00:31:02.659 --> 00:31:03.119 He's talking 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:03.759 about final 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.419 judgment and 00:31:04.419 --> 00:31:05.180 in verse 31 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:06.220 He says this, 00:31:06.899 --> 00:31:07.419 When the 00:31:07.419 --> 00:31:07.839 Son of Man 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.519 comes in His 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.279 glory and all 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:09.700 the angels 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.259 with Him, 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.319 then He will 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:11.900 sit on His 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:12.680 glorious throne. 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.340 Jesus is 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:13.640 saying, 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.160 I'm the 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.559 judge. 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.180 Before Him 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.500 will be 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.380 gathered all 00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:19.140 the nations, 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.100 both righteous 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:20.620 and wicked, 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.500 and He will 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.480 separate people 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.039 one from 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.819 another as a 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.980 shepherd separates 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:25.640 the sheep 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:27.019 from the goats 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.819 and He will 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.500 place the sheep 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.120 on His right 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.720 but the goats 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.539 on His left. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.279 Sinners will 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.680 not stand 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.680 with the 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.680 righteous in 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.080 judgment. 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.660 They will 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.519 be separated 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.080 out. 00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:41.799 So verse 5 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:43.440 in Psalm 1 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.380 is a picture 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:45.299 of judgment. 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:46.779 And what 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.299 follows in 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.380 verse 6 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:49.500 is a picture 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.940 of punishment, 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:51.920 of destruction. 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:51.980 destruction. 00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:56.320 But the way 00:31:56.320 --> 00:31:56.759 of the wicked 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.480 will perish. 00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.340 The NIV 00:31:59.340 --> 00:31:59.700 says, 00:31:59.820 --> 00:32:00.200 but the way 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.640 of the wicked 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.360 will lead to 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:01.940 destruction. 00:32:06.800 --> 00:32:07.460 If you look 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:07.980 back at 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.060 Matthew 25, 00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:09.759 46, 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.100 speaking of the 00:32:11.100 --> 00:32:11.300 wicked, 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.900 and these will 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.660 go away into 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.660 eternal punishment, 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.500 but the righteous 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.779 into eternal life. 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:21.779 judgment is 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.200 coming. 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.240 The day is 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.660 set. 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:26.000 God is just. 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.359 He knows all. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.019 He knows 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.980 everything about 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.240 you. 00:32:30.899 --> 00:32:31.859 So do you 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:32.680 fear that day? 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:36.139 Do you fear 00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:36.619 the coming 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:36.980 judgment? 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.099 Do you fear 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.720 having to come 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.559 before God 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.460 and to give 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:41.920 an account? 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.680 Do you fear 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.899 that your sins 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:45.859 stand against 00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.160 you? 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:48.960 Well, I have 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.420 some wonderful 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.059 news for you. 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.319 Jesus, 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:55.299 who will be 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:56.160 your judge 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.259 on the last 00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:57.599 day, 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.119 He is your 00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:00.539 Savior 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.879 today. 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:04.819 God has 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.379 made a way. 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:08.899 Only in 00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:10.000 Christ can 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.619 a sinner 00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:11.359 be delivered 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:11.920 from the 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.599 judgment to 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:12.899 come. 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.519 Only in 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:13.899 Christ. 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:15.960 Jesus' 00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:16.519 death on the 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.500 cross is 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:19.079 able to 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:19.680 pay for 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.980 all of 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.559 your sin. 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:22.500 Wipe 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.379 your slate 00:33:23.379 --> 00:33:24.279 completely 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:24.839 clean. 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:26.920 But it's 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.279 more than 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.539 that. 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.019 When a 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.500 sinner puts 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:29.960 their faith 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.400 in Jesus, 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:31.019 not only are 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.460 they forgiven 00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:31.819 of their 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.160 sin, 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:34.240 but Christ's 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.940 righteousness 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:36.960 is credited 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:38.079 to your 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.420 account. 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:39.039 It's like 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:40.099 God clothes 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.859 you with the 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.379 righteousness 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:41.920 righteousness of 00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:42.540 Jesus. 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.180 All of 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:45.480 Jesus' 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.380 right living 00:33:46.380 --> 00:33:46.780 for His 00:33:46.780 --> 00:33:47.800 33 years 00:33:47.800 --> 00:33:50.000 imputed to 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.280 you. 00:33:51.840 --> 00:33:52.640 The Bible 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:53.260 calls this 00:33:53.260 --> 00:33:54.220 justification. 00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.900 That God 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.680 declares a 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.380 sinner righteous 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:58.040 in His sight, 00:33:58.320 --> 00:33:59.040 fully forgiven, 00:33:59.620 --> 00:34:00.440 fully accepted, 00:34:01.020 --> 00:34:01.460 forever. 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.400 And so if you 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:04.480 are afraid of 00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:04.960 the judgment 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.620 to come, 00:34:06.040 --> 00:34:06.580 run to 00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:07.220 Christ, 00:34:08.220 --> 00:34:09.019 your Savior, 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.460 and you 00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:10.860 will not 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.519 fear 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.559 Christ 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.340 when you 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:13.780 face Him 00:34:13.780 --> 00:34:14.400 as judge. 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:19.280 The destiny 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:19.880 of the wicked 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:21.639 is judgment 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.440 and destruction. 00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:23.900 Not so the 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.199 righteous. 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:28.900 The wicked 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.519 are not able 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:29.960 to stand 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:30.519 in the judgment, 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.019 but it's 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.480 implied 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.619 that the 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.119 righteous 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:35.460 are. 00:34:35.820 --> 00:34:36.539 We can 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.300 stand in 00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:37.780 the judgment. 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:37.860 judgment. 00:34:39.060 --> 00:34:40.019 How is that 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.540 possible? 00:34:40.640 --> 00:34:41.100 What was I 00:34:41.100 --> 00:34:41.680 just telling 00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:41.900 you? 00:34:42.560 --> 00:34:43.260 Here's why 00:34:43.260 --> 00:34:43.900 it's possible 00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.740 that we 00:34:44.740 --> 00:34:45.240 as those 00:34:45.240 --> 00:34:45.760 in Christ 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.620 don't need 00:34:46.620 --> 00:34:46.960 to fear 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.400 judgment. 00:34:47.620 --> 00:34:48.040 We will 00:34:48.040 --> 00:34:48.680 stand. 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.740 The moment 00:34:51.740 --> 00:34:52.380 we believed 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:52.840 in Jesus, 00:34:53.100 --> 00:34:53.560 at that 00:34:53.560 --> 00:34:53.920 moment, 00:34:54.040 --> 00:34:54.540 God declared 00:34:54.540 --> 00:34:55.120 us righteous 00:34:55.120 --> 00:34:56.900 and God 00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:58.380 imputed to 00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:58.620 us. 00:34:58.720 --> 00:34:59.780 He gave 00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.320 us the 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:00.980 righteousness 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.820 of Christ. 00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:02.460 And the 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:02.940 moment He 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:03.460 did that, 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.140 it was 00:35:04.140 --> 00:35:04.640 immediate, 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.220 it was 00:35:05.220 --> 00:35:05.740 complete, 00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:06.180 it was 00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:06.920 unchanging, 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:07.400 it's 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:07.980 forever. 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.579 You've 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:09.960 got as 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.539 much of 00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:10.659 the 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.000 righteousness 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:11.599 of Christ 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.340 now as 00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:12.519 the 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:12.900 apostle 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:13.300 Paul 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:13.619 did. 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:15.740 Because it's 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:16.159 God who 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.700 declares you 00:35:16.700 --> 00:35:17.680 the righteous 00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:18.240 in His sight 00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:18.559 with the 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:18.920 righteousness 00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:19.680 of Christ. 00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:22.440 So Christian, 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.099 here's how I 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:23.340 want to 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.800 encourage you 00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:24.280 this morning 00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:25.500 in terms of 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.019 judgment to 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:26.260 come. 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:29.820 The same 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:30.400 righteousness 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:31.099 that makes 00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.820 you acceptable 00:35:31.820 --> 00:35:32.440 to God 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:32.960 now, 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:34.539 Christ's 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:34.920 righteousness. 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:35.059 righteousness. 00:35:36.260 --> 00:35:37.019 That is 00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.680 the same 00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:38.300 righteousness 00:35:38.300 --> 00:35:39.820 on which 00:35:39.820 --> 00:35:40.900 you stand 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:42.300 at the 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:42.700 judgment. 00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:44.780 So you 00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:45.159 don't need 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:45.619 to fear. 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.440 There is 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:47.860 now no 00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.420 condemnation 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:48.940 for those 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.200 who are 00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:49.940 in Christ 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.180 Jesus. 00:35:50.320 --> 00:35:50.700 We don't 00:35:50.700 --> 00:35:51.340 fear being 00:35:51.340 --> 00:35:51.760 condemned 00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:53.039 because Christ 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.840 paid for it 00:35:53.840 --> 00:35:54.559 and we've 00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:54.900 been given 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:55.220 His 00:35:55.220 --> 00:35:55.740 righteousness. 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:55.939 righteousness. 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:00.319 The Lord 00:36:00.319 --> 00:36:00.919 knows the 00:36:00.919 --> 00:36:01.459 way of 00:36:01.459 --> 00:36:01.579 the 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:01.879 righteous. 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:04.239 The Lord 00:36:04.239 --> 00:36:04.759 knows the 00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:05.359 way of 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:06.159 those He's 00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:06.559 declared 00:36:06.559 --> 00:36:07.019 righteous. 00:36:07.919 --> 00:36:08.539 The Lord 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:10.019 knows that 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.519 you are a 00:36:10.519 --> 00:36:10.699 sinner. 00:36:10.819 --> 00:36:11.159 The Lord 00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:11.879 knows you 00:36:11.879 --> 00:36:12.339 cried out 00:36:12.339 --> 00:36:12.659 to Him 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:13.259 for forgiveness. 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:14.159 The Lord 00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:14.779 knows what 00:36:14.779 --> 00:36:15.079 He's done 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:15.439 for you 00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:16.019 in Christ. 00:36:16.339 --> 00:36:16.839 The Lord 00:36:16.839 --> 00:36:17.459 knows the 00:36:17.459 --> 00:36:17.799 way of 00:36:17.799 --> 00:36:17.939 the 00:36:17.939 --> 00:36:18.279 righteous. 00:36:20.279 --> 00:36:20.939 We have 00:36:20.939 --> 00:36:21.479 the promise 00:36:21.479 --> 00:36:21.959 of eternal 00:36:21.959 --> 00:36:22.339 life. 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:25.160 our 00:36:25.160 --> 00:36:25.700 Savior 00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:27.640 is also 00:36:27.640 --> 00:36:27.860 our 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:28.200 judge. 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:29.940 And we 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:30.460 rest in 00:36:30.460 --> 00:36:30.680 that. 00:36:32.180 --> 00:36:32.880 So we've 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.160 looked at 00:36:33.160 --> 00:36:33.579 two ways 00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:34.019 to live. 00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:37.700 Contrast 00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:38.380 and companions 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:39.000 whose words 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.200 are you 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:39.340 going to 00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:39.740 live by? 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.380 Contrast 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.200 and characters 00:36:41.200 --> 00:36:43.400 is your 00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:44.079 leaf withering? 00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:44.620 Who are you 00:36:44.620 --> 00:36:45.260 trusting in? 00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:45.760 Are you like 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:46.220 the tree 00:36:46.220 --> 00:36:46.579 or like 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:47.200 the chaff? 00:36:48.180 --> 00:36:48.660 Contrasting 00:36:48.660 --> 00:36:49.320 destinies, 00:36:49.640 --> 00:36:50.100 do you fear 00:36:50.100 --> 00:36:51.120 judgment or 00:36:51.120 --> 00:36:51.440 do you have 00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:51.920 a settled 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:52.539 confidence 00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.460 that your 00:36:53.460 --> 00:36:54.539 Savior today 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:55.300 will be 00:36:55.300 --> 00:36:56.159 also your 00:36:56.159 --> 00:36:56.920 judge on 00:36:56.920 --> 00:36:57.460 the last 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:57.740 day? 00:36:58.119 --> 00:36:58.720 He knows 00:36:58.720 --> 00:36:59.360 the way 00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:00.300 of though 00:37:00.300 --> 00:37:00.820 He's made 00:37:00.820 --> 00:37:01.400 righteous. 00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:04.680 Brothers 00:37:04.680 --> 00:37:05.139 and sisters 00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:05.760 in Christ, 00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:07.940 the righteous 00:37:07.940 --> 00:37:08.960 thrive because 00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:09.579 they're planted 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:10.019 by the 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.619 life-giving 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.900 streams of 00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:12.280 God's 00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:12.599 Word. 00:37:14.720 --> 00:37:15.539 Where are 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:16.000 you planted? 00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:17.400 Let's 00:37:17.400 --> 00:37:17.639 pray. 00:37:17.639 --> 00:37:22.059 God in 00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:22.359 heaven, 00:37:24.359 --> 00:37:27.259 we turn 00:37:27.259 --> 00:37:27.539 to you, 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:27.879 we look 00:37:27.879 --> 00:37:28.159 to you, 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:28.440 you are 00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:28.900 our God, 00:37:28.980 --> 00:37:29.239 you are 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:29.699 our close 00:37:29.699 --> 00:37:30.199 companion, 00:37:30.319 --> 00:37:30.739 you've bound 00:37:30.739 --> 00:37:31.299 yourself to 00:37:31.299 --> 00:37:31.699 us in 00:37:31.699 --> 00:37:32.079 Christ. 00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:37.119 You have 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:37.460 the words 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:37.839 of eternal 00:37:37.839 --> 00:37:38.179 life, 00:37:38.259 --> 00:37:38.559 where do 00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:38.920 we go? 00:37:40.259 --> 00:37:41.019 We plant 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:41.940 ourselves by 00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:42.579 your Word 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.599 again and 00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:43.960 again and 00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:44.219 again. 00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:45.319 we trust 00:37:45.319 --> 00:37:45.839 in you 00:37:45.839 --> 00:37:47.000 and God, 00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:47.579 we trust 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:48.019 that you'll 00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:48.500 cause us 00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:49.179 to thrive 00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:50.559 even when 00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:50.919 you bring 00:37:50.919 --> 00:37:51.219 on the 00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:51.439 heat. 00:37:52.139 --> 00:37:52.559 In Jesus' 00:37:52.759 --> 00:37:53.019 name, 00:37:53.719 --> 00:37:53.939 amen.