Explore the Bible Lesson Preview November 8, 2009 "Choose Wisely" Background & Lesson: Psalm 1:1-6 Motivation: Many people today "live for the moment." Long range goals have given way to short term gratification. Psalm 1 is a graphic warning to look down the road. As important as the journey seems to be, the ultimate destination is most important. (Eph. 1:4-14) God promises blessings for obedience and judgment for wickedness. Examination: I. God's Way (1:1-3) J. Vernon McGee suggests a three-fold organization of this section: The righteous person's practice, power, and permanence. A. The Practice of the Righteous Person (1-2) 1. What to Avoid "Blessed is the man who walks not..." We see a progression of action (walks, stands, sits) as well as a progression of company (ungodly, sinners, scornful). (I Thes. 5:22) 1 / 9
a. Avoid Close Association "who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly" Jesus encouraged us to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14). Both of these word pictures show the Christian changing his/her surroundings rather than being changed by them. We are in the world, but we do not belong to the world (John 17:16). We try to change the world without letting the world change us. The first step in this process is to avoid ungodly counsel. When we begin to rely more upon Oprah than Proverbs, when we get our principles for living from popular magazines and sitcoms, we are violating this rule. Unfortunately, among modern Christians this may be the most violated of God's principles. Instead of the church going into the world, the world has come into the church. b. Avoid Constant Identification "nor stands in the path of sinners." A path can refer to the pattern for living; in other words, don't hang around places where sin is the focus. The desire to conform is a constant pressure; yet God's Word clearly warns us " There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." ( Prov. 14:12). John is more specific " For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world." (I John 2:16). Cowboy wisdom says "Lay down with the dogs; wake up with fleas". (I Peter 4:1-6) Identification with ungodly people and hanging out in the places they hang out is a sure path to unrighteousness. Parents of teenagers take note: if you want to know what your child is like, closely observe his/her friends. They choose these friends because they feel comfortable doing the things, acting the way, and talking the same as they do. 2 / 9
c. Avoid a Clear Fixation "Nor sits in the seat of the scornful." The downward spiral began with conversation, proceeding to experimentation, and ends with insubordination (I John 2:19; cf. Lot: Gen 13:10, 12; 19:1, 30). J. Vernon McGee calls the scornful "atheists." They are the ones who oppose God. Proverbs 3:34 says the feeling is mutual " Surely He scorns the scornful..." What are the characteristics of a scornful person? 1) A scornful person rejects correction. (Prov. 9:7-8; 14:6; 15:12); 2) A scornful person rejects humility. (Prov. 21:24); 3) A scornful person rejects Godly wisdom. (Prov. 23:9); 4) A scornful person causes strife and contention. (Prov. 22:10). The end result of walking down the path of ungodliness is to be firmly associated with the enemies of God. 2. What to Practice a. Our Passion "But his delight is in the law of the Lord..." (2a) In The Random House Dictionary the first two meanings given for "passion" are 1) "any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling," and 2) "strong affection; love." When we delight in the Lord, it touches our emotions and is expressed in love. Priorities can be determined by tracking our time, tracking our expenditures and 3 / 9
tracking our release of emotional energy. Our " delight " will be reflected in all three of these areas as we serve the Lord. b. Our Pattern "And in His law he meditates day and night" (26) (Joshua 1:8) The " law&q uot; should not be restricted to the first five books of the Old Testament (The Torah). Rather, God wants us to meditate on His ways, principles and precepts. Thoughts of God are a preoccupation of the Godly individual. " Day and night " is hyperbole for the sake of emphasis. (I Thes. 5:17) While it's not possible to dwell on God's Word 24/7, it is desirable to make thoughts of God uppermost in our minds. Mediating would combine study, analysis, and personal application. c. Our Power "He shall be like a tree planted by the river..." (3) This tree has a constant source of life-giving water (John 4:10, 14). Our " rivers of water " are God's Word which feeds us and His Spirit which guides us (Isa. 55:10-11; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:8.). 1. A Righteous Person Produces Fruit "brings forth fruit in its season" Bearing fruit is a responsibility of every Christian (John 15:5). By reflecting the indwelling Holy Spirit we demonstrate His fruits (Gal. 5:22-23). 4 / 9
Bearing fruit refers to multiplying disciples through soul-winning and Christian training. Notice that fruit-bearing is not constant but rather seasonal. There are times of planting, cultivating and harvesting (I Cor. 3:6). 2. A Righteous Person is Preserved "leaf also does not wither" God expects His children to be evergreens. Discouragement and sin causes us to lose our outward vitality, our testimony. The righteous person has a taproot connected to a never-ending source of refreshment. 3. A Righteous Person Prospers "Whatever He does shall prosper" Too often we think that prosperity must be measured in U.S. dollars. In God's economy He prospers us in a number of ways. As long as we follow God's plan, He will honor it (Deut. 8:11-19; Ps. 37:4; Prov. 3:5-6; Phil. 4:13). II. The Other Way (1:4-5) A. The Wicked are Evil "the ungodly are not so" (4a) All of the things that a righteous person avoids, the wicked joins. By contrast, all of the positive things the righteous one does, the wicked avoids. B. The Wicked are Exposed "like the chaff that the wind drives away." (4b) There are no roots for stability so the wicked have a basic insecurity: 1) They do not use the Bible as their guide; 2) They do not have the Spirit for their power; 3) They do not have Christ's righteousness for their own; 4) They do not have the covenant love of God. (Ps. 49:17) 5 / 9
C. The Wicked are Excluded "the ungodly will not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous " (5) To " stand " in the judgment means to be acquitted, in other words, stand instead of fall. Jesus referred to the exclusion of the wicked, " And then I will declare to them I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness' " (Matt. 7:23). In my book, Adults and Evangelism (p. 14) I wrote the following under the title: Functional Universalists : "Do you know anyone in your church who claims to be a universalist, that is, a person who truly believes that everyone's going to heaven? We live in a society of universalists. U.S. News and World Report ran a cover story on hell. A survey was included revealing that 60 percent of Americans believe in a literal hell while only 4 percent think that they'll go there. Unfortunately, Christians act like universalists if they never share their faith. If we fail to witness, we demonstrate the attitude that all will go to heaven, and this simply is not the case." III. The Two Choices (6) A. The Righteous are Known by God "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous." (6a) Although our works don't gain for us admission into heaven, God 6 / 9
takes note of our righteous labor. After his great discourse on the resurrection of the dead, Paul writes to the Corinthians "Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58) Sometimes we feel that no one takes notice of a godly lifestyle. Conventional wisdom says "Everybody's doing it; why not go along with the crowd." Psalm 1 presents a compelling case for righteousness! Psalm 37, 49, 73 all address the prosperity of the wicked and their demise. B. The Wicked are Disowned by God "The way of the ungodly shall perish" (6b) Not only will individual sinners be punished, their entire way is a dead-end. Paul reminds us "The wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). One can choose to go that way; however, he/she needs to understand the destination. (John 3:16) Application: 1. Christians must seek Godly friends and confidants. 2. Christians must make decisions with future consequences in mind. 3. Christians must be willing to take a public stand for what is right. 7 / 9
Leader Pack Item 14: Poster: "Unit 3 Outline" Illustrator: "Streams as Imagery in the Old Testament" Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: http://www.hfbcbiblestud y.org/ ; Dates: 8/26-11/18 - Fall Midlink; 9/8-11/17 - LivingProof Bible Study; 10/31 - First Fest - CLC; 11/1 - Ti me Change Sunday ; 11/8 - New & Pros. Member Orientation; 11/11 - FBA Veteran's Day Service; 11/15 - Parent Commitment; 11/15 - Christmas Store Gift Collection Day; 11/20 - FBA Grandparents & Friends Day; 11/29 - Thanksgiving Weekend - (No SBS) - normal worship sched.; 12/5 - Christmas Store; 12/10 - FBA Christmas Fine Arts Festival; 12/11-12 - Christmas Celebration; 12/17 - FBA Primary & Lower School Christmas Plays; 12/19 - Candycane Lane; 12/27 - Christmas Weekend (No SBS) - normal worship Schedule. 8 / 9
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